Maria: Ina ng Diyos

Maria: Reyna ng Bagong Israel

OPEN HANDS

A lot of people dream to be rich so that they can buy the things that they need and want. Most of them aspire to be rich because they want to lift their family from poverty. There is noth­ing wrong with this ambition. In fact, it is the driving force which pushes people to be more productive and creative. The problem though lies not on striving to acquire money but on the addiction of collecting and hoarding money.

The Church primarily relies on the donations of the people who are well off so that it can provide for the needs those who are materially poor. During natural calamities and disasters, those who are affected and have lost so much ask help from those who have something to share. Thus, we must remember that people who have something can always share with people who have nothing.

In our gospel for today (Luke 16:19-31), we see two persons who have different social status. One person represents the rich and well-blessed, while the other represents those who are materially poor. In the story, we can see how Lazarus, the poor one, extends his hands as he begs at the doors of the rich man for food. The rich man however is unkind and selfish - he would not spare even a little food for Lazarus. The rich man is so preoccupied with the delights of his status and of this world that he has neglected to attend to the needs of his neighbours and of his soul. Thus, he was punished for his hard-heartedness and selfishness.

In our society, we are always tempt­ed by the world’s promise of wealth and op­portunities. At times, some are so mesmerized by these promises that they only think of their personal struggles and self-gratifications, ig­noring the cries of those who are in need right in front of them. Thus, those whom God has blessed with material things neglect to share these blessings to those who are less fortunate.

God’s gifts are meant to be shared and not hoarded. When we give, we must not think of doing this simply because of the prospect that something is given in return. God rewards the benevolent persons but in the manner which we do not expect. God pro­vides for our needs and entrusts us with more blessings so that we could share them to oth­ers. It is in sharing with others that we can give witness the benevolence of God to others.

An open hand is an image of a poor but greatly blessed hands. It is poor because it admits that it cannot hold onto things apart from those which God bestows. It is greatly blessed because only those who open their hands to­wards the Lord can receive His blessings. The open hands also represent generous and caring persons because we could only give and care for others when we willingly open our hands to share our blessings with them and to embrace them.

ACTING JUSTLY

We were born in this world with noth­ing. We were naked the first time we experi­enced the world. But out of love and sense of re­sponsibility, our parents clothed us and gave us everything that we needed. They gave us nour­ishment, clothing, good education, etc. They did this because they wanted to give what is due to us, being their offspring, and because they loved us. That is why whatever we become is an ex­pression on how we are nurtured by our parents.

It is said that charity begins at home. Charity is an expression of justice, by which the command of Jesus that we should love one an­other is put into practice. Justice is a moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give what is due to God and neighbor. In other words, charity and justice go hand in hand. We are just if we are charitable and we are charitable if we are just. Basically, these virtues are the primary les­sons that we learned from our parents at home.

In the Gospel for this Sunday, these two virtues are seen in Jesus’s denial that we can serve two masters, God and mammon (riches), at the same time. We can only serve one master. Or better yet in the human level, we can serve the people by having the pure intention of serving the people and not be­cause of the budget or money intended for the people. It is good to strive hard for a fam­ily’s honor, but it is not right that for the sake of the family, one will sacrifice justice and charity--which is what the unworthy steward did when he used the property of his master to ensure a comfortable retirement for himself.

In life, sometimes we are attracted to wealth to the point that we do not real­ize that we have become corrupt and already oppress people. Because of the desire for wealth, we forget what we have learned at home. Is this what we want to be? Hence, let us go back to our home. Let us think of our family. Is wealth worth the sacrifice of a good name, or even more, the sacrifice of eternal life with God? Wealth is good. However, it is just temporary. What we have to strive towards is not temporal life but life eternal. What is wealth? We cannot carry it with us to the next world. We attain a comfortable life through wealth. But eternal life is a gift bestowed upon those who live justly and charitably.

Lord God, Loving and Merciful Father, thank you for the gift of family. Help us to appreciate your entire creation with a contented mind and heart. Help us to be just and charitable by giving what is due to you and to our neighbor. May your loving mercy always abound in our hearts. Amen.

