Daily Reflections April 30, 2012

LIFE TO THE FULL

 

This is one of the most beautiful self-descriptions of Jesus in the Bible. A common image was that of the shepherd in Ancient Palestine. Many have tried to recapture the image of Jesus the Good Shepherd in art and song. The sheep of the Ancient East were called by name and given special treatment. Sheep are known to be fussy animals; they do not like cold weather. They  don’t even like stirred water; they only follow familiar sounds.

One interesting technique of the shepherds is to lie across the passage of the sheepfold at night. The sheep are all called in to the sheepfold, away from the dangers of the night in the form of wolves and thieves. Jesus here calls Himself the gate — the passage through which the sheep enter. He has given us access to His life and He wants to give us life to the full. The thief, namely Satan, wants to destroy us and keep us away from the benefits that Jesus offers.

The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate these days focuses on the life that Jesus offers us. For 40 days, we celebrate Jesus who has risen, conquered death and sin, and shows us the way to eternal life. All of us are looking for life. This Easter season teaches us that there is life eternal in Jesus alone. In Him we find pasture, that is, goodness for our souls, mercy and peace, justice and love. However, we tend to think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. The first thing we want to do when we encounter problems is to escape to the other side. We want to avoid pain, suffering and death. However, in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we see that there is a way out of every sin and every problem that we encounter.

The sheep in the story takes no notice of the thief or brigand. They do not recognize his voice. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, speaks and we hear His voice. We need to learn to hear that voice, not those of others that cause confusion and disorder in our lives. There are many voices but only one is the voice of the Good Shepherd. Let us learn to listen to the voice, a voice that speaks of peace for His people and friends (Psalm 122). Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you living a life of grace or living a state of sin and death?

 

Lord, send Your light and Your truth, and let these be my guide. Amen.

 

Daily Reflections April 29, 2012

LAYING DOWN OUR LIFE

 

Today the Church celebrates Good Shepherd Sunday. The readings refer to the Good Shepherd, a popular and well-loved image. It is also celebrated as Vocation Sunday where we are encouraged to pray for vocations to priesthood and religious life. The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd and follow him. Let us pray this day for followers of the Good Shepherd who imitate Him by giving their lives for the sake of the Gospel.

The Father loves Jesus since He lays down His life for His sheep. The Father loves us all, but He is especially drawn to the man and woman who seek a life of loving service. Jesus tells us that He lays His life down freely. His will is completely surrendered to the will of the Father. He knows the Father gives Him power to lay it down and take it up. This is the power of the Resurrection.

By virtue of our baptism, we are called to lay down our life for service in the Kingdom of God. Many are called but few are chosen to the religious life and the call to priesthood. We live in a world that is very egocentric — all about me. The one who follows the Lord as priest or religious is swimming against the tide of the world. So many things claim the attention of the youth today to distract them and turn them away from serving God. So, when we witness and hear a call to the religious life, we are amazed at what the Lord, the Good Shepherd, can achieve in weak human beings whose hearts are open to Him. His is the power at work in them, offering their lives to the glory of His name. Countless men and women have served the Lord in this way. Still the Lord calls His people.

Let us pray for vocations. Let us especially call to mind those whom we know or whom we should approach to discover the call of God in their lives. Perhaps they are waiting to be asked. Sometimes, all it takes is an invitation to consider a call to religious life. It happened to me. It could happen to you. Be open. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you willing to lay down your life for the Lord in religious, married or single life?

 

Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy and love. Thank You for calling me to serve You. Amen.

Daily Reflections April 28, 2012

YOU ARE OUR LIFE

 

We come to the end of a very long discourse of Jesus on the Bread of Life. The people cannot accept this ludicrous language and many begin to stop following the Lord. The language He speaks is of spirit and life. Those who are not of the Spirit cannot accept it. To the human mind, it is intolerable. But with faith in the Son of God, trust in His wisdom, and hope in His promises, it makes perfect sense. This is one of those teachings of Jesus which we simply accept, acknowledging its mystery yet believing in faith the word of the Lord.

