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“Palm Sunday and the Story of the Other Palms”, by Fr. Joel

Following Jesus’ example of laying down His life for his loved ones, we may attain the fullness of His love to us by doing the same example – He lived for others.

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion is a day of invitation for us, the faithful, to enter into the paschal mystery of Christ. It also depicts the solemn entry of Jesus in Jerusalem, proclaiming the passion that He is about to undertake. While the people are shouting “Hosanna to the King!”, what is behind those voices that reverberated through the hills and the gardens of Jerusalem?

The gospel this Sunday is from Mark 14:1-15:47. This is Mark’s version of the passion narrative of Jesus, which is considered the oldest written version that exists about Jesus’ suffering and death. It is believed and is accepted by biblical scholars that Luke’s and Matthew’s version of the narrative are all coming from that of Mark. Further, they said that it is the closest to the original, hence, not the original itself; and the narrative in itself is considered the core or the most important part of the whole gospel.

Following the events narrated in the gospel, one can notice how the many facets of the story mentioned are all interconnected to each other, and each event is adding more and more color, in its distinct capacity, to the over-all picture of the whole passion story. Beginning with the anointing of Jesus ( v.3-9), to His celebration of the Last Supper (the Passover-v.12-31), to His contemplation in the Garden of Gethsemane (v. 32-42), up to Peter’s denial (v.54,66-72); then to the centurion’s musings (15.21-41), and finally to His burial (v.42-47), all capture a symphonic nostalgia bringing the whole scene into the center of understanding, the reason behind Jesus’ selfless offering of His life for all.

In our celebration of this Palm Sunday, we are reminded of the “many other palms” which can speak of the whole narrative of the passion and suffering of Jesus. Let us remember the palms of those hands that anointed Jesus’ feet before He celebrated the Passover. It is good to remember the palms of the hands that clasped with the voice that said: “Take away this cup from me … “. We remember the palms of the hands that held the sword that struck the other ear. We remember the palms of those hands that helped Jesus carry the cross. Blessed are those palms that worked in the fields first, and held the
cross of Jesus sharing the burdens of human weight. Blessed are the palms of the centurion, that touched the body of Christ and the palms of the hands of Joseph of Arimathea, that brought the linen cloth and that which took down Jesus from the cross and the very palms of the hands that touched and wrapped Jesus’ body, as well as those palms that laid Him on the tomb. The story of the different palms other than the palms raised during that entrance of Jesus to Jerusalem is like a symphony, weaving the notes to a beautiful music, pleasing to man’s heart. And truly, such spirit is rooted on the very reason why Jesus allowed Himself to suffer and die – and that is LOVE.

Today is also Alay Kapwa Sunday. We are all reminded of the love and the life we can sacrifice for our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Alay Kapwa involves self-giving, like those palms of the many hands willing to do their share, as reiterated to us in our gospel. Following Jesus’ example of laying down His life for his loved ones, we may attain the fullness of His love to us by doing the same example – He lived for others.

Today is also World Youth Day. Let us keep in mind our brothers, the many young people in our world today, who find it difficult to offer their time and best effort to God and to others. WE need to pray for their conversion. We need to accompany them realize their goals, not limited to one’s boasting of personal ego and pessimism and passivity. We need the palm of their hands willing to work for His kingdom.

The rites during the holy week which include the blessing and procession of palms, the reposition of the Blessed Sacrament after the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s passion on Good Friday and the Easter Vigil in all parish churches should be worthily done. The faithful should be instructed on the meaning and structure of these celebrations and should be encouraged to actively participate in order to experience the fruits of the encounter. It is good to give our hands to all these activities and volunteer to make the same more meaningful for us and for others. Let us join hands together and usher our community to this holy season of grace.

as published on April 1, 2012 Parish Bulletin

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“The ‘Flesh’ for Others”, by Fr. Joel

My great salute to our young people in the parish and those who came to volunteer for our relief efforts. It is the spirit of Jesus, the body and blood poured out for many that was evidently felt by our young people.

John 6:51-58
For these past Sundays, we have been introduced to the Eucharistic gospel, the Chapter 6 of John. Jesus has subtly introduced himself as the “bread of life”. This time however, Jesus has his bold claim, “I am the living bread which has come down from heaven; whoever eats of this bread will live forever. The bread I shall give is my flesh and I will give it for the life of the world.” (v.5l-52). As he has presented himself this way, the Jews all the more questioned his claim. They cannot fully comprehend what Jesus is claiming. Thus, their question: “How can this man give us FLESH to eat” (v. 53)?

In the Jewish tradition, “flesh” means “the whole person.” So they find it very scandalous for Jesus to invite them to be the “flesh” for others and to eat him. But this invitation was provoked all the more by Jesus’ additional statement: “Truly I say to you, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (v, 54). What is Jesus telling us in this profound declaration of himself? This leads to his explanation of what the Eucharist is all about.

