Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary V251.flv

Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary V252.flv

a BLESSING OF PEACE for you my friend...

May the gentle wind of the morning wake you up with a joyful heart, and rise to meet the day with God touching your lips with the word of praise and love.
May the blessing of God's peace touch your soul to let flow a smile for those you meet today.
May your heart be filled with compassion to extend an ever-open hand to those who are hungry and thirsty.
May the cross of the Lord shower you with the strength to move on as you face the toil of the day.
With God's tender hand knocking at the door of your soul, may you be open with those who have the heart to listen, that you may not feel alone.
And in your darkest hour, the openness of your heart may be filled with the warm embrace of the Spirit.
May the holy angels watch over you and guide you safe through the night, to let a healthy soul breathe again so refreshed to glorify God throughout another day.
AMEN.

S.A.L.A.G.

We call ourselves S.A.L.A.G.
Suloguon’g Angayan’g Ligdungon Alang sa Ginoo.
[A Servant Formed to Become Worthy and Upright for the Lord.]

SALAG is a Cebuano word which means “a bird’s nest”.

Just as the “sparrow finds a home for her young” [Psalm 84], we too find ourselves resting safe in this place we call home – our NEST…
…where we allow ourselves to be formed…
…to mature and soar high in the wide skies…
…as God’s worthy and upright servants for the people entrusted to our care…

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Mighty God, Lord of All!” Psalm 84:1

LET’S CALL IT A DAY!

HEAD. HEART. HAND. These comprise my three points. One of the guest-priests brought this up during one of our sessions in Pastoral Management. He shared, based on experience, that these are the presbyter’s tools in parish leadership. So, allow me to use these three human body parts which, for me, embrace what a pastor is called to be, both passively and actively. But let me express these three points in an unorthodox manner of literature; this time, in a conversational way. The style will be very elementary, but I believe that in its simplicity there is beauty and depth in facilitating a pastor’s nourishment of his identity. This is just one parochial vicar saying through his body’s three essential parts in his daily life and ministry. More importantly, each body part will be inspired, according to its need, by St. John Vianney’s Act of Love to God…
The bells ring; a wonderful Sunday has dawned. The three yawn as they rise from bed. Then they kneel down to start another magnificent day…
HEART: “O my God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You, I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath.”
HEAD: If I don’t cling to Him, I am nothing.
HEART: Time to celebrate Mass! I will celebrate Mass unhurriedly and full of heart.
HEART: As I sit down, I see in front of me couples dear to each other…make me smile and thank God, for I remember my overflowing gift of celibacy…”Deny yourself…and follow me.” What a joyful following! Then, suddenly, enters my past of unfaithfulness to such gift. But the Lord immediately intervenes, “I accept you as you are, you are good and precious in my eyes.” Not my fidelity to God, but God’s fidelity in me. He does not give me up. So, I’ll be aware of my boundaries. I am at home with my solitude. I will commit for healthy inclusive relationship.
HEAD: From and for God’s glory, I have prepared a good homily. Though..I can’t please everybody, well…it’s God’s work.
HEAD: I can just get money from the collection box anytime I want. But I prefer to be honest.
HAND: “The Mass is ended…” I will stay for a while to greet the people. To know them, I mingle with them. For I a presbyter, I do not just say Mass! The FR. is not just a title, it’s my LIFE!
HEART: Time for breakfast! It’s inspiring to nourish eating together with my parish priest; an excellent avenue to share, open up, dialogue of strengths and weaknesses; it’s a way of helping and understanding each other…good camaraderie!
HEAD: Now, breakfast is done. Time management is very important! PPC and PFC meeting is at 8:30.
HAND: I will attend and be there at the meeting…as a shepherd…as an example…
HEAD: Arguments arise during the meeting…discernment helps: If it’s God’s will, it will prosper. “Who are my people?” I have to know them and consult their situation and never change or impose immediately, so that they identify themselves with the project. For from it flow creative and resourceful planning strategies. When difficulties arise, I’ll be consulting my elder priests.
HEART: My zealous presence with them will hopefully enliven them.
HEAD: They need theology; so I am prepared and had done research.
HEAD: The PFC president approaches. Transparency and proper financial management!
HEART: Yes! From there, people just give and cooperate freely without me expecting and asking from them. Their trust will grow deeper and deeper. And I will acknowledge even the smallest donations.
HEAD: I am not superman, and thus I will empower lay collaborators and not get insecure by their competent skills; it’s participatory leadership. Meeting’s done, everyone’s inspired and invigorated.
HAND: Now, I’m in my office. A government official enters my office and offers help. I will collaborate and do constant dialogue and networking with them; for we share a common task: for the good and salvation of every person.
HEART: A couple-to-be-wed comes in and asks for assistance. I will not make the sacraments difficult for them.
HAND: A rich benefactor comes in and offers help. “Please don’t give for myself Madam.” I will live simply and, according to my needs, avoid excess and luxury. I won’t bring anything from the parish when I leave soon. Yes, I’ll be receiving, yet it will be very little for myself but much for the people, even the most beautiful things.
HEART: My convent staff has been so good and loving to me. They do zealously what I ask from them.
HAND: So, time for outing and unwinding…to the beach! I am used to asking and receiving. This time, I also give.
HEAD: It will not just be mere fun, but a good avenue for feed backing and assessment. Healthy maturity calls me to be open to their fraternal words.
HAND: Lunch has passed. There’s a sick call. No more siestas. Then, struggles of weariness lurk within…looking for someone to devour…ever ready to demolish every time I give in to my weaknesses.
HEART: Don’t worry…God has His own way…just be there… Hey! My batch mate sent a message! It’s giving me joy and a “tap” on my shoulder. They’re here for me! How invigorating!
HAND: I’ll be going to the farthest Chapel for a Mass there…it will not be that easy, insurgents could just kill me anytime…and how a 20-peso Mass offering compensate for my 60-peso fuel charges?
HEAD: But, no matter what, I have prepared a good homily for them, from and for God’s greater glory!
HAND: “I love You, O infinitely lovable God, and I prefer to die loving You than to live one instant without loving You.”
HEART: How vulnerable they are! I love my sheep! I can’t imagine scolding these people who have been so excited to see me… I am telling them about the forthcoming reshuffling…yes, letting go. But for now, with my sheep, allow me to openly and authentically cry. I won’t leave a statue of accomplishments here! They then say that I am better than the previous one. “No, he is unique too!” I won’t discredit my brother priests. I won’t be selfish, and so I allow them to express their gratitude through a despedida than leaving at midnight without anybody knowing it just because I don’t want to feel pain.
HEAD: It’s me learning from them, not vice versa…
HAND: My parishioners had just been struck with calamity…there was death…loss of belongings. I will go…empower my parishioners and extend help to them. “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord…”
HEART: …and embrace and make them feel that God indeed is present and one with them in their grief…
HEAD: O it’s already 4 o clock. From census, I learned that there have been bystanders standing idle everyday…and tensions from brethren of other denominations might cause more divisions…. If there’s a problem, do something; I am so inspired by Fr. Vianney’s exemplary way of doing something to get people away from gambling and other vices during his time.
HEART: Aha! Ecumenism! Creativity! Befriending them over pride and unhealthy competition!
HAND: Organize sports with them! Or music helps! They are encouraged to follow the Lord, because they experienced the love of God!
HEART: Mass at 6! I feel the emptiness in my heart whenever I couldn’t celebrate Mass. There’s a danger in leaning towards mere functionality. So, every time I say Mass, I really pray…
HAND: TO SERVE God is to risk and offer life…
HEAD: O yes! Politics issues! Threats are anywhere! But, as a pastor, I can’ help but cite morality “because I am concerned of your salvation.”
HEART: After Mass, there’s confession. I will make it heaven for them. And how unspeakably joyful it is to gaze upon a penitent comforted, consoled and reconciled back to God!
HEART: Dinner time! And with us is the bishop! He visits us! His presence itself is relieving and assuring!
HEAD: He opens up about reshuffling!
HEART: Obedience!
HEAD: Yes, there will be a conflict of my own desires.
HAND: “Thank you Bishop!” I won’t say “I can’t do anything on my next assignment,” but rather “I can do so many things!”
HEART: Whatever you say, wherever you put me, I’ll be disposed to where I’ll be led…
HEAD: Thank you Bishop for coming! Whew! What a day, isn’t it? But…what am I going to do next? I feel a space within, after all the busy-ness, here I am alone…I feel like filling this gap…
HAND: Very tempting to go to the club, drink beer, and fill the gap with my friends!
HEART: But no, tomorrow is rest day. Brother priests will gather together and play! That is my community! That is where I belong! That is also where I draw inspiration and strength!
HEAD: So…tired?
HAND: Nope! Because I enjoyed the very things I am doing! Challenging but fulfilling isn’t it?
HEART: Yes! So, let’s call it a day! Indeed, the Lord’s Day! Shall we kneel before we go to bed?
HEAD: “And as I approach my end, I beg You to increase and perfect my love of You.” Amen.
LORD: (Smiles and taps the shoulder of the pastor sound asleep) Well done My boy! I love you very much!

