Sharing Christ's light

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sunday of the Word of God)

Matthew 4:12-23

The first reading talks about the people "that walked in darkness has seen a great light".  That light is a people lit by the light of Christ, his very person, his words and action, and his saving grace.

In the gospel, after proclaiming the Kingdom, Jesus started choosing his apostles.  Aparently, the apostles share Christ's light. 

Could we now see?  The light needs to expand.  It expands to our generation.  We generate Christ's light.  We can't produce our own.  What does it take to generate Christ's light?

First, we need to be aware of our encounter with Jesus. External Catholicism is not enough.  Jesus checks on the quality of our hearts if they still listen to him and respond to his invitation.

Second, we need to check on our unity with fellow Catholics, Christians, and the rest of the world.  the world is not a competition of religion.  Rather, we become the body of Christ, though different in functions, are united in love. 

Third, we need to do what we are meant to do.  Jesus, proclaimed the Good News, cured the sick, and expelled demons.  Actually, these may be the only things we should be doing in this world.

Pray to share Christ's light using our whole lives.  There cannot be anything less.

Our Baptism in Jesus

The Baptism of the Lord, cycle A

Matthew 3:13-17

Our baptism is in itself a mystery.  We may have been baptized when we were babies; now is the time to appreciate what it really means.

Christmas season concluded with the Baptism of Jesus.  It is in this event that Jesus, from a private person, would launch his mission to proclaim the Good News of salvation. It is who he is and what he was meant to do in this world.

We have received baptism when we were babies.  We already experience how we who were dead in sin, rose again to life, now in Jesus.  We pray that we may know our mission here on earth.

The Baptism of Jesus, according to Father Steve Grunow, with Word on Fire, revealed the holy Trinity. "The Son makes himself known, the Father speaks, and the Holy Spirit descends. It is this mystery, the mystery of the Trinity, that brings the revelations or the theophanies of the holy season of Christmas to their fulfillment."  May we also know the implication of our own baptism:

To know the Father speaking to us,"This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him."  He invites us to listen to Jesus.

Second, to incarnate the Son, this time, to fulfill the roles of Jesus as priest, prophet, and king.

Third, to share the Holy Spirit and enable the new creation of God to unfold.

Admirabile Signum

Midnight Mass, Solemnity of Christmas

Luke 2:15-20

Merry Christmas!

I gave myself an opportunity to redecorate my Belen or crèche, hoping to realize the message of the Holy Father, Admirabile Signum, by encountering the Lord in the most intimate way possible.  I was hoping for a deeper encounter with the Lord this Christmas.

I just realized that it is God who opens the way for that encounter, not I. He talks to us in the simplest of all events and realities.  The account where St. Francis asked to relive the experience of the nativity at Greccio where the people reenacted it and the Eucharist celebrated by a priest are closest to that encounter.  What do we experience?  "God’s tender love," explains Pope Francis.

Let every iconography touch our hearts as we learn about Christmas:

1. The dark night and the landscapes – in contrast to the simple cave of Bethlehem. All lures, all darkness in life couldn’t conceal what lies inside it. 

2. The shepherds – we can’t be fooled by money anymore; rather, what we need is the revolution of love and sharing and tenderness.  The shepherds symbolize the simplest picture of everyday life - of the market vendor every morning fighting off the comforts of sleeping just to wake up to work, the student waking up each morning to beat the deadlines, the father who despises his work, yet loves it all for the sake of his children; the wounded coping up each morning trying to understand why he/ she became sick or wounded or ostracized.  They are the persons closest to you and me.

3. Mary – how she was overshadowed with the greatest power on earth; but the words came out of her lips, “I am the maidservant of the Lord.” Let us abandon ourselves to God’s will.

4. St. Joseph – the guardian who vowed to protect the Holy mother and Child with his life; protector and teacher to his son Jesus.

5. And last but not the least, the divine Infant – who has the power to change the world in an instant, but decides to use the most ordinary to radiate his love.

In life’s simplicity, we are called to be God’s disciples if we want to attain the ultimate meaning of
life, in loving God and neighbour just as Jesus loves us!

Who are we before the great King?

Christ the King

Luke 23:35-43

A king is a king becauase there are followers. 

We can only contemplate on Christ the king based on what has become of us as we follow him.  How did we follow the Lord the past year? 

We need to possess the qualities of a servant to appreciate Jesus as King of our lives. 

First, we need humility enough for us to understand that we belong to the earth.  But Jesus also became man not so that we may lift ourselves to his level but rather, he may dwell among us as a man.  That is humility.  In celebration of our humanity, let us remain humble to the great King so he will use us as his trustworthy servants.

