New Year Today!

First Sunday of Advent C

November 28, 2009

(First Weekend at Queen of Peace, Laverton)

Waiting for the Moment

Introduction

Today is like a “new year’s day” not in our civic calendar, but in the Liturgical Calendar of the Church. By celebrating the first week of Advent Season we begin afresh the new Liturgical Year of the Church. Advent comes from the Latin ad venio, “to come” — is the liturgical season anticipating the Adventus Domini, the "coming of the Lord.”

Interestingly as the Church begins a new Liturgical Year, I also begin a new chapter of my priestly journey with you here at Queen of Peace Parish. I was assistant priest at St Andrews in Werribee for 3 years. Although Werribee is just a few kilometres from Altona Meadows but coming here is a new and exciting journey for me – I hope Fr Binh has the same feeling.

Everything is new to me – not only I have a new set of keys to remember but also a few hundreds of new names or at least faces to remember.

Just to give you a brief profile about myself, I’m sure you get to know me later on (hopefully just the good side of me), I was ordained priest in 2006 at St Patrick’s Cathedral by Archbishop Denis Hart. I started my seminary training in the Philippines at the age of 16. I came to Australia in year 2000 and continued my studies at Corpus Christi College.

I have three sisters; two of them live in Sunbury, where I spent most of the time in day off playing with my 3 nieces and 3 nephews. My younger sister lives in the Philippines with my mother and father.

Advent Season

Well, let’s go back to Advent!

Advent Season is a season of waiting for the coming of Christ on Christmas day. The Gospel reading today is about the impending of second coming of Jesus, the Son of Man, at end of the world. St Luke Gospel invites the people then to be ready, be vigilant at all times.

The first Sunday of Advent has the theme of waiting because God is coming! We have to be prepared and ready. Like a pregnant mother we anticipate and wait with full of excitement the birth of our Saviour – in our hearts and in the hearts of everyone – this is indeed the true and sole meaning of Christmas.

We have only 27 days before Christmas!

Everyone is getting ready for Christmas — people at homes and shopping centres are now busy putting up Christmas decorations. They are all beautiful and make the atmosphere colourful and festive but one of the serious temptations we are facing every year is the commercialization of Jesus’ birth.

Sometimes we are so busy with the material preparations that we lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas: the Word made flesh coming to dwell among us. We need to remind ourselves again and again to preserve the spiritual focus of Christmas amidst the hustle and bustle of our consumer-driven society.

Inside Church

Inside the Church we see the beautiful purple colour of Advent, candles, vestments, that reminds us that our four Sundays of preparation and expectation before Christmas must first of all be a spiritual one.

Purple or violet used during Advent and Lent is a penitential colour – it invites us to start afresh our journey with God by being sorry for our sins, ask for His forgiveness and make a resolution to really work hard to be a better person.

The gradual lighting of the four candles, one on each Sunday of the Advent season, help us to symbolize not only our expectation of Our Savior's first coming into the world, but also in his Second Coming as Judge at the end of the world.

Readings

Our readings this Sunday touch our need for strength, determination and perseverance to overcome our weaknesses and sinfulness so that our Saviour, Jesus Christ, may be born in our hearts.

The first reading reminds us of the promise God has made to his people: Righteousness and justice will come to the earth. The day of the Lord will arrive, though long delayed.

In the second reading Paul expresses this need of strength. He writes, May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all,just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts…

And in the Gospel, Jesus tells us to pray that we may have strength, “Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.”

Conclusion

Let us be cautious about the shortness of time. Too soon enough, it’s Christmas day already.

Again in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season, let us strive to keep Advent a season of waiting and longing, of conversion and hope, meditating often on the incredible love and humility of our God in taking on flesh of the Virgin Mary.

In our shopping, let us remember to purchase and prepare something for the poor. When we clean our homes, let us distribute some of our possessions to those who lack many necessities.

While we are decking the halls of our homes, let us not forget to also prepare most of all a peaceful place in our hearts wherein our Savior, the Emmanuel – who is to come to dwell amongst us.

Farewell St Andrews Werribee

Thank You St Andrews!

November 15, 2009

Werribee: A Place of Nourishment

Oppurtunity

There is a strange Greek statue which has disappeared completely. But it could be reconstructed today from a stone inscription which used to be the base on which the statue stood. That inscription is a very unusual one: it makes the statue talk to you while you are reading the text.

