6th SUNDAY OF EASTER

Defining Love

By Br. Adrian Louise Siayngco, OP

Aside from waking up early in the morning, one of the hardest thing for me is to define love. What is love? Is it just an emotion common to us humans? Is it an attraction to other people? Or is it that which makes you blind? Personally, I see love as action. To love is to act; and this action oftentimes demands our precious
time and our valued self.

This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us of the greatest commandment the world has been struggling with since time immemorial: “That you love one another.” Our world has not had enough of wars and killings and all kinds of atrocities. We witness these forms of violence in our country alone. “Kahit sa TV nga lang e, hindi buo ang gabi ng mga Pilipino kung walang patayan sa balita.” It’s rather funny, but it’s true.

Our Lord Jesus Christ keeps on reminding us that we live not only for ourselves but also for others. Yes, it is natural for us to prioritize first ourselves. “Sino bang pahanga ang ayaw unahin ang kanyang sariling kaligayahan?” But then let us hear Christ’s words: “I have told you this that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete…Love one another as I have loved you.” If we would only reflect on these words of Christ, we will realize that pursuing only our personal goals would merely give us satisfaction, but never the fulfillment and the complete joy that Christ refers to.

And thus, let us heed Christ’s command. With our own little ways and with God’s love, we can change the world. “Magmahal lang ng magmahal. Magbabago rin ang mundo.”

5th SUNDAY OF EASTER

Unity

By Br. Alexander Seño, OP

Most people aim to be whole and undivided. They want to be complete by being united to themselves, to family and to society. As an individual, everyone keeps his/her body parts complete and whole. That is why it is a nightmare for a person to experience accidents that might cause him/ her to lose body parts. It is worth noting that every New Year, there are incidents of fire cracker explosions among the people. From this scenario, people learn an important lesson that they must always do the necessary means in order to keep themselves whole.

Aside from the personal element, people always aim to be united with their family. The value of close family ties is apparent in the Filipino setting. That is why most grandparents, parents and children live together in one single home. They want to be together because they appreciate and give importance to each member of the family.

Among these elements, there is one thing that people must not forget: their unity with God. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds everyone of the importance of the unity of people with God. Nowadays, people sometimes forget God, even more frequently than things. People are afraid of any harm or diminution happening to their body. They would rather choose to cheat at work in order to sustain the needs of their family. Moreover, they would do evil deeds because they want to be in and united with the evil society.

The Gospel for today strongly encourages us to be united with God first. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches: He is the only source of life for us. We might lose all the parts of our body, we could lose our loved ones and we would be divided from the society, but we must not forget that we could still live without them. Above anything else, we must be united with Jesus first because He is our life and salvation. We  cannot be without God for he is the vine that always sustains life and keeps us whole and united.

4th SUNDAY OF EASTER

The Good Shepherd

By Br. Jeffrey Pagaduan, OP


What a very timely Gospel! Today, while some of our leaders continue to act irresponsibly over the series of bad events that happened in our country, we hear from the Gospel the consoling words of our Lord Jesus Christ, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Let us therefore turn to Him and learn from Him.

The Good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The life of a leader is a life of service. To serve is not a work. It is a vocation. It entails commitment and responsibility. When one becomes a leader, he never ceases to be so. Every second of his life is a time of fulfilling his leadership. Why do some of our leaders often fail? It is because they see leadership as a work, a source of income. “A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.” (John 10:10).

The Good shepherd know his sheep. In order for the leader to serve, he needs to know his people. To know the people is to live with them, to live their lives. One cannot serve by merely staying in his comfortable office. To live the lives of the people is sacrifice. We see this in Jesus Himself. Though he was in the form of God… He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness (Philippians 2:6-7).

One can only make a commitment to serve if he knows the people whom he is serving.

Brothers and sisters, we can be leaders in our own simple ways. May the image of the Good Shepherd be the source of our strength and perseverance in leading the people in our home, school, and work.

3rd SUNDAY OF EASTER

He is not an illusion

by Br. Ed Christian R. Estrada, OP
Sometimes we are deceived by many things. The objects we see now may not exactly be the same as yesterday or tomorrow. There is no guarantee of stability. Anything may happen anytime. What will happen then if our world today were a mere deception, with no guarantees-- just an illusion? Our reaction may be fear, as what happened to the disciples of Jesus Christ when they gathered in the upper room. They felt afraid and terrified when they saw Jesus in their midst. Maybe they asked themselves if he was real or just an illusion. Christ’s appearance was real and He was not an illusion. To prove that He had risen, He showed His pierced hands and feet and He invited them to touch Him.

In today’s Gospel, Christ manifests Himself as the Risen Lord. Today is when all the messianic visions and prophecies of the coming of the Savior are fulfilled. Jesus taught His disciples and the two disciples going to Emmaus that the scriptures will help them to understand what happened.

Even though our life may seem to be full of uncertainty, always remember that Christ is there for us. He will help us and guide us as He guided His disciples. Through His risen body, remember that He is not an illusion; He is real. Go and spread the good news that Christ is risen.

2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER

ANG MABATHALANG AWA, MAKA-TAONG GAWA
By Br. Jaymar Godalle, OP


Ang ikalawang linggo sa Panahon ng Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay ng Panginoong Hesu-Kristo ay inilaan sa pagdiriwang ng Linggo ng Mabathalang Awa (Divine Mercy Sunday). Ang pagdiriwang na ito ay may kaakibat na imbitasyon para sa ating mga Kristiyano. Tayo ay inaanyayahan na harapin ang lahat ng pagsubok at hirap sa ating buhay nang may buong pagtitiwala sa kabutihan ng Diyos.

