9th Day of Simbang Gabi December 24, 2014

A father was always scolding his son because of the latter’s vices. The son rebelled against him that he never went home anymore. One day, the said son met an accident and the doctor said he could not be able to walk. He blamed his father because of what happened to him. After some months of sitting on his wheel chair, the son was confused when he was carried by his father outside their home. His father carried him on his back and told him to start walking. Since then his father never failed in carrying him outside the house and assisted him to walk again. Miraculously, the son could walk again. He learned how much his father loved him and so he loved his father. My dear friends, a father in the family plays an important role just as much as a mother does for their children. A father is not just a figurehead but a person who sets the tone and atmosphere of the home. He exercises some influence in the decision-making of his children. He teaches them what respect and authority means. He is not just a breadwinner who supplies his family with their basic needs but also the first one to sacrifice even his needs for the sake of his family. The name of a good father is worth remembering and children should not blemish his family name. Zechariah was this kind of a father. In Luke 1: 67-79, Zechariah who was filled with the Holy Spirit announced God’s vision for his son John the Baptizer. As a father, he wished all good things about his son. But above all these, he never doubted that his son would serve and be pleasing to God. My dear friends, the fathers of our time should know this –that they are not only sperm donors whose role is to make babies. They have to understand that as procreators, they should see to it that their children know God more so as to serve Him better. Being a father is not just a social, cultural or economic reality but most importantly is a spiritual reality.

8th Day of Simbang Gabi December 23, 2014

Nick Vujicic was born without four limbs. As a child, he struggled mentally and emotionally as well as physically, but eventually came to terms with his disability and at the age of seventeen, started his own non-profit organization, Life Without Limbs. In 2005, Vujicic was nominated for the Young Australian of the Year Award. My dear friends, I think it was very difficult for Nick’s parents to see him in his situation. But I appreciate their courage to let Nick live despite his physical disability. Nick’s story is a living testament that we cannot judge a child’s future until we see him/her grow. In our Gospel, Luke 1: 57-66, it is mentioned that people who heard about the birth of John the Baptist asked, “What then will this child be?” This question should be asked not only about John but also about every child in this world. It means that people recognize in each child the capacity or potential in the process of “becoming”. It also means that parents, by asking such question, are becoming aware of their role in the life of the child. If they shall not teach their child the ways of God, the devil shall make the child learn its evil ways. Moreover, it means that the child should know what to do with his/her life and do not blame his/her parents for his/her misfortunes. Amen.

7th Day of Simbang Gabi December 22, 2014

A father taught his son to save his money. However, his son asked him why they were still poor despite they saved some money. The father said they are not poor and the money they saved is used to help other people. For his son’s point of view, they are poor and they should not help others because they too are poor and they also need help. The son further believed that one needs to be rich in order to be happy. So his son decided to separate his ways from him. Years later, he became rich and famous. He only went home when he learned his father died. He was surprised while he was at home when he received letters from a Foundation inviting him in their awarding ceremony. He visited the Foundation and was surprised to receive an award there. It was only there that he learned that his father tried to help special children and those with physical disability in their education. He also learned his father was a hero in making those children happy. He realized that he was wrong to judge his father as poor and unhappy person. He also realized that one does not need to be rich in order to be happy. My dear friends, in our Gospel passage from Luke 1: 46-56, Mary expressed her happiness saying, “My spirit rejoices in God my savior.” Through Mary we learn that happiness comes not because of something that we have, of places that we wish to visit or of the position we get in our field of work. Rather, happiness comes when we do what we do in accordance to the will of God as His instrument to lift up others. Happiness is God’s gift to His people who make themselves available for the good of others. This Christmas season, we cannot expect to find happiness when we know we have not done anything to make others better. Amen.

6th Day of Simbang Gabi December 21 2014

One day, on my Facebook page, I saw a video clip of a certain Rowden and his wife Liezel posted. It was a wedding in the hospital. The groom, Rowden was sick and dying as he made a dying declaration that he wanted to marry Liezel. True in fact that he married Liezel while he was lying on his deathbed. After the wedding, he died. My dear friends, why enter into a marriage when you know you are going to lose your beloved either by death or by some other reasons? Well, there is in us that longs to make our commitment to love something solemn, serious and sacred. Even gays, lesbians or homosexuals cry out to allow them to enter into marriage though made in a civil court. They want to forge marriage with their same sex. Though no one prohibited them to have such relationship with their same sex, why do they wish to make it legal? In other words, though their cohabitation with their same sex partners is not rendered illegal, yet why do they still want to enter into marriage? What for? Well, as I have mentioned already, there is in us the longing to make our love sacred and it is what marriage does. In fact, it is what marriage is all about. In Luke 1: 26-38 even Mary herself considered marriage as sacred. When an angel announced to her that she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, she said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” This means that being a mother which is a sacred duty, and bringing forth life to a child which is a sacred act shall be with the benefit of marriage. This is different from what we know these days that it is ok for a woman to be pregnant outside marriage. For some, it is ok to cohabitate or engage in a relationship with a semblance of marriage. While for others, it is ok to have a querida. My dear friends, if we are really a believer of God, there is in us the calling to make our commitment to love as something sacred. This is why it is often said that getting married is paglalagay sa tahimik. Our soul could not be silenced as long as we could not make a solemn commitment to love in marriage. (Note: This reflection is addressed to those who are called to the sacred vocation of marriage)

5th Day of Simbang Gabi December 20, 2014

Most of those who are married, if not all, want to have a baby in their early stage of relationship. The presence of a baby in the home brings great satisfaction or sense of completeness in a husband-wife relationship. My dear friends in Christ, our Gospel (Luke 1: 26-38) shares the same idea about what happiness could a baby bring in the home. The words of the angel Gabriel to Mary indicate that a baby brings happiness and joy as he said, “Hail” to Mary. If we try to consider the circumstances of Mary, she could not be happy knowing she is pregnant without the benefit of marriage. Mary knew the punishment for a pregnant woman who is betrothed to somebody who is not the father of the child in her womb. Even in our present day, a woman would worry if she would get pregnant outside marriage. But the Gospel gives us a better perspective. Whenever there is a woman who is pregnant, it is a sign of God’s blessing. Remember, every baby is a gift from God. However, the father and/or mother or guardian of a child has the paramount responsibility to bring him/her up to be a blessing for others. Amen.

4th Day of Simbang Gabi December 19, 2014

A man saw an old lady who was pushing her cart hardly. He assisted her. He also saw a mother with her daughter begging some alms; he gave them money. He saw a dog suffering from hunger; he gave it food. The list of his good deeds extended day after day. But what did he get in doing good? He was never famous. He never appeared on television. Well, it was the emotions of those people he helped which captured him to do more goodness. The said man was a living testament of happiness. He was happy making people happy. My dear friends in Christ, a person who is happy with his/her life shares his/her happiness with others. Such a person has learned that happiness is rooted in doing something for the good of others with less expectations of any return. Charles H. Burr described this kind of happiness stating –Getters generally don’t get happiness; givers get it. You simply give to others a bit of yourself –a thoughtful act, a helpful idea, a word of appreciation, a lift over a rough spot, a sense of understanding, a timely suggestion. You take something out of your mind, garnished in kindness out of your heart, and put it into the other fellow’s mind and heart. My dear friends in Christ, our Gospel for today, Luke 1: 5-25, