What are you thankful for today? - Daily Reflections November 28,2013

THANKSGIVING

EVEN AT THE END OF THE WORLD

 

Although it has little to do with our liturgy, the American tradition of Thanksgiving Day (every fourth Thursday of November) has slowly made inroads into other countries like the Philippines (at least in some affluent, Western-culture homes). In any case, thanksgiving or gratitude has a universal and valid value, definitely worth recognizing and celebrating through ritual and tradition. But on the basis of our Gospel reading today, there is hardly anything to be thankful for! All we have are ill-omened signs and events, such as the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world itself.

       But on second thought — thanks to a deeper look at the reading —we realize that it isn’t all gloom and doom after all. In fact, although there is an interesting mixture of fear and anxiety, there is also consolation and assurance. We can have recourse to our First Reading: it’s about the deliverance of Daniel from the lion’s den. And particularly telling is also the last verse of the Gospel: “When these things begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

       With this, our work is already cut out for us. As Christians, we don’t need at all to be predictors of a future of destruction and damage. Why should we still add to the mess already taking place in our midst, with nature going haywire with calamities and environmental degradation? Let us rather be a people of hopefulness and vigilance, master crafters of God’s Kingdom in the here and now. Thus, we will always have reason to thank God — always and every day, not just on Thanksgiving Day. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: What are you thankful for today?

 

Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your consolation and assurance, especially during our times of despair.

 

How can you be a modern-day prophet for Jesus? - Daily Reflections November 26,2013

PROPHETS OF DOOM OR BOOM?

 

As we are on the last week of the liturgical year, our Mass readings are full of apocalyptic symbolisms, images and visions — all emphasizing the end of time, and the truth that good will always overcome evil and that God will be faithful to His people.

       The world is going to change for sure, and the reign of God is at hand. Ominous signs would accompany this, such as the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem as referred to in today’s Gospel. When Jesus’ disciples now ask Him for more details, especially as to when all this is going to happen,  He doesn’t give a direct, categorical answer at all. In fact, Jesus uses the occasion to give proper advice: that we ought to be careful not to be deceived by impostors and false prophets, and that we need not be terrified should signs such as wars, insurrections, earthquakes, famines and plagues take place.

       Time and again in history (in fact, even up to now), there have been several groups (or, more accurately, cults) or individuals who have put more emphasis on the gloom and doom, the fear and fright of the end times. Rather than these, what’s needed more than ever today are prophets in the authentic sense: builders of God’s Kingdom here on earth, men and women of God who will speak in His name. This is what we need, not at all predictions which sow fear, but rather lives which testify to God’s majesty and power.

       The image of the so-called Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse from the Book of Revelation comes to mind. In a far different sense, are you ready and willing to take up the cause and be one of them? Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How can you be a modern-day prophet for Jesus?

 

Lord, may I respond to Your call to build God’s Kingdom here on earth, and to speak in Your name always.

What aspects of your life remain unsurrendered to the Lord? - Daily Reflections November 25,2013

THE GOD WHO DESERVES OUR ALL

 

There must have been hundreds of people — day in, day out — in the Temple and its vicinities. All of them, every day, putting their offerings in the treasury. And yet, there was one who caught the attention of Jesus, only one whom He noticed.

       And He declared: “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

       Would Jesus ever have said the same words of us? That our own self-offerings do not come merely from our surpluses? In a sense, God is a jealous lover. He demands nothing less than our all — everything, complete, 100 percent — no more, no less. He is never content with our partial, loose change offerings.

       For instance, do we really think that all He’s asking from us is an hour every Sunday? From our end, that seems to be all that’s needed from us: one hour a week for our Sunday Mass obligation. (And to think that we often arrive late for it. Or worse still, we skip it.)

       It’s hard to accept that that’s all which God asks from us: He, of all people, the almighty and eternal God. Surely, He deserves more. That single hour a week for our Sunday Mass will obtain its value if we look at it as merely the culmination and external expression of our total, 100 percent self-giving.

