"To be participants in His Mission" Mark 6:7-13

"Who will take their place?" "who will be his successor" "How can we replace him" This is a question that’s frequently asked when someone resigns from a management position or gets transferred. 

This shows the genuine interest of the leaders to show their passion for one's mission. Jesus in the gospel and David in the first reading, delegate their authority to their followers. It is written, “Jesus chose and appointed them to be with him and to be sent out” (cf. Mk 3:14). Jesus, who called his apostles to be with him, sends them out two-by-two on the mission.

Three things are worth noting in the narrative, and they are the challenges to us:

(a) ‘He gave them authority’: Jesus was convinced from the beginning that the apostles or disciples were not mere followers; they were participants in the mission. By giving a share of his authority, Jesus not only empowers the apostles but also equates them to himself. He trusts that they will carry the mission forward. Here the importance is not given to persons (Christ and disciples), but the mission itself, there Jesus identifies himself. And, like Jesus, they must subdue evil, its power, and its actions. Every baptized individual is a partner in the mission, having the authority of Jesus. Are we aware of this privilege? And are we in control of evil in our life situations?

In the first reading, David installs Solomon as his successor to the throne. David embraces life, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth.” David not only accepts the realities of life but also surrenders to them. David makes Solomon a participant in the mission as the king of Israel.

(b) Minimalist living

Jesus teaches his disciples to live not only a minimalist lifestyle but also an essentialist way of life, i.e., to declutter our cupboards, bags, and minds. When it was thought that one who has more is more, Jesus proposed an alternative worldview: ‘I am what I am, not what I have.’ He wants his disciples to imitate him in poverty (cf. Mt 8:20). He makes them realise that “life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (cf. Lk 12:15). Minimalist living is proposed today as a lifestyle. Social media and internet decluttering are the needs of the hour.

(c) Honour from within

Jesus instructs his apostles that the greatest honour that comes to us is that which comes from within us. The criticisms, rejections, and misunderstandings that we face from without must not be taken into heart. How do we handle the negative criticism without?

# In our journey towards the synodal church, we must realise that we are participants in a mission. The Synthesis Report, in fact, underlines this. We are not mere spectators of the church’s celebrations, nor are we mere followers of our church leaders. When we encourage participation, we will tap human resources better and make our Church richer. (Ju

Healing needs suffering

 Mk 5:1-20

For, honestly, no discussion of human life would be complete without addressing suffering. Suffering within our souls, but also suffering in our bodies and within the natural world. David in the first reading, the man who had evil spirits suffered in fullness. 

There are three types of suffering; physical, mental and social suffering. The man in today's gospel experienced all of them. Jesus heals a demon(s)-possessed – about 6000 spirits, 1 Legion. He had bruises in his body, He spent sleepless nights stress, depression, and distance from his friends and relatives. When he was healed, they worried for the 2 thousand pigs rather than his healing (because Gerasenes is the gentile nation). David went up the Mount of Olives, he wept without ceasing. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. He also experienced this humiliation as Shimei, a kinsman of Saul, abuses David in the presence of his servants. he received the cursings, and the experience of suffering in fullness will give wisdom to them. 

with what attitude do you undergo suffering? Some people want others to see how they suffer. But David is not reactive. Nor does he attempt to take revenge on Shimei. David sees in his faith vision that everything comes from God, and God will repay evil with his good.

For me, the most beautiful thing in the gospel, the man who was healed wants to stay with Jesus as Jesus discourages him from following him. It is very strange! When someone, on his own, chooses to follow Jesus, he discourages him. Here, Jesus teaches the man a new type of discipleship. One type of discipleship is to follow Jesus; another type is to go home to tell our friends what God has done to us and how he has shown mercy to us. 

David is going home, not as the same person he was at the last time. go home, Italian proverb goes like this; L’unica regola del viaggio è: non tornare come sei partito. Torna diverso. the only rule of travel is do not return home the same, return differently. David returns home differently, you will see a new king. 

The Baptism of the Lord

Isaiah 55:1-11. Mark 1:7-11

Today we celebrate the baptism of our Lord. In liturgy, this day brings Christmastide to an end. On Christmas day, Jesus reveals himself to the Jews (the shepherds); on Epiphany day, he reveals himself to the Gentiles (the wise men from the East); and on the day of his baptism, he reveals himself to the entire humanity. The baptism of the Lord was also called as 'Theophany (‘God’s Revelation’). For it is here, for the first time, that we have the revelation of God the Trinity (Father as a voice from heaven, Son in human person, and Holy Spirit in the form of a dove).

(a) The River Jordan

Have you ever come across the river Jordan in the OT? Yes. In Joshua 3, Joshua is bringing the people of Israel to the promised land by crossing the river Jordan. The journey of liberation that began under the leadership of Moses concludes in the Jordan where Joshua led the people to the Promised Land. Thus, the river Jordan marks a new beginning in the lives of the people of Israel. Joshua (Jesus) of the New Testament, the originator of the New Israel, gets into the Jordan.

(b) Identity with humanity:

The baptism of John was for the forgiveness of sins and for conversion. Jesus’ going to the Jordan tells us his total identity with humanity. By being baptized, He exercised His full humanity. his mission is started as a man incarnated in our form, full identity with our humanity. until now he was with God, in divine form, but now he takes a different form, fully man. entering into the river Jordan, he starts from zero. 

(c) Baptism with the Holy Spirit

John the Baptist says that the one who comes after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit. At his baptism, the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus. From now on, the Holy Spirit leads him – to the desert to be tempted, and later to the ministry. The Risen Lord breathes on his disciples and gives them the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn 20:22). After his ascension, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is poured on the apostles.

