Today's Gospel Reading: Mark 8:27-35

Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.  At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan.  You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." 

In this incident, we have a glimpse on how close Peter might have been with Jesus to be able to take him aside and to rebuke him.  Their relationship might really have been that of the best of friends, that of brothers.  Peter might be concerned with Jesus' reputation when the latter foretold his disciples about his imminent fate, or maybe he was concerned about their reputation --- what if their followers would fall away after what Jesus said (that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected...and be killed and rise after three days.)  We do not really know the motivation of Peter for rebuking Jesus right after he said these things.  All we know is that he could speak openly to Jesus. And maybe Peter was taken aback when Jesus rebuked him as well.

Peter, who had just professed Jesus as the "Christ," and to whom Jesus said that it was God, his Father, who revealed this to him, was the same Peter whom Jesus addressed as Satan for thinking not as God does.

This reality can be a wake-up call for all of us, followers of Christ, who may have grown lax in our own following of Christ, in striving to think as he thinks, sense as he senses, do things as he does.  We might not notice it but we may have been becoming lukewarms --- content in just knowing that since our faith is in God, in Jesus, this is already enough. Well it is. But as St. James forewarned us in the 2nd reading,"faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead." He further made his point by saying, "Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works."

May we not deem our closeness with Jesus as a reason to slack in discerning where the Spirit is moving us.  Peter might have fallen in this trap of carelessly saying things without reflecting it from the heart.  Good thing, Jesus can also be blunt as to criticize him, and put him in his place: "You are thinking not as God does."

How is it then to think as God does? Can we know the thoughts of God? Didn't Jesus say, "Be perfect as my Father in heaven is perfect?" What is this perfection mean? Again, perfection if attributed to God, speaks of his essence and nature as trinity ---- a community of love.  He is not just love. God is also a communion of persons.  Therefore, to think like God is to be like him --- to always be in communion with others grounded in love.

Our profession of our faith in Jesus Christ must not stop with our spoken words.  May we embody whom we profess and be worthy of his name when we call ourselves Christians.

Today's Reading: Luke 6:39-42

You hypocrite! 

Jesus addressed his disciples with a parable.  He spoke of the tendency of people to notice the splinter on other people's eyes while not perceiving the wooden beam in their own eyes.  How sometimes we can appear concerned with other people's weaknesses and limitations that we want to help them improve themselves and change their ways; while we spend little time to look in ourselves and see that we also need help to change.  

"You hypocrite!" These words from Jesus came so strongly, enough to shake and agitate his hearers. It is very unusual of Jesus to speak in such tone.  In the Gospel, we can count few instances when Jesus seemed irate: during the cleansing of the temple; during a storm at sea when he criticized his disciples, especially Peter, for having "little faith"; and every time he encounters hypocrites (may it be a pharisee or one of his disciples,  he does not distinguish).

This may be because when we judge others based on our standard (or at least what we think is right), we may already, though unintentionally, making ourselves gods.  Jesus had to remind us time and time again that there is only one standard we should follow: God's (Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect). Perfection here points not to God's omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence; but to God's mercy and compassion.

The only person we can judge is ourselves. Because only us can see what's inside our heart. Similarly, we cannot judge others even if their actions may seem contrary to what is right because we do not really know what their motivations are.  

And yet, does this mean that we should just let them be and not mind them anymore? No. But what we should consider is the way we relate with those we want to "correct."  Why are we doing it? If the reason is that we love them, then it is crucial that we try to understand them first and put ourselves in their shoes.  Only when we see things as they see them, can we help them see things our way.  Who knows? It may be the wooden beam in our eyes which prevents us from seeing things correctly. 

Now, if the reason we do it is that we want to make ourselves feel better or superior by contrasting ourselves to them; then rightly, Jesus' words, "You hypocrite!" must be troubling for us.


 

May 20, 2009

Today's Reading: Acts 17:15, 22-18:1

What you therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and all that is in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything. Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything...so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us.