       In the case of Daniel and the three young men, they definitely gave their all to God. Likewise, today’s remarkable saint-martyr, Catherine of Alexandria — imprisoned by the emperor for refusing to apostatize — still converted the emperor’s wife and two hundred soldiers before he had her killed. So, together with the many people coming “in and out” of God’s gaze, making their offerings to God, let’s ask: will He ever notice us? Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: What aspects of your life remain unsurrendered to the Lord?

 

Jesus, please help me give my all to You, for You alone truly deserve it.

 

How are you, in any way, profaning the temple of the Holy Spirit that is your body? - Daily Reflections November 22,2013

LIVING TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

Jews throughout the world celebrate a very special holiday, usually sometime in December called the Hanukkah or Festival of Lights. The origin of this is what we read in today’s First Reading: the Maccabee brothers defeated the Gentile army, re-took Jerusalem, reconstructed and rededicated the Temple.

       In the Gospel for today, on the other hand, there is also something about the Temple of Jerusalem. But in this case, Jesus is the one cleansing it. Having been turned into a “den of thieves,” He ejected the traders. He restored its proper identity as a “house of prayer” and a place for Him to teach.

       Finally, our saint for today, St. Cecilia, exemplified in her life and martyrdom the glory of God through the temple of her body — that is, through her total dedication to Him as a virgin (even if her parents arranged her to be married to someone), and her self-offering in death. The account of her martyrdom includes the following statement: “While the profane music of her wedding was heard, Cecilia was singing in her heart a hymn of love for Jesus, her true spouse.” It is for this that she is considered the patron saint of musicians.

       As living temples of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17), we too have been dedicated to God through the purifying waters of Baptism. Unfortunately, the defilement and corruption wrought by sin is also a reality for us, continuing to hound or haunt us. But surely it is by no means the last word! Jesus’ salvific sacrifice has brought us cleansing and redemption. More than driving out of vendors or moneychangers, more than any external offering of holocausts and sacrificial animals, and more than any immolation in martyrdom, Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection is the one perfect sacrifice which surpasses all. Every time we commemorate and make present this sacrifice through the Holy Mass, we let that same supreme sacrifice of Jesus renew us once again. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How are you, in any way, profaning the temple of the Holy Spirit that is your body?

 

Lord Jesus, help me to see my body as the temple of Your Spirit so that I may have total respect for it.

What do you want Jesus to do for you? - Daily Reflections November 18,2013

“WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?”

 

That was quite an unusual question which Jesus asked of the blind man in today’s Gospel episode. Surely, our Lord must have already known about the blind man’s obvious incapacity to see, and yet He still asked of him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

       And we know the blind man’s reply, of course. “Lord, please let me see.”

       Medical doctors testify that when a patient has a strong will to overcome his sickness and continue living, it is as if he is already half-cured. If, on top of that, he has faith in his doctor’s competence and is ready to obey him in everything, then his chances of cure and recovery are very much increased. Our blind man in the Gospel had an overwhelming desire to be healed. Furthermore, his faith in Jesus was complete. These are certainly more than enough to guarantee his healing. It is likewise for us in our spiritual life. A strong desire to be cured and to follow Jesus, plus a great faith in Him, will cure us of the blindness of our arrogance, self-centeredness, sensuality, laziness and mediocrity. Such a desire and faith are obtained and nourished in prayer.

       This, by the way, doesn’t mean that we do all the talking in our prayer. That would be monopolizing the conversation! We need also (and more so)  to listen to God to what He says to us in our prayer. And indeed, He might ask us a question or two: “What do you want Me to do for you?” God just wants to be sure of our desire and our faith. Hopefully, we will know what to answer Him. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: What do you want Jesus to do for you?

 

Lord, grant me the same firm faith that the blind man had in today’s Gospel.

When Jesus comes again in final glory, will you be prepared? - Daily Reflections November 15,2013

UNLOCKING THE MYSTERIES OF GOD’S KINGDOM

 

Yesterday’s Gospel passage taught us that God’s Kingdom is within us. With today’s reading, we can say that the Kingdom of God may be compared to a child: he or she is certainly alive and growing up, but obviously he or she hasn’t reached adulthood yet. It’s basically the same with the Kingdom: it’s in our midst and is growing, but it hasn’t reached yet its fullness.

