Ang Huling Dalawang Wika

Homilya ni Fr. Norman J. Baldoz.

Si Fr. Norman ay isa sa aking paboritong pari. Siya ay naging guro ko sa seminaryo. Magaling siyang mag-kwento, nakakaaliw pero may lalim. Masarap kalaro si Fr. Norman sa basketball lalo na kung magka-team kayo - mahusay siya sa long shot.


Kung si Jesus ay may Pitong Huling Wika, ngayon sa pagtatapos ng PY 2 may dalawang wika lang ako para sa mga magsisipagtapos ng programang ito.

Apat na taon ng nakakalilipas, sinubukan na itong isara, huwag nang ituloy. Maraming kontra. Apat na taon ng nakalilipas, ganito pa rin ang panananaw ng marami. Nang napag-usapan kung itutuloy ba ang PY2, kasama ang mahal na Obispo na nagkaisa na isara na ang PY2.

Ngayong magsasara na ang pinto ng Plaridel para sa PY2, narito ang Dalawang Huling Salita.

Una, huwag limutin si Jesus. Sa ating pagsusumikap na makapagdasal, at tumahimik, ang pakikipagbuno araw-araw sa Holy Hour, ang pagsusulat sa Journal, at ang pakikipagtagpo sa Diyos araw-araw sa Examen Consciousness at Lectio Divina….Sana ang nakuha natin ay hindi kung ano ang pagdarasal, o kung ano ang dapat dasalin.

Sa inyong pananatili rito sa PY2, mas higit sa mga ito ang ginawa natin—nakipagtagpo tayo kay Jesus. Na kasabay pala natin siya sa ating saya, at lungkot, sa ating tagumpay, at maramin beses na pagkakalugmok, sa ating katahimikan at sa ating pagkalito.

Naranasan natin si Jesus. Sana ay huwag nating kalimutan si Jesus.

We give up what is most important for us to what we want at the moment. Yung pinakamahalaga sa atin ay napagpapalit natin sa walang kwentang bagay. Nakakalungkot pero yon ang nangyayari. Huwag nating ipagpalit si Jesus.

Pangalawa, lumipad ka. Malaya ka na. Lumipad ka. Pag nakilala kasi natin si Jesus….nagiging malaya tayo.

Pang labing-anim na taong pari ko na sa darating na Aug. 3. 16 years na po at karamihan sa mga taong ito ay nasa seminaryo ako. May ibang kasiyahan po yung nasa seminaryo.

Ano po yung kaligayahan ko sa seminaryo? Yung nakikita ko pong pagbabago sa seminarista. Dito sa PY2 ay kitang-kita po yan. Mula sa PY1 at galing man sa minor seminary…papasok ng Hunyo na mahiyain, kinakabahan, natatakot, hindi sigurado sa sarili….pero habang nagtatagal…unti-unti, hindi biglaan, at hindi pwersado…napapagmasdan ko ang pagbabago. Masarap ang pakiramdam. Maramdaman nilang mahal sila ng Diyos. Nang nagkaroon kami ng evaluation ito ang mga salita nila: mas nalapit sila sa Diyos. Isasara man ang PY2, kung isip man nila ay hindi epektibo ang programa, sapat na sapat na ang mga salitang ito sa lahat ng aming hirap at pagod.

Kaya nga kayong magsisipagtapos…ngayong malapit na kayo sa Diyos, maging malaya kayo. Lumipad kayo. Hindi na kayo mga inakay, o mga sisiw…handa na kayong lumipad ng lumipad.Sa buhay natin, sa labas man o sa loob, may mga taong sisirain ang loob n’yo. Matatakot kayo sa mga sinasabi. Nagugulat ka sa mga nangyayari. Maaring manghina ang loob mo. Maaring mawala si Jesus. Maaring bumitaw kayo. Makuntento na lang sa buhay. Hindi na maghangad na mabago ang sitwasyon. At maaring masabi, kapag sumuko ka na, na isang malaking drowing ang PY2.

Pag ganito ang nangyayari na, alalahanin mo yung mga ginawa natin rito…at mas higit kung ano ang ginawa ng Diyos sa atin. Magtiwala ka. Maging totoo ka sa sarili mo. At Lumipad ka na parang agila. Ang agila man, lumipad man ito ng matagog, at kahanga-hanga…lumalapag din, dumadapo. Sana ang bawat pagsubok o paghihirap….ituring mong paglapag, pagdapo…para lalo pang lumipad at lumipad. Hindi ka na sisiw…agila ka na.

Wala akong kwento pero meron akong kanta. Baka mas maalala ito. Narito ang buod ng sinasabi ko sa inyo.

you with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged
Oh i realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small
But i see your true colors
Shining throughI see your true colors
And that's why i love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow


Dalawang Huling Wika. Baunin nyo ito

Maraming Salamat Bayan ng Pulilan

Bayan ng Pulilan, Bayan ng Diyos, Maraming Salamat.

Biyayang Tinanggap Dahil Sa'yo

Dakila ang Iyong Bayan
Kawan ng Diyos

Kapuripuri Ka Pinagpalang Bayan

Pagpalain Ka Nawa Lagi ng Panginoon, Bayan Iniwan,

upang makapaglingkod sa Malayong Bayan.

God of Silence

The God of silence beckons me

To journey to my heart

Where He awaits

O Lord, I hear You calling tenderly

To You I come to gaze

At the beauty of Your face I cannot see

To rest in Your embrace I cannot feel

To dwell in Your love hurting but sweet

To be with You; to glimpse eternity

God of night, fount of all my delight.

Show Your light . . . that my heart, like Yours, burn bright.

Be still the torment of the night

Will not encumber you, if you believe

My child this darkness isn't emptiness

For here I mold your heart

Unto My image painfully you long to see

The self you yearn to be, but fear to know

The world from which you flee in Me find home

All these I give you, if you remain in Me

I am ever here
My child, you need not fear
The dark will set you free
And bring your heart to Me

The God of silence beckons me

To journey to my heart

Where He awaits me.

Music from the Bukas Palad.

Words and music by Manoling Francisco, S.J.

Dedicated to the Carmelite sisters.

Caught!

5th Sunday of Lent Year C
Reading I: Isaiah 43:16-21

Responsorial Psalm: 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5,

Reading II: Philippians 3:8-14

Gospel: John 8:1-11

It is like a scene from a nightmare. Yet it turns out well.

Suppose you are the woman in Sunday’s Gospel. You have been “caught in adultery” (or some other sin) by the scribes and Pharisees. They shove you into the middle of a circle of people. They reveal your embarrassing sin to everyone.

Shamed, stressed, perspiring, you hear them judge you according to the law of Moses. “The law is sacred,” they declare. “It says you must be stoned to death for your crime.”You are vaguely aware that someone called the “Teacher” is there too. He had been instructing the crowd, it seems, just before you were dragged in. Now the attention is all on you. The nightmare is here…

****

Scribes and Pharisees

There is a saying that goes “hate the sin but not the sinner.” This is what Jesus did in today’s Gospel. He shows God always extends mercy to the sinner that one may turn from his/her sin.