What is the lesson for us today?

Together with Jesus, we must enter the river Jordan. This becomes the starting point of our lives. Our baptism cleansed us from our sin; we are confirmed in faith through the Holy Spirit at confirmation. Let us be led by the Spirit. The Spirit makes us overcome our human frailty.

In the first reading, the Lord tells the people of Israel, “Come to the waters… why do you labor for that which does not satisfy?” Let our hearts be fixed on that which satisfies our inner spirit. In the faithfulness of God rests our faith.

PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON

 Exod 32:7-11.13-14; Luke 15:1-32

1. Father:

Today’s gospel story is a famous story called “prodigal son”, but in actual situations it has to be called prodigal father because the whole story is centered on the incredible love of the father for his son.

This Father lost everything for his son; not only property but also his name and fame. Younger son is asking for his portion… According to the prescriptions of Torah, the son can request their property only at the death of the father. The son is asking as if putting his life at risk. Today most of the parents want to have their own will, written down carefully while they are still strong and alive so as to avoid many legal problems when they pass away. They want their children’s future to be secured. Asking his property as in this case, was a big offense to the father’s own existence. Nevertheless, he shows his paternity in 3 ways;

The Father loves younger son in freedom. He respected his freedom and agrees to divide the property. Although the father knew ahead the danger that was going to happen, he knew well about his future lavishing,  he let him go. This gives us an insight about God’s love: for love to be true, it must be freely given; it cannot be forced. True love cannot put many conditions and it respects freedom. People who are possessive, controlling cannot offer true love. As children grow older, the parents must give greater freedom, including the freedom to make mistakes.

God asks from Moses the characteristic behaviour of the Father “Go down to your people whom you brought from the land of Egypt”. Go down from your position, state and identity. In all the parables of the gospel, it is revealed through careful and diligent search; for the only one sheep, the shepherd has to leave the sheepfold, the woman bends down and searches for the only one coin. In this case, the father does not go and search; but his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He went down from the palace, ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. We need to take steps in order to go down and meet him. A parent thinks about the children all the time, and works hard to save money for them. But no! That's not enough. We should be able to understand their situation, and put ourselves into their shoes.

An unknown author said, the younger son would go out of the house because there was no mother in the story. Still, there is a presence of maternity inside the figure of the father. “While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. The original language for having compassion, comes from the love of the womb. This maternal characteristic of Yahweh is quoted very often in the book of the Prophet Isaiah. The center of the whole parable is the maternal love of a father for his sinful son.

There is a beautiful legend in which someone has pictured the “Last Day” in Heaven. It’s the last day that the gate of heaven is open. Everyone is celebrating, dancing, and singing, grateful that they have made it to God’s eternal home. Everyone except Jesus. He is standing very quietly in the shadows near the gate. Someone asks Him what He is doing, amidst all the celebration. He replies, “I am still waiting here for Judas.” Meaning, the Lord is still giving Judas Iscariot a last chance to turn himself in. The story symbolizes the infinite quality of God’s forgiving love. But it’s up to Judas to use his free will to accept or reject Jesus’ offer.

2.   Younger Son:

What are the accusations on the younger son? He spent all the money lavishly, drunkard, selfish, womanizer, lazy, but only one is true; he did not realize the love of the Father. That is absolutely equal to a sin. He faced three kinds of humiliations;

He works under the gentile; he hired himself out to one of the local citizens. A Jew can have 10 gentiles as slaves. But a Jew should not work under a gentile. Hunger and thirst are not humiliation for a Jew. Lowering oneself under a gentile is a big humiliation.

He was asked to take care of the pigs; which is one of the degrading jobs. The occupation was forbidden for the Jews, because pigs were considered unclean animals.

He eagers to eat the pods given to swines, but nobody would give him any. For the Jews who are forbidden to eat pork, to feed swine and eat the “husks the pigs ate,” means they have reached the lowest level of their social status. Jews give great importance to the rituals before eating and they can consume only kosher food, so this was unthinkable for an orthodox Jew.

After these three humiliations, there comes the realization of his own state and state in front of God. Then the young man came to his senses. The moment the son realizes the sins against our neighbor, he recognizes his state before God, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.” Suffering is a way for the realization of God. Ramana Maharishi, “Suffering is a mother of God’s realization”. 

3.   The elder Son:

For me, this parable could also be called the “unforgiving brother.” This elder brother was supposed to be the good guy in the story. He did not protest; he did not make father suffer. When the father divides the property, two thirds of the property go to the elder son. But he didn't receive it. It seemed he was not interested in the money.

The elder son is the symbol of Jews themselves. They believed that they were pious and clean; and faithful to the law, so they were the ones who had the right to inherit all the properties of the Father. They cannot accept the fact that this younger “prodigal brother” will be accepted back again to the community as part of the children of God. They cannot reconcile with the fact that the father accepts the younger son who in their eyes has become a gentile.

 At the end of the parable, the father became upset with the elder son who was angry at receiving the younger son. For God, the sin is not the heaviest thing to be considered. But disunity is much more than sin. He cannot accept that. Going to a foreign country is not a problem for the father, but being in the same house, and still staying outside is a discredit to the father. House is a symbol of heaven. The elder stayed outside, not because he was not accepting to enter but because he refused to enter. He thinks he was the only one who was good, and therefore he was the only one who deserved to be in his father’s house. The gate of the father’s house is always open to those who want to come back and humbly say sorry. Nothing has to be deserved, but is graciously given. 