A beautiful exhortation from Paul to the people of Athens. A beautiful reminder for us too who tried to seek God (to the extent of "groping" for him) that the God whom we intend and grope for is not too far from us. If we try to just feel his nearness to us, we can actually feel his breathing against our face. That's how close God is from us. Sometimes, we just tend to look him in other places, or we are busy "serving" him, doing things for him that we sometimes, if not most of the time, we fail to notice him, and recognize him, whom we are serving. And yet, there are times, when what he only wants from us is to spend some quiet time with him. Because only in that quiet time that we can feel that he's there, he's beside us, and know that he has already given everything to us.

Let this be a reminder that the God we seek is not far from us, just feel and you will know that he is there.

May 18, 2009

Today's Gospel: John 15:26-16:4a

I have told you this so that you may not fall away.

Following Christ is not easy. In today's Gospel, he warned his disciples of the imminent dangers that are before them should they continue the work Christ asked them to do. He never promised a friendship that is easy. He never said it will be devoid of any hardships, sufferings, sacrifices. And he did not hide this reality from his disciples. Even at the start, he already prepared them, told them what they could expect in pursuing the path of discipleship.

Not much has also changed for us who decided to follow Christ. It is the same warning: this path is not an easy path, thus, some call this the "road-less-traveled." But still, in spite of knowing this, in spite of even experiencing first-hand what Christ had described, why do we still follow Christ? Why did the disciples, the martyrs, and the saints still chose to follow and tread on this path?

Because together with this is a promise of an Advocate. Someone who will stand beside us, who will be there to "defend" us, who will "act" on our behalf. This is the Holy Spirit. He, who proceeds from the Father and who was sent to us to testify to Jesus. We can follow Jesus' path because we have the Spirit. The Spirit works through us and in us. It is that presence that even if we know the work is not easy, we still push through, we still persevere. The Spirit moves us and encourages us to go on.

May 17, 2009

Today's Reading: Acts 10:26-26, 34-35, 44-48

Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him."

It must have been difficult at first with the Jewish Christians to accept that salvation brought by Christ is also offered to the Gentiles. This is because up to that day, the people of Israel saw themselves as set apart by God from the Gentiles. They were the chosen people and others were not. And yet, guided by the Holy Spirit, Peter spoke these words to assure the disciples that faith in Jesus Christ is open to all. Peter knew because the spirit in Peter was the same spirit that manifested in the Gentiles. There is that "connaturality", that sense that they both share because ONE spirit, ONE God is moving them.

Today, this kind of bias and prejudice is still strong. We may not admit it but if we examine the way we react towards people who have different beliefs than ours, who belong to different religions, different class, different church, different communities, we tend to regard them as "others." There is that stance to feel "superior" or "better" than them. But if we just let the Spirit guide us, and if we just believe, and this means truly believing that there is one God, then we know that the ONE SPIRIT, ONE GOD will guide us to the truth at the appointed time. For now, we just have to trust the spirit in us, and continue to be sensitive.

Let us learn from Peter, who has been designated the "shepherd" of the Church by Jesus after the latter ascended into heaven. Peter, full of the spirit and in all humility, acknowledged that he is also a human being. The confidence that Peter manifested to his flock is a fruit of the Holy Spirit in him. Peter knew that it is not him but the Spirit of God in him who transformed him and guided him to lead the disciples to "go forth and proclaim the good news." He realized that they were set apart, yes, but not to "exclusivize" or to "own" the spirit for themselves. They were set apart for service. To serve God's people. This is the role of the Church. Our role as Church, as members of the Church, is to bring the good news to all people, and acknowledge and praise God if we notice the Spirit's works in other people.

May 16, 2009

Today's Gospel: John 15:18-21

If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.