Second, communion.  In the First reading, the people of Israel said to David, "You are flesh of our flesh and the blood of our blood." In the book of Genesis, Adam also uttered to Eve words like this, "You are the bone of my bone, the flesh of my flesh." This is communion.  We are united to the Lord our King and to one another in an unbreakable bond.   If God himself is communion, so too may we be communion to one another.

Third, charity.  Jesus in the Gospel said to the thief, "You shall be with me in paradise."   Jesus' mission is to save us all and to bring us to his kingdom, a kingdom of love, peace, and justice.  Let it also be our mission to carry our brothers and sisters, even those not related to us and also to our enemies, to bring them to God's kingdom. Then we shall know our true role in this world, to be loving servants of the Lord in bringing others to salvation.

God's justice is his mercy

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 18:9-14 

We have our own concepts of justice.  However, people also see it as getting even, fighting for one's rights, taking revenge, or even winning in trials even though one knows how guilty he is.  In this regard, no one escapes the justice of God.

God's justice is based on the way he equally treats all of us his children.  Why is there inquality in the world and what are we doing about it?  In God's eyes we are all created equal, for we all are created in the same image and likeness of God.

The Gospel shows man's sense of righteousness to the detriment of the outcast.  Jesus says, "Everyone who exults himself shall be humbled, but the man who humbles himself shall be exulted." This too is God's justice.  For he intends to correct any inequality and wrongdoing we do against others.

Be more concerned with God's justice upon us rather that our own against others.  The cross becomes the most powerful expression of the justice of God; it shows total mercy even to the wayward.

Perseverance

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 18:1-8

In the Philippines, we have a wise saying: "Kung may tiyaga, may nilaga", the Filipino translation of "No pain, no gain."  With perseverance we can gain anything. 

With perseverance we can gain anything.

The point is we don't have patience and perseverance.  In an age of automatic processes at the push of a button, we tend to be more impatient with systems.  Consequently, we also lose patience with people, with the Church, and most specially, with God.

The readings reflect various elements of perseverance.  In the First Reading, Moses, in his old age, had to lift his arms so Israel could win against the Amalekites.  Aaron and Hur had to help him.  Grace builds on nature; we need lots of perseverance given our limited human nature.

In the second reading, Paul reminded Timothy, "You must be faithful to what you have been taught and know to be true." Faithfulness is a sign of perseverance.  The faithful friend stands by us through thick and thin and through highs and lows of life.

Third, the cross is a sure sign of perseverance.  Imagine all the sufferings Jesus had to go through to gain our salvation.

Those who persevere in the faith attain their true goal - to be holy and perfect men and women in God.

LIfe itself is thanksgiving

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 17:11-19

The usual thing about thanksgiving is that it is expressed only after a good deed or favor has been given or done to us.  Such thanksgiving is conditional, "Only after ..."

What if we turn everything upside down?  What if we realize that even though we have not received at first instance, we knew we've already received, what would be our attitude?  Say, life.  Do we own it or it has been given to us?  Where did all the good things come from?  If we only knew, we would have thanked the Lord a long time ago.

The Lord is the giver; we are the receivers.  When did we last thank the Lord instead of forever asking him? 

This whole life is a gift.  Therefore, thank the Lord.  A thankful life will always be indebted to the One who gave and continues to give life.  When did we last give our lives as thanksgiving to God?

Finally, imagine when our lives are about to end; what comes out of our hearts - "Lord, give me more life?"  This is a prayer of desperation.  Instead, we say, "Lord, thank you for a well-spent life." That is true thanksgiving. 

On discipline

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 13:22-30

‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.

The first reading speaks about an assembly of people called by God sent to proclaim to others his glory.  What kind of people are these?  Are we worthy to join this august crowd?

The second and third readings give us a hint of the type of people who are worthy to join God's people.  They are disciplined by the Lord because of his great love for them.  Moreover, they entered into the narrow door where only a few could enter.

Discipline is the key to being incorporated into God's kingdom.  And if we say we are not obliged to serve God, give our tithes, or actively participate in an apostolate, we may be in for a big surprise.  The Lord would not let us enter into his kingdom not only because he doesn't know us despite our presence during his talks, but also we  became evildoers.

Consider discipline as our way to heaven.  It is for our own good when we submit ourselves to purification of our desires.

Secondly, discipline is for the good of the community.  We observe God's law so we would not end up committing sins against another.