The scribes and Pharisees are exactly the opposite of Jesus, they are typical of powerful people who have no feeling for the weak. They are the strong opponents of Jesus at his time. They are doing everything they can do just to get rid of him. So in this incident, They singled out this poor woman for public condemnation in order used her to score points against Jesus. They deliberately tried to trap Jesus by presenting a difficult problem.

Here is a woman guilty of sexual sin (adultery). At the time of Jesus, adultery was an offense punishable by death. Jewish law treated adultery as a serious crime since it violates God’s sixth commandment and it destroys the stability of marriage and family life. Jesus has been teaching the sanctity of marriage – “What God has united let no one separate.”

They place Jesus in a serious dilemma. Would Jesus condemn her? Would Jesus forgive her in order to save her from death penalty of public stoning? They hoped that he would absolve the woman. If so they would accused him before Sanhedrin, not only of tolerating sin, but also of a sacrilegious attempt against the Law of Moses.

They also hoped that Jesus would condemn this woman and agreed upon death penalty. If this so he would violate Roman law, which did not allow the Jews to administer capital punishment. So whatever the solution he gave would work to his disadvantage. And the scribes and Pharisees couldn’t wait to see the downfall of Jesus’ credibility and reputation for being compassionate even to sinner.

Jesus was trapped. There is no way out. But Jesus dealt with the situation calmly. Look at his action of bending down and writing on the ground. It suggests tremendous inner strength which, in a non-violent way, unmasks the hypocrisy of the accusers.

The tension is resolved by Jesus’ with his world, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Nobody is left to throw stones cleanly. Jesus missions her to live as a loved human person, not just as a “thing” that can be used. The Pharisees use her for their purposes as did the man who used her sexually. Jesus uses her as well as a revelation of God’s gentleness, compassion and forgiveness. He frees her from the captivity of the crowd, the Pharisees and the Law.

However, Jesus does not intend to say that adultery is not a sin or that it is a small thing. Only when the crowd are gone that Jesus directly spoke to the woman, “Woman where are they? Has no one condemned you? The woman replied, “no one sir”. Neither do I condemn you.” There is an explicit, even if delicate, condemnation of adultery in the words addressed to the woman at the end of the scene: "Do not sin anymore."


As disciples of Jesus, we are also aware that humans are weak and are more in need of understanding than of condemnation. Jesus taught us: “Do not judge and you shall not be judged” (Mt 7:1). And so, while condemning adultery, we do not pass judgment on those who commit adultery. Like Jesus, we receive them with compassion and try to love them into goodness. Yes, love them so tenderly that they will be inspired to become the saints they potentially are. In short, as disciples of Jesus we hate the sin but we love the sinner. It is difficult stance to adopt, but it is the only Christ-like stance, the only that stance which promotes life, gentleness and happiness.

Let us pray that we may look at other people with respect and compassion as Jesus look at the woman taken in adultery.

Let us pray that God will send us leaders like Jesus who will stand with the weak and vulnerable against their oppressors not aggressively, but calmly, so that the weak may find the space to created a good life for themselves.

Let us humbly ask the grace of God, that may be freed from our own addiction to sin, “let us go and sin no more.”




source: http://www.liturgy.slu.edu/

Pananatili

Pananatili
by the Bukas Palad

Huwag mong naising lisanin kita;
Wala ‘kong hangaring ika’y mag-isa.
Sa’n man magtungo, ako’y sasabay,
Magkabalikat sa paglalakbay.
Mananahan sa tahanang sisilong sa ‘yo,


Yayakapin ang landasin at bayan mo.
Poon mo ay aking ipagbubunyi
At iibigin nang buong sarili.
Sa’n man abutin ng paghahanap,
Ikaw at ako’y magkasamang ganap.

Ipahintulot nawa ng Panginoon:
Ni kamataya’y maglalaho,
anino ng kahapon.
Dahil pag-ibig ang alay sa ‘yo,
mananatili ako.
H’wag nang naising tayo’y mawalay,
H’wag nang isiping
Magwawakas ang paglalakbay.

Homecoming

Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 18, 2007

QUESTION: At the end of the story of the prodigal son,
who felt the worst of all?
ANSWER: The fattened calf!


The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Lent is one of the most celebrated stories of Luke's Gospel and of all four Gospels. Everything in the parable of the prodigal son is surprising; no one had never portrayed God in this way.

This parable has touched more hearts than all the sermons that have been preached put together. It has an incredible power to act on the mind, the heart, the imagination, and memory. It is able to touch our humanity by repentance, shame, nostalgia.

The theme of the parable is the unconditional love of God. Also, it has the theme of the Joy of God for a repentant sinner… the joy of homecoming.

There are three main characters in parables addressed by Jesus to the Pharisees...

The Son
The youngest son, like many young people, was longing for freedom, he wanted to be independent. He thought he would be responsible enough being away from home, being free. He wanted to prove the world that he can live on his own. The son knew the comfort and security he would have if he would stay with his father, but the thought of his own money and freedom was very attractive.

He asked for what he thought he deserved, and the Father let him have it. Instead of the glamorous life he thought he would have, after the initial fun he ended up having to work with pigs just to barely survive. To a Jew, this was the ultimate disgrace, for pigs are considered the uncleanest of animals.

He came to senses, he decided to come back to his Father. But his motive is not really to reconcile with his Father. He never thinks of the humiliation of he caused his Father or the anger he caused his elder brother, his only concern is his own survival – his empty stomach! He says to himself, How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father. He tries to memorize a speech that he’s going to say to his father to make him believe he’s sorry, he is afraid that he will not be welcomed anymore.

But then look at what happens when he returns to his father... Despite everything he is not driven away....His father was so overjoyed at his return he didn't even wait for his son to get all the way back...he ran out and met him! When the son recites his memorized speech, his father won’t let him continue. His father is busy hugging him, calling for the finest robe in the house, a ring for the young man’s finger, sandals for his feet, and a huge banquet of celebration.

The good Father understands. He is overcome with joy that his young boy came home. "Let us eat and make merry, for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.

The Forgiving Father
Jesus wants to assure us that God our Father is always there for us. The parable shows how much God wishes the return of the sinner and with what goodness he prepares to welcome us. He will not deny us if we come to Him, and He will not shame us for our past actions when we do. God holds us so close to his heart that he is willing to take the losses we inflict. Even when we join forces with evil in the world God waits and prays and welcomes us back with open arms, sins and all.

The Self-Righteous Son
The elder son in the story is a self-righteous person. He is a type of the Pharisees. He represents the hardness of the Scribes and Pharisess who have no idea of God’s mercy with sinners.

