The Beginning...

My five months pastoral training at St. Catherine’s Parish is ending today. I have had wonderful opportunities meeting our parishioners and to do my role as a religious and as a deacon. Yesterday, I said my last homily as a deacon with them. I mentioned to them that since I am still in pastoral training, I can be forgiven for my grammatical errors in saying my homily in Mandarin, a task I always find very difficult. But much is expected of me when I return as a priest because I can no longer use the alibi ‘I am in pastoral training’. My gratitude goes to Fr Matthew, our pastor who gave me the encouragement to do some tasks either I have not done yet or afraid to do. His helping me do the ‘jobs’ is a great deal for me. I realized that becoming a priest is not that difficult more than being a priest. If there is one goal I want to achieve as a future priest, it is to be a good and holy priest. I am aware this is what priests say, whether implicit or explicit; before or after ordination, and which may sound too ideal for our ears but it is better to say it now and fall short later on than never have such conviction and chance to prove others wrong.

My journey continues...

1x1x1=1 (Note that the concept of the Triune God is not a matter of mathematical equation. I decided to use this for emphasis)

Today is the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The teachings of the Catholic Church states that there are three Divine Persons in One God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Never did Jesus in his teachings use the word Trinity although he had mentioned several times the relationship of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Jn 10: 30-38; 5: 18, 21-27; 14:26). Jesus also acknowledged that there is only one God (Mk 12:29). It must be noted that the concept “Divine Trinity” was the product of theological reflections of the apostolic and early church fathers. It was of a divine inspiration rather than a mere impulse which led them to believe than in God existed three Persons. Many believers (and unbelievers) as of today are still confused about the mystery surrounding the dogmatic teaching of the Catholic Church on Triune God. This is not surprising because no one, not even the great St. Augustine understood the mystery, and it will remain like that. No one understands God other than himself.

However, what we do know of God cannot be regarded as bogus because God willed to reveal himself to us through his creation, plan of salvation, redemption and sanctification. He continues to reveal himself on earth by making His presence known through the Spirit and the Holy Mother Church. St. John says God is love (1Jn 4:8). Love is precisely the intimate relationship the Divine Persons has for each other and which makes them united eternally. God best expressed himself to us by becoming man and by dwelling among us. This is the basis of our belief, God relate to us in a way He relates to Himself. It is the desire of God to share his life to us and have it to the full (Jn 10:10b). Human relationships often fail either because there is no element of love or the standard of love is purely on human level. Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment, to love one another as He loves  them (Jn 15:12). Jesus takes the basis of loving between human beings into a higher level i.e. the love which emanates from personhood. It is only when we love as a human person that we will participate in the love of the Triune God.

The family is the basic unit of society. The family is also the basic dwelling place or the court by which ‘to love one another as I have loved you’ is practiced. The family is love’s point of departure which extends to a bigger family, the Church. The Church’s mission is to make God’s presence known to its members and to the world. The Church is the instrument of God to unite all His creations into his bosom, sharing His life with His creation eternally.

(picture c/o libertypages.com)

The Great Power from Above

There were three great Jewish festivals to which every male Jew who lived within twenty miles of Jerusalem was legally bound to come – the Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. The word Pentecost was originally called the ‘Fiftieth’ or the ‘feast of Weeks’. It was so called because it fell on the fiftieth day, a week of weeks, after the Passover. The Feast itself had two main significances:

1. It is historical because it commemorated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai.

2. It is agricultural because during the Passover the first crop was offered to God, then on the fiftieth day, the crops were offered in gratitude for the completed and the ingathered harvest.

We do not know what really occurred at Pentecost since Luke was not an eye-witness and that he was passing a story which he must have heard. However, what we are certain about is that the disciples had an experience of the power of the Holy Spirit flooding their beings like as they never had before. They became bold and determined to speak the truth about Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ of God. This is the turning point where the disciples began to become ‘men for others’ commissioned to spread and preach the Good News of God’s salvation in Jesus Christ. From a community of twelve, to a community of hundreds, thousands, to becoming the Catholic Church, God is continuously working through the Church and the Spirit.

