PINAGPALA KA... NAGPUPURI AKO...

May 31, 2011

Feast of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth

Zep 3,14-18a or Rm 12,9-6

Lk 1,39-56

===

Noong nagsimula akong maglingkod sa cyber community sa pamamagitan ng pag-type ng mga reflection, marami rin akong mga natatanggap na papuri. Sabi nga ng isa, Go on proclaiming the Good News! Sabi pa ng isa, 'Ang galing mo, pride ka ng school mo!' At marami pang iba. Marami na rin akong mga nasasagap na panlilibak, mga marunong na nagtatanong ng aking scholastic achievement, at kung ano'ng karapatan na nagbibigay sa akin ng kalayaan na gumawa ng ganitong blogsite. 

Kahit na minsan, nagdadala ito sa akin ng laki ng ulo at yabang, gayunpaman, pinapaalala ko sa aking sarili na wala ako kung hindi dahil sa Diyos. Kapag nakakatanggap ako ng mga kumento, papuri man o panlilibak, wala na akong sinasabi kundi, 'Salamat po! Naglilingkod lang po ako. Mas dapat pasalamatan ang Panginoon dahil siya ang nagbigay sa akin ng ganitong biyaya.' Para sa akin kasi, hindi ko naman talaga ito gagawin o magagawa kundi dahil sa lakas na nagmumula sa Panginoon. Sabihin na ng iba na mayabang ako, sabihin na nilang nagmamarunong ako, ngunit sa huli'y ang Diyos ang nagkakaloob ng lakas sa akin na ganapin ito. Dahil rito'y siya lang ang dapat kong paglaanan ng aking pasasalamat.

Pero may mas higit pang naglaan ng pagpuri sa Panginoon sa biyayang pinagkaloob sa kanya, at siya ay walang iba kundi ang Mahal na Inang si Maria. Pagkalipas niyang malaman ang pagdadalang-tao ng kanyang pinsang si Elisabet (at iyun ay noong balitaan siya ni Gabriel na magiging Ina siya ng Manunubos), ay nagmamadaling pumunta si Maria sa isang bayan sa kaburulan ng Judea. Milagro ito para kay Elisabet dahil, tulad ng ating alam, baog siya at hindi magkaanak. Biyayang itinuturing ito dahil patunay ito na ang Panginoon ay higit na umaalala sa lahat ng nananalig sa kanya.

Ang sandaling ito ay hindi lang nag-angat kay Elisabet, kundi higit itong nag-angat kay Maria. Diba nga, nang magkita ang dalawang magpinsan, ay gumalaw sa galak ang sanggol sa sinapupunan ni Elisabet? Higit na naramdaman ng Pinsan ni Maria ang kamahalan at kabanalan na nasa kanyang harapan, na dahil dito ay napabulalas si Elisabet: Pinagpala ka sa mga babae, at pinagpala rin naman ang iyong dinadala sa sinapupunan! Sino ako upang dalawin ng Ina ng aking Panginoon? ... Mapalad ka, sapagkat pinaniwalaan mong magaganap ipinabatid sa iyo ng Panginoon!

Ano nga ba ang dapat na maging tugon ni Maria dito? Kung ibang babae si Maria, malamang ay sinabi niyang, Ay, kasi naman ako ang karapat-dapat! Hindi tulad ng iba diyan, mga kalapating mababa ang lipad, mga taong walang sinabi sa lipunan. Dapat lang na ako ang piliin ng Diyos, kasi angat ako sa inyong lahat! May kasama pa iyang taas-kilay at ngiting-aso. Iyan ay kung hindi mababa ang kalooban ng ating Mahal na Ina. Sigurado nang yabang ang kanyang ipinairal, siguradong sarili na niya ang kanyang iniangat!


Subalit hindi ito ang ipinakitang ugali ni Maria. Sa harap ng lahat ng biyayang dumating sa kanya, ay pakumbaba siyang yumuko at nagwika, Ang Puso ko'y nagpupuri sa Panginoon, nagagalak rin ang aking Espiritu dahil sa Diyos na aking tagpagligtas! Sapagkat nilingap niya ang kanyang alipin, at dahil rito'y kikilalanin akong mapalad ng lahat ng salinlahi. Sa lahat ng ginawa sa akin ng makapangyarihan, SIYA'Y HIGIT NA BANAL! ...


