Carmelite Missionary Sisters, June 5, 2023, Perpetual Profession
Homily on John 15:1–15
Religious Life as a Garden
John chapter 15, offers us one of the most beautiful images Jesus ever used to describe the life of discipleship: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower.” Today, on this joyful day of religious profession, this image speaks to us in a very concrete way.
Recently, I read an article by Sr. Mary, a Franciscan Missionary of Mary with long missionary experience in Peru. She described religious life as a beautiful garden that helps us to grow and bloom. This image resonates deeply with today’s Gospel and with the experience of consecrated life itself. A congregation is indeed like a garden: rich, diverse, living, and always in need of care.
The Carmelite family is such a garden. In the history of the Church, saints are often associated with flowers, and Carmel has given the Church many beautiful ones: Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Saint John of the Cross, and many others. Today, dear sisters, we pray that one day you too will become flowers in this garden—each with your own color, fragrance, and season.
Let me reflect with you on three understandings of religious life as a garden.
1. God the Father is the Good Gardener
A garden does not grow by itself. It needs a gardener. We may see many gardeners working in our institutions, but Jesus is clear: the true gardener is God the Father. Even formators and superiors—despite their dedication—are not the ultimate gardeners. God alone truly knows the soil of your heart.
A good gardener knows when to plant, how to water, how to protect, and when to wait. God knows what kind of garden you are meant to be, because He knows you better than you know yourselves. As the prophet reminds us, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” Your vocation, your charism, is first God’s gift before it is your response.
Therefore, dear sisters, give yourselves fully to the hands of this Gardener. Allow Him to form you. Stay connected with Him through regular times of prayer—moments of being alone with the One whom you know loves you. Trust Him enough to surrender yourselves, as your founder said, “wherever the glory of God calls me.”
But remember: the gardener also prunes. Jesus tells us that every branch that bears fruit is pruned so that it may bear more. Pruning is not punishment; it is care. It can be painful, but it is necessary. Formation, community life, obedience, and even disappointments are all part of this loving pruning. Be ready to be formed, transformed, and purified.
2. Jesus Christ is the True Vine
Jesus does not say, “I am one vine among many.” He says, “I am the true vine.” Without Him, there is no life.
Think of the passion fruit vine, well known in Vietnam. It cannot grow upright by itself; it needs support. In the same way, religious life cannot be lived as an isolated or self-sufficient project. “No branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine.”
Your vocation is fundamentally a relationship—a friendly, spousal, and loving relationship with Christ. This relationship is nourished by concrete means: the Word of God, which becomes your daily bread; the Eucharist, the sign of your spousal union with Christ; and Marian devotion, which teaches you how to remain faithful and trusting.
Jesus says clearly, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” If you wish to remain faithful Carmelites throughout your life, stay rooted in Him. Resist the temptation to grow as independent plants. You grow only by remaining in Christ.
3. Each Plant Is Called to Bear Fruit
Finally, every plant in the garden has a purpose: to bear flowers or fruit. Flowers give beauty; fruits give nourishment. After your profession, you will be sent on mission—to education, healthcare, social and pastoral ministry, spirituality, and missionary service. You will give to others what you yourselves receive today: the life of Christ.
Your founder emphasized love for the Church, saying, “I will live for the Church, and I will die for her.” We walk with the Church—not ahead of the people, not behind them, but at their side. This requires communion, patience, and respect for differences.
Not all plants grow at the same pace. Some bloom quickly; others take years. In India, the Kurinji flower blooms only once every twelve years. Each of you is different, and each is precious. The gardener waits patiently, as in the parable of the fig tree, giving time, care, and nourishment.
Pope Francis often reminds consecrated persons of a difficult reality: many leave religious life today. This is not to discourage you, but to invite you to realism. Crises of faith, community tensions, and cultural pressures are real. If the world is strong, your faith must be stronger. Stay together. Live communion. Support one another. As your founder desired, be “one heart, animated by one and the same spirit.”
Before concluding, we turn with gratitude to the parents and families. You were the first gardeners. You watered these young lives with love, faith, sacrifice, and example. Today, you offer them to the Carmelite family, trusting that God will continue what you began. For this gift, the Church thanks you.
Dear sisters, may your lives be holy and fruitful in this garden of Carmel. May you grow, bloom, and bear fruit for God, for the Church, and for the poor.
May the Good Gardener bless you and keep you.
PARABLE OF TEN VIRGINS (MATTHEW 25:1-13), Charitas Sisters of Jesus, February 2021
Homily on the Parable of the Ten Virgins
The Gospel parable of the ten virgins offers us a powerful and demanding image for a day of religious consecration. In many Gospel passages, Jesus tells us that He will come like a thief in the night. Yet here, He chooses a far more tender and beautiful image: the Bridegroom.
This image belongs to the very heart of biblical revelation. Throughout Scripture, God describes His relationship with His people in spousal terms. He presents Himself as the faithful husband, and Israel as the beloved bride. Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord says: “I remember the devotion of your youth, how you loved me as a bride and followed me in the wilderness.”
