How are you using the gifts God has blessed you with? Be careful not to use them against His will - Daily Reflections August 31,2013

YOUR GIFT — A BLESSING OR A CURSE?   A Christian is expected to be productive. The parable of the talents tells us that when the time comes, the Lord will ask us to account for the gifts He has given us. It also reminds us that all of us were given gifts. The different circumstances of the receiver and what they did with their gifts distinguish God’s requirement.        First, we must acknowledge that God gave us gifts. There was nothing we generated on our own. Life itself is a gift. Anything coming out of living the life we were given should be attributed to God’s generosity. Do we recognize those gifts? No one can say that he has no gifts at all. If we look closely at ourselves, we will see that God has given us something that we can use to serve others: our time, talent or treasure. Even a poor person can be of service and, thus, become fruitful.        Merely recognizing our gifts is not enough — we must use them. We have a saying in Filipino,“Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo?” (For what good is the fodder if the horse is already dead?) Some people know they have talents but do not use them for one reason or another. I always share the story of a friend who has a good singing voice. He elected not to join the choir because of “over-humility.” One day, he woke up with a very hoarse voice, making his singing voice disappear. A curse? Maybe, maybe not. But he realized how selfish he was. So, he vowed to make amends once he recovered. And he did!        But it is not enough to use our talents; we must use them for the good. It was God who gave them, so we should use them according to His will. We see women endowed with beautiful bodies who display them with abandon. And there are those who have propensity for numbers but they use their talent to cheat or shortchange others. A gift that is used against God’s will becomes a curse. Fr. Benny Tuazon REFLECTION QUESTION: How are you using the gifts God has blessed you with? Be careful not to use them against His will.   Lord, thank You for Your gifts. May I learn to use them to help build Your Kingdom on earth, not tear it down.

If the world will end in an hour, what will you do? - Daily Reflections August 30,2013

Judgment Day Certainties And

Uncertainties

 

The theme for today’s Gospel is usually heard during Advent or Lent, when preparation for the end-time or Judgment Day is dealt with. The parable of the 10 virgins talks about a Jewish marriage tradition. Everyone prepares for and anticipates the coming of the groom by having vigil lamps equipped with oil. The virgins represent all of us who are awaiting the coming of the Lord Jesus, represented by the groom.

       Nobody knows the exact date and time of the Lord’s coming. What is sure is it will come and everyone should be prepared. If we are caught unprepared, like the five virgins who went out to look for oil, we will not be allowed to enter the Kingdom.

       Judgment Day may mean the ultimate day when the world will end and be subject to God, but it could also mean our death. When we die, we face judgment. We know that death is a mystery, but it is also a certainty. It comes to anyone at anytime and in any place. And in death, age does not matter. No one can say he is too young or too healthy to die.

       We ask, “Why does the Lord not inform us fully when these things will happen?” Would it really matter? If we know the time and place of our death, how will we live our lives? We will be more time conscious rather than be more concerned with living a meaningful and fruitful life.

       Let me end with an anecdote. Once, in the seminary, a formator was seated on his rocking chair, reading a newspaper. I approached him and asked, “Father, if the world will end in an hour, what will you do?” The priest stopped rocking his chair and stared at me. After probably sensing that I was serious with my question, he answered, “I will just continue reading and rocking my chair!” Indeed, we must always be prepared. When Judgment Day comes, there is nothing we can really do but continue what we were doing. Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: If the world will end in an hour, what will you do?

 

Father, help me to always be ready to meet You, anytime, any place.

Who is your favorite saint? What about his or her life that struck you? How can you imitate his or her qualities in your own life? - Daily Reflections August 29,2013

A CERTAIN DYING, A CERTAIN LIVING

 

Why do we celebrate a violent and tragic event like John’s beheading? Didn’t he deserve a more honorable and meaningful death? But we have to see this in context. The real reason for his death should define it.

       Jesus also suffered a humiliating and seemingly meaningless death as far as the unbelievers were concerned. The Jews and Romans saw it as scandalous. But as far as God was concerned, Jesus died for everyone’s sake — that we may live. Christians see the crucifixion as an expression of God’s great love — love at the highest level!