Napansin ba natin? Ang layu-layo na ng tugon ni Maria sa tugon ng common tao sa ngayon! 


Isang tanong ng pagninilay para sa araw na ito: Kapag pinuri tayo, o sinabihan ng pinagpala ka naman, ang laki ng bahay mo, ang yaman-yaman mo, angat ka sa buhay, at kung anu-ano pa, ano ang kadalasan nating tinutugon? 


Karamihan, ang isasagot ay ganito, Ay! Dahil nagsikap ako kaya ko naabot yan. ayoko kasing matulad sa mga hampas-lupa na wala nang ginawa sa buhay kundi uminom, magsugal at mambabae. Ay! dahil magaling kasi ako at marunong sa buhay. Ay! Dahil hindi ako tulad ninyo na ayaw magsumikap sa buhay. At marami pang tulad nito na paniguradong nagtatakda ng ating pagtaas sa ating sarili at pagyayabang sa ating mga nakamit o nagawa.


Ngunit tignan natin si Maria. Sa kanyang tugon sa papuring natanggap niya kay Elisabet, hindi nababakas ang pagmamayabang. Hindi nakikita ang pag-angat sa sarili. Ang tugon ni Maria ay isang papuri hindi sa kanyang sarili, kundi sa kanyang Diyos. Hindi niya ipinahiwatig na siya ang mahalaga, kundi ang Panginoon, at ang Salitang nagkatawang-tao sa kanyang sinapupunan. Mula pa sa simula, talos na ito ni Maria, na ang Diyos ay sumasakanya, at Siya ang mahalaga higit sa lahat.


Ito rin ang dalang hamon sa atin ng Kapistahang ito: praise God above all! Sabi nga ni St. Ambrose: You also are blessed because you have heard and believed. A soul that believes both conceives and brings forth the Word of God and acknowledges his works. Sa lahat ng ating mga ginagawa sa araw-araw, mula sa paggising hanggang sa paghimlay, matatalos nating kasama natin at gabay ang Panginoon. Sa bawat pagkakataong ating nakakasalamuha ang ating kapwa, pakisipin nating ang Diyos ang ating kaniigan. Sa bawat kilos na ating pinapakita, alalahanin nating ang Diyos ang nagbibigay sa atin ng lakas na magpatuloy sa araw-araw na gawain.


Higit sa lahat, sa bawat pakikinig natin sa Salita ng Diyos, lagi nating tatandaan na ito ang nagsisilbing liwanag na tanglaw natin sa araw-araw na buhay. Huwag nating kakalimutan na ang Diyos ang higit sa lahat ng ating pag-iral sa mundo. 


Kung tayo ay naniniwala na ang Diyos ay higit sa ating lahat, at siya ang pinagmumulan ng mga biyaya, ito na ang magbubunsod sa atin na magpasalamat sa kanya sa lahat ng kaloob niya sa atin. At tulad ni Maria sa kanyang pagdalaw kay Elisabet, maipapahayag na natin ang ating taos-pusong pagpupuri sa Panginoon sa lahat ng biyaya at pagpapalang ating patuloy na natatanggap. 

MAY TAMANG BALITA: MAY DARATING!!!

May 29, 2011

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Ac 8,5-8.14-17 . 1Pt 3,15-18

Jn 14,15-21

===

Sino na sa inyo ang nakapanood ng May Tamang Balita tuwing Biyernes? Ito ang isang katangi-tangi at kakaibang programa kung saan ang mga balita at mga pananaw ay pinepresenta sa isang katawa-tawang pamamaraan, ngunit informing pa rin. Satiric viewpoint, kung baga, ng mga balita na minsa'y nakakainis na kung panoorin o pakinggan. Ito ang nagpapatunay na ang Pilipino, imbes na seryosohin ang mga suliranin, ay nakakapaglaan pa rin ng panahon at oras upang tawanan at tignan ito in a much positive way. Iyan ang May Tamang Balita! Once-a-week lang yan.

Subalit para sa ating mga Kristiyano, ay naku! Tuwing Linggo, laging MAY TAMANG BALITA! Iyung balita na hindi nakakatawa, hindi nakakapanlibak at mas lalong hindi nakakapang-bagot. Ito talaga ang tamang balita na dapat nating laging pinapakinggan dahil hindi lang siya positive, kundi tunay na uplifting ang impact nito sa ating mga sarili, lalo na sa ating mga espirituwal na buhay.