The elder Son sees his father’s forgiveness with proud envy. When his Father throw a party for his younger brother, “he became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him.” His words to his Father are disrespecting and he has contempt for his younger brother, calling him not his brother, but the son of his father. The elder son says, Look all these years I served you and not once did I disobey you orders yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on my friends...but when your son returns who spent all your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf..”

The Father never raise his voice, he speaks with gentleness and understanding, he said to him, My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.

The father is the symbol of perfect lover. His qualities as loving, forgiving and understanding parent makes the message of Lent clear: be reconciled to God.

Let us be confident that our loving Father welcomes us with an open arms.. His love is manifested through his Son, Jesus Christ, whose arms are wide open hanging on the Cross.

God is our first and true love, let us now return to him… Amen

Be fruitful

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

(Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15; Psalm 103; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12)
LUKE 13:1-9

PART I

In Jesus' time, suffering was seen as a sign of punishment for sin. Those who hoped for a triumphant Messiah that would reestablish Israel in power found his teaching on the cross difficult to accept.

Jesus pointed out recent disasters that people believed to be the consequence of sin. Jesus referred to two types of calamities one political and one natural. In one incident, Pontius Pilate's men killed some Jewish Galileans in cold-blood while they were offering sacrifice in the Jerusalem Temple at Passover. In another case, several construction workers were accidentally killed when a water tower fell on them. These individuals did not die because of their own sins. Although they were innocent of wrongdoing, they nonetheless suffered the reality of evil in the world. We must not look to the sinfulness of others but to our own need for repentance. Without faith, these calamities would be seen as terrible tragedies, but with faith, all events in a person's life, whether good or bad, could be sanctifying and redemptive.

In other words, the important thing is not what happens to us but how we react to it. Some people react in a negative way to the hardships of life and they become bitter. Others react in a negative way to the hardships of life and they become bitter. Others react in a positive, trusting way, and they become better. Do I view the trials in my life as tragedies or opportunities for growth? The choice of what we become is really ours: bitter or better?


Part II

Jesus told a people a parable about a fruitless fig tree planted in the vineyard (the fruitless tree was a symbol of barren Israel, Jer 8:13; Isaiah told a similar parable about a fruitless vineyard, Is 5:1-7). The parable of the owner of the vineyard tells of God’s infinite patience in dealing with the sinfulness of humans. Despite our failings, God will graciously allow us time to produce our best fruit. In what areas is God allowing us time to change..


Lent is a time when we think particularly about how we can do thing ‘to bear more fruit’ and what is this fruit…? We think of the fruits of the Holy Spirit..love, joy, peace, patient, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control.
While God was merciful and patient in waiting for it to bear, time was running out. Each and everyone of us is gifted with different things, but with equal responsibility of sharing these gifts.

Let us not lose our courage and confidence…
Jesus, gentle gardener,we are like your barren fig tree.We bear no fruit, we bore no fruit for you.Please nurture us.Feed our branches with your life-giving Eucharist.Pour living water over us one more time.Drench us with grace.As a tree we grow toward the sun.Turn our selves toward you.Always in the turning is the promiseof growth.

First School Mass

MacKillop College Year 10 Mass
March 6, 2007

"These hands used to be strong. My dad was a farmer. He worked so hard althrough his life…" Words spoken by a daughter of a dying man I anointed last week..

Metaphorically the hand is power and strength. What a man can do is that which is in his hand or to which his hand reaches. To give into the hand of someone is to deliver into his power or possession; and to take out of the hand is to deliver…

• The picture of Amellia Taylor being held in the palms of the hands of her carer is a stunning reminder of our relationship with God who holds us in the palms of his hands.
• It is an image that we want to be in the hearts and minds of each person in this room today for it is the image of the carer and the cared. These are our rights and responsibilities for this year and for ever – to be people who extend care to those we meet and who receive the care that they have to share with us.

Human Hands of Jesus
For about 20 years Jesus worked in a small town carpenter's shop. His rough, calloused, strong hands were driven by excellence, patience, and skill. Jesus grew in His craft as He spent hours watching the hands of His father. Our Lord saw life through the eyes of skilled laborers and common people.

Helping Hands of Jesus
Remember when Peter walks on water. Then Peter starts to sink. Swallowing water Peter gurgles, Lord, save me! (Matthew 14:29,30) The hand of Jesus is there, locking on Peter's stretched hand, then pulling him with a gush of water strongly upright. Arm in arm they walk to the boat. See Jesus bolding a child on His lap. His hands are hugging and gentle as He affirms the eternal worth of a child in the Kingdom.

Divine Hands of Jesus
The hands of Jesus were active doing God's will. See the crowd's faces as Jesus touches the leper, and white skin comes alive. Those fingers of love touch the faces and eyes of blind men and they see!

His hands nailed on the Cross

How could the Hands of the Creator end up like this? The Carpenter from Galilee is outside Jerusalem hanging on a tree. His carpenter's hands are nailed to a wooden cross, as He dies with our sins. The hands of Jesus are good at repairing things: broken hearts and lives. His hands mean new hope. It's not over. His hand on you removes the limits — for of Him and through Him and to Him are all things (Romans 11:36). We are parts of His body . . . Christ lives in me (Ephesians 5:30; Galatians 2:20). You are Jesus' hands on earth. Let Him do His miracle work through you this year!

****
At the end of World War II American soldiers quartered in a German village offered aid to the desolate people there. But instead of asking for food, money, farm equipment, the town people asked help in restoring a statue.

For years their proudest possession had been a beautiful statue in the town square. Now it lay shattered in many pieces. Could the Americans help them put it together again?

The task was difficult but, finally, the statue was repaired except for two missing parts that the soldiers were unable to find or replace.

Then the soldiers covered the statue with a silken material so it could be unveiled in a ceremony before all the townspeople, even though the statue was incomplete.

The mayor of the town pulled the cord, and the silken drape dropped from the statue: a handless Christ.

The townspeople stared at the sign which the soldiers had placed at the feet of the statue: “I have no hands. Won’t you please lend me yours?”*

*This story is from 1,000 Stories by Fr Frank Mihalic SVD

Transfiguration: Forestate and Reminder

Second Sunday of Lent Year C
March 3, 2007
Reading I: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Responsorial Psalm: 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14
Reading II: Philippians 3:17-4:1 or 3:20-4:1
Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36

For the last three months of being an Assistant Priest here at St. Andrew’s showed me glimpse or foretaste of the glory and hardship of what it is being a priest. Through the leadership of Fr. Frank as parish priest, God showed me the enormous responsibilities of being a priest. Other than celebrating Mass everyday, officiating baptisms, funerals and wedding, priest has to manage the financial stability of the parish; he has to deal with individual needs of people who seek for his counsel and help.

