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2nd Sunday of Easter: Divine Mercy Sunday By Fr. Baltazar Obico, OFM

Introduction
Today some of our parishioners are in Rome, together with many other pilgrim-Filipinos as they join the whole church in celebration of the canonization of two Popes, John XXIII and John Paul II. Those of us who are familiar with the life of John Paul II, know the reason for setting this date as canonization day. It was he who established this feast at the canonization of Saint Faustina in April 2000. Not only did he establish this feast of Divine Mercy but by God’s Providence, he died on the vigil of that feast, 5 years later on April 2, 2005.

MESSAGE OF THE FEAST
John Paul II last words, written from his deathbed, called for greater acceptance and understanding of Divine Mercy. Those words which he exhorted the faithful to pray, ended with the words, “Jesus, I trust in you, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

The message of Divine Mercy was given to the whole world by the Lord, through St. Faustina, who is primarily for the final outpouring of a whole ocean of graces and for the total forgiveness of sins and punishment for any soul that would go to confession and receive communion on the feast of Divine Mercy.

GOSPEL: Divine Mercy, an Earlier Gift.
St. Faustina wrote in this diary – that Jesus said, “Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to God’s mercy, Divine Mercy.” This is the Easter gift that the church receives from the risen Christ and offers to humanity.

The gospel helps us to grasp the full sense and value of this gift. John makes us share the emotion felt by the apostles in their meeting with Christ after his resurrection. Our attention focuses on the gesture of the master who transmits to the fearful, astounded disciples the mission of being ministers of Divine Mercy, showing them His hands and His side. Immediately afterwards, “He breathed on them and said to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven, if you retain it, they are retained.” Jesus entrusted to them the gift of forgiving sins, a gift that flows from the wounds on His Hands, His feet, especially from His pierced side. From here a wave of mercy is poured out over all humanity.

Today, the Lord also shares with us His glorious wounds and His heart, an inexhaustible source of light and truth, of love and forgiveness. The two rays denote blood and water, the blood recalls the mystery of the eucharist and the water, the symbol of baptism. Through the mystery of this wounded heart, the restorative tide of God’s merciful love continues to spread to our homes. Here alone can those who long for peace find its secret.

WORD
Today the feast invites us to abandon ourselves trustfully in Jesus’ mercy. Often our distrust of mercy is not a clear-cut attitude, but takes on the form of resistance and reluctance. Very soon we procrastinate. We are frustrated at our shortcomings, like being short-tempered, impatient and lacking charity; we become frustrated even more that we have to admit to them, even to ourselves, never to God, not to speak of the priest. Without even being conscious of it, we rationalize it; justify it; then we start calling sins psychological hang-ups. We blame the church for giving us guilt-complexes; for being out of date in its moral doctrine. We blame our parents, whether living or dead, for these hang ups. We blame our siblings, teachers, government. We don’t want to accept responsibility and culpability. At the root of this resistance lie the mystery of iniquity. It is what the Bible calls original sin – Sin of Pride. Pride would have us believe that we are beyond right and wrong, grace and sin, redemption or perdition. Behind the societal and personal loss of objective morality lies a distrust of Divine Mercy.

1.) Today the gospel invites us to experience the Divine mercy in the means he gives for sins to be forgiven, especially in the sacrament of reconciliation. Do I postpone going to confession or simply rebel against the sacrament? Why should I confess to a priest? Isn’t private, personal prayers as good as a sacramental confession?

2.) Sin is what saps our energy, disturbs our peace, creates wrinkes in our countenance, makes our blood and pressure rise and makes us insomniacs. Divine Mercy sought in the sacrament of confession flush out the negativities caused by sin and open our hearts to the waters of divine mercy. How many marriages and homes would be preserved, strengthened and be the locus of wholeness, joy and health if we have but the courage, and trust to pour fourth our pain, sorrow and guilt before Jesus and learn to be compassionate and forgiving of one another.

Brothers and Sisters, Jesus desires that this feast be a refuge and shelter for all….especially for poor sinners.