At sino pa nga ba ang maghahatid ng Tamang Balitang ito? Walang iba kundi si Hesus! Ito ang kanyang Tamang Balita para sa atin ngayon: May isang darating!

Opo, mga kapatid! May darating! Matatandaan nating si Hesus ay nagbibilin na sa kanyang mga alagad noong gabi bago siya ipapatay. Bakas sa mukha nila ang pag-aalala, pagtataka at kalungkutan. Iiwan na daw sila ni Hesus? Paano na ang mga nasimulan nila? Susuguin daw sila sa bawat sulok ng mundo? Eh paano nila gagawin iyun kung mga hamak lang silang mangingisda?

Alam ni Hesus ito, at ayaw naman niyang iwang walang lakas ang mga alagad niya, kaya may ibinahagi siyang balita sa kanila: Dadalangin ako sa Ama, upang kayo'y bigyan niya ng isa pang Tagapagtanggol na magiging kasama ninyo magpakailanman. Siya ang Espiritu ng katotohanan...

Lubusang pagtataka ang lalong bumakas sa isipan ng mga Apostol: Ano daw? Espiritu ng Katotohanan? Paano naman darating iyun? Subalit hindi pa naman talaga ito ang pagkakataon, at may darating pang sandali, ito ay sa darating na Pista ng Pentekostes kung kailan ang Banal na Espiritu ay bababa nga sa kanila sa anyong dilang apoy! Wow! May Tamang Balita nga! 

Pati tayo sa panahong ito ay nadadamayan ng Tamang Balitang ito. Tayo, sa biyaya ng Binyag, at sa Krismang ipinahid sa ating noo noong tayo'y Kumpilan, ay para na ring mga lalagyan na kinapapalooban ng Banal na Espiritu! Tayong mga iniligtas sa Krus at Pagkabuhay ni Hesus ay binibiyayaan rin ng Diwa ng pagiging Anak ng Diyos. At ito ang tunay na Tamang Balita para sa ating lahat.

Pero HEPP! Hindi lahat ay binibigyang-pansin ang Tamang Balitang ito! Lahat nga'y binigyan ng banal na biyayang ito mula sa Diyos, ngunit hindi lahat ay papansin dito. Halata naman di ba? Sa panahon nga lang natin ngayon, eh. Mas masisiyahan pa ang madla kung nakikita nating nahihirapan ang ating kapwa, lalo na kung tayo ang may-dahilan ng paghihirap nilang iyun. Wow naman, di ba! Eh kung mas natutuwa ka pa sa panonood ng May Tamang Balita tuwing Biyernes imbes na pagtuunan ng pansin ang Tamang Balita ng Kaligtasan tuwing Misa pag Linggo, eh wala ka na ring pinagkaiba sa kanilang lahat!

Eh paano malalaman na tumama na sa atin ang Tamang Balitang ito? Simple lang, si Hesus na rin ang magbibigay ng signs and symptoms: Ang tumatanggap sa mga utos ko at tumutupad nito ang siyang umiibig sa akin. Ang umiibig sa akin ay iibigin ng aking Ama; iibigin ko rin siya at ako'y lubusang magpapakilala sa kanya. In short, sundin lang natin ang utos ng Panginoon, mahalin siya ng higit sa lahat at mahalin ang kapwa tulad ng sarili, at nakakasiguro tayong sasaatin ang Espiritu ng Kabanalan ng ating Panginoon! Nasa atin ngang mga sarili ang Tamang Balitang ito!

O, tanungin natin ngayon ang ating mga sarili: Natatalos na ba nating nasa atin ang Banal na Espiritu? Sa araw-araw nating buhay sa mundo, nakikita ba ng ating kapwa sa ating mga katauhan ang Panginoon? O tulad ng iba, mas natutuwa tayo sa mga bagay na panandalian lang ang sayang hatid sa atin? 

Dalawang Bagay ang mapupulot natin sa Tamang Balita ngayong araw, mga kapatid. Una, laging handog sa atin ng Diyos ang Espiritu Santo upang maunawaan natin ang kanyang kalooban sa atin. Ikalawa, tinatawag tayong tuparin ang ating mga Kristiyanong tungkulin, ang umibig, manampalataya, manalangin at magkawanggawa. Kapag naunawaan na natin at natupad ang dalawang bagay na ito, ay handa na nga nating tanggapin ang darating na biyaya sa Linggo ng Pentekostes.