Since this refreshment is for every servant-leader, this will also be my identity; I am unique. With the help of the grace of God, He’ll use the giftedness He shared with me…from the rising of the sun to its setting…

TRUSTFUL ACCEPTANCE

Acceptance as to who we are is easier said than done, isn't it? Was there a time in our lives that we didn’t accept our painful experiences as part of God’s plan? Realistically speaking, some of us probably asked, "Is it part of God’s plan that I share with Ate Venus or SD my darkest, painful and shameful secrets? Is this what it takes to be a Christian? My brothers, it is not easy to embrace them as part of our vocation. It will really take time for us to accept such painful experiences. (Only) last May, during the Vianney month, I was able to embrace all my ups and downs and firmly declare that indeed God already formed and called me even before I was born. To accept our call as Christians, the first reading today assures us that "there is a season for everything...there is a time to be born and a time to die...a time to weep and a time to laugh...a time to break down and a time to build up..." and remember this, that "God has made everything suitable for its time." See how God puts things in our lives at its proper time and place! If only we accept them as God wills them to be. The Gospel today, Jesus tells his followers that he is the Messiah, but he’s going to be a suffering Messiah; and anyone who wish to follow him must also suffer with him. He assures us that although he must suffer greatly and be rejected and be killed,...on the third day HE WILL BE raised". In order for us to become priests na tama ang timpla, part of our formation is to embrace and accept our pains; but let us not forget to expect a joy that will follow next. The people who watched our cheerdance competition last Saturday had probably been inspired upon seeing all of us rush to the center and congratulated each other joyfully as if nobody lost: "Wow! Ingon ani diay ang Viannista, walay dumot!". But, we all know, that before all those celebrations were experiences of patience and tensions during the games. Yet, we all ended up rejoicing with others, because we trustfully accepted all those victories and defeats as part of the whole competition.
My brothers, our struggles never end here, we continue, and we expect more of them when we become priests. And so, let us continue begging for the grace of trustful acceptance that we may always be able to embrace our life stories, and the sacrifices and struggles that still to come.. Whatever happens, whether in happiness or tears, we can still firmly declare that “God called me by my name. He already formed me before I was born. These are all part of His beautiful plan for me; and as Rupert Mayer prays, “O Lord, because You will it, it is best.”

“ALÎ, PAHULAY, UG KAON SÂ!”

As I gazed upon the fruitfulness and richness of the documentaries, my disposition was led back to the part of the letter’s content I cordially and prayerfully composed for the batch in lieu of the permission we asked to witness the momentous celebration of Ipil’s becoming a diocese: “…we believe that, more than (and basically) the performance of rites is the call to deepen and nourish our faith in God through the visible signs we see and act.” The performance of actions leads to a higher but BASIC reality. Why basic? First and fundamentally, liturgia fons et culmen; we draw our strength and all these things from God, as well as, gear all these actions towards His greater glory. Second, if I am going to give an analogy as to the relationship between rites and the faith drawn from it, it would be the basic relationship of performing busy schedules and setting time for rest. Rest is basic to us just as faith in God is! But sometimes we fail to give time for rest and spend time for silence when we are choked by mere functions and busy-ness of our schedules. Hence, why do I give emphasis to rest? This is my first point in my reflection. Because I just couldn’t help but see the essential need and importance of this present generation to go to Mass (and other sacraments) regularly. In the first level, we need to instill in their minds and hearts the invitation to really “rest” in going to Church and in celebrating the Eucharist; meaning to say, the faithful must set aside all the worries that would hinder him/her to focus interiorly and listen intently to the Lord. Our past few Sunday Gospels are calling us all to that. Going to Mass is a retreat: a call to really rest with and in the Lord, a vacation with Him. As inspired by the image used by Bishop Tagle, going to Mass is like visiting a friend. By the mere fact that he went there, he set aside all those other schedules and freely chose to go to his friend’s house not to sleep, but to rest with his friend by exchanging words, stories, and hearts. Isn’t it wonderful!
Second, and in a deeper level and wider scope, the people of God especially the young ones are really invited to “rest” regularly in the Mass because many other “seemingly more attractive” options such as immorality arising from misused freedom, worldliness, and technological allurements are just prowling like roaring lions ever ready to devour the young people’s minds. Aside from that, they need time for rest and silence because the world is getting more complicated and noisier. That is one of those I learned, not just from the documentaries, but also from the course Eucharist last semester especially when I was given the task to translate into our dialect the communion part in the Eucharistic celebration. There, in one of my sources, was clearly stated that the great reason why it is necessary to spend a short yet quality time for silence after the communion songs are sung and before the priest recites or intones the Prayer after Communion – is that, the faithful are really given time to rest and pray in silence, because after the Mass and as they go back to the noisy world, they could hardly look for the “silence” that they innately desired.
After my first point above whose theme generally calls us “The Need to Rest”, allow me to share with you my second point whose theme in the assurance that “We Can Really Rest” in the Eucharistic celebration.
I would like to deepen this point in the light of the term “Liturgy of the World” as explained by Rahner in one of our discussions on the course GRACE. First, let us start on the notion that sacraments are graced-events. Let us avoid the idea that celebrating the sacraments is a way to put grace to a world that is not yet graced. Let us not look at the world and sacraments as two parallels. The world is permanently graced at its roots; even at creation is graced. We should not separate grace from human life. Yes, in human life there are struggles, but there’s grace. By his struggles, he realizes himself and helps him grow in faith, hope and love that lead him to God. We experience struggles everyday. But as what was mentioned above, in the ordinary-ness of everyday life, there is grace. The greatest manifestation of that reality was the experience shown by Jesus OF NAZARETH. He lived in a very ordinary life, and through that ordinary moments in his life and death, it has become Jesus’ irrevocable victory; the victory of resurrection and glory. So the world and its history (good and evil) constitute the liturgy of the world. The ordinary liturgy brings us into awareness in what constitutes the liturgy of the world. We need this liturgy to make us realize the liturgy of the world. Because when we celebrate Eucharist, we bring our ordinary experience; we celebrate what is happening in the world (triumph and struggles). So as we go to Mass, we bring our experiences and ritualize them in worship. That’s why the actions we perform in the Eucharist are used as means for God to reveal His great love. And we can relate to them because we experience them in our ordinary daily life. That is why the image of visitation to a friend and beso-beso is used to illustrate our going to the church; the Penitential Rite put at the beginning of the Mass signifies our ordinary act of shaking the dust off our shoes at the doorstep before we enter a house; the Word of God is the “kwentuhan” between friends; the Prayers of the Faithful show our very personal and ordinary daily concerns, as well as, of the Church’s and our country’s; the Offertory which constitutes help for the Church especially the poor; the use of our ordinary and “nakakabusog” bread and wine to manifest the unquenchable “busog” of the Body and Blood of Christ that we receive; the Communion part which signifies the “Halika, kain muna!” after all the chatting and exchange of stories and hearts, and many others.
So that when we go back to the world, we will recognize God in the ordinary life. Yes, human as we are, it is really difficult to forgive those who had done wrong to us. But as we are forgiven by God, we allow ourselves to become instruments of God to forgive because we believe that this person in loved by God.

How do we GIVE?

