First Sunday of Advent (A)

First Sunday of Advent (A)

First Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5

Responsorial Psalm: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14

Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44

ARE YOU READY TO MEET HIM?

On November 8, 2013 – Friday, the typhoon Yolanda (International name Haiyan) entered the Philippine area of responsibility. Our country was face to face with the strongest typhoon ever in recorded world history.  When I last checked out the death toll, it already reached 5, 235; the injured: 23, 404; and the missing: 1,611. As of Friday, November 22, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) pegged the damage by Yolanda at 22, 470, 563, 943.76. Also, 536,680 houses were destroyed while 549,647 were damaged.

Above all, we also witness how the whole world responded to our people’s need for food, shelter, clothing and other basic needs in order to survive after the horrible disaster that affected much of the Visayan region. We witness how many nations came to our aid to help alleviate our suffering and to bury our dead. We witness one of the worst tragedies that struck our nation, the Philippines.

Our gospel perfectly fits  our context as we enter into the first Sunday of Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus” which means “coming.” For us, it is an anticipation to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah and to prepare for his second coming.

Our gospel today stands as a warning to those who neglected the Lord and at the same time a reminder to us all that the end is coming and we better be ready.

Jesus Mentions Yesterday Versus Today.

Jesus speaks of the end times like the days of Noah. In Genesis 6:5-6, it vividly mentioned that “The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.  And the Lord was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” (Tagalog: At nakita ng Panginoon na mabigat ang kasamaan ng tao sa lupa, at ang buong haka ng mga pagiisip ng kaniyang puso ay pawang masama lamang na parati. At nagsisi ang Panginoon na kaniyang nilalang ang tao sa lupa, at nalumbay sa kaniyang puso.; Visayan: Ug nakita sa Ginoo ang pagkadautan sa tawo sayuta dako, ug nga ang tanang pagpalandong sa mga hunahuna sa iyang kasingkasing lunlon mga kadautan lamang gihapon. Kini nakapabasul sa Ginoo nga gibuhat niya ang tawo sa yuta, ug nakapasubo kini kaniya sa iyang kasingkasing.)

The word grieved/nalumbay/nakapasubo is a “love word.” Brothers and sisters, we do not grieve for those we don’t care or love. God wanted a love relationship because He God loved his creation so much!, However, the people had no desire in their heart to befriend God and so, it broke His heart. Sa kasaysayan ng Bibliya, si Lord ang pinakaunang nabasted!

Today is a reflection of what happened during the time of Noah:

1. According to American Chronicle on May 2009, the Philippines ranked 9th in the worldwide porn revenue when it raked 1 billion dollars! Meaning 2,739,726.03 dollars everyday; 114,155 dollars every hour; 1,902 dollars every minute; if we convert that to peso – that is a whooping 81,811 pesos every minute! After this mass, a revenue of 4,908,665 pesos have been earned by Philippine porn industry. Could you imagine that?

2. According to World Health Organization, estimated that despite legal restrictions, the cases of abortion performed in 2005 was 80,000 and rising. if you divide that with 365 days, that means there are 219.17 cases of abortions each day; more or less 9 cases every hour! Shocking!  Imagine from the beginning of our masses until we end it, 9 babies have been aborted. Could you imagine that?

3. According to Nancy Carbajal of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on August 19, it is estimated that the Philippine government was defrauded of some 10 billion in the course of PDAF scam, having been diverted to Napoles, participating members of congress and other government officials – where always 70% of Filipinos still live below poverty line.

4. Plus, plus, the many cases of human trafficking, drug abuse, alcoholism, murder, rape, theft and other crimes that destroy the live of many every day.

Is this scenario not a reflection of Noah’s time? 

Truly, there is great wickedness in the land!

Just like the time of Noah, people lived in complacency. They went out doing the things they regularly do. They ate, drank and went into all kinds of merry-making. They ignored all signs – until it was over.

Gosh, this kind of attitude is not far from the attitude we have today. People today work too hard, earn too much, but pray very seldom. We know Christ and know hell, but do not see enough reason to amend our ways and believe in the gospel.

This is indeed an age of spiritual complacency and moral indifference.

Jesus Mentions About Physical Preparation Versus Spiritual Preparation

Jesus warned that we must “stay awake!” for we do not know the exact time of the Lord’s coming. While we prepare for ways that will make us financially stable tomorrow, should we not also prepare spiritually  for the Great Tomorrow?

When He mentioned about the “coming”, he doesn’t mean tragedies like typhoons, earthquakes and the like. He means Second Coming – the end of time when He will  come in glory to rule and govern the earth with His power. Those who lived lives for the Lord shall live with him forever, but those who lived lives in complacency shall have a Christless eternity. No more hopes, no more chances.