Tunay ngang ang buhay sa mundong ito ay punong-puno ng iba’t-ibang pagsubok na kung minsan ay nagdudulot sa atin ng kadiliman. Subalit ano mang hirap ang ating dinaranas, tayo ay inaalalayan ng Panginoon sa pagpapa-tuloy ng ating paglalakbay patungo sa kabutihan at kabanalan. Ano mang uri at dami ng ating mga paghihirap, hindi pa rin nito madadaig ang awa ng ating Panginoon na Siyang nagpapalakas at umaakay sa atin.

Maisa-buhay at maibahagi nawa natin ang mga maka-taong gawa na inaasahan mula sa atin. Tulad na lamang ng itinuturo sa ating Ebanghelyo sa linggong ito: Una, ang iwaksi sa ating puso at isipan ang mga agam-agam o pag-aalinlangan (tulad ni Tomas) sa ating paniniwala na si Hesus ay muling nabuhay. At ikalawa, huwag nawa sana tayong magdalawang-isip na lumapit sa Kanya sa tuwing tayo’y nababalisa o nahihirapan. Sapagkat ang mga mananampalatayang may maka-taong gawa na lumalapit sa Kanyang Mabathalang awa ay pagkakalooban Niya ng tunay at wagas na kapayapaan, kapayapaang hindi maipagkaka-loob ng mundong ito.

EASTER SUNDAY

THE LORD IS RISEN

By Br. Sandy Alerta, OP

The Lord is risen!

This is our proclamation. This is what we hold dear. This is our faith. Christ has died and He has risen from the dead.

But what does “rising” mean? The dictionary gives three definitions for it. Rising is to rise is to move upward, to go higher, or to slope or extend upward.

To rise is to move upward. As Jesus rises from the cold tomb that Joseph of Arimathea prepared for Him, we, too, are called to move upward from the sinfulness that breaks our relationships with our families, friends, neighbors, workmates and God. This season of Easter is a reminder for us to re-evaluate our lives and live it with a new enthusiasm brought forth by the risen Lord.

To rise is to go higher. Please don't take the negative notion of the definition. To go higher, in this sense, should be to be higher than our old self. If we were once insensitive, may we become sensitive to the needs of others. We should strive to become better day after day. As one bishop said: Tomorrow, be better than yourself today.

To rise is to slope or extend upward. It is always better to see progress than to stagnate or worse, to regress. We are happy when we see ourselves progress, don't we?

Indeed, Easter invites us to grow in the love of Jesus every day. This season teaches us to move upward, to go higher, and to extend upward, that is, to rise from our old sinful ways and to proclaim that Jesus has risen to give us hope, so that we, too, will rise in the last days. The Lord is risen, let us rejoice!

2nd SUNDAY OF LENT

Journey to the Ultimate 

By Br. Rocky Niño Manire, OP 

Options are always present when making choices. It is as if options and choices are in a serious commitment that they cannot go without the presence of the other. We can say that we cannot make a choice if there are no options. The dilemma of making a choice lies on the presence of options. To know whether your choice is the right option lies on how you would deal with it through the rest of your life. 

There are people who became successful because they made the right choice through the help of their faith in God, but before they could say it, they suffer failures several times. Despite these failures they continue to live; they mustered courage and endured pains and sufferings until they mastered everything. These failures transformed them into great men and women who showed the ultimate example of what real courage is all about. Those who have this kind of thinking view life as something which has to be consumed until the very last drop, to its maximum. For them, life is a journey with a goal, a journey which will ultimately lead a person to that one ribbon to claim the prize of victory. 

Faith leads us to that ultimate choice, to that one ribbon which is God himself. But we can never be there if we ourselves lack the necessary things needed to be a faithful servant. To make a choice among the many options in life is not an easy task; but with faith, we will surely be guided by the Holy Spirit to make the right choice.

3rd SUNDAY OF LENT

From Ashes, We are Reborn 

By Br. Beaujorne Sirad Ramirez, OP

Buildings in the metro are common sight for any person living in the city. These structures took many months or years to be completed. For every skyscraper envisioned, a deep foundation should be realized. However, will you deal with a mega structure that can be rebuilt after three days? Today’s gospel projects the same dilemma. The Jews cannot imagine how Jesus can rebuild a temple in three days when the actual structure took decades to finish. However, it was explained later in the gospel of John that the rebuilding that Jesus was so passionate about pertains to his body

In this passage, Jesus is reminding us of the importance of change. It is through rebuilding ourselves that we find peace and solace. In this world where everything is unimaginable, constant change is the only sure thing. It is through the rebuilding of the body of Christ that we find hope. In this 3rd Sunday of Lent, as we prepare ourselves to join Christ in His passion, let us remind ourselves of the importance of our bodies that

originated from the dust. From our remembrance of the dust, let us remember the power of Christ in renewing us through the immolation of His body.

4th SUMDAY OF LENT

In Search of Light 

By Br. Jose Nico Apa, OP 

“Well, you only need the light when it’s burning low, only miss the sun when it starts to snow, only know you love her when you let her go. Only know you’ve been high when you’re feeling low, only hate the road when you’re missing home, only know you love her when you let her go...”