Jesus turns to His followers and gives them a choice: to accept the teaching and follow Him, or to leave Him. Peter, the spokesman of the disciples, proclaims Jesus as the Holy One of God. Through the discourse, Jesus has been insistent that His body and blood is real food and real drink. In a mystical way, Jesus changes bread and wine into His body, blood, soul and divinity at the consecration. It is not that we are cannibals, which is what the Jews were alluding to. When we eat the bread and wine of the Eucharist, we are consuming all that is Jesus — His very self. He is the Risen Christ whom we partake of. As St. Augustine said, we receive the Body of Christ to become the Body of Christ. As fire consumes the wood, we are consumed into the person of Jesus. We can say with Paul, “It is no longer I that live but Christ who lives in me.” This is the greatest miracle of the Eucharist. We become altus Christus(other Christs), in the words of St. Thomas Aquinas.

The words that Jesus speaks are words of spirit and life. How we need these words! We are inundated with words that ruin us, hurt and offend. In the Mass, we hear the words of life through the readings and prayers. Sometimes we become distracted but we really need to recapture the beauty of the mystery here before us — Christ Present. He comes to heal, to speak, to forgive and to abide. Let us believe again in the power of the Eucharist. Let us turn again to the Holy One of God, Jesus His Son. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you accept the teachings of Jesus in your life? Or do you turn away from Him and stop following Him because of teachings that you cannot accept?

 

Lord, You have given me life and love to me through Your Word. Fill me and make me whole.

 

Daily Reflections April 27, 2012

THE WAY OF THE LORD

 

The First Reading is about one of the most dramatic conversions in the Bible. Luke recalls the story of Paul’s conversion with vivid and precise details. People are astounded by the change in his life. Even the holy Ananias, sent to heal him, has trouble believing the event. The one who once persecuted Jesus’ followers becomes one of His greatest advocates.

Saul, on his way to carry out the arrest of the followers of the Way, (the name of the first Christians), is stopped by a blinding light. He falls to the ground and, turning blind, he hears the voice crying out to him. His sight is restored through the intercession of Ananias and life is never the same again for Paul. We read a number of letters written by Paul speaking of his love, faithfulness and commitment to the Christ he once persecuted.

Most of us will experience “little conversions” that help us develop and grow in our faith. Conversion takes place when we are captured by the love of God. Our whole attitude towards life changes. We are drawn to serve the Lord, to pray and to carry out His will more fervently in our life. We remember that decisive moment in our lives where we proclaimed with truth and conviction: Jesus is the Son of God. He is the Savior of my life. I live for Him alone. I love Him. I will serve Him.

Conversion takes place in all areas of our lives: intellectual, spiritual, emotional and psychological. All these aspects are in the conversion of Paul. He had to change his whole way of thinking. He had to revisit Scripture, seeing them in the culmination of the Christ Event (i.e., Jesus’ death and resurrection). His emotions underwent conversion as he grappled with the mystery of God hidden in Christ. Saul learned to accept that the Way he once persecuted was truly the Way of the Lord, the God of Israel, in bringing salvation to the world.

Most often, our conversion will be a little less dramatic than Paul. Nevertheless, God still calls us and challenges us to accept His will and follow Him. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Reflect on your own life. Where do you see God changing your life — intellectual, spiritual or emotional?

 

Grant me, Lord, a change of heart and mind that I might love You and follow You more. Amen.

Daily Reflections April 26, 2012

THE FATHER LEADS YOU TO HIMSELF

 

Jesus loves His Father. He can’t stop talking about Him. The whole message of His life was central to the love of the Father. He came to make His Father known in action and in words. He is the visible image of the Father. Jesus is so caught up in the love of the Father. He earnestly desires that all will come to know this dynamic and gracious love. It is the Spirit of the Father Himself who draws us to the Son.

Many times we are being drawn by the Father. Jesus Himself tells us in the opening line of today’s Gospel: “No one can come to me unless he is drawn by the Father.” St. Ignatius, in his spiritual exercises on discernment, teaches us to be attentive to this drawing of the Father. We practice that through the examen of consciousness, a very good exercise for us to grow in faith in the Spirit. The examen enlightens us to see the good and the bad spirit operating in our lives.

A good practice in our spiritual life is the examen of consciousness. Take time in the evening to reflect on the outcome of the day. How were you drawn to love the Father, to pray, to worship? What conversations, thoughts and actions went through your day where you see the action of the Holy Spirit drawing you to the Father? Then take a look at the things which led you away from Him — the times when you felt withdrawn, isolated, not wanting to pray. We get in touch with our feelings since that is where God wants to meet us, to encounter His truth and love. A good examen will always bring enlightenment and resolution to do better the next day.