       The question we might ask is, when will it reach its final fulfillment? Or, to put it in another way, when will  Jesus come in final glory to claim God’s Kingdom here on earth for His Father?

       We do not know when this will take place. But what we do know is that it will happen suddenly and without warning. It will catch people side-byside: those who are prepared, and those who are not.

       This much is certain: once God’s Kingdom reaches its fullness, His judgment will take place as sure as vultures circle around a dead camel in the desert. In the meantime, we all do what we can to contribute in hastening that fulfillment.

       St. Albert the Great, our saint for today, was one man who in his time, contributed to the coming of God’s  Kingdom here on earth. He tapped the riches of science to reach the infinite truth of the Godhead. For him, the

fields of biology, botany, physics and chemistry were like pathways to God. There need not be conflicts between  faith and reason, between science and religion. For all its achievements and limitations (and at the same time its mysteries still being unlocked), the realm of science is still a wide open field for the sincere pursuit of investigation and research. Thanks to St. Albert, we can now further unlock the mysteries of the Kingdom. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: When Jesus comes again in final glory, will you be prepared?

 

Lord, teach me to live each day in pursuit of Your Kingdom, complete with all its mysteries.

How do you handle suffering and rejection in your life? - Daily Reflections November 14,2013

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN OUR MIDST

 

God’s Kingdom is undoubtedly the greatest treasure ever. It invites search, exploration and discovery. But where can we find it? Not in faraway lands or beyond the deep blue sea. No need to look far, in fact. The Kingdom of God may very well be found right in front of our noses, right in our midst, right smack within us.

       What our Lord stated in today’s Gospel is very true: “You cannot tell by careful watching when the reign of God will come. Neither is it a matter of reporting that it is ‘here’ or ‘there.’”

       On the other hand, our First Reading is a beautiful attempt to “pin down” something which would otherwise be nebulous and elusive. This is no other than divine wisdom. Here it is personified, with various characteristics which render it tangible and distinct. The passage concludes, “Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily and governs all things well.”

       Just like the reign of God, it also reaches from end to end mightily — for it is not bound by geographical considerations. It governs all things well, for it is not subject to whims or false assertions.

       Truly we need not “go running about excitedly.” Jesus states that He will be “like the lightning that flashes from one end of the sky to the other.” But lest we be misled to think that He will be a flashy Messiah, He strips down our wrong notions with a drastic reality check: “First, however, he must suffer much and be rejected by the present age.”

       That is precisely why the reign of God escapes any categorization, why it is difficult to pin down. It works on an entirely different plane. Suffering and rejection are among the things which befall and await both its king and its subjects — these, certainly, are not the typical trappings of royalty and power. If we, too, only learn to embrace such suffering and rejection (after the example of Jesus, our Lord and Master), then indeed the reign of God is already in our midst. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you handle suffering and rejection in your life?

 

Lord Jesus, grant me strength to endure all the sufferings that will come my way.

 

How do you show your gratefulness to God and others on a daily basis? - Daily Reflections November 13,2013

GRATITUDE IN TERMS OF STATISTICS?

 

Ten lepers were healed and cleansed, but only one came back to thank Jesus, the Divine Healer. That means one out of 10, or 10 percent. Is that really the percentage of grateful people in the world?

       Our question or the data on which it is based might be a bit farfetched. But it may well be a valid question. And to think (considering the irony) that it was a Samaritan — a foreigner with whom the Israelites refused to see eye to eye back then — who was the grateful one.

       Long ago, there was a mystic, Meister Eckhart, who said, “If the only prayer we said in our whole life was ‘thank you,’ it would be enough.” It’s all basically a simple “think-and-thank” process. First, think of or recall the many graces and blessings you received from God... then, that’s it!

       Should it happen, unfortunately, that we lose our sense of utang na loob (inner debt of gratitude), something should bring us back to our senses.  Like what St. Paul once asked, “What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

       It’s true. The whole business of gratitude is more than just good manners. It is, as St. Ambrose said, our most important duty.

       Hopefully, the wonderful example of that Samaritan ex-leper will help increase the percentage of grateful people in the world. Or, on second thought, perhaps gratitude cannot really be quantified. Whatever it is, this world will be a better place if people learned how to look back and say “thank you.” Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you show your gratefulness to God and others on a daily basis?

 

Lord, thank You for all that You are and all that You’ve blessed me with.

 

Do you serve the Lord without counting the cost? - Daily Reflections November 12,2013

“USELESS” SERVANTS OF THE LORD

 

In ancient times, a servant had typically two sets of chores to do, often in succession: fieldwork first, and then housework afterwards. So when he came in from the field after the first set of chores, he first had to clean himself up and then proceed with the housework. Only after he had finished serving his master could he attend to his own needs.

       Strictly speaking, this servant received no thanks for such duties performed under his master’s command. No thanksgiving was due to him at all, and he had no claim to any special gratitude.

       In today’s parable, Jesus is hinting at the Jews, especially in their complacency as God’s chosen people. There was an expectation among them that because of their special status, they were entitled to special treatment. Making matters worse for them was their attitude of superiority and self-righteousness.

       Looking at ourselves, can it be that we, too, have such attitudes when it comes to our relationship with God? Come to think of it, we can never earn a covenantal relationship with Him. Nor is He ever indebted to us. Everything is out of love and freedom, out of God’s own initiative, out of the superabundance of His heart. Whatever our good works, sacrifices, achievements, and the long years of faithful service to Him and His people — for all these we have neither claim nor right to a reward. Because all is grace from God, we are really useless servants (useless, in the sense that we are unworthy).

       And so rather than adopt a greedy determination to squeeze out of God everything we can, our intention in serving Him is to be enriched in the privilege and honor, the joy and gladness that come from the very service we offer Him. Truly, that alone is already a reward in itself! Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you serve the Lord without counting the cost?

 

Lord, help me to see that just by serving You with all I have, I already have all I need!

Are you mindful of what you think, say and do, such that you are not a source of scandal to others? - Daily Reflections November 11,2013

SCANDAL AS MISDIRECTING OTHERS

 

Our Lord in today’s Gospel mentions the reality of scandal. This is something which, for the most part, has been misunderstood nowadays. It is often used to refer to a specific incident or a continuous behavior which is wrong, bad or sinful. Then there is also the consequence which such an incident or behavior brings. It is something shocking, totally unexpected of certain people — public figures like priests, politicians, or movie stars — of known moral standing in society. The end result is often a media feast, with tabloid gossip columns and showbiz talk shows preying and cashing in on the incident.

       More than that, there is something more serious concerning scandal, properly understood of course. Coming from the Greek word skandalon, it is literally a “stumbling block,” a rock to trip over in one’s journey. It can be a bad deed by someone whom we admire — because of such a bad example, we “stumble” to the ground. Or it can also be something which we see, directing us to the wrong way — something triggering us to think badly and even follow that wrong example.

       This can be most true when it comes to young people. They are still innocent for the most part, highly impressionable, dependent on adults “assigned” to them (their parents, teachers, youth ministers, mentors, etc.). No wonder, St. John Bosco (the Father and Teacher of the Youth) used to speak of the “ugliness” or the “horror” of sin to his boys. Indeed, sin is like that: it is a certain pleasure and attraction at first, thus making it tempting. But it also brings with it an effect that leaves not only a bad taste in the mouth (that is, our conscience haunting us), but also a shockwave of scandal to others. This combination of sin and scandal surely misdirects others from the path of holiness and righteousness.

       Hopefully, we can realize what power we have to direct or misdirect others in life. Let us ask ourselves: What actions in our lives are perhaps a source of scandal to others? Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you mindful of what you think, say and do, such that you are not a source of scandal to others?

 

Lord, guard my thoughts, words, emotions and actions — may I never bring shame to Your name.

