In Need of Signs

Mk 8:11-13

Everytime I travel, I am always attentive to signs especially when it is my first time. Much more when I am the one driving. Signs are important for they point us to our destination.

During the time of the prophets, they have shared a lot about the coming Messiah. In a way, they were already giving the signs who the Messiah will be.

It is therefore understanble why Jesus made a deep breath and ask "Why does this generation seek a sign?" Much more when those who were asking are Pharisees who should be familiar with the prophets.

Indeed for those who do not want to believe, no more sign will suffice, but for those who believe, no more sign is needed.

Do we still ask some signs until now in order to believe? Jesus said, " Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.

Jesus was already proclaiming the Kingdom of God. The signs were given already by those who came before Him. John the Baptist was the last prophet who testified of Jesus' coming. The question is not anymore about whether He can show some signs that He is the one. The question is whether they believe or not that He is the one foretold by the prophets. If they do not believe, Jesus will be going to other towns and continue the mission entrusted to Him by the Father.

For the coming election, we can already see at this time the signs of what the candidates wanted to do. We can even see who they are. Not by what they are portraying themselves to be, but by what is already happening. When we elect them knowing that they are corrupt, and have unresolved cases of graft and irresponsible handling of public funds, we don't need any sign to know that we love corrupt officials. By our vote we shall know our preference. I believe it is better to have a sympathetic politician than a clever thief.

Let us ask ourselves, where am I now in my life as a Christian? Am I still looking for signs? Or Am I now a participant of Jesus' mission who proclaims the coming of the New Heaven and New Earth-the Kingdom of GOd?

Divorce

In most of my acquaintances here in Italy, I came across a number of married filipinos who are separated and are living with someone who is not their lawful husbands or wives. With the stand of the Church against divorce, it is sometimes hard to smile when I am with them.

However, listening to their stories, one can sometimes say that there seems to be reasons why divorce should be allowed. Wife-battering, adultery, irresponsibility, infedelity, and the like are just some of the causes they mentioned.

In our Gospel today, Jesus said, " ...what God has joined together, no human being must separate." This is a statement of Jesus against divorce. This is the most quoted text in the Bible why the Church cannot allow divorce. Divorce is a legal cessation of a valid marriage. The church can only allow annulment and legal separation. Annulment is only a declaration that no valid marriage happened. Legal separation is meant for unreconcilable differences among couples who are validly married in the Church and cannot live under one roof anymore. There is a hope that their differences can be patched up after sometime. Since they have a valid marriage, they cannot remarry as long as their spouses are alive.

The Church is accused of being unsympathetic, without compassion, and out-of-date. Unsympathetic to those who wanted to remarry. Without compassion to those who are physically and emotionally abused spouse. Out-of-date, for most of the countries except Malta, Philippines and the Vatican allow some forms of divorce at this modern times.

I believe Love is the essential element in marriage. Love can make things possible. If Mother Theresa can stay with the sick people, if Maximilian Kolbe can give his life for another person, there is no reason to choose being separated from someone that you know and pledge to love "till death do us part." LOve is not a feeling, it is a decision. To love is a decision that we make, it is not a feeling to maintain. Our feelings may change towards the other, but our decision to love the other is a life-time commitment. I believe that it is the absence of love that make couples choose divorce.

Jesus is so passionate against divorce, because he believes that a man and woman who become one in love and joined by God can surpass the hardest of times. "Whoever can accept this ought to accept this."

Woe to you Corazin!

"Woe to you Corazin! Woe to you Bethsaida!" This is what Jesus said to the people of Corazin and Bethsaida in our gospel today when Jesus found them indifferent and and unrepentant. Repentance is necessary for conversion. Without repentance, conversion is not possible. Conversion is to turn away from the past that is not giving good not only to ourselves as persons but also to the society as a whole. All of us are sinners! Those who negate this already committed the sin of pride. Our renewal happens after becoming aware of our sins. And at least make steps not to do them again.

I think this is the reason why our country is not moving forward. We are not repentant. Much more we become indifferent. Worst when we accept bad things as normal. Our government had been accused of many scandals and it seems that our government doesn't care. Offering a bribe even to the highest official of the land is a sign of impropriety. The bribers are becoming braver. The reason is because our government doesn't show any sign of repentance that it is serious to erradicate graft and corruption. Those accused are simply unmindful and even assigned to higher positions in the government. Woe to us Filipinos for letting this be.