How does the Father draw or lead us to Himself? It may be through a word from a friend, priest or some wise person. It may be through an experience that causes us anxiety, stress or pain. It may be through a movie or a good book. It could be in our prayer time. We pray to the Father to open our eyes to see Him in the daily events of our life. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Take time to do the examen of consciousness every day. First, give thanks for the events of the day. Second, repent for the times you ignored the Spirit at work in our life.

 

Father, lead me to Yourself. Draw me to Your presence and heal me.

 

Daily Reflections April 25, 2012

PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS

 

Mark, the evangelist, was a disciple of Peter. In his Gospel account, you will notice his constant references to Peter. It was from Peter that Mark learned about the life and person of Jesus. Mark presents a simple and vivid account of the humanity of Jesus, not so much in what Jesus said but what He did. Various themes abound in Mark’s work including the messianic secret, discipleship, and the misunderstandings of the disciples as they grapple with the mystery of the person of Jesus. Mark is often associated with an image of the (winged) lion depicting the royal line of Jesus, the Son of David. Tradition tells us that Mark set up community in Alexandria.

The Gospel today gives us a succinct account of Jesus’ ascension, bringing to the end His earthly life. It now completes what was begun – baptizing, preaching, teaching and healing. In and through our lives, we proclaim the Good News. The Gospel tells us of the various signs that accompany those who believe: casting out devils, speaking in tongues, picking up snakes, unharmed when drinking deadly poison, and healing the sick. These miracles were attributed to the first disciples in the foundation of this new community of faith. But they need not stop with the early disciples. Miracles can and still happen. Each day we wake up to a new day of opportunities to heal, teach, pray and lead people to Christ. The baptized have a duty to see that the Good News is proclaimed, perhaps not through words but by the simple witness of a faithful life.

People of faith inspire us with their lives. They preach the Gospel by their very lives of faithfulness to the Lord. They witness to God who protects us in harmful or threatening situations. They witness healing of the Lord through their hands or comforting words. We are to imitate these people of faith. Where do we find them? They are among our peers, colleagues and acquaintances at work and recreation. They are found among family members, in church or in shopping centers. Wherever these believers go, they preach through their lives. Are you one of them? Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How can you advance the Gospel in your life? Mark has set an example. What can you do to complete it?

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for the grace to witness to my faith. May I show it through my life. Amen.

Daily Reflections April 24, 2012

BREAD OF LIFE

 

Bread is a very common substance found all over the world. In some countries, it is the staple diet of the people. In some countries, people need bread to survive. In the Old Law, bread was seen as the Law of God, the Torah. Jesus was born at Bethlehem, the House of Bread, and it is very interesting that He would use bread to signify His body given up for the world. We are nourished by the bread that becomes His Body at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. When we eat normal bread, we will always remain hungry. The bread that Jesus gives satisfies us and we will hunger no more. In the Gospel Jesus tells His followers that the bread that He will give is for the life of the world.

A similar account is noticed in the story of the Samaritan woman who seeks water from the well (John 4:1-41). When Jesus tells her that He can give water welling up, she earnestly asks for that water. In the same way, the Gospel today has the followers earnestly seeking the bread that will give life.

All of us hunger and thirst for life. We all need security, identity and meaning. Sometimes we seek this fulfillment in substances, relationships and anything that can lead to addiction. Jesus tells us clearly in the Gospel today that all who come to Him will never hunger or thirst: “Sir,” we cry out, “give us that bread always!”

The Church celebrates the Easter tide, the season of the year that focuses on the Resurrection of Jesus, which finds its culmination in Pentecost a few weeks from now. Jesus is the Risen Christ whom we encounter in the Eucharist. His risen power is at work in our lives, sustaining us and forming us as a people set apart for Him. What we lack in life, Jesus wants to fulfil and sustain. His Bread is our hope and sustenance. Perhaps we need to repent of those times when we tend to lean on other things that, in the end, would not sustain us or give us real happiness. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you hunger for love, healing, mercy or comfort? Ask Jesus to sustain you with the presence He offers you in the Eucharist.

 

Lord Jesus, I thank You for the Bread You give me in the Eucharist. Nourish me always with Your Body and Blood. Amen.

 

Daily Reflections April 23, 2012

BELIEVING AND WORKING!

 

Over the past years, we Filipinos have been entertained (or saddened, as the case may be) by a series of Senate and Congressional investigations. There is no doubt about it. We believe in justice. We take pains in knowing the truth, and we have always bought that line that says all of it is done “in aid of legislation.”