Jesus is telling us that he is giving himself to us as the bread and wine that will give life to others. The primary reason for his sacrifice is to be the LIFE FOR OTHERS. In this invitation of Jesus, we are personally drawn to the life-giving instincts that we need,
to shape and reshape our lives. When we share ourselves as the life for others, like Jesus totally abandoning himself for us, then, it is very easy to share, easy for us to give ourselves for others. This is the essence of the Holy Eucharist. Can we feel this essence in concrete terms?

I would like to share with you a recent personal experience. When we were at the height of all our worries about the monsoon rains that forced thousands of families out of their homes, I was informed by our Calamity Core Group in the parish that we have to start a relief operation. I was not surprised why they had this urgent concern because it is imbedded already in the hearts of our parish youth. The message in their Facebook and Tweeter accounts has this to say… “Spread love through our relief efforts in the parish.” In just a matter of two hours, the young people came, goods poured in, and many hands prepared goods that responded to the needs of close to 15,000 families. Relief goods, positive responses, Bayanihan spirit that moved everyone to prepare the goods and share them with families in the affected areas (unloading them even at 3am with no traces of qualms from a hungry soul, who thinks of others rather than himself), singing community songs while loading the goods- these are concrete signs in “flesh and blood” being shared with others. That is Jesus feeding the hungry crowd of thousands, healing and giving life to downtrodden souls. My great salute to our young people in the parish and those who came to volunteer for our relief efforts. It is the spirit of Jesus, the body and blood poured out for many that was evidently felt by our young people.

“As the living Father has sent me, and as I live because of the Father, so he who eats me, he also shall live because ofme”( v.59). This verse presents a fact that Jesus was coming from the living Father, the compassionate Father who responded to the hungry crowds in the desert. So whoever accepts him in his “wholeness” shall live, and will have life. “Eating the flesh and drinking his blood” connote salvation. Thus, whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup will surely have life in Him as Jesus had told us. True to the expression “the living Father”, the “living bread” goes with it, and so if we stay with Jesus, the “living bread”, we also will live forever.

Can we consistently be the Eucharist, the living Jesus for others?

as published on August 19, 2012 Parish Bulletin

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“19th Sunday in the Ordinary Time” by Fr. Greg Redoblado, OFM

We are to come to the Eucharistic table because we need the strength and energy to continue with our mission. Hence, the Eucharist is to be understood again in the spirit of our missionary task.

The readings this Sunday continue our reflection on the meaning of the Eucharist in our lives. For the last two Sundays, we have been discussing the Eucharist. Last Sunday, we reflected that the Eucharist reminds us of our responsibility. Like the poor little boy
in the gospel of the multiplication of bread and fish, we are to share our bread and fish to those who do not have bread on their table. There is no real Eucharist therefore if we fail to show our love and concem for the needy. It is a Christian responsibility to care for those who are in need among us.

Last Sunday, we were also reminded that while we need physical and material nourishment for our body, we are to hunger for the food that brings us real meaning in life. We are not to search only for perishable food but to long for the bread that leads to eternal life, Jesus himself. In this case, the Eucharist becomes a sacrament of God’s reign of eternal love and peace that should also be manifested in our life. It means that when we receive Christ in Holy Communion, according to the letter to the Ephesians last Sunday, we are to put away the old self and put on the new one. When we receive Communion, we put on Christ in our lives so that it is no longer we that live but Christ that lives in us.

In our readings today, we advance our reflection on the Eucharist. In the first reading, we hear the story of Elijah, who was running away in fear of his life from the clutches of queen Jezebel. He just defeated the prophets of Baal in a contest and also brought these prophets to their death. This angered Jezebel, who became resolute to revenge the death of these prophets and to capture and kill Elijah. Elijah, on his part, ran away in fear and desperation. He wanted to give up already by just sleeping and not eating. It was better for him to resign and just die. But the Lord sent an angel twice to wake him up and feed him. He was told he needed food to continue and so be able to reach his destination for his task was not over yet. I believe that the reading today gives us another beautiful dimension of the Eucharist. We are to come to the Eucharistic table because we need the strength and energy to continue with our mission. Hence, the Eucharist is to be understood again in the spirit of our missionary task. We are to eat in order to do our mission. There is a tendency in us Christians to be passive receivers of the Eucharist and not to feel obliged to do what God wants us to accomplish. At the end of the mass, the priest says after communion and blessing, “Go forth, the mass is ended.” Yes, it says go forth to continue our mission after being nourished with the Eucharist. Go forth and care, go forth and help, go forth and let the people feel the love and nourishment that comes from God.