I realise that life of a priest is really a challenging life, and it is a life of sacrifice. But, other than life of sacrifice, God showed me the glory and consolation of the being a priest, by being part of people’s lives, by receiving constant support and encouragement from the people, and of course by sharing friendships with the parishioners, with you.

I was thinking last night after I said my evening prayer inside my room how my simple life has changed – from being simple student in the Philippines, my life has changed to a complex reality of being a priest in a foreign country.

****
I’d like to highlight the word “change” as we reflect upon today’s readings.

Both the second reading and the gospel speak of a “change.” The second reading speaks of the change of our earthly existence in the final consummation. St. Paul was saying that Jesus Christ will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body.

The Gospel speaks of the change of Jesus as he prayed on the holy mountain. We heard about the experience of the three Apostles, Peter, Andrew and John, when they saw before their eyes the transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus’ face completely changed in appearance and his clothes became dazzling white.

What the Apostles saw of Jesus was his glorified body and divine glory. When they heard the voice of the Father, the first person of the Trinity, from the cloud saying, This is my chosen Son; listen to him, this gave them a momentary prevision or a foretaste of Christ’s future glory. Jesus is not just a human being, he is human and divine.

Why did Jesus allow his disciples to catch sight of his divinity, his inner being? Jesus has a purpose why he transfigured, why his face changed before his Apostles. He didn’t do this just show off to his Apostles his glory and power. Jesus wanted to strengthen his Apostles in preparation for the ordeal awaiting them in Jerusalem. Christ is readying his Apostles and his followers not to lose their faith when they see him suffer, being mocked, crucified, and when they witness his death on the cross. He wanted his followers to remember that after his passion and death there would be his glorious resurrection.

The glimpse of Christ’s future glory was given to these Apostles to strengthen and encourage them, when their former normal lives change into a life of sacrifice, the experience of hardships, persecutions and terrible tests of their faith. History tells us that the Apostles didn’t have an easy life. They gave up their possessions, they left their loved ones and their homeland, they also gave up their lives…

The readings for today especially the Gospel encourage and strengthen us to persevere in any hardships we are facing in our life. Whether you are priest, married or single, we have our own individual hardships and sacrifices in life.


****

I mentioned that life of a priest is a life of sacrifice. But I am also aware that every state of life also has a sacrifice of its own. Life is not always easy; each of us have our own struggles and difficulties in life. Whether you are priest, married or single, we have our own individual hardships and sacrifices in life.

Christ understands our individual suffering more than we do. Jesus wants to show us today, especially this Lenten season that even in the midst of life’s suffering there is always hope available for us.

His Transfiguration signifies that Jesus is the glory hidden in our everyday lives. The Church is teaching us especially during this Lenten season that our penance and sacrifice can earn for us a glorious and unending future life.

So, let us not lose courage and trust in God. Do not let our anxiety, fear and lack of faith triumph over us. Our worries and troubles in life are nothing when compared with the assurance and certainty we have in the next life.

Let us thank our divine Lord today for giving this consoling and encouraging vision of his glory, his Transfiguration, to his Apostles and through them to us. For in Jesus’ Transfiguration, we saw a guarantee and a foretaste, a glimpse of the joys and the glory that will be ours for eternity.

The good news is we have today is the reality that like Jesus our life will also change into its glorious beauty forever, but only if we allow Jesus to take us to his journey…

Amen.

Temptation Galore

First Sunday of Lent
February 24-25, 2007
Reading I: Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Responsorial Psalm: 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
Reading II: Romans 10:8-13
Gospel: Luke 4:1-13

A temptation is an act that looks appealing to an individual. It is usually used to describe acts with negative connotations and as such, tends to lead a person to regret such actions as a result of guilt. Temptation also describes the coaxing or inducing a person into commiting such an act, by manipulation or otherwise of curiosity, desire or fear of loss. In other words, we understand temptation as something that attracts, especially with the promise of pleasure or reward.

Temptation in Christian understanding is not sin itself. It is when we entertains temptation that we commit sin. So the best remedy to avoid sin is to avoid the occasion of temptation. We say it is every we pray the Our Father, “Lead us not into temptation.”

Temptations often appear beautiful, promising and rewarding.

I remember a in the seminary said in his homily. We have to be aware with the voices of the devil when we are tempted: "No one can see you. Nobody will know. It will not cause you any harm. Everyone is doing it anyway. You are not alone. So, do it now!"

When we hear any of these four, we know we are being tempted. What we do is to flee as soon as possible. Everyone is tempted. No one can escape the temptation of the devil, even Jesus was tempted but did not sin.

Three Temptations

Quite naturally the First Sunday of Lent starts out with the temptations of Christ in the desert. Why naturally? Because Lent is a time to take off the blinders of sin and prepare to listen truly during Holy Week. Jesus models this kind of listening in the Gospel.
The temptations of devil to Jesus corresponds to three P's:

• First, “command this stone to become bread.” Power
• Second, the devil showed the kingdom of the world, “I shall give you this power and glory.” Prestige
• Third, “throw yourself down from here on the parapet of the temple.” Position

Every temptation Jesus has a direct answer: (1) One does not live on bread alone. (2) You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve. (3) You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.

At the end the devil got exhausted and he left.

If we look more deeply on the temptations, and try how we can identify ourselves with those, we will find that all three are really variations on the one temptation not to be totally trusting. Jesus is also human being like us. When tempted he chose to trust God, our loving Father. In each trial, Jesus showed that he was the faithful Son who refused to succumb to the attraction of power, prestige and position. Satan was defeated and retreated until the final test when Jesus conquered evil on the cross.

Lent: Invitation to the desert

Lenten season is an invitation for us to follow Jesus in his dessert experience so that we can trust God more than ever when temptations and trials face us --- when our financial situation was very precaurious; we had a succession of failures in our work; when our children are causing us problems; when there is no peace in our family

The next 40 plus days we are all invited to have a changed of heart in order for us to put our trust and confidence in God. Also, Lenten season is a time of penance to avoid temptations. During this season we are asked to devote more time in prayer, to engage ourselves in works of piety and charity, and to self-denial by devoting our time and resources for other people.

Prayer
Jesus, Lenten work begins. Take us to a place of quiet.Exercise our souls. Correct our sagging, wild, sluggish spirits.Give us spiritual muscles, and docile quick faith.Let us come forth from the desert filled with your Holy Spirit.Let our every action Be rooted in your Spirit’s stirrings in our souls.

Pagbabalik Tanaw

While I was reciting privately the Divine Office (evening prayer) I suddenly felt homesick about my second home. I miss my seminary life. I miss being a seminarian. I miss my classmates. I miss our singing, gaguhan, kainan, and class Mass. I miss my old room (cubicle). I miss our community life, and everything within the walls of Immaculate Conception Major Seminary in Bulacan - the place where my vocational journey began..

After I said my prayer I took my guitar, played and sang this song, which I used to sing with my brother seminarians as communion hymn... We were called young, vulnerable, and often struggling to follow and obey the divine will of God. Kumusta na kaya sila?