These lyrics came from the song entitled “Let her Go” by Passengers. We only see the importance of things once we don’t have them anymore. When we have them, we take them for granted; we don’t pay them much attention--just like the gospel in this Sunday. The reading talks about the Light which symbolizes Christ. The Light has come to the world but people love the darkness rather than the Light. Most of us right now do not pay much attention to this Light but once when it is no longer with us we will find ourselves looking for it. We may be enjoying darkness right now, but a life without light has no direction. We need the Light to lead our way

The gospel in this Sunday reminds us that we should give our full attention to this Light, rather than just keep on ignoring It. Because once we give It our attention, I’m sure that Light will be with us forever, we will never be run out of light

5th SUNDAY OF LENT

Si Hesus na Aking Bayani 

By Br. John Andrew Bautista, OP 

Kinikilala at tinitingala natin ang ating mga bayani – sila ang mga taong nag-alay at nagbigay ng karangalan para sa bansa. Marami tayong mga narinig at nalaman tungkol sa ating mga sariling bayani na walang pag-aalinlangang inihandog ang kanilang sariling buhay dulot ng kanilang walang sawang pagmamahal sa ating Inang Bayan. Sino ba naman ang hindi makakakilala kina Gat. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Gregorio Del Pilar at Sen. Ninoy Aquino na naging bahagi ng makulay na kasaysayan ng ating bansa. Ilan lamang sila sa ating mga pinagpipitagang bayani na ating nakikilala o napaguusapan sa paaralan, nababasa sa mga aklat, sa mga magasin o sa Internet.

Kung kinikilala natin sila bilang ating mga idolo o bayani sa sekular na mundo, sa ganito ring antas ng pagkilala dapat nating kilalanin, mahalin at papurihan ang ating Panginoong Hesukristo. Bilang kanyang mga tagasunod at kanyang mga tapat na mananampalataya, higit pa sa isang tunay na bayani ang Panginoong Hesus dahil sa kanyang naipamalas at naipadamang pagmamahal sa ating lahat. 

Sa ating ebanghelyo, ipinapahayag na palapit na ng palapit ang itinakdang oras ng Diyos kung saan buong maipapamalas ni Hesus ang kanyang dakilang kaluwalhatian. Ngunit sa kabila nito, naging kalakip at maituturing na kapalit ng misyon na ito ang pag-aalay ng sariling buhay ng ating Panginoon. Gayunpaman, alam mismo ni Hesus na bagamat Siya’y papanaw at lilisan dito sa lupa, hindi Siya kailanman mawawala sa puso at isipan ng mga tao.

Sa pamamagitan nitong mala-bayaning pagsasakripisyong ipinamalas sa atin ng Panginoong Hesukristo, nawa’y huwag natin itong kalimutan. Patuloy nating alalahanin ang mapagmahal na Diyos na nag-alay ng kanyang sariling buhay para sa kaligtasan ng sanlibutan.

PALM SUNDAY

Tiwala lang Kapatid... Malapit Na! 

By Br. Paulo Sillonar, OP

Ako ay isang seminarista. Ako ay isang Dominikong seminarista. Ako ay tao rin na kagaya mo – nahihirapan, nasasaktan, nakararanas ng mga pagsubok at problema. Ako ay hindi kaiba sa iyo. 

Sa loob ng anim na taon kong pamamalagi sa seminaryo, hindi ko mapigilang tanawin muli ang aking mga karanasan at tingnan ang aking katayuan ngayon. Maraming mga bagay ang nangyari simula nang naisipan kong pumasok sa seminaryo; naranasan ko nang mapagtawanan, mapagalitan, mahirapan at umasa. Ito ay ilan lamang sa mga pagsubok na aking naranasan at napagtagumpayan. Kaya naman kapag naaalala kong mga pagsubok na dumaan sa aking buhay at ang mga pagkakataong inakala kong hindi ko kaya, napapangiti na lamang ako. Akala ko, hindi ako makakayang lampasan ang mga pagsubok na iyon, pero nagkamali ako. Nalampasan ko ang mga iyon at napagtanto ko na walang imposible kapag nagtitiwala tayo sa Diyos. 

Kaya naman sa panahon ng Kuwaresma, ang ating ebanghelyo sa Linggong ito (Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion) ay nagpapaalala sa atin na kapag nakararanas tayo ng mga pagsubok sa ating buhay, kailangan lamang nating harapin ito at magtiwala sa Diyos kagaya ng ginawa ng ating Panginoong Hesukristo. Noong siya ay nakaranas ng paghihirap, kanya itong tinanggap at hinarap dahil alam niyang kasama niya ang Diyos. 

Mga kapatid, isa lamang sa mga patunay ang ebanghelyo sa linggong ito na tayo ay makakaranas ng paghihirap. Ngunit ito ay hindi magtatagal. Kaya tiwala lang kapatid. Malapit na ang Linggo ng Pagkabuhay. Sabay-sabay natin itong salubungin nang may galak at tuwa sa ating mga puso.

1st SUNDAY OF LENT

MALING AKALA

Br. Mervin G. Lomague, OP

May isang ibon na napagod sa isang paglalakbay. Gusto niya sanang kumain pero hindi siya nakuntento sa prutas na nakukuha niya sa mga puno. Gusto niya pa sanang kumain ng mas masarap pang pagkain: Gusto niya ng bulate.

“Bulate ba kamo?” Narinig ng pusa ang gustong kainin ng ibon. “May alam akong pwedeng pagkuhanan ng mga bulate. Gusto mo, bigyan kita?”

“Eh anong kapalit?” tanong ng ibon. “Di naman masyadong mabigat. Bigyan mo lang ako ng balahibo mo.” Di makapaniwala ang ibon. Isang balahibo para sa isang bulate? Aba, “special offer” iyan! 

Pumayag ang ibon sa alok ng pusa. At di nga siya binigo nito. Di natapos dito ang pag-uusap nila. Naulit-ulit pa ito. Araw-araw. Linggu-linggo. Ito ay sa tuwing natatakam ang ibon sa pagkaing bulate na handog ng pusa. 