We need to return to the father’s house: We are all sinners. Whether your sins are more visible like those of the younger son or more hidden like those of the elder son, the message for us today is that we all need to repent and return to the father’s house. The younger son needs to turn back from his frivolous lifestyle and return to the father’s house and be a responsible and obedient son. The elder son needs to turn back from anger and resentment and learn to share the house with the apparently undeserving younger brother.

After teaching her Sunday school kids about the Parable of the Prodigal Son, a religion  teacher asked them: “Now tell me: Who suffered the most in the story?” A child raised her hand and answered, “the fatted cow.” Absolutely! Next to the fatted calf comes the elder son who remained outside while the party went on inside. He did not even taste the fatted calf that he had helped to raise. All because he stuck to his own ideas of fairness and justice and failed to see that the father’s ways are not our ways. They cannot accept the fact that the father would even offer the “fatted calf” (the Messiah) to celebrate sinners’ return to the Father.

For those who do not leave or who think they are always at the father’s side, please be careful of self-righteousness and/or spiritual pride. Let us never lose sight of or belittle the power of grace in our lives. Sinners or saints, we all must anchor our lives on God’s grace, mercy, and love. 

THE GOOD SAMARITAN (LUKE 10:25-37)

 The Congregation of Mercedarian Sisters of Charity (1878-2023)

Readings: Exodus 3:7-12; Luke 10: 25-37

1. THE VOCATION TO MERCEDARIAN LIFE IS YOUR SPECIFIC IDENTITY OF THE CHARISM

a) Value of your Identity: Vocation to Mercedarian life is your specific identity. The root of the Congregation tree is the charismatic identity. There is the beauty of your identity in your charism for which God has been faithful through His presence. 

b) Vocation precedes mission: Before God sent Moses on Mission, God called Moses through a remarkable event. God appeared to Moses in the flame of fire at the burning bush. And there he reveals his identity. The vocation precedes and the mission succeeds. God says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you” (Jer 1:5). This experience is a must for all the members of this religious family. Moses was nobody before God chose him, but he became a leader and prophet because of God. God is your project, he is your dream, and he is everything to you. Do not start any work without his intervention. “All that we do is for the good of humanity, of God, by God, and for God.” (Blessed Father Zegrí).

c) The burning bush refers to Holy Spirit’s action, who always worked for 145 years and still works for the living charism. Charism is not obsolete, or antique, but transforming and changing. 

2. THE MERCIFUL GAZE OF THE SAMARITAN

a) Merciful gaze from the Father: God says to Moses in the first readings, “I have observed, I have heard, I know their sufferings. I came down to liberate them from their slavery”. It is not your task/job/ministry. You are participating in the work of God’s redemption. Your charism is a redemptive charity service in order to the full liberation of the human being. We need to look at our poor in the way how Jesus looked at Matthew (Mt 9:9), Zacchaeus (Lk 19:2) & the paralytic man (Jn 5) 

b) No to the culture of Indifference: Priests and Levite passed by on the other side because they had proper roles and functions to exercise in society. “Touching a dead body rendered priests and Levites ceremonially unclean and so unable to fulfill temple commitments (Lev. 21-22). Sometimes, we need to take risks showing our love to the poor which may demand our time, energy and space. It may take away your time. 

c) Look at the poor creatively: Do not condemn, judge and underestimate. Read the different methods to evangelize them through our charity. Look at them as they have body, mind and soul. Our charity includes integral development. 

3. FIDELITY IN THIS RELIGIOUS FAMILY UNTIL THE END 

Fidelity: Faithfulness of your charism and mission in the church. “Then the Samaritan put the wounded man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend”. Charity should be done in its fullness. Do not give yourselves half, but give your full commitment on the day of the 140th anniversary. Face the daily challenges – Think of the presence of Providential God –‘Faithfulness’ is our response to God's fidelity.

PARABLE OF TEN VIRGINS

For religious rite of consecration, Nov 8, 2020 | Charitas Sisters 

1. Jesus and the image of the bridegroom: 

In the Gospel, Jesus is usually coming like a thief, but he is coming in the image of the bridegroom, one of the most beautiful images of the Bible. There are many images used in the Scripture to explain the relationship between God and people. God presents himself as a husband. God is the bridegroom and the people of Israel is the bride. “Thus, says the LORD, I am your husband, you are my love as a bride, remember! how you followed me in the wilderness”. (Jer 2) 

The first attitude that I suggest you in these days is to look inside your heart, and to discover what really you desire. Who is God for you? Who is Jesus for you? Don't be satisfied with listening to what others can tell you. Try to make to emerge what is your more personal desire. You will discover that Jesus is the only person able to satisfy your greater desires (real bridegroom): to the most important things of the life of a person.  

2. Prepare your oil; Symbol of consecration: 

In the Bible, consecrated oil is used always for the ordination of the priests. “You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him”. (Ex 29:7) “And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him”. (Lev. 8:12) 

In your life, Consider vocation as a gift. Nobody can replace your vocation. Aspirancy house is the vocational reception Houses in the residential form an ambit all the more specifically adapted for accompanying of vocations, preliminary stage to postulancy. Remember, you cannot borrow the oil, Why the wise virgins were not charitable enough to share the oil? Because Nobody can replace your vocation. 

