“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 3^rd 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. 

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.

Until When?

When do we stop bleeding?

When hope is gone when future is shattered?

When do we stop begging?

When we recount no more when believing is petrified?

When do we stop counting?

When breathing fails when life’s meaning abandoned?

When do we stop running?

When fuel already consumed when speed is reduced?

When do we stop pretending?

When harmony retires when susceptibility is displaced?

Until when O heart will you ever learn to remorse?

Is there a chance to take hold of the last fate yet untold?

December 31st, January 1st, and how they mattered!

What does it mean to end a year committing an unwise decision? What does it mean to start a new year in a not so good physical health? For many, these are not good signs for either a better year ahead or proclaiming a brighter future. With all their good intentions on this I declare no opposition. However, I would like to interpret them from a different angle.

Last December 31, 2012 I had failed to meet a very important appointment - important because I had spent a hundred euro for that. It was unwise of me to have chosen the last day of the year to set an appointment because little did I know that half of the population of Rome plus the multitude of tourists were out in the street, business establishments and public transportation on that day. Also, the roads were blocked in lieu of the evening event thus it was very inconvenient to get a ride. I know I was exaggerating but it was really bad timing to set up an appointment which requires promptness on that day. As expected I ended up withdrawing from the said appointment, helpless and disappointed. I should have made a big fuss over it but instead I admitted that I made a mistake and charged everything that took place in my bucket list of experiences.  I realized one thing though, that ‘it is not a bad thing to end a year with a mistake even if it is a careless one.’ Not that I was consenting to do evil or promoting complacency, I was just stating the fact that it doesn't need the last day of the year to find out that to a commit mistake is to be human. The bottom line is the way you deal with it. Is it with such diplomacy but also plainly keeping in mind that those are still mistakes to get over with and those shouldn't be committed again or pretend that they had never occurred? I believe that’s the wisdom behind the dim curtain, the price of a hundred euro. 

I went to celebrate the New Year with my couple-friends in Tuscany. The couple works for affluent and kindhearted employers who permitted them to invite us to spend the New Year at their summer residence in a 13 hectare land. There, I got to know their other friends whom they have invited to celebrate as well. The food was great and the house really looked elegant set in a relaxing and festive ambiance. Stories after stories, delicious food over the plate, gift-giving, laughter, endless picture taking and of course the welcoming of the New Year by lighting fireworks and fire crackers outside the house by the pool were the things that made us all busy the whole night. It was an experience. The not so good side though was that I went to bed with a bad cough and headache after the party. I thought I overly reacted. I have no excuse to believe that I did take advantage of the celebration a bit over-the-top. Two weeks ago I nursed a very bad cold. I thought I had recovered from it but unfortunately that night I was mistaken. I realized that although I usually get sick during this season of the year, that night I had felt that my coughing was a bit serious. I knew I had failed to communicate properly with my body. It took me another year and the first day of the New Year at that, to understand how important it is to establish a good rapport with oneself i.e. to be healthy. We usually take our health issues for granted only to realize that one can’t go on in realizing his/her full potentials while at the same time neglecting his/her health. Surely, no one would ever wish to kick off the New Year and be in such condition. Unfortunately, I was.

And the reason why December 31^st and January 1^st mattered to me was not because of the unfortunate events that transpired on those important dates but because my ‘unwise moves’ allowed me to see hope instead of desperation, that alongside fragility I can conclude the year and welcome the new year with a conviction that I can set fire to the rain; that I can appreciate the past, live in the present and anticipate the future; and that because I had been given another opportunity to live life the way my Lord and Savior intended it for me.  I believe it is not a question whether an opportunity only knocks once or many times, it’s how able we are to acknowledge that what comes are indeed opportunities and use them for our 

Karilagan Singers' 20th Founding Anniversary:

"A Score of Service to God through Music: Looking Back and a Continuous Journey"

OMG!!! (Offering Music to God) 20 Years Na!!!

(All Rights Reserved 2012)

N.B. Some photos that were used in this video clip are not mine and not intended for commercial use. 

Glory to the King...

33rd Week in OT

(Mk 13.24-32)

1. GLORY

* sun

* moon

* stars

These are heavenly bodies which carry in themselves the glory of being up there as the source of light, heat and power. We marvel at their greatness, behold their beauty and wonders to the point that we claim them to be gods - the ruler and principle of life. We know the stories of antiquity where the Egyptians worship the Sun, the Babylonians exalt their moon goddesses and the Persians depend their fate according to the sign and the arrangement of the stars.

