VIA, VERITAS, VITA... Really!

May 22, 2011

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Ac 6,1-7 . 1Pt 2,4-9

Jn 14,1-12

===

A SITUATIONER FIRST. 

I am writing this reflection on the day which a certain religious group said would be the End of the World and Judgment Day. Word of this circulated in every road and bus of the metro, here and abroad, informing the people that a certain earthquake is happening anytime today, causing destruction and havoc in the rest of the planet. I'm writing this post at exactly 3:00 PM of May 21, 2011, and so far life goes as usual. Like we're all asking, ano'ng meron?

A common talk of the town nowadays is the rising debate on the RH Bill (this site had stated its stand already.), with the Faithful - and the Filipinos for that - divided into two camps, PRO and ANTI. The Pro-RH group is led by the government officials, showing that this is the only way for us to control our number and lead our nation to progress. The Anti-RH group is led by the Church and other concerned groups, telling on the other hand that the bill is truly against the Law of God and teachings of the Church. We're on the ANTI side, and we're here to stay.

BOTTOMLINE IS...

What's so common with these situations? IT IS OF THEIR OWN VERSION and IDEA. Each camp has ideologies which, they tell, is the truth. This is their way of expressing it, and this would lead to the life they always wanted. Well, what do we expect? The world is full of intelligence that one is really confused which one is telling the truth and which is not. Which way to take and which to ignore. Which life to choose and which to fear of.

EGO SUM VIA, VERITAS, ET VITA!

This Fifth Sunday of Easter, we listen to Jesus' words which we usually hear at funeral Masses. This may come like a bizzare situation for us, knowing that we hear this every time there is a deceased relative or friend and a Mass is offered for him. But look, my brothers! These words are not only intended for the faithful departed, but they are also intended for us above all!

Jesus said, EGO SUM VIA. Last week, he comes as the gate; today he comes as the Way towards that gate. He is the real and only way to our salvation. He died on the Cross, he offered his life, for us to be redeemed. If not through his ultimate sacrifice, we would never be reconciled to the Father. We would never experience the love of God if not through Him. 

The way of God comes through his Word, revealed by the Lord Jesus through his preaching, and continued by the Apostles. The Way of God comes through the Great Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, continued and put in memory in every celebration of the Eucharist. In a more personal tone, The Way of God comes through our daily activities, especially when we ask His help in everything we do.

Of course, we survive in our own way of living through each single day. We try to conceive every possible means to make our living here in this world a very efficient one. Many work hard to earn a living, but few only depend on the knock of chance. Nevertheless, we also realize that we ask God's guidance in doing these tasks. We seek his providence every time we dwell into an endeavor. Everything without God is worth nothing, ika nga. We usually consider our way of doing things, without knowing that this IS God's way working in us.

If we don't believe that Jesus is the Way, perhaps we would believe more on the worldly ways of our leaders, especially those who let the poor suffer more while they have much of the nation's wealth in just one sitting. . We would believe on the ways of the so-called prophets who tell that the world is ending, then ask their believers to repent and collect donations for the cause, only to end up in their purses. We would believe on the ways of darkness causing hate and discord on the people then telling them that it would certainly please God. That is the way of the world! God's way comes otherwise!

Jesus said, EGO SUM VERITAS. Truth, as we know of it, is something which is actual, real, and true. Truth is presented in a very unusual manner sometimes, but nevertheless it comes to liberate everyone's doubts and fears. The truth that Jesus is is the truth that sets us all free from the bondage of sin and of the world: The truth shall set you free!

Sometimes we look for the worldly deeds: power, finances, fame, and lust. We are pleased with every pleasure these things present, thinking that these would make us hunger and thirst no more, that these would save us from damnation and every anxiety. But at the time when we do not understand the meaning of everything we do, and these things won't content us anymore, God comes with the Liberating Truth: that these things of the world won't make us happy nor contented! It is in the truth that Jesus died and rose for our salvation, that he invites us to be with him! Indeed, we feel contented. Indeed, we feel saved. Indeed, we feel free.