How do we GIVE? Many times we encounter poor beggars asking money or food from us. How do we respond to them? Have we not experienced times when we only gave a 5-peso coin to a street child, or gave a 50-peso bill hesitantly, or did not give at all because at the back of our minds we say, “Why give?! This man still has the strength to look for decent work; and here he is, making things easy for himself by begging! Perhaps he will just use the money for bad purposes!” But, why don’t we also step back and recall those countless times we have received large sums of money from generous people? Isn’t it that we too do not deserve to receive the money? The fact is that it was just given to us out of their generosity! We too have not labored hard to earn the money. Many times, we are tempted to take advantage of our status as priests and seminarians, and so we sometimes forget how it is to give. We fall into the human tendency like Peter who said, “And what will I, Peter, as first among the 12 get as a reward?” In our first reading, the Lord warns those false shepherds who have been feeding themselves and taking advantage of the vulnerable sheep, but do not even feed the sheep.
Again, I will repeat the question: How do we GIVE? First of all, by humbly acknowledging that we are sinners in the eyes of God. Even though we are priests and seminarians, we are still part of His flock. And because of this, when one of us gets lost, he will leave the 99 to look for that 1. Simply savor what the famous psalm is telling us today: “The Lord is my Shepherd…even though I walk through the darkest valley…his rod and staff they comfort me.” Like those laborers who probably felt hopeless that they could not work and earn money on that day because still no one hired them and it was getting late in the afternoon – we, too, many times feel hopeless and empty because of our failures. But in the eyes of God, the Landowner, calling us at 5 o’ clock in the afternoon is never too late. God, the Landowner, just saw the need for more workers on His wide vineyard, so He calls us to cooperate with Him no matter who we are, no matter what we have done. And see what the Landowner gave us at the end of the day? Unexpectedly, we were all treated equal. In normal economic practices, we know it’s not just and equitable since we have not worked correspondingly for the money we have received. But here, we are treated more than what we expected. “Who am I? I was last but he made me first!” That is how we sinners are loved so much by God; and we see that great manifestation of his generosity in the cross. It was more than the violent “makibaka” type of Messiah that the Jews expected; it was a kenosis -- a self-emptying; more than just giving food to the sheep but giving his very own body and blood for us. So how can we not be consoled by that, especially in times when we get impatient with ourselves because our sins come back again and again and again. God consoles us through a song, “Hindi ka kailangang magbago, kahit ito’y mas ibig ko. At hindi ka kailangang magsikap nang husto upang ika’y ibigin ko. Iniibig kita…ako’y kapiling mo, kahit ikaw pa ma’y mapalayo.”
So my dear brothers, we are challenged today to be generous; just GIVE: whether it is in our human and spiritual formation, in the streets, in our apostolates, or in our studies. And every time we do that, let us always step back and think of the Lord who has given more than we expected, so that when it will be our time to give, we will be able to give much more than what the Church and the society expect from us.
May we always be generous shepherds because “the Lord is our Shepherd; there is nothing we shall want.”

igsuon ko, BULAHAN ta!

Today, we celebrate the Feast or Solemnity of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother Mary into heaven. Just a short summary or catechesis as to what this important dogma is all about. It was on November 1, 1950 that Pope Pius XII proclaimed, declared, and defined as dogma that Mary, after her earthly life, was taken up to heaven body and soul; her body did not go through corruption, but all of her was taken by God to heaven. So, how is this dogma or teaching related to our daily, simple lives? One word: HOPE. This feast gives us hope. Because like Mary, who was also human like us, after experiencing the joys and pains in life, was taken up to heaven to be in the glory of God. Why hope? Because this feast tells us that the pains and sadness of this world that we experience now is passing; is not final; never the end of life; because our true destination is salvation in Heaven. In the Gospel according to John (Chapter 14), Jesus says and assures us “Do not let your hearts be troubled...I am indeed going to prepare a place for you (in my Father’s house), and then I shall come back to take you with me, that where I am you also may be. You know the way that leads where I go.” Isn’t it an assurance of hope my dear brothers? But of course, while we are still on this earth, we experience pain; we can’t prevent it; it’s part of our humanity. We may be sad because of what is happening in our family, in our country, in ourselves; but the challenge is: DILI MAGPALABI SA KAGUOL. Let us not be too serious with our pains. Be hopeful and trust in the Lord. And we see that in Mary. For from the very time she said “YES!” to the Lord until she was on the foot of the cross where her Son was nailed and suffering – she endured. Just imagine how worried she was when her Son was lost in the temple; imagine how painful it was for her when Jesus left home and bid goodbye to mama to follow the Father’s will; imagine how very very painful it was for her to gaze at his Son on the cross begging for her help. But she endured all of these! Because, as what Elizabeth said in the Gospel today, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to us by the Lord would be fulfilled.” That is why she is worthy to be called BLESSED; she is our model of a person who endured pain ‘till the end! In our Gospel today, when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was so happy upon seeing Mary. Now, how about you? I wish to re-echo this question of Fr. Mike yesterday, “How about you?” Whenever you go home, does your presence make others (your children, your katulongs, etc.) make them happy or make them tremble in fear? Whenever you go to the office, does your presence make your officemates happy or make them sad and angry? Whenever you go to your tindahans, does your presence make your tinderos and tinderas joyful or tremble in fear? Whenever you go to school does your presence make your teacher and classmates feel blessed or cursed? Yes, though we may be good or not-so-good to others, one thing is clear: That when we say YES to the Lord, we also experience the difficulties and pains of being a Christian.
And so let us ask for the grace that we may always long for Heaven; we may always long for the place prepared for us by Jesus in Heaven. And as we live our daily lives, in our joys and pains, let us ask for the grace of endurance, kalahutayan, perseverance, and that we may always bring the truth that the pain we experience is never never permanent; it is passing; God has prepared a place for us. He loves us! And let us ask the intercession of Mama Mary that we may be like her: Milahutay, nahimong kalipay ug panalangin sa uban. Nga unta ang atong presensya makalipay sa uban ug dili makapakurog hinuon nila sa kahadlok. Makaingon unta sila, “Salamat sa imong presensya ha, nalipay kayo ko ug migaan akong pamati.” “Kini maoy tinuod nga Kristyano!”
So, there is cause for rejoicing here my dear brothers and sisters. We must be happy, because the feast today gives us HOPE that in spite of the pains and sufferings we experience, for as long as we trust in the Lord ‘till the end like Mama Mary, we too will be taken up to heaven, to be with God, with Mama Mary nga puno sa kalipay nga walay katapusan! Mama Mary: Pray for us.

WHO IS MY TREASURE? HE IS MY TREASURE!

