Sunday, April 14, 2013

“Hope springs in Spring.”

(Jn 21. 1-19)

I was in Milan last Sunday and con-celebrated Mass with Fr Emil, SDB. Before the Mass, Fr Giancarlo of the office for Migrants in Milan diocese gave a short speech and reminder for the upcoming event in the diocese but before he did that he greeted everyone ‘Buona Pasqua’ which is loosely translated in English as ‘Happy Easter.’ Loosely because he said it was not the real translation of ‘Pasqua’ in English. The Catholic Bible edition never mentions ‘Easter’ but it does mention the Greek word Pascha which was derived from the Hebrew word Pesach which means Passover. How the word Easter came about is a later reference to a Pagan celebration named ‘Ishtar.’ Having this in mind I can only agree with Don Giancarlo for reiterating the use of the word ‘Passover’ over ‘Easter.’ This is to highlight the in-depth meaning and the point of the celebration – the resurrection of the Lord!
We are now on the the 3rd Sunday of Easter. Spring has finally come. We are enjoying a whole week of sunshine here in Rome with a perfect temperature. Everything around seems back into its gear – especially a lot of tourists fill the streets and hot spots in Rome. Having experienced two winters here I can really tell the difference. Spring is really a blessing. I thought this season of the year is very timely to celebrate the Pasqua.

In the Gospel, Jesus has once again (his third time) revealed himself to his disciples and it happened at the lake of Tiberias (which is also known as the Sea of Galilee and Lake Gennesaret). I would like to point out three things about the Gospel:

1.      The way Jesus revealed himself to his disciples
In the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 1.16-20, Matthew 4.18-22 and Luke 5. 1-11) Jesus called his first disciples at the Lake of Galilee. They were fishermen which is one of the most common jobs in the area at that time. However, Jesus intended to call these fishermen to illustrate to them that they are later on to become ‘fishers of men.’ They are to labor and catch souls for God. What is more interesting is the manner by which he called them. There were teaching and miracle before the calling. The intention perhaps is to make their unhesitating response less surprising. The attention afterwards was centered on their response, especially that of Peter. Interestingly, Mark and Matthew highlighted that these fishermen upon hearing the calling of Jesus left their nets at once and followed him. In Luke, Peter reasoned out as he obeyed the Master to once again cast out the net (this occurred after Jesus taught the crowds), and in humility asked the Lord to stay away from him as he admitted that he is a sinful man (this happened after the miracle).

In the Gospel today, almost the same scenario happened at the Lake of Tiberias.  The disciples headed by Peter set out to fish but that night they caught nothing. It was dawn when Jesus standing on the shore asked them about the catch. He instructed them to cast out the net on the right side of the boat which they did without hesitation and questioning and lo and behold! The catch was plentiful. It was the beloved disciple who recognized and told Peter that, ‘It is the Lord!’ Immediately Peter tucked himself and jump into the sea to meet with the Lord. The reaction of Peter here reminds us how contrasting his initial reaction when he witnessed the same miracle not so long time ago. If his first reaction was to ‘stay away,’ this time he’s eager to be ‘near’ the Lord.

The calling of Jesus is the same, even the manner by which we are invited. However, our response differs and changes as we come to know and as we deeply attached ourselves with the Lord.    

2.      The people whom Jesus called or chosen
Our modern society dictates that a religious garb no longer guarantees a person of true discipleship nor modern appearance a criterion of a non-believer. Interestingly no one can truly judge a person by its appearance except Jesus. He has the eyes for the simple, often marginalized members of the society but most especially Jesus recognizes their frailty and hardness of heart. Automatically, he refers to every one of us.

In the Gospel, John named the disciples in the scene (except the other two disciples with them): Peter, Thomas called Dydimus, Nathanael from Cana Galilee (Bartolommeo), and the sons of Zebedee (James and John). This expresses one thing: they share the same calling and their share the same human qualities – of being impulsive and denying the Lord (Peter), of doubting and putting the Lord in test (Thomas), of belittling the Lord (Nathanael), of having the desire for power and glory (Zebedee’s sons), and all of these combined and even more (the two unnamed disciples which may represent you and me).