With the recent heavy rains and flood that affected our people especially here in Luzon and Metro Manila, we are called to go forth and live our Eucharistic life of extending our hands to those who are in need. I was touched by the initiative of many people to save lives. In a very special way, we thank the youth of this parish and many of those who volunteered to respond to the needs of our people. I remember on the very first night of the flooding, 7th of August, Fr. Joel and some youth of our parish already went to distribute goods to the affected areas in Frisco, Quezon City, where more than 600 hundred families were evacuated to the Parish Center of San Pedro Bautista Parish. The following day, more donations poured in and more youth came to help in packing the goods. They then made two more deployments and distribution of the goods to the victims. This is, I believe, the meaning of the Eucharist. It is not only coming to communion but it is going forth to be in communion with all, especially with those who are suffering and distressed. God has nourished us with plenty of material and physical resources, let us be filled also with this bread from heaven, the one that moves us to break our bread of abundant blessings for the life of the world. Amen

as published on August 12, 2012, Parish Bulletin
About Fr. Greg and a few of his Reflections

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“But God Will Find You”, by Fr. Robert Manansala, OFM

One day, a man asked his friend, “What were you before? The friend said, “A sinner.” Then he was asked, “What are you now?’ “ The friend responded, “A sinner.” “What’s the difference?” The friend answered, “Before, I was a sinner running after sin. But now I am sinner running away from sin.”

We will always be sinners in need of conversion and repentance – until we die. But the real question is: “Are we sinners who are running after sin or sinners who are running away from sin?” Or better, “Are we sinners who are trying to turn more and more to God and to turn more and more away from sin?”

On this Second Sunday of Advent, we hear the prophet John the Baptist proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This is precisely what John the Baptist is asking us to do as we continue to prepare for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus.

Immediately, after the mention of some political and religious leaders, the gospel narrates that the Word of God came to John in the wilderness. In the midst of power, prestige and wealth represented by these leaders, the Word of God came to be addressed to the poor and ascetic prophet John the Baptist. The Word of God was heard not in Rome – the seat of imperial power; not in Jerusalem – the most important city for the Jewish people; not in a palace or in any other grandiose place. John the Baptist heard the Word of God in the desert.

In the Bible the desert is a place of struggle between God and Satan, a place of confrontation between good and evil in the heart of the person in the experience of solitude, barrenness, nakedness, vulnerability and of the challenge to put one’s complete dependence on God. While John the Baptist heard the Word of God in the desert – both in its literal sense of a physical place of the desert and in its symbolic meaning referring to the heart of the person – the main locus of the struggle between God and Satan, between good and evil, in our case it must be more of its symbolic meaning. We need to hear the Word of God in the depths of our hearts for it is from there where we must respond to it and where we truly surrender ourselves to God. Our hearts must really be receptive dwelling places for God and God’s Word.

John the Baptist invited the people to submit themselves to baptism as an expression of this repentance, of a return to God and a turning away from sin. As Christians, we have already signified this. We have already been baptized into Christ. We have already been claimed for Christ. We already died to sin and must truly continued to do this to signify our being followers of the Lord and children of God.

The Holy Father, in opening the Year of Faith on October 11, has said: “The Year of Faith… is a summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the one Saviour of the world.”

At baptism, we renounced Satan, sin and deeds of darkness and professed our faith in the Trine God and in God’s ways. But have we really been faithful to these baptismal vows? Have we really been Christians in deeds and in the way we live authentic Christ-like lives and not only in name? John the Baptist, as part of our preparations for Christmas, invites us to return to our baptismal vows and to be really faithful to them and to God.

To prepare the way for the Lord, John the Baptist speaks of the mountains that need to be flattened, valleys which have to be filled in, crooked ways which have to be made straight, rough roads which have to be smoothed.

In response to the Advent challenge we need to look more into the landscape of the human heart. We must hear during this Season of Advent John’s call to have an interior change of heart, to change our lives and our ways. Are there areas in our lives that need to be straightened or flattened because these have been hindering us in truly welcoming Jesus in our hearts and in our lives and in surrendering our lives to God and to his ways and becoming better Christians and children of God?

But the demand of conversion is not only personal; it is also communal, societal and structural. As a people, we continue to suffer in many ways because of the sins of divisiveness, inequality, graft and corruption, ecological neglect and many others. The newspapers tell us that the recent tragedy in Mindanao, just like many tragedies in the past, was not only due to nature; it was also largely manmade. Illegal logging and neglect of geohazard warnings have been mentioned as two of the causes. We indeed need to change as individuals, as communities and as a people.

But again, we must start somewhere. How do we start? We start by truly allowing God to love us even in a most unexpected way. Then when this happens, we can truly be changed people.

