14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

A story of an old priest who was sent to a hostile country is unknown to most of us Catholics. He was put in prison because he was caught celebrating mass in its territory. While in prison, he was asked to destroy the crucifix in exchange for his release. Instead of destroying it, he embraced the crucifix and kissed it. It was then and there that he was beaten up to death. The old priest chose to live and die as a Catholic. This untold story reminds us Catholics that though here in the Philippines we are free to move or act for our faith, there are those Catholics who are suffering for the sake of our faith. If ever we are given the same opportunity like them who suffer for our faith, can we still choose to be a Catholic? Being a Catholic, our focus is on our final destination i.e., heaven. No matter what is happening here and now, we do not want to lose sight of this final destination, our ultimate goal. That is why our Gospel (Luke 10: 20)  reminds us that our joy comes when our names are written in heaven.Nevertheless, we do not need to be in a hostile place and die as a martyr to be a Catholic. Here in our country, even if we are not persecuted because of our faith, we can be true Catholics. We can choose to be a Catholic when we go to mass, avail the sacraments, lead others to love God, and make our home a small Catholic church where every one lives in love. However, this is difficult to expect from all Catholics. There are many Catholics who were baptized but not Christianized. They are Catholics in names but never in action. There is even indifference towards Catholicism. They do not see that everything we do in the church leads to our final goal i.e. heaven. They never think of heaven. That is why the sacraments are there yet many do not see them as means of their salvation. Baptism, marriage and even burials become opportunities for social gathering without religious significance. Priesthood or marriage is not even seen as a vocation from God. There are many of us Catholics who become materialistic and love what the world offers us to the extent that we have forgotten what we aim for -heaven. There are many of us Catholics who live comfortably in this world that we have forgotten what heaven is. There are many of us Catholics who refuse or escape suffering and even forget we are Catholics and choose to live in sin. Well, it is now up for us to know where we are heading at. But if we choose to be a Catholic, whether today we suffer or not, let us aim high, aim heaven. Only in heaven that we can have endless happiness. Amen.