Is the way you live preparing you well for death? - Daily Reflections November 10,2013

A DEEPER PERSPECTIVE OF DEATH

 

These days of November seem shorter, with evenings starting earlier. They are like reminders for us of the end of our earthly lives — which is death — as the inevitable reality awaiting all of us without exception. Besides, this entire month is dedicated to the memory of (and prayer for) our departed loved ones.

       We have in various cultures many different expressions to confront or to mitigate the realities of death and the afterlife. Our faith likewise does for us the same service, but on a much higher level or from a deeper perspective.

       Our Gospel reading gives us a hint as to the form our earthly bodies will take after undergoing the normal processes of death, decay and decomposition: “They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise.”

       Indeed, we all eagerly look forward to such a glorious status. In the meantime, of course, we just have to pass through the required transition of death. It’s just like a door one has to pass through to get inside a magnificent banquet hall.

       It is very interesting to note how an entire industry has evolved nowadays regarding funeral observations and arrangements — all to help us cope with the reality of death. Not to mention memorial plans, insurance policies, and the like — all to help us prepare somehow for death.

       But the best preparation for death is the very lives we lead. Yes, our life itself. If we but take care of our life, God will take care of our death. And we need not fear anymore. After all, “he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Is the way you live preparing you well for death?

 

Lord Jesus, I pray that when my time comes, You will give me special strength to make the great passage to new life.

When it comes to the affairs of your soul, are you “clever” and decisive like the steward in today’s parable? - Daily Reflections November 8,2013

NO SHOCKS OR SURPRISES

 

If today’s Gospel passage causes some uneasiness or discomfort on our part, then just let it be so. It only goes to show that perhaps we may have already been smug and complacent in our image of Jesus and of our relationship with Him. Perhaps we have become too accustomed to the handsome, meek and mild Jesus portrayed in most holy pictures, such that seeing now the raw, real Jesus of the Gospels seems to be a shock for us.

       This Jesus of the Gospels is not afraid of telling stories that have rascals as heroes. (And yet, recall that this is by no means the only Gospel parable with this feature. Check out the ones of the Wicked Judge, the Rich Fool, and the Unmerciful Servant.)

       Not that our Lord is canonizing a crook or a wheeler-dealer. In the first place, a parable is an illustration not so much about the details or the examples as such, but rather more about the message behind it. Hence, He gives us here a fine lesson on the necessity of managing the affairs of our soul — hopefully with the cleverness and decisiveness of that steward in the parable.

       Somebody once wrote: “The Kingdom of God has more to do with your pocketbooks than with your prayer books.” “Pocketbook” here means a wallet or purse for your money. In a way, it is true. Similarly, the Gospel is not a soap opera for housewives; it is Good News for sinners. Indeed, Jesus came to save outcasts like Matthew, Zacchaeus and the woman at the well — not the Pharisees, Pilate or Herod. And finally, faith and spiritual life are not something confined to Sundays, to churches or sacristies; they penetrate trading rooms, billiard halls, police precincts, malls and homes.

       In that way, we need no longer be shocked, neither by the Gospel nor by Jesus Christ. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: When it comes to the affairs of your soul, are you “clever” and decisive like the steward in today’s parable?

 

Lord, guide me in all that I have to do. May I live out my faith in every aspect of my life.

Have you experienced being lost? How did it feel to finally find your way? That is also how God feels when He loses us and then finds us back again - Daily Reflections November 7,2013

WE ARE THE LORD’S

 

A very clear statement regarding ourselves is what we have in today’s First Reading from St. Paul, in his letter to the Romans: “Both in life and in death we are the Lord’s.” So is it any wonder that in the corresponding Gospel for today, the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, the shepherd and the woman considered their loss as unbearable and they didn’t stop until they recovered what they were looking for?

       Incidentally, it often happens to us as well, that we lose things (like our cell phone, for example). We misplace them, forget them or leave them behind somewhere. In an effort to recover them, we have recourse to “lost and found” announcements or ask the intercession of St. Anthony of Padua. But even with these, there is no foolproof guarantee that we will find or revover the lost items. At the root of such an unpleasant experience is the identity and belongingness of the thing. When threatened by theft or loss, its identity is endangered.