The Jesuit John Powell, in his book Unconditional Love, tells a true to life story about Tommy, a very strange student in his theology class who turned out to be an theist. In class, according to Fr. Powell, he was a pain in the neck for he was always objecting and whining about the possibility of an unconditionally loving God.

One day, Tommy approached Fr. Powell and asked in a cynical tone: “Do you think I’ll ever find God.”

Fr. Tom decided to apply a shock therapy by giving an emphatic “NO.”
Tommy responded to Fr. Powell: “Oh, I though that was the product you were pushing.”

Fr. Powell, in response to Tommy, said: “But He will find you.”
Fr. Powell later learned that Tommy had graduated. Then he received a sad news that he was suffering with terminal cancer.

Then one day, Tommy appeared in the office of Fr. Powell. After some pleasantries, Fr. Powell asked Tommy: “What’s it like to be only twenty-four and dying?”

Tommy said it could be worse – like being fifty and having no values or ideals, like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real ‘biggies’ in life.”
Tommy then reminded Fr. Powell of that incident when he told him, “But he will find you.” Tommy said that when he got to know about his cancer, he started to look for God. And as his illness became more serious, he sought God even more intensely. But nothing happened, according to him.

Then one day, he remembered what Fr. Powell had told them in class: “The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them.” So Tommy began with the hardest one: his Dad with whom he did not have a good relationship. His Dad was reading the newspaper when he approached him.”

“Dad, I love you. I just wanted you to know that,” Tommy told his Dad.

“The newspaper fluttered to the floor. Then his Dad did two things Tommy could never remember him ever doing before. He cried and he hugged me.

And they talked all night. Tommy said it felt so good to be close to his father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved him too.” Then, he did the same to his mother and little brother, which was easier. They too cried with him and they hugged each other.

Tommy said he felt sorry about one thing: that he had waited so long for such opportunities of really being close to his family, of showing his love for them.

Then, Tommy said, “Then, one day I turned around and God was there. Apparently God does things in his own way and at his own hour. But the important thing is that he was there. He found me. He found me even after I stopped looking for him.”

Tommy eventually died of cancer. But he found God before he died. He found God because he allowed God to find him. He allowed God to find him by loving. Someone said, “When one loves, he touches the face of God.”

This is the deeper meaning of conversion: more than finding God, it is allowing God to find us – sometimes in a most unexpected way.

About Fr. Robert and his reflections

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“Bring in the Candles”, by Fr. Robert Manansala, OFM

The late US President John F. Kennedy is said to be very fond of a particular story. During his 1960 presidential campaign, he often used it to close his speeches. It is the story of Colonel Davenport, Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives back in 1789.

One day, while the House was in session, the sky of Hartford, Connecticut suddenly grew dark and gloomy. Some of the representatives looked out the windows and thought this was a sign that the end of the world had come. An uproar ensued with the representatives calling for immediate adjournment. But Davenport rose and said, “Gentlemen, the Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. Therefore, I wish that candles be brought.” Candles were brought and the session continued.

Davenport was ready for the coming of the Lord and, for him, the best way to face the Lord that was by being faithful to the mission that He had entrusted to him up to the end.

We begin today another liturgical year with the Season of Advent. The four-week Season of Advent focuses not only on relieving the longing of the people in the past as they joyfully anticipated the coming of God’s Messiah, of how our loving God inserted Himself in history through the birth of Jesus in our midst but also on the Lord’s continuing coming in the present and on his future coming. Jesus’ threefold Advent or coming – yesterday, today and tomorrow are all covered by the Season of Advent and even by our readings today on this First Sunday of Advent.

This spirit of Advent is intended not only to help us prepare for another commemoration of Christmas this year but also to accompany us in our on-going journey through life, which must be characterized by the search for and openness to God until we finally enter into the fullness of God’s presence for all eternity.

The First Reading focuses more on the coming of the Messiah in history. It reminds us of the Prophet Jeremiah’ prophecy of the sure coming of the Messiah from the Davidic royal lineage who would do what was right and just. In fact, this Lord would be called Justice.

The First Letter to the Thessalonians looks forward to the final coming of the Lord Jesus Christ as the very climax of human experience. On our part, it is extremely important that we prepare for this event – by truly embracing the imperative to practice love and seek holiness as we wait for this climax of human history.

Today’s Gospel passage from Luke, which is heavily apocalyptic in imagery depicting cosmic upheavals and disturbances, also anticipates the Second Coming of the Lord and highlights the attitudes and behaviors that must characterize this joyful anticipation. We need to be aware and to be vigilant of the eventual coming of the Lord.

How do we really prepare for the coming of the Lord, whether in commemoration of his historical coming at Christmas, or in openness to his coming through the sacraments, in prayer, in the events of our lives and in the faces of others, especially the poor and the needy, or in joyful and faith-filled anticipation of his definitive coming at the end of the world and of time?