Now I think this is significant to each one of us personally but moreover it most significant because you and I build the church. We are the church and like the group of twelve men and first Christian communities we are also commissioned and tasked to continue what they had been told to do. That is why we are not just a church, we are an APOSTOLIC CHURCH, and by that I mean we received a mandate for a new mission: to proclaim the sovereignty of God’s love through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Our duty both as an individual and as a community is to proclaim and proclamation is both by words and deeds. It is as well most important that we know what we proclaim and we only proclaim the exact, no more, no less. Other than the exact is evil. We proclaim not the puppy kind of love, nor the famous one week love affair or known to Filipinos as isang linggong pag-ibig. What we proclaim is the sovereignty of God’s love, whose greatest expression shown to us through His beloved Son, the Word became flesh, lived among us, suffered and died, and now is raised from the dead. The resurrection is the summit of our proclamation, the very foundation of our faith. This is our mission as an individual and as a church.

But look around us today. We are all aware of the chaotic society we are in; the endless violence, threat of war, of hunger, of climate change, of moral corrosion. Even the church is not exempted. Today more than ever we need to be strong and firm to combat the evil enveloping our world. When Jesus Christ commissioned his apostles to ‘go and preach to all nations’ he also assured the apostles that ‘I will be with you ‘til the end of time’ and promised to empower them.

Therefore, the Holy Spirit gives them empowerment:

1. Charismaton (1Cor 12:4-11)

2. The courage to speak publicly of what they had seen and heard despite the dangers of imminent persecution.

3. The gift of preaching/ apostolic kerygma

4. The immediate expansion of the disciple community as people responded to the preaching of the Gospel.

Let the love of God be the goal of all our undertakings. Let our eyes be focused on Jesus, the greatest expression of God’s love, and our hearts motivated by His words and deeds. Let the power of the Holy Spirit empower us to go and spread God’s salvation.

(Reference: The Daily Study Bible by William Barclay)

Look! Up in the sky…

In the church’s liturgical calendar cycle which is celebrated every year I wonder if people are able or still find meaning in what we are celebrating. I do not know to what point someone realizes the importance of liturgical celebration in the Church but what I do know is when people start to relate personally to the celebrations they become significant. Liturgical celebrations are obviously important per se but they become alive and meaningful only when people begin to ‘participate’. Today is one of these celebrations – the ascent of Jesus in heaven.

What is the significance?

Luke wrote two books, one of the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. Both have an account of the ascension of the Lord and is considered the climax of his writings. This account is very essential to the early Christian communities then, later to the Church because their confession and identity is rooted in it. They confess that Jesus is Lord, in His glory and in His divinity. They identify themselves through the saving power of the risen Lord, now ‘ascended into heaven and seated at the right hand of the Father’.

The significance lies on the fact that we are united to God through Jesus, we commune with God in Jesus, and we are now glorified through Jesus. To think and to understand God apart from Jesus is impossible for us. However, the event of the ascension makes us wonder where exactly Jesus is? If he has ascended into heaven, then where is heaven? Common sense directs us to look up in the sky.

Heaven is not so much of a place but is God’s immediate presence. It points to us that heaven is Christ present and continuously working on earth through the Church and through the Spirit. Heaven is not measured by distance as one goes on a journey, rather heaven must be seen in a relational manner. Heaven involves persons communicating with each other.

Who is the Church?

The people of God identified with the crucified, risen and now glorified Lord. We are Christ’s disciples, one who follows His words and deeds. We are commissioners of Christ’s message of salvation i.e. what God has done and is doing, to bear witness about Him through the proclamation and living the message. We are commissioned to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’.

The good news is not only Christ died, was buried, and rose again. These events were more than just historical facts. The emphasis is on the risen Jesus who is alive, working and present among us through the Spirit, the true Immanuel – God with us.

If we believe in this mystery, our ministry will be that of His ministry. Our prayer, worship, praise and community life will be a life of witnessing that Jesus is alive, here and now and that heaven is never far, not up there somewhere, but deep with in us.