Please allow me to repeat one of the beautiful themes in our Gospel today: Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. Beautiful isn’t it? What is a treasure? A treasure is a person, thing, event or place that is so valuable and important to us. It could be our loved ones, family, job, face, money, alahas, and many others. The nest question is: When can we consider then a person or thing valuable (or important) to us? When? OK, allow me to present a comparison using a necklace as an example in order for us to understand the question. Compare how you value a necklace (kwintas) that was just found on a street as you happen to pass by AND a necklace that was given to you by your loved one. Which one is valuable? Obviously, the one that was given to you by your loved one is the one we consider as a treasure; as valuable. Why? Because the kwintas did not just fall from the sky; but because there is a relationship behind the necklace. It was given to you; and not only that it was given, but there is a relationship between the two of you. That’s why, you can’t just give it away, because there is a sentimental value on it. And every time we look at it, we smile because we are reminded of the giver and the beautiful memories you had with the person who gave you the kwintas. So, in having a treasure, that is the first element: RELATIONSHIP. Every time we look at the cross, why do we smile? Because we are reminded of the gift of life that God has given us. He is our pinaka-treasure. That is what the 1st reading tells us today. Are you familiar with the Exodus event in the lives of the Israelites? Diba that was the time when God chose Moses to lead His people away from slavery in Egypt; how God helpled them by dividing the Red Sea into two and they were able to pass safely through it. Grabe to impact sa ila. That was their treasure! That is why even after thousands of years had past, they still meet every year (Passover festival) to celebrate those glorious events sa ilang mga ninuno. When they gather and remember what God has done for them, their hearts are filled with praise, joy and thanksgiving.
The second element in dealing with our treasure is FAITH. 5 to 15 years after the death of Jesus on year 33 AD, the early Christians were very hopeful that Jesus will return very very soon during their time; they were really waiting for Him to come the 2nd time. They were so full of FAITH. But 30 years had past already…they started to get discouraged and slowly lost their faith in Jesus. That was one of the reasons why St. Luke wrote this Gospel; he wished to revive the faith of his community, because it was as if they had their faith not so much because of love of what Jesus had done but because they had in mind that Jesus will really appear maybe today or tomorrow, murag nagpasikat. So, St. Luke would have said, “Even if the Lord does not return yet, and we don’t even know when, this is what the Lord says: Have faith in me! Remember what the Lord has done for all of us! He died for us yet he rose from the dead because God loves us so much! That is our treasure! If only we always remember how God showed His love, then even though he has not yet returned, our strong faith in Him will never be affected.” Take for example, when I was still a child, it was already late in the afternoon, and still no one fetched me from school. And so my teacher was already worried, “where is your father? When will he fetch you?” Although I was already crying that time, I still managed to answer her, “Mam, I don’t know when he will fetch me. But I am sure that he WILL fetch me, because I know that my father is a good man, he loves me and he has not abandoned me.” There was a relationship, that is why no matter what happens, I will not lose faith. My faith in my father was my treasure, and where my treasure is, there also will my heart be. If God is our treasure, do we give our whole heart to Him? Or basin when problems come our way, we easily get discouraged. We are invited by Jesus today, “Don’t lose your faith no matter what happens!” Hinumdumi ug guniti ang relasyon.
But, it doesn’t end there yet. There is the third and last element. What is it? After having experienced that RELATIONSHIP, after expressing our FAITH in Him because of that relationship, what follows next are ACTIONS DONE OUT OF LOVE, not out of pasikat. Let me share with you a true story from our very own parish priest, Fr. Perseus. While we were having lunch 2 weeks ago, I heard this moving experience from Him; and I would like to integrate the 3 elements here. The laborers who did this beautiful church we have now was with Fr. Perseus for almost 5 years now, they were already with Him during his past 2 parish assignments. So, there is already a RELATIONSHIP, suod na sila, and they know each other well. What is very moving is that Fr. Perseus cares for them very much. He doesn’t only give them money, but also gifts and incentives. There was no sense of a master-servant relationship image here, but mutual friendship. Imagine, one Christmas, without them expecting it, much to their surprise, they received bugas and pang noche Buena that they were so happy and were able to celebrate Christmas with their families. Dili lang si padre ang naghatag sa bugas, kamo ang naghatag nila sa pagkaon. Very moving! Tan-awa unsa ka-lig-on atong simbahan, because of what you have shown to them. This is a manifestation of their STRONG FAITH. And while Fr. Perseus was away for 1 month, you know what, the laborers still worked hard, with their whole heart. They didn’t know when Fr. Perseus will come back from Europe. But even if he was not around, they still performed their job excellently, even going beyond working time, not because magpasikat, but because out of LOVE. Because of the relationship they experienced, they do not just work for salary but they make it strong and safe for you, sakto sa semento ug balas, because they love Carmen parish. Dili na kinahanglan bantayan o sugoon pa para molihok (there’s no need to guard them or command them).
That is the very reason why we go to Mass every Sunday and pray. Because God wants to show to us the Cross; how He would like us to remember always all the things He has done for us. RELATIONSHIP. So at this very moment, remember the experiences before wherein you received God’s blessings, grace and love. Like the kwintas, hold is as your treasure! When problems come, remember those beautiful memories with the Lord. So the second element, have FAITH in Him. Don’t let problems take that relationship away! (Let us continue hoping in faith that corruption in our country will soon end; that in due time, we will attain peace in Mindanao, walay surrenderay). So, it doesn’t end here, we have to go out of this Church. And as we leave this Church after the Mass, if dala-dala na nato ang FAITH from our RELATIONSHIP with the Lord, then it would be easy for us to do simple things out of LOVE. Dili na ta angay suguon o bantayan pa. We can get rid of cheating and corruption sa atong pag-eskwela ug pag-trabaho. We can show peace and love bisan diha pa lang sulod sa pamilya.
May we always say, “Even though I do not see and touch Jesus physically, even though he has not returned yet for His 2nd coming, there’s nothing to worry about, because I do have so many beautiful experiences with Him that I can say: He will never leave me. And so I will always do what is right, what is good, EVERYDAY…He is my pinaka-TREASURE! And where my treasure is, there also will my heart be…everyday…Amen!

I ASKED AND I RECEIVED

Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find…
Please allow me to share with you a personal experience. I am an asthmatic person. It all started when I was still Grade 5; and that was one of the most difficult and trying moments I and my family experienced. You know what, even at the early age of 12, I already questioned God, “Why am I suffering?” I already begged God, “Lord, I could not bear this pain anymore. I don’t want to stay again in the hospital for 2 months. Sakit na kaayo, dili ko ka-ginhawa. I could not bear seeing Mama and Papa cry and suffer because of me. Lord, please remove this pain away from me right now, immediately!” Well, 14 years had past, 2010 na, but I still have the Asthma (hubak) though not that bad anymore. So, maybe, at first glance, you will probably say, “Jun, it seems that God did not give you what you asked for. What kind of God is He?!” But the question is, “What keeps me smiling now in spite of my sickness? What keeps me going on in life without blaming Him anymore?” Because, gradually, through prayer, through silence, slowly I realized that God ACTUALLY answered my prayer; He actually gave me what I really asked from Him. Only that I wasn’t able to realize that because I always kept on blaming and questioning Him; when in fact He was actually there present with me. I realized that God wanted to touch me, gusto niya mohaplas sa akong likod ug tuba-tuba, mosuksok sa towel sa akong likod, mo-embrace. And in order for God to do that, he used the hands of the people who became so instrumental to my recovery. God was present diay through my Mama, God used her hands to comfort me, “Don’t worry Anak, nia ra ko, ako ang tubag sa imong gipangayo..” Kay without God, through my Mama, I would never survive. Igo na kana nga maka-smile ko bisan taliwala niining mga sakit (That would be enough for me to smile now even in the midst of my sickness). It’s the Holy Spirit who makes me smile and who empowers me right now. Ug diha nako na na-klaro sa akong kanunay nga paggahin ug kahilom diha sa pag-ampo: Nga diay, God answers in so many ways; and my experience with my Mama was just one.
Each of us here really wants that our petitions to God be answered immediately, right now. “Lord, maka-daug unta ko sa lotto o swertres. Makakwarta unta ko. Dili unta magutman akong pamilya. Makapasar unta ko sa test. Madawat unta ko sa trabaho. Mamaayo unta akong bana o asawa o ginikanan o anak o igsuon sa iyang gibati nga sakit.” Sometimes we just couldn’t wait; we become impatient. Mao nay makapasaba sa atong panghunahuna ug mahimo na dayong mabaw (shallow) ang atong panglantaw sa kamanggihatagon sa Ginoo. Because, then, when we feel that way, we easily blame and question God, “Ingon ka Lord ‘ask and you shall receive’? Pero, nganong wala man lagi?”
If only we spend time for SILENCE my dear brothers and sisters; then madunggan nato unsa ang buot niyang isulti kabahin sa atong gipangayo. That is why we are here because we are called today in this Mass to listen to Him; because God really wants to tell us something today. He wants to tell us today that he cannot afford not to listen to His children who persistently call to Him for help. Our 1st reading tells us that even if there will only be 10 good people in a very sinful place Sodom, he will forgive the nation. Imagine! Dili siya ka-ako ug punish sa sinful nation because of the 10! Now, in our Gospel today, the man in the story gives bread to his friend not so much because of their friendship but because of His persistence (pagpamugos). Dili siya ka-agwanta ug pa-bungol-bungol. Mangita gyud siya ug paagi. Ug diha gikinahanglan ang KAHILOM, instead of blaming God, “Ngano? Ngano?...” Kay diha sa kahilom atong mahibaw-an nga gitagaan na diay ta sa Espiritu Santo, maong nia pa ta nagpadayon dinhi karon. And how does He answer us? In so many ways! My experience with Mama was just one. Maybe the answer of your prayer, without you conscious about it, is just beside you, or at your home: Your family, imong pamilya or friend nga wala mohunong pag-atiman nimo. Sila diay ang instrumento sa presenya sa Dios. Sila diay ang atong gipangayo; dili nga mamaayo dayon ta sa problema, kundili nga unta dili ta mag-inusara sa atong problema.