In the Gospel, Mark speaks of these heavenly bodies not in the light of their greatness but in the light of the COMING of the Son of Man; their glory is nothing in comparison with the Glory of Jesus.

photo by Gerard Zabala, OP

"But in those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory..."

Some people find these events as very frightening; some people think it is absurd; still some people don't care because they don't believe in anything. But the Scriptures can't be wrong because these are the Words of God. We do not know how it will happen exactly or in what fashion, whether literally or figuratively, but what one thing is certain, IT IS going to HAPPEN. And in fact it is happening now in our midst.

Look around us, how many of us consider ourselves as the Sun god - "I am the best and that everything I do is superb, therefore I RULE, I am God?"

How many of us think that we are Moon goddesses - "that we always think the basis of the personhood of human being is having a high position, great control and power and being famous, therefore I RULE, I am God?"

How many of us depend our fortune, our fate, and our lives on zodiac signs - "that we compromise our ability to live, to forgive and to love, to do what is right and good and to believe in truth?"

In the coming of Jesus, all these glory, power and rulers will not matter any longer because HIS GLORY will be revealed to us, will overcome our own glory, will shine and lighten our darkened world.

2. HOPE

photo by John Gervacio

So instead of focusing on fear and trembling on the second coming of Jesus, let us instead focus on the HOPE it will bring us. We live each day with the hope of a better future, for ourselves and our loved ones, we only wish for what is best. But our good intention is not enough. We have to believe and do what is God's and not what is ours. Why is this necessary? Because if we look at our modern society we will find out that it focuses on itself and cunningly trying to erase God in the picture, trying to persuade everyone that there is no God or that even there is a God, He does not matter. What counts is man, his power, his glory, his ability. But these are false pretenses; this very attitude of our society towards man gives false Hope - that apart from God we can manage and that we can live a good life.

The Second Coming of Jesus speaks of JOY because once again we will see hope, the hope that His light brings in our lives. The Hope that those who mourn today will laugh, those who are poor will be rich, those who hunger and thirst will be fed, those who are weak will be strong, those who are sick will be healed, those who live in darkness will see light, those who are proud will be humbled, those who are last will be first.

3. HUMILITY

from a Calendar 2011

"Before the Lord Jesus' coming people drew all their glory from themselves. But he came as man that the glory of man might grow less and the glory of God grow greater. For he came without sin and found us all to be sinners. If he came to loose our sins it is because God is merciful: so let man take note of it. For man's humbleness is his gratitude and God's greatness is his mercy. If he came to forgive us our sins then let man take thought of his lowliness and God exercise his mercy. “He must grow greater and I must grow less” (Jn 3,30). That is to say, he it is who must give and it is for me to receive. He must have the glory and I must acknowledge it. Man should understand his place: let him acknowledge God and hear what the apostle Paul says to the high-minded and proud man who claims to be exalted: “What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as though you have not received it?” (1Cor 4,7). So let the man who would call his own what is not his own understand that he has received it and make himself small, for it is good for him that God should be glorified in him. Therefore, let him grow less in himself that in him God may grow greater." (St Augustine's homily)

Amen.

Huwag OA…

Dumalo ako sa malakihang ‘Gawain’ ng grupo ng El Shaddai dito sa Roma nu'ng linggo, nag ‘con-celebrate’ sa Misa. Inaasahan ko na na maraming tao dahil una, ito ang ‘first European crusade’ ng El Shaddai dito sa Roma, at dahil nga naroroon din ang punong-lingkod ng grupo, si Bro. Mike Velarde.

Alam ko rin na magiging mahaba ang Misa, magiging masayang-masaya ang buong paligid sa kantahan at sayawan, sabayan pa ng sigaw sa galak at mga galaw ng papuri. Naruroon din ang mga nakilala ko ng mga kapatiran sa Emilia Romagnia, kaya naman mas lalo akong natuwa na makita sila.

May mga paring Pilipino at mga dalawang Sri Lankan na naimbitahang mag concelebrate. Sa tutoo, dapat narururoon ang mga spiritual advisers ng iba’t-ibang cell group ng El Shaddai pero marahil siguro sa ibang kumpermiso ay mga hindi nakarating. Sa parte ko, ako ay hindi isang spiritual adviser ng grupo subalit ako mismo ang humiling na ako’y mag con celebrate. Ako naman ay napagbigyan at nagpapasalamat sa isang kapatiran na ako’y mapaunlakan.