(pictures c/o http://www.en.wikipedia.org/ and fr Paul Lew, OP)

Purpose Driven Dance

Aside from the many errands I do everyday I also spend some time watching TV programs or movies in YouTube. It’s one way to update myself on what’s going on around outside my zone. Lately, I have been following the American reality program “Dancing with the Stars”. I think it started when I got to know Cheryl Burke, a filipino-american pro dancer of the show. Being Filipino myself I am always proud of my kababayan (countrymen) making it big in international arena. But what pinned me down to watching it every week is my passion on dancing. Let me clarify that I am not a professional dancer, no, not even an amateur one. I can dance okay and can improve a lot given the training and self confidence but I only dance alone, in my room (this sounded basically the same as ‘I only sing in the bathroom’).

Anyway, if this ‘I like dancing but am no good dancer’ can be considered a ‘legitimate’ passion, then dancing is one of my passions. What I like most about this reality show is the show helps an amateur or inexperienced dancer to realize her/his potential to develop and improve. This could have a huge impact on ordinary people to follow their heart’s desire and that nothing is impossible to achieve for a willing and determined person. It also helps us to face our fear and to understand that it is okay to be vulnerable from time to time. It’s all included in the package called learning process or as I prefer to call it ‘ life's journey’.

I think this kind of reality TV show is very apt to its dancers/contestants and viewers because everybody is not only after the passion to dance but moreover, all are after becoming better persons ready to make a difference in making life a vocation to live and appreciate.

(picture c/o http://www.abc.go.com/)

It is never late to make a difference...

A 61 year old Taiwanese vegetable vendor named Chen Shu-Chu (陳樹菊) was awarded recently by Time Magazine in its annual Time's 100 Most Influential People gala in New York. Not only Ms Chen donating over NT$10 million to different charitable institutions remarkable but also the fact everything she donates comes from her modest income in selling vegetables which she has been doing since she was 13 years old. Her simple outlook in life allows her to do the one greatest thing most people, ordinary and rich, often neglect to see, charity.

Since then she became a popular figure in Taiwan. Had not been to President Ma Ying-Jiu's telephone call urging her to attend the award's ceremony in New York, Ms Chen although very grateful of the award wishes to stay in Taiwan and do what she loves most, selling veggies. But how can a citizen refused a request from the president escpecially if it involves being recognized as a nation? After all she is now considered the pride of Taiwan.

(picture c/o http://www.taiwantoday.tw/)

 

Unfortunately, her story is one of the many stories which media often neglect to write or catches little interest from us. Now that her charitable act was publicly known the media would surely keep an eye on her every move, politicians will try to get involve on her cause. I hope she gets support to continue and widen her charitable act not for someone's personal gain or career but for the benefit of the often neglected people in our society. I hope Taiwan will celebrate not only the recognition it gets as a nation but the noble value of ordinary people doing extraordinary work. As Ms Chen would say, "What is the prize for? It's not a contest!"

Ina

The video clip contains a collection of pictures of my family, relatives, friends, classmates and some from the internet. A mother's role is one and irreplaceable. She deserves the best love from us because we owe to her (next to God) our life and vocation. To all mothers, everyday we celebrate you. Happy Mother's Day!

The background music “Inang Maria” was composed by Fr. Jepoy Arsciwals, OP (music) and Mr. Jovito Carino (lyrics), and interpreted by Ms. Jeanne Marie O. Calubaquib of Friends of St. Dominic Choir, Sto Domingo Parish Church.

Mother Knows Best

She holds the key to our hearts and guts
She keeps the economy in a proper place
She teaches things school cannot give
She simply knows what’s best for us.

She calms the volcano in us when we’re infuriated
She cries when we’re hurting and displaced
She laughs when we’re walking on a cloud of nine
She really knows what’s best.

She sweeps the floor, cooks, reads a book for us
Along with the many tasks she accomplish everyday
She may say words of complain but never curse
She shows love and this she knows best.

She is the epitome of our successful path
She deserves the best love from us
The role of a mother is one and irreplaceable
She completes the beauty of God’s creation.

General Exercises of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska

(Diary of Sr. M Faustina Kowalska, 163)

O Most Holy Trinity! As many times as I breathe, as many times as my heart beats, as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, so my thousand times do I want to glorify Your Mercy.