       That is why, for us, our fundamental identity as creatures of God and children of the Father is something we should always keep in mind. Again, “both in life and in death we are the Lord’s.” Because of this, we cannot pass judgment on others just because they happen to stray away or engage in attitudes and behaviors which seem inconsistent with their fundamental identity.

       The early Christians of St. Paul’s time were in fact quarreling over clean and unclean foods (as prescriptions to identify themselves). On the other hand, the Pharisees and the scribes of the Gospel were disdaining the tax collectors and sinners who were associating with Jesus. Issues like these undermine our universal Christian identity and belongingness to God. He, more than anybody else, owns us.

       Thank God that should we be lost, it is He himself who will take pains  to search for us and bring us back where we belong. Indeed, “we are the Lord’s.” Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Have you experienced being lost? How did it feel to finally find your way? That is also how God feels when He loses us and then finds us back again.

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for always looking out for me. May I never stray from Your embrace again.

Are you willing to follow Jesus no matter what the cost? - Daily Reflections November 6,2013

NO WALK IN THE PARK

 

Let’s pick up immediately the opening words of today’s Gospel passage for a few insights. “Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them....”

       We should be able to picture easily the scene in our minds. Jesus was like any of today’s celebrities who have a huge fan base. These “groupies” followed Him literally wherever He went, with Him leading the way in front. And then now, as though suddenly (in this instance of the narrative), Jesus turned to His followers. Such a quick change of movement and position indicates the kind of confrontation Jesus made with His followers — something which we also need from time to time as we follow Him. Meaning to say, Jesus will not hesitate to face us squarely just so we can examine (and purify) our motives and intentions. And then He drops the bombshell, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother....”

       An occasional “shock treatment” from Jesus can do us good. Ours shouldn’t be a blind following, the result of a bandwagon effect, based on the popularity of the one being followed. Jesus does have His demands, which we read clearly in the Gospel. He minces no words and sugarcoats no directives. For our part, we’d better think twice and be sure of our commitment to follow Him.

       There is definitely a price we must pay in following Jesus. We must calculate the cost and face the risk. As we said, it’s a matter of really following Jesus — which is not at all a walk in the park. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you willing to follow Jesus no matter what the cost?

 

Lord, during the times when it’s hard for me to follow You, strengthen me.

Do you consider going to Mass as a feast to be celebrated? - Daily Reflections November 5,2013

INVITATIONS AND R.S.V.P.’s

 

In continuation of yesterday’s Gospel passage, here now is Jesus’ Parable of the Banquet. Consistent with what He recommended previously, Jesus now narrates this story. It contains a stunning reversal in the invitees to the dinner: those who were privileged to be invited excused themselves, and so other poor and marginalized people were called in instead.

       Let’s look at it from our common experience. We don’t get invitations to a hospitalization, a funeral, or the like — we are notified of such unfortunate events. Instead we are invited to a wedding, a birthday celebration, a dinner, and the like. These are friendly and pleasurable events in life, the refusal of which might well be considered a breach of etiquette or a neglect of friendship.

       Our Gospel parable gives a sad and sorry picture. Even the alibis and excuses of those who refused the invitation sounded lame.

       Let us now look at ourselves and ask a few hard questions. What is our response to the Lord’s invitation to the Eucharistic Banquet? Or to the Ultimate Banquet of the Heavenly Kingdom? We don’t quite look at these in the same way, do we? But they are no less as real. We need not dream of being invited to a royal wedding, or a state dinner, or a meet-and-greet opportunity with a visiting concert performer. We have the precious privilege of joining the Lord’s feast every day — just go to your nearest parish church.

       A lot of party planners and event organizers lament that we Filipinos hardly pay attention and heed the R.S.V.P. etiquette. But whether we actually notify our hosts and their organizers or not, we must reply when it comes to the Eucharistic celebration. We reply with our feet — we actually go and attend and participate — and benefit from it.