In today' gospel, Jesus would like to assure his disciples that even before they can complain about the struggles that they may be expecting to encounter along the way, Jesus had already experienced them. This is Jesus' assurance not only to his disciples before but also to his disciples today. Jesus knew the road ahead even before we begin to tread it. He knew the obstacles, the struggles we will encounter because even before we tread it, he already had walked through it and so prepared the way for us. He knew that we might feel and want to give up in the middle of our journey when we find that things or people or circumstances are going against us but his only response: "Noted." And the rest is a matter of trust that God has already prepared the way for us.

Honestly, when you think about it, the times we worry about something, that it may turn out not good, does it really happen? Usually our worries never really happen. It is all because beforehand, God has already prepared the way for us. He's been there, he's done all that! Our worries are just discouragements from the devil who would like us to turn back and just give up. But remember the words Jesus said, "they hated me first." Sure in the beginning they hated him, but let us not forget that in the end, these people also began to repent, ask for mercy and forgiveness and so experienced the love of God and in turn love God back. It is the same with us. We might get discouragements in our journey to follow Jesus but at the end, we can also expect that our sadness will turn into joy and gladness. We can expect a resurrection after the passion. Whatever Jesus went through, we are also promised the same --- a share in the life of God. So indeed, even if at first this gospel may appear as a challenge, it is good news!

May 15, 2009

Today's Gospel: John 15:12-17

"I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father."

How is it to be friend of Jesus? Sometimes we tend to imagine that the apostles and Jesus were too formal with each other and we forget that the apostles were not just followers of Jesus, they were his friends first of all. They had been with Jesus for three years and practically lived these three long years, everyday with him. It is not hard to conceive that the way they related to each other was how we relate to our family members --- already devoid of any formalities and pretense. We can show our true colors, our true selves, our limitations, our weaknesses, our bad and not-so-good side. We can, because we know that we will still be accepted despite of ourselves. This may be how the friends of Jesus felt with one another. They were friends and family. And isn't it that when we are friends with someone, we can tell that person everything and anything. Sometimes, they do not need to say something because most of the times, we just want someone to listen to us, be our sounding board.

When Jesus spoke to his friends, I am sure, like any friend, he was excited to tell them whatever he heard from the Father. He did not withhold anything from them. Everything he heard from the Father, everything he knew about the Father, he told them, because they were his friends. I can imagine the delight in Jesus' eyes every time he excitedly tells them the good news.

As for us, we are also given the same promise, the fact that we know a lot of things about Jesus meant that he also chose to reveal these things to us because he also considers us his friends. And we should start acting like one. How we treat him should be how we treat our friends...show your true self. Come to him, approach him and tell him everything you want to tell him. Do not anymore censor what you would like to tell him. He longs for you to treat him as your friend. and not just any friend but a friend who is ready to lay down his life for you. A friend who will never leave you, who will encourage you, who will accompany you. He is a friend that you can truly keep forever, a friend forever indeed.

How would you describe your friendship with Jesus?

Are you too open with him or do you still keep secrets from him?

May 14, 2009

Today's Gospel: John 15: 9-17

"...and your joy might be complete."

In our pursuit of happiness, we tend to tire ourselves and focus our energies on things that do not last. We work hard to earn more so that we can spend more and hope that we can buy ourselves the happiness that we long all our lives. True, sometimes we find temporary happiness in these stuff. We get excited when we can buy the things we want, do the things we want to do, go to places we want to see. We get excited with these things and somehow these give us a certain feeling of euphoria. But these moments are but fleeting. After a momentary experience of happiness, we are back again to feeling empty. So we repeat the vicious cycle of tiring ourselves to work so we can earn more money and use this hard-earned money to "buy" us a moment of happiness...but it is just that --- a moment of happiness.

The promise of following Jesus, in abiding in him is a joy that is complete. A profound joy that only he can fulfill. As St. Augustine said it, "our hearts are restless until they rest in God." This is a simple truth that we find hard to believe. We try to complicate our lives by cluttering it with other non-essential things. All we need is him. He offers us a friendship that is more important than life itself. Again, this friendship has already been offered to us; it is now just a matter of accepting this friendship. This friendship that we have never yet experienced even from the closest friends that we have.

