Funny

Enjoy life! Only in the Philippines!

Part 1

Part 2

:)

Playing Busy

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 21-22, 2007

Busyness of life
Over the last few months that I’ve been here at Werribee I've kind words of welcome and hospitality. Oftentimes people would ask me if I am settling alright here ofcourse my answer is a big "yes". People are very friendly but sometimes they ask me "funny" questions like what I do after celebrating Mass. There is an impression that a priest is ordained just to celebrate Mass. That was my impression too! Well, I am a priest now for ten months and I’d say the demands on my time and energy as a priest are relentless or at times overwhelming. In short, busy. But who is not busy? We all have work to do and tasks to accomplish be as priests, parents, employees or students. See, even our young children they are super busy too; they have to juggle their time on their home works, and other activities like music lesson, dance, sports, etc.

We live in a super-busy world. And because we are busy we want everything instant. We want everything and we want it now. We have instant messages, email, fax, internet. Time is so precious that we want instant food, education, job and money. We want things to be done quick, fast and better. We demand instant information, medical service, instant diet, and we even demand instant boyfriend or girlfriend! :)

Technology is supposed to make life easier and give us more leisure time. But it seems the more technology advances the more become busy and less time. We walk down the street, it's not ordinary to people without a mobile phone or i-pod to their ear. People are busy sending text messages to their friends even during meetings (Mass?).

We are too busy that oftentimes we want to do different tasks at the same time - multi-tasking. Oftentimes it works. For instance my eldest sister has a talent doing things at time. She can cook meal, wash clothes, while at the time feeding her 3 children. (I had a talent too. When I was studying I could write down notes and sleep at the same time during class).

Multi-tasking Mary
The Gospel story we have today reflects our business in our life. At the same time it teaches us that in terms of our relationship with God, it is not healthy to be busy or preoccupied with so many things in mind. When we want to serve God we need to make certain priorities, we need balance by doing things one at a time.

The story of Martha and Mary teaches us some wisdom on how we can offer hospitality to God and particularly how we can make Christ welcomed in our life. Jesus goes to the house of his friends Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus. Jesus comes as friend and as guest receiving two level of hospitality from the two sisters.

Mary & Martha
Mary arranges herself at Jesus’ feet and focuses clear wide eyes upon him, listening to his word, while Martha bustles in the kitchen about getting dinner ready.

“Martha and Mary are often seen as symbols for a balance of hospitality. Martha represents the tasks of preparation-cleaning house, cooking food, setting out the dishes and cups, and the like. Mary represents the personal care of the visitor-listening, paying attention, spending quality time in conversation. Both are important.”

But in response to Martha’s (exasperated) request that Mary help out a little, Jesus remarks that, no, Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken away from her.” Jesus is not saying to Mary that food or the chores of making meal are unimportant. (Personally I find food more important :). Jesus would like to remind Martha that she has forgot about him as guest, as she was anxious and worried about many things, and her mind was on work – like us, she was super busy!

“The moral of the story actually is this: real hospitality means a two-way relationship. Host and guest open to each other and become present to each other in various ways. Yes, hosts do work on the details, and work hard. But they always remember the visitor while they prepare. They do not become distracted from the reason for the food. Excellent hosts manage somehow to get everything ready but then to truly listen to and converse with the one who has come.”

Active contemplation
Both Martha and Mary play a significant role in their attentiveness to Jesus, while meditation, listening on Jesus’ word is accorded an essential preference.

Yesterday, I attended a special Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral to celebrate the 1 year out before World Youth Day in Sydney. The Cathedral was packed with so many young people from schools and parishes, together with parish coordinators and representatives. Bishop Prowse said in his homily “there is no greater encounter than to encounter Jesus in our life.”

Let us sink his words in our hearts....“There is no greater encounter than to encounter Jesus in our life.”

Mary, by listening to Jesus’ word, by contemplating on his presence, has encountered Jesus more deeply in her heart.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of our life, let us give hospitality to Jesus let us welcome him not only in action but also with contemplation. Contemplation means we need to find time to sit down, let us let go of worldly distractions in order to hear and understand Jesus’ thoughts and insights more deeply.

We need to meet God “face to face” at it were, because we are made for him, we are made for worship. We find our rest on in Jesus, as St Augustine says, “our hearts are made for you, O Lord, and they will not rest until they rest in You." Amen.