Thus, the best way to prepare is today.  “So you too must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Bernadette Tenegra, a mother, could not forget the last words of her youngest daughter, during the typhoon Yolanda. They were swimming for their lives as the water rose with astonishing speed. They scrambled for safety, but her youngest daughter was spun around by the current along with the deadly debris. Her body was pierced by wooden splinters. While Bernadette was telling her to hold on, her lovely young daughter  told her, “Mama, just let go, save yourself.” Bernadette was saved.

The young child was prepared to meet His maker.

The Lord will come. Are you prepared to meet Him?

21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel - Abunda

Parokya San Miguel (Diocese of Ipil)

Municipality of Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay

Mindanao, Philippines

The grace and peace of the Lord be with you (+)

Our gospel reading for this Sunday is the very culmination of the litany of readings starting from July 29 (17^th Sunday) Let us have a short recap: Last July 29 (17^th Sunday), Jesus fed the 5,000 people. Then the following Sunday, August  5 (18^th Sunday), he started the Bread of Life discourse by saying “I am the Bread of Life.”  On August 12 (19^th Sunday), he said again, “I am the Bread of Life.” Then he repeated it last Sunday, August 19 (20^th Sunday) “I am the Bread of Life.”

Today our gospel opened with various reactions regarding his Bread of Life discourse. The people said, “This saying is hard; Who can accept it?”

If you have a wild imagination, you can picture this out: one of them might have said, “What he said is nice, but who will have the guts to accept it? I will never dare drink his blood nor eat his flesh! Who among us will volunteer?”

One of them said: “I dare you!”

To which he replied: “No way!”

That is why, it is not surprising why many decided not to go with Him anymore. Instead, they go back to their old way of life…

Receiving Christ is a Decision. Jesus confronted the twelve: “Do you also want to leave?” Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life.” (John 6: 68). At this point, Peter felt the need to really make a decision to follow Christ or go back to his old life. While seeing the others who left, he might have reflected, “If I stop following Christ, to whom shall I go?”, “Is there somebody who will give me the assurance that I will receive eternal life?”  

Then Peter made a decision, ““Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life.” (John 6: 68)

In our life as Christians, many times we are faced with decisions whether we are for Christ or against Christ. It can be small in matters like telling lies or admitting the truth. It can, however, also be in big matters like standing up for faith regarding moral issues in our time.

One time in our meeting with the priests and the lay faithful, a head of ministry shared, “somebody came to me and asked if we are still to initiate voter’s education in the parish since the election time is fast approaching. He then added that we are doing the good thing. Unfortunately, it saddened me because I knew that person, and he received money.”

Christ is asking us today: Are you for me or against me? Do you worship me during Sundays only or for the rest of the week?

Receiving Christ is a conviction. Peter said, “You are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:69) in our first reading, Joshua reminded the people of Israel regarding the many miracles done by God while they journeyed to the Promised Land and how the God of Israel also protected them from all enemies. The people responded, “We will serve the  Lord our God, and hear only His voice. ” (Joshua 24:24)

Are you convinced that the small host you receive in the Holy Mass is Christ?

One time, I saw a former seminarian in the mall. May companion said of him: “That ex-seminarian is amazing! He is prayerful, always prim and proper but was sent out because he punched his seminarian – companion. In fairness to him, he defended his thesis paper very well before his exit.

I asked, “What is the title of his thesis paper?

“Love of Neighbor.”

(Toinkz!)

Brothers and Sisters, receiving Christ is a personal response of loyalty. It is our plunge of commitment to Him who is the Bread of Life whom we receive in the sacrament. We do not receive Christ for nothing. It calls us to also respond with faith conviction to serve Him, and Him alone. Are you for Him or against Him?

20th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

"This is my body..."

20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Date: August 19, 2012

First Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6

Second Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20

Gospel: John 6: 51-58

If you are a regular mass-goer, you will notice that our gospel this Sunday is almost the same these past few Sundays. Jesus talked about himself as the bread of life. Yes, you are right. Our gospel this Sunday is only a part of Jesus’ long discourse about the bread of life that came down from heaven to give life. This started last July 29 (17^th Sunday) where Jesus fed the 5,000 and there were 12 baskets left.  Then the following Sunday, August  5 (18^th Sunday), he claimed “I am the bread of life.”  Then, last Sunday, August 12 (19^th Sunday), he once again claimed “I am the bread of life.” And he still said today: “I am the bread of life.”

 

In our gospel today, the Jews murmured why Jesus was saying that he will give his flesh to eat (John 6: 52). “Unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and dink his blood, you do not have life within you. (John 6: 53)

Once there was a parishioner who approached me and said: “Father, when Jesus said that he will give his flesh to eat, it sounded very morbid and cannibalistic.” I told him, do you know that the early Christians were accused of cannibalism  for reputedly eating the body of Christ?

My parishioner exclaimed with an open mouth: “Ewww.”