AWIT NG PAGHAHANGAD

O Diyos Ikaw ang laging hanap,
Loob ko’y Ikaw ang tanging hangad.
Nauuhaw akong parang tigang na lupa
Sa tubig ng ‘Yong pag-aaruga.

Ika’y pagmamasdan sa dakong banal,
Nang makita ko ang ‘Yong pagkarangal.
Dadalangin akong nakataas aking kamay,
Magagalak na aawit ng papuring iaalay.

Koro:
Gunita ko’y Ikaw Habang nahihimlay
Pagkat ang tulong Mo sa tuwina’y taglay.
Sa lilim ng Iyong mga pakpak (umaawit akong buong galak/umaawit, umaawit, umaawit akong buong galak.)

Aking kaluluwa’y kumakapit sa ‘Yo,
Kaligtasa’y t’yak kong hawak Mo ako.
Magdiriwang ang hari ang Diyos S’yang dahilan.
Ang sa Iyo ay nangakong galak yaong makakamtan. (koro)

Despida party

Kriska (Kristiyanong Kasambahay) Group competing for Mr Kasambahay "Mr. Pogi"

Receiving my first sutane from Bishop Cirilo Almario Jr. (1995)

Group picture with M' Tess, our charming librarian.

Piyesta grande pag may nagdala ng cake.

Charter Change Rally in 1998. Hanapin kung san ako.

Feb 22, 2007

March 1, 2007

One year and one week older.

Maraming salamat sa mga bumati, nagtext at nag-email.



Ilan sa kanila ay ang mga sumusunod.

Annette
ate Hazel
ate Marsha
Ate Michelle
Catherine
Charish
Christine joy
Cune
Edgar
Ellen
Esperanza
Fian
Glenn
Ina
Ivy
Ivy
Jen
Laarnie
Leah
Karen
Liberty
Lovely
Mabel
Mary
Melissa
Mellisa
Monnette
Nina
Nini
Noemie
Odra
Orchid
Patricia
Peter
Philip
Pinky
Pj
Racle
Rocel
Ronald
Ronaldo
Rossel
Sister Maria
Stella Marie
Stella marie
Tita nena
Tita Patsy

Day Off

with my pamangkins - William aka "Buruks" & Jordan aka "Osang"

Sabi ko mas cute pa din ako sa kanila.
Ayon, nabuwal sa katatawa si Buruks.

Ash Wednesday - Lent Begins

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI FOR LENT 2007
“They shall look on Him whom they have pierced” (Jn 19:37)

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

“They shall look on Him whom they have pierced” (Jn 19:37). This is the biblical theme that this year guides our Lenten reflection. Lent is a favourable time to learn to stay with Mary and John, the beloved disciple, close to Him who on the Cross, consummated for all mankind the sacrifice of His life (cf. Jn 19:25). With a more fervent participation let us direct our gaze, therefore, in this time of penance and prayer, at Christ crucified who, dying on Calvary, revealed fully for us the love of God. In the Encyclical Deus caritas est, I dwelt upon this theme of love, highlighting its two fundamental forms: agape and eros.

God’s love: agape and eros

The term agape, which appears many times in the New Testament, indicates the self-giving love of one who looks exclusively for the good of the other. The word eros, on the other hand, denotes the love of one who desires to possess what he or she lacks and yearns for union with the beloved. The love with which God surrounds us is undoubtedly agape. Indeed, can man give to God some good that He does not already possess? All that the human creature is and has is divine gift. It is the creature then, who is in need of God in everything. But God’s love is also eros. In the Old Testament, the Creator of the universe manifests toward the people whom He has chosen as His own a predilection that transcends every human motivation. The prophet Hosea expresses this divine passion with daring images such as the love of a man for an adulterous woman (cf. 3:1-3). For his part, Ezekiel, speaking of God’s relationship with the people of Israel, is not afraid to use strong and passionate language (cf. 16:1-22). These biblical texts indicate that eros is part of God’s very heart: the Almighty awaits the “yes” of His creatures as a young bridegroom that of his bride. Unfortunately, from its very origins, mankind, seduced by the lies of the Evil One, rejected God’s love in the illusion of a self-sufficiency that is impossible (cf. Gn 3:1-7). Turning in on himself, Adam withdrew from that source of life who is God Himself, and became the first of “those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage” (Heb 2:15). God, however, did not give up. On the contrary, man’s “no” was the decisive impulse that moved Him to manifest His love in all of its redeeming strength.

The Cross reveals the fullness of God’s love

It is in the mystery of the Cross that the overwhelming power of the heavenly Father’s mercy is revealed in all of its fullness. In order to win back the love of His creature, He accepted to pay a very high price: the blood of His only begotten Son. Death, which for the first Adam was an extreme sign of loneliness and powerlessness, was thus transformed in the supreme act of love and freedom of the new Adam. One could very well assert, therefore, together with Saint Maximus the Confessor, that Christ “died, if one could say so, divinely, because He died freely” (Ambigua, 91, 1956). On the Cross, God’s eros for us is made manifest. Eros is indeed – as Pseudo-Dionysius expresses it – that force “that does not allow the lover to remain in himself but moves him to become one with the beloved” (De divinis nominibus, IV, 13: PG 3, 712). Is there more “mad eros” (N. Cabasilas, Vita in Cristo, 648) than that which led the Son of God to make Himself one with us even to the point of suffering as His own the consequences of our offences?

“Him whom they have pierced”

Dear brothers and sisters, let us look at Christ pierced in the Cross! He is the unsurpassing revelation of God’s love, a love in which eros and agape, far from being opposed, enlighten each other. On the Cross, it is God Himself who begs the love of His creature: He is thirsty for the love of every one of us. The Apostle Thomas recognized Jesus as “Lord and God” when he put his hand into the wound of His side. Not surprisingly, many of the saints found in the Heart of Jesus the deepest expression of this mystery of love. One could rightly say that the revelation of God’s eros toward man is, in reality, the supreme expression of His agape. In all truth, only the love that unites the free gift of oneself with the impassioned desire for reciprocity instills a joy, which eases the heaviest of burdens. Jesus said: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself” (Jn 12:32). The response the Lord ardently desires of us is above all that we welcome His love and allow ourselves to be drawn to Him. Accepting His love, however, is not enough. We need to respond to such love and devote ourselves to communicating it to others. Christ “draws me to Himself” in order to unite Himself to me, so that I learn to love the brothers with His own love.