Hanggang sa isang araw, noong nagkita uli sila ng pusa, napansin ng ibon na hindi na siya makalipad pauwi. Dahil ito sa pagkakaubos ng balahibo niya, lalo na sa bandang pakpak. Ngumiti ang pusa at natanto ng ibon na nasa panganib siya. Pero huli na ang lahat. Hindi na kailanman nakita uli ang ibong iyon. 

Kapatid, ang tukso ng bisyo, pakikiapid, panloloko, kurapsyon at kung anu-ano pa ay ganyan kung gumalaw. Akala natin nakikinabang tayo. Akala natin walang mawawala sa atin kung papatulan natin ito. Pero nagkakamali tayo. Sa bandang huli, kakainin din tayo ng sarili nating kagagawan. Kaya naman sa ebanghelyo, napakasimple ng imbitasyon ni Hesus: Talikuran natin ang nakagawiang masama at maniwala sa Ebanghelyo. Dahil kung magpapadala tayo sa tukso, kakainin lang tayo ng demonyong tayo din ang may kagagawan.

6th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

LUMAPIT KA!

Br. Jerone R. Geronimo, OP

Kahapon lamang ay ipinagdiwang natin ang “Araw ng mga Puso”. Sigurado akong naging saksi ang karamihan sa atin sa mga magkasintahang nagde-date, mag-anak na namamasyal, magkakaibigang nagdidiwang. Love is in the air.

Subalit, alam kong hindi lingid sa ating kaalaman na may mga taong hindi makapagsaya sa araw na ito. Magpasahanggang ngayon ay may mga taong itinuturing ang sariling bigo sa pag-ibig. Maaring sila iyong mga iniwan ng minamahal, mga humahanap ng pagpapatawad at pagtanggap, mga pinagkaitan ng hustisya, mga naulila at iba pa.

Ang ketongin sa ating ebanghelyo ngayon ay isa ding bigo sa pag-ibig. Walang nais lumapit sa kanya. Itinuturing na isinumpa. Walang kaibigan, walang nagmamahal. Subalit ang ketonging ito ay hindi nagpaka-bitter habambuhay. Alam niyang dapat mag-move on. At alam niya kung kanino lalapit- kay Hesus. Nanalig siya na mapagmahal at maawain ang Diyos, kaya naman siya ay minahal at kinaawaan din.

Mga kapatid, pinapaalaala sa atin na kung nakakaranas tayo ng iba’t ibang uri ng kabiguan sa pag-ibig, nandiyan si Hesus. Hindi Siya mahirap hanapin. Lagi natin Siyang kasama. Maaasahan! Ang Kanyang puso ay bukas para sa lahat. Oo, ka-close Niya ang mga mabubuti at nabubuhay sa kabanalan. Subalit inaabot Niyang pilit ang mga makasalanan, mga may kapansanan, higit lalo sa mga bigo sa pag-ibig. Kapatid, nandiyan na Siya, hinihintay ka lang niyang lumapit. At kung sakaling matagpuan mo Siya, ilapit mo din naman ang iba sa Kanya.

5th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

INSTRUMENTS OF HEALING

Br. Roberto Castellano, Jr., OP

They say that healing of body and soul is always a grace. Since it is a grace, it must be built upon one’s nature. We cannot be healed if we will not do our part. Simon’s mother in law was healed because of Simon's prayer. That and her cooperation with Jesus paved the way for her healing. One of my close relatives who has been suffering from lung edema for years was almost giving up on life because of his ailment. He said that for years he had been struggling financially because no one was supporting his medication. After two years, I was surprised seeing much healthier. When I asked him what he had done he told me of three simple things: fervent prayers, positive attitude and a healthy lifestyle. These three simple things are the message of the gospel today. Those people who have physical defects or are possessed by devils will not be healed without their fervent prayers , healthy lifestyle and positive attitude towards their sickness. Christ, the divine physician can only do miracles if we will it and we work for it. One unique element that Jesus is trying to show us is “We ourselves can be an agent in the healing of others by our mere presence.” The power of presence always manifests the essence of our utmost love to the sick we visited.

4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

NARIRINIG MO BA ANG DIYOS?

Br. Jose Laureano de Jesus, OP

Narinig mo na ba ang Diyos? Sa unang pagbasa ngayon, nabanggit kung gaano nakakapanindak ang marinig ang boses ng Diyos. Sabi nga ng Israelita, “Natatakot akong mamatay!” Dahil doon, nakikipag-usap na lamang ang Panginoon sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng mga propeta. Sa ikalawang pagbasa naman, nalaman natin kung gaano kahirap magsilbi sa Diyos dahil maraming umaagaw ng ating pansin sa pakikinig sa Kanyang kagustuhan. Kaya nga sabi ni San Pablo, pinakamainam hindi mag-asawa kung gustong maglingkod sa Diyos. 

Sa ating hangad na maging mabuting Kristiyano, gusto nating marinig ang tinig ng Diyos. Ngunit may problema tayo: hindi natin diretsahang maririnig ito – mamamatay tayo kung ganoon! At maraming makamundong bagay na umaagaw sa ating pansin. Sana nandito si Hesus na puno ng awtoridad habang nagtuturo sa mga tao! Kanino ba tayo lilingon ngayon? Nakakalito rin dahil marami ngayon ang nagsasabing naririnig nila ang tinig ng Diyos. Mag-ingat tayo! Gamitin natin ang puso’t isipan. Kadalasan ang Diyos ay bumubulong lamang sa ating puso, “God of silence” ika nga. At binigyan Niya tayo ng isip upang mangilatis ng bagay-bagay. Higit sa lahat, isinugo Niya ang Espiritu Santo upang tayo ay tulungan. Huwag nating kalilimutang hingin lagi ang gabay ng Kanyang Espiritu nang sa gayon, mapakinggan nating mabuti ang Tinig ng Diyos.