More about Fr. Tasang and his reflections

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Articles CWL

“CWL Will Always Remember You, Fr. Joel!,” by C. Quesada

10Last April 5th the Catholic Women’s League gave Fr. Joel Sulse a despedida luncheon. He will soon leave for Rome for further studies.

We find it hard to say good bye to someone like Fr. Joel because we have grown very fond of him. He always has a smile for those he meets. You will never see him angry. He is approachable and makes time for you

Our CWL scholars simply love him. They love his teachings because somehow Fr. Joel touches their lives. One scholar shared how abandoned he felt when his father left the family. Fr. Joel told him that he knows how he feels because the father of his nephews also left the family and he took the role of the father.

The scholars honored Fr. Joel with songs, dances, poems and cards, Truly Fr. Joel will always be remembered.7

Diane C. Pangilinan, a college scholar of Catholic Women’s League Santuario de San Antonio Parish, drew the image of Fr. Joel Sulse in behalf of all the CWL Scholars, as a tribute for Father Joel as he leaves the parish.

Diane says, “We believe that it is not enough to show how much Father Joel has shared himself among us. We are all very blessed to experience his love and compassion as our spiritual father.”
Well done, Diane!

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Articles CCD

GOODBYE AND GODSPEED FATHER JOEL! from CCD

11

The ringing bells at the Parish Centre at 10.15am on Sunday, 6 April, heralded the end of classes; and the joyful shouts and laughter of children told their own story – the end of another school year at CCD (Continuing Catholic Development).

It was also the day of a very special time in CCD’s history, the last celebration of their usual year-end Thanksgiving Mass with Father Joel Sulse, OFM, presiding. With nostalgia and sadness and also with gladness and celebration, the CCD family – parents and students, friends and supporters and teachers and committee – filled all the bays in the Social Hall to bid farewell and best wishes to Father Joel, who would be leaving for Rome to pursue his studies for a doctorate in Divinity. For the past five years Father Joel was not only CCD’s Spiritual Advisor, but to many, he was also their Friend, their Confessor, their Mentor.

After his homily, Father Joel also bade farewell to his congregation. He said that the best memory of CCD with him was the certain and sure knowledge he has of the combined efforts of both the parents, and the teachers and the committee in ensuring that the children received the best formation and religious education available to them. He commended the teachers and the committee for their selfless and generous service to the Lord and to their community in implementing and sustaining one of the best CCD programs he is aware of; and his only request was that they continue.

In their tribute to Father Joel, CCD said that during his time and with his guidance and support, CCD has grown from strength to strength – its curriculum and work program were set and in place and the dramatic increase in the number of student population – not only in the returning students but incoming new students as well – were the most visible and tangible legacy from him.

Thank you and Goodbye Father Joel.

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Articles

A Special Message from Fr. Joel Sulse, OFM

“I am deeply honored and humbly touched by the support and love accorded to me by you, my beloved parishioners. Day and night I asked the Lord for the graces you need; and I am convinced that God heard my voice and supplications for all of you. You have shaped my life as a Franciscan religious. You have been my teacher like Jesus. It was all of you who developed the likes of being a pastor in me. For all these, I am grateful to all of you, to Sts. Anthony and Francis, and to the Lord forever. I will be staying in Rome for three years to pursue a course on Spiritual Theology focused on Franciscan Spirituality. I’m doing this in obedience to the mandate given me by the Minister Provincial and his Council through the recommendation of our Formation Council. Following the will of the Holy Spirit for me, I am pursuing this because it is needed by our congregation. May the Lord bless me and keep me. Please pray for me. My prayers remain for all of you. God bless you for all the generosity and support you have showered the parish during my stint. Please extend the same love and support to the Pastoral Team and to our Franciscan Province, in general. Till we meet again! Happy Easter to all!”

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Articles

“Easter Message 2014”, by Fr. Reu Galoy, OFM

Easter after Easter we hear of the celebration of new life, of the joy of being forgiven and redeemed, of our Lord Jesus rising from the dead, of suffering turning into glory. Life has the last word over death, joy over pain, forgiveness over sin. But as the stone is rolled and the tomb is exposed and we see that it is empty – we, the followers of Him who traced the journey from the upper room to the garden and to Golgotha and now the tomb ask – where is our Lord?