Only Jesus can complete our joy. Only his friendship can bring about this joy.

Are you ready to accept the kind of friendship Jesus is offering to you now?

Are you ready to accept also the other friends of Jesus, who, like you, he also has invited?

May 13, 2009 (Feast of Fatima)

Gospel Reading for Today: John 15:1-8

"You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you."

Today's reading is similar to last Sunday's gospel. And yet we cannot really exhaust the message of this gospel reading in just one reading. And we will never exhaust the grace of this good news. Each time we read it, a different line will strike us, a different feeling will be evoked in us. It is because we read the gospel in the state we are in, as we are. The person who read this gospel last Sunday will have a different experience, feelings, and disposition as today.

Jesus said, we are already pruned because of the word spoken to us. He is speaking then to people who have already been "attuned" to his words. These people who have heeded to Christ's words are believed to have been pruned by his words. Pruned understood as making us a new creation. New creation because the bad, withered parts have already been taken out from us. We must understand then that Jesus' words are words that give life, a new life. Jesus' words are powerful enough to cut through us and remove whatever it is that is not helping us.

If we listen to God's words then we are assured that we will be given a new life. We will be created anew. In the process of pruning though, we should note that it is a tough process to bear. Because in the process of cutting out a part of us that is not helping us, it cannot be helped that we will get hurt also in the process. And thus, the process of being recreated is a painful process. We have to realize this reality in order for us to embrace the painful experiences in our lives, our own hurts, as part of this process of being recreated, being given a new life. As C.S. Lewis expressed it, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains." It is through our pain that we can hear very audibly and it when we experience pain that we can hope that a new us will emerge after.

May 12, 2009

Gospel Reading for Today: John 14:27-31a)

And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.

It is usually hard to believe something before it happens. And yet how come more people are going to have their fortunes read, refer to their daily horoscopes to have a peek on what's in store for them in the future. And even in ordinary experience, don't we like to know the "ending" of the story before we even want to watch it? Don't we try to peek at the end page of the book when we can't wait anymore on how the story will unfold? Somehow, we just have to know what's in store for us in the end.

And yet, how come after knowing this, we still feel restless? Is it restlessness borne from unbelief? Will it really happen? Until it happens, it is really hard for us to believe that it will. No amount of reassurance and even knowledge of the future will arrest our restlessness. As St. Augustine said, "our hearts are restless until we rest in Him."

But there is a reason for knowing the future, for knowing our ultimate destiny, the plan of God for our salvation...there is a reason to know that in the end, God planned for us a life with him. And the reason is that so will believe that indeed he has kept his promise when it finally happen. All along we keep this promise close to our hearts that God will fulfill his plan for us and it's just a matter of time when he will. We are being invited then to just trust God. Trust him unconditionally that what he has revealed he will fulfill in His time.

Are you keeping a promise from God?

How are you treasuring this promise?

Do you trust him unconditionally that in His time he will fulfill it?

May 11, 2009

Today's Reading: Acts 14:5-18

"...he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways; yet, in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts."

Our freedom, our free will, is the greatest gift of God to us humans. It is what makes us human. God will not manipulate our freedom in any way. And yet this freedom should not be understood as just a freedom from doing (what we like) but a far greater freedom of being, becoming the person God has intended us to be. And thus, in the reading today, Paul reminded the gentiles, particularly the Greeks who valued their freedom very much, that God has been true to them by allowing them to do whatever they want to do with their lives. Although now, with the preaching of Paul and Barnabas, they are being invited to view their freedom not merely as a freedom of doing but a freedom of being.