The God who seeks (LAGING HAHANAPIN KA)

Marami ka na bang NAWALA? Tiyak ako na ang lahat sa atin ay nakawala na ng mga bagay. Kung babalikan nga natin ang mga pangyayaring ito ay mapapangiti na lamang tayo. Andyan yung nakalimutan mo yung payong mong dala sapagkat hindi na umuulan noong pauwi ka na o kaya naman hindi ka makapasok sa bahay ninyo sapagkat hindi mo alam kung saan mo huling iniwan ang susi mo. Hindi rin siyempre magpapa­huli ang mga nawawalang dokumento at mga papeles sa cabinet o drawers natin. Lahat ng mga ito nagbigay ng kaba, pag-aalala at lung­kot sa atin. Di ko tuloy maiwasan na balikan ang aking karanasan noong ako ay bata pa. Ako ay mayroong laruan, Michael Angelo ang pangalan niya, isa siyang Teenage Mu­tant Ninja Turtle (sikat kasi noong 90s ang grupong iyan). Paborito ko iyang laruan na iyan kaya naman siya ang lagi kong nilalaro noong ako ay bata pa. Subalit ng isang araw ay bigla na lamang itong nawala, naiwan ko kasi sa may labas ng bahay namin sa tabi ng isang drum na puno ng tubig. Doon ko kasi pinaglalaruan si Michael Angelo. Hinanap ko siya at talaga naman hinahap ko siya ngunit hindi ko siya matagpuan. Nalungkot ako, kasi wala na ang paborito kong laruan. Kahit madami pa rin akong laruan noong mga pana­hong iyon at ang iba dito ay di hamak namang mas maganda pa kaysa sa laruan kong si Mi­chael Angelo subalit siya pa rin ang hinah­anap ko. Sa katunayan po hanggang sa mga panahong ito hindi ko pa po siya nakikita.

Ang ating Ebanghelyo sa Ling­gong ito ay nagsalaysay ng tatlong pa­rabola na kung saan sila ay mayroong pag­kakapareho, MAY NAWAWALA! Nawala yung barya nung babae, nawala yung isang tupa, at ang pagkawala ng isang alibug­hang anak. Lahat ng iyan NAWAWALA!

Kung may nawawala, eh di dapat may maghahanap! Mali po tayo dyan dahil hindi naman sa lahat ng pagkakataon kung may nawawala ay atin ding hinahanap. HINA­HANAP MO LANG ANG MGA MAHALA­GA SA IYO. At iyan ang gustong ipakita sa atin ng Ebanghelyo sa araw na ito - kung gaa­no tayo kahalaga sa Panginoon. Kung tutuusin mas marami pa rin ang siyamnapu’t siyam (99) sa isa (1) subalit handang iwan ng ating Panginoon ang mga ito para lamang hanapin ang sa isang mahalaga. Tayo, bilang tao ay palagi na lang nawawala at lumalayo sa Diyos subalit sigurado ako, dahil mahalaga ka para sa ating Diyos, LAGING HAHANAPIN KA.

(September 15, 2013 Sunday Gospel Reflection)

A REAL CHRISTIAN

Lalaki: Ibibigay ko ang lahat sa’yo, maging buhay at kaluluwa ko, sagutin mo lamang ako aking giliw. Mahal na mahal kita. (habang humuhuni ng magandang awitin ang mga ibon sa puno ng aratilis)

Babae: O sige aking irog, I take your word for it… sinasagot na kita. (nagbablush ang pisngi)

(Paglipas ng maraming buwan, nagsawa na si lalaki kay babae at nakatagpo na ng bagong mamahalin…)

Babae: (habang umiiyak) Totoo bang makikipaghiwalay ka na sa akin? Matapos kong ibigay sa’yo ang aking pag-ibig, iiwan mo lamang ako. Akala ko ba’y ibibigay mo sa akin ang ‘yong buhay at kaluluwa, sagutin lamang kita?

Lalaki: (habang nakangisi at naka-peace sign) hehehe, joke lang yun….

Sa mga pagkakataong naiipit ang isang tao at hindi niya kayang sagutin ang mga katanungang ibinabato sa kanya tungkol sa mga bagay na kanyang nasambit at naipangako, ang malimit na pangtakas na kanyang idinadahilan ay nagbibiro lamang siya nung mga pagkakataong iyon. Madalas ay nakakainisan natin ang mga ganitong sagot dahil para bang hindi tayo siniseryoso ng taong may ganitong pag-uugali, na para bang ang lahat para sa kanya ay biro-biro lamang.

