PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD

-->Second Sunday of Advent

We respect life. We have a commitment to preserve life. We love life.

Yesterday, a woman and her companion approached me. They asked me to bless the fetus. It was put in a little jar, with water in it. Poor little fetus! It was started to form a human body, but no life. No more life. I felt so sad when I looked at it.

Before the blessing, I talked to them in private and listened to what had happened. I listened to their heavy feelings, their frustration, their anger, their hatred. There were in tears. It was her sister who intentionally killed the baby in her womb. 

Why is it easy for the people to stop life? Where is our value of life? Abortion is not just a personal sin. It has an implication in our society. It will become a social sin. We have responsibility too. We are one body. We also have responsibilities for each other, to care for each other, to be concerned for each other.

Just like the prophets of the Old Testament, we have the responsibility to bring our society back to God. The prophets are those people inspired by the Holy Spirit who called the people of Israel to conversion, to be reconciled again with God. They tried to awaken true repentance among the people unconcerned with things of God. The prophets, like the prophet Isaiah, calling the people to “Prepare the way of the Lord!”

After centuries of prophetic silence, another prophet in the New Testament came. John the Baptist appeared and began to speak the Word of God to the people of Israel. His message is the same: “Prepare the way of the Lord!” For John the Baptist, to prepare the way of the Lord is to turn away from our sin, to turn back to God and to witness to the Truth. John the Baptist pointed the whole nation of Israel to Christ and the coming of the kingdom. His baptism with water was for repentance and taking a new way of life, a change of life, according to God’s Word.

The message of the Gospel today is to change our life in a way that God wants us to be. It is also to change our society in a way that God wants it to be – a society that protects life, preserves and respects life, a society that gives value to human life.

Life is a gift for us. (That is why we celebrate it in our birthdays.) In this season of Advent, we also celebrate life because the God of life is coming to us. In his first coming, Jesus lived his life with us. Then, he gave his life for us. He died on the cross that we might live.

Now that we are waiting for his second coming, we are challenge to truly prepare the way of the Lord – that is – to change our whole society, to bring it back to God. Like John the Baptist, we too are called to draw all people back to God. We are baptized in Christ with the Holy Spirit. We are prophets of our time. Each of us has a responsibility to point others to Jesus Christ and to the coming of his kingdom, the kingdom of life and love.

We have parents here; do we value and promote life within our family? We have especially youth here; do we condemn killings and abortion that destroy life? If so, we are preparing the way of the Lord and opening our hearts to receive him in this Holy Eucharist.

“ADVENT IS IN OUR HEARTS”

First Sunday of Advent

Do you know this song “Christmas in Our Hearts”? It is a very meaningful song. That’s why I love it so much. For sure, you know the author of this song. It’s Jose Mari Chan. He is a very popular Filipino song writer and a singer.

Last night, we watched his concert at CAP auditorium. It was sponsored by our parish so I was there to welcome people. I observed that there were a lot of people waiting. Some were waiting to meet friends and their families. Some were waiting for more customers to buy tickets. Some were waiting for the concert to start.

Perhaps, in our lives, there are much of waiting. We are waiting for someone we love and we miss – our friends, best friends, girlfriends or boyfriends, our sisters or brothers – who have been gone for awhile or for a long time. We anticipate their return. We don’t ignore their absence. We want to let them know how much we want to be with them again.

However, waiting is not that easy. Sometimes we feel bored or annoying. Waiting demands patients. And it demands us to stay awake - to “watch!”

In our Gospel today, Jesus tells us the parable about the long expected return of the Master. During that time, the wealthy land owners often left their business in the hands of his trusted servants. This gave them freedom to trade, freedom to expand the business, a freedom to use the talents and gifts. The Master expected them to be faithfulness, to be alert, to watch.

The faithful servants were those who stay awake, those who would eagerly anticipate their master’s return. They kept the house and the business in good order. They were alert and always ready and watchful.

Today, we are celebrating the First Sunday of Advent. We have our beautiful Advent wreath here. We have for Sundays before Christmas. Advent is a season of waiting, a season of preparation for the coming of Christ. We celebrate the first coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas. He came to live with us. More deeply, this season is a special preparation for the second coming of Christ. This time is certain but we don’t know when it comes. That is why Jesus wants us to be alert, to watch.