This is not a distant or functional relationship; it is intimate, personal, and loving.
1. Jesus, the Bridegroom of Your Heart
Dear sisters, the first invitation I place before you today is this: look honestly into your own hearts. Ask yourselves: What do I truly desire? Who is God for me? Who is Jesus for me?
Do not be satisfied with answers borrowed from others. Faith and vocation cannot remain second-hand. Religious life demands a personal discovery of Christ. Only when you allow your deepest desires to surface will you recognize that Jesus alone is capable of fulfilling them. He is not simply one value among many; He is the Bridegroom of your life, the One who gives meaning to everything else.
Consecrated life is not primarily about renunciation; it is about choosing the One who satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart.
2. Prepare Your Oil: Consecration Is Personal
In the parable, everything depends on oil. In Scripture, oil is always a sign of consecration. Priests were anointed with oil as a sign that they belonged totally to God. The Book of Exodus tells us: “You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him.” And in Leviticus, we read that Moses anointed Aaron to consecrate him.
The time of aspirancy and formation is precisely this: a time to receive, protect, and deepen your own oil. You cannot borrow faith, conviction, or commitment from others. Each of you must prepare your own heart, because God calls you by name.
3. Knocking at the Door of Religious Life
In the Gospel of John, the first disciples ask Jesus a simple but profound question: “Where do you live?” Jesus answers, “Come and see.” This is exactly what you are doing now. You are knocking at the door of the Charitas Sisters, peeping inside, asking yourselves whether this is the place where the Lord invites you to dwell with Him.
At this stage, I offer you another question for reflection: What do you see around you—and within you?
If Jesus were standing physically among us today, what would He say to you?
Perhaps he would begin by acknowledging the reality of our time. Society has changed rapidly, especially in recent years. You are young, formed in faith, yet called to live that faith in a world very different from that of your parents or predecessors. Jesus would assure you: “I will be near you. I will give strength to your desire to respond to the wounds of today’s world.”
Pray that Jesus may lend you His eyes, so that you can truly see the needs of society. Ask yourselves: What are the most urgent needs of humanity today, so that the Gospel values may become real and visible? In answering this question, you will discover your personal vocation—a response both to Jesus and to humanity.
Journeying Together
Finally, remember this: you do not begin your mission from nothing, and you do not walk alone. You are entering a community. The Charitas family is here to accompany you, to help you live with joy, courage, and perseverance in your desire to follow Christ and to serve the world.
Dear sisters, keep your lamps burning. Guard your oil. Listen for the voice of the Bridegroom. And when He comes, may He find you ready.
Have a blessed and faithful journey.
(Fr. David Anbu SdC, the delegate Superior, in his homily on Perpetual profession)
My dear friends in Christ, today is a day of great joy! We gather to witness a profound act of faith and love as our dear Brother Harry is going to make his perpetual profession. This is not just a personal achievement — it’s a gift of God’s grace, a sign of His faithfulness, and a brave 'yes' to His call."
In a world where many seek success, wealth, and comfort, power and titles. Our brother has chosen a different path—a radical one. He is saying “yes” to a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. To some, this may seem like a waste or foolish. But in the eyes of faith, it is the greatest wisdom.
1. "Sayang" or Sagrado?
Filipinos often say, "Sayang naman!" (What a waste!) when a bright young man enters religious life. “He could have been a doctor, an engineer, a businessman.” But is it truly a waste?
What is truly sayang — a life chasing only Personal success alone, or a life offered to serve God and others? The world measures success by titles, wealth, and achievements. But God measures it by love, sacrifice, and faithfulness. A life given to God, a life lived for others, is never wasted. It is Sagrado — sacred.
Brother Harry, the world may say "Sayang," but today, heaven says "Salamat!" Thank you for giving your life to God. Your vocation is not a loss; it is a sacred gift.
A Life Built on Love: Filipinos are known for utang na loob—a deep sense of gratitude and loyalty. We feel indebted to those who love us. Brother Harry has experienced the overwhelming love of God, and this is his way of responding. He is giving his whole life as an act of utang na loob—not out of obligation, but out of love.
The Vows: A Radical Witness
Dear Bro. N, The vows you are about to make are countercultural, meaning they go against the values of the world. They challenge societal norms and serve as a powerful witness to a different way of living. By embracing them, you become a sign of contradiction-choosing faith over comfort, service over self-interest, and commitment over temporary satisfaction. Your vows are not just personal promises; they are a prophetic message to the world, proclaiming that true fulfillment comes from God, not from material success or fleeting pleasures."
By the vow of poverty, you tell us that God is my treasure. In a materialistic and consumeristic world, you show us that real wealth is not found in money or possessions, but in God alone.
By the vow of chastity, you tell us that God is my deepest love. In a world confused about the meaning of love, you show us that true love is more than romance — it is a total gift of self to God and others.
By the vow of obedience, you tell us that God’s will is my will. In a culture that values personal freedom above all, you show us that real freedom comes from trusting and surrendering to God's loving plan.