In this task, we find the importance of Advent. Advent is not just a preparatory season of four weeks before Christmas; it is a spirit that must imbue not only our preparations for Christmas but our entire lives. The Advent spirit is the spirit of ardent longing for God and His manifold presence and this longing is something that has been planted by God in the heart of every person. During this Season of Advent, we are asked to especially focus on re-enkindling this thirst in us that deeply longs for God, the Divine, the Ultimate Reality. This Season must make us again realize that all our longings, especially our deepest and most authentic longings, have ultimately something to do with God. St. Augustine beautifully expressed it, “Out hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.”

For us Christians, this ardent longing for God that is present in every restless heart has found its object in the person of Jesus Christ. It is not a search for God that is without any direction, without any object. In fact, this search in the heart of every person has come from God for we cannot even venture to seek God without Him first seeking us. And this journey can only be embarked with God for God Himself is the companion and the object of this search.

Thus, the main message of the Year of Faith is very important for us to remember as we begin this Season of Advent. The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, in opening the Year of Faiths through the document Porta Fidei, has asked us to return to Jesus, to renew our seeking and reflecting of the face of Jesus.

The Year of Faith is summoning us “to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world” (Porta Fidei 6), to experience conversion to Jesus in a new way, to turn back to Jesus, to enter into a deeper relationship with Him and to truly live our identity and mission as disciples of the Lord.

The Year of Faith and the Season of Advent are asking us “to keep our gaze fixed upon Jesus Christ, the ‘pioneer and perfecter of our faith’ (Heb 12:2)”. The Holy Father writes that in Jesus “all the anguish and all the longing of the human heart finds fulfillment. The joy of love, the answer to the drama of suffering and pain, the power of forgiveness in the face of an offence received and the victory of life over the emptiness of death: all this finds fulfillment in the mystery of his Incarnation, in his becoming man, in his sharing our human weakness so as to transform it by the power of his resurrection” (Porta Fidei).

Thus, the example of Colonel Davenport during this time of Advent is extremely important. We need to get down to work – the work of truly knowing, loving and following Jesus, the work of discipleship, the work of the mission of Christ, the work for personal conversion, ecclesial renewal and social transformation after the values of the Kingdom of God, and the work for authenticity of our lives as Christians.

The Season of Advent enjoins us to be ready and vigilant? And how do we show our readiness and vigilance? Our readings today give us directions. By the practice of love for one another and for all, by being blameless before the Lord, conducting ourselves in way that pleases God, always seeking to be holy as God is holy, by having hearts that are not drowsy because of sinfulness and vices and anxieties of this life, by praying always for strength and courage in facing life’s tribulations. In short, we prepare for the coming of the Lord by being good, holy, faithful, loving and hope-filled servants and followers of Him.

We all know that the experiences of personal, family, world and cosmic disturbances and upheavals can weaken our hearts and kill our spirits. They can crush us down and disorient us. In the face of all these happenings, we need to fix our gaze on Jesus, to stand erect and raise our heads because our Lord is with us and will always be with us no matter what – bringing ultimately His definitive redemption.

The Spanish “Mas” is “more” in English. For me, Christmas is more of Christ. We celebrate Christmas every year so that we can receive more and more Christ in our hearts, in our lives, in our families and in our world and, in the process, we hope to become more like Christ and become truly grounded in Him in all things. But sad to say, people can celebrate Christmas without Christ at the center of the celebrations and commemorations. The Season of Advent reminds us there is no Christmas without Christ.

The Holy Father Pope Benedict has been asking the young people not to be afraid to receive Jesus in their lives. I think the same holds true for everyone. The Holy Father has said:

“If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation… Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life.”

Let me end with a scene in the move “Fireproof”. The movie starts with a married couple of 7 years who are experiencing some marital problems. After a heated argument, the wife named Catherine decides to file for divorce. The Spirit-filled father of Caleb, the husband of Catherine, asks his son to hold for 40 days and follow some day-to-day advice taken from his treasured notebook. During these 40 days, Caleb does not only discover and love Catherine in a new way, despite her resistance. Most important is that he discovers God in his life. As a result, he becomes a changed man capable of truly loving his wife, himself and others in the Lord.

When the two get reconciled towards end of the story, Catherine tells her husband: “Something has changed in you. And I want what happened to you to happen to me.” Caleb tells Catherine, “It can.”

Caleb has found Christ and his life, his person, his marriage have changed. This is what happens when we really allow Christ more in our hearts and in our lives to transform us. The Season of Advent, in a special way, must do this for us. Then, hopefully Christmas really becomes more of Christ.