3. You are knocking on the doors of religious life: 

The two disciples make a question to Jesus, “Where do you dwell?” Jesus responds “Come and see!” You are here to do in this year! peep into the doors of Charitas sisters" Then you knock the doors.  Here is the second proposal that I make to you: “What do you see around you and on you?” If Jesus was physically present here, among us, and wanted to help us to understand” What would tell you Jesus?” 

He would perhaps begin this way: “You see, the society in this year has made so many changes (Covid). You are young, and you have received a Christian education, but you will have to put into practice your faith in different way of that your parents or your predecessors have lived and I will be near to you giving my strength to your desire to transform and respond to today’s world of miseries. Pray that Jesus could lend you his own eyes so that you could be able to observe today’s society and answer this question: “Which are the most urgent necessities so that our society could live the evangelical values preached by Jesus?  This way you will find your personal vocation, that will, at same time your answer to Jesus and to humanity.  

Fortunately, you don't begin today your mission from zero. You don’t are alone, this community can help to live with enthusiasm your desire to follow Jesus and to serve the society.  

Have a Good journey! 

ALL SOULS DAY

 The Church is perceived in three stages: the pilgrim Church here on earth, the suffering Church in the purgatory; and the glorified Church in heaven. This is the feast of the glorified Church.

1. How does the Bible understand death? The Holy Bible uses the following metaphors to bring forth the meaning of death: (f) ‘Sleep’ (cf. Jn 11:11-14. Mk 5:39). Describing Lazarus’s death, Jesus says, ‘Lazarus is sleeping.’ Death is understood as a long, deep sleep.

What do we do on All Souls Day?

Saint Augustine, in his Confessions, recording about his mother’s (Saint Monica’s) death, writes: “We thought that my mother would have desired to be buried near her husband. But she told us, ‘You bury me wherever you want to! My Lord is able to resurrect me from anywhere. But forget me not at the altar.’”

Monica’s words tell us three things: (a) At our death, our body does not matter to us anymore. The body dies, but the soul lives. (b) We must remember and pray for the dead; and (c) We will rise one day. The Lord will resurrect our body and soul.

The Sacred Tradition of the Church invites us to remember and pray for the dead. In the first reading, the author of Wisdom of Solomon says, “The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God.” The souls that are in our hands when we are alive will go to God when we die. They go to the safest place. Jesus says in the gospel reading, “All will come to me.” All will go to Jesus on the Last Day and all will obtain eternal life. The second reading invites us to be united with Jesus in his death so that we may be united with him in life eternal.

3. The memorial gives us three life lessons:

(a) Memento mori! Carpe diem!

Life is short. Life that is lived with our last step in mind is lived well. As the candle melts, our lives melt, and as the smoke of the incense disappears, we too disappear. But as long as we are alive, we give light, and we give fragrance. These brothers and sisters, whom we recall today, gave light, life, and sweetness to our lives. Remember death (memento mori)! and seize the day, every day (carpe diem)!

(b) Life before death!

Often times, we are preoccupied with life after death. But it is our life before death that defines our life after. Let us fix our minds and hearts here on earth and live our lives well, with gratitude and care.

(c) We are not alone – at death!

Death frightens us because we have to face it alone. But we are not alone in death. As we remember our near and dear ones, we will be remembered and prayed for. Death is a thin fence between our loved ones and us.

‘All will come to me!’ These are the words of Jesus and of the tomb! But we are not afraid. For there is life beyond the tomb. The empty tomb of Jesus is the answer to the tombs that we visit today. At this tomb, we will see the one who sees us (cf. Gen 16).

“Grant them eternal rest, O Lord! May the perpetual light shine upon them!

May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.”

BURIAL MASS

 When someone in your family dies and leaves you alone, you feel very sad. Rather we should be happy when we bury or cremate and join them with our ancestors. Because they are not somewhere in a state of emptiness or darkness. But they are in another life together with your holy men and women who were ancestors and praying and interceding for you so that you may also reach that place one day. 

The idea of a decent burial was important in most ancient cultures, especially the Jewish culture. This idea came strongly after their worst experience during the exile in Egypt and Babylonia. It is because many of their ancestors were left unburied and vulnerable to animals and birds of prey, and the Israelites considered it shameful. It was the time  the people of Israel started to have burial practices. Some of their usual customs are here... 

1. Quick burial: Burials were usually completed quickly after death, even in the same hours of the deceased’s passing because of hygiene purposes. The cremation was believed to be a pagan practice, the Jews did not cremate their dead. There was also a superstition that the soul could feel what was done to the body. So, Mosaic law dictated that Jews bury their dead, not burn the dead bodies, as such burning was reserved for punishment or judgment. 

2. Preparing the Body: After death, the body was laid out, either on the ground or over sand and salt. The eyes and mouth were securely closed and the body was washed. The hair and nails were trimmed, and then the deceased was anointed with oils and ointment. Finally, the body was dressed. Sometimes the body was wrapped in linen with spices enclosed. 

3. Archaeological discoveries say that human remains like bones were discovered beneath the floors of mud-brick houses. People were buried inside their homes. Ancestral tomb: It was especially desirable to be buried in one’s native land and, if possible, with one’s ancestors. 

Ancestral tomb: In Biblical times, they used to have ancestral tombs that were kept only for a particular family or clan. For example, at the time of his wife’s death, Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah at Hebron to be her burial site. When Abraham died, he was buried in the same tomb. Later, Isaac, Abraham’s son, was also buried there, and Jacob, Isaac’s son, was laid to rest there. 