That’s a great theme! "Let us be open to God's version and not stick to our own version when God calls us for a ministry."When God calls, He often rewrites our plans.
1. Peter: From Fisherman to Shepherd of the Church
Peter’s version: A simple fisherman, casting his nets daily, providing for his family.
God’s version: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)
Reality check: Peter had to leave behind his trade, face persecution, and even walk on water in faith (Matthew 14:29). Despite his failures, Christ made him the rock of the Church.
- Matthew: From Tax Collector to Gospel Writer
- Matthew’s version: A tax collector, earning wealth, possibly disliked by many but financially secure.
- God’s version: "Follow me." (Matthew 9:9)
Matthew misused his skill with the pen by making false accounts to gain wealth as a tax collector. However, when he was open to God's plan, he used the same skill to write the Gospel."
- Moses: From Shepherd to Leader of a Nation
- Moses’ version: A quiet life in Midian, tending sheep after fleeing Egypt.
- God’s version: "Go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people out of Egypt." (Exodus 3:10)
Reality check: Moses argued with God ("I am not eloquent!" – Exodus 4:10), but in the end, he led an entire nation to freedom and spoke with God face to face (Exodus 33:11).
- Jonah: From Running Away to Preaching Repentance
- Jonah’s version: Serve God, but not in Nineveh!
- God’s version: "Go to Nineveh and preach against it." (Jonah 1:2)
Reality check: He tried to escape, ended up in a whale’s belly, and eventually obeyed—leading an entire city to repentance!
- Mary: From Humble Servant to Mother of God
- Mary’s version: A simple, quiet life in Nazareth.
- God’s version: "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus." (Luke 1:31)
Reality check: She risked scandal, hardship, and sorrow, but her "Yes" changed history and eternity.
Conclusion: God's Version is Always Greater
When God calls us, He often asks us to let go of our plans and trust His greater purpose. And when you feel unworthy or uncertain, remember: God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called. When you are open to God's plan in your life, he will bless you more than you could ever imagine.
Dear bro. Harry, ask yourself this question: Am I willing to trust His plan, even when it challenges my expectations?
4. Be a Blessing Wherever You Are Sent
You may be sent to another country as a missionary or asked to serve here in the Philippines. You may be assigned to work in a big or small community. You may be asked to serve the elderly, special children, or become a formator for seminarians. No matter where God places you, be a blessing.
There will be days when you feel abandoned, when your prayers seem unheard, and when it will be difficult to live out your vows. But remember: your vows were not made in comfort — they were made at the foot of the Cross. You are not going to make your vows in a resto-bar, beach resort, Manila Resort World, or a five-star hotel.
I am reminded of my Jesuit retreat preacher, Fr. Selvaraj, who facilitated our retreat before our perpetual profession. I was the one who asked him a simple question: "What is your greatest joy in religious life?" He immediately replied, "I did not leave."
Religious life is not always easy. The struggles are real — loneliness, misunderstanding, spiritual dryness, and even moments of doubt. You may experience slander, calumny, betrayal, humiliation, and pain. But hold firm, my brother. Remember, the Cross is not a sign of defeat; it is the road to glory.
Brother, today, you say "Yes" to God forever. Let it be a "Yes" that endures — in joy and sorrow, in strength and weakness, in certainty and doubt.
The World Needs Another Christ
The World Needs Kindness, Not Just Habits
The world today doesn't need more religious men who just wear a habit on the outside.
It needs men whose hearts are on fire with love for Christ — men who are ready to serve, to love, and to get their hands dirty for others.
The Good Samaritan: What the World Needs
In the story of the Good Samaritan, the man left beaten on the road did not need:
- Someone to preach to him about God,
- Someone to argue about doctrine,
- Someone to tell him what's right or wrong.
He needed:
- Someone to clean his wounds (even if it was messy!),
- Someone to carry him to safety,
- Someone to pay for his care.
He didn’t need a priest./ He didn’t need a preacher./ He needed a kind person. A servant.
And that’s what the wounded world needs today.
Be Clothed with Compassion
The Bible says: "You are the people of God; He loved you and chose you for His own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." (Colossians 3:12)
- Because this is how the world will see Jesus — through our love and kindness.
- Jesus Walked Among the Broken
- Jesus didn’t stay inside the synagogue or in comfortable places.
He walked among sinners, He healed the sick, He forgave the lost, He served the broken. Your vocation — whether as a priest, a brother, a sister, or a layperson — is not to escape the world, but to bring Jesus into the world.
6. A Challenge for All of Us
Brother [Name] is giving his life completely to God. But what about us? Are we willing to give God even a part of our lives?
Parents, do you support your children if they feel called to religious life?
Young people, do you have the courage to ask, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
The Greatest Yes: Brother [Name], today, you say your final “yes” to God. This yes is forever. It is a yes that will have struggles, but also deep joy. It is a yes that will demand sacrifice, but will also bring fulfillment.
May your life be a witness to all of us—that nothing is wasted when given to God.