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Tips Para Maging Happy Ngayong New Year 

 Br. Ariel T. Adolfo, OP

Maraming dahilan ang mga Pilipino para maging malungkot, gaya na lamang ng mga libu-libong Pilipino na umaalis at nangingibang bansa para maghanap-buhay. At gayundin naman karami ang mga pamilyang nangungulila sa kanila. Subalit, kilala rin ang mga Pilipino sa buong mundo sa pagiging masayahin sa anumang pagkakataon. Halimbawa na lamang, may ilang mga Pinoy na kahit nasunugan na o binaha ang kanilang tahanan, makikita pa rin ang ngiti sa harap ng kamera (makikita ito sa mga interviews nila sa telebisyon.) 

Ang isa sa mga sekreto ng pagiging masayahin ay ang pagtanggap kung sino at kung anung meron ka. Kung minsan kasi hindi natin nakikita ang mga bagay na mayroon tayo, sa halip tinitignan natin ang mga bagay na mayroon ang iba. Kaya nagiging mahirap at malungkot ang buhay natin. Sa ating ebanghelyo, si Herodes ay agad na nasurpresa at na-alarma nang malaman niyang isinilang na ang susunod na hari ng mga Hudyo. Kaya naman gumawa agad siya ng hakbang at nagpatawag siya ng isang pagpupulong kabilang ang mga matataas na tao upang itanong kung saan isinilang si Kristo. Ito ay maaaring senyales ng hindi pagtanggap sa katotohanan.

Subukan nating tignan ang ating mga sarili sa mga grasyang natanggap at simulang tanggapin ang mga bagay na wala tayo. Sa gayong paraan, mas magiging masaya tayo.

FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

When We Were Baptized  

Br. Rambang Ngawan, O.P.

Today the Church is celebrating the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This feast marks the end of the Christmas season. The Church invites us through this feast to reflect on several important Church teachings that we must understand and live out in our day to day living as Christians.

Many things that happened during our Lord’s baptism at the Jordan River are symbolic of our baptism as Christians. During the baptism of the Lord, the Holy Spirit came upon Him; when we were baptized, the Trinity made us His holy dwellings. When Jesus was baptized, there was a voice crying out from heaven which proclaimed Jesus as the most beloved Son of the Father; and during our baptism, we were made adopted children of God who live under His grace. When the Lord was baptized, the gate of heaven was opened; and when we were baptized, the gate of heaven was opened for us and our salvation. During the baptism of the Lord, He prayed; and we too, as beloved children of God, must pray for strength and perseverance for the life of holiness and a life filled with God’s love.

On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the Church invites us once again to remember our baptismal promise and live under the grace of our baptism. If we are able through the grace of God to be faithful Christians, we would truly have celebrated Christmas and found its meaning in our lives.

2ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

VOCATION: A CALL TO HOLINESS
Br. Jayno Jabonillo, OP

All of us have a gift of vocation from God. Yes, all of us and no one is exempted. We may not agree with the first sentence above but it is the truth. What leads us to disagree, perhaps, is because we do not yet understand the meaning of this and find out the life that God has planned for us.

Life is the greatest gift that we have received from God and he wrapped this gift with a Vocation, a call since our birth. We may not hear him calling us but our faith helps us listen to his Divine calling. But what is this call asking us?

In today’s gospel, Jesus Christ said, “Come, and you will see” so that you will understand and find out that VOCATION IS A CALL TO HOLINESS. “Be Holy, for I the Lord your God, am Holy.” (Leviticus 11:44)

Are you a consecrated man or woman? Are you married? Or are you a single blessed? We know the kind of vocation we are embracing and living now, but do we understand completely the purpose or what benefits us in living our vocation faithfully and joyfully?

Brothers and sisters, God himself is constantly reminding us that our VOCATION IS ALWAYS A CALL TO HOLINESS. Thus, let us live together a Holy Life.

3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

AYOS

Br. Jaymar Capalaran, OP

Bago pumasok sa eskwelahan ang mga mag-aaral, sila ay nag-aayos ng kanilang sarili. Bago pumasok sa trabaho, lahat ng empleyado ay nag-aayos din. Kahit sa pagdalo sa mga espesyal na pagdiriwang o kaganapan, ang mga dumadalo ay nag-aayos.

Ang pag-aaayos ng sarili ay napakahalaga hindi lamang dahil ito ay pangunahing gawain kung hindi isa rin itong maka-Kristiyanong gawain. Sa ating Ebanghelyo, ipinahayag ni Hesus ang magandang mensahe ng Panginoon na ang kaharian ng Diyos ay malapit nang dumating. Sa paghahanda para ditto, lahat ay inaanyayahang magsisi at maniwala sa Magandang Balita, ang ating kaligtasan (cf. Mark 1:15). Sa madaling salita, mag-ayos ng sarili, sa Ingles, to bring ourselves into the order of goodness.

Ipinaalalahanan tayo ni Hesus na mag-ayos ng ating mga sarili hindi lamang dahil tayo ay may inaabangang party. Ayaw Niyang sa huli tayo ay magsisi. Sino ba namang ayaw makarating sa kaharian ng Diyos na puno nang kaayusan? Ako, ikaw, lahat tayo siyempre, gusto. Subalit bago pa man ito mangyari, handa ba tayong ayusin ang ating mga sarili? Maitatanong ba natin sa ating sarili: maayos na ba ako? Maayos na ba ang aking ugnayan sa Diyos? Maayos na maayos na nga ba? Kung hindi pa, tayo ay binibigyan ng panahon upang magsisi sa ating mga nagawang kasalanan at bigyang tuon ang paniniwala sa Magandang Balita. Ito ang nagbibigay kaayusan sa ating buhay. Kung itong maka-Kristiyanong uri ng pag-aaayos ay naisapuso at naisabuhay, masasabi natin sa huli, AYOS!