The idea of burying together as a family tells the value of unity and prayer of ancestors. "Where two or three gathered in my name there I am". Jesus prayed in John 17:21, "They may all be one as I and Father are one". It was not easy for Jesus to make them one, because of their different personalities and intentions of vocation. But Jesus went to the extent of giving His life to make us one. The real devil is in the form of a division maker. Sometimes the patron of the house gives his life to make them one.

Our Lady of Assumption

 First Reading: John, the Evangelist, is writing about the seven signs (he gets visions on Badmu island) which will happen at the end of the world. Today’s first reading is only the first sign. John had a vision of the following picture; that is a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown with twelve stars. You would think it refers to the mother Mary, but actually, it refers to Israel according to the scripture references (even though John knew well about Mary). 

Do you remember Joseph’s dream in Genesis chapter 37? "Joseph had a dream in which the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to him.” This dream is a metaphor in which Jacob was the Sun, Racheal was the moon, 12 children/tribes are the 12 stars and all are bowing to him who is representing Israel, Sion or Jerusalem. All the other stars and the sun and the moon gathered around him and bowed down. This was a prophecy of what was to happen when they would come to Egypt and find him in power. So the other stars were his brothers, and the sun and the moon were his father and mother, through him the salvation was going to come home, as later through Mary. 

Mother Mary has not come to the world by accident, she is not a creature that just decided to be born in history in the time of Jesus Christ. She governs history and she is present throughout the world. Every aspect of priestly/religious formation can be referred to as Mary as the human being who is better than anyone who has corresponded to the vocation of God. She has become the servant and disciple of the Word until conceiving in her heart and in her flesh, the Word made Man in order to give him to humanity. With her example and through her intercession, the Blessed Virgin continues watching over the development of vocations and the priestly life of the Church. To her, the Mother of the Eternal High Priest, we want to entrust our priestly vocation, with which we are given the unmerited gift of being Alter Christus.

Second Reading: Corinth was a rich area full of merchants. Paul stayed there for more or less 18 months and preached. Paul wrote the letter regarding the major issues and problems in that church especially that of the resurrection. Why? The OT did not have a good understanding of the resurrection. According to Judaism, the dead people live either in hell or in Sheol. The concept of resurrection is different after Jesus and the proclamation of the NT. The Corinth people knew the philosophy of Plato very well. According to Plato, the body is mortal and the soul is immortal. Only by destroying this body can we receive life. I want this world and my body for my life and activity on this earth. Only with the help of this body and world can I reach salvation. Mary is an example for all of us. Assumption Day commemorates the belief that when Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, died, her body was "assumed" into Heaven to be reunited with her soul, instead of going through the natural process of physical decay upon death. Our constitution is asking for healthy and robust people for the mission of the Church. This formation is the foundation of all the priestly religious formation. The human formation, being the foundation of all priestly formation, promotes the integral growth of the person and allows the integration of all its dimensions. 

God’s salvation plan includes Mary’s special role as the mother of the Church. Mary attends to the growth of His mystical body (the Church), just as she attended to the growth of Jesus' physical body.

St. Joseph, the Worker's day

 President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos is leading the celebration of the 121st Labor Day and launched major job fair activities to provide local and overseas job opportunities to Filipino workers.

People are going to protest for wage increases, decent work, and rights to freely unionize as they take to the streets of the capital Manila on May 1. They will gather more than 10,000 workers and march from near the presidential palace in Manila on Labor Day. 

Every year the unemployment rate is increasing… 

1. Work is a vocation of Man: Man is called to work from the beginning. Work is one of the characteristics that distinguish man from the rest of creatures,

Genesis 2:15 – “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” After the human beings committed sin, God cursed them, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground”

Through WORK man must earn his daily bread by his work.  

And work means any activity by man, whether manual or intellectual, whatever its nature or circumstances; 

Work is a vocation, a part of the plan of God. When we work, we are collaborating/participate in the creator’s work. Work as a sharing in the creating activity of God. (தொநூ 1:27, 2:5, 2:15, எபே 2:10) God is creating out of nothing. We create out of something. 

Work involves the whole person; When we work, our body, mind/heart and spirit should be involved. Work cannot be reduced only to manual work. Thomas Aquinas spent his long work only in the library, while Francis of Assisi never spent his life in the library. 

Spirituality of work: work will help people to come closer to God. 

There is a right to rest. In the first place, this involves a regular weekly rest comprising at least Sunday, and also a longer period of rest, namely the holiday or vacation taken once a year or possibly in several shorter periods during the year. Do not be a work alcoholic, take proper rest, God rested on sabbath day, Especially in the modern age, the spirituality of work should show the maturity called for by the tensions and restlessness of mind and heart.

Feast of the Presentation

 Every religion has its own important doctrines and principles. Judaism also has its own rites. It was evident in the book of the Torah. Some rules and laws in Torah seem to us meaningless but they were considered divine. I can give you a lot of examples. For example, we find this law in the book of Exodus, the LORD said to Moses, “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”

Questions come to our mind: Why the firstborn male? People in ancient cultures had this tradition that the eldest son was endowed with a lot of benefits for the Jewish family. The firstborn male was important because he was the “opener of the womb” (Exodus 13:2, 12, 15; Numbers 18:15; Luke 2:23). During birth, the firstborn son would become the primary heir of the family. The child who comes out first from the womb is dedicated to God, carrying God’s grace. The question arises: does it mean the families with feminine children do not have their share of grace? 

God himself favored the younger sons in the Bible (Abel, Jacob and Joseph). The elder sons were considered important for the Israelite family even though they were often wicked and cunning (Cain and Esau). But the Israelites had this strong and long belief the elder sons were consecrated to the temple of God as an expiation of sin. The particular rigid law becomes meaningless when time and culture pass one over the other. 