We seemed to have never learned anything at all. We allow these things to happen in front of our very own eyes. Traversing the street and seeing street children begging seems to be normal. Electing corrupt officials again and again is a sign of retardation. Woe to me for I sometimes feel that there is nothing I can do about this.

Hope Jesus can inspire us to really say the words that we need to say and do the things that we really need to do. Jesus was braved enough to shout at the people by saying "Woe to you Corazin! Woe to you Bethsaida! Woe to you Capernaum!" Can anyone from the Church shout as well? Loud enough, to stop these shenanigans in the government.
Woe to me...

Let us cross to the other side

Mark 4:35-41
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading this gospel alone can give us the impression that Jesus is always on the go. "Let us cross to the other side." He asked his disciples to go with him to the other side. This is in fact the life of every Christians. We are asked to go always to the other side. We are asked to move forward. We are not asked to remain in our lack of faith. The journey is meant to make us grow in faith as we come closer to the Kingdom of God.

The disciples obliged and took Jesus on the boat. These words seemed to tell us that it was the disciples who took Jesus in their boat. Yes they did, for Jesus did not own a boat though ontologically Jesus own everything. It is like saying we let Jesus enter into our hearts, but the truth is Jesus is already in our hearts. It is like saying I own my life, though in reality we are created and owned by God. But again this is a good metaphor that we are only conscious that we take Jesus. But we sometimes forget that he is already in our hearts.

Time came when a strong storm frightened the disciples. They felt that they are going to drown. They cannot hold on to their fear anymore. They have to wake Jesus up who seemed to be not bothered by the situation. This is what happens to us. We sometimes found ourselves drowning and we cry out to Jesus. But isn't it just right to call on Jesus when we feel we cannot stand the storm anymore? Most christians do this.

The background of the gospel can help us understand the significance of the text. The early Christian community was a community being persecuted. A community being threatened by the authorities and by those who hated Jesus. Mark is telling the community to pray to Jesus. Indeed in the Gospel Jesus delivered. He rebuked the storm shouting "Quiet!" "Be still!" The storm calmed down. Jesus indeed has the power over any threat. Jesus has the last say in everything. It is away of assuring the Christians that Jesus has the power over all the power in this world that we can imagine that even the storm and the sea obeys Him.

But Mark did not end the Gospel with the stilling of the sea. He pushed the issue forward. Mark wanted to underline heroic faith. He emphasized the importance of those who gave their lives for the faith. When Jesus said "Why are you terrified?" Have you still no faith?", Jesus did not say that they were wrong. Jesus was asking why until now they have not grown in their faith in him. Why until now they are still the save-me-Jesus disciples. Mark is making the christians aware of the heroic faith. Faith that believes Jesus died for us and saves us always. Faith that can rest with Jesus even in danger. Faith that is not afraid to die with Jesus.

LET US CROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE. My brothers and sisters, the journey towards the other side where Jesus wanted us to go is not a tourist trip. The journey is risky and it can cost us our lives. Looking at the politics of the world today, we are all aware that they are heading us to nowhere. The life of some may have been better, but the number of those who die of hunger and poverty becomes bigger as the day passes. Politics seems to be for the politicians well-being only. Look at how many of these legislatures enriched themselves openly while many of the Filipinos are suffering in poverty. Christians in the Philippines have to start sailing with Jesus. The sea is rough and tough. But we know where Jesus want us to take. For sure it is not to the place where our present politicians are leading us to go. The bills that they are trying to make are clearly self-serving. Let us be courageous in our journey even if it will be against the tides of evil. For if ever we lost our lives in our way, aware that we are with Jesus, we can be sure that we can reach the place where Jesus wanted us to go. "Today you will be with me in Paradise" or "Enter the Kingdom of God" are the phrases that should console us for that is the reason of our journey. Let us serve the people of God.

The Old City

Blessings come without warning!

I was still in the Philippines when the thought of visiting Holy Land came to my mind. As to why I have that deep desire, I do not know. I know it's far and a bit impossible. However, it is awesome to know that the Spirit works and flows unimmaginably. Last May, the seemingly impossible happened. Through Fr. Pol's request, I got the chance to work even for a short time at the Holy Land.