About Fr. Robert and his reflections

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Enthronement at Bahay ni Maria, November 2012

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“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be the first among you must be a slave of all” by Fr. John Muscat, OFM

In today’s 1st reading from second-Isaiah, we have a reference to the
servant of God, as this prophet called the future Messiah. It is God’s will that the Servant should suffer and offer himself as a sin-sacrifice for mankind. But his life will not really end in death, it will be given back to him again. He shall see the fruit of his sufferings in the many righteous ones whose iniquities he will bear.

This prophecy had its literal fulfillment in Christ This is testified by all four gospels. It is not so much the fact that one might be tempted to question, but rather the reason, the necessity, why it had to be thus. Could not God have found other ways of bringing men to heaven without subjecting his divine Son to humiliations and sufferings?

God alone has the full and satisfying answer to this question, and
part of our joy in heaven will be to learn the answers to this and to other theological questions, which trouble us on earth. Both the Old and New Testaments indicate at least a partial answer to this particular question, when they tell us this was an effect of God’s infinite love for us. We, of course, can form no adequate idea of what infinite love is and does. But even finite love, if true and meaningful, can and does go to great extremes for the sake of those loved.

The readings of the gospel for these last Sundays were all a build-up
and revelation of the mission of Jesus to his apostles. Jesus had just given his apostles the third prediction of the sufferings and death that awaited him in Jerusalem. These predictions fell on deaf ears as far as his apostles were concerned. Two of their leaders, James and John, came forward to ask him for the principal places in the glorious kingdom, they were sure he was going to set up when they reached Jerusalem. He was gentle with them for he knew they had not yet grasped that his kingdom was not of this world. He told them that if they would have a place in his kingdom they must imitate the sacrifice he was about to make to establish that kingdom – the path to glory is through suffering. Then he added that the leaders in his kingdom would not lord it over others as the Gentiles did; instead they would be the servants of those whom they would lead.

Our own natural inclination most likely would be to react like the other ten apostles and become vexed with James and John and to tell them what we thought of their selfish worldly ambitions. However, our Lord’s gentle answer: “you do not know what you are asking” shows us that ignorance of the nature of the kingdom he was going to set up, was the cause of their very human ambitions. They, with the other apostles, had still the common Jewish idea of the messianic kingdom. They thought the Messiah—and they were now convinced that Jesus was the promised Messiah-s-would set up a political kingdom in Palestine, oust the pagan Romans and eventually extend his kingdom to all nations. That this kingdom he would set up would be universal, extending to all nations, was indicated in almost all the, messianic prophecies in the Old Testament; but that this kingdom would be spiritual not political, was not grasped by most of Christ’s contemporaries including the apostles.

Jesus, knowing that his apostles still had this wrong idea, was gentle with James and John. He took this opportunity to tell them that he would set up a glorious kingdom but that his sufferings and death would be a necessary prelude to its establishment. He had already referred to his sufferings and death three times, but the mention fell on deaf ears. Their argument was: how could he suffer death when he has still to establish his earthly kingdom? The truth in fact was that it was by means of his sufferings and death that he would establish his glorious kingdom. He challenged the two apostles then to know if they were willing to pay the price for a high place in his glorious kingdom; were they prepared to follow him through suffering and death? He accepted their affirmation, knowing it to be true, but told them their position of honor depended on his Father’s decision. Once they realized the nature of his glorious kingdom, they would be the last to look for positions of honor in it.

With James and John, let us tell our divine Lord that we are ready to follow him on the path to Calvary; that we are ready to drink the cup of sufferings which he drank and to be immersed in the sorrows which he endured. He went through all of this for us; we are doing it for our own sakes. He carried the real cross—ours is light when compared with his; furthermore, he will help us to bear our daily trial and struggles.

as published on October 21, 2012, Parish Bulletin
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“27th Sunday in Ordinary Time” by Fr. Greg Redoblado, OFM

I BELIEVE, the RH-Bill issue will not really solve the problem of our country but will only aggravate the situation, producing more broken homes and devastated children.

Our Gospel this Sunday speaks about the sanctity of marriage and the care for children. Talking about marriage, Jesus said, “What God has joined together no human being must separate.” Furthermore he said, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.” Then in the second part of the Gospel, Jesus talks about welcoming and receiving children because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

It is good then to reflect on family life in general. First, if we look into the real situation, we know there is a crisis in the family today. In the US or many first- world countries, maybe one out of two marriages ends up in divorce. In our country alone, there is a growing number of legal separations and many are still applying in our marriage tribunals. In most cases, the children are actually the victims of these situations. Children are then either reared by single or by surrogate parents, or by a series of titos and titas and or by a mother’s boyfriend or father’s girlfriend. This is really not the ideal. The worst thing is that in many cases, children are sexually abused by those who are supposed to protect them. Those who are not lucky add up to the hundred thousands of abandoned street children. With the contraceptive mentality, we see people who do not like to beget children. They lose the value and beauty of being mothers. When you ask them why, they will say that married life and to have children is a nuisance and it is also expensive to nourish children. In western countries, men and women prefer to take care of dogs or pets rather than rear children. With this mentality, abortion becomes also rampant. Indeed, there are many problems attacking family life, and I believe, the RH-Bill issue will not really solve the problem of our country but will only aggravate the situation, producing more broken homes and devastated children.