In the years I have been a priest, I have attended quite a number of international meetings and conventions. We Filipinos shine when it comes to conventions abroad. We end up becoming reporters, secretaries, and we do have a reputation for being good speakers. We believe in the power of words to convince, cajole and otherwise co-opt initially doubting Thomases to our side.

But there is a flip side to this seemingly positive image. Word soon spreads around that we may be sorely wanting when it comes to walking the talk. While we believe in justice, we may not be all that committed to working for it. The piling number of futile investigations seems to be eloquent testimony to this.

The question of the disciples is our question too: “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” The Lord’s answer, “Believe in the one he sent,” seems to point out the connection between believing and working. Ironically, even Forrest Gump understood this. Told by his mother repeatedly, “Stupid is as stupid does,” he learned his lessons for life. He remembered and did what he believed in, with passion and panache, even if that meant running like he had never run before in his life.

We all need to do more than simply believe. We need to live what we believe. We need to learn that it takes more than just political grandstanding to ferret out the truth and do justice. We need to tell the world that we mean what we say, and not just say what we mean. For doing God’s works and believing are part of one and the same package. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What Christian values do you believe in? Do you live them as well?

 

Lord Jesus, help me to live out what I believe in.

Daily Reflections April 22, 2012

TOUCH ME AND SEE!

 

We Catholics live in a world of signs. Signs are basically material, ordinary things that point to spiritual and extraordinary realities. Andrew Greeley calls them all as part of the “Catholic imagination.” Objects such as statues, water, oil, bread, wine, candles, incense, and so many others, make up this rich world of sacramentality. They are accessible to touch, smell, taste and hearing. But they point to a whole new world distinct from and higher than the world we are used to.

As a little boy, I looked forward to getting sick. Funny, but I did at times want to be sick because I got special attention from my grandmother. Apart from some special treats that she would get me from the neighborhood store, the most awaited one was her caring touch. She would gently rub my head with her gnarled hands and massage my body all over.

In retrospect, I don’t know exactly at this point whether it was the Medicol (or Cortal) or the natural resiliency of a child that healed me fast enough, but I do know one thing. The healing process was hastened by the loving touch of someone who made me see not my sickness but the love that ultimately healed me of other things worse than a raging fever.

Our loving and saving God touches us in both the natural and supernatural planes. This happened when He became one like us. This still happens when we partake of this whole complex of signs that the sacraments of salvation are. We get to the level of the supernatural by passing through the world of the natural.

The Gospel passage today invites us to do what we often take for granted: to go and touch the Lord the way He wanted us to — approach the sacraments, be healed by His loving forgiveness in confession, reach out and touch Him bodily, sacramentally, spiritually and truly in the Holy Eucharist, hear His mystical Body, the Church, and rally behind Her teachings. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. “Touch and see!” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What is your form of connection to God? How do you feel and touch Him?

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us the sacraments that allow us to reach out and feel Your care and love for us.

Daily Reflections April 21, 2012

DO NOT BE AFRAID!

 

I am an introvert. Introverts like me are often misunderstood and second-guessed by people. Belonging roughly to only about a third of the population, the rest of the general population may tend to look at us as antisocial, mysterious, or at least keeping too much to ourselves most times. But one thing that most people don’t know is that, apart from all these, we tend to be a little fearful of new situations, new assignments, new people to get along with, and new acquaintances to be won over.

I remember being terrified when I got my first assignment fresh out of college. What could a 21-year-old neophyte like me contribute to that place that I was sent to? The night my companions went to their respective “choice” assignments, with me left behind in what I then considered a forlorn place of exile, I cried. I was afraid of the unknown.

The disciples in today’s Gospel passage were also afraid. Seeing what appeared to them as an unnamed “ghost” drawing near, they gave in to fear. The Lord lost no time in telling them: “It is I! Do not be afraid.” He revealed Himself.

Within a few weeks, my fear in that place was replaced by a serene sense of security. I began to know the people, especially the young. They also got to know me better. My worst fears turned out to be more imagined than real. The Lord slowly revealed Himself to me in and through the goodness of people around me. Their kindness soon captivated my heart, that when it was time to leave after two wonderful years, I was again in tears.

I was again afraid of what was coming — theological studies at UST! But this time around, I was forearmed and forewarned by a most eloquent teaching from the great Pope John Paul II. At his inauguration Mass, he clinched what I had only begun to learn faintly from experience: “Do not be afraid!” In life and in death, JP II lived what he himself heard from the Lord, whom he knew intimately. “It is I. Do not be afraid.” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: What are your greatest fears right now? Listen to the Lord telling you, “Do not be afraid,” and trust in His abiding presence and help as you go through the unknowns in your life.