Where is our Lord Jesus? Where can he be found?
“He is not here … in the tomb.” In a few days we will also hear it said, “Do not look for Him among the dead, he is not here.” Jesus is alive, is among the living, is out there! Jesus has changed location – from the tomb, from a place of darkness and coldness to a place where there is warmth and light. Jesus is in every place where there are compassionate hearts. This is the place that transforms suffering, sin and pain. This is the new place where Jesus can be found.

Jesus comes out to share, once more, the gift of salvation and the grace of fullness of life. He instructs the two Mary(s) to go and tell this good news to others. And to those who will believe he will meet them in the Galilee of their lives.

What is the challenge of the resurrection for us today? Or better still, what is it for us to be a forgiven people and an Easter community? What actions speak of keeping the memory of the Savior alive? How can we let others, especially those who are still in places of darkness and coldness, in the tombs of poverty and despair, join us to sing alleluia and jump for joy at the gift of a new and full life? How can we live Jesus’ parting words at the last supper – “Do this in memory of me?”

May Easter joy be a gift shared with others, not a possession kept to our selves!

***

About Fr. Reu and his reflections.

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Articles

“Belong, Believe, Become”, Lenten Recollection by Father Dave Concepcion

Through the Evangelization Ministry, headed by Bobby Novenario
April 12, 2014, Santuario de San Antonio Parish
Notes by Letty Jacinto-Lopez

“Lent is not about rituals, it is about relationships”

During Lent, we observe traditional ceremonies that were handed down through generations and therefore considered familiar and regarded with great reverence. These rites, in fact, formed a large part of our childhood memories and shaped our spiritual foundation. However, if we give too much emphasis
on rites, we stand the risk of not being able to bring Jesus into our own lives, in a more personal level.

With candor and humor, Father Dave shared some of his insights on the following:

BELONG.
“The company you keep does have an impact and influence on your choices.”

Weren’t we able to harness the courage to pursue our dreams and ambitions because behind us stood family and friends who believed in us?

As an example, Father Dave showed a picture of three children, all survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. In the midst of wanton destruction, they managed to laugh heartily. Why? Because, they had each other.

Mother Teresa affirmed this, “Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for or forgotten by everybody, is a much greater hunger and poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.”

We cannot reach Heaven alone. We belong to a community and a community is not just about being together but doing life together. Christ’s invitation to us? “Become a part of me.” And this He made possible, every day. We become one with Him through the sacrament of the holy Eucharist.

BELIEVE
The Ten Commandments was not a series of do’s and don’ts but a big YES, to love and life.

Father Dave said that if we believe in God, we must also believe in evil, “God was responsible for everything good. It was man who created evil.” He shared the story of a veteran exorcist who was driving a dark spirit away by praying the Our Father. The spirit replied, “I know that prayer, too.” We must remember that Satan was one of the more intelligent angels, before his fall. Satan believed in God the Father but not God the Son.

In Romans 10:19, “If you believe in your heart that Jesus was raised from the dead, you will be saved.” The question however, remains: Do you make it easier for others to believe in God? Our faith doesn’t make things easy, it makes things possible and destines us to do great things.

Being true in our belief requires a lot of sacrifices and a lot of hard work. Mother Angelica, founder of EWTN, remarked, “Holiness is not for wimps and the cross is not negotiable, Sweetheart. It’s a requirement.”

In another anecdote, Father Dave was urged to pray for blue skies despite the rain beating down ferociously. Suddenly, he heard a voice, “Remove the marquee and I’ll stop the rain.” Father Dave raised his brows, unsure of what he heard. Again, the voice echoed the same instruction. Finally, running through the puddles, he had the marquee removed. Two other priests, soaking in the rain, raised their brows at him. But lo, when the marquee came down, the dark clouds dispersed and out came the sun. “God is not logical,” exclaimed Father Dave. He will continue to amaze us. “Help me in my unbelief God and let my faith be bigger than my fears.”