1. Obedience to God's law will bring wisdom:

Mary and Joseph, the poor parents of Jesus also obeyed to this strong/rigid law of the Israel people even though the law itself was not perfect. Here I offer my first message on the day of the presentation of the Lord. Obedience to God's law brings wisdom because through that you purify your will. God is operating there even though it is imperfect. 

Jesus’ parents though poor, clearly received preannounced the arrival of Messiah through Simeon who said that the child would be “a sign of contradiction,” and saviour of the people of Israel: To liberate them, he will divide. Yet the parents obeyed to the law of consecration because through it God would operate His plan. 

Today disobedience becomes a fashion. A prisoner was giving an interview, about his truck crash in Speedway saying, "I just wanted to disobey". Obedience from the heart produces authentic freedom in consecrated life. The hearts of Joseph and Mary wanted to obey to the law of the Lord through the sacrifice of their son in the image of doves for the Lord. There is a close Hebrew meaning behind the words "Sacrifice" and "Consecrate". The word sacrifice comes from two Latin words put together: sacer ("sacred") and facere ("to make or do"). Thus, sacrifice literally means "to make sacred." "The Lord transforms obedience into wisdom with the action of his Holy Spirit, When we sacrifice what the Lord asks, we are making our lives sacred by our actions—as  the Savior did, in whose holy house we are worshipping when we covenant to offer sacrifices in His name and for His kingdom

2. Child Jesus connects the past and future: 

For sure, all our communities are composed of elderly persons, some carrying pre-Vatican II experiences. Their role and presence are important in our communities. Simeon was an old man, nearing the day of death, carrying the child Jesus and announcing the prophecy of Messiah. Correctly predicting the presence of Messiah for the others. They tell almost 100 to 150 children were being brought to the temple of Jerusalem every day in those times. How could Simeon identify the presence of Messiah in the poor parents? We hear a proverb, "You don't choose a book, the book chose you". Simeon did not recognize Jesus, the Child recognized Simeon. Simeon carries the child. He understands his temporary existence. "Now, Lord, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation". The world will give us pleasure and increase our longing to acquire and live. 

Our beautiful and strong instrument is Hope: From Isaiah, Malachi, the last prophet (of OT), and Simeon before the last moment to touch the child Jesus, all the prophets experienced this instrument. Let us hopefully celebrate this Feast that all the religious people will consecrate their hearts to the Lord. 

Saints Peter and Paul

 Acts 12:1-11. 2 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18. Mt 16:13-19.

Today we solemnize Saints Peter and Paul, the pillars of the Roman Catholic Church. Jesus chose Peter saying to him, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt 16:18), and he chose Paul setting him apart as “a chosen instrument to carry his name before the Gentiles and kings and children of Israel” (cf. Ac 9:15).

What do these saints have in common?

(a) Experience of the Risen Christ

Peter denies Jesus. Paul persecutes Jesus’ body which is the Church. Both experience the Risen Christ. Their lives are transformed totally afterward. Paul later writes, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection” (Phil 3:10).

(b) Complementarity

Peter and Paul are contrasted. They hailed from different professional backgrounds, families, social status, educational qualifications, and had different characteristic elements. At times they rubbed shoulders with each other in mission (cf. Gal 2:11-14). However, they join hands in holding the gospel of Christ. They complement each other at this point.

(c) Writings

They live amidst us through what they have written. They addressed their writings to their own communities of believers, exhorting them, encouraging them, and guiding them. The writings have reached us, who are distant from them in space and time. 

Ecclesiastes tells, ‘It is not the beginning, but the end that matters’ (cf. 7:8). Both, Peter and Paul, had humble beginnings. But, they had glorious endings. At the end of his life, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’ Paul said, ‘It is I that live, but Christ that lives in me.’

The life lessons we draw from them are the following:

(a) They accepted their past.

Peter denied Jesus. Paul persecuted Jesus. These were their past. However, they did not yield to guilt, or self-pity. They accepted their past and transcended from it 

(b) They changed their life-path

As soon as they had God-experience they changed their paths. They did not return to their old selves or lives. They had unfailing courage and endurance.

(c) They bore witness to faith in Jesus

Till the end, their life was a living witness to Jesus. They sacrificed their lives for confessing Jesus as the Son of God.

Saints Peter and Paul become strong pillars. It is not what we are that matters, but it is what we become that matters.

Our becoming is possible when the divine hand touches us.

All Saints Day

 (Nov 1) maligayang araw po, ng mga banal sayinyo lahat, ang ating bacasyon, 

In most parts of the world, they celebrate Halloween on October 31 is the time for scary stories, fancy costumes, and all things dark and spooky.

Sa araw na ito, binibigyang parangal natin ang lahat ng mga Banal na nakaakyat sa langit at nakikibahagi na sa kaluwalhatian ng Panginoon.

On this day, we honor all the Saints who have ascended into heaven and are already sharing in the glory of the Lord.

“A saint is somebody that the light shines through.” Gustokong magkwento, I want to tell a story. Here is a children’s story. 

A father was taking his girl child in a Catedral of Rome, looking at the beautiful pictures of saints on the glass windows of the Church, Ang batang babae baby asked her father, “sino sila?” The father told, “ang mga banal sila” some saints are red, green color. 

After many years the baby went to School, the Teacher asked the students, Do you know who is a saint?  who are the saints? The particular girl answered, “A saint is somebody that the light shines through.” 