Blood and water

“They shall look on Him whom they have pierced.” Let us look with trust at the pierced side of Jesus from which flow “blood and water” (Jn 19:34)! The Fathers of the Church considered these elements as symbols of the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. Through the water of Baptism, thanks to the action of the Holy Spirit, we are given access to the intimacy of Trinitarian love. In the Lenten journey, memorial of our Baptism, we are exhorted to come out of ourselves in order to open ourselves, in trustful abandonment, to the merciful embrace of the Father (cf. Saint John Chrysostom, Catecheses, 3,14ff). Blood, symbol of the love of the Good Shepherd, flows into us especially in the Eucharistic mystery: “The Eucharist draws us into Jesus’ act of self-oblation … we enter into the very dynamic of His self-giving” (Encyclical Deus caritas est, 13). Let us live Lent then, as a “Eucharistic” time in which, welcoming the love of Jesus, we learn to spread it around us with every word and deed. Contemplating “Him whom they have pierced” moves us in this way to open our hearts to others, recognizing the wounds inflicted upon the dignity of the human person; it moves us, in particular, to fight every form of contempt for life and human exploitation and to alleviate the tragedies of loneliness and abandonment of so many people. May Lent be for every Christian a renewed experience of God’s love given to us in Christ, a love that each day we, in turn, must “regive” to our neighbour, especially to the one who suffers most and is in need. Only in this way will we be able to participate fully in the joy of Easter. May Mary, Mother of Beautiful Love, guide us in this Lenten journey, a journey of authentic conversion to the love of Christ. I wish you, dear brothers and sisters, a fruitful Lenten journey, imparting with affection to all of you, a special Apostolic Blessing.


visit www.vatican.va

Decisions

LORD, it so hard
to know
which way to choose,
which way to go.

But You know
how life can best
be spent.

Lead on, then, Lord,
and I will choose
to live in You
and only walk where
You would have me go.


AMEN.

Post-Valentine's Day Message

VALENTINE'S DAY
John 3:16

.........For God so loVed the world,

.............that He gAve

.................His onLy

.................BegottEn

......................SoN

.........................That whosever

..............Believeth In Him

.................Should Not perish,

..............But have Everlasting life."

Legend says that Valentine's Day originated from Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to Roman love lotteries. Legend also says that Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine." In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor Valentine who became the patron saint of lovers. Because of lack of historical evidence, St. Valentine's Day was removed from the calendar of Catholic feasts in 1969. February 14 has became the date for celebrating love.

....................................................................................

....................................................................................

....................................................................................

....................................................................................

Post-Valentine message part II

....................................................................................

Realize that what you feel you lack in one regard

you may be more than compensated for in another.

What you feel you lack in the present

may become one of your strengths in the future.

May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility.

Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience

....................................................................................

May you find enough inner strength

to determine your own worth by yourself,

and not be dependent

on another's judgment of your accomplishments.

May you always feel loved.

....................................................................................
....................................................................................

by sandra sturt hauss na inemail sa akin ng

isang kaibigan nung highschool

na aking medyo niligawan pero ala lang.

happily married na siya. bow.

....................................................................................
....................................................................................

visit: www.daily-word -of-life.com

MoA

Nag-email ang Ama ko, eto ang sabi: Nalagay na naman daw sa Guinnes Book of Records ang Pinas sa dami ng couple na sabay sabay na naghalikan kagabi ng madaling araw sa may Mall of Asia, Love Paluscha ba ang tawag duon. Muntik na ako mabuwal sa katatawa ngayon ko lang narinig ang Love Paluscha. Ano yun? Ako nga din di ko alam ang spelling nun kailangan ko pang i-cut & paste ang "Lovapalooza".

Nuong Feb 10, 2007 tinatayang 6,124 na Filipino couples ang sabay sabay na nag-kiss sa loob ng 10 seconds. Ang bilang na ito ang nag-break daw sa Guinness World record na 5,875 couples sa Budapest, Hungary. Nang napanuod ko ang "historical moment" na ito ay nagsisigawan ang mga hosts ipinagmamalaki ang galing ng Pilipino. "This is it Philippines. World record na naman ang Pilipinas!" Proud na proud din ang mga nagsilahok na magkakasintahan at naging parte sila ng history. Ayon sa isang pahayagan ipinakita muli nating mga Pilipino na tayo ay may reputasyon na isa sa pinaka-romantikong tao sa buong mundo. Nakakatuwang makita ang mahigit na anim na libong tao ang nagkakasayahan, nagmamahalan, at sa loob ng sampung segundo ay nagkiss sila ng sabay sabay (di kasali ang mga camera man). Pero, nagdiwang nga ba talaga kaya ang buong bansang Pilipinas o mas nagdiwang/kumita ang sponsor ng Love Paluscha na to? Natatandaan ko nung una para lang ata sa mag-aasawa lang ito pero sa napanuod ko open ito para sa lahat.

Mas maganda sana maging World Record ng Pilipinas sa susunod na Valentine's Day season ay magsama-sama at hawak kamay ang mga magnonobyo at magnonobya (ginagamit pa ba ang term na ito?) at sabay sabay na uusal ng panalangin at mangangako na igagalang nila ang isa't isa, magtatapops ng pag-aaral, magiging masunod sa magulang at magiging tapat hanggang sila ay ihatid sa altar ng Diyos. (Blah-blah) Bumenta kaya ito sa kabataang Pilipino? Sino kaya ang mag-isponsor?

**********************************************************************************

Basta ako napunta na sa MoA. Nuong nakaraang taon, araw ng Linggo, buwan ng Nobyembre, pagkapananghali, pagkaligo ng mabilis, mula sa probinsya ng Bulacan, dinayo ko ang lungsod ng Pasay upang makiusyuso sa 6th largest shopping mall in the world - Mall of Asia.

Alam ko ang tawag dito ay the Globe. Napakatibay daw nito. Di ito naibuwal ng mga nagdaan bagyo. May tumawag din na dito na "the mole"

Eto na papalapit na ako.

Closer. Welcome to me sa Mall of Asia. Tao na ko.

Matagal akong nakatulala dito. Gusto kong pumasok para hipuin kung gaano kalamig ang yelong sahig.

Nakatayo ang MoA sa reclamation area sa gawing silangan ng Roxas Boulevard sa Pasay City. Kitang-kita ang dagat sa likod nito.

Mas naenganyo ako sa happening sa labas kaya patakbo akong lumabas sa labas. Sarap lumabas. hehe. Hindi ito People Power nagkataong may exhibit ang Philippine Marines. Swerte ko talaga.

May bago akong friend. Kakainggit. Sayang di ko naarbor ang cup nya.

Gusto kong ipalit ang fruit juice ko sa rifle nya. Pero mukhang di sya happy.

Astig. Muntik ko nang hamunin ito ng suntukan. Trip lang.

Eto ang battle tank model 3210. hehe jk

May bata pala sa loob ng tank na ito kaya pumasok na din ako. Di pa rin ubos ang fruit juice ko.

Pinsan ng O2 ko. NaO2O2 ako nito

At St. Paul Libreria. Nakita ko ang book ng professor ko na si Msgr. Elliot.

Nasa akin na iyan.