Third, discipline affirms our desire to be disciples of the Lord.  When we live out God's will rather than our own, we become his disciples.  Thus, the assembly God wants is a community of disciples.  By being a disciple of the Lord, we would be able to enter through the narrow door that leads to everlasting life.

3 ways to follow Jesus

from "Daily Meditations with Fr. Alfonse"

 Friday of week 18 in Ordinary Time

If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24-28)

Both readings today call us to follow God's commands.  If we're challenging this thought, the question to ask is, "Is there another source or person who can  who can instruct us the path to life aside from God?"

If God is our Lord, there is no other recourse except to follow him.  He shows us the way through three things:

1.  Renounce ourselves

This day and age, there's no problem being responsible for one's life, future and happiness.  Yet, what kind of happiness are we actually referring to, this life or till eternal life?  Our faith in God calls us to adhere to his will considering his will leads us to eternal life.

2. Carry our crosses 

This world conditions us to a life of comfort.  Yet, we also understand that comfort cannot be attained unless we work for it.  And that involves making sacrifices or "carrying our crosses" so to speak.

3.   Lose our lives for Jesus

This by far is the hardest to follow; yet, the way of Jesus is the only way.  We might be carrying our own crosses and renouncing ourselves, but if we aren't one with Jesus nor have the passion to serve and love him, what's the point of our sacrifices?

Learn the path Jesus took to save us.  Better yet, let Jesus, his every thought, word, and action, be ours as well.  In losing our lives for Jesus could we actually gain true life!

The Lord's prayer

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 11:1-13

Abraham pleaded to the Lord to spare Sodom if there were even at least 10 God-fearing persons.  The Lord said he would spare Sodom in behalf of the 10.

In the gospel, the apostles asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.

Prayer can only be possible if there is an authentic relationship between the person praying and the Lord. Knowing who Jesus is and his role in the history of salvation, we might as well increase our devotion and love for him.

The Lord's prayer contains the summary of our deepest longing for the Lord.  There are three aspects that reveal our knowledge as well as devotion to the Lord:

First, adoration

Adoration demands utmost reverence to God the most High; it demands total adherence to his will and worship to his name.  Only God deserves our adoration.

Second, service

Asking for daily bread is a recognition that everything comes from God and as a sign of thanksgiving, we practice responsible stewardship for all created things, not let them lord over us, but we utilize them as God wants us to use them: for the service of one another.

Third, salvation

The prayer marks our salvation; that we are indeed meant for heaven.  As such, we need to practice compassion, forgiveness, justice and mercy.

All these taken together, marks who God is and who we are in his name.

How to build a strong Church

6th Sunday of Easter 

John 14:23-29

During a frustrating argument with a Roman Catholic cardinal, Napoleon Bonaparte supposedly burst out: “Your eminence, are you not aware that I have the power to destroy the Catholic Church?” The cardinal, the anecdote goes, responded ruefully: “Your majesty, we, the Catholic clergy, have done our best to destroy the church for the last 1,800 years. We have not succeeded, and neither will you.” (Anonymous)

The true strength of the Church lies in its founder - God himself, the Father who gathers us as a Church, the Son who built this Church with his own body, and the Holy Spirit that sanctifies the Church. And as we are nearing the end of the Easter Season, grant that we may enliven in us the gift of becoming a strong Church;

First, in firm rootedness in the Lord, neither doubting him nor relying on our own strength.

Second, in faithful obedience God's will and not our own.

Third, in taking the path of peace, not violence, selfishness and greed.  Jerusalem, the Holy City, is the image of heaven, a state of bliss for all Christians who are made holy by God through the daily struggles of life.  They also lived in unconditional love for God and others, offering their very own lives so that others may live.

Be strengthened therefore in the ways of faith!



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Faces of Divine Mercy

Divine Mercy Sunday (2nd Sunday of Easter)

John 20:19-31

The 2nd Sunday of Easter is declared by the St. Pope John Paul II as the Divine Mercy Sunday.  In this Sunday, we reflect how the resurrected Jesus becomes a "fountain of mercy" for us.

First, the early Christians experienced the miracles of healing even after the resurrection of Jesus.  It is the Christian community in-charge of the works of mercy for the sick.   This is the manifestation of the mercy of God, now lived by every Christian.

Second, in our full faith in Jesus, the beginning and end, alpha and omega, the living One who died and now who lives forever.  The second image of mercy is Jesus himself and only through him can we have eternal life.