Sa ating ebanghelyo, hinihingi ni Hesu- Kristo sa kanyang mga tagasunod ang buong buhay na pagsunod sa kagustuhan ng Diyos. Ang ibig sabihin, para sa ating mga Kristiyano, hinihingi ng Diyos ang ating commitment. At ang pagsunod na ito ay hindi biro-biro lamang.

Lubhang napakahirap maging isang Kristyano. Biruin mo, sinabi ni Hesus na mahalin natin ang ating mga kaaway. Joke ba yun? Makita mo pa nga lang ang taong kinaiinisan mo ay gusto mo na syang tirisin. Sabi pa ni Hesus, kapag binato ka ng bato, batuhin mo sya ng tinapay. Hello... Ang sakit kaya tamaan ng bato, hahampasin ko na lang sya ng french bread para medyo matigas. Ang hirap nito di ba? Pero ito ay hamon sa atin ng Panginoon. Ang pagiging tunay na Kristyano ay isang pagtupad sa pangako nang sa ganun ay atin ding matanggap ang pangako ng Diyos na buhay na walang hanggan.

Ang tunay na Kristyano ay tapat sa kanyang sinumpaang pangako. Madaling sabihin ngunit lubhang napakahirap gawin. Pero kung tayo ay tunay na committed sa ating buhay Kristyano, pagsusumikapan nating maging isang tapat na alagad ng ating Panginoon. Ang pagkamatay ni Hesus sa krus ay hindi isang biro, binigay nya ang kanyang buhay para sa atin. Kaya naman nararapat na maging tapat tayo sa kanya, at hindi dapat joke lang.

APOLOGETICS 101

“IF WE WON’T TEACH OUR YOUNG HOW TO DEFEND THE CATHOLIC FAITH, THE WORLD WILL TEACH THEM OTHERWISE!”

The problems that this blog aims to address are:

1. Practical Atheism – more and more Catholics are not living their faith.
2. Religious Fundamentalism – constant increase in Catholic departures.
3. Secularism – western culture is slowly destroying core Filipino values.

(Matthew 9:37) Jesus said…The harvest is abundant but the labourers are few…

Teach the fullness of Truth through Apologetics so that:

1. A deeper understanding of the faith shall lead to a more authentic practice.
2. Departures shall be replaced by the Defenders who know deeply our faith.
3. Strengthen the Catholic faith to be able to strengthen Filipino culture.

(1 Timothy 2:4) God…wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.

Apologetics is a reasoned defence (not an attack) of something.  

1. It answers not only the WHAT about the Faith, but more importantly, the WHY.
2. It does not only help us to LEARN the Faith, but also to be able to DEFEND it.
3. It gives the reasonableness of Catholic MORALS through the logic of our FAITH.

(1 Peter 3:15) Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you…

The traits needed in the study of Catholic Apologetics are:

1. HUMILITY – one must admit that he cannot know everything.
2. COURAGE – one must not be intimidated when he is questioned.
3. PERSEVERANCE – one must do everything to find out the answers.
4. LOVE – one must pray always for the love of God and neighbour.

(Luke 5:10) Jesus said…Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.

What are the things that should be kept in mind during the study?

       1.    The Bible was written, collected and approved by the Catholic Church!

       2.    The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church gave the Bible to the world!

       3.    There is nothing in the Bible that contradicts anything in the Catholic Faith.

       4.    There is nothing in the Catholic Faith that contradicts anything in the Bible.

(1 Timothy 3:15) The church of the living God [is] the pillar and foundation of truth.

Why are there wrong interpretations of the Sacred Scriptures?

1.       The Bible verses have been taken out of context.

2.       Others force their own personal interpretations.

3.       There are some verses that have been neglected.

4.       Their purpose is to attack the Catholic Church.

(2Peter 1:20) There is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation

Apologists: Matthew Pinto @ http://www.friendlydefenders.com/authors.htm

EVERYONE IS CALLED TO BE A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST

The Call: “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you...” (John 15:16)

                (Matthew 19:21) Jesus said, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Lk 12:33)

                (Matthew 6:20-21) “…store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys…For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. (Mk 10:21, Lk 18:22)

The Purpose: “This I command you: love one another.” (John 15:17)

                (Mark 1:17-18) “Jesus said...‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.” (Mt 4:19, Mk 10:28, Lk 5:11)

(Matthew 28:19-20) “Go…make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you….I am with you always...”