There always been a challenge for us to be aware that waiting is not something that is passive. It is not just sitting there and do nothing, or just wait and let see what happens. Our waiting is to keep watch, that is, to be active, to be awake. Our world is in chaos. Many are suffering of hunger, of poverty and oppression. There are wars, division and conflicts in our politics.

As we enter into this mystery of the Advent season, we are also challenge to be aware of what is happening in our society, in our community and our own family. This season can be realized when we are alert and watchful, that is, to participate and contribute something for peace in our family, peace in our society, peace in our world. And we can do it.

Jose Mari Chan is very true in his song that “Christmas is in our hearts”. The spirit of giving, the spirit of loving is there already in our hearts. For myself, “Advent is also in our hearts”. In our hearts, we are crying for peace, we are longing for justice. In our hearts, we are waiting for the Kingdom – we pray “May your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth.” We are waiting with hope, and, indeed, our hope is here – we will receive him in the Eucharist. He is Jesus Christ.

ON SERVING CHRIST THE KING

Solemnity of Christ the King

I was in Thailand two years ago. Every December, the city of Bangkok and other cities in Thailand have beautiful lights twinkling around. So colorful, so wonderful! Kumutikutitap! Bumusibusilak!

I said to a Thai fellow, “Your country is a Buddhist country, but you’re celebrating Christmas here! What a beautiful lights! I feel like I’m home in the Philippines!”

He said, “No. They are not Christmas lights. Christmas has no meaning here. Those beautiful lights that you have seen are lights for our king! We are preparing for his birthday. Everyone here in Thailand celebrates his birthday.” Thai people love their king. Everywhere in Thailand, in big establishments, offices, hotels, schools, on the road and streets, they have big pictures of the King. Even in their homes, they have his pictures with incense, with lights and flowers.

Everyone in Thailand wears yellow shirt every Monday. It’s the color of the king. When a king visits the place, huge crowds would come to see him. Some of them would have tears upon seeing him. They bow and kneel down before him with folded-hand gestures. You cannot even step on their money for the picture of the king is there. Believe me or not, one of the foreigners accidentally stepped on it, and, so, he was put to prison. That’s how the people of Thailand love their king! That’s how they serve their king!

For us here in the Philippines, we don’t have king like Thailand has. We are not Buddhists. We are Christians. Who is the king of our lives? Who is the king of our hearts? Jesus Christ says in our Gospel today, “The Son of Man comes in glory… then, he will take the seat on his throne in glory.” This Son of Man is Jesus himself. He is the King.

But who is this Jesus the king that we serve? Who is this king that we love? Let us have a look on Jesus on the cross... Look at his crown, thorns! Look at his throne, a cross! This king was a prisoner, with no one to defend him, no one to speak for him. He was thirsty, and even naked while hanging on the cross. He was unloved and unwanted, rejected and alone. This king was tortured to death!

His kingship is opposite to what we have thought. His kingdom is different from our human understanding. 

I remember when I went with the Marist missionaries to Myanmar, formerly Burma. Burmese people are lovely people. But they are poor and broken. Their country leaders, a military junta, are corrupt. No one is allowed to speak against them. There is no freedom there. Human rights are violated. No peace, but violence, oppressions and injustices. Their people suffer. The military juntas want to show to the world that they are powerful. They are building up their own kingdom in this world.

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” His kingship is not all about power. It is not about pride. It is about humility, even about vulnerability. The kingship of Jesus is about love. It is about service. His kingdom is the kingdom of loving service. Jesus came not to be served but to serve.

Christ is also calling us to serve. He called each and every one of us to serve him because he is our king, the king of our lives and the king of our hearts. It is not enough to say that “I love my Lord and my King” without serving him. It is not enough for us to say “I love my king and my God” but do not love my neighbor.

It is very important to realize that we love and serve God in our neighbor. He is present in the person next to us, behind us, in front of us… We have Jesus before us… We have Jesus wherever we go. We have Jesus in Davao Mental hospital. We have Jesus in Ma-a City Jail. We have Jesus in every person we meet and work with. Jesus is everywhere. So, we have a lot of opportunities to serve him, to give him smile, to embrace him and to love him.