CHRISTMAS FOR ALL: SALVATION FOR EVERYONE

Every Christmas, we joyfully remember the birth of Jesus. What is the real significance of His birth?

According to the Catechism for the Filipino “The Father sent His Son as Savior of the world”

This means first, that God sent His Son as an offering for our sins. Second, he came to reveal to us God’s love, that we might have life through him. Third, he came to be our model for sanctity, so that, fourth, we could share in his divine sonship.” “Christ’s whole life constituted a redeeming process, begun at the Incarnation when he “was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.”

In the letter to the Hebrews, a canticle reminds us about the great love Jesus has for all. “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” Because of his incarnation “he was truly united with us, who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.” Through his incarnation, we have obtain a true model on how to be a real human person. Through his love, we are able to know more about ourselves.

The long awaited Savior had come during the first Christmas. As we remember the day Jesus came, may we receive the salvation offered to everyone; this is the greatest gift from our loving Father through our Savior Jesus with the Holy Spirit. With much joy, let us celebrate the coming of Christmas for all, give thanks for the blessings brought about by Christmas, and strive to incarnate in our lives the love, which is the true essence of Christmas, so that every day is a Christmas day.

MOTHERHOOD OF MARY

New Year serves as an invitation for a new beginning. It gives hope and inspiration for all to face the new challenges that will come in the future. That is why as we welcome the New Year, it is just proper to celebrate the Solemnity of Mary as the Mother of God, our Mother. We are all reminded that Mary is with us for another year that is filled with blessings from the Almighty.

The Solemnity of Mary as Mother of God is celebrated on the first day of January. It is included in what we call “Octave of Christmas,” or the extended celebration of Christmas starting from the 25th of December. Mary as the Mother of God is one of the most important titles of Mary. This title comes from the Greek word theotokos which means “God-bearer.” In this day, we are reminded of the important role that Mary played for our salvation. Through the Holy Spirit, God the Father prepared Mary to be the instrument of the incarnation of His Son, Jesus. Mary’s fiat serves as the sign of the fulfillment of God’s plan for the salvation of all. That is why, to call Mary as the Mother of God is the highest honor we can give to her.

If Christmas is giving honor to Jesus as the “Prince of Peace”, the Solemnity of Mary as the Mother of God gives honor to Mary as the “Queen of Peace”. New Year’s Day is also the “World Day of Peace”. It announces the place of Mary in our hearts and her special role in our world. With Mary, we are all at peace. Like her care for Jesus, we will also be under her protection. In her company, we will not be forsaken.

She is Mary, the Mother of God, Mother of All, Mother of Peace.

MISSA DE GALLO

Being a Christian is considered as one of the good legacies of the Spaniards to us. It is through the Spaniards that we came to know that there is only One and True God and we learned to worship Him. It has become part of our consciousness to live according to the teachings of Jesus. The propagation of Christianity in the country was accompanied by traditions that serve to strengthen our faith in God. One of these traditions which was started by the Spanish friars is the “Dawn Mass.”

The celebration of the Dawn Masses in the Philippines started in the 1700’s. It was during that time that the friars started to celebrate novena masses in preparation for the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through the mass, the friars wanted to emphasize in the hearts and minds of new members the importance of the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

The Dawn Masses are also called “Missa de Gallo.” Gallo is Spanish for “rooster”. The crowing of the rooster was a signal for Filipinos to rise up and prepare for mass. Most of the Filipinos then were farmers and fishermen. By celebrating the mass before the sun rises and before the people went to work in the farm or sea, the friars allowed the people still to worship God without neglecting their livelihood. In this way, the parish priests are successful in gathering their parishioners in one mass.

The Dawn Masses are also called “Misas de Aguinaldo.” During these masses, we commemorate the giving of gifts of the three wise men to the Child Jesus in the manger.

The Dawn Mass is an important spiritual tradition that serves as a preparation for Christmas. It helps us to recall and reflect on the spirit of the first Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus.

Can you now hear the first crow of the rooster? Let us go and attend the Dawn Mass.

MERCY AND COMPASSION: PREPARATION FOR THE PAPAL VISIT

God is merciful and compassionate. His kindness knows no end and his mercy lasts forever, even if we continue to sin against Him. Because of His mercy and compassion, He sent His only Son to ransom and save us. That is why, in the Incarnation of God, through the mediation of Christ, we felt and saw the mercy and compassion of the Heavenly Father.

Christ is the face of the merciful and compassionate God. In Matthew 9:36, it is said, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” And if we observe all the things that the Lord has made, they are full of mercy and compassion. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, delivered those possessed by evil spirits, preached the truth, gave light and hope to humankind. And the greatest among these is: He offered His own life on the cross so that we can be saved and, become worthy of the everlasting life.

On January 14-19, 2015, Pope Francis will visit our country. The theme of his visit is mercy and compassion. He will come to let us feel and remember the mercy and compassion of God. He knows the situation of the Filipinos. He knows our sufferings, especially the suffering of the victims of calamities in our country. The world will never forget what happened last year, especially in the Visayan Region, when Typhoon Yolanda devastated our country. Thousands of lives were lost, properties were destroyed, many families were separated, and dreams were shattered. Until now, the victims still feel those sufferings. Many people became merciful and compassionate because of happened in the country. And one of those people is Pope Francis.