BECOME
Everytime we celebrate a birthday, we become new. It is an opportunity to focus on God and what He continues to do in our lives. Our quest is not on acquiring material things but in changing our disposition so that we become closer to reaching our ultimate goal: Heaven. This would be our ultimate becoming. Like the rich young man who asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Take courage, be brave and follow Jesus.

“Doing Ordinary Things with Extraordinary Love”

We are called to imitate the saints in our spiritual journey. Sometimes, it only requires simple little acts every day but done with a lot of love and patience. Father Dave gave the following suggestions:

Begin the day by saying a little prayer to thank God for being alive (a gift), for a restful sleep and a chance for a new beginning. Pray to God, “Empty me of me so I can be filled with You.”

1. DON’T Gossip. Don’t pre-judge without verifying the facts but even if the story is true, you still have no right to talk about others, or derive pleasure at the expense of others and worse, with the intention to harm or smear his name.

2. FINISH your food, out of a sense of gratitude because God has been generous to you and a sense of respect for those who have none. Don’t stuff your plate and then leave leftovers. Regarding vegetables, don’t lie to your children about vegetables being delicious and scrumptious. They’re not. Instead, endorse them for their nutritional values.

3. MAKE time for others. Give a bit of your heart than a piece of your mind. Practice the 7-8-9 hours allocation, that is, devote seven (7) hours for sleeping, 8 hours for working and 9 hours for others. If retired, you have 17 hours at your disposal.

4. In buying, CHOOSE the more humble purchase as a reminder that there’s nothing in this world that you can bring to Heaven. Don’t be possessed by your possessions. Your self worth is not based on what you can buy or afford. Empty yourself of your ego so that you have time for others.

Remember that death is the great equalizer. No matter how rich, famous, beautiful or outstanding you are, your grave will be the same size as any common man.

5. MEET the poor in the flesh. Look, talk and listen to them. Visit the orphanage, old homes, the slums or public hospitals. Sometimes, the poor may be the ones right in your own home – the aging and ailing elders who are forsaken by family, neglected, abandoned or treated without dignity.

6. STOP judging others. Some people find faults as if there’s a reward for it.

7. BEFRIEND or do not lock horns with those who disagree with you or has an opposite opinion. If it’s about your passion, swim with the current, but if it’s your principle at stake, stand your ground, like a rock.

People use rudeness to push their weight around. Rudeness or being impolite is a poor imitation of strength while Gentleness is strength under control.

If you encounter people who bad-mouths, are harsh and cruel, react by blessing them. This requires a lot of discipline. Don’t match your opponent’s unsavory behavior. Forgive and God will bless you more.

8. MAKE a commitment. It is the glue to bond your goals. If you give your word, honor it and stay loyal.

9. PRAY. MAKE it a habit to ask The Lord for guidance, for discernment. Keep that relationship of love. Whatever you do if you are not doing it for God, you’re doing it for yourself.

10. BE Happy. The joy of The Lord is your strength. It’s a gift. Keeping a positive and humble attitude makes it easier to find satisfaction and fulfillment. Believe much more in God’s love than in your fears.

Father Dave ended with a challenge: What part of the recollection struck you most and why? What do you wish to achieve? Decide and act on it. Now.

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Passover Seder Meal

The SSAP community celebrated the Seder Meal on April 10, 2014 as a celebration of the exodus from Egypt and God’s redemptive liberation of Israel from slavery and spiritual misery. This Meal, while generally a Jewish tradition, has played an integral role in Franciscan Lenten celebration. Representatives from the different parish ministries were present to join in fellowship and to reenact the Passover meal.

In welcoming participants, the Seder Meal continues with the lighting of the candles. Using the prayer book for the ritual, the leader starts the meal with the blessing of the wine followed by the washing of hands. Then karpas (green vegetable) is dipped in salt water to remind participants of the misery caused by slavery in Egypt. At that point, the middle piece of three matzas (unleavened bread) on the table is broken and hidden by the leader for children to find later.