Here is what it says:

“What is your name, O statue?”

“I am called OPPORTUNITY.”

“Who made you?”

“Lysippus.”

“Why are you standing on your toes?”

“To show how quickly I pass by.”

“Why is your hair so long on your forehead?”

“So that people may hold onto me when they meet me.”

“Why, then, is your head so bald in the back?”

“To show that when I have once passed, I cannot be caught.”

“And what is your name again?”

“OPPORTUNITY.”

St Andrews

I am very thankful to God that I have been given the OPPORTUNITY to spend the first three years of my priesthood here at St Andrew’s parish Werribee. How quickly those three years have passed? I officially started my role as Assistant Priest here at St Andrew’s on November 29, 2006. I just came back that day from a holiday trip from the Philippines. Fr Frank and Ernie Demate picked me up at Tullamarine airport at 7 o’ clock in the morning. We soon arrived in Werribee 10 minutes before 9, just enough time for me put on my vestments to say morning Mass.

It was the beginning of my beautiful journey at St Andrews – indeed it was a wonderful OPPURTUNITY – to take and to hold.

Bird’s Nest

How can I describe St Andrew’s parish? What is your role to me in the last three years?

When you go to the parish office, you will see a bird nest (like a little tiny cup) on the top left corner near the entrance door. I first noticed it when I came back from my holiday last month. I fondly observed it each day, underneath the parent birds, you can see the unfeathered baby bird peeking her head out of the nest.

Each day and night the parent birds ensured that their baby in the nest is well guarded. When they’re not around I knew that mum and dad were somewhere out there looking for food. While the lucky little bird does nothing but wait for her food supply. The little nest is her world. It’s her home; her comfort zone. It’s a place where she is fed and nourished.

Four weeks have passed, the little bird is now fully feathered in fact it has started learning how to fly. While it takes time for a young bird to become good at flying – not too long from now she has to leave its nest.

Last night, while I’m writing this Farewell Speech, I went out to check the little family, they were sleeping. I took them a picture as souvenir. I hope they didn’t mind the flash of my camera.

While a picture of a bird nest is so simple, I would like to describe St. Andrew’s parish as my “little nest”, my home, my comfort zone. Because St. Andrews is the place where I was nourished and fed for the last three years both literally and figuratively. St Andrews parish, you, built the foundational years of my priesthood. Over the past three years I have grown in experience with your help and support.

I cannot thank Fr Frank enough for his guidance, for sharing his pastoral skills, for his patience and for his friendship. I already thanked our Parish Team and Admin Team last Friday on my Rite of Passage. I thank the Parish Core Group for their vital role in backing up us priests in so many ways.

I thank our school communities – all the staff and students – for the wonderful opportunity to celebrate sacraments and social activities with you.

I thank you all for the love and care and friendship you have shown to me.

Thank you for bringing Christ to me.

Thank you for looking after Christ’s young priest in me.

Thank you for listening to my homily, or at least pretending to be awake during homily. Thank you for opening the doors of homes and doors of your fridge for me.

I learned from the last three years that priesthood is a difficult life, but, as we hear from many priests themselves, it is an intensely rewarding life. I have walked with you at the darkest hours of losing a loved one. I have joined your moments of joy at weddings and celebration of your child’s baptism, confirmation and First Communion.

Priesthood is intensely rewarding because despite our human frailty the light of Christ shines more brightly.

Italian message

I would like to say a few words now in Italian:

GRAZIE PER LE BELLE MEMORIE, SOPPORTO, INCORAGGIAMENTO CHE MI AVETE DATO IN QUESTE POCHI ANNI. IL BUON CIBO, VINO, GRAPPA, E SOPRATUTTO PER LE VOSTRE PREGHIERE AMORE E AFFETTO.

VI CHIEDO DI CONTINUARE DI PREGARE PER ME, E, IL MIO MINISTRO SACERDOTALE IO PREGHERO PER VOI NELLA CELEBRAZIONE DELLA MESSA. GRAZIE!

(Translation: Thank you for the beautiful memories, support and encouragement through the years. I loved your food, wine and grappa. Please remember me in your prayers, as I will remember you all each time I celebrate Mass. Thank you!)

Conclusion

Interestingly the Gospel reading today is about the end of the world. Everything has a beginning and end. So many things come and go in our life, in our world. But the promise given in our Scriptures is that in the end, there will always be Christ.