During the visit of Pope Francis, let us all prepare. Let us dispose ourselves by reflecting and living the mercy and compassion of God. It is important in our preparation that we ourselves feel that mercy and compassion. And since we know that we are all sinful and we experience a lot of sufferings, we also need mercy and compassion. Let us approach God. We have the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Let us go back to Him because He is merciful and is always ready to forgive. We also have the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the real presence of Jesus Christ, who is the source of life and strength of the Church. Let us remember those who are in need of mercy and compassion. Let us pray for them and help them to live their life again. Let us come together and help each other so that our Church will be a Church of mercy and compassion. During the visit of Pope Francis, may he see and feel in us that we are a nation and church full of the mercy and compassion of Christ who is our Lord.

THE GIFT OF SELF

Giving gifts to friends, co-workers, schoolmates, and loved ones has become a part of our celebration of Christmas. This custom originates from the Gospel story of the three wise men who came from the East and offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn Jesus. Our Lord Jesus Christ received gifts during the first Christmas. This is the reason why gift-giving is very much alive during the commemoration of His birth. 

 

But if we will meditate upon this closely, who is really the receiver and giver of the gift during the first Christmas? Is it Jesus who offered his own life for us that we may be saved from sin? Or is it not us who first received the gift of Life of Jesus for our salvation? And is it not us who are tasked to share the gift of Jesus to others? And is it not us who are challenged to give ourselves as gift for others, not just during Christmas but at all times?

Giving gifts during Christmas does not pertain only to the giving of material things. More than these is the giving of oneself to the others, especially to those who are in need of companions in their loneliness, suffering and sorrow. The giving of oneself, perhaps, is the greatest gift one can offer to the other, in imitation of Jesus who offered his life for us all when he was born and crucified on the cross. This kind of gift giving-- giving oneself for the other-- is pleasing to the eyes of God and will remain with Him forever.

This coming Christmas, do not be alone or be selfish. Share to others. As the cliché goes, presence is the best present.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CELEBRATING THE CHRISTMAS VIGIL MASS

There is a great mystery that will unfold tomorrow and vigilance and preparations are needed for the coming of this day. We ordinarily call an overnight watch as vigil. The word vigil comes from the Latin word ‘vigilia’ which means ‘a watching’ or ‘keeping watch.’ In Filipino, pagmamatyag, paglalamay or pagtatanod. Thus our understanding of a vigil does not only mean to keep awake over the course of the night. It involves preparedness and watchfulness in ushering a most awaited day.

The vigil is a living tradition that originates from the early Christians, thousands of years ago. It was their custom to gather together in a church before the day of the feast which they commemorate. If we can stay awake for the things we deem important such as work, studies, even wakes for the dead, we should also keep vigil for the days significant for our faith: a vigil filled with preparedness and watchfulness.

Easter, Pentecost, Ascension at Christmas are some of the days when we hold vigils. In 380 AD, a Christian woman named Egeria went to Jerusalem. According to her, the Christians there hold a vigil that begins in the midnight in Bethlehem. The vigil is followed by a procession, with torches guiding their way to Jerusalem before the dawn. The procession ends in Jerusalem in time for the rising of the sun. Following this tradition, Pope Sixtus III promulgated the Midnight mass in a chapel in Bethlehem in 430 AD.

The present Christmas Vigil Mass that is celebrated a day before Christmas can be considered as a tradition that originated from the Christians in Jerusalem. Since then, as Christians, we continue to hold a vigil filled with preparedness and watchfulness for the coming of the day when our Lord is born. And like the early Christians, may the light of our Lord Jesus Christ remain our guide in the darkness until the new dawn breaks.

AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH

Jesus is the Word of God. He is God together with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Through the incarnation of Jesus, we witness a great dialogue: God gave his Word to Mary and Mary gave her answer to God. Both God and Mary have the same word – true and everlasting. Both God and Mary have the same Word – Jesus. This is the reason why Jesus is both true God and true man. He is the great reconciliation, union and communion between God and man.

When Jesus became man, he embraced our humanity. He became like us, especially the lowliest among us. Jesus lived a simple life among us. He was not glamorous, rich and powerful despite his being God. He chose to live simply with ordinary people. He even chose to be born in a stable. He lived a hidden life and like us he experienced how it was to be poor, to go hungry, to mourn and to die. He became man for our sake: that we may experience that God is very close to us, that he is with us in our difficulties and ease.

Christmas is a great celebration of so great a love God has for us. St. Athanasius once said, “God became man so that man may become god.” God shared in our life so that we may share in his life.

PREPARATION FOR THE COMING OF OUR LORD

It is Christmas! All are busy. All are preparing. People are busy in the malls buying gifts. Divisoria is also crowded with people looking for gifts for their godchildren. The Christmas tree in the house is already lit; Christmas parties are held everywhere in schools and offices; families are planning reunions. All these preparations, and the joyful atmosphere, are all because of the coming celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

However, aside from preparing ourselves, our homes and other gatherings, it is better to celebrate Christmas with a clean conscience. It is not only cleaning our surroundings and our homes which brings us a happy Christmas. More than this is to live a life filled by our Lord with grace. This happens when we approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation. According to the Catechism for Filipino Catholics (#1771-1772), through confession, we are forgiven our sins. If sin brings us farther from God, in confession, we are brought closer again to Him and we are able to live in his grace.

Related to our asking for forgiveness for the sins we committed is our forgiveness for those whom we have misunderstandings, those with whom we are not on speaking terms, or those with whom we are angry. The Lord himself says through a parable (Mt. 18:15-35) that we are forgiven through our reconciliation with others. If we do not forgive others, how can we ask or receive forgiveness for ourselves?