What is at stake here is not our social status or educational attainment rather it is our admission that the calling is from God; that it is a gift, a service and a commitment that we need to accept, taken care of, diligently nurture and faithfully hold on to.  It is our willingness to learn and be formed that counts most to Jesus. He has the eyes to see that these capabilities are in us. Do we see them in us? Do we allow ourselves to realize those?

3.      The desire of Jesus to dine with us
He asked them to bring some of the catch and have breakfast with them. It looks like one of those ordinary meal invitations – by the shore, with bread and fish. But the essence is not on the ambiance nor on the kind of food they have; not the ordinariness of the day but the invitation which expresses that same desire from Him who dined with them on the night of His passion. The meal is that extraordinary moment Jesus seizes to remind them of his love, care and presence. That very same meal he offers us each time we celebrate and took part at the Holy Eucharist. That desire will never end. Do we desire to dine with him?

Fear has no more poison; sin has no more damage and death has no more power over us. His resurrection made that possible and he is revealing that truth to us. Our hope will not be in vain just like the coming of springtime. 

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Never too late...


I’ve learned how to cry because of pain
Learnt how to breathe and sigh because I’m out of air
Sanity becomes vanity; emptiness concealed selfishness
Spilling fiery words like cutting myself with a sword

I’ve learned how to dance to the unsound music
Learnt the steps and artfulness to sway and swing without regret
Clarity of consciousness disrupted the unruly melody
The dance, the music and the melody are full of dishonesty

Do I need a mirror? Do I need a companion?
Or should I trust my ego who led me astray, and caused others dismay?
A sane and saintly people could bring forth consolation
But in finality it is I who need to rebound, get up and give more.

It’s never too late…If I do it in faith.

When animals talk...

c/o freerepublic.com

Once inside the barn of a good owner lived different kinds of animals.
They loved to get together that they produced a melodious and harmonious sound.
Until one day when the lady pig felt annoyed, probably bored and restless,
She began to show disgust, to feel dishonesty and belittle the other animals in the barn with her.
c/o thehighwayofmusic.blogspot.com
Then the owner of the barn introduced to them a sheep from abroad.
He thought the sheep will make a difference in his earnings.
Hesitant and worried the sheep mingled with the animals in the barn;
He started to get along with them that soon he’s producing harmony with them.
The sheep noticed immediately the lady pig’s uneasiness.
He thought he might be of little help to her.
They talked and worked together, pulling the thread up along with the other animals.
And soon the lady pig, the sheep and the other animals in the barn began to realize their worth.
c/o photographyblogger.net
Things are going smooth and everybody is satisfied to make a good produce to please the owner.
Until one day out of sheer contention, the lady pig removed herself from the harmony again.
She rattles her head on the floor while continuously bubbles, rants and sneers at the other animals;
Dissatisfied and unhappy the lady pig took the sheep as the object of her mischievous and cunning behavior.
She once again showed, not only to her companions but also to the owner of the barn
the pig she truly is – dirty, fat liar and so full of herself – wanting and begging for attention.
Now the poor sheep asked the owner to be removed from the barn because he felt his service has come to its completion.
c/o michaelspornanimation.com
He wishes the other animals well and will treasure the life he spent in the barn with them. He only wishes the lady pig will come into her senses;
And he hopes that she will pull herself up from the mud she bathed herself in.
Because the sheep believes that although animals we all are,
no one deserves to be in the mud forever.
Just like the owner of the barn’s desires for his herds; just like the purpose why in the first place he built the barn and put all the animals together.
Now the animals left in the barn should work together more than before, not only to produce melodious sound but to help the lady pig to get back on her hinds.
They need not worry that they lost the sheep from abroad because the owner has someone,
another sheep or maybe other kind it doesn’t matter,
But someone who is surely more capable of printing a lasting impression on them.

Simpleng Paalam...


Nag-umpisa sa isang ordinaryong pagkikita
Sa kwentuhan, tawanan, lakaran at kainan
Yumabong ang samahang hindi malirip ang kaligayahan
Nakatagpo ng isang tunay at matibay na tahanan

Subalit kinakailangang lumisan at maghiwalay
Para sa mas mayabong na kinabukasan
Masakit man at nakakalungkot na damdaming namamagitan
Sa pamamaalam hindi ito ang katapusan

Kaya’t  ito ang ating panghawakan:
Simpleng paalam, simpleng paalam
Simpleng paalam, baunin mo ang ligaya ng samahan.