       Though not on equal footing, the death of John should be defined similarly. John died proclaiming the Good News of Jesus’ coming. He became a nuisance to Herod. Aside from John’s revelation of Herod’s unfaithfulness, he was also gaining some following, which was beginning to threaten Herod’s leadership. John’s imprisonment eased the tension a bit. The request for his head was an opportunity and Herod was not able to resist it. He hoped that the death of John would dispel his fears.

       It was also the time for Jesus. John had prepared the way of Jesus. And Jesus had arrived to bring into fruition what John had lived for. John’s death, in a way, foretold of the fate of Jesus. Surely, the student is not greater than his Master. In both deaths, we see through them and beyond. To a Christian, an offering of life for God’s greater glory is not discounted. To some, it may be meaningless, absurd or scandalous. But for a Christian, it can be an expression of love and faith.

       There was a time in the history of the Catholic Church when Christians were being killed because of their faith. Many denied their faith for fear of death. But many braved the persecution and they became martyrs for the faith. In the Catholic Faith, death in the name of faith is always embraced. John’s death was not a waste. It must be celebrated. Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Who is your favorite saint? What about his or her life that struck you? How can you imitate his or her qualities in your own life?

 

Lord, You gave us the example of saints. May we live and follow in their footsteps.

Are you true to what you believe in? Does your life reflect it? - Daily Reflections August 28,2013

ST. AUGUSTINE, TRUE —

THROUGH AND THROUGH!

 

Today is the feast of a great saint, St. Augustine. His life was not holy from the very beginning. He was a true sinner, but he went through a lot of purification. Like Philip, he had no guile within himself. He never denied it. He loved women especially — their bodies, beauty and youth. He was intelligent but used it for his own popularity. He lived an extremely immoral life from the Christian point of view. His mother, St. Monica, spent a lot of time on her knees, begging the Lord for his enlightenment. One day, her prayers were answered, but not without difficulty.

       While in Milan, St. Augustine heard St. Ambrose preaching. St. Augustine heard of the technique and power of the latter’s preaching. Wanting to learn those qualities, he listened to him and got caught in the faith, and later converted and was baptized by St. Ambrose. In his Confessions, he recalled his struggles. He was honest enough to say to God that it was hard for him to let go of his carnal and other desires. He begged for compromise, but God would not let him. St. Augustine decided to make a 180-degree turn from his evil ways. After his conversion, he used his intelligence and  speaking prowess to proclaim the Gospel and defend the faith. He became one of the Catholic Church’s greatest apologists. He was a true convert.

       God leaves us free to use our talents and qualities. In the Gospel, the Pharisees elected to use their positions and qualities in hypocrisy. They said one thing but did another. The Lord Jesus was against it. Christians should be perfect as their Father is perfect. Lukewarmness has no place in Christianity. Let us be true through and through.

       St. Augustine was true in his evil life. He used the same attitude in his new life of grace. We have the same challenge. We have hope no matter how sinful we are. We can be true to our faith. We were borne out of truth in the first place. St. Augustine, pray for us! Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you true to what you believe in? Does your life reflect it?

 

Lord Jesus, grant me the courage to accept my sinfulness but also have hope that I can change and be holy through Your grace.

Is there a negative truth in your life that you are still hiding? What’s keeping you from letting it out? - Daily Reflections August 27,2013

ACCEPT THE TRUTH TO CHANGE

 

We continue the Gospel yesterday. Jesus now delivers the next two “woes”against the teachers and the Pharisees. Here, He points out their stress on the material (offerings of mint, anise and cummin seeds) than the spiritual (justice, mercy and faith); on what is deceptively good (offers out of crimes) than the truly and essentially good. The teachers and Pharisees must have felt threatened by the truth that Jesus was revealing. It was a moment of decision for them.

       Yes, that had always been the case with Jesus. There is no middle ground. You either leave your evil ways or be continuously hounded by His Spirit. Desperate moves would only worsen things. As what happened,  they plotted Jesus’ death. Rather than admit their iniquities, they elected to hide them and tried to eliminate their accuser. But they were mistaken. The truth continues to prevail and will continue to destroy its enemies. The Marcos-Ninoy issue comes to mind. Ninoy Aquino was a very staunch critic of Marcos. In the process, he was killed on the airport tarmac, which now bears his name. The rest is history. The message is clear: You cannot silence the truth by killing its spokesperson.