The gospel today reminds us then to take seriously Jesus’s teaching against divorce. Let us all work for the preservation of the sanctity of marriage and lifetime commitment between husband and wife. In my wedding homilies, I always tell the couple to reflect on their wedding march. First, it is to march and walk humbly with their God! Couples need to be humble and obedient to God, who is the source of love. The second reading today, reminds us to be humble to one another. Second, in the bridal march, parents, sponsors and friends also march with the couple. It simply means that the couple needs friends to march with them. Loved ones who are ready to journey through thick and thin with them. Marriage cannot stand in isolation but in the context of a loving and supportive family and community. Lastly, the bridal march starts with the couple marching separately until they approach and encounter each other at the altar. I believe such journey towards one another should continue and should be nourished so it may grow and may bear fruits of unity and love. Let us then pray for perseverance and commitment for the new couples in our community.

Another challenge is the rearing of children. There is a mentality today that considers rearing children as a nuisance and a waste of money. We should instill once again in the men and women of today that while family life is difficult, it is also very beautiful. From bearing a child in one’s womb, giving birth, breast-feeding, babysitting, changing pampers, dressing the child up, teaching the child to speak and walk, accompanying to one’s first day of school, checking out assignments, watching the child grow from grade school, to high school and to college – these are heavy and exhausting tasks but are human. Let us love our families. Let us love our children because to such as these, the Kingdom of God belongs.

Finally, a child in the time of Jesus was a nobody. A child also symbolizes vulnerability and weakness. It is good that the gospel ends with receiving this child in his name because for me, it can also mean to receive and welcome families that are broken and separated. I believe that each one of us must have known one family or two that are divided. Jesus tells us today not to drive them away but receive them with hearts of compassion and love. Their married life already failed, family life devastated, let us not add to the injury with condemning looks and words. This is not to tolerate separation and divorce but while we work for the sanctity of marriage, we also see the sad reality and difficulty the couples are experiencing today and yet, Jesus touched and blessed them. May we do the same.

as published on October 7, 2012, Parish Bulletin
About Fr. Greg and a few of his Reflections

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“Master, I want to see!” by Fr. Jesus

We are spiritually blind, 1)when we fail to see, or to admit, our faults, our shortcomings, our pride, our selfishness; 2)when we fail to see, or refuse to see, the needs of our fellowmen, the plight of the poor, the sick, the hungry and the jobless; 3)when we fail to see Christ in our brothers and sisters, but prefer to look for him in beautiful man-made images and historic shrines.

Like with most valuable things in life, the importance of eyesight is felt when one has lost it-or is in the process of losing it. The loss of sight is quite a tragedy; it deprives a person of so many wonderful things, of so many opportunities, of so many pleasures like reading a book, watching a sunset or contemplating the beauty of nature. No wonder the blind Bartimaeus could not be stopped by the crowd.

The crowd accompanying Jesus acted like the bodyguards of a politician or a big shot. They tried to silence Bartimaeus so that he might not pester the Big Boss. But Jesus is no politician; he is no big boss, and he is not pestered by the cries of the poor. The cries of Bartimaeus for help were music to his ears.

Today’s gospel passage is significant on several accounts: First, it
is the only recorded miracle in which the name of the sick man is given-not only in Hebrew (Bartimaeus) but also in Greek (son of Timaeus). Second, this is the last miracle recorded in the gospel of Mark–prior to Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Here Bartimaeus calls Jesus “Son of David,” a messianic title, which is like a prelude of the people’s acclamation on Palm Sunday. Third, there is a fine paradox here: For about three years, Jesus has been working signs and teaching his disciples about his messianic role, but they failed to see beyond the political ruler in him. We saw in last Sunday’s gospel how James and John were merely concerned with position and prestige. It is the blind Bartimaeus who “saw” through the divinity of Jesus. As someone has said: “Bartimaeus was sightless but not blind.” The disciples were blind–even if they had eyesight.

Physical ailment is no obstacle to faith. On the contrary, it often brings people closer to God. It is spiritual blindness that weakens and even kills faith. Physical blindness is involuntary, while spiritual blindness is voluntary and self-imposed.