Yes, the light of God shines through the lives of the saints. It is not your light that is shining; it is the light of God shining through your lives.

wala silang orihinal na ilaw. Nasa kanila ang liwanag ng Diyos. Katulad natin, nakaranas din sila ng iba’t-ibang uri ng pisikal o emosyonal na paghihirap at pagpapakasakit, mga panglalait, pagyurak sa kanilang katauhan, mga tukso, kahinaan, at kasalanan. Like us, they have experienced various forms of physical or emotional suffering and suffering, insults, humiliation, temptations, weaknesses, and sins.

ang mga santo ay mga tao. Saints are human beings. Augustin, Francis of Assisi were sinners before God chose them. "There is no saint without a past, nor sinner without a future", "It is important to answer the invitation with a humble and sincere heart. The Church is not a community of the perfect, but rather of journeying disciples who follow the Lord because they recognise themselves as sinners and in need of His forgiveness. Christian life is therefore a school of humility that opens us up to grace".

Ngunit hindi sila nagpadaig dito. Bagkus, buong puso nilang pinasan ang mga ito hanggang sa makamit nila ang tagumpay. Hindi sila nawalan ng pag-asa, bagkus nagsikap silang magpakabuti dahil naniniwala silang mayroong pagpapala at gantimpala sa kabila ng lahat ng ito sa piling ni Hesus. 

But they did not overcome it. Rather, they carried them wholeheartedly until they achieved victory. They did not despair, but they tried to improve because they believed there was blessing and reward in spite of all this in the presence of Jesus.

Ano nga ba ang sikreto ng tagumpay ng yaong mga banal? Ito’y walang iba kundi ang kanilang paninindigan na pasanin ang kanilang mga krus. Ang krus ang kanilang sandigan upang mapagtanto nila ang kabuluhan at kahalagahan ng buhay dito sa mundo. 

What is the secret of the victory of those saints? It is none other than their determination to bear their crosses. The cross is their foundation so that they can realize the meaning and importance of life here on earth.

Sa Ebanghelyo, ilang ulit maririnig ang salitang “Mapapalad.” Who is really blessed? Mapapalad ang mga banal dahil ipinahayag at pinasan nila ang krus ni Hesus. 

Sa kabila ng mga napipintong pag-uusig, paninirang-puri, panganib, o maging kamatayan, tinahak pa rin nila ang landas ng krus sapagkat naniniwala sila na ito lamang ang 

Sila’y nagpakumbaba, naging maunawain at maawain. Sinunod nila si Hesus hindi lamang sa paniniwalang mapapasakanila ang kaluwalhatian bagkus dahil katulad nila si Hesus: nagtitiwala sa Ama, mapagkumbaba, aawain, dalisay ang puso, mapagpayapa, at hangad ang kalooban ng Diyos para sa lahat. Mapalad ang banal dahil nasa kanila si Hesus.

They became humble, understanding and compassionate. They followed Jesus not only in the belief that glory would be theirs but because they were like Jesus: trusting in the Father, humble, merciful, pure in heart, peaceable, and seeking the will of God for all. 

Nativity of John the Baptist

 The Catholic Church celebrates the birthdays of only three persons as solemnities; Jesus Christ, Mother Mary and John the Baptist. 

Today's Gospel narrates the birth of John the Baptist 

Zechariah was a priest in the times of the Old Testament. Some authors (Protoevangelium James and Joseph Flavio) affirm that he might have been the High Priest because he was entering into the holiest place of the temple and offered incense both morning and evening.  Others say that he was a priest given some extra in-charges. Anyway, we come to know that he was from a tribe of honorable priests. He was a priest, close to the sacred duties, but still, he did not believe in God's message (given by the Angel Gabriel) that he would beget a child in his old age. 

Zechariah and Mary both received the message from the same angel, and both responded in the same way (more or less), but God reacted differently. God gave me a tough time for Zechariah. Why? 

Zechariah and Mary have different hearts and different faith. The heart of a high priest and the heart of a poor Jewish virgin is so different and nothing is hidden in front of God's eye. 

God teaches the people with vocation towards him. God prepares them through the process of muteness. God puts Zechariah in silence so that he can listen only to his Word and observe the miracles God makes in front of his eyes.

After that, Zechariah praises only God in the Song of Benedictus. 

Feast of Epiphany

Feast of Epiphany

The light that shone in the night at Christmas illuminating the Bethlehem Grotto, (where Mary, Joseph and the shepherds remained in silent adoration), shines out today and is manifested to all. This is called Epiphany which is a mystery of light, symbolically suggested by the star that guided the Magi on their journey (The word Epiphany comes from Greek epiphania, means manifestation, appearance). The true source of light, however, the “sun that rises from on high” (see Lk 1: 78), is Christ. 

Who are Magi? Did you know there were originally 6 Kings, not 3? Only three reached Bethlehem. The 4th went to the USA, the 5th to China, and the 6th to the Philippines. They were: BURGER KING, CHOWKING, and TAPA KING. * * * Joking aside, the Gospel tradition says only they were three, and they were regarded as wisemen; Melcior, Gaspar, and Balthasar. Three originated from different places/traditions/languages; Melchior (old man from the east), Kaspar (young and beardless from Persia) and Balthazar (black-skinned from Africa). Magi were not Jews; they were priests of an Eastern religion who consulted the stars (Zoroastrian priests). They were followers of some kind of pagan religion. Before they set out on their journey to Bethlehem to worship Jesus, they were star-readers but they went on an interior journey. The wise men’s journey of a thousand miles could have taken three months is really a symbol of the inward journey they made in their hearts, a journey from paganism to belief in Jesus as the Savior of the world. 