The Sacrifice: “We have given up everything and followed you.” (Mark 10:28)

(Luke 18:29-30) “…there is no one who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not receive [back] an overabundant return in this present age and eternal life in the age to come.” (Mt19:29)

The Trials: “…if we persevere we shall also reign with him.” (2 Timothy 2:12)

(Luke 9:23-24) “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever…loses his life for my sake will save it.”

(Luke 21:17-19) “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” (Mk 13:13)

The Rewards: “What will there be for us?” (Matthew 19:27)

(John 12:26) “The Father will honour whoever serves me.” (Mt 6:33, 1 Cor 9:25)

(John 14:2-3) “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places…I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (1Ptr 3:22)

(Revelation 3:5) “The victor will be dressed in white and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father...”

  

PETRINE MINISTRY

Why did Jesus gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven?

This is because Jesus is a king in the line of David and Davidic Kings appoint Royal Stewards to rule in their absence as seen in the Old Testament (and may be confirmed in the traditions of other ancient kingdoms). As a symbol of the full authority bestowed by Christ the King to his steward, the keys of the kingdom of heaven were given to the Peter. Who in turn passed it on to his successors – the “popes” (which means father).

(OT - Isaiah 22:20-24) “On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim…I will clothe him with your robe, gird him with your sash, and confer on him your authority. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; what he opens, no one will shut, what he shuts, no one will open. I will fix him as a peg in a firm place, a seat of honour for his ancestral house; on him shall hang all the glory of his ancestral house: descendants and offspring, all the little dishes, from bowls to jugs.”

                (NT - Matthew 16:16-19) “Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

How did the first Christians recognize the authority of Peter?

                Aside from the authority that Jesus gave to Peter, it is Peter’s power (through the Holy Spirit) that struck them the most. The many miracles and the ability to give and take life is a clear sign from heaven that Peter is the one who has full authority here on earth.

(Acts 5:1-5) “Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property. He retained for himself, with his wife’s knowledge, some of the purchase price…But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart so that you lied to the Holy Spirit and retained part of the price of the land? …You have lied not to human beings, but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last, and great fear came upon all who heard of it.”

(Acts 5:6-11) “Peter said to Sapphira, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?” At once, she fell down at his feet and breathed her last…And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.”

                (Acts 9:36-43) “Now during those days Tabitha fell sick and died…Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to her body and said, “Tabitha, rise up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. He gave her his hand and raised her up, and when he had called the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord.”

Where does the word “cathedral” come from?

                It comes from the Latin word “cathedra” which means “chair”. It symbolizes the authority of the Bishop over his diocese and is represented by his seat that is housed in his cathedral. We can even trace this tradition up to the time of Moses 3,500 years ago.

(OT - Exodus 18:13-16) “The next day Moses sat in judgment for the people, while they stood around him from morning until evening…The people come to me to consult God. Whenever they have a disagreement, they come to me to have me settle the matter between them and make known to them God’s statutes and instructions.”

(NT - Matthew 23:1-5) “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you…”

                In the case of the Pope (the Bishop of Rome), his chair is housed at the Papal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran – the cathedral church of the diocese of Rome. It ranks above all other churches in the Catholic Church, including St. Peter's Basilica.

(Acts 15:1-12) “After much debate…Peter got up and said, “My brothers…God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe…the whole assembly fell silent…” [Council of Jerusalem]

                 

 How did the apostles transfer their authority to their successors?

They transferred their authority through the imposition of hands. For 2,000 years, from Peter and the Apostles up to today’s Bishops and Priests, the Catholic Church has not ceased with this tradition of Laying of Hands especially during ordination. This tradition came from God himself and can be traced back as far at the time of Moses.

                (OT - Numbers 27:18-20) “And the Lord replied to Moses: Take Joshua, son of Nun, a man of spirit, and lay your hand upon him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole community, and commission him in their sight. Invest him with some of your own power, that the whole Israelite community may obey him.”

(NT - 2 Timothy 1:6) “For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands…Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.”

(1 Timothy 4:14) “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate.”

 (Acts 8:19-20) “Give me this power too, so that anyone upon whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your money perish with you, because you thought that you could buy the gift of God with money.”