God did not just give us our freedom and then left us on our own. He must know (for sure as he has created us) that sometimes in our practice of our freedom, we may also make wrong decisions, wrong use of it. Again, he cannot manipulate us. Instead, he tirelessly invites us to choose the right, to choose the way of loving. And those who did could be rightly called as witnesses for Him.

In one of my reflections on the existence of good and evil in this world, I asked God why he allowed evil to exist. The only reply I got --- free will. Some people used their free will for selfish reasons so it couldn't be helped sometimes that the consequence affected other people. Then as though I was still confused, I said, "At the expense of others???" (What I meant here was, at the expense of others, God will still uphold our free will.) I still couldn't believe it. But his following response struck me --- "That's why I inspire others like you to give hope to others, to promote peace, to become a witness for me." It is only then that I realized that our free will bears a responsibility. Our responsibility is our response to this wonderful gift. Our responsibility is to use our free will to become who we should be.

In the end, this gift of free will, is a gift that should be used to give glory to the GIVER of this gift.

Have you ever asked yourself what you can do to alleviate the sufferings in this world brought about by evil ways?

Have you ever considered yourself a witness for God?

May 10, 2009

Today's Gospel: John 15:1-8

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

Jesus revealed a reality that we sometimes tend to forget. We are connected to him. Even before we claim him as our Savior, our Redeemer, he has already claimed us as his own. He is the vine, and we are his branches. Even if at times we do not recognize this, it does not change the fact that we are his. Thus, he said whoever abides in him, bears much fruit. It means if we just believe that we are already strongly connected to him as the branches to the vine, we can bear much fruit. It is not some magical recognition that we become more productive once we acknowledge this reality but it is more borne out of being true to who we are. This truth about ourselves liberates us and empowers us to bravely and courageously do things because we know that we abide in Jesus. Our works are his works, and these are all for the glory of the Father. Fear definitely will have no place in our hearts because we have already claimed that our bond with Jesus is as strong as the branches to the vine.

Apart from him, we can do nothing. Yes, but this is NOT a statement of us having a choice of being separated from him. We cannot claim that all our efforts are just our own doing even if we openly reject him or denounce him. The truth still stands, we are his.

Abiding in Jesus is not a matter of choice but a matter of fact. It is a truth that we need to recognize and embrace in order for us to live our lives to the fullest.

May 9, 2009

Gospel Reading for Today: John 14:7-14

Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.

The promise of Jesus to those who believe in him, who are rightly called Christians, is only the best, the greatest. It is fullness of life, it is perfection. It is no wonder he invites us to be perfect as the Father is perfect. Instead of accepting this invitation that Christ can do great things in us, through us, and for us, our own limitations and feeling of unworthiness and sinfulness hinder us from believing. Usually, we are ready to admit that we are just but "humans." Yet, it is clear that Jesus' promise is that those who believe in him and do the works that he had done or follow him will do GREATER works.

We should understand that when Jesus did his works, the miracles, his kind of loving, he did it in all his humanity. He is like us in ALL things, except sin. So he believes and he trusts that we can do the same, we are capable of the same love that he has shown. Further, he is even sure that we can exceed what he did, all because now he is with the Father. He is our great mediator to the Father. His Spirit is with us to help us continue the works he has initiated before.

The invitation of Jesus is not a mediocre kind of life --- lukewarm. We are either hot or cold for him. We are being invited to go ALL THE WAY! We are invited to dream of greater things, to believe that we are capable of great things. We should embrace this invitation and believe that great things are possible to those who believe in him. Jesus is excited to do great things in us, through us, for us. He is just waiting for us to believe that we can and he will.

Are you ready to believe that you can do great things for God?

Are you ready to trust that God can do great things through you? for you?

My personal reflection:

I like reading maps, looking at it, examining the details, the roads, the landmarks. I am fascinated to see the big picture, to see where I am in relation to certain destinations, places. It also allows me to see a world bigger than "my world." And it makes me consider that at that precise moment so many things are also happening to other people, in other places, in other parts of the world.