Indeed, the role of the Spirit in our lives is critical in every desire of our hearts. I call it harmony when the desire of the Spirit becomes the desire of our hearts and disharomony when they are not. The problem is how to distiguish the desire of the Spirit, from our own desire. As always, the fruit of the Spirit is the growth in our faith, for one of it's role is to help and guide us grow in our faith in Christ.

In my experience, I seldom utter request from the Lord when I pray. I always pray that I may be able to follow and live the desire of the Spirit everyday and may the desire of those poeple who asked me to pray for them be the desire of the Spirit. I have been doing this religiously after I was frustrated many times. Before, I prayed hard for my desire. I did a lot of sacrifices. However, even if it happens, it is not something that was fulfilling and faith-growing. I usually see my hands more trying to make it happen than the hands of the Lord. In the end the Lord will always show me some signs that makes me humble in front of Him.

My short stay in the Holy Land reaffirmed my expereince. I was at first amazed that in the Old city of Jerusalem one can find the three faith being practice. One can see places of worship of Christianity, Islam and Judaism in that Old City. That was a shock for a Christian like me to see, though i heard and read of it, that the place where our Lord was born is being inhabitated more by Muslims and Jews. Christians are the minority in place of Jesus Christ. Did Christ fail in his own land? I think Christ did not fail, but some of his followers did. Some of the so-called Christians before, and even until today, used the name of Christ not to baptize but to subdue and to conquer. Since the time and even before the birth of Christ, killing other people was the rule of the thumb.

Our Gospel today, on this Solemnity of the Most HolyTrinity, tells us that Jesus commanded us "to make disciples of all nations". The blunder that happened in the history of Christianiy which was considered the Golden days was when Christianity became a state religion. The power to conquer was more particular than the power to serve. Some christians became armies of the state. It is ironic to see christians killing other christians in the name of "just war" and believing God is on their side. Conquering lands and territories as in the time Constantinople, Charlemagne, Napoleon, Hitler, Mussolini etc. were common. Killing heretics, unbelievers, other races and the like. These had never been the desire of the Lord during his time. We see the Lord talking and criticising the teachings of his enemies but not killing them. He even asked Peter, not to use the sword for he who lives by the sword dies by the sword. That wisdom happened to Christianity during the dark ages, when Christians were massacred by the Islamic armies and defeated Constantinople. Hence, we have today in Jerusalem the remains of the war, which will remind us not of the power of Christianity before but the message of God to us. The power of the Lord has never been a sword but love. Love made God create the World. Love let God send his Son to us. Love let Jesus announce the Kingdom to come. Love made Jesus gave up His life. Love was the reason the Spirit was sent to us.

In critical areas where Christians are at risk, may the commandment of the Lord to make disciples be always through discipleship. Giving importance to proclaming the Kingdom of God which is a far more different and greater than the kingdoms of men.

The old city of Jerusalem is a testimony not only of Jesus' life but also of those who wanted to follow him. We glorify those who were martyred for their faith in Chris. They believe dying like Christ is better than killing like the Romans did to Christ. St. Paul in his letter to the Romans says "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are Sons of God. For you did not received a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, "Abba, Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him."

The situation in Jerusalem, may be full of tension, but for me it is a holy place and a witness to how three different faith can live together in harmony. If indeed we are worshipping the same God in different ways, there is no reason for killing. Political claims are never and should not be the reason to kill one another. It is a thrash and a cheap reason to take. The truth is we are all sons and daughters of God. Our being a citizen to a certain nation, is not greater than our being citizens of the Kingdom of God. We can make our nation great not by extending our boarders or dominating other nations but by making each one live out the fullness of their lives. Evil can never be destroyed by evil. Only love has the power to tame hatred in the hearts of men and women.

Indeed, for me, coming to Israel was a blessing. It made me realize that it is not more on how we look at other religions that matter, but how we understand ourselves as followers of Christ.

May the Holy Trinity help us to look at ourselves more as sons and daughters of God, and hopefully be able to understand and follow the commandments of Lord that is to "make disciples of all nations."