       Accept the truth! That has always been Jesus’ challenge and offer to the Pharisees and to the Jewish people. Pilate must have known it, or was completely ignorant of it, when he himself did not get an answer when he asked Jesus about what is truth. Jesus was the Truth staring him in his face. Pilate, not knowing what to do, washed his hands, and gave Jesus into the hands of the Pharisees. Later, Pilate will reveal his understanding of Jesus by putting atop Jesus’ head on the cross, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” And no one could influence him to remove that truth.

       Change for the truth! Peter, Magdalene, Zacchaeus, Matthew, Paul and all others who had once offended the Lord accepted Jesus and changed. The Pharisees were given all the chances to do so. They still could. Nicodemus did. We still can. Will we? May I ask right now, “Did we?” Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Is there a negative truth in your life that you are still hiding? What’s keeping you from letting it out?

 

Jesus, You showed us how the truth can change a person. Help me to always cling to Your truth, no matter what.

How courageous are you in telling the truth even if it would hurt you or your listener? - Daily Reflections August 26,2013

THE TRUTH HURTS BUT HEALS   Have you ever heard of a doctor who commits murder? How can someone, who had made an oath to preserve and protect life, do otherwise? Or a lawyer who exerts every effort to free his guilty client? We seem to be understanding and permissive of them. But not Jesus.        In today’s Gospel, He exposes the seven “woes” against the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. He does not let them get away with their hypocrisy. The first three woes are, namely, how they cause people to miss the Kingdom; how they convert people but make them worse than before; and their being blind guides by stressing focus on offerings and things rather than on what can really save them. The three woes were meant to let the Pharisees know that Jesus knows what they were really doing.        The words of Jesus were strong. He earned the ire of the teachers and Pharisees, which later turned into a plot to kill Him. Jesus hated hypocrites. Truth was one of His main message. The Pharisees wittingly or unwittingly were committing a lot of deceptions. The Jews were being damaged both personally and spiritually. Jesus could not endure that. He had to speak the Word of God. He had to speak the Truth!        Truth hurts, as they say, but it also frees and heals. The more we hide  the truth, the more painful it is when revealed. Jesus was willing to suffer the consequences of proclaiming the truth to the teachers and the Pharisees.        I also feel this way whenever I stand before a congregation to deliver a homily. Homilies are supposed to share the truth about God and His message, and there are times when the message is unpopular and painful. We need to tell the people that it is not OK to curse, lie, steal, hurt, be unforgiving, have premarital and extramarital affairs, etc. We know that it will hurt them initially, but if they listen to and follow the truth, it will set them free and eventually heal them. If we really care for them, we must take courage to tell them the truth. Jesus cared for the teachers and Pharisees, too. Jesus will always proclaim the truth. He is the Truth! Fr. Benny Tuazon   REFLECTION QUESTION: How courageous are you in telling the truth even if it would hurt you or your listener?   Grant me courage, Lord, to always be on the side of truth, not only in word but mostly in deed.

Are you still more concerned if you’ll be saved? Why not focus on doing what Jesus said will lead you to heaven? - Daily Reflections August 25,2013

IT IS THE “HOW”

 

“Are you saved?” This is a question that other sects often ask. I do not know how people usually answer the question. These sects believe that guaranteeing salvation is their foremost concern. And they are on the right track. However, in the Gospel today, Jesus was asked a different question. On His way to Jerusalem, someone asked Him, “Lord, is it true that few people will be saved?”

       I encourage you to reflect on this question. The concern is more on one’s chances of attaining salvation. So what if many or few will be saved? If many will be saved, would it change the situation? If few will be saved, how much change will there be? The problem with the question is its focus on chance. If the Lord said that many will be saved, we are more confident of attaining it. If our chances are slim, then we have a lot to worry about.

       If you notice, Jesus did not answer the question; rather, He ignored it. He stressed the need to do everything in our capacity to attain it. He said that many will try to enter God’s Kingdom but will not be able to or will find great difficulty in doing so. The key here is not about chances or the stringent requirements of the Kingdom. If we know God, He wants us all to be saved. It was Jesus’ marching order. Jesus said that Himself, “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given me; and I guarded them and not one perished, but the son of perdition; that Scripture might be fulfilled” (John 17:12).