Eto ang d best sa lahat. Dinner ko ay Jollibee Spaghetti and Chicken Joy.

Paalam na Mall of Asia gabi na, kailangan ko nang umuwi sa aking mahal na probinsya.

Record: Sa loob ng limang oras nalibot ko halos ang kabuuan ng MoA.

Acknowledgment

Isang pagbati sa aking special friend na si Christine Joy

na aking ka-date sa Mall of Asia in spirit. :)

Gentle Woman

Recently I mentioned about this young Filipina, a newcomer in Australia, whom I said is an impresive writer, and apparently her father is Jim Paredes, who is a famous Filipino song writer/singer/composer. Today I read a touching story her father wrote: "Love and service, beyond the call of duty." Jim hails a simple yet noble woman he calls Inay.

I remember Inay — yes, that’s what we called her. According to family lore, she was only 14, an Ilocana from Abra, when she came to work for us early in the 1940s, long before I was born. Inay is an indelible fixture of my childhood and teenage life and of our family’s history. She was maid, cook, yaya — an all-around person in our home who did whatever needed to be done.

Read the whole tribute

Yaya is my own version of Jim's Inay. She is part of my three sisters' and my own childhood memories. Ok ba mga kapatid?

Yaya ko 'to.

Being Poor To Be Rich

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time C
February 11, 2007
Reading I: Jeremiah 17:5-8
Responsorial Psalm: 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20
Gospel: Luke 6:17, 20-26

I’m collecting at the moment the Herald Sun magazine series called “the Greatest”. Each series features information about people who inspire us, astound us and change our lives. They are famous actors, singers, inventors, scientists, adventurers, sportsmen/women, heroes, leaders, etc. They are called ‘the Greatest’ because they are people who have journeyed through outstanding lives and great achievements. They are our source of inspiration, for others they are object of their envy.

We oftentimes associate ‘greatness’ with one’s popularity, power, influence, wealth and beauty. We think Great people are ‘fortunate’ people and sometimes we call ‘fortunate’ people as those ‘lucky’ ones. You are ‘lucky’ if people praise you. You are ‘lucky’ if you have thick bank accounts; you are ‘lucky’ if you have big house and expensive cars; you are ‘lucky’ if you have beautiful and healthy body. You are ‘lucky’ if you can afford to travel around the world.

What if you are not?

What if you don’t have any one of the world’s standards of greatness or being lucky? What if you are struggling with your mortgage, bills/credit cards? What if you are not popular? What if people hate you, misunderstand and discriminate you? What if you lack self-confidence? What if you are sick or perhaps have a cancer? Does it mean you are unfortunate? Does it mean you are not great? Does it mean you're just unlucky?

Jesus in the Gospel today makes a declaration of those people who are ‘blessed’ that seems to be a paradox, or a contradiction on itself.
· Blessed are you who are poor,
· Blessed are you who are now hungry,
· Blessed are you who are now weeping,
· Blessed are you when people hate you

The word ‘blessed’ in the Bible is translated into other words such as “fortunate,” “happy.” The word ‘blessed’ is far more than being “lucky” and even more than being “great.” The first reading speaks of a ‘blessed’ person as one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord. He is like tree that is planted beside the waters…its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit.

“Jesus does not simply canonize all the poor, the hungry, those who weep, and the persecuted, just as he does not simply demonize all the rich, the satiated, those who laugh and are praised. The distinction is deeper; it has to do with knowing what we put our trust in, on what sort of foundation we are building the house of our life, whether it is on that which will pass away, or on that which will not pass away.”[1]

The Kingdom of God belongs to the poor, the hungry, those who weep, means they are the ones who have the wisdom and the courage to make the kingdom a reality in the world. Through their attitude of humility and detachment they open for themselves the way to the kingdom of God.

What it means to be poor is to be open and empty in order to let God and others come in. In order to love and be loved we need to have space at the center of who we are.

He raises his eyes towards the apostles.

Before Jesus made his speech about the beatitudes he came down to the level ground. He didn’t want to talk down to his disciples and the people. He fixes his eyes toward the twelve disciples whom he had just chosen to help him for his mission.

Likewise, Jesus raises his eyes to each one of us today so that we can get to know him well and recognise his presence among us. His loving look is also a call to conversion so that we may be more like him.

A bucket that is filled with water cannot sustain any more water.

So let us empty ourselves with things that stop the flow of his grace in our lives. Let us always thirst for Jesus, and quench our thirst through the Holy Communion and prayer and meditation on the word of God – these are fountains of God’s grace and life.

Paradoxically Jesus is inviting us not to become poor, but to become rich! "Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours!" The poor possess a kingdom and they have it right now! Those who decide to enter this kingdom are from now on sons and daughters of God, free, full of hope and immortality. Who would not want to be poor in this way? To be poor in this way is not only becoming rich, we become “the Greatest.”



[1] Father Cantalamessa on the Rich-Poor Divide

Arigato

"The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I certainly did teach the doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason I die. I believe that I am telling only the truth before I die. I know you believe me and I want to say to you all once again: Ask Christ to help you to become happy. I obey Christ. After Christ's example I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain."

- Paul Miki SJ

Martyred in Nagasaki Japan in 1597 with his companions

Beatified in 1627, the martyrs of Japan were finally canonized in 1862

Simon's calling - Our calling

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 2, 2007
The Calling of Simon Peter

People have different attitude toward worthiness. Worthiness is a quality of being deserving; the quality of being worthy of praise, recognition or reward. We hear people’s saying different sentiments of being worthy - “I AM worthy” or “I’m OK, you’re OK” or “I buy this product because I’m WORTH it”?

I remember someone said, “Why do we have to go Church if we are sinners; if we commit the same sin again and again? Isn’t it hypocrisy to attend Sunday Mass if we are but sinners? Why will I go to Church if I’m not worthy?

Well. Who are qualified? Who are worthy? Who is holy? No one is worthy but the Lord. We do not celebrate the Eucharist because we are perfect, unblemished and holy people. We are gathered here today before the Altar of Lord because we are people who long to receive God’s grace and forgiveness for we are not worthy. We make ourselves aware that cannot stand alone without God.

Before receiving the Holy Communion in each Mass we echo the word of the Roman soldier when he says, “Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. Only say the word and I shall be healed.” Thus we say, “Lord I am not holy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed.”


Now let us review the Gospel last Sunday. The Gospel reading last Sunday ended with a scene when Jesus was threatened by the people. Remember Jesus was proclaiming himself to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy. People tried to kill him but Jesus managed to avoid them; he was able to escape from their hands.

The Gospel of St. Luke tells us today about Jesus’ search for someone who can help him. He needs people who are willing to work with him not in a part time basis, but someone who can dedicate his lifetime. Simon was an ordinary fisherman, whose life was occupied alone with his boat and nets. When Jesus saw Simon, he didn’t look at his status. Jesus didn’t care whether he is influential or not, whether he is educated or ignorant. Jesus asked Simon to follow him, to work for him; Jesus invited Simon to spend his time and energy for an important mission. Jesus invited Simon to give up his possession; his profession as fisherman; his comfort zones; perhaps even his family.