WOMEN'S DAY

WOMAN IN MY LIFE

A WOMAN CAN TELL ME TO PRESERVE WATER
THIS CAN ONLY HAPPEN IF I ALLOW HER
A WOMAN CAN TELL ME TO ALWAYS MAKE AIR CLEAN
THIS CAN ONLY HAPPEN IF I ALLOW HER
A WOMAN CAN TELL ME NOT TO PRODUCE WASTE
THIS CAN ONLY HAPPEN IF I ALLOW HER
SHE IS OUR MOTHER EARTH AND SHE IS A WOMAN.

A WOMAN CAN TELL ME WHAT SHE THINKS IS BEST
FOR SHE HAS NUTURED ME WITH THE MILK OF HER BREAST
A WOMAN CAN TELL ME WHAT CAN MAKE ME BLOOM
FOR SHE HAS ALLOWED ME TO COME OUT OF HER WOMB
A WOMAN CAN TELL ME WHAT CAN MAKE ME CRY
FOR SHE HAS BEEN AWAKE ALL NIGHT TO RESPOND TO MY CRY
SHE IS MY MOTHER AND SHE IS A WOMAN.

A WOMAN CAN TELL ME HOW I GREW UP WITH HER
FOR SHE SAW ME SMILE AND FROWN AS WELL
A WOMAN CAN TELL ME HOW I PROGRESSED IN SCHOOL
FOR WE WALKED TO AND FRO THE SCHOOL TOGETHER
A WOMAN CAN TELL ME HOW I DID MY DAILY CHORES
FOR WE WERE ASSIGNED A TASK TO DO EVERYDAY
SHE IS MY SISTER AND SHE IS A WOMAN.

A WOMAN CAN TELL ME IT IS OKAY TO BE ANGRY AT SOMETHING
FOR SHE ACCEPTS ME FOR WHAT I AM
A WOMAN CAN TELL ME WHAT IS A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP
FOR SHE KNOWS MY WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS AS WELL
A WOMAN CAN TELL ME WHEN TO SAY YES AND NO TO THINGS
FOR SHE LOVES ME JUST THE SAME EVEN IF I DO THE OTHER
SHE IS MY BEST FRIEND AND SHE IS A WOMAN.

A WOMAN CAN TELL ME HOW HARD IT IS TO RAISE A CHILD
FOR SHE WAS LAID-OFF AND TRIED TO RAISE ONE
A WOMAN CAN TELL ME HOW HARD IT IS TO BE AT THE WORK PLACE
FOR SHE EXPERIENCES DISCRIMINATION EVERY NOW AND THEN
A WOMAN CAN TELL ME HOW HARD IT IS TO SPEAK UP
FOR SHE HAS BEEN JUDGED NOT CAPABLE TO SAY THE TRUTH
SHE IS I MEET EVERYDAY, EVERYWHERE, SHE IS A WOMAN.

A WOMAN CAN TELL ME HOW TO SAY ‘YES’ TO GOD EVERYDAY
FOR SHE HAS SAID AND DONE IT ALREADY
A WOMAN CAN TELL ME HOW TO STAND FIRM FOR A CAUSE
FOR SHE HAS SUFFERED AND STOOD FOR IT ALREADY
A WOMAN CAN TELL ME THE PRICE OF BEING FAITHFUL TO GOD
FOR SHE IS WITH GOD ALREADY
SHE IS MARY AND SHE IS A WOMAN,THE MODEL OF WOMANHOOD.

May women in the world celebrate womanhood everyday and not only every March 8. And may they celebrate it not by receiving roses and chocolates and etc., but by being respected as God’ beautiful creation and an equal partner of man in this world. I raise my cap to all who continually struggle and stand for women's liberation and emancipation. May this struggle come to its end and may all women experience the joy and gift of their womanhood.

BY BES .03/08/09

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

Since I am now starting a new course, I may not be able to share some Gospel based sharing and reflections. But I will try to post some emails I receive from friends. They are worth reading, they can move hearts and transform orientations.