(Story of Smoke Signals to God)

In our Gospel today, the Father assures us, “Never will I give you a snake when you ask for a fish. I am just beside you, whatever happens, in sickness and health.” Let us ask from our hearts. When we pray the Amahan Namo, let us pray from our hearts. And may we always remember this assurance from our Tatay in heaven, “Anak, you asked and I give you my very presence now, so you have nothing to worry about ha. Wala na kay angay kabalak-an…”

HOW IS YOUR PAIR OF EYEGLASSES?

The readings and the feast we celebrate today unite so much on the theme: KNOWING. We celebrate the feast of St. Camillus de Lellis, a priest. Though he is not that known to us, but he is, I believe, one of the patron saints of the sick and suffering. Since his concern is for the care of the sick, please allow me to use the image of the EYEGLASSES (antipara or antyohos). I am sure St. Camillus would highly recommend these glasses to me to help me overcome my poor eyesight.
The purpose of our eyes is to see. We even have two different levels of seeing. On the one hand, we have our physical eyes. We use them to see people, all the material things and events around us. On the other hand, in a deeper level, we have our spiritual eyes. We use them to see how we relate with God, with others, and with the rest of creation, as well as, use them to see our joys or sadness within. Therefore, what does this symbol of eyeglasses mean and how does this apply to us? Please allow me to symbolize these glasses as a way of seeing and knowing GOD; in a context of how we KNOW Him (of course I don’t mean to limit God to this simple created thing, but to hopefully deepen our faith in Him). So, given this symbol, each of us then has a pair of these eyeglasses since we all have God within us. And so the question is: HOW WELL DO WE KNOW GOD? JUST LIKE OUR PAIR OF EYEGLASSES, IS IT CLEAN AND CLEAR for us to see or is it still FULL OF DUST AND DIRT? In other words, how do we see God and others through these glasses? The way I see and know Him is the way I could see others CLEARLY through Him.

There are two things we need to know in using these GLASSES.
1. First is TAKING GOOD CARE OF OUR GLASSES.
Let me share with you a story from the book of the Jesuit priest Mark Link. A test given to astronaut candidates requires them to give 20 answers to the same question, “Who are you?” The former astronaut John Glenn says the first few answers are easy: ‘I am a man. I am a flier. I am an American.’ But as you continue, it gets harder and harder to say who you are.” John Glenn’s observation shows an important point in the light of today‘s reading: We can be too intelligent, we can know too much about the Father, but not really know Him. My dear brothers, before we use these glasses to see others, we have to clean this first. The two readings today will help us on this. Our 1st reading today shows that without these glasses, we can’t see clearly, because without God, we become boastful, arrogant and proud of ourselves, like the King of Assyria. Furthermore, in the Gospel today, Jesus tells us about the wise persons like the self-sufficient scribes and Pharisees who don’t basically know who the Father truly is because, as Leon Morris would say, “their wisdom makes them superior to the foolish and accordingly come to rely on that wisdom”. So Jesus, as the Son, wants to show that he does not only KNOW things and descriptions ABOUT the Father, but REALLY KNOW the Father, and he declares that with conviction because he truly acts what he says, that “no one knows the Father except the Son”. There’s no doubt as to how clear his glasses are. We ourselves know how Jesus see things and he chose to reveal what he knows about the Kingdom to the last, lost and least in the society. This tells us that through Him we see who God truly is!
2. Second, after CLEANING OUR GLASSES, it’s now time to SEE THROUGH THESE GLASSES.
Let me talk again about St. Camillus; a Christian whose glasses were so clear, and thus lived what was revealed to him by Jesus as to who God truly is. Allow me then to quote a few words from the companion of St. Camillus, and I quote: “The mere sight of the sick was enough to soften and melt (St. Camillus’) heart and make him utterly forget all the pleasures and interests of this world. In the sick he saw the person of Christ. He would even beg of them the gift of forgiveness for his sins.” When he was in the military, he thought that life is all about power and pride. But when he got to see and know Jesus, he embraced God with humility and charity to the weak and childlike.
Today, how do we see our brothers and sisters in our different apostolates? Are we just prepared to give them a lecture, only to realize that it’s not so much our lectures that they see and know God, but simply our caring presence; in such caring presence that vulnerable people feel their worth and feel they are loved. Isn’t that what Jesus is saying today in the Gospel? But before we can do that, first we must have that childlike simple trust in Jesus through constant prayer, through the Consciousness Examen, through the Daily Masses, and our regular Spiritual Direction. Second, we must give our commitment to our theological studies so that we can share them among the poorest children such as in Gugma sa Kabataan. We should not be mediocre but rather grow in learning. The more we grow in knowledge of Him, the more we can see things clearly.
Let me end with this prayer by the Jesuit priest Mark Link, and I quote: “Lord, help us realize that knowing our heavenly Father is not a question of opening a book and reading. It is a question of opening our heart and loving. Amen.”

“PLEASE DON’T GIVE FOR MYSELF”

“Dayon, magpari pa ka?”, I jokingly whispered this question to my 2 seatmates after listening to the very moving and inspiring, excellent and exemplary life of a parish priest, Fr. Raul Dael. They both understood my question. One just showed a smile and could not speak still due to awe and wonder, while the other replied, “Magpari na hinuon kaayo!” The question might have sounded a joke to them, but in reality, it came from the deepest core of my burning heart…it was also a question to and for myself. It just sparked from within me unconsciously. A part of me was “envious”: “Eh, he has all what it takes to be a priest! No one can match his giftedness! And how can I be like him when I don’t even have this or that…” But beyond that, there was a greater part in me that shouted, “Yes, with God’s initiative and providence, I will, for Him and for the Church!” Padre’s words inspired and enlivened even more the zeal in my heart. The two parts above recognized a common theme: SELF, either staying and hiding within self OR going beyond. This is what I am going to express now; a theme and grace that touched the essence of priesthood within me from both Frs. Pedro and Raul.

If a priest is not for himself, then he would rather advise a donor to give for the parish convent than for himself on his birthday.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would not bring anything that belongs to the parish.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would not be strict and indignant imprudently.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would not find a TV necessary and would unexpectedly receive one after 30 years.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would always seriously think for the good of the Church and thus be honest to himself as regards issues.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would not ask, “Is my bed ok?” but rather, “Who are my people?”
If a priest is not for himself, then creative and effective fund-raising projects would just come out according to the “real-ground” needs of the people.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would realize he’s not superman, and thus would rather empower lay collaborators and not get insecure by their skills.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would embrace a fire-stricken neighborhood and make them feel that God is indeed present and one with them in their grief.
If a priest is not for himself, then he can be trusted with the money of the people, and thus be transparent.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would celebrate Mass unhurriedly and full of heart.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would prepare a good homily even for the remotest chapel.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would not hasten to leave immediately after Mass and hide in his room, but rather spend quality time with the parishioners whether in the poblacion and far-away chapels.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would not think of pride and competition and thus befriend the pastors of other denominations in the parish.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would commit for healthy inclusive relationships.
If a priest is not for himself, then he doesn’t get tired because he enjoys and gives ALL love to the very thing he is doing.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would risk in citing morality on politics and express to them, “I did this because I am concerned of your salvation”.
If a priest is not for himself, then he is willing to let go of a parish that has marked an indelible memory in his heart and be transferred to another one without leaving a “statue of him” behind.
If a priest is not for himself, then he can openly and authentically cry.
If a priest is not for himself, then he allows his parishioners to express their gratitude through a despedida than leaving at midnight without anybody knowing it because he doesn’t want to feel more pain.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would not put down and destroy his bishop and fellow priests.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would happily hold on to the grace of the “Theology of Presence” even if it would mean boredom.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would allow his body to rest and find time for silence and prayer.
If a priest is not for himself, then he would be very trustful that God will provide the best for him in the midst of crisis from within and trials from outside.
Then, they will be encouraged to follow the Lord because they experienced the love of God through him. The deep inspiring words of the 2 Padres cost a tear from my eye. How could I not be so moved when that GRACE is what I interiorly pray and strive to cooperate with.

right thing. wrong motivation. A HOMILY. 11th Week In Ordinary Time; Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18

My dear brothers in Christ, what would you feel if you will be asked to do something that you feel incapable of doing? Maybe, most of us if not all, would feel anxious about it. This is exactly what I felt when the school director appointed me as C.A.T. commandant during my ministry year in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon three years ago. I said to myself, how can this be since I don’t look like a typical commandant who appears as someone who is tough, strict and short-tempered? I don’t even know how to demonstrate or teach the students the proper way of folding the flag during flag ceremonies!