The leader then tells the Passover story beginning with the bread of affliction. It is a reminder of the Jewish people’s pain in slavery and is also symbolic of the suffering in the world today. Here the leader asks the children to open the door as a gesture of hospitality. The youngest person attending the Seder asks four questions. The first one being “Why is this night different from all other nights?” After the explanations, a second cup of wine — the cup of memory — is poured followed by another washing of hands and a prayer. Then the dinner is served.

Following dinner, young participants search for the hidden matza and songs or hymns are performed while the festivities continue. There is a prayer after the meal followed by the third cup — the cup of redemption. It is at this time the cup of Eljiah is filled and placed in the middle of the table. A recitation of the psalms and the conclusion of the Passover Seder are observed with the fourth cup — the cup of hope — along with the final benediction.

The festivities concluded with parishioners joyously dancing hand in hand forming a ring of unity amongst the community.

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“Lent and the Sacraments of Baptism and Penance” by Fr. Jesus Galindo, OFM

LENT AND THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Many of the biblical readings at Mass during this season of Lent can hardly be understood unless we keep in mind the institution of the catechumenate and the religious instruction which the catechumens, i.e., the candidates for baptism, received during the first part of the Mass. One could become a catechumen and receive instruction at any time of the year. In fact, the catechumenate used to last for as long as three years. During this time, the catechumens, under the supervision of the Christian community, tried to put into practice the Ten Commandments. This was called the remote preparation.

When one finally wanted to receive baptism or was considered fit to be baptized, he had to make his desire known to the Church authorities at the beginning of Lent. Those who proved to be serious applicants for baptism were admitted on Ash Wednesday into the list of electi (the chosen ones); during the weeks of Lent, they underwent intense instruction and ascetical training, fast and mortification. This was called the proximate preparation. Baptism was administered only once a year – during the Easter Vigil. Even now, the Vigil’s part three is called, “Liturgy of Baptism.”

After their enrolment in the list of baptizandi (candidates for baptism), they had to undergo three public ceremonies called scrutinia. These scrutinies were first held on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent, but by the beginning of the 7th century they were moved to Friday of the 3rd week and Wednesday and Friday of the 4th week of Lent. During the second scrutiny they were taught about, and handed a copy of the four gospels, the Creed, and the Our Father. Today, the Masses of these latter days contain several references to baptism – a remnant of the special ceremonies held in those days for the catechumen.

In the pre-Vatican II missals, the first part of the Mass (which we now call Liturgy of the Word) was called Mass of the Catechumens, in reference to the old practice of dismissing the catechumens from church right after the gospel. They were not allowed to participate in the second part of the Mass – the Liturgy of the Eucharist. After the reading of the gospel and the prayers of the faithful, the deacon would say three times, in a loud voice: “Let all the catechumens leave!”; Extant Catechumeni!

The practice of the catechumenate has been revived or restored by the Second Vatican Council. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy states: “The catechumenate for adults, comprising several distinct steps, is to be restored and brought into use at the discretion of the local ordinary. By this means the time of the catechumenate, which is intended as a period of suitable instruction, may be sanctified by sacred rites to be celebrated at successive intervals of time.” (n.64)

LENT AND THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
When the practice of public penance was organized in the 5th and 6th centuries, the sackcloth and ashes were chosen as a sign of punishment for those who had committed serious crimes. This practice of putting on, or sitting on, sackcloth and ashes existed already in the Old Testament. (Est 4:1; Jon 3:5) In the New Testament, it is mentioned in Lk 10:13 as a sign of penance.

The ashes were imposed on the very first day of the Lenten fast, the Wednesday of Quinquagessima. The period of penance lasted until Holy Thursday, when public sinners were solemnly reconciled, absolved from their sins and allowed to receive Holy Communion, after having satisfactorily fulfilled their penance, as described below. This, by the way, is the origin of the term quarantine, accepted into common usage, to signify separation or exclusion from human contact (as in the case of certain prisoners and persons suffering from infectious diseases).