We are spiritually blind, 1) when we fail to see, or to admit, our faults, our shortcomings, our pride, our selfishness; 2) when we fail to see, or refuse to see, the needs of our fellowmen, the plight of the poor, the sick, the hungry and the jobless; 3) when we fail to see Christ in our brothers and sisters, but prefer to look for him in beautiful man-made images and historic shrines. Like Bartimaeus, let us approach Jesus and tell him, “Master, 1 want to see.”

Today’s gospel teaches us that, as followers of Christ, we must not drive people away from him or prevent them from coming to him–as the crowd accompanying Jesus did to Bartimaeus. They accompanied Jesus, all right, but they were not his followers; they had not grasped his spirit–the spirit of the Beatitudes, nor learned his love for the downtrodden. Perhaps they thought that Bartimaeus couldn’t talk to Jesus because he didn’t have an appointment.

Very often we, who are known in the community as “church people” (taong simbahan), think that we have the exclusive right to take part in church activities or to get the priest’s attention–and to keep other people out. Very often too, by our petty quarrels and intrigues, we turn people away from the church. To many, “taong simbahan” doesn’t mean a committed Christian, but rather a member of an exclusive and excluding circle, often characterized by a holier-than-thou attitude. It won’t hurt to do a little soul searching.

In the light of today’s gospel, let us ask ourselves: Are we leading others to Christ and to the Church, or are we driving them farther away? Are we a light for others, or are we stumbling blocks? Are we disciples or are we bodyguards?

as published on October 28, 2012, Parish Bulletin

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“The Kingdom of God is at Hand” by Fr. Jesus

Unlike earthly kingdoms, God’s kingdom is not made of gold, glitter and glamour. No castles, cavalry or courtiers there.

In today’s gospel we hear the opening words of Jesus at the start of his public ministry. As in a relay marathon, wherein a runner takes over the baton from another and carries on with the race, so also Jesus takes over the baton from John the Baptist after the latter was arrested to carry on with the proclamation of God’s kingdom. The first words pronounced by Jesus are the very same words pronounced by John the Baptist when he began to preach: “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.”(John Paul II took these words into the rosary’s third Mystery of Light).

The kingdom of God is at the heart of Jesus’ preaching and healing. It was precisely to establish God’s kingdom that he came into the world. Through many of his parables, he gave us a glimpse of what God’s kingdom is like; It is like the seed that is sown in different kinds of soil; like a field where the weeds and the grain grow together; like a tiny mustard seed; like yeast that is mixed with three measures of wheat flour; like a hidden treasure; like a fine pearl; like a dragnet.(Cf. Matthew 13). Jesus also compared the kingdom of God to a wedding banquet (Mt. 22:2tf.), and to ten bridesmaids(Mt. 2S:1tf.).

Through his actions, Jesus showed what God’s kingdom is made of:love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. Healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and reaching out to repentant sinners that’s what God’s kingdom is all about. By expelling the demons from the possessed persons, Jesus showed that God’s reign was gradually expanding while Satan’s kingdom was coming to an end.

Unlike earthly kingdoms, God’s kingdom is not made of gold, glitter and glamour. No castles, cavalry or courtiers there. God does not reign over towns and cities. His throne is in the hearts of the men and women who let him in and allow him to rule over them. When we recite the Lord’s prayer and say,“Your kingdom come,”we are not asking God to send his kingdom upon us, as he might send food or rain. We are expressing our commitment to build up God’s kingdom and our willingness to be a part of it. We bring God’s kingdom about when we put ourselves under God’s rule and control. Now, the one hundred dollar question: Is God in control of my life-the whole of it? Most likely, not-not all the time, anyway.

That’s why Jesus goes on to tell us: “Repent!” Change your ways, your values, your priorities in life. Give up your idols (money, jewelry, alcohol, gambling … ). Let God take over and be in control of your life. Let him be your King.

The choice of the first apostles (second part of the gospel) could well be the topic of another homily. We, who live in an age of excellence and competitiveness, and who are extremely demanding when it comes to hiring manpower, cannot understand why Jesus chose such simple and unlearned folks to carry on the arduous task of building up God’s kingdom; why not well educated people, such as priests, levites, scribes or Pharisees? For sure, Jesus must have had his reasons. He was not after bright ideas or managerial skills. He was looking for docile and obedient hearts. And that the lowly fishermen had: “They abandoned their nets and followed him,” at once, adds St. Matthew. The learned scribes and Pharisees had only hatred and hostility towards Jesus.

As the popular saying goes: “God does not call the qualified; he qualifies the called.” St. Paul puts it in a better way: “God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise; he chose the weak of the world to shame the strong” (ICor. 1:27). Everything God does has a reason.

as published on January 22, 2012, Parish Bulletin

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