But in this feeling of inadequacy, my school director just told me to try to pretend or act like a performer on a stage. Initially, I tried to follow his advice but later on I tried to carry out my responsibility as C.A.T. commandant by being myself. I just allowed the gentle, calm and joyful Brother Jun to relate with the students. Gradually, I realized that to be an effective C.A.T. commandant, I need not pretend to be somebody else.

In our gospel reading today, Jesus accused the Pharisees for pretending to be somebody else in observing the three great pillars (almsgiving, praying, and fasting) on which good life of the Jews is based just for the sake of earning rewards. My dear brothers in Christ, it is not what we do that matters most but the motivation behind it. Motivation is very essential in our spiritual growth. One of the greatest temptations of those people who are developing in their spiritual life is when one does the right thing but with a wrong motivation.

It can happen that, like the Pharisees, we are often seen as very faithful in going to the chapel for our prayers. Or may be so dedicated in our apostolate or very hard-working in our studies. But it is good to ask the question, why? Why are we doing it? Are we regular in our prayers because we want to deepen our personal intimate relationship with God OR we just want to please our formators so that we won’t be sent out from the seminary? Are we dedicated in our apostolate because we want to be instruments of God’s loving presence to our students and other people OR because we simply just wanted to strengthen our fans club or gain praises and appreciations by the people we served? Are we working hard in our studies because of our noble desire that our parishioners soon may grow in their knowledge of God OR we just want to be known as graduates with magnas and summas? Wala gyuy laing makatubag niining maong mga pangutana gawas lamang sa atong kaugalingon. Our growth in holiness depends so much on the purity of our motivation. I am very sure that all of us in this chapel no matter how sincerely we try our best to do the right thing with the right motivation, we still do have not-so-pure motivations in doing the best things in and outside the seminary. But motivations can be purified gradually. How? Tulo ka butang: Una, the purification (cleansing) of our not-so-pure motivations begins first with our awareness of our inconsistencies, as what we have learned (or will learn) in our human and spiritual formation sessions. Second, with our patience, gentleness to self and humility to accept them. And third, with our solid determination (willpower) nga mo-cooperate gyud sa grasya sa Ginoo in working on this process of integration nga atong kanunay gitinguha, what process of integration? Kana bitawng, sa ngadto-ngadto, ang atong external (makita nga) practice matches with the right motivation inside us; to live a life free from hypocrisy and pretension.

During this mass, let us ask the Lord for the grace of integrity or honesty (o pagkamatinud-anon) so that our vision (nga atong gitinguha) will be seen concretely in our lives. Finally, the reward that comes from hypocrisy is very shallow and passing (ang tawo nga ga-ampo aron makit-an sa pari, molahutay sa usa ka oras apan mag-alipasa) but the joy that comes from a sincere heart who does the right thing with the right motivation is deep and lasting. Oo, challenging, but let us be assured, as today’s responsorial psalm emphatically assures us, “Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord”.

JESUS FOR PRESIDENT!

NARRATOR: Read Mt. 26: 17 – 19…pause…That was Thursday evening. The nation started to be busy as candidates began campaigning for the upcoming May 2010 elections. The people were still confused as to who they will vote for President of the Philippines. This time, they wanted genuine change. They wanted a president like King David, a leader who will save them from suffering due to corruption, injustice, oppression, and colonialism.
Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Sky Park to have supper together. The disciples were greatly aware of these growing tensions happening in the country. In fact they were discussing about the issues; for among all party lists, they were the ones who were greatly affected because the people were pressing on them and asking them to do “something”. So they too discussed the possibility of endorsing a fitting candidate.
Soon, they arrived into the upper room (they now enter into the scene, slowly, discussing and whispering to each other silently). They were secretly conferring to each other; and after some time, they came up with a decision. Without Jesus knowing it, they were convinced (they nod in agreement) and unanimous as to who they will endorse for presidency, and it shall be:
PETER: Jesus! (they nod in agreement)
NARRATOR: …and they all pointed to John, the beloved disciple, to inform Jesus about this.
(Jesus enters, while the apostles say “Shhh” to each one)
JOHN: Ahhh…L-L-Lord…let me tell you something. In order to solve the deep-rooted immorality in our country, we would like to ask you to run for president…
JAMES THE LESSER: (immediately after John) Jesus for president!
ALL: Jesus for president! Jesus for president!
ANDREW: Lord, we believe you’ll surely win! You can eradicate all these problems in an instant with your power! And besides, you have the numbers. People from different places kept following you!
PETER: (Known in Peter: he denied Jesus 3 times)
Lord, once you become President, would you appoint me as your PSG chief of staff? You’ll be safe in my protection. Promise, I will not leave you! I will lay down my life for you Lord! Jesus for president!
ALL: Jesus for president!
ANDREW: (known in Andrew: he is a fisherman)
Lord, if you’ll be the President, do not allow anymore any foreign fishing boat to trespass our seas! With that, you’ll be able to help our fellow Filipino fishermen! Jesus for president!
ALL: Jesus for president!
JAMES THE GREATER: (known in James: his statue now shows him riding on a horse striking a Muslim with his sword)
Lord, if you’ll become the president, declare an all-out war against all Moro rebels! Just a single drop of atomic bomb and poof! You’ll end all these terrorisms! Jesus for president!
ALL: Jesus for president!
BARTHOLOMEW: (known in Bartholomew: Jesus saw him under the fig tree…)
Wait! Wait a minute! What are you talking about?! Can anything good come out of Butuan? Well, he easily knows people just as he recognized me as an Israelite while I was under the fig tree. Surely, he could easily detect those corrupt officials in the government! Jesus for president!
ALL: Jesus for president!
Matthew: (known in Matthew: he is a tax collector)
Lord, if you’ll become the President, we’ll show to foreigners our rich and virgin forests in Visayas and Mindanao, so that they will come and invest for mining and logging operations; then they will pay big taxes and we’re going to get rich! Jesus for president!
ALL: Jesus for president!
SIMON THE ZEALOT: (known in Simon: he is a revolutionary, extreme nationalist)
Money, money, money! Why don’t you also think of our poor farmers! Lord, if you’ll become the president, support the Sumilao farmers in Bukidnon! Makibaka against the abusive landlords! Jesus for president!
ALL: Jesus for president!
PHILIP: (known in Philip: one with a Greek name)
Yes, Lord! Simon is right! Why is it that the national government always focus and develop Luzon, Luzon, Luzon! We, here in Mindanao, are like the neglected Samaritans and Gentiles! So if you’ll become the President, we will develop Mindanao and perhaps build your Malacanang in Jolo! Jesus for president!
ALL: Jesus for president!
JAMES THE LESSER: (known in James and Thaddeus: could be relatives of Jesus)
Lord, Thaddeus and I are your relatives!
THADDEUS: So isn’t it to our advantage James? Being Jesus’ relatives, I could be the next governor in Pampanga, you could be the next mayor, my wife as the congresswoman and your son as board member!
JAMES THE LESSER: Hahaha! Our whole clan will rule over Pampanga forever! Jesus for president!
ALL: Jesus for president!
THOMAS: (known in Thomas: he doubted)
Wait! Wait! My brothers, I doubt it if our Lord will really win! John the Baptist is also close to the poor, and maybe he has greater chances of winning! But since, you are closer to me Lord, I will vote for you. Jesus for president!
ALL: Jesus for president!
JUDAS: (known in Judas: treasurer of the group; money matters than the perfume)
Lord, how about the Spratly Islands? Don’t you know that we can get so much money from its oil deposits! So, run for presidency Lord! I’ll tell you, we’ll not just earn 30 pieces of silver, but 30 million pesos every week! Jesus for president!
ALL: Jesus for president!
JOHN: (context: the request of James and John)
Lord, once you become President, choose me and my brother James to sit, one at your right and one at your left. Appoint me as Senate President and James as House Speaker. Jesus for President!
(no one from the rest resonated with John, instead, a strong complain)
JAMES THE LESSER: Hey! How dare you say that?! Who do you think you are!
(The rest also shouted in anger. Then Jesus raises his hands silently in front of them, signaling them to keep quiet. Then, he proceeds to one part of the room and gets a basin of water and bends to wash the feet of Judas, and says: )
JESUS: (Mt. 20: 26 – 28) …whoever wishes to be first among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many…
"LORD, HEAL OUR LAND...”