So unlike last Sunday’s Gospel the reading today has a happy ending – St. Luke says, “Then, bringing their boats back to land they left everything and followed him.”

The Gospel today is an invitation for us to reflect on the mystery of “call and response.” It is God who always call, and we are only unworthy people who respond to the invitation.

The 3 C’s[1]

Like Simon Peter, James and John, who were called by Jesus despite their unworthiness, so we too are called by God. To what does the Lord invite us? I’d like you to remember three C’s – Cross, Constancy and Company.

The first invitation of the Lord is an invitation to the Cross. When Jesus calls the first disciples and said, “Come follow me” also means “come die with me and share my cross”. To follow the Lord is to be nailed to the cross. According to tradition Peter was nailed to the cross but was turned upside down. St. Andrew, our patron saint, was also nailed to the cross in an X form. That is the first calling of the Lord – a call to the cross. However, our invitation to the Cross may not be interpreted literally as mere torturous crucifixion. Our invitation to the Cross could appear into different forms – could be invitation for us to sacrifice our time for other people, could be an invitation to swallow our pride, to forgive others, to pray more and to serve more than is required.

The second calling of the Lord is a call to Constancy. A call is not an event. A call is an everyday reality. Jesus calls Simon Peter by the seaside but the Lord continued to call him day by day. Since the call is given day by day, the answer must also be day by day. (My personal call to constancy – I didn’t said say in just one instant) Just as a man and woman get married and exhange “I do’s”, the “I do” is not an event in the wedding. The “I do” must be lived day by day. So it is a call to constancy. People who are faithful are people who have been tested by time.

The third calling of the Lord is a call for Companionship. When the Lord calls, the Lord calls personally. You and I are called by our Lord personally by name. Each of us are called personally not only to be companions of Jesus, but to be companions of each other. Peter is called personally to belong to the chosen twelve apostles. We are called personally by Jesus to give service to one another as one Christian family, and even to non-believers.

Those are the three C’s about our call. It is a call to the Cross. It is a call to constancy. It is a call for companionship.

Once the nets were lowered at Jesus' word, Peter and the others who were with him in the boat caught such a quantity of fish that the nets broke. Then the evangelist writes that "they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them." Even today the successor of Peter and those who are with him in the boat -- the bishops and priests -- beckon to those in the other boat -- the laity -- to come and help them.

Let us not be afraid especially when we find ourselves in deep waters; when we feel we are not unworthy to the task we are asked to do; let us not be afraid to lower our nets to the deep water, but let our response be the same response of Isaiah, “Here I am Lord… Send Me.”

We are called to follow the Lord, together. Amen.






[1] From the reflection of Bishop Socrates Villegas “Called to be Apostles” in his book Love Like Jesus, page 19.

Sto. Nino

I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

- Jesus Christ (Luke 18:17)

Children are not afraid to be who they are. They cry one moment and laugh the next moment. Children are not image-conscious. They are free to express openly what they feel, and feel deeply what they are. They don't care if they are male or female, Christian or Muslim, rich or poor. Children are not afraid to get hurt for being known for who they are. That is why they are so vulnerable. That is also why they are so loving and lovable.

- Fr Ruben Villote (from his book Hello, Jubillee!)

Photo: My niece Jordan Samantha and my cousin's daughter Chichi.

Reward

Sumulat muli si Rizal sa kanyang mga magulang:

January 31, 2007 11:34 pm

Medyo tahimik lang araw ko ngayon. Nakipagconcelebrate sa misa kanina umaga kay Fr. Frank. Buti nga gumising pa ako kasi nakakatamad bumangon bigla kasing lumamig ngayon. Pagkamisa balik na ako sa kumbento diretso na ako sa kusina para kumain ng agahan bandang 10am na iyon. Nako busy ang kitchen "nagmomorning tea" ang mga staff namin. Alam mo naman ang mga puti pag-kape lang ang tagal ng kwentuhan. Ang balak ko ay makapagsaing sa microwave at iinit ang longganisang bigay sa akin ng ate. Di ko magawa ang lihim kong agenda una medyo dyahe akong mag-heavy breakfast lam nyo naman dito pag narice sa agahan e "weird" na dating. Kahit na sanay na sila sa akin kumain ng cooked breakfast, minsan nga e sopas ang agahan ko habang nag-cocofee lang sila, e ngayon e parang nahihiya ako. Ikalawa kasi nakaharang sa microwage si Norma, isa sa pastoral associate namin, di ko naman mapaalis dahil sarap ng kwentuhan nila. Anyway, makalipas ang ilang taon ay natapos din sila. Dali-dali na akong nagsaing sa microwave 6minutes lang sa isang gatang. Kasunod ay ang longganisa ng ate hazel. Di ko na sasabihin kung ilan ang kinain ko at baka mag-hunger strike ang mga kababayan natin na di nakakain ng longganisa. Bundat na bundat ako. Reward ko yan dahil nag-gym ako kagabi. Masakit nga pala ang katawan ko dahil sa pagkagym ko. Baka bukas uli pag medyo nalibre. Pagkalunch ko ay inantok ako bigla. Naisingit ko ang aking maagang siesta. Reward ko yan dahil baka mag-gym ako bukas. Pagkagising ko ay lunch na time na. Ang inulam ko naman ay menudo. Katas ng bigay sa akin nung fiesta ng Sto. Nino. Oha dami ko ng food ngayon (at nag-ooha na rin ako gaya ni Cune). 6:30pm binukas ko na ang simbahan para sa funeral vigil kung saan ipapasok ang patay sa simbahan at magdarasal ng rosaryo ang mga kaanak at kaibigan ng namatay. Nakakalula ang dami ng tao! Ako ang naglead ng rosaryo pero pumikit na lang ako habang nakaupo sa altar ang dami kasing tao. Ang namatay ay may ari ng Mitre 10 shops dito sa Werribee at Hoppers Crossing. Counterpart ito ng Bunningwarehouse. Samakatuwid ay mayaman ang namatay. Bukas ang libing at inaasahan na dadagsa ang mga tao. Pagkarosary ay umalis na ako at si Fr. Frank naman ang pumalit sa akin dahil may pupuntahan akong dinner. Nakikain ako sa isang pamilya na taga dito sa parokya. Ang dami dami kong nakain. Reward ko ito dahil mag-gigym ako next week.

Word of Life, Our Life

The Holy Bible is like a mirror before our mind’s eye. In it we see our inner face. From the Scriptures we can learn our spiritual deformities and beauties. And there too we discover the progress we are making and how far we are from perfection.

Pope St. Gregory the Great (590-604)