Like the little bird my days are now numbered, it’s now time for me to take my flight to a place not so far from here. (Maybe the Archbishop thought my wings are not yet that strong).

The wonderful OPPORTUNITY of spending my time St Andrew’s, Werribee is nearly over but wherever I may be it will always remind me of how God blessed me.

In behalf of my parents in the Philippines and myself thank you and I wish for each of you the blessing of Christ’s joy and love.

Quality vs Quantity

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 8, 2009
(1 Kings 17:10-16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44)

Trust in God results Generosity

Widow
In biblical times widows were among the poorest of the poor. A woman without a husband, in the ancient world was one who had lost everything - no source of livelihood; no money; no security; no social status; no future.

In the bible a widow stood as an example of powerlessness.

Today we heard from the First Reading and the Gospel Reading two powerless women. They were both in poor situation, yet they were both so generous because they entrusted everything to God.

The widow in the First Reading from the Book of Kings had a son who was totally dependent on her. She was down to her last handful of meal: a flour and little drop of oil. After that she and her child will starve.

Yet, she generously shared their last remaining food to Prophet Elijah, in return to her goodness God blessed her with a never-ending supply of food more than what she and son needed. Amazingly, it was in giving that she gained so much.

A widow's trusting & generous heart
In the Gospel, Jesus praises the widow’s dependence on God for giving all she had. Jesus is so thrilled that he calls his disciples onto the stage and teaches them the immensely important truth: ...this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury. She contributed more than the others, because while they gave from their surplus of wealth, she contributed all she had.

The few coins she placed in the treasury box - represent her very self, an expression of high level of sacrifice and generosity which some wealthy people were unprepared to give. She lets go of every shred of security, and committed herself wholly to God. Hence, the story is as much about trust in God as about generosity.

Message
We shall see in the bible widows also represent those poor people who despite their poverty, helplessness and oppression, place all their trust in God.

We wonder what is the source of their generosity? The answer is their generosity results from their total trust in God. Their generosity results from a deep trust that God will provide. They gave cheerfully without complaining. They gave cheerfully without sight and saying; Now I am left with nothing. They gave quietly and cheerfully.

People can be very generous to the Church. Some give money, a great deal of money. Others give their hands, their strength, their time, their energy and their loyalty. The Lord’s emphasis is not on quantity but quality. Jesus looks not on the amount of what we give but on the depth, honesty and sincerity of our hearts when we are giving.


Story of Chicken and Pig
I remember one of Aesop's fable's abut the story of chicken and a pig.

One day the chicken said to the pig, 'Hey, I've got a brilliant idea. The two of us should go into a business partnership.' 'Great,' said the pig, 'but what sort of business?' 'Oh, I don't know ... how about maybe we could try the bacon and egg business?' 'Well, that seems like a good idea, let me think about that,' said the pig. After a few moments the pig said, 'Wait a minute, though - it's okay for you to produce eggs, but for me to produce bacon I'd have to give up my life.'

There is big difference between involvement and commitment. The chicken might be involved in the partnership by laying eggs, but the pig would be somewhat has to commit his life to produce a bacon, he has to give his all. Commitment is giving your all, and it can be painfully demanding, but the reward is overwhelming!

Self-Giving
Giving is at the heart of our Christian religion. The Gospel of John says, For God so love the world that He gave us His only Son (Jn 3:16). The Second Reading, from the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus gave to the Father everything He was; He offered his life the sake of others. In the Eucharist our Lord gives us His all, his divinity and his humanity, not He gives us His Body and Blood for our spiritual and physical nourishment; Jesus also gives us as well his generous mercy, love and forgiveness.

We are called to do the same. To follow Jesus is to learn how to give generously. Let us pray that we may generous in giving with utmost sincerity and honestly.

Let us remember it’s not the quantity but the quality that counts.
The amount or size of the gift doesn't matter as much as the cost to the giver. Of course, we are not only talking about material things. Giving is not only about the money we put in the plate. We can live up generosity more than in material things. Such things are when we share our knowledge, our time, talents, love, attention, understanding and forgiveness to others.

Let us give without counting the cost. Because it is possible to give without losing. In fact, the only way of gaining is by giving.


"Lord Jesus, all that I have is yours. Take my life, my possessions, my talents, my time and all that I have. Grant me the grace I need so that I can share them with others for the greater glory of your name. Amen."