 

Lord Jesus, grant me a trusting heart as I tread unknown path

Daily Reflections April 20, 2012

SHARING ALL ONE HAS

 

Matthew Kelly talks about “minimalism” as one of the traits that characterize the youth of our times. Along with “individualism” and “hedonism,” he says that so many fail to see the bigger picture out there, including the beauty and simplicity of a life of holiness on account of this tendency to minimalism in all aspects of our lives.

Minimalism is to give not of one’s whole self, but of one’s puny, little self. In school, it means doing only that which satisfies the minimum requirements to pass the course. It means not making that extra push and exerting that extra effort to excel, so as to be a cut above the rest. It means being satisfied with what is little.

Today’s Gospel passage reminds us of the opposite of minimalism. It teaches us not about pusillanimity, but of gracious magnanimity. Although the boy only had five barley loaves and two fish, he had a big heart that spoke eloquently of untrammeled generosity.

He had five loaves and two fish. That was all he had. (He sure had a huge appetite!) But levity aside, what he had, he offered. When was the last time you really gave all you had? I bet you, if you were in his place, you would at least have probably thought of keeping half a loaf and a piece of the fish for yourself! I would certainly have done so! But no, the miracle was as much a miracle of multiplication of loaves as it was a miracle of selfless generosity.

The boy had that little treasure trove, a bagful of food that occasioned a party for five thousand (not counting women). But Philip, too, had his own little share. Apparently good at Math, he knew how much he needed. But there was Andrew, too. Apparently good at spotting talents and human and material resources, he found the boy who was willing to give all he had! And he lost no time in telling the Lord. All the Lord needed was readiness and willingness for each of them to give their all. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How ready are you to give your all when the circumstances call for it?

 

Lord Jesus, grant me a generous heart that does not count the cost of giving but rejoices in being able to give.

Daily Reflections April 19, 2012

HEAVENLINESS AND EARTHLINESS

 

There are people who are highly specialized and who know all there is to know in one specific field of inquiry. They can talk for hours on their chosen field. The depth of their knowledge is nothing short of encyclopedic. And there are individuals who love to talk of one and only one topic. They can rant on and on and bore you to death about their “single-issue” expertise. The first is remarkable and interesting. The latter, however, soon becomes uninteresting and boring.

I have met people who talk of nothing else but business. Their whole lives are characterized by purely earthly concerns. And then there are those whose main preoccupation is simply so heavenly. They talk endlessly about Latin Tridentine Masses, for example, or pontificate flawlessly on dogma. The former is too earthly to a fault; the latter, too heavenly for comfort.

The Gospel passage today refers to being earthly and being heavenly. It makes no secret about the order of importance between the two. “The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.”

Heavenliness and earthliness are not meant to be two opposing and irreconcilable poles. They don’t mutually cancel each other. No, they complement one another. Classical spiritual writers speak of the twin poles of nature and grace, the natural and the supernatural, the spiritual and the corporeal. They both come into play in the composite being called the human person, called to spiritual heights but with two feet firmly planted on the ground, at least for the time being.

Don Bosco, the man and the saint, is a good representation of this. He is described as “profondamente uomo; profondamente santo” (deeply human; deeply divine). So is Blessed John Paul II — human to the core but with heaven as his final goal. In both men, nature and grace, the earthly and the heavenly, were molded into one. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you interested only in earthly things? How can you make yourself both fully human and spiritual?

 

Lord Jesus, may I learn to be both fully human yet spiritual, too. May my eyes be fixed on You as I live out my purpose in life.

Daily Bible Reflections - April 18, 2012

FROM TRUTH COMES THE LIGHT

 

An altar boy came rushing into church one morning just before Mass. I was praying my breviary using my iPod Touch. He looked at my iPod, wanting to know how much time he had left. By instinct, I had him look at my watch and told him he had about four minutes to spare. As he disappeared into the sacristy, it dawned on me that I was a hopeless digital migrant foraging into the world of digital natives who simply loathed things like wrist watches for they were simply single-function devices.

I caught myself in my analog frame of mind and realized that kids now need no wrist watches. Their minds all but rewired digitally, they don’t watch the time the way oldies do. Their multi-function digital gadgets keep time for them, to remind them of their next appointment and so on.