God loves us so much. His love invites us to serve others with love and mercy. We can love freely because God has already poured his love into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit. In our baptism, we are anointed kings. So, as kingly people, we are called to put on the mind of Jesus, that is, to serve lovingly.

Today, we are celebrating the feast of Christ the King. This celebration leads us to begin the Season of Advent, the season of waiting with joyful hope for the coming of the kingdom. Indeed, the kingdom is here now, if we remember every time we are talking to someone that “Jesus is in this person.” The kingdom of God comes when we love. The kingdom of God comes when we serve. If we truly accept Christ as king of our lives and our hearts, we must love him and serve him in others, especially in the sick, the abandoned, the poor and the broken.

This is a challenge for us – love and serve others without any reservation!

GOD STRENGTHEN US IN OUR STRUGGLES TO CHANGE

2nd Sunday in Lent
Gen. 12:1-4; 2 Tim 1:8b-10; Mt 17:1-9


I have a friend named “Robert”. He was a desperate, hard-headed and angry young man. He looked at things negatively, ready to make trouble. He didn’t trust anyone. People labeled him as “Bad Boy” of the town. He ruined himself. He was not just a thief but also a drug addict.

After many years, I met him again. And he is now very different. He is completely changed. He looks inspired and happy. He no longer hates everyone. He became very active in the GKK. In our sharing he said to me, “I want to follow Christ. So I changed my life.” When I asked him if was it difficult for him. He said, “So difficult! Extremely difficult! I have to face pain and suffering. So I pray very hard... and He strengthens me.”

Robert decided to change his life. For him, it’s like gold tested in fire. It’s painful. He has to struggle day by day. In his experience of pain and struggles, God is there to strengthen him.

Our Gospel today tells us the story of how the disciples saw a change in Jesus. Jesus knows that he would suffer and die. He says to his disciples about this again and again. They don’t want Jesus, their master, to suffer and die. It is hard for them to hear it. They are at a loss. They are in the dark!

Realizing that his disciples are depressed, Jesus brings with him Peter, James and John to the mountain for prayers. When Jesus climbs the mountain to pray and to listen to the Father. Before their very eyes, Jesus’ face shines like the sun and his clothes become dazzling white. He shows them his glory. They have an opportunity to see the glory of Jesus. They have the opportunity to look to the divinity of Jesus.

When the disciples saw this vision, it gives them consolation and joy. It is a joy for them that bring them courage and faith in their hearts. It is an assurance for them that there is life after death. There is light after darkness. This experience strengthens them to face the pain and suffering of Jesus. Jesus encourages them and keeps them strong.

Like Robert, he finds that it’s difficult to change. He finds it so painful to follow Jesus. But Jesus, in his grace, keeps him strong. For him, the deep prayer, listening to God and trust in Him is his experience, like the disciples, that strengthened him to change his life.

This holy season of Lent, we are called to change our lives. It’s not easy! There are many trials and struggles. But, Jesus assured us of his grace. Jesus is always with us in our pain and struggles. God is there to keep us strong, to give us strength and courage. If we really want to change our life to follow Jesus, we have to take this challenge - to pray, to listen and to trust in his grace that strengthens us in our struggles to change.

Repent and Believe in the Gospel

First Week of Lent – Wednesday
Jonah 3:1-10; Luke 11:29-32

“Repent and believe in the Gospel.” These are the words we have heard last Wednesday as the priest marked the cross with ashes on our foreheads.

We, Catholics, profess that they know God. We confess that they heard the Word of God. We come to the Church on Sundays. We go to the Sacrament of Confession for we are sinners. Because we are sinners, there is a need for us to listen to the Word of God, to repent and change our lives.

In our first reading we have heard the story of Jonah. He went to the city of Nineveh and announced the Word of God. When the people of Nineveh heard the message of Jonah, they believed. They were willing to open their hearts to the Word of God. And they were converted. They turned away from their evil ways. The whole city was converted. In them, we see of what we are called to. We are called listen to the Word of God. We are called to change our lives.