In the coming Christmas, let us approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Also, let us pray for the grace to forgive those who wronged us. Through these, we can truly have and experience a happy Christmas.

ST. JOSEPH: ONE WHO FULFILLED THE WILL OF GOD

The celebration of Christmas is not really complete without St Joseph who became Jesus’ father on earth. He was known for his deep and strong faith in God. He was ready to do what God wanted him to do.

According to Sacred Scriptures, when St. Joseph was already betrothed to Mary, he was already aware that Mary was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. Since he was kind- hearted and did not wish to put Mary to shame, he planned to break the engagement in secret. However, when the angel appeared in his dream and narrated the truth about the pregnancy of Mary, he embraced and accepted Mary as his wife. He also accepted the child to be born as his child.

St. Joseph played a very important role during the first Christmas. From Nazareth to Bethlehem, St. Joseph and Mary traveled to look for a place where she can give birth to the child. They knocked at different households but no one accepted them until they found the manger where she gave birth to the Child Jesus. And when the angel told St. Joseph that his family was in danger, he left all he had, his friends and countrymen, to go and live in a different country. His priority was the well-being of the family entrusted to him by God.

St. Joseph said “yes” to the invitation of God. In his life, he had only one goal: to fulfill the will of God. Although he did not say a single word in the Sacred Scriptures, we know how he showed his love to Jesus. He was a Servant of God who takes the well-being of his family as his first priority.

Just like St. Joseph, we are also invited to have a deep and strong faith so that we can say “yes” to God’s call and do whatever He wishes us to do. As spouses, as father, mother or a child, St. Joseph reminds us to prioritize the well-being of our family. We look up to St. Joseph who aimed to fulfill the will of God in his life.

CHANGE OF COLOR IN THE LITURGY

Do you know that the liturgy of the Church is divided into seasons? Do you also know that the colors of the vestments of the priest in the Mass symbolize these seasons?

The liturgical calendar of the Church begins with the Advent season or the season of waiting for the coming of the Lord into the world. The Christmas season is about the incarnation and the birth of Jesus. Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday, is a forty-day preparation for us Catholics by repenting for our sins and through sacrifices. Holy week is the climax of this preparation, when we remember the passion and death of Christ. Lent is followed by Easter, the season for remembering the resurrection and ascension of Christ. Pentecost celebrates the Lord’s sending of his Holy Spirit to his people. During ordinary Sundays, we remember the deeds and teachings of Jesus here on earth. Our celebrations during the liturgical year are not only repetitive celebrations. They also bring us to our destination – the Kingdom of God. 

The changing of seasons is signaled by the change in the colors used in the liturgy and the vestments. Violet or lilac, in tradition, is a “color of honor” which was only used by kings and queens. It also stands for mourning and seeking for forgiveness. In our liturgy, it is used during Advent and Lent. White is the color of purity. It is used during the Christmas Season and Easter time. In more solemn celebrations, gold is used to symbolize the light coming from God. Red is the color of blood and courage, used every Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Pentecost and in the celebration of the Lord’s passion. Green is the color of Ordinary Time. Rose is used every third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday), and every fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday).

The seasons and colors are used in our rituals. They help us grow as Christians who are called to holiness in our faith-life. May the season and color of Christmas not only be material instruments in our faith. May they bring us to the true meaning of the birth and incarnation of Christ our Savior.

THE PEACE OF CHRISTMAS

All of us desire peace. And is this not the foremost message of Christmas? In the eve of the first Christmas, the angels sang, ‘Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of good will.’ Peace or shalom in the bible, is very important. It occurs more than five-hundred times in the Bible. In the New Testament, Jesus would almost always greet His disciples ‘Peace be with you.’ But what does this peace which the angels spoke about mean?

In the entire Old Testament, the prophets often spoke about shalom, peace. This pertains to the harmonious relationship between God and man, between man and a fellow human being, and between man and his will. Because of man’s fall at the Garden of Eden, this harmony or shalom was lost. In the New Testament, genuine peace came in the person of Jesus. St. Luke said “ And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death's shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace." (Lk. 1:76-79)

How does Jesus become our peace? The gospels show various ways.

First, by embracing those neglected and rejected by society. In the gospel according to St. Luke, the angels appeared to the shepherds, who in the eyes of the Pharisees were unclean because of their inability to observe the Mosaic laws. Jesus invited the tax-collectors, who were hated for their apparent betrayal and collaboration with the Romans. Jesus mingled with Samaritans and prostitutes, with sinners. Jesus is peace, that is, he restores the relationship of us sinners to each other and to God.

Second, by his miracles. Many of the miracles performed by Jesus concern the healing of lepers and the blind. He also brought back to life the only son of a widow. The absence of a healthy body for those who are sick and the uncertainty of the lives of widows and poor people, are examples of the absence of peace. Jesus came to restore spiritual, emotional, and bodily health. That is why holiness is closely linked with wholeness. Through Jesus, we become whole; we become holy.

Third, shalom, peace means to live in accord with the will of God. Pope Leo the Great said “We wish that our friends be like us or have the same interest and desire. How can we say that God can be our friend if we keep on doing things that He hates?” At the last supper, Jesus said to his disciples “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27). Peace does not mean conformity with the ways of this world; Peace demands the denial of sins and efforts to build the Kingdom of God. The seed of peace will sprout and flourish only if we water it with obedience and perseverance.

Thus, if we long for the peace of God, which is the spirit Christmas, we have three tasks: to accept the persons rejected by society and those who have sinned against us; to give healing and security for the sick, widows, and destitute; and to aspire to follow the will of God. In this way, through God’s, the song of the angels will be fulfilled: “Peace on earth to people of good will.”