Third, in the works that reflect peace.  "Peace be with you." Then Jesus breathed on them the Holy Spirit.  On Christmas night, the angels shouted "Peace to men of goodwill!" How blessed are we who serve the Lord in the name of peace which brings healing to people.

Search for the Divine Face of Jesus in our lives of mercy.

Prayer to the Divine Mercy

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. (Repeat three times) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You! 

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. 

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. 

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. 

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us, and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments, we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence, submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.

Read more at: https://www.praymorenovenas.com/how-to-pray-the-divine-mercy-chaplet

A fruitful life

3rd Sunday of Lent

Luke 13:1-9 

At this point, God is ready and is always ready to save us.  But it seems we are not ready.

The second reading and the gospel give us stern warnings against being barren in this life. 

In this Third Sunday of Lent, could God still change us for good?  Could we still be fruitful as God wants us to be?  How can we be fruitful?  Let me offer three suggestions:

1. Pray more - prayer opens our world to the Almighty.  This prayer doesn't simply call us to recite as set of prayers; nor are they intended for God to listen to our prayers.  The very objective of prayer is openness to a loving relationship with God.  It entails humility on our part to heed God's voice.  Prayer demands a lot of humility, listening, and simply staying in the presence of the Lord.  We need to pray more.

2. Know more - we need to know more about Jesus.  Actually, what our stand is about issues do not count at all if we know that it is Jesus who is our way, truth and life.  God's Word and the Church open us to a world of possibilities with Jesus on how to enter his loving heart.  Only then can we know what lies in our hearts as well.

3.  Change more - We need a huge dosage of life-changing experiences.  The point is whatever we experience in life calls us to a change of heart and mind according to the very heart and mind of Jesus.  A life transformed according to the very heart of Jesus accounts for a fruitful life.  Every moment of fruitfulness is Jesus' fruitfulness in our lives.

The illogicality of God

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 6:27-38

This Sunday's gospel doesn't need too much explanations.  It is what it says, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly."

There's no logic to this.  Only the logical person would say, "An eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth."  But Jesus would command us, "Love your enemies." Why is this the logic of God?

For one, when we retaliate against our enemies, how do we differ from them?  "'Vengeance is mine,' says the Lord" (Deut. 32: 35).   But it is the Lord who speaks, not us.  We are not gods.  Besides, Jesus reminds us of the golden rule, "Do no do unto others what we don't want others to do to us." Remember, the wounds we inflict upon our enemies come back to us with vengeance.

"Love one another" is Jesus' command to us; and that means everyone, saints and sinners, friends and enemies alike.  "For he (the Most High) himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked."  

Furthermore, learn to see the face of God even in the enemy, for Jesus reminds us, "Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do it to me" (Mat. 25, 40). 

Lastly, if ever we feel not forgiving our enemies, look at the man on the cross who suffered even for his enemies.  He said, "Father, forgive them; for they don't know what they do" (Lk. 23, 34).  Jesus forgave his enemies a long time ago.  Who knows?  Our enemies might be the first ones to go to heaven ahead of us.

So, let us be concerned with the salvation of our enemies rather than with their doom.  The logic of God is love; and it is all that matters.

There is only one Word

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 1:1-4,4:14-21

In the first chapter of St. John, it says: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1, 1)

Could there be two words, God's word and man's word?  Since it says, "the Word was God", let us cease distinguishing how man speaks and how God speaks.  Rather, let us make efforts that whatever comes our our mouths are God's Word.

The Word of God frees us. "The truth will set us free." Lies enslave us.  From the gospel, "The Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring the Good News to the Poor", God's Word frees us from the shackles of sin and helps us to live in freedom.  That is our Good News in Jesus.

The Word of God unites us.  Love is the binding force of the Word of God.  It unites us with Jesus and with his body. The Church, saturated in God's Word, is the body of Christ.  Let our every action meant to unite our brothers and sisters in the bond of love, the love of the Trinity.

The Word of God is incarnated in acts of compassion.  In the first Reading, Ezra commanded the people to have a feast, but give a portion to the man who has nothing prepared ready." That is compassion.  Like Jesus, the Word-made-flesh, let's incarnate in us the compassion of Christ.  Then we would know how the Word enlivens us!

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Truly Blessed

Luke 2:16-21

I would like to see "blessings" in the first reading to reflect Mary as "Mother of God".   This also gives inspiration to us to face the New Year with joy and hope.

Let's be inspired by the word "blessings"as we face the New Year.  Mary too is "blessed among women" for being the Mother of God.   Let's reflect on the benediction prayer in the first reading as inspiration to enter the New Year as also to venerate Mary, mother of God.