Also, we look onto the situation that there are many accounts of the 'truth' nowadays, but these are merely accounts of man. They say this, some say that. These things believers believe as the truth. But come to think of it, their accounts of truth does not lead to freedom, rather it causes panic and havoc amongst people. These are only rational ideas, not of God, that's why. 

Nevertheless, we remember that truth, though it hurts, will lead us to real freedom. And that freedom is one with God. Where can we find this truth? We can find it there, in his Divine Words, written in the Scriptures. we can find it there, in the Holy Sacrifice, done in every Holy Eucharist. We can find it there, in every good and holy deed which we do for the welfare of our neighbor. There lies the truth. 

Jesus said, EGO SUM VITA. We can take it into its simple terms, Jesus is indeed Life, and he is the fullest of it! His life is that which provides peace, security, love and joy. Like the Good Shepherd who always provides for his sheep, Jesus always comes full with every good thing that he can give for everyone who believe in him -- that, including his own life. The Good Shepherd lays down his own life for the sheep...

Not in the riches of the world can we find the real life that God has for us. Kasi we may say, Ah! Nasa akin na ang lahat! Wala na akong mahihiling pa. Pera, tanyag, kapag napasa pa ang RH Bill, yung kick back nun. Yung mga under-the-table ko mula sa mga opisyal na tiwali. Lahat nasa akin na. Katoliko ako, pero pabor ako sa ganitong mga panukala. Para sa lahat ito eh... lalo na para sa akin. Kontento na ako, mabubuhay na ako rito! Yes!

This is the common song of the people who consider life in the things of the world. For them, this is life and this is its epitome. Sadly, it isn't. Jesus is saying, Ego Sum Veritas... I came for them to have life, and have it abundantly. These words suffice the reality that Jesus and Jesus alone is our only access to Eternal Life. This, he did through the Cross when he died there for our sake. This is enough for us to have the life which God wants of us.

We can find this life neither in the worldly honor or fame, nor in the riches that pass away. As Jesus said in the Beatitudes, Blessed are the poor in spirit, the Kingdom of God is theirs. It is really seen in all simplicity. It is seen in humility. It is seen in charity. As long as we abide by God's precepts, we are sure to inherit life in the coming ages.

IN OTHER WORDS...

Jesus is really our Way, Truth and Life towards God! He wills that everyone may partake in this sacred privilege that only he can provide: No one comes to the Father except through me! If we consider Him as the real way towards the life of truth in God's midst, then we can really consider ourselves as God's children, close to him and loved by him: From now on, you see him and know him.

AND SO...

We now ask ourselves, Which way do we take, the way of the world, or the Way of God, be it seen or hidden in our hearts? Would the truth that we hold liberate us from our anxieties? Do we find life in the world's riches, or in God's humble simplicity? 

It is hard nowadays to tell which is which. But we earnestly ask for God's discernment in everything we do and think, that we may be guided as we continue to live in this life of pure challenges and pure opinions. Only God provides us with this spirit of right and keen judgment; only he may lead us in choosing the right from the wrong, life from death, truth from lies. Remember that only Jesus takes us from our death to life in God's midst, He being the truth of God's love, He being the Way towards eternal happiness.

Jesus comes today as the Way, Truth and Life. In the Word and Eucharist, he is here for real! We should believe to this reality, and hold on to his continuing promise of life for all of us. Above all, we should put our unwavering trust upon him in all things that we should dwell into. We hope that at the end of our every undertaking in this world, he may lead us to the Father's house where there are many rooms, one for each one of us.

A SITUATIONER AGAIN.

It's 7:00 PM here and I'm into posting this reflection. They said that by 6:00 PM, everything shall come into an end. Thankfully, nothing happened. Thank God, the planet is still here to stay. It's not yet the End. We shall continue living and doing our call as Christians here in this world. Let's wait until 2012.

The fight against the RH Bill continues. It's still far from over. We shall continue to raise our voice to tell the people there at Congress that the truth is this: We are for Life! and Life does not permit man to kill it on its very beginning. WE'RE AGAINST THE RH BILL!