Our Lord Jesus in the Gospel today rebukes the people of his time for not reforming their evil ways. He begins to speak to them in strong words: “This is an evil age!” They just seek the sign, but they don’t see the sign. When Jonah preached to the Pagans, they believed. They were willing to open their hearts and listen to the Word of God. But these Jewish people, they know the Word of God, they are Religious, but they don’t want to listen. They are spiritually dumb, spiritually deaf, and spiritually blind. They don’t realize that it’s Jesus who is the sign. Jesus is the Word of God.

If we think of our situation today, we have heard Jesus; we have the Word of God. Of course, we are Christians. Most Filipinos are Christians. But, why do we hate our neighbors? Why don’t we forgive our brothers and sisters? Why do we back-biting each other? If we look at our society today, why there are a lot of killings, abortions, human slavery, prostitution, illegal gambling, drugs, graft and corruption. It is really an evil age! We have the same problem with Jesus’ generation, and even worst! We have the Word of God but we are not listening. If the Lord were standing before us now, he would tell us these same words: “This is an evil age!” But Our God is a merciful God. He is a compassionate God. In Jesus, we are called to truly turn away from our evil ways. He is always calling us to conversion, to true conversion. He is calling us to really listen to the Word of God and live it.

We began our Lent one week ago with ashes. This Lenten season we are reminded to “repent and believe in the Gospel”. Jesus, who is greater than Jonah, who is greater than Solomon, who is greater than anyone else, who is the Word of God, calls us to repent and believe in Him. We are challenged to listen to him, accept Him and allow Him to enter deeply in our hearts, and change our lives.

This is the call, an invitation and a challenge, for each one of us - “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

Are You Ready!

“Every Family Needs Love and Care!”

Feast of the Holy Family
Matthew 2:13-15:19-23

Before I went for my Christmas vacation, I went to visit Nanay Nene, an old paralyzed woman in our neighborhood. She lives with her husband and three grandchildren in a very little house. Actually it was a swine’s house before. They just covered it with some old clothes and thick paper. She is paralyzed. She can’t move around. Her husband is sickly and old too. He can’t find work. They have children but they are away from them. They abandoned them. They don’t know where they are.

The worst thing is that their daughter left her three children to them, two boys and a girl. One is 12 years old, the other one is 10 and the youngest is 9. They can no longer remember the faces of their parents. The little girl is the one who take care of her grandmother. She does the washing, cleaning and others. Her little brothers go around looking for plastics and metals, and sell it. Sometimes, they catch just one or two little fish and that is enough for the whole day meal. Most of the time, they are hungry.

If we look at their life… if we look at their family… so terrible, isn’t it? They are the poorest of the poor. They have nothing to eat. Nanay Nene and her husband are old and sick. They need the love and care of their sons and daughters… but where are they? The three little children suffer. They need the love and care of their parents… but where are the parents? The situation of Nanay Nene’s family is just one example of many broken families. What they find most painful is the absence of love and care within the family. Parents abandon their children. Children abandon their parents.

The feast of the Holy Family gives us something to reflect on. The life of Joseph, Mary and Jesus in Nazareth was not that easy. The Holy Family is very human family! They lived in fear. They also lived in poverty. They lived in a very hard situation. Joseph and Mary escaped into Egypt to save their baby Jesus from the threat of Herod to kill the babies. Joseph did not abandon Jesus, his child. He did not abandon Mary, his wife. It is because of his love and care for his family. The love and care within the family makes it strong. The love and care within the family makes it holy.

Our readings today give us instructions to foster the love and care within the family – that is, to give respect, to be gentle, to be grateful, to be kind and to forgive to each member of the family. Love and care keeps our family together.

On this feast of the Holy Family, we are reminded that the very central for each family is LOVE AND CARE. The Holy Family, Joseph, Mary and Jesus, call all the families not to abandon our family. The Holy family is calling us to be to be enduring, to be strong. The Holy Family is calling us to be a loving and caring family.

Our family today is facing this serious trouble of lacking of love and care for each other. In many ways, we also don’t care about our family. We don’t listen to our father, to our mother, to our husband, to our wife, to our sons, to our daughter, to our family. Nanay Nene, her husband and grandchildren are hungry everyday. But they are not hungry for food; they are hungry for love and care of their own family. Every family needs love and care. Even how poor we are, we need love and care. Are we ready and willing to provide it?