Bb Socorro Laniog

Ipinanganak si Binibini Socorro Laniog taon 1929. Nagtapos siya sa National Teacher College nuong 1960.
Sa loob ng halos 37 taon nagturo si Ma'am Laniog sa St Dominic Academy, Pulilan, Bulacan, kaya't ilang salin ng henerasyon sa Pulilan ang pinalad na dumaan sa kanyang istrikto ngunit masayang istilo ng pagtuturo. May nagsabing kung may Mary Walter daw ang pelikulang Tagalog ay may Miss Laniog naman daw ang SDA.

Huling naglingkod si Ma’am bilang guro sa Fernandez College Technical High School sa Baliuag kung saan siya ay nagturo sa loob ng 7 taon.

Nakakalungkot ang mga huling taon ni Ma’am dahil siya ay halos nabuhay sa hirap. Madalas siyang makikitang nakaupo sa harap ng munisipyo ng Pulilan, nag-aabang at nanghihingi sa mga kakilala o kaya’y sa mga naging estudyante niya.

Ipinagkait man kay Ma’am Laniog ang maginhawang buhay, siguradong kung saan man siya naroroon ngayon ay tinatamasa na niya ang ibayong ligaya at yamang taglay ng Poong Maykapal dahil na rin sa kanyang paglilingkod at mabuting pakikitungo sa kapwa.

July 1, 2007, inihatid sa huling hantungan si Ma’am Laniog sa Garden of Love Memorial Park. Dahil sa dami ng tao na nagparangal at nakiramay kay Ma’am Laniog sa burol at Santa Misa, masasabi daw na isa ito sa pinakamalaking okasyon ng libing sa bayan ng Pulilan.

"wala na po sya please pray for her soul"

- Peejay

"lam u n b blita? patay n c ms. laniog. c lerelyn n eileen gay send message thru frendstr.."
- Pilar

"MS. LANIOG PASSED AWAY LAST NIGHT SA PALTAO NAKABUROL.."

- lerelyne

"sa mga ka batch ko! iniwan n tayo ni maam laniog!lets pray for her!"

- rio

" please pray for the soul of our teacher ms.laniog,she passed away last night."

- Eileen gay

joel: sa bisita ng paltao ata binurol

elsa: dami siguro pumunta noh? parang reunion

elsa: ilang generation ang estudyante nya eh

joel: oo nga parang reunion tayo lang wala

elsa: di bale maintindihan nya un...may representative nman tayo eh

.

"Marami ang natuwa,napaiyak at napasayang atin ulirang guro na si ma'amLaniog. Ngunit sa kabila nito, marami tayong natutunan aral sa buhay na hanggang ngayon ay atin pa rin bitbit kahit san tayo magpunta. Isa ka ma'am Laniog na humubog ng akin buhay, ikaw ma'am isa sa naging gabay ko kapagtuklas ng buhay. ang iyong walang sawang pagbibigay pangaral ang patnubay ng iyon mga mag-aaal. Lumipas man ang maraming panahon...tanim pa rin namin sa aming puso ang iyon mga sinambit at ito ay bahagi ng buhay.sa huling pagkakataon... Maraming maraming salamat sa amin mahal naguro.... BB.SOCORRO LANIOG....hanggang sa pagkikita natin muli ..sakabilang buhay."

- monet mag-isa

"ang ina at ama eh nagpunta kgabi sa burol ni mam laniog, syang wala daw kyo dun, by batch ang nandun parang reunion na din daw, tapos may mga nagsasalita na mga students nya dati. exmple ng isang kwento, tinanong daw sya ni mam laniog ng sakit na makukuha pag kinagat sya ng lamok. ang sagot daw nya ay bacteria, iyon daw pla eh malaria kaya hanggang nagyon eh bacteria ang tawag sa kanya. baka kilala nyo yun kung cno mang bacteria sya hehe,."
- cune

***

MARAMING SALAMAT MISS LANIOG SA MASASAYANG ALA-ALA.

REST IN PEACE NA PO.