The first in the Book of Numbers is the sentence "May the Lord bless you and keep you." Blessings have various meanings.  It may mean "barak" meaning "to kneel" before God in total adoration to Him who provides for all our needs.  Mary's "Magnificat"reflects her total dedication to God as her spirit rejoices in God her Saviour.

The second phrase is "May he let his face shine upon you."  Mary is totally immersed in the mystery before her, the loving Son who whether sleeping or awake, looks back at her with tender, loving eyes.  A second meaning of blessing is "esher" or "happiness".  One cannot fathom the feeling of the beatific vision.  But this cannot be possible if we don't make efforts to strengthen our faith in God enough to see his divine face shining upon us to guide us each moment of our lives.

The third phrase is "May he lift his countenance upon you and give you peace." Usually, when God lifts is face, he passes judgement of life or death.  But with this assuring presence, he brings peace.  Peace is a process of becoming, a state of total health and well-being.  Peace can only be attained if we work for social justice and social change.   Working for justice is an integral component in the preaching of the Good News.  The third aspect of blessing is "eulogeo" or a kindness.  Mary lived a life of kindness, service, and compassion, and today, she never fails to pray for us still.

Facing the New Year filled with blessings is our elusive dream.  Only a year dedicated to God is a blessed year.

The language of God

Christmas midnight mass

Luke 2:1-14 

The Parable of the "Language of God" by Rev. Joseph Healy goes this way:

Once upon a time there was a man in the Serengeti District of western Tanzania called Marwa. In the sixth grade he studied the Christian religion. At Baptism he chose the name Emmanuel which means "God is with us." After finishing high school Emmanuel read magazines and books about God. He believed that God is truly present among us, but he asked: "What language does God speak?"

Emmanuel posed his special question to different church leaders in his village. The old catechist answered. "I think that God speaks Latin." The chairperson of the parish council guessed, "God speaks our local language Ngoreme." But the searching youth Emmanuel had doubts. "When I get the right answer," he said to himself, "I’ll know immediately and feel great joy." So the young African set off on a journey. In the neighboring parish he asked again: "What language does God speak?" One Christian suggested Kuria, another local language.

Again Emmanuel had doubts. He began to travel across the whole of Tanzania visiting small towns and big cities. In one place the Christians were certain that God spoke Swahili. People in western Tanzania said Sukuma while residents in the northeast said Chagga. Emmanuel was not satisfied with these answers. Remembering the African saying -- "traveling is learning" -- he journeyed outside Tanzania. The Kenyans said Kikuyu and the people of Uganda answered, "God speaks Ganda." In West Africa he got different replies: Lingala in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Hausa in Nigeria and Arabic in Morocco.

He decided to travel the whole world if necessary. Passing through Europe he was told "French, German and Italian." The Christians of North America said "English" while South Americans replied, "Spanish." In his heart the young Tanzanian knew that these answers were inadequate. Determined to find the real truth he went to China where the local people insisted that God speaks Mandarin or Cantonese. Emmanuel was tired from his long travels but he resolutely pushed on. In India he was told Hindi. He reached Israel late in December. The local inhabitants said, "Surely God speaks Hebrew."

Exhausted by his long travels and the unsatisfactory answers, Emmanuel entered the town of Bethlehem. The local hotels were filled. He looked everywhere for a place to stay. Nothing was available. In the early morning hours he came to a cave where cows and sheep were sheltered. He was surprised to see a young woman with her newborn baby.

This young mother said to the traveling youth, "Welcome, Emmanuel, you are very welcome." Astonished to hear his name, the young African listened in awe as the woman called Mary continued: "For a very long time you have traveled around the world to find out what language God speaks. Your long journey is over. God speaks the language of love. God loved the world so much that he gave his only son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."

Overjoyed to hear these words of Mary the young Tanzanian understood Gods language of love for all people, for all races, for all nations. Emmanuel exclaimed, "Truly, today God is with us.""

This parable reminds of how powerful this language is more than all other languages.   It is not like the language we've used in as we communicate to others everyday.  How do we use the language of love in the sinful areas of our lives? I shall use the images coming from the gospel.

First, no room at the inn.  "Sorry, there's no more room left." The first act of violence done to our Lord is closing the doors for him to work in us.  But how did the Holy Family tackle this?  Not through hatred, but through a quiet understanding and acceptance of man's wounded humanity.  This is a language of love.