With the digital world, a new form of darkness has set in — the culture of isolation. Yes, in a world of social networking, the new darkness of isolation has taken the whole world by storm.

I have always been fascinated by the texting culture in the country. It never fails to amuse and amaze me how entire families could see movies together, only to get out of the cinema and sit down to a meal at a restaurant, and do nothing else but text their time away! Togetherness and physical proximity do not necessarily make for meaningful connectedness.

The Gospel is good news anywhere, anytime. Today’s passage reminds us of two interrelated things: truth and light. The first stands for acceptance of what is. It means being aware of where we are and of the circumstances that surround us. But making changes after accepting what is, is what the second calls for. It means deciding what to do on the basis of what we know. Once upon a time, we came to acknowledge the truth about us through a solid examination of conscience. But after acknowledging sinfulness, we are called to do more. That is called conversion. It means living the truth and coming to the light! Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Have you fully accepted who you are, with all your strengths and weaknesses?

 

Lord Jesus, help me to accept my weaknesses and sinfulness and then to move on the truth of God’s love for me.

 

Daily Reflections - April 17, 2012

BORN IN, BORN OF OR BORN FROM?

 

In a world saddled with all forms of inequalities, where social status counts as most important for anybody to become somebody, it pays to be born in a particular city, town, or socio-economic status. In a class-conscious society such as ours, being born in the city means being light years ahead of someone born in the boonies, far from good and reputable schools, far from opportunities, and far from the world of the literati and the “glitterati.”

But if that is not bad enough, the question of “pedigree” even makes it tougher for the overwhelming majority of our people, who are automatically disenfranchised for the simple reason that they are not born of one of the 127 or so families whose names all but assure them forever of the three Ps: power, privilege and prestige. In our country, the less letters you have in your name, or the more Spanish or American sounding it is, or the more “hyphenated” your pedigree is, the greater are your chances of making it big in the world of business, especially in the glitzy world of Philippine show business.

To be born into a particular family and social status is something one takes as a given. To be born of a particular lineage, a clan, or a minority tribe, or just be one of the teeming hoi polloi is something that one simply accepts, or eventually comes to terms with.

But the good news today cuts into and upsets this wide spectrum of societal distinctions and differences in status. One has no choice about the circumstances surrounding one’s birth, or on what type of pedigree each one of us has. One’s place of birth and the particular lineage we fall into, noble or plebeian, is not for anyone of us to choose or decide for. But not so when it comes to God’s call and God’s love. One is simply called and loved by God. Period! One is called to salvation, with only one basic condition — to be born again from above! The choice is ours. Is your choice clear? Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you limit who and what you think you can be by your social and economic status? Think again. You are God’s beloved child. Your possibilities are endless; just follow Him.

 

Lord Jesus, I surrender to Your call and to Your love. Do with me as You please.

 

Daily Reflections - April 16, 2012

SERVANTS WHO SPEAK YOUR WORD

 

Nicodemus was, by any standard, a good man. He was fair, just, inquisitive and genuinely helpful and generous. Beyond that, he was a good listener, open to the truth, and willing enough to be taught or preached to.

How many of us can approximate having such an impressive list of traits? He figures three times in the Gospel. The first is what our Gospel passage refers to, when he visits Jesus by night and poses a question to Jesus. The second is when he intervenes with the Sanhedrin and counsels caution with regard to the outlaw Jesus. And the third is when he helped out for the burial of the Lord after the crucifixion.

How many of us can outdo him in his magnanimous deeds?

But for all his generosity and goodness, there was something that Nicodemus missed out on. He gave away something that most of us would not even think of parting with — his own pre-need “life plan.” The tomb in which Jesus was interred came from his selfless generosity.

But I would like to suggest that we all have the possibility to do something more than he did, something that he could never do anymore, and that is to go beyond being a merely good listener, or open-handed and generous, or being fair and just and equitable.

We can outdo him in at least one aspect. We can pray as the disciples did after their release from prison: “Enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness!” This, they asked, despite the threats and persecution. This is the missing ingredient as far as Nicodemus is concerned. This is what he missed out on. And this is what we ought never miss — the singular opportunity to be what Christ was, to do what Christ and His disciples did. To be for a waiting, inquisitive and searching world, an answer to their ultimate lifetime search that leads to happiness and fulfillment.

Nicodemus did good. But we are called to do better. This we can do by becoming what we pray for — servants who speak God’s Word. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What is the missing ingredient in your life as a follower of Jesus? Where do you need to improve on?