***

Model of goodness

15th Sunday of the Ordinary Time
The Good Samaritan
July 15, 2007
Deuteronomy 30:10-14
Psalm: 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37 or 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Colossians 1:15-20
Luke 10:25-37

Good Samaritan in the bar:
A man is having a few drinks at a bar when he looks over and notices a drunk man passed out at a table nearby. The bartender tells him the drunk is Mr. Murphy and asks the man if he could drive Mr. Murphy home. Being a Good Samaritan, the man agrees. The bartender writes down the address and gives it to him. The man walks over and tries to wake Mr. Murphy but Murphy is groggy. The man helps him to his feet but Murphy falls to the floor. "Gosh," the man says, wondering how anyone could drink so much. He takes Murphy by the arm and practically drags him out to the car. Once there he leans him against the side of his car while he looks for his keys. Mr. Murphy slides down to the ground. The man finds his keys and manages to get Murphy positioned in the car.

He then drives to the address the bartender gave him, opens the passenger door and helps Mr. Murphy out, but Murphy falls to the ground again. Angry and annoyed, the man helps Murphy to his feet and practically drags him to the front door. He lets go of Murphy, knocks on the door and Murphy falls down again. The man helps him to his feet as Mrs. Murphy answers the door. "Hi, Mrs. Murphy, Your husband had a little too much to drink tonight so I gave him a ride home." "That was nice of you Good Samaritan," she says, looking around, "But where's the wheelchair of my crippled husband?"

Introduction
We describe a person as a Good Samaritan based on the parable we heard today: a compassionate person who unselfishly helps others. The Good Samaritan person in the parable was the only person to aid a stranger person who had been beaten and robbed.

Last month we were shocked about the shooting incident in Melbourne CBD, where a 43 year-old solicitor, Brendan Keilar, was shot dead after trying to rescue Kaera Douglas. Witnesses and reporters were quick to describe Brendan as a good Samaritan, as being someone who voluntarily offers help or sympathy even to a stranger in times of trouble.

On the contrary, during the time of Jesus to say someone is a “good Samaritan” was a contradictory in itself. The Jews treated the Samaritans as heretical people, schismatic group, worst than pagans, in short, using our language today the Jews saw the Samaritans as bastard race.

There was a deep division between the Jews and Samaritans both politically and religiously that originated even in early Israelite history. They were enemies, and, in fact, the rivalry between them is reflected several times in the bible. Remember the gospel reading a week before last week, a Samaritan village refused hospitality to Jesus and his disciples on their way from Galilee to Jerusalem, where Jesus rebuked his disciples on their anger. Also there was an occasion in the Gospel when the disciples were scandalized seeing Jesus having a conversation with a Samaritan woman.

So when Jesus told the story of a Samaritan helping a Jew everyone was probably shocked. A Samaritan outcast helping a Jew would have seemed like a bad joke—a contradiction in terms.

Who is my neighbour?
Jesus told this story of the parable of the Good the Samaritan in response to the Jewish scholar who came to test him asking “who is my neighbour?”

Based the parable Jesus’ answer was clear: our neighbour is anyone in need.

But, then, Jesus twists the question back to him, “Who is the neighbour of the robbers’ victim?” The answer of course, is the Samaritan, he or she is the one who treated the person with mercy. Even people outside our religious circle are good people and van even perform great act of kindness.

Concrete challenge
Let us ask ourselves:
Who are we in the parable?
Are we aware of the needs of other people?
Third question, are we merciful and loving like the Good Samaritan even to the stranger who is need?

Jericho Road
Jesus mentions Jericho Road as the scene of the parable of the good Samaritan. Geographically speaking modern Jericho lies about 23 miles from Jerusalem via a winding mountain road which makes it a favorite haunt of highway robbers even into today.

However, Jesus is telling us, that the Jericho Road is any place where people are being robbed, whether of their dignity, their material goods or their value as human beings. It is any place where there is suffering and oppression, a place where people stumble and fall.

As a matter of fact, the Jericho Road may be our own home, the place where we take care of our parents, husband or wife, or our children. The Jericho Road may be our work place, or our parish community where we see people, ailing person, mother, young people, children, “wounded” by bitter words, criticism, prejudices, abuses and so on.

May we all be inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan and be challenged to respond lovingly to command of Jesus: “Go, and do likewise.”

Peace Be With Us

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time C
July 8, 2007
Isaiah 66:10-14c
Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20
Galatians 6:14-18
Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 or 10:1-9

Introduction
When I was a student in the Philippines, I remember a friend of mine who was only a deacon then, telling me that when priest is delivering a sermon he must have a bible at his right hand and a newspaper at his left hand. It took me a while before I could undertand what he meant.