1. Searching Jesus: These wise men who set out towards the unknown were, in any event, men with a restless heart. Men are driven by a restless quest for God and the salvation of the world. They were filled with expectation, not satisfied with their secure income and their respectable place in society. They were looking for something greater. They were no doubt learned men, quite knowledgeable about the heavens and probably possessed of a fine philosophical formation. But they desired more than simply knowledge about things. They wanted above all else to know what is essential. They wanted to know if God exists, and where and how he exists. Whether he is concerned about us and how we can encounter him. Nor did they want just to know. Their outward pilgrimage was an expression of their inward journey, the inner pilgrimage of their hearts. They were men who sought God and were ultimately on the way towards him. They were seekers after God. Scientists became spiritual persons, philosophers became persons of faith. 

Faith’s inner pilgrimage towards God occurs above all in prayer. Saint Augustine once said that prayer is ultimately nothing more than the realization and radicalization of our yearning for God. Instead of “yearning”, we could also translate the word as “restlessness” and say that prayer would detach us from our false security. The religious, as a pilgrim of God, must be above all a man of prayer. He must be in constant inner contact with God; his soul must be open wide to God. 

2. Offering Jesus: Magi are the people did not go to Jesus with empty hands. Something they carry; gold, incense and Myrrh. The magi open their treasure chests and offer the child their gifts. They offered Jesus their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These things were used (in Arabia Saudi, Somalia) primarily in the cult but also for magical practices, at wedding ceremonies, for cosmetic purposes, and as seasoning or medication. These costly gifts have an allegorical/symbolic meaning: gold honors Jesus’ kingship, incense his divinity, myrrh his sacred humanity that was to experience death and burial. Their worship recognized the divinity of Jesus. 

3. Worshipping Jesus: Why did the magi from the east go to visit Child Jesus? Because he is a king, and messiah of the Jews. They want to adore the Lord. It was enough for them to predict and know He is the Messiah. We need to worship the Lord who is at the manger. 

Verse 11 is the high point of the legend; they prostrated and worshipped him. there is another catchword “pay homage/worship”. Προσκυνέω: What is meant is veneration in the form of falling on one’s face that according to Greek understanding is due to gods, and according to Near Eastern understanding is also befitting superior persons, especially kings. Matthew has a conscious and pointed usage. Proskynesis is directed almost exclusively to Jesus, and it is done by supplicants and disciples especially to the exalted one (προσκυνέω designates the appropriate attitude toward the risen Lord. The proskynesis of the magi directs the readers’ attention to the majesty of Christ, the son of David (1:1), the Son of God (cf. 1:21; 2:15), and the Immanuel Jesus. It makes the Gentile magi and their own attitude toward the Lord Christ.

The Wise Men followed the star, and thus came to Jesus, to the great Light which enlightens everyone coming into this world (cf. Jn 1:9). As pilgrims of faith, the Wise Men themselves became stars shining in the firmament of history and they show us the way. The saints are God’s true constellations, which light up the nights of this world. Saint Paul, told his faithful that they must shine like stars in the world (cf. Phil 2:15).

Your renewal can be seen as a journey guided by the light of a “star”, the star of faith. “Open wide your hearts to God!”, I said to them, and today I repeat to all of you, “Let yourselves be surprised by Christ!... Open the doors of your freedom to his merciful love! Share your joys and pains with Christ, and let him enlighten your minds with his light and touch your hearts with his grace” 

If you live with Christ, bound to him anew in this sacrament, then you too will become wise men. Then you will become stars which go before men and women, pointing out to them the right path in life. I am here now praying for you, that the Lord may fill you with the light of faith and love. That that restlessness of God for man may seize you, so that all may experience his closeness and receive the gift of his joy. We are praying for you, that the Lord may always grant you the courage and humility of faith. We ask Mary, who showed to the Wise Men the new King of the world (cf. Mt 2:11), as a loving mother, to show Jesus Christ also to you and to help you to be guided along the way which leads to him. Amen.

The shepherds, together with Mary and Joseph, represent that “remnant of Israel”, the poor, the anawim, to whom the Good News was proclaimed. Finally, Christ’s brightness shines out, reaching the Magi who are the first-fruits of the pagan peoples. Like the shepherds, who as the first visitors to the newborn Child in the manger, embodied the poor of Israel and more generally those humble souls who live in deep interior closeness to Jesus, so the men from the East embody the world of the peoples, the Church of the Gentiles – the men and women who in every age set out on the way which leads to the Child of Bethlehem, to offer him homage as the Son of God and to bow down before him. 

The Magi worshipped a simple Child in the arms of his Mother Mary, because in him they recognized the source of the twofold light that had guided them: the light of the star and the light of the Scriptures. In him they recognized the King of the Jews, the glory of Israel, but also the King of all the peoples.

This is the mystery of the Church and her missionary dimension are also revealed in the liturgical context of the Epiphany. 

What do the disciples of Christ must do?:  trained by him to live in the way of the Beatitudes, they must attract all people to God through a witness of love: “In the same way, your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your deeds and give praise to your heavenly Father” (Mt 5: 16).  The Church is holy, but made up of men and women with their limitations and errors. It is Christ, Christ alone, who in giving us the Holy Spirit is able to transform our misery and constantly renew us. He is the light of the peoples, the lumen gentium, who has chosen to illumine the world through his Church (LG)