A HOLY LIFE (Isang buhay na Banal)

Pagkatapos itatag ni Santo Domingo ang Orden ng mga Mangangaral, o Order of Preachers noong 1216, ang mga sumunod na taon ay masasabing panahon ng pagsasabuhay sa karisma ng Orden: ang vita apostolica, o buhay na katulad ng mga apostol. Sa pamamagitan nito, ninais ni Santo Domingo na ihanda ang sarili sa pangangaral ng mabuting balita ng kaligtasan. Ang vita apostolica ay isinabuhay ni Santo Domingo sa tatlong paraan:

Una, binigyang halaga niya ang buhay-karukhaan. Ang mga unang Dominiko ay mga pulubi na namamalimos ng kanilang kakainin sa araw-araw.  Wala silang mga personal na ari-arian, sariling kwarto, o pera; ang lahat ay ibinibigay sa komunidad. Ipinagbawal ni Santo Domingo ang mga marangyang kumbento. Ipinagiba niya ang isang gusali na ipinatayo na mas mataas kaysa sa ordinaryo, sapagkat ayaw niya na mawala sa kanyang mga anak ang diwa ng simpleng pamumuhay. Ang pagbibigay-halaga sa karukhaan ay ipinamalas niya hanggang kamatayan. Namatay siya sa hiram na kama, sapagkat wala siyang sariling tulugan; ang kanyang katawan ay binihisan sa hiram na abito, sapagkat iisa lamang ang kanyang gamit.

Pangalawa, binigyang-halaga niya ang pag-aaral bilang paraan ng paglapit sa Diyos. Batid niya na maaari mo lamang mahalin ang Diyos kapag nakikilalala mo siya sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral at pakikinig sa kanyang salita. Nakita rin niya na malaking kapahamakan ang nagagawa ng mga maling aral ukol sa pananampalataya. Dalawang libro ang palagi niyang dala: ang ebanghelyo ni San Mateo, at mga sulat ni San Pablo. Palagi rin niyang sinasabi sa kanyang mga kasama na dapat bubuksan lamang nila ang kanilang labi kung makikipag-usap sila sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng panalangin, o kakausapin ang ibang tao ng patungkol sa Diyos.

Pangatlo, ang kanyang buhay ay buhay ng pagsasakripisyo at pagdarasal. Hindi niya inalintana ang pagod, gutom at sakit kung makakatulong sa pangangaral ng salita ng Diyos. Sapagkat bawal sa mga prayle ang gumamit ng anumang uri ng sasakyan, o sumakay sa anumang uri ng hayop,  ilang beses niyang nilakad ang kahabaan ng Espanya, Pransiya at Italya upang mangaral at iwasto ang mga naniniwala sa maling aral ng mga erehe. Upang madisiplina ang katawan at bilang penitensiya, minsan lamang sa isang araw kung siya ay kumain, kagaya ng lahat ng kanyang mga prayle, mula sa kapistahan ng Pagtatanghal sa Krus sa Setyembre hanggang sa Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay. Gumigising siya sa hatinggabi upang magdasal, at malimit na siya ay napapaiyak habang nagdarasal ng mataimtim.

Anim na taon na nagsilbing pinuno ng Orden si Santo Domingo. Sa mga taong ito, nailagay ang mga pundasyon ng samahan, kayat pagkatapos ng halos walong daang taon, ang Orden na kanyang itinatag ay nananatili pa ring malakas.  Ngunit ang lakas na ito ng Orden ay siya ring kumitil sa buhay ni Santo Domingo. Dahil sa kanyang pagsasakripisyo at mga pagod, siya ay nagkasakit, at noong ika-6 ng Agosto, 1221, siya ay namatay. Ang huling habilin niya sa mga unang dominiko ay ito: magmahalan kayo sa isa’t-isa, panatilihin ang kababang-loob, at pahalagahan ang karukhaan. 

Siya ay kinilala bilang santo ni Papa Gregorio IX noong 1233. Sinasabi ng mga saksi na noong buksan ang kanyang puntod upang ilipat ang mga labi, sumabog ang halimuyak mula sa mga buto, tanda ng kanyang kabanalan. Magpasahanggang ngayon, nananatiling buhay ang Orden na itinatag ni Santo Domingo, isang monumento sa nagagawa ng isang buhay na iniaalay sa Diyos.