Mga kapatid, uulitin ko. Linggu-linggo tayong binibigyan ng pagkakataon na mapakinggan ang mga Tamang Balita buhat sa ating Panginoon. Sa bawat Misa na ating dinadaluhan ay nagkakaroon tayo ng mga bagong pang-unawa sa pag-ibig at kaligtasang dulot ng kamatayan at pagkabuhay ni Hesus. Higit pa ito sa bawat balitang naririnig natin sa bawat aaw ng ating buhay. Dahil sa ating Panginoon, Laging Tama ang Balita!

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!

Voices and Doors

May 15, 2011

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Good Shepherd Sunday

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Ac 2,14a.36-41 . 1Pt 2,20b-25

Jn 10,1-10

===

And who does not enter a house through a door, or a gate? Who does not go through somewhere if not through a portal? Surely if we go through a window or an opening somewhere, we would be thought of not only as a thief, but as a lunatic. Being a civilized people, we truly know how to enter through just any place - that is through the door or the gate.

I remember one certain event when I was a student in Elementary, I am a member of our choir then. The door  to our practice room is still locked, so we were forced to enter through the window without the guard's permission. When she came to knew of this, she reprimanded us for our mischief, and told us to go down and wait for our teacher to come open the door for us. 

That's how important the door is. It does not only show proper manners, but it is also a sign of authority. If you don't enter through the door, you are an unauthorized person, thus you are forced to go out of the place in disgrace.

As we reflect on the Gospel for Good Shepherd Sunday, we hear the words of our Lord, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Sheep, for our information, are blind animals, but they have strong hearing instincts. Once they hear their master's voice or signal, they follow him as he takes them towards the pasture. They feel secure once they hear the master's voice. But once they hear another voice, they decline to follow him. Perhaps they know that he is a thief, or they just don't recognize the unfamiliar voice.

Once a thief enters the sheep pen, usually he goes through the the barricades and not through the gate. Clearly, his intention is not a good one. But when the master goes through the pen, automatically he enters through the gate. It is a sign of his authority, for he knows how to open or close the gates of the pen. And for the sheep, once they hear the doors open, it is clear for them that it is the master.

I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. We are seen today as the sheep whom the Lord takes care of, and he presents himself to us today as the gate of which we enter. He uses the gate as his way of presenting himself as the only way of sure safety for us his followers. 

Thieves invade the sheep pen through going through the walls and snatching the sheep. this is clear though the works of the devil in the present time. We see many man-made tragedies here and abroad: terrorism, killings, bombings, and other crimes. These bring discord to the sheep - us in general - and carefully they are led away by the evil one to have hatred for their neighbor, and so to retaliate. 

This is also clear through the rise of the many protestant churches in places, with the most of the members sadly coming from the Catholic Church. Many believers of these 'churches' go house-to-house to have a little discussion with Catholics. Using eloquence of words, they succeed in convincing one to come join their 'circle of believers.' This is one manifestation that the thieves are strong and fierce in snatching the sheep of the Lord.

But as for us who truly know what we believe in, we know that safety does not lie with them, but only with the Lord. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. In the Lord Jesus lies the real protection that is provided for the sheep, for the believers. If we really know the Lord's voice (the scriptures) and eat of the food he provides (the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist), then we have nothing to fear; we are sure to have his divine protection. He do provides this for us to be secure despite the invasion of the thieves and robbers of the world.

So we ask ourselves, Which voice do we follow: the thief's or the shepherd's? Do we let ourselves be snatched away by the devil and by his minions? Or do we feel secure that the Lord provides us safety? Do we really enter the gate which leads us to safety and satisfaction with God? We must be sure of the voice we are following nowadays. We must be sure that we follow Jesus' voice. We must know that his voice is a voice of compassion, of safety, of protection from the enemies.

As we reflect the Lord's words on this day provided for intense prayer for more vocations, We pray that the Lord may provide us with the right discernment to know which voice to follow. May he provide us with the ample spirit to recognize his voice and follow him to green pastures, where he provides life and have it more abundantly.

We also pray for the chosen few who follow the Lord's voice through serving the Church as her ministers: the priests, deacons and religious. We pray that the Lord Jesus may grant them more protection against the enemies, and that he may strengthen them and inspire them to call others to heed His call of unwavering service to the flock.