The procedure of public penance was as follows: Public sinners
approached their priest shortly before Lent to accuse themselves of their misdeeds. On Ash Wednesday, they were presented by the priest to the bishop of the place. Outside the cathedral, poor and noble alike stood barefoot, dressed in sackcloth, with heads bowed in humble contrition. The bishop assigned to each one particular acts of penance, according to the nature and gravity of his crime. Whereupon they entered the church – the bishop leading one of them by the hand and the others following in single line, holding each other’s hand.

Before the altar, not only the penitents but also the bishop and all his clergy recited the seven penitential psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143). Then, each penitent went forward; the bishop imposed ashes on his head and put on him the tunic of sackcloth. After this ceremony, the penitents were led out of the church and were forbidden to re-enter it until Holy Thursday for the reconciliation ceremony.

Meanwhile, they would spend the Lenten weeks apart from their families, in a monastery or in some other place of voluntary confinement, where they devoted themselves to prayer, manual work and works of charity. Among other things, they had to go barefoot all through Lent, were forbidden to converse with others, were made to sleep on the ground or on beddings of straw, and were not allowed to bathe or to cut their hair.

The Church, as a loving mother, did not forget her contrite children; some of the prayers and readings of the Lenten Masses seem to have been chosen with the penitents in mind. (CF. Guide for the Christian Assembly, Vol. II) Eventually, the imposition of ashes as well as other penitential practices were shared, not only by public sinners but by all other people as well, leaving their mark both in the Lenten liturgy and in the ascetical exercises of the season.

About Fr. Jesus and his reflections

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Parish Bulletin

“Because God Loves, He Suffers,” by Fr. Robert Manansala, OFM

The yearly commemoration of the Holy Week, of the Passion and Death of Jesus leading to his Resurrection, starts with the commemoration of his pilgrim journey or entrance into Jerusalem.

According to Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Jesus of Nazareth, Part II), Jesus’ pilgrim journey from Galilee to Jerusalem is an “ascent” in both geographical and inner sense. It is an ascent in a literal and “geographical sense because the Sea of Galilee is situated about 690 feet below sea level, whereas Jerusalem is on average 2500 feet above.” It is also an inner spiritual ascent because “in the outward climb to Jerusalem,” Jesus’ ultimate goal is “his self-offering on the Cross.” Indeed, Jesus’ ascent to self-offering on the Mount of Golgotha, “an ascent towards loving to the point of death,” is “via the Cross.”

It is also in this ascent to his sacrifice on the Cross and in obedience to the Father’s will that God’s definitive revelation in Jesus is fulfilled. As Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me. The One who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone because I always do what is pleasing to him.” (Jn. 8:28-29)

Jesus ascends to his self-offering on the Cross on a donkey, an animal of the poor, the lowly and the humble. He does not come on a horse, a symbol of might and power. Although he is coming as a king, as exemplified by the spreading out of garments that is reminiscent of Israelite kingship, his is a different kind of kingship. Pope Benedict XVI writes: “He is a king who destroys the weapons of war, a king of peace and a king of simplicity, a king of the poor.”

With branches from the trees, the people cry out: “Hosanna!” Through this Hosanna acclamation, disciples and the other pilgrims to Jerusalem express their hope for the coming of the Messiah and for the reestablishment of the David’s kingship and, therefore, of God’s kingship over Israel.

Indeed, Jesus is the Awaited Messiah, but he is not a political and worldly Messiah. It is precisely in the face of his passion in the hands of his enemies and of his death on the Cross that Jesus shows his being a Messiah. Jesus is the Crucified Messiah. He saves by being determinedly committed to the Father’s will even to the point of betrayal and death in the hands of men. Only in the shameful and baffling powerlessness of the Cross can Jesus demonstrate that authority that ultimately saves, forgives and rehabilitates. Jesus defines what sort of Messiah he really is on the Cross and not on a golden throne surrounded by power, might and pomp. The true Messiah is one who is crucified, who dies and who humbly and lovingly gives his all until there is nothing more to give. The true Messiah is one who suffers not only for us but also with us and in us.