Well, I guess what he was trying to explain me is that a priest must reflect on the Word of God and try to see its message or significance on what is happening in our present time.

As I was reflecting on the Sunday readings I was particularly struck by the aspect of peace. So I tried to see how the scripture's aspect of peace be relevant in today's time. So I looked up the latest news in our newspapers:

Herald Sun: there are at least fifteen reports about crime and violence: hit and run, terrorism, robbery, rape charges, tax scam.

The Age: violent machete attack at St Albans on Friday night in which eight people were injured.
Philippine Daily Inquirer (one of the leading newspapers in the Philippines): updates about Fr Giancarlo Bossi an Italian missionary, who was kidnapped by some terrorists group in southern Philippines.

New York Times: US military special operations against Al Queda.

This is the world we live in today.
Someone says, “Even if one just limits his reading to newspaper headlines this week, it will not take him more than a minute to conclude that this is not a peaceful world.”

The world is still longing for peace. How can we achieve peace?

In today's First Reading (Isa 66:10-14c), prophet Isaiah speaks of peace that God will bestow on His people who suffered strife, defeat and humiliation. But what is peace? For the prophet Isaiah, peace is not merely the absence of war. One does not create a desert and call it peace. Using the image of the new Jerusalem as a mother who consoles the returning exiles at her breasts and cradles them on her lap, the prophet describes peace in terms of experiencing comfort, spreading prosperity over the land, and all inhabitants being joyful in mind and heart. Isaiah uses a beautiful image of wholeness and integrity, the right relationship between the people and God, to describe peace.

In the second reading St Paul gives his readers a blessing of peace and mercy, that the believers may be re-created into existence of a new life with Christ.
But what does the Gospel wish to teach us about peace? Jesus his sending his 72 disciples to bring peace (or shalom in Hebrew word), to people, not only in our individual lives, but also in our community, in the nation and in the world.
Jesus instructs: "On entering any house, first say, 'Peace to this house'. If there is a peaceable man there, your peace will rest on him" ( Luke 10:5-6). What Jesus meant here is not a simple greeting that one gives to people he meets on the way, but an announcement of the peace that the salvation of Jesus brings.

Traditionally, this Gospel has been used to talk about vocations to the priestly and religious life. We take time today acknowledge the many missionaries who have come to do their mission to different countries to spread the peace of our Lord. We remember them with gratitude for leaving their loved ones, for braving deprivation, loneliness and even persecution for the sake of the Gospel.

At the back of envelope which we use to support missionaries we have a concrete story of Sr Dorothy Stand who was a victim of violence as she work for peace.
While the Gospel today can be applied specifically to labourers in the harvest as missionaries, priests and religious, the Gospel message applies to us all. Actually these 72 disciples represent all of us in our different vocations.

Jesus needs men and women to spread his message of peace. Peace always involves relationships within families, communities and between peoples; it is always about their unity and harmony. If Jesus gave his peace to his disciples, (cf John 14:27), his disciples must bring it to others. As spouses, parents, teachers, priests, friends, students, political or civic leaders, we open the way for others to meet God, and experience and bring forth the peace of Christ.

We, Christians must be peace-bearers. We are to be vehicles of peace for it is only through the communities of disciples that real peace come upon earth. We have to be involved in the peace process. The process of peace begins with reconciliation first with God by asking forgiveness, then by making peace with our loved ones, our family, and friends, then extending to our wider community. For peacemaking is not an optional commitment but it is a requirement of our faith as Christians.

Let us pray therefore in the Mass, that peace that only Jesus can give will be present in our hearts, in our family and community and we will be more aware that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

St Saint Francis of Assisi wrote a beautiful prayer of peace, let us end our reflection with his prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love;where there is injury,pardon;where there is doubt, faith;where there is despair, hope;where there is darkness, light;and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seekto be consoled as to console;to be understood as to understand;to be loved as to love.For it is in giving that we receive;it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

Hard challenge: To Follow without delay

13th Sunday In Ordinary Time
June 30-July 1 2007
1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21 Psalm: 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10,
Galatians 5:1, 13-18
Luke 9:51-62