 

Lord Jesus, shape me and mold me as a real disciple. Empower me to speak Your Word at every opportunity.

Daily Reflections - April 15, 2012

BEING IN COMMUNITY

 

The second Sunday of Easter always has as its main character Thomas, who was made famous, or infamous, by his refusal to  believe: “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger in those scars and my hand in his side” (John 20:25). But Thomas was more than just a doubting Apostle. The synoptic Gospels may be scant in their accounts of Thomas’ exploits, but John was more generous in giving Thomas coverage in his account of the life of Jesus and His disciples.

In John 11, Jesus learned of the death of His close friend Lazarus who was in Bethany. The disciples knew that Bethany was a dangerous place for Jesus. Some hostile men have already attempted to stone Him there. When Jesus insisted that they go to His friend Lazarus, Thomas bravely said, “Let us all go along with the Teacher, so that we may die with him” (John 11:16). This is a clear indication of the kind of stuff that Thomas was made of. He was a man who was loyal to his master and would go to great lengths to show his faith and fidelity to Him.

In John 14, the simplicity of Thomas’ faith and his honesty in inquiring, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, how can we know the way?” (John 16:5) paved the way to one of the more important self pronouncements of Jesus, “I am the way, the truth and the Life” (John14:6).

But it’s in the third time that John mentions him that Thomas is forever dubbed as the Doubter (cf. John 20:19-31). It is a scene that we should all be familiar with, lest we fall into the same malady. Thomas was not in the Upper Room, the place where the rest of the disciples were as they mourned the loss of their beloved Master, but Thomas chose to dwell on his sorrow alone. And because he was away, he failed to see what the rest of them saw. This is a great teaching about the importance of Christian fellowship. Christ is present in His mystical body, His church, and its members will do well in experiencing and seeing Jesus as they live within its communion. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you belong to a community? If not, what’s keeping you from joining one?

 

Lord Jesus, lead me to the right community for me.

Daily Reflections - April 14, 2012

HERALDING THE GOOD NEWS

 

As a young seminarian, I was invited to speak before a group of people in a small poor community nestled in the middle of the city. As I entered their place, I was at once taken aback by the sorry state of their living conditions.

I began my talk with the question, “Ano po ba mga pinagkakaabalahan niyo dito?” I was met with tremendously edifying answers that really touched my heart. The women in that community regularly take turns in cleaning their parish church located in a big subdivision but which they are members of. Two of them were community-based volunteer catechists teaching the kids in their own community. The men were parking attendants in the busy business district during weekdays and volunteer parking attendants in the church during weekends. Three were Eucharistic Ministers.

And what do their children do? One mother offers this response, “Naku, ‘yan pong mga elementary na ‘yan, nag-iipon ng mga bente-singko mula sa baon nila. Tapos pagdating ng Sabado pupunta sa phone booth doon sa kanto, bunutan sila kung sino ang tatawag sa telepono para sabihin lang, ‘Linggo po bukas. Simba po kayo ha, sama buong pamilya ha! Thank you, babay!’” (Those elementary students, they save 25-centavo coins from their allowances. Then on Saturdays, they go to the phone booth at the corner street and they draw lots as to who will make the phone calls just to say, ‘It’s Sunday tomorrow. Please go to Mass with your whole family! Thank you! Bye!’”)

This whole Easter week we are bombarded with stories of jubilation on the part of those who have come to see the Resurrected Christ. We know that the Resurrected Christ came to give us peace and to comfort us in our miseries brought about by our own misdeeds.

Now, the Resurrected Christ is giving us a command to proclaim all that we have come to know, see and experience. We are asked to tell the story of the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are now to become His heralds to the world, just like the people in that poor community I visited. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How are you responding to the call to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ?

 

Lord Jesus, empower me with Your Spirit that I may be able to proclaim Your work and Your glory to the people around me.

Daily Reflections - April 13, 2012

WE SHALL ALL BE ONE

 

Science and Math were my favorite subjects in grade school. I really loved numbers and would drool on matters concerning science. Astronomy was one particular subject I was hooked on as a kid. I grew up using mnemonics to help me remember the names of the planets — “My Very Earnest Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles.” The first letter of each word represents the planets in their proper order, from the nearest to the farthest from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. But since Pluto was reduced to a dwarf planet, the number was reduced to eight in 2006. So I would have to think of a new mnemonic.