The Road to Emmaus...Mom's and Ours.

May 08, 2011

Third Sunday of Easter

Ac 2,14.22-33 . 1Pt 1,17-31

Lk 24,13-35

===

Maybe, if there is somebody who I really consider as my idol and model, aside from Jesus, Mary and the heavenly courts, that could certainly be my mommy. From the first moment when I came to being, I saw, felt and realized how much she loves me and my brother and sisters. Though her past is not that clear, nevertheless she strove for the welfare of all her children. She raised us to become good, responsible children. Though we are currently experiencing certain strifes in our relations as a family, nevertheless she is still strong and persevering for us, especially for the three children who remained unmarried until now, my two sisters and me.

If there is one thing that she certainly did for us, that is to guide us in the path that we should take, for us to be prepared for the future. She'd let us study in a Catholic School for us to be more imbued with Christian values. She'd let me face reality when she made me enter into a public university. Though I always make her mad, she'd never left us alone. That makes me love her all the more. That's the best thing that I could do for her, to love, appreciate, value and cherish everything that she did and taught me.

Perhaps, these were not the thoughts which were in the minds of the two disciples when they were walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Brought about by the terror of the death of the Lord on Golgotha, these disciples walked their way home in sorrow, knowing that everything is over for Jesus and for them. In one event, every teaching, every healing, just everything which is connected to Jesus' ministry were washed away. Nothing is left for them, except the great sorrow over the death of their master. Not to forget the confusion which they have upon knowing that His Body was not seen in the tomb anymore, and is nowhere to be found. That really means nothingness for them. Wala na, tapos na. 

That is, until Jesus came in and walked with them. He noticed this grave sorrow upon the disciples, so he asked, What are you discussing as you walk along? The men were shocked, as if he did not know what happened at the City. So they shared their piece of the real story. 

Upon hearing this, Jesus said, Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? For Jesus, his disciples had really forgotten what is really the real thing, so as they are walking, he once again taught them the teachings of Moses, and the Prophets. This may be the only way for the Disciples who walked with him to once again appreciate the reality behind his death and Resurrection.

But nothing comes close to the event in the Disciples' house, when they asked Jesus to stay and eat with them,  for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over. Jesus sat at the table, took the bread, blessed it and gave it to them. It was like Jesus is saying, sige, sirit na. Ito ako oh, muli kong ipinapaalala sa inyo na ibinigay ko ang sarili kong buhay para sa inyo! How come you lost your faith in me so fast? Now, appreciate what I'm doing for you, and believe that i am risen!

And indeed, the eyes of the disciples were opened. But at that instant, Jesus disappeared. It was as if Jesus fulfilled his mission to the disciples, that he already made them realize the back story behind his death and resurrection. With that, they returned to Jerusalem to tell the whole thing. The two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread. Their intense sorrow were replaced by immense joy upon seeing the Lord walking with them and making them appreciate the essence of his saving mission.

Mothers guide us; Jesus walks with us! Just the same thing as our mothers do for us in providing our daily needs and concerns, material or emotional, Jesus guides us spiritually through his Word and nourishes us through the Holy Eucharist, towards our salvation and total being. These two great things makes us celebrate this day with greater fervor and a spirit of gratitude: for the gift of Jesus' glorious saving work, and for our mothers' continuing effort to provide us with love and care.

We look into our own lives and ask ourselves, How do I appreciate the things that the Lord did for me? Is it the same as I do appreciate my mother's hardworking endeavor for my family? We should ponder on how these two people in our lives - our Lord and our Mothers, continue to form us to become responsible citizens of this world, living in filial love and gratitude. Without Jesus, we are not saved. Without our mothers, we would never come into being.

We pray today for the Mothers around the world, especially our own mothers, that like Mary who followed the Lord's will selflessly, they may continue to pray, work, and live to be the light of our homes and inspiration of our families. May we continually show our utmost support for their every hard work for our families, and for the love that she continues to provide us.

Likewise, we pray to the Risen Lord that he may continually guide us as we continue to trail this life of tears and joys. We pray for him to guide us with his wisdom to know and appreciate what is meant for our salvation. May we continue to show our appreciation for the Lord's saving glory through living a real holy life, and offering our every word and act for God's greater glory.