       But Jesus was being honest in that it would not be easy to be saved. We have to contend with a lot of temptations and challenges in life and faith. The teachings of Jesus will lead us to the Way, the Truth and the Life. Outside and against Jesus’ Word, salvation cannot be attained, no matter how many or few will be saved. Therefore, the right question is not about whether a few or many will be saved, but how one can be saved. Knowing that, and having the will to apply them, and actually doing them, guarantee one’s salvation. This is the sure way to salvation. Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you still more concerned if you’ll be saved? Why not focus on doing what Jesus said will lead you to heaven?

 

Lord Jesus, help me to have a perfect change of heart so that I will focus only on things that will make me attain heaven.

Do you love the people in your life for your own benefit, or do you love them for their own good? - Daily Reflections August 23,2013

LOVE TO SAVE AND TO BE SAVED

 

God is love. We were created out of love. We were meant to love. Jesus stressed this fact in the Gospel today when He was asked by a teacher of the Law which is the most important commandment. It is interesting to note that the Jews, out of the 10 original commandments, had developed many other laws in response to the new situations they encountered. However, with all the additions, the very spirit of the Law was lost. Jesus took the opportunity to bring it back by revealing to them the essence of the Law, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” It means that all our being are included in that act of loving God. Jesus also added, “You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Here, Jesus specifies our neighbor as the recipient of that love for God.

       It must be clear that God does not need our love in the same way that we need His or our neighbor’s love. He is love Himself. He commanded us to love Him not for His sake but for ours. It is because when we love God, we realize our true call to be loving. In loving God, we become worthy of being created. Loving God is salvific! Loving God may be praying, praising and thanking Him. It also includes entrusting our lives to Him and making Him everything in our lives. But how is it concretely expressed? The second part of Jesus’ teaching of love comes in handy here. Our love of God is best expressed through our neighbors, and the best way to love them is by applying the same standards we apply to ourselves.

       Christian loving is willing the goodness of our neighbor. Goodness is not limited to material or physical goodness, but more of spiritual goodness. It is applying loving actions that will lead to your and your neighbor’s salvation. We love to be saved and help others be saved, too. When we regard God, love transforms into a saving action. This is but obvious in the sense that God loves us to save us. When we respond to that love, we cannot but love Him, too, for the sake of salvation. Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you love the people in your life for your own benefit, or do you love them for their own good?

 

Lord, remind me to always check my motivation for loving people.

Do you dress properly when you go to meet the Lord in the Eucharist — both physically and spiritually? - Daily Reflections August 22,2013

DRESS TO BE IN BLISS   This parable might be a good argument to forward the need to dress properly for occasions. Heeding the invitation of the king to join in the feast, the man was later seen in the celebration but was found to be wearing the improper festal garment. As a result, the king was angry and the man was sent to be bound, hands and feet, and thrown in the dark where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. If there are people who take for granted dressing properly, the Lord Jesus, at the very least, does not. He recognizes the need to be respectful, which is the essence of being aptly clothed.        When we tried to apply a dress code in Church, many objected and went as far as accusing us of discriminating against the poor and infringing on the freedom of Mass goers. The way we dress reflects our respect for the people we meet. Society even had exacted an unwritten code for it. We try to dress appropriately depending on who we will meet. We dress differently when we are meeting with relatives and meeting, for example, the president of the Philippines. And it is not about being poor or being rich. To put it bluntly, if your best available dress is a pair of short pants and an old shirt, so be it. But if you have better clothes, why not wear them?        If we care about our bodies, why not our souls? And this is the real and main point of Jesus in the parable. More than dressing physically for the occasion, we should be properly dressed spiritually for the banquet in the Kingdom. And it means being a repentant sinner. God invites everyone to salvation. Jesus was sent, like the servants, to make known to everyone the feast being offered by His Father. So, Jesus extended the invitation both to those who had been in God’s favor, and to those who had gone astray but are willing to go back to His fold. But being invited is one thing, being worthy of the Kingdom is another. God calls us to His Kingdom, but we have to respond to that call and make ourselves capable of experiencing God’s graciousness. Fr. Benny Tuazon   REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you dress properly when you go to meet the Lord in the Eucharist — both physically and spiritually?   Instill in me a deep sense of respect for You, Lord, in the Eucharist.