When you look at maps, it would seem as though things are static. The reality though is every second, something is happening, something is changing, something is moving: street names may have been changed already, a certain road may have been closed, a part of a town may have already been wiped out by natural calamities. As the saying goes, the only thing constant is change. And yet, maps are still useful to show us the way, however imperfect, however inaccurate it can be. How much more a map which is ever constant, ever faithful, ever true?

Jesus is the map for our lives. It is amazing how the meaning of "mapping" can also be equated to "planning", when you map out something, it means you also planned it out. Jesus has already mapped out for us, planned out for us the life we should live.

I thought before, following Jesus is something "limiting." He is God, he is perfect. It is hard to follow him. I cannot live the life he lived. And yet, when I consider that Jesus' life is more like a map that I can refer to, which can guide me, it makes me more free. I am free to make the journey my own, more personal, more suited to my abilities. I follow as I can. And he continues to encourage me along the way. Sure, there are obstacles, road blocks ahead but I can always refer to the map again for detours, alternate routes. These may have slowed me down to getting closer to my destination but slowly and surely I am getting there. And besides, he is not pressuring me. Instead, he wants me to enjoy the journey, he wants me to be familiar with the map, with the landmarks, with the way. In every wrong turn I may have committed was a lesson to be learned, and the certainty that the next road will be the right one.

Jesus is the map. He has already mapped out everything for us. It is just a matter of using the map to our advantage.

Do you have your own reflection for today's reading? Feel free to share with us.

May 8, 2009 (Friday)

Gospel Reading: Jn 14:1-6

I am the way and the truth and the life. This was the answer of Jesus to Thomas when he asked the Lord how they can know the way if they do not know where Jesus is going.

Like Thomas, most of us would have to know first the destination before we can take the step towards it. If we know where we are going, we can better plan for the journey and thus know how to get ourselves there. Knowing also where we are headed to, somehow gives us a sense of control.

And yet Jesus told Thomas, "I am the way." Jesus is the way. To get to the destination, we have to follow Jesus. But how do we follow him? Do we just follow behind him? What if in the course of our following, we get distracted along the way and lose sight of him?

Following Jesus is not as rigid as following at his heels. What Jesus is offering is a map. Where X marks the spot where he wants to bring us. We are free to move around, travel at our own pace. Jesus opened up for us so many options, so many ways of getting there. There is No one way. He knows that each of us is unique, each is different. Some may want to travel light, some may want to enjoy the scenery, some may want to get there fast, some may like the adventure of traversing a rough road. Yet, all roads lead to the X spot. There is no assurance though that there will be no obstacle along the road. Constantly, we should refer to the map that Jesus had left us to know what other road to take just in case we find ourselves lost. Many have used that map. The disciples who went before us traversed different ways so it is consolation for us that whatever road we take, there will be clues, tracks that we can follow as well. Some even have left their own pathways.

I am the Truth. When Jesus answered Thomas, he did not just say how to get there but he also assured him that he is the truth. Whatever he revealed about himself is truth. It is an invitation to trust him that as we follow him we are also being led to the Father: "No one comes to the Father except through me."

I am the Life. Lastly, Jesus does not just point the way to the Father, he is not just the "way" to the Father. But he is also the destination. The destination where he wants to bring us all to is life. Life with God. As the Father is in him, He is also in the Father. Where he is going and where we are being invited to is a share in the life of God. The life of our Trinitarian God. The life of communion.

The invitation of these words by Jesus, "I am the way and the truth and the life" is an invitation to journey with Christ, an invitation to trust him that he is leading us to a life with God. It is also an invitation to start living this life with him. The map that he has left us is his very own life, his very own teachings, his very own person.

Now ask yourself,

Do you know how to use this map that Jesus had left you?

Have you ever used this map before? How would you like to use this map?

Is your "you are here" sign near or far from the X spot?

Are you happy where you are now?