NO TO CELIBACY?!

NARRATOR: Read the Commisioning of the Twelve: Mark 6: 6b – 9
Ug sa ilang pagpamalik gikan sa apostolate…
NILO D.: Ok na unta kayo ‘tong didto ta sa baryo bah, bibo kayo, daghang tawo, sikat pa gyud kaayo ta sa atong paghalobilo sa mga tawo, dayon sadya kaayo ang Misa. Pero, pag-uli-ay na, mipuli na man ang kamingaw ug kahilom, asa na man sila? Nganong kita na lang man dayon ang nabilin? Ing-ani diay ning kinabuhi-a?! (misulod ang laing grupo)
Uy bai, kumusta inyong apostolate?
LINO: Ay ok kaayo! Timing kaayo nga naa puy mga nursing students sa among gi-exposure-an. Whew! Mga good kaayo bah, lami kaayo i-trabaho, pogi points bah, “Ah si Koya o, buotan kaayo!” Nia gani ko number ni Mitch o! Nah, layo na kaayo sila ug biya sa atoa bay, o yeah!
(pointing towards the other group) O, nganong guol man mo bai?
FRANK: Kinsa gud puy dili masakitan ani! Gikan mi gahatag ug pol. Ed. seminar, kapoy kaayo, tibuok adlaw, amo gyung gihatag among tanang talent, pero pagkahuman, wala man lay ni-congrats namo, naa lagi stipend pero gamay ra pud, gihagoan bya gyud namo ang pagpangandam sa modules bah, wala man lay midayeg! Maypa nang nagtrabaho sa gawas, gamayng kalampusan, allowance dayon, tarpaulin dayon. Hahay, kamingaw sa kinabuhi. Maypa nang mga minyo, naa pay mohilot sa atong abaga inig abot sa balay…
GARCO: Aha! Bitaw no! Puslan mang pare-pareha atong mga gipangbati, unsa kaha kun atong danihon si Hesus nga magminyo na lang ang mga pari! No to celibacy!
TANAN: No to celibacy!
(Miabot na si Hesus)
HESUS: O nia na man diay mo! Kumusta inyong mga lakaw mga igsuon? (tindog tanan, apir tanan kang Hesus)
ALVIN: Tan-awa ang gibuhat ni Kristo mga igsuon, modayon pa ba mo sa inyong plano? Dili na ba igo ni nga mohupay sa inyong mga kakapoy? Tan-awa unsa ka malipayon si Kristo nga mi-welcome ug midayeg kanato taliwala sa iya pung gibati nga kakapoy sa misyon!
GARCO: Ahh, lahi ra gyud bai! Lahi ra gyud ning naay babaye sa atong kinabuhi!
HESUS: O, unsa man nang inyong gilalisan?
GARCO: Ginoo, isip mga ulitawo, ga-uros-uros gyud ning among pagbati nga mahulipan among kalaay ug kamingaw! Busa Ginoo, kami nagahangyo, tuguti na nga maminyo ang mga pari. No to celibacy!
TANAN: No to celibacy!
MARWEN: Ginoo, nganong pugngan pa man gyud nimo ang pari nga makighilawas! Tan-awa si Pedro oh! Tua sa ilaha, nihapit kadyot sa iyang asawa! Gikapoy man to, pero sigurado ko nga nawala na gyud tong iyang kakapoy ba! Ka-lami ra man gyud unta Lord! No to celibacy!
TANAN: No to celibacy!
TOTO G.: Ginoo, kabalo ka unsa ka bililhon para sa usa ka laki ang adunay asawa ug anak. Nah, kinsa na lay mag-atiman namo kun matigulang na mi! No to celibacy!
NILO D.: Ginoo, wala ka ba makabantay, sige’g pangidhat si Marta nimo? Wala ka ba mibati ug kaibog bisan kinsa nila Marta, Maria o Magdalena? Mga gwapa kaayo sila Ginoo! Kwarta na naging bato pa! Kami gani, mosaka dayon ang lala sa among utok inig kakita namo ug mga hubag sa ketkai! No to celibacy!
TANAN: No to celibacy!
FRANK: Wala ba kamo makabantay mga igsuon? Bisan maot kaayo’g dagway ang pari, pero humot gihapon sa mga dalaga diba! Pa-anotong-anotong ra ning dagwaya ni, pero daghang orchids ang motapot ani bah! Sige na Lord! Ipaminyo na mi samtang pari na mi! No to celibacy!
TANAN: No to celibacy!
CLIFFORD: Ginoo, naay nagpa-counsel nako karon, nagproblema sa iyang bana. Ginoo, kun musogot ka nga magminyo ko, nah mahatag gyud nako ang tanan nga iyang gipangita sa usa ka bana! Alang sa kaluwasan sa mga biyuda! No to celibacy!
TANAN: No to celibacy!
MARWEN: Ginoo, wala ka ba masayod unsa kadaghan na ang mga kaso sa pedophilia ug sexual harassments sa mga kaparian didto sa America karon? Ginoo, di makaya’g pugong-pugong uy! Daghan na kaayong mga scandal! Maluoy ka sa mga pari Ginoo! No to celibacy!
TANAN: No to celibacy! Bitaw Ginoo! Sige na Lord! Maluoy ka!
HESUS: Mga igsuon…tala…kuyog ta…moadto ta ilang Marta, Maria ug Lazaro…ato silang bisita-on…mangisnak ta didto…
(mitagbo ang duha ka babaye, migakos kang Hesus, ug kalit mihilak…dayon adunay mibalita)
NILO L. Ginoo, patay na si Lazaro!
(miluhod si Hesus ug mihilak, nagpabilin ang duha ka baye nga nagtindog ug nanampong sa ilang mga nawong)
ALVIN: Mga igsuon, tan-awa ninyo si Hesus. Karon nasayod na kita nganong gidala kita niya dinhi. Sa natural ug gawasnon nga paagi, iyang gipakita unsa ka way sukod ang iyang pagmahal ngadto nilang Marta, Maria ug Lazaro…pagka-bulahan nila..pagka-bulahan sab nato. Wala siyay gipili, ma-babaye, ma-lalaki, ma-bata o tigulang – tanan iyang gimahal nga walay ni bisan gamayng halo nga malisya o kalaw-ay. Tinuod gayud, siya gyud ang pinaka-modelo sa usa ka tawo nga bisan nag-inusara, malipayon ug gawasnon gihapon nga mihigugma; maliapyon ug gawasnon gihapon nga mi-alagad…

(All gather together and sing the 1st verse and chorus of the song “Your Heart Today”)

YES TO CELIBACY!!!