Do you have the same dependence, humility and honesty that children have? - Daily Reflections August 17,2013

LEARNING FROM THE CHILDREN

OF THE KINGDOM

 

“Children are children,” we say whenever we see children acting childishly. We also went through childhood and so it is not hard to understand children. We had our own foolishness, stupidity, clumsiness, etc. The Apostles reacted normally when they scolded those who brought the children to Jesus so He may lay hands on them. They thought Jesus would not approve of it.

       “Let them be! Do not stop the children from coming to me, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to people such as these!” I am sure it was a strong statement as far as the Apostles were concerned. I am sure the same goes for everyone who heard Jesus. Maybe they wished they were still children or could go back to being children. But they need not be so to be favored by Jesus.

       Jesus is talking about children’s humility, dependence and honesty in general. Children know that they cannot live without their parents. They are humble enough to admit that they need help and guidance. They are also usually truthful. If you want to know the truth about things, children are usually the best source. For these, the Kingdom belongs to them. If they are these to their parents, they must be the same with God who is their Father and Lord. Thus, it follows that if adults would adopt those qualities, to be childlike, then to them would also belong the Kingdom.

       Faith is precisely about that: dependence, humility and honesty. Of course, these are not the only things we need. But Jesus already qualifies us through these attitudes because other attitudes flow from these basic ones. As a last note, I admire children’s capacity to forgive totally. They embody the true and real meaning of “shalom” or peace. We see them quarrel intensely over toys or other things, but later, we see them together playing again as if nothing happened. They do not harbor ill feelings as most adults do. When they say “peace” to each other, they really mean it. No wonder Jesus easily gives the Kingdom to them! Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you have the same dependence, humility and honesty that children have?

 

Lord Jesus, give me the heart of a child so that I may be totally dependent on You again, humble enough to know that I need You, and honest in every way.

If you are married, how do you handle the challenges of your marriage? Do you ever think of separation as an option? - Daily Reflections August 16,2013

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGES ARE FOREVER

 

God has called us to a life and a ministry. We can classify the three vocations as a call to marriage, to the religious life, and to single blessedness. None is better or greater than the other. Each has a role to play in the work of salvation. Later in the Gospel, Jesus said that there are those who were meant for marriage while others are not.

       On the issue of divorce, Jesus said that, during the time of Moses, divorce was allowed because the people were stubborn. He pointed out, “In the beginning the Creator made them male and female. Man has now to leave father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body.” God meant marriage to be forever and unifying.

       Of course, there are cases of problematic unions leading to irreconcilable marriages. So, is divorce warranted? “What God has put together, let no man put asunder.” Jesus gave that teaching — not the priest, not the pope, nor the Apostles. Thus, marriages should be forever.

       If those who marry truly love each other, nothing can separate them. The Marriage Encounter program even gives that guarantee. “Nothing will be unsolved if only couples will dialogue!” The program has discovered that many marriages are threatened due to the difficulty of couples to communicate with and understand each other.

       The Catholic Church also prepares couples before marriage through interviews, seminars and counseling. It does not guarantee a smooth marriage, but it tries to eliminate some of the possible hitches in the union. If the couple comes to a dead-end, physical separation may be availed, but the hope for a reconciliation should remain. Man has the capacity for change. If they really loved each other, there is nothing they cannot do together.

       Rearranging the word DIVORCE would result to CO-DIVER. Rather than separate, the couple should dive into the challenges of their marriage together. That way, they gain couple power. Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: If you are married, how do you handle the challenges of your marriage? Do you ever think of separation as an option?

 

Marriage can be so challenging, Lord. Help me to persevere and not give up when we go through tough times.

 

Do you honestly believe that the “dash” of your life will merit you a pass to eternal life? If not, why not mind your dash now? - Daily Reflections August 15,2013

THE DASH MATTERS

 

We celebrate today the greatest feast the Catholic Church had given to one of its daughters, the Blessed Virgin Mary — the Feast of her Assumption into heaven. On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII declared and defined the doctrine that “the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory” (Munificentissimus Deus, 1950). It is a celebration of the life and faith of the Mother of God. Having lived a life in accordance with the will of God, she was crowned in glory.