Introduction
A young man was very excited because he just won a ticket to the footy. His excitement lessened as he realized his seat was in the back of the stadium. As he searched the rows ahead of him for a better seat, he saw an empty one right next to the field. He approached the man sitting next to the empty seat and asked if it was taken. The man replied, "No." Amazed the young man asked, "How could someone pass up a seat like this?" The older gentleman responded, "That's my wife's seat. We've been to every Football Match together since the day we were married but she has passed away." "Oh, how sad," the man said. "I'm sorry to hear that, but couldn't you find a friend or relative to come with you?" "No," the man said, "They're all at the funeral."*

Commitment
The readings today have a general theme of commitment but it’s not about a commitment to our personal passion such as sports. They remind us today to focus our commitment to God divine call: his call to follow Jesus, to serve him through one another. Commitment is an act of being involved or engaged in an obligation; living up one’s promise to be faithful in all circumstances. A commitment to the divine call always requires detachment to one’s personal happiness, security, and even one’s family in order to attach oneself totally to God.

Readings
The first reading describes how Elisha committed himself whole-heartedly to God’s call to be a prophet, in spite of his initial hesitation when God called him through the prophet Elijah. Upon receiving God’s invitation, Elisha responds promptly, he expresses his total detachment to his former living by slaughtering his oxen he had been plowing with, and then cooking them (using the yoke and harness) as fuel for neighbors to eat, and kisses his father and mother goodbye.

Actually the responsorial psalm, “You are my inheritance, O Lord," has traditionally been used to exemplify the commitment to ordained ministry or religious profession. But it more accurately reflects the commitment we made on our baptism
.
Gospel
The Gospel today has two parts: First part deals with the beginning of Jesus’ journey from the northern town of Galilee to the southern city of Jerusalem through the land of Samaria. It invites us to discover what the call to discipleship means. We hear the hostile nature of Samaritan territory, the villagers wouldn’t welcome Jesus, which infuriated, James and John, that they requested Jesus to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them as Elias had done (II Kings 1:9-12). Jesus rebuked them, however, because he was not a destroyer, but a Savior. So far at this stage the apostles have so little understanding of their commitment as followers of Christ. Commitment to Jesus also means detachment to violence and harmful thoughts against others, even to enemies. They already forgot what Jesus taught them, to bless those who curse them and pray for their love enemies.

Now the second part of the Gospel gives us in tight sequence three cases of would-be followers of Jesus. Three different characters who would like to commit their lives to Jesus. Jesus warns them that to follow him requires total dedication and complete self-surrender. It will not be a bed of roses. We do not know if they ended up as faithful followers of Christ. What matters is the message of the Gospel: how does one follow Jesus; how can we be fully committed to Christ.

Those who are to follow Christ are asked to follow him totally and immediately, without any reservation by giving up everything they have. First, one must give up security, one must subordinate everything without delay to the duty of evangelizing, and one must forget the past and face the future. In short, if one wants to follow Jesus, one must act decisively – fully committed by words and examples.

A life of commitment to all

A life of commitment to a divine call, as explained in today’s reading, is not restricted to saints, priests and the religious, but it’s for all. As baptised Christians we are called to be living prophets to our families, community, Church, and society by listening to and putting into practice what Jesus says to us.

We are here this morning because, in one way or another, we would like to say to Jesus, “I love and I will follow you.” Sometimes we have been faithful to him and other times because of our weaknesses we have not. But the good news is that we are following him as best as we can, aren’t we? If not you wont sacrifice one hour of time today to come to Mass and worship our Lord. In a few moments, 30 minutes or so, we will all leave this church, we will go our own way and return to the world with all sorts of tough choices and difficult demands. Tomorrow most of you will to your workplaces, our students will be starting their school holidays, and tomorrow I will spend my day off.

Hence in this Mass we have come together, to pray for strength that we will able to faithful with our commitment to follow Jesus, to live up his values and imitate his examples. It will never be easy to follow Jesus but we will do it. So we have to ask for forgiveness when we fail, and we have to renew our determination to walk with Jesus.

My dear friends, let us pray for strength to honor our commitments that we may all resolved to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and follow him to the end. Amen.

*story adapted from Fr Tony
* Hanggang tenga ngiti: A-so-happy-moment-taken-in-1997-with-my-very-good-friend-Sr-Maria-Comiso- RCM. She's an inspiring example of a faithful follower of Christ.