Second, Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes and placed him in a manger.  These are signs of abject poverty.  While we wallow in material things, our dedication to help our brothers and sisters remains wanting.  We keep them wearing swaddling clothes.  How did Jesus tackle this?  Jesus identified himself with them so we may remember Jesus in our suffering brothers and sisters.  This is love.

Third, the night. The night represents the darkness of sin and hopelessness. How did heaven tackle this?  Angels lit up the night sky and sang "Glory to God in the highest".  The night cannot dispel the light.  That light is the hope in our hearts that no matter how violent, how poor, and how rejecting situations are, nothing can stand in the way of the Lord to help and save us.  We should light up our lives for others.  Then our Christmas would be complete!

"Small"

4th Sunday of Advent 

Luke 1:39-45

The readings are in exultation of what is small. I'm immediately reminded of the spirituality of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, "The Little Way".  It calls for the sanctification of life using the ordinary and everyday things.

We don't need to look for the greatest acts that will lead us to heaven.  Heaven is right here in the midst if we care to see the profound.  Surely God is in the most ordinary things.

The first ordinary being is us.  No matter what exultation we do to ourselves, we cannot deny our littleness before the whole world, before others, and most especially, before God.  But nevertheless, we are loved by the Lord with such profundity.  In Psalm 8, it says, "What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?" We must be so loved by the Lord more than we love ourselves.

The second ordinary being is the Blessed Virgin Mary.  In the Magnificat, she sang, "for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.  From now on all generations shall call me blessed."  Even now, she never fails to lead us to God the moment we think of her.

And last but certainly not the least, our Lord Jesus, our birthday celebrant, the tiny child who was born of poor parents in a lowly stable and be visited by the poor shepherds.  We can only look at the Blessed Image with such devotion and constantly remind ourselves that it is not in being proud that we are saved, but by the humility of Jesus.

May these inspire us to take the humblest path to sanctification.

Totally different from earthly rulers

Christ the King 

John 18:33-37

The Son is coming as a king, "On him was conferred sovereignty, glory and kingship."

The second Reading tells more of this King, "It is he who is coming on the clouds; everyone will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the races of the earth will mourn over him. This is the truth. Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’ says the Lord God, who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

In the gospel, Jesus admits he's a king.  But his kingship is far from that of earthly kings.  Our task is to demythify the concept of kingship.

1. The language of earthly kings is that of power, money, and influence.  Jesus' language is that of service, poverty, and humility.  Let us aim to serve rather than be served as Jesus did.

2. Jesus gives witness to truth.  His kingship is marked by truth.  In our times today, there's an increasing incidence of trolls utilizing fake news to advance propaganda of political leaders.  This is far from the truth.  But the truth sets us free.  And the only truth is that Jesus is king and we are his servants.

3.  Jesus is the Alpha and Omega.  His kingship belongs to the first beginning and the last end.  Earthly rulers are temporal.  Rely solely of God.  Secondly, our lives are also temporal.  But we shall be held accountable after our lives here on earth.  Strive to dedicate each moment serving the Lord.  The consequence is eternal.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mark 13:24-32

Before we approach the Solemnity of Christ the King next week, let's allow ourselves some time to reflect on the immediacy of the Kingdom of God.  The culprit ultimately is delaying this thought.  But as early as in Daniel's time, the end is foreshadowed:  "Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth many will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace."

In today's gospel, Jesus is the key to the end of time: "And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory."  There's also judgment, salvation, and new world to come. 

Let's then reflect on the immediacy of the Kingdom of God; it's here and now, not tomorrow and not during our old age. 

First, the Kingdom of God changes our outlook on life itself.  Inasmuch as we're thinking of so many things, all of these things will end.  If they will end, why continue investing in them?  Let's start thinking of the more important things like God's reign in the family.

Second, God's reign is found in Jesus alone.  Life is not simply doing good and avoiding evil.  It's not even in praying and rituals.  It's simply about letting Jesus rule over us.  Do we take time and attention to knowing, loving, and living out Jesus?

The Church is guided by Jesus' command to "Love one another as I have loved you."  Isn't that heaven today?

Third, God's reign on earth is found in the Church.  We don't wait till the end of our lives to realize the Kingdom of God.  God's kingship connects heaven and earth.  His presence on earth is found in the Church that faithful proclaims his Good News.  The Church is guided by Jesus' command to "Love one another as I have loved you."  Isn't that heaven today?  If we focus on exclusivity instead of communion, heaven will be far away.  But if we focus on loving and serving now, heaven will be right here in our midst. This lifestyle reflects
God's reign.