       We only need to go back to her life as accounted by the Gospel writers to see and believe in the truth of this feast. From her immaculate birth, submission to God’s will to be the Mother of God, enduring the sorrows of accompanying her Son, to her being with the Apostles of Jesus after He resurrected — all these witness to this crowning glory of the Assumption. No doubt God bestowed on her a lot of gifts and privileges. But how she merited this honor and bliss is something we must never overlook, for they serve as the footprints we can follow in order to share in the glory that God had gifted her. The Assumption is not just the body and soul of our Blessed Virgin Mary assumed into heaven. We marvel at that final event because we knew how she lived. God gave her that gift because she spent her life in God’s favor.

       On a tombstone, we write the name of the dead person and the dates of birth and death. But the small line — the dash — between those two dates is almost unnoticed. In reality, life lived during those “dash” years is the most important. That dash defines the life of that person. That dash evaluates that person. For a Christian, that dash will be his pass to eternal life. That dash will be God’s basis for judging if he lived well as a Christian. Mary’s Assumption was because of that dash. Ours will be the same. Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you honestly believe that the “dash” of your life will merit you a pass to eternal life? If not, why not mind your dash now?

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us Mama Mary’s life as an example of true discipleship. Grant that I may I follow in her steps.

Is there someone in your life that you haven’t forgiven for a wrong done to you? Why not practice Christian charity now? - Daily Reflections August 14,2013

CHRISTIAN CHARITY, THE BEST MEDICINE

 

St. Maximillian Mary Kolbe is known as a “martyr of charity.” He volunteered to replace one prisoner chosen to die of starvation. The prisoner pleaded for his life because he had a wife and children. Maximillian survived the punishment but was given a lethal injection, which he willingly received. He is a modern-day saint. He exemplifies the spirit of true Christian charity.

       Christian charity is the focus of Jesus’ reconciliation process. It bears more responsibility on the one who forgives, and gives all the chances for the sinner. Jesus wants to save everyone. He will leave the 99 to seek the lost one. He will welcome a prodigal son back to the fold. He will still give leadership to the Apostle who had denied Him repeatedly. He will welcome and give second chances to a prostitute, a tax collector, a murderer, a liar and every sinner He knows. Their salvation is foremost. What counts for Him is their willingness to be reconciled. Such is Christian charity.

       This is how we must understand today’s Gospel. Three opportunities are available for a reconciliation: first by themselves, second with another person, and lastly, in a community. Hopefully, the first level is enough. If not, everything will be settled by the third level. The goal is to assist the reconciliation process. The process is beyond proving one person wrong. The goal is to come to terms. When something goes wrong between two members of a community, the whole community is affected. Only a reconciliation of the two will heal them and the community. The attitude needed? Christian charity!

       This virtue is hard to practice. We tend to get even and to justify our actions. But this attitude will go nowhere. It undermines and ruins the very foundation of relationships. Jesus knew them. He gave the best remedy: forgiveness. Jesus showed it when He was nailed on the cross. The very first words He uttered were words of forgiveness. It was all over His teachings as well. It is at the heart of the Christian faith. Its foundation? Christian charity. Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Is there someone in your life that you haven’t forgiven for a wrong done to you? Why not practice Christian charity now?

 

I need Your grace, Lord, to forgive. Work in me, Lord, because I cannot do so on my own.

 

In what ways do you show your value for life — yours and the people around you, especially the innocent ones? - Daily Reflections August 13,2013

RESPECT LIFE

 

No doubt Jesus cares about children. They are vulnerable, innocent, dependent, weak and young. But God’s love is not for children alone. He loves each and every one of us. He loves us all, no exception! Jesus makes this clear to all His listeners then and to all of us now. Nobody is expendable. Before God’s eyes, we are His creation and we are all important to Him.  All of our faces, put together, reflect the image of God. Thus, He does not want anyone to be lost. For Jesus, we are not mere statistics. We are people, human beings, and the most important of all creations.

       That is why our faith abhors abortion, the death penalty and any action that will inflict undue harm on any person. Suicide is lamentable. Euthanasia is despicable. War is cruel and evil. The only exception is martyrdom. When faith is at stake, even one’s life may be offered. Other than that, we must take very good care of life. Respect for life is absolute. Because each of us is God’s creation, only God decides when and how this life is taken.