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
>
> The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the
> finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she
> had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she
> wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.
> 'Leave me alone,'
> he growled.
>
> To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was
> smiling --her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you
> hungry?" she asked.
>
> 'No,' he answered sarcastically. 'I've just come from dining with the
> President. Now go away.' The woman's smile became
> even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.
> 'What are you doing, lady?' the man asked angrily. 'I said to leave me
> alone.
>
> Just then a policeman came up. 'Is there any problem,
> ma'am?' he asked.
> 'No problem here, officer,' the woman answered.
> 'I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will
> you help me?'
>
> The officer scratched his head. 'That's old Jack.
> He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with
> him?'
>
> 'See that cafeteria over there?' she asked.
> 'I'm going to get him something to eat and get him
> out of the cold for awhile.'
>
> 'Are you crazy, lady?' the homeless man resisted.
> 'I don't want to go in there!' Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm
> and lift him up.
>
> 'Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything.'
>
> 'This is a good deal for you, Jack,' the officer
> answered. 'Don't blow it..'
>
> Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police
> officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote
> corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast
> crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived. The
> manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table.
>
> 'What's going on here, officer?' he asked.
> 'What is all this. Is this man in trouble?'
>
> 'This lady brought this man in here to be fed,' the
> policeman answered.
>
> 'Not in here!' the manager replied angrily.
> 'Having a person like that here is bad for
> business.'
>
> Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. 'See, lady. I told
> you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the
> first place.'
>
> The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled.
> 'Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down
> the street?'

> 'Of course I am,' the manager answered impatiently.
> 'They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet
> rooms.'
>
> 'And do you make a goodly amount of money providing
> food at these weekly meetings?'
>
> 'What business is that of yours?'
>
> 'I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, President and CEO of the
> company.'
>
> 'Oh.'
>
> The woman smiled again. 'I thought that might make a
> difference. She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle.
> 'Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?'
>
> 'No thanks, ma'am,' the officer replied.
> 'I'm on duty.'
>
> 'Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?'
>
> 'Yes, ma'am.. That would be very nice.'
>
> The cafeteria manager turned on his heel 'I'll get your coffee for you
> right away, officer.' The officer watched him walk
> away. 'You certainly put him in his place,' he said. 'That was not my
> intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this.'
>
> She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner
> guest. She stared at him intently. 'Jack, do you remember me?'
> Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes 'I think so -- I
> mean you do look familiar.'
>
> 'I'm a little older perhaps,' she said.
> 'Maybe I've even filled out
> more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I
> came through that very door, cold and hungry.'
>
> 'Ma'am?' the officer said questioningly. He
> couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been
> hungry.
>
> 'I was just out of college,' the woman began.
> 'I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything.
> Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment.
> I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly
> starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could
> get something to eat.'
>
> Jack lit up with a smile. 'Now I remember,' he
> said. 'I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work
> for something to eat. I said that it was against company
> policy..'
>
> 'I know,' the woman continued. 'Then you made
> me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and
> told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that
> you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over, I saw you put the price
> of my food in the cash register I knew then that everything would be all
> right.'
>
> 'So you started your own business?' Old Jack said.
>
> 'I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up.
> Eventually I started my own business, that, with the help of GOD,
> prospered.'
>
> She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.
> 'When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons.
> He's the Personnel Director of my company. I'll go talk to him
> now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the
> office.' She smiled. 'I think he might even find the funds to give
> you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to
> live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is
> always opened to you.'
>
> There were tears in the old man's eyes. 'How can I
> ever thank you? ' he said.
>
> 'Don't thank me,' the woman answered. 'To
> GOD goes the glory. Thank
> JESUS.. HE led me to you.'
>
> Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at
> the entrance
> before going their separate ways. 'Thank you for all
> your help, officer,' she said.
>
> 'On the contrary, Ms. Eddy,' he answered.
> 'Thank you. I saw a miracle
> today, something that I will never forget. And...And thank
> you for the coffee.'
>
> If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing. If
> you have missed some of my emails, you might have missed a laugh.
>
> But, if you have missed knowing our HIGH POWER, you have
> missed everything in the world.
>
> Have a Wonderful Day. May GOD BLESS You Always. And
> don't forget that when you 'cast your bread upon the waters,' you
> never know how it will be returned to you.
>
> GOD is so big HE can cover the whole world with HIS Love
> and so small HE can curl up inside your heart.
>
> What do I want you to do with this? Nothing!!! Having read
> it is simply enough to make you think of my GOD, whom I just want you to
> know.