Eating his flesh and drinking the blood of Christ shows the deep intimacy of our relationship with Him. Jesus said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” (John 6:57) For the Jews, it is forbidden to drink blood. Thus, it is not surprising that they could not accept what Jesus said. On the other hand, eating his flesh and drinking his blood is a description of our oneness in the Eucharist. It shows here the height, depth, length and breadth of Christ’s relation to those who receive Him. Not only that, it also shows the height, depth, length and breadth of the bond between believers. Jesus indeed is the food and drink who gives life, not only in the present but also in the life to come.

During the time of the early Christians, Emperor Domitian of Rome ordered that the whole empire worship him as god. The Christians had to make brave decisions whether they are for Christ or for the emperor. If they truly profess Christ in the liturgy and in their life, then they must face persecution. Believe it or not, a handful of Christians opposed the decree of the Emperor and they victoriously became martyrs. The blood of the martyrs became the seeds of the Church.

But more than the deep intimacy, the flesh and blood of Christ in the Eucharist is of real presence. We partake of the real body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist. We affirm in the Eucharistic Prayer, “This is my body” and not “This is the symbol of my body.” If we eat ordinary bread, it is transformed into an energy which becomes useful for the body. However, if we receive Christ as our bread of life, we become part of His body.  In this way, his values and principles become ours too. His life becomes our life. His service becomes our service. His mission becomes our mission. St. Augustine beautifully captured this in a vision that said to him: “I am the bread of the strong, eat me! But you will not transform me and make me part of you; rather, I will transform you and make you part of me.”

Watch out! Jesus’ discourse on the bread of life doesn’t end this Sunday. Next Sunday, many who hear this message will turn their backs on him. Then he will ask the twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”

The answer will be next week.

19th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

ST. AUGUSTINE CHAPEL

 TANDU-COMOT, MABUHAY, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, PHILIPPINES

(The farthest chapel in my parish)

 

 

 

19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Date: August 12, 2012

First Reading: 1 Kings 19: 4-8

Second Reading: Ephesians 4: 30-5:2

Gospel: John 6: 41-51

 

One experience I could not forget in my parish life is Mico (not his real name), 19. He was our youngest Eucharistic minister. He first served as knight of the altar few years back. Then, he became a lector and eventually a Eucharistic minister. One day, he came and asked for the sacrament of baptism. I was surprised because he has been serving the parish in the active ministry for years and yet he is not yet a Catholic.

He explained that when he was still a kid, his parents were converted to the Alliance Sect. He was also baptized in that religion. After several years, however, his parents went back to the fold of the Catholic Church while he was left in the Alliance. Because he was very participative in school activities, he also volunteered to join the Knights of the Altar. Before he knew it, he was already accepting other ministries and he took these ministries very seriously. When he became a Eucharistic minister, he got the courage to initiate telling me the truth.

Our gospel for today talks about the Jews who murmured  about Jesus when He said that He is the bread of life who came down from heaven. They said to one another, “How can he claim that he is the bread from heaven, when in fact we know him!”

But Jesus said to them, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: they shall all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.” (John 6:44-45)

Bulls-eye! Jesus clearly emphasized that nobody can come to God in his own effort. It is always the Father who draws the sinner who in turn moves closer to Christ. In the aspect of salvation, it is always the initiative of God, not man.

Our Eucharistic minister believed with all his heart that it is the calling of the Father that he got baptized in the Catholic Church. He only responded with faith. Through the Holy Eucharist, his life was changed.

What can we reflect today about the Bread of Life who came down from heaven?

The Bread of Life is a Person. Jesus is God but He chose to become man so we may attain salvation. In our part-taking of the holy sacrament, our relationship with Him only gets deeper.  I remember my old parishioner who lost track of her son after he (son) went to Sabah,  Malaysia without proper documents. I salute this old woman. Despite her problem, he is still able to go to Mass, and she never gets late. Sometimes, she is even earlier than our convent boy in opening the parish Church. She in fact is our daily mass-goer. One time, I asked her: “Madam,what keeps you going?” She replied: “The body of Christ.”

The Bread of Life has a Power. “Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:50). It doesn’t mean that we shall enjoy our life to the fullest until the end of the world but it means that our life will be changed. The Bread of Life has the power to change our life! The sinner is like a person who is dead. if we listen to His words and partake of Him in the Eucharist, He will give us a new life, a renewed life. God’s Word is alive and it has the power to change you.

The Bread of Life has a Promise: Eternal Life. For St. John, eternal life doesn’t begin after we die. Eternal life begins in the here and now. If we live our life in faith, we already practice eternal life on earth. I knew of one person who lived his life in faith. His name is Tatang. When he was still young, he had only one wish to God – that he be given a peaceful death. It was his constant prayer whenever he received Christ during communion . On the last days of his life, he always mentioned “November 4, November 4.” Nobody understood it, not even his family. Believe it or not, when November 4 came, Tatang died peacefully.

Friends, don’t underestimate the small piece of host that you receive during Communion. That is Christ – the Bread of Life. Talk to him, offer your life to him in faith and He will bring tremendous change in your life. His saving power that you only heard in the lives of the saints will unfold before your own life.