“DON’T JUST GIVE THEM FISH; TEACH THEM HOW TO CATCH FISH”

That time, I still questioned “WHY?” The news about the death of a 21-year old student who joined a militant group came closely after I finished writing my homily for January 11. I felt so frustrated upon realizing that my words were too shallow compared to the real grounded immersions these people are experiencing. So I thought of changing the content of my homily in order to match the news event’s heavy impact as regards missiology. But after a deep reflection, I was able to conclude, “No, I will deliver this homily as is, except for just a basic yet significant group of words which I will add to the end part”. What was the bold word? FORMATION. And I quote the exact words: “Let us continue our advocacies and rescue more people through the very example of Jesus AND THROUGH THE FORMATION THAT WE LEARN FROM THE SEMINARY. Mao unta kana atong pukot o inspirasyon sa atong pagpanagat”; otherwise, people will misinterpret what Jesus intensively shared with the less fortunate, and thus become fundamentalists.
This experience is just one of the many realizations as to what my vision of PEACE in Mindanao is. And my keyword for peace is formation: EDUCATION. And here are more of my realizations:
The series and seemingly-never-ending killings and kidnappings by militant groups made me wish that an atomic bomb should have been dropped to exterminate ALL Muslims. Though the degree of my prejudice and bias was not that intense compared probably to those living in Basilan, I, an Iliganon, still grew up instilled with fear and biases possibly due to some elders’ and environment’s passed-on attitude against the Muslims. But thankfully, it never ended there. For just recently, a modular course on Islam and Inter-Religious Dialogue and a few personal experiences gradually cleared the log off my eyes. Experiencing life with the very kind and patient NGO social worker Asimah during our GY Pastoral Formation program was one transformative experience. Encountering a very generous and kind old Muslim woman who offered me a vacant seat in the bus added more flavor to the excellent re-evangelization our well-grounded professors shared with us during our Islam class sessions. Honestly and thankfully, my prejudices and biases against Muslims were gradually gone; for I soon realized that just as there are not-so-good Christians, there too are billions of kind Muslims. Knowledge and experience: they became my teachers. They formed me anew. EDUCATION.
I was given the privilege to give a recollection with the Umayamnon Tribe student scholars of Tatay Mat Sanchez, SJ during my Ministry Year as a teacher and kuya at Cabanglasan Bukidnon last 2007. Their presence at school with a majority of Bisaya innately affected their self-esteems. With a whole heart, God made me able to express to the young Lumads what our Church constantly advocates: “equality in dignity”…to go to school, to play, to enjoy their youthful life. Until now, it’s a process. They’ll soon grow, and we see hope. EDUCATION.
Since I was a child, I thought peace is merely an absence of war. Later, I realized, that in this universe, there will always be differences; as there are different parts in a body. That’s why Jesus calls for unity. It is on one’s failure or negligence to see what good is to be done in the midst of differences. How distressing will it then become for Muslim elementary pupils to grow with still the DISCRIMINATION in mind upon seeing on a poster of their classroom wall a very clear insensitive information: PAMBANSANG PAGKAIN: LECHON (As shared with us by Fr. Paul, and I affirm!). EDUCATION.
Part of the question I asked in prayer (following the news event of the young student who joined a militant group and was killed last December) was, “Up to what level do we give our whole selves to mission? What or who should be our root principle? How did Fr. Angel, SJ lived out his mission for 41 years at Ipil without becoming a revolutionist?” I could ask well-grounded missiologists like Sr. Fe for these. But in my reflection, I believe Fr. Angel have the mission basics that sustained him. On the FAITH part, Fr. Angel simply knew how to PRAY. Because when one prays, he knows that he can’t do everything. Beyond his human capacities, he has to submit his will, freedom, memories, all that he has to GOD’s will and love. Padre has experienced being forgiven, so he too learned how to forgive and love enemies. And on the GROUND part, I am sure padre underwent a wholistic formation long before he became a priest that transformed him into a more compassionate servant. He was taught. FAITH. EDUCATION.
Allow me to express my vision of peace in myself. This, I believe, may help in attaining PEACE in larger contexts if only individuals allow themselves to be formed from within first. I have personal issues; dates back to the hang-ups and deprivations I experienced as a child. But thanks to the Human Formation in the seminary, the Priestly Growth Accompaniment with Ate Venus G. helped me a lot in opening my whole self naked before the process of healing. Consequently, I was brought to the awareness of my issues, then beginning to accept them and still on the patient process of taming my wild issues. Without the formation, I could not see this and continue to be superficial to my very self. Without the formation, I could not learn that ASSERTIVENESS (as with the active non-violence of Christ and Gandhi) is the best tool for peace within me, and NOT AGGRESSION. If only each individual is given the chance to practice assertiveness, then PEACE in our place would no longer be that far to reach. See how EDUCATION matters.
I once thought of DEVELOPMENT as one of the best tools for peace: fighting poverty! Yes, in fact, I am an advocate for that. But if we go deeper to its roots; it still points out fundamentally to EDUCATION first. You can’t plant rice on an unearthed stiff soil.
Fundamentalists still want to claim what they strongly believe was lost from them: the land of MINDANAO. If only they were properly educated before, they would realize that lands are shared, not owned selfishly. I love to teach and so I see how badly-needed, essential and noble teachers are! Silsilah, pious NGOs, POs, academes, sincere government leaders, Church leaders – we may not be able to straighten “bent old trees” anymore, but there’s still so much brimming hope if we SOUNDLY educate our future Muslims, Christians and Lumads of Mindanao. EDUCATION goes beyond religion. Yes, differences are always there. Bullets will soon be history. The chalk, tongue, heart and good hands were, are, and will always be the armor of PEACE. And so we pray, may the fire of our passion to educate be not extinguished.
Mama Mary, Queen of Peace, PRAY FOR US.

FOOLS FOR CHRIST, a homily

I would like you now to re-imagine the gruesome, heartless, inhumane November 23 massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao. Heads were shot. There were women; harmless yet slaughtered and buried like pigs. Then suddenly, we would just learn few weeks from now that the case is dissolved or the real murderers are found NOT guilty. Nah! What if that happens? Will you still continue advocating for truth and justice given the obvious dim situation? If yes, then expect someone will tell you “FOOL! Gahago-hagu ra ka!”
Allow me to use again these radical yet valid words which I believe are not new to us – i.e., to become a FOOL FOR CHRIST (I know these words sound harsh, and I’m really sorry if I’m going to use them again. I simply just would like to emphasize how radical and deep God’s love is).
In the first place, who initiated all these “foolishness”? Who went down from the glorious heavens just to be born like one of his vulnerable and weak creations? Who was the one who said that if someone slaps you on one cheek, you also give your other cheek? Who was the one who still chose a humiliating death rather than practically leading a revolution with the Jews? No other than JESUS! And see how this “foolishness” spread like bacteria into the lives of his first disciples: The fishermen chose to become even poorer (or poorest) by leaving their nets (their only little livelihood) and followed Jesus. And see how this “foolishness” spread even faster and wider like a Trojan virus into the lives of people living 2009 years after his birth: Let us remember the very striking heroism of an unrecognized 18-year old Muelmar Magallanes who saved over 30 people from Ondoy’s raging floods in Quezon City. Finally, he heard a scream: a mother and her baby on a Styrofoam box slowly being swept away. He was able to save the mother and the baby, but ended up not being able to save himself due to exhaustion. See his generosity! See his “foolishness”! Pobre na syang daan; he could have stopped doing such things after securing the safety of his family, but still ended up embracing death. He was not given a CNN hero award like Peñaflorida. We believe that his reward will be great in heaven. The word in our Gospel today: “This is the time of FULFILLMENT” (Fulfillment, meaning, that the salvific plan of the Father has been FULFILLED in His Son through His birth. Or Jesus as LIGHT over darkness) is Muelmar’s most valuable trophy.
We too have foolish hearts. I heard some of us said, “Kulang kaayo bakasyon bai. Nakulangan siguro sa kaon ug inom sessions.” How foolish we are! The world is still offering us amounts of pleasure to satisfy our very human longings. And here we are, MOBALIK gyud! Even though our coming back to the seminary requires us to continue making our pending or piling-up reflection papers. Si Dongkoy nga sa iyang pangidarong 31 anyos mobangon pa’g sayo, manghugas pa’g plato, mohawid pa’g silhig. And we’ll soon be facing naughty students in our catechisms and recollections; and here we are, staying humble and patient. Some of our FY5 brothers will again continue preaching about good elections in parishes despite the seemingly-dili-na-matambalan nga corruption sa nasud.
Why do the 34-year old RicBacs and the 31-year old Cliffy still want to stay in the seminary? Why do they still want to become priests for Jolo and Basilan? I think, we don’t essentially need Good Seminarian Awards or CNN Hero Awards to inspire us to stay here. I believe this is our one great fundamental reason: If we are going to re-phrase the last sentence of our 1st reading today, then this is what Jesus will surely assure us, “Bong, why is your heart sad? Am I not MORE to you than the very powerful forces of the world?
My brothers and sister, let us stay FOOLS for Christ. Let us continue our advocacies and RESCUE more people through the very example of Jesus and through the formation that we learn from the seminary. Mao unta kana atong pukot o inspirasyon sa atong pagpanagat.