BREAKING FREE OUT OF “ME” GENERATION

Our society today has a perilous attitude toward its past. We are made to think that we are better than people who lived hundreds of years ago. We are made to believe that everything about the past is irrelevant to us. The beliefs of our grandparents, their values and their cherished rituals and traditions can be easily dismissed because we are being fed with the idea (together with genetically modified foods and sugar spiked drinks) that we can totally cut our ties from the past, and still say “Look at us, we are generally OK.” Nah, it’s actually “Look at me! Me, me, me. I can do whatever I want so long as I am happy and not hurting anyone.” In Filipino “Basta wala akong natatapakan.” Most of the time this frame of mind is said out of convenience, for, how broad are our considerations in deciding to really see the consequences of our acts for which we can truly say “Wala akong nasasaktan or natatapakan”? By removing the past we end up with ME.

By removing the past we forget that the world has a story: the world neither begins nor ends with us, nor with ME. When Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James and John and told them that they will become fishers of men, Jesus did not say it arbitrarily. Jesus first of all did not come out of nowhere. He has a reason for being in Galilee. He has reasons for calling disciples. Never in the lives of the apostles do we see the attitude that everything starts with them, nor did they bear the attitude that they are the center of the world. When Christ called them they saw that their lives are involved in a much greater reality, that their lives are part of a much bigger and exciting story. When Christ called them He was like saying “Come be part of my life. Be part of My story.” And that story is God’s story, a story of love. Today we must bow humbly to the people who lived before us. We have to regain the humility to learn from them and to cherish too their values and faith; most especially, to see their lives as very much part of our lives. Because when we answer the call of Christ we too become part of God’s story. Let us include others as well.

HEAVENLY QUALITIES

There are two famous devotions to Jesus Christ in the Philippines: The devotion to Sto Nino (the Child Jesus) in Cebu on January 19 and the devotion to Black Nazareno (Passion of Christ) in Quiapo Manila on January 9. 

Every year millions of devotees joined long procession during their feast days and they experienced a lot of miracles like; healed from many kinds of sickness, passed board exams, LET exams, got jobs and successful in their business, etc. I believed that millions of devotees have devotion to the Sto Nino or the Black Nazareno because they surely want to experience the greatest favor of God.

In the gospel, the apostles want to know who the greatest favor of Jesus Christ among them is. All of them want to sit the right side of Jesus Christ in heaven so Jesus reminds them by placing a child next to himself to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God. The simple fact of this question reveals that apostles had understood very little the message of Jesus. Therefore He answers their question that the greatest in God’s kingdom is the one who is humble and lowly of heart like a little child. And I think it is intended for us to notice the necessity of conversion is illustrated by childlike humility! Babies are dependent, teachable and innocent, very open about their needs. They like to listen and learn. These are kingdom qualities!

We may think that Jesus and His kingdom is like the ranking of men from greatest to least but actually not like the governments and political administrations of men where power, money and numbers enjoy more influence than character and virtue. The Kingdom of God is about changing our life and serving the Lord, unless we are converted and become as little children, we will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

In order to be in the Lord’s kingdom I have to change! I must give up that competitive drive to be better than others; I must come face to face with my dependence, be open about my spiritual needs, and be willing to listen and learn and be governed by Jesus Christ!

I must be converted: From pride to humility, from worldly ambition to spiritual ambition and from godlessness to godliness.

IT'S MORE THAN A PUPPY LOVE

All teenagers experience this so-called puppy love, an experience that adds color to their lives. It makes them inspired. It also brings positive changes in their behavior. Usually, inspired teenagers go beyond what is expected to them. They transcend themselves, able to perform remarkable things.

Similarly in the Gospel, Jesus is inspired with the power of the Spirit and the love of the Father. He goes beyond what was expected to him, as a son of a carpenter.  He begins teaching in the synagogue. He reads the words of prophet Isaiah and afterwards says to them, “Today these prophetic words come true even as you listen.’’ His words amaze the Jews and they ask, “Who is this but Joseph’s son?’’

Jesus was aware of the possible consequences of his action. But the Spirit of the Father was upon him, giving him courage to bring changes in the world in spite being labeled a son of a mere carpenter. He was persecuted and died on the cross to save us from the slavery of sin. In his paschal mystery, he brought changes in our relationship with God by making us God’s adopted children.

As Christians, we also experience in our daily lives this love, the love of God. With the Spirit of the Lord resting upon us and with the inspiration of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are encouraged to transcend our faith, to go beyond our capacity as ordinary men and women, and make positive changes in our Christian life.

Today, becoming a follower of Christ is not easy. The Christian faith is being attacked by secularism. True Christians are persecuted by society. We are labeled as medieval people, unable to cope with the demands of modern world. Maybe, the time will come when Christianity will be labeled in the same way that Jesus was labeled—the faith of a mere “son of a carpenter”. However, we are encouraged to stand for our faith, to commit ourselves to Christ even to the point of experiencing persecution. This is what Christian love really means. It is more than the puppy love being experienced by most teenagers. Christian love entails maturity of faith, the willingness to undergo persecution as what Christ had experienced. A true Christian has this motto: “Hahamakin ang lahat, masunod ka lamang”. And this could make all the difference in the world.  

God our loving Father, we ask you to send forth your Holy Spirit upon us. Inspire us O Father, with your love, for us to be faithful to your word. Give us the courage,  to endure every persecution that we experience in following you. And make us as an instrument of change in this world. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.  