I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors’ souls and come to their rescue.

Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors’ needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, O Lord, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.

You yourself command me to exercise the three degrees of mercy. The first: the act of mercy, of whatever kind. The second: the word of mercy – if I cannot carry out the work of mercy, I will assist by my words. The third: prayer – if I cannot show mercy by deeds or words, I can always do so by prayer. My prayer reaches out even there where I cannot reach out physically.

O my Jesus, transform me into Yourself, for you can do all things.

Born Helena Kowalska, Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska was born on August 25, 1905 in Glogowiec, a village in the heart of Poland. She was the third of ten children born into a poor and pious peasant family. From her childhood she distinguished herself by her piety, love of prayer, industriousness and obedience as well as her great sensitivity to human misery. On August 1, 1925, Helena crossed the threshold of the cloister in the convent of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy in Warsaw. She died on October 5, 1938 in the convent in Krakow . Sr. Faustina was a visionary and mystic. She was beatified on April 18, 1993 and canonized on April 30, 2000

The Heat is on Saigon

Searching for the Precious Treasure in Our Life's Journey

What is life?

Life is a journey. We travel everyday and everyday we become a new person. The road will be smooth, rocky and rough but the learning experience born out of it will be our gate pass towards our destination. We also see sign posts or meet post masters to remind and redirect us in times when we feel disheartened, discouraged or scared.

Why do we search?

We search because we feel there is something missing in our life. It could be things, career, ambition, or vocation. We search because we want to fulfill the emptiness we feel inside our hearts. It is only when our heart is filled that we can go on with our life with beauty and meaning.

What do we search?

Most of our problem lies not on the fact that we could not find what we want. The problem actually lies on our inability to make clear what we want. When I was studying Chinese one of my teachers told me that in order for me to really appreciate learning the language, I must first need to clear my purpose why do I have to study Mandarin. She added everything will be easy to accomplish when my goal is clearly set.

How do we search?

It is also critical to know what available means we have because if we use inappropriate means if could lead us to disaster, frustration, loneliness, chaotic life, greed and apathy. By knowing means decisive and optimistic thinking. Risks will always be part of the whole process but the one who believes will always succeed. However it does not end by just knowing the potentialities but by converting them into realities. After decision was made all effort should be towards action; towards the fulfillment of the desired end.

When do we search?

The Bible says, there is always time for everything. This is precisely the meaning of “perfect timing”. This however is not easy at it sounded unless one possesses wisdom, by that I mean having a good judgment. Do not rely on emotion because it fades. However never allow it to fade without having a realization out of which courage and perseverance come out. The harvest of a good fruit is the product of a long (patience) waiting and constant (determination) rearing.

Where do we search?

We need a place for searching. Our life is the place for searching. Our heart is also the place for searching because God resides in it.

Graduates’ remark!

Graduation Day

Sto. Domingo Church, Quezon City

March 23, 2004

AB Philosophy Batch 2002

In every change there is movement and in every movement there is change. Graduation is movement and change. It is movement – a becoming in every sense of the word as we grow to maturity. Yet this reality implies another movement, another beginning, another change.

Graduation is change – it is a passage by which we embark to greater heights, greater learning, greater appreciation of life and living without losing our very selves. As people of change, we seemingly find ourselves lost in the process only to realize that we gear towards something which will make us better. By experience, is it not the case that we find words senseless and complicating? But in the senselessness of the words we find complicating, we begin to discover meaning -- making these words and thoughts the foundation of our life’s principle.

Philosophy has taught us the power and gift of reason, not to feel better than others with what we know but to live the fundamental principles we have learned i.e. as we take part in building this world of meaning and purpose. For this, philosophy should be ancillary to faith in fulfillment and pursuit of happiness. Life’s journey is a continuous search and desiring until we come to that beyond which nothing else can be desired. As in the words of St. Augustine, “My heart is restless oh God, until it rests in you.”

Through the years of changes and movements we are grateful for people who have been witnesses and are still witnessing our every becoming. Words may not suffice but we humbly extend our gratitude to all of you for helping us realize our potentials and for bringing out our possibilities into actuality. Thank you.