There is a remarkable detail that is mentioned by John in today’s Gospel that may interest us. When John tells the story of the first breakfast that Jesus shares with His Apostles, He says, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went on board and hauled the net to land, full of large fishes, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and, although there were so many of them, the net was not broken.” William Barclay says that John wouldn’t give the definite number 153 without it meaning something.

St. Jerome provides a very interesting and simple explanation: During the time of Jesus, there were only around 153 known species of fish. Hence, to say that the catch gathered 153 fishes is to say that all kinds of fishes in the sea were “represented” in that bountiful catch. We know how John’s writings are filled with so many symbols and veiled meanings. The bountiful catch points to all men in all the nations that will be gathered into one Church. The net doesn’t break even with the large catch because this Church is big enough to welcome all. There is plenty of room for everyone.

This is of course a very empowering truth. It speaks of how eventually we shall all be one. That no matter how we differ now, we shall eventually share the same future. We shall all be gathered into one under the Kingship of Christ. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How is your family or community life? Do the members have differences and conflicts? Trust in the Lord’s way of uniting everyone under Him.

 

Lord Jesus, I pray for unity and peace in my family, in my community, in my country, in the world.

Daily Reflections - April 12, 2012

PEACE, NOT FEAR

 

Those were very confusing and trying times. The disciples were gathered not only because they were mourning together but because of fear that what befell their master would happen to them as well. Or they were beating their breasts together as they recall how most of them abandoned their master in His hour of need. Matters became even more confusing when news of the Resurrected Christ started to come in. First, the women disciples, then Peter, then these two disciples walking back towards their hometown Emmaus. They must have been thinking among themselves, “Will He appear to us as well? Will He rebuke us for abandoning Him?”

Fear. Confusion. Excitement. Joy. Guilt. Their feelings were just too complex to identify. Then, in the midst of those very disconcerting and bewildering moments, Jesus appeared and said, “Peace be with you!”

Peace is a very wonderful gift. Without it, you can’t think straight. You can’t act rightly. You lose sleep. You become cranky. You withdraw from people. You sulk in loneliness and despair. So it wasn’t surprising that Jesus’ first greeting was His wish of peace for the very disciples who ran away from Him during the lowest point of His human life, save for a few women, His mother and His beloved disciple.

Jesus’ greeting was His peace offering. It was like hearing Him say, “You may have abandoned me, but I still love you. You may have left me, but I won’t do that to you.” He restored His disciples, who were broken by their own mischief, to wholeness.

This Easter message is something that we should all heed: The time of confusion is over. Leave behind your fear. Focus your gaze on the One who is able to wipe away your sins and give you peace like no other in this world. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you have peace right now? What’s taking away your peace? Focus on Jesus and accept the peace He offers you.

 

Lord Jesus, I need Your peace to survive in this troubled world.

Daily Reflections - April 11, 2012

SEEING AND EXPERIENCING JESUS

 

Much has already been said about this wonderful story of two disciples meeting Jesus on the way to Emmaus. Some very insightful reflections connect the importance of the event with the Sacramental meal that Jesus shared with His disciples as He gave them His mandate to “do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).

The very gestures that Jesus executed on the road to and in Emmaus were reminiscent of the very actions He did during that meal when He “took the bread, blessed the bread, broke the bread, and gave them to His disciples.” The long discussion on the way from Jerusalem to Emmaus focused on how the Scriptures spoke about the Messiah. Jesus explained to the two disciples how the things that happened in Jerusalem have already been pronounced by the prophets of old. Now this “study” of the Scriptures has a clear reference to the very ritual that Jews perform as they partake of the Passover meal, or the Liturgy of the Word for us who celebrate the Eucharist in the same manner. The connection is thus clearly outlined in these. The two main occurrences in that story (the study of the Word and the breaking of the Bread) prefigure the Sacrament of the Eucharist with the two liturgies that are celebrated in the Mass — the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Jesus “broke” the Word to the two disciples to enlighten them about everything that has already been written about Him. And because of this, Jesus was revealed. The broken Word revealed Jesus to the two disciples.

The bread that Jesus “broke” made the two disciples see Him as He really is. It was clear that the two disciples were familiar with the ritual. They have been doing it with the rest of their fellow believers. And so seeing those familiar gestures, their eyes were opened, and the broken bread revealed Jesus to them. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Have there been times when you failed to see Jesus’ hands at work in your life?

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for the Eucharist, which reminds us of Your eternal sacrifice for our salvation. Thank You for Your Word, which tells us of Your great love for us.