APPLE OF THE EYE

When I was young, just like any other kid, I was the apple of the eye not only of my family but also of my relatives. I was told by my mother that my uncles and aunts would drop by our house just to see me. They would even bring my favourite food, [well, donuts] and entice me to play with them. My older cousins would always make me smile. They would even lend me their toys for us to share.  In a sense, at some point in my life, I became the centre of my family and relatives.

In the Gospel, Jesus asks His parents why they worry a lot. “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” The child Jesus is actually telling His parents that they should not worry a lot. Although it is a natural tendency for parents to look for their children, the child Jesus calms them by saying that He is safe in His Father’s house. This is an instance where we can find the child Jesus teaching His parents of how things should be.

Kids are fun to be with and oftentimes, we learn things from them. Aside from being angelic, they give and show us a lot of things which we sometimes fail to see and understand.  Though we do not usually learn verbally from them, their actions teach us a lot. Their simplicity and docility teach us that life should be lived not in worries and complexity. They make us realize that good things are not always material and complicated.  Living this life is like the child Jesus being in the temple, in his Father’s house, that is, safe and worry-free. It is like putting in mind that we are always in the Father’s house.

Lord, you are the God of simplicity; teach us to live a simple and worry-free life. Never allow us to be disturbed by the worries and complexity of the world. Just like the child Jesus, may we always remember that we are always in the Father’s house. Amen.    

ONE WITH GOD

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. It all reminds us of our own baptism. As we start this New Year, we are being challenged to renew our commitment to God as baptized Catholics. Two important figures in the Gospel serve as our guides: John the Baptist and Jesus Christ Himself.

The first is John the Baptist. And we ask ourselves whether we are like John the Baptist who prepared the way of the Lord. He is the forerunner of Jesus Christ who did his best to prepare the people for Jesus’ coming. He even recognized the greatness of Jesus Christ and placed himself far from the limelight. People thought he was the Messiah but he humbly replied to the people: “I am baptizing you with water but one mightier than I is coming…”

The second figure is Jesus himself. Are we like him who is united with the Father and the Holy Spirit? Jesus Christ’s baptism comes before his public ministry. This event tells us that whatever he will do is in accordance with the Father and the Holy Spirit, as the Son of God. This obedience leads to God the Father saying to Jesus, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Doing the Father’s Will is the challenge for us in the beginning of this year. We are called to constantly discern God’s will for us. Given our present situation, our faith is being tested and to stand for it now becomes more difficult. However, God continuously calls us to follow Him in our own little ways. We just need to listen carefully to Him and find time to be with Him. As a Dominican brother in formation, I find solace in His comforting words: that He will always be with me in my vocation to the priesthood. The same is true with our respective vocations. He called us first. He invited us to be one with Him through Baptism. Let us hold firmly to His Words for He will never leave us alone.

Father, your words are true and eternal. Teach us to follow your will that we may not be led astray by today’s worldly allurements and illusions. Keep us in your bosom; protect us from sins and temptations. Give us the grace we need to face all our struggles and tribulations that we may always be one with you, in words and deeds. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

PAGPAPAKITA NG DIYOS

Sinasabing ang misteryo daw ng pasko ay ang pagkakatawang tao ng Salita, ang Pangalawang Persona ng Santisima Trinidad. Ito ay ng niyakap at inangkin ni Hesus, na isang Diyos, ang ating pagkatao at pagiging tao. Kaya nga ba sa sabsaban kung saan siya nahimlay, waring sinasabi ng batang Kristo na ang kanyang pagkatao ay para sa lahat ng tao, ang kanyang pagiging tao ay para sa kaligtasan ng sangkatauhan. Di nakapagtataka na ang kanyang mga unang bisita ay ang tatlong paganong Mago, mga hentil. Sa salaysay na ito, sinasabing ang Kristo ay di lamang sa mga Hudeo, o sa kung ano mang piling tao, kundi para sa lahat. Ang pagpapahayag niya sa katotohanang ito ay siyang ating pinagdiriwang ngayon.

Ginamit ng mga mago ang kanilang talino at buhayupang hinanap si Kristo, masulyapan at masamba lamang Siya. Kung iisipin natin, kung ang mga “paganong” ito ay pilit na hinanap si Kristo, bakit tayo kung minsan hindi? O di kaya, kaisa na nga natin Siya, minsan hirap pa rin tayong makita Siya. Ang di nakikitang Diyos ay nagkatawang-tao para lang makita natin, naging bata para mahaplos, umiyak para marinig, at naging isang tinapay para malasap. Sa pag-yakap niya sa ating katauhan, ninais niyang siya’y makita sa bawat aspeto ng pagiging tao.

Ito siguro ang hangad ng Dyos sa ating lahat. Sa pagkatawang-tao, sinamahan at sinaluhan niya tayo, katuwang at karamay, kaisa at kasangga sa bawat pagharap natin sa buhay. Dasal natin na sana sa bawat saya, lungkot, problema, tagumpay, trabaho, pahinga, iyak o tawa – sa bawat karanasang ating pinagdaanan at pagdadaanan, makita natin si Kristo. At pagmalas, gaya ng mga mago, purihin, sambahin at sundan ang kanyang yapak. Ito ang dakilang katotohanang pinagdiriwang natin. Maligayang Kapistahan ng Pagpapakita ng Panginoon!