But the week of the commemoration of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus is called Holy Week, not so much because of the passion and death of Jesus. It is not his passion and death per se that make Jesus’ passion and death holy but the love with which these are embraced. The passion and death of Jesus are a sign of love. They are the greatest expression of the Father’s love for us in and through Jesus His beloved Son. These are the culmination of a life lived in love – the love of God and His kingdom and of others. Jesus is one who walks his talk. His central message, the Kingdom of God, has something to do with God’s loving presence and action in our lives and history and this gets a most definitive seal of expression with the offering of Jesus’s life on the Cross.

While the passion and death of Jesus are a sign of love, they are also an invitation to love in a sacrificial and sacrificing manner. True love cannot but be sacrificial and sacrificing. To love is to be ready to offer oneself for the beloved even if this will involve a lot of sacrifices and, possibly, death. The ultimate measure of love is how much you are ready to suffer, to make sacrifices and to offer your life for the other.

Myron J. Taylor, following the insights of German theologians Jurgen Moltmann and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, says: “Because God cares—because God loves—He suffers… If God loves, then God suffers. To love is to be vulnerable — to be vulnerable means to be open to the hurts and risks that come with freedom.”

More about Fr. Robert and his reflections.

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Articles Holy Days Special Events

“Seven Last Words of Christ” by Javier Luis Gomez

“For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.“

Rom 12:4-5

As we enter into Holy Week, we approach the summit of the liturgical year. It is a time that draws us in to the very heart of the Christian mystery. Through the Triduum the saving love of God continues to manifest itself in our lives today.

To help us enter more fully into the mystery, we invite everyone to attend a meditation on the seven last words of Christ. Friday is the day that Jesus died on the cross. It was on this day that his body was beaten, persecuted, scourged, spat on and crucified. Today, Christ’s body is still tortured, persecuted, discriminated and killed. Beyond the borders of the Philippines, Christians all over the world continue to participate in the sufferings of Christ.

This unique meditation will bring to us sharers from different backgrounds and different cultural milieu. They will share with us their experiences of being Catholic in different parts of the world, and how in their experiences they find solidarity with Jesus Christ.

From Malaysia, Peter Toyat shares with us his experiences living in a country that is a melting pot of different faiths and cultures. Peter is actively involved in Christian-Muslim dialogue and interreligious dialogue in his home country.

Ian Monsod is from our parish and has recently returned home after living in the America for many years. He brings to us a story of struggling to keep his faith in a culture that is becoming increasingly secularized.

Sister Luz Mariais a Columbian sister who has been in the Philippines for many years, working at the Holy Family Home is Taguig. She compares her Latin-American roots to our own Filipino context and how there is much we can learn from each other.

Sr. Mary Vanaja, MCJ (Vana) is an Indian sister shares with us the history of the Indian church and how it has deep Christian roots that come out of the period of great missionary evangelization. The Church in India today faces many struggles that are shared by many Asians across the region.

Fufu Widjaya is a wife and mother of three young children. She has lived in Manila for almost ten years now, after having grown up in Indonesia. She shares with us her experiences growing up as a minority Catholic in a country that is mostly Muslim – and how that experienced has shaped her today.

Father Rey Legayadahas recently spent much time stationed with the Franciscans in Spain. Over his time there he has seen many of the changes that the Church in Europe has undergone and he shares his own insights on that reality.

Mara Eala spent some time after her studies to volunteer with the Assumption sisters in east Africa last year. She traveled around Tanzania and Kenya helping the sisters with their ministry. She shares with us what she has seen from the Church in Africa.

Each of the sharers will share with us their experiences with the universal church. As we contemplate on the sufferings of Christ, let us also meditate on the sufferings the body of Christ continues to experience today.

The Seven Last Words takes place on Good Friday – 1:30pm to 3pm.

***

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Javier teaches at the Ateneo de Manila University and is the head of the Evangelization Ministry at Santuario de San Antonio. He continues to work with young people both in and out of the parish.

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