       The parable of the lost sheep in today’s Gospel and other similar parables send this message of love of God for all. Indeed, the willingness to leave the 99 in order to find the lost one speaks volumes on how each of us is important.

       Recently, a student took his life because of a break up. Without making a judgment on their love for each other, it is painful to know that life has been limited to a single relationship. Another case involves a woman who committed abortion not once but thrice! Until now, she suffers from what she did 10 years ago. Others lose their lives because of money, power or fame.

       Omitted in the Gospel today is a warning: “Woe to the world because of so many scandals! These scandals necessarily come but woe to the one who causes them to fall!” As Christians, we take the lead in giving respect to each and every life. Our God tells us so. Our God does it so! Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: In what ways do you show your value for life — yours and the people around you, especially the innocent ones?

 

Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to love and respect each and every person around me because they are Your creation. Help me to love and respect myself, too.

 

How do you deal with authorities in your life? - Daily Reflections August 12,2013

BE A GOOD CHRISTIAN FILIPINO!

 

Paying taxes was a big responsibility for the Jews. Under the Roman Empire, they had to pay dues in order to be treated well in their very own land. Taxes were a burden for them but they needed to comply if they did not want to suffer. Jesus, a good Jew, knowing the consequences of not paying taxes for Him and the Apostles, complied. After justifying before His Apostles that they need not pay taxes, He still obliged them so as not to offend the Romans. Joseph and Mary raised Him well, and so He knew how to respect authorities. Although the Romans were invaders, He gave an example to the Apostles about dealing with authorities. Authorities are representatives of God. While we may distinguish between tyrants and good rulers, respect for authorities is always in order.

       Unfortunately, in our country, the duty to pay taxes is marred by a lot of issues. The government blames the citizens for not paying the correct taxes, or not paying at all. Taxpayers also resort to a lot of shortchanging schemes. They cite corruption by government officials as a reason. Why pay when it will be stolen anyway? In the process, the state suffers.

       Still, Christians should follow Jesus’ example. His situation was worse. They were paying taxes to foreigners. What is important is to do one’s duty. What the government does with our taxes is their responsibility. We cannot always assume that the taxes will be stolen or used irresponsibly. While it is still our concern and we must exert effort to do something about it, regularity, rather than exception, is presumed.

       When asked about paying taxes, Jesus answered, “Give to Caesar what is to Caesar, give to God what is to God.” Many use this Bible passage to justify the separation of Church and State. Jesus was not in any way referring to it. He was actually encouraging the people to be responsible citizens of their country and of the Kingdom. It follows that, for Him, to be a good Christian is also to be a good Jew. In our case, to be a good Christian is to be a good Filipino. Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How do you deal with authorities in your life? Specifically, are you honest in paying your taxes? Or do you not pay at all?

 

Jesus, teach me to be a good Christian by being a good Filipino — at all times and in all ways. Help me to be a good example to my fellow Filipinos.

Does your life reflect your choice for eternal life? - Daily Reflections August 10,2013

IN DYING WE ARE BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE

 

Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. Lawrence, one of the famous martyrs of the Catholic Church. He was a deacon who served to the letter. At one point, an emperor asked him to donate the treasures of the Church since the Church was known to sell its vessels and other treasures to help the poor.  St. Lawrence agreed, but instead gathered the poor all over the city — the decrepit, the blind, the lame, the maimed, the lepers, orphans, widows and maidens — and presented them as the treasures of the Church. Insulted, the emperor decided to put him to death, promising to make Lawrence die by inches! He had him put on a gridiron with glowing coals under it. At his death, Lawrence prayed for the conversion of Rome and the faith of Christ to be among His people.

       St. Lawrence exemplified the teaching of Jesus in today’s Gospel. Death was not a hindrance to the proclamation of the Gospel. His death even inspired more Christians during His time. The presence of the Christian faith all over the world attests to this. The faith, instead of dying, makes itself more present and alive. Jesus’ example of dying on the cross caught fire and became the model for all Christians.