       May we never shy away from the greatest form of worship and adoration we can offer God, the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you consider going to Mass as a feast to be celebrated?

 

Lord, may I treasure every second I am at Mass, as it is a foretaste of the ultimate feast in heaven

DO SOMETHING FOR NOTHING - Daily Reflections November 4,2013

DO SOMETHING FOR NOTHING

 

In today’s Gospel reading, Christ insists that we do something for those who have no means of repaying us. It’s actually more than just doing the so-called “random acts of kindness.” It’s doing something for nothing, with no publicity or hidden agenda or strings attached, and taking a stand against exploiting the lowly.

       However, if all this sounds difficult (or naïve, or idealistic), it goes to show how far this world of ours has gone in putting a price tag on everything — to the point of manipulating the poor for selfish ends. This exactly is what Jesus came to disturb or upset. And so beginning with ourselves, He shakes us up and turns us topsy-turvy.

       The life of today’s saint can perhaps be a good illustration. Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) seemed to be an antithesis of those poor beggars and persons with disabilities mentioned in the Gospel parable. As a young man of 20, he had it all going for him: particularly, a bright career, with a doctorate in both civil and canon law. And then just a year after that, he was made a cardinal and appointed Archbishop of Milan by his uncle, Pope Pius IV. (By today’s standards, we would probably protest: “Nepotism!”)

       And yet, with God’s yardstick, any circumstance will always still fall in place in the greater scheme of things. Even the most negative or incorrect of situations can still be used by God for His plans. Charles Borromeo went on to become one of the chief agents in the success of the Council of Trent and the drafting of the Catechism. In Milan, he zealously applied the spirit of the Council, establishing schools, orphanages and seminaries.

       And what about us? We might not have brilliant careers, influential backers or friends in high places. We just might as well count ourselves among those beggars, the crippled, the lame and the blind, whom Jesus would invite first to His own banquet. But then, even that is more than good enough. Having been chosen by the Lord, we in turn choose to serve the lowliest and the least. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you believe that God can use all situations for His plans?

 

Lord, may I be like St. Charles Borromeo, giving glory to You in everythin

Who are your favorite saints? What is it in their lives that inspire you to imitate them? - Daily Reflections November 1,2013

HEAVEN’S GALA PERFORMANCE

 

Today is the joyful day for heaven’s “gala performance,” the Solemnity of All Saints. While most canonized saints have a designated date in the calendar for their memorials or feasts, November 1 is the day for all of them, including the “lower-case” or the “unknown” saints. They are those who, perhaps, had never gone through the tedious processes of beatification and canonization but nevertheless led exemplary, holy, inspiring or heroic lives here on earth. And they are now enjoying the beatitude of heaven, the vision of God, in His company.

       Perhaps for each of the Eight Beatitudes we read in our Gospel today, there are “representative” saints which easily come to our minds. Or it may be that we grew up with the saints. Or maybe each of us can draw up a list of our own favorite saints (“Top Ten Saints to Invoke When You’re Desperate,” or something like that). Or the trivia we have about saints can probably fill up several books or web pages. Or, finally, almost every profession or human activity has its own patron saint. (I know of somebody who would even pray to a particularly “effective” saint when looking for a parking space!)

       But more than just saints invading popular culture (which isn’t an entirely bad thing, anyway), there is a greater or deeper significance to them in terms of our faith. For one thing, the call to holiness or sanctification is truly something for all, regardless of gender, state of life, ethnicity or whatever. That’s perhaps why there are so many saints, of various hues and colors, so as to show and prove to us that no one is exempt from the call to sanctity. The saints have simply shown us how it’s done.

       “Oh, when the saints go marching in... I wanna be with their number,” so goes the good old rousing song. Why can’t we be saints as well? The thought need not be that farfetched. Take your pick: there are a lot to choose from to inspire us. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Who are your favorite saints? What is it in their lives that inspire you to imitate them?

 

Thank You, Lord, for giving us the saint who showed us that it is indeed possible to live saintly lives in this world.