May dalawang bagay akong hindi nagustuhan sa pagdalo ko sa malakihang gawain na ito: una ay ang ‘arte’ ng mga ‘disciple preachers’ na mga tumayong ‘security guards’ ni Bro Mike. Arte dahil sa tutoo lang hindi kinakailangang sobrahan ang pagbantay nila sa punong lingkod na parang dudumugin ng tao. Ako mismo ang nakapuna na ang mga tao, bagamat tuwang-tuwa sa pagdating at na makita ang punong lingkod ay hindi naman nagkakagulo ni nag-uunahan na mahawakan si Bro Mike. Ano ngayon ang ibig sabihin ng kilos nila na animo’y pagkakaguluhan ang pinuproteksyunan nila?

Gusto tuloy nilang palabasin na walang disiplina ang mga tao, na hindi kayang magpakita ng tamang asal o baka gusto nilang makatawag ng atensyon na sila ang bida o dumating na ang bida? OA! Nakakatawa at nakakahiya. Huwag ganu’n dahil hindi ito kailangan. Kung ito ay dahil sa may hindi magandang karanasan ang punong lingkod sa ibang gawain, huwag nilang itulad ito at ang mga tao du’n. Ibagay sana nila at ilagay sa lugar. Tuloy, lumabas silang parang ‘sinasamba’ ang isang ‘imahen.’ Aba’y hindi turong Katoliko iyan at naniniwala akong hindi iyan kukunsintihin ng punong lingkod.

Ikalawa ay ang homiliya: si Kristo dapat ang sentro, si Kristo ang dapat mahayag. At kung may ilalaan tayong mahabang bahagi at oras, ito ay dapat ayon sa pinag-uusapan. Hindi na kailangang hingin ang palakpak ng tao dahil sila na mismo ang papalakpak. Hindi na  kailangang sumigaw dahil hindi mga bingi ang tao. Okay lang ang mag ‘palabok’ sa pagkukwento pero huwag naman sanang ilayo sa tunay na usapin at du’n sa dapat na talakayin. Lumabas tuloy na parang ‘public’ speaking.

Sino ako para humusga? Maaring ako din ay kabilang sa mga pinuna kong mga kilos at pamamaraan, na ako'y nagmamainam at nag-aakalang walang kapalpalkan. Subalit ang layunin ng pamumunang ito ay upang lahat tayo ay matuto, mag-aral at yumabong, du’n sa tama at sa mabuti, du’n sa mga bagay na ang pinag-uugatan ay grasya, du’n sa katotohanang si Hesus ang bida, at siya lamang ang dapat na kinikilala at sinasamba.

Kung babasahin ninyo ito ng may pang-unawa sa inyong puso, walang gulo, walang magiging pagkakabaha-bahagi, subalit kung ang paghahariin natin ay poot at kataasan, walang tayong mauunawaan at matututuhan. 

Real age: 39

Today is my 39^th birthday and I am completely overwhelmed by the showers of greetings from family, friends and religious brethren. This is my first birthday that I ever received a surprise birthday party – simple but truly appreciated. This time also as the tradition started few years ago, my parents (all four of them) and my family gather at our house to celebrate my birthday. I always wish that I am present, not for the gifts but for the food though…J Aside from the personal and e-written greetings and e-cards, I also received a handful emails expressing best wishes and happy returns to me. How can anyone not be happy, more so, thankful for being alive, for having another chance to live and be loved? I don’t intend to sound selfish, I am just grateful for being so blessed.

In return, I presided the Holy Mass this morning in my community. As I headed to the chapel, I remembered the people who have become part and still remain part of my life. I especially offered my intention for all of you who in one way or another, in little or significant ways truly inspired me and have given me strength to commit to live, and to keep the promise I made to the Lord. There are too many names to mention but be assured that your faces are recorded in my memory, some blurred others highlighted though J Today, I wish nothing for myself but rather for all of your wishes, you who helped me, were patient with me, understood and educated me, and you who generously shared your blessings in so many different ways. Salamat po at Maraming salamat sa Diyos ng Buhay at nang ating mga Ikinabubuhay!