       We can just imagine how Christians were during the time of the persecutions. Those who claimed to be Christians were executed. Some denounced their faith and lived. But some embraced death by professing the faith. Those who died for their faith found it, while those who did otherwise, lost it. Jesus was, of course, referring also to eternal life. Life is not just about life on earth. It continues to the next life. Will it be eternal life or eternal death?

       “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Does your life reflect your choice for eternal life?

 

Father, I choose You. Help me to live by that choice daily.

In what areas do you need to die to yourself? - Daily Reflections August 9,2013

DYING IN FAITH IS LIVING IN GRACE

 

Jesus delivers the final blow to His Apostles: “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. For whoever chooses to save his life will lose it, but the one who loses his life for my sake will find it. What will one gain by winning the whole world if he destroys himself. There is nothing he can give to recover his own self” (Matthew16:24-26).

       Jesus now reveals that He must die, as part of God’s plan and His mission. Jesus is cutting through the very heart of Christian life — that nothing, not even death, could stop or deter Jesus from fulfilling His Father’s will. In the same way, every Christian should do the same. Following the Father’s will comes first in a Christian’s life.

       This teaching serves as an encouragement or discouragement to people, both from Jesus’ time up to the present time. People join, reject or depart from the Christian faith because of this “hard” teaching. But it lies at the very core of Christian life. Death is not the end of life. It is not a reason not to follow the Father’s will. Death, in fact, is part of life. Death or dying is not only physical; it is also dying to one’s self. One may die to his pride (versus humility), his desperation (versus hope), his hatred (versus love), etc. Jesus died for our sins. While He is sinless, He bore our sin that we may have life eternal.

       During our fund-raising for the reconstruction of our burned church in Saint Alphonsus Mary De Liguori Parish in Makati City, the children of a family proposed to their father a way to donate. Since they go out for dinner after Mass every Sunday, they told their father that they were willing to dine at home, provided the amount saved will be donated. The father, seeing how his children were willing to make sacrifices for a worthy cause, even doubled the amount.

       The grace and opportunity to physically die for the Lord may not come to everyone. But everyone always has the opportunity to die to self. May we always embrace those opportunities. Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: In what areas do you need to die to yourself?

 

Lord Jesus, I am still so full of myself. Grant me the grace to let go of my excesses and instead be full of Your virtues.

When was the last time you availed of the Sacrament of Reconciliation? - Daily Reflections August 8,2013

A WOUNDED HEALER HEALED   Jesus turned to Peter who professed boldly, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” For Peter and the other Apostles, Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for. Jesus then told them how Peter was able to discern that truth: “It was not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven!”        It is hard to know why the Father chose to reveal Jesus to Peter. But another important concern would be why Jesus entrusted to him the leadership of the Apostles and the Church. Peter, for Jesus, represents man, who strives to be faithful in following the Lord but stumbles at times due to his weaknesses. Later, Peter will deny Him thrice. Yet, later again, he will redeem himself by offering his life for His Master. He loved Jesus in spite of his weaknesses. And Jesus knew that.        Jesus loves us, too! Every priest, in a special way, knows that. I always experience it whenever people come to the confessional, very repentant, exposing themselves more by humbly enumerating their sins. Some feel like giving up in trying to avoid repeated sins. St. Paul, in his Letter to the Romans, puts it perfectly, “I do not do what I want, but on the contrary, the very things I hate. In fact, I do not do the good I want, but the evil I hate” (Romans 7:15,19). But Paul himself answered the dilemma: “Alas for me! Who will free me from this condition linked to death? Let us give thanks to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25).        We may be the greatest sinners in the world but God’s grace and love is always greater. There is nothing He cannot forgive unless we do not ask forgiveness. Peter knew sin. Every priest knows sin. Everyone, save for the Lord, had sinned. But we find consolation in Jesus who died for us. He had defeated evil and death. Death met its end in Jesus’ resurrection. Peter was tasked to proclaim that truth and share God’s mercy in and through the Church. Every priest, too, plays that role in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Hopefully, every Christian will avail of that unconditional love. Fr. Benny Tuazon   REFLECTION QUESTION: When was the last time you availed of the Sacrament of Reconciliation?   Lord Jesus, help me as I struggle with my human weaknesses. Help me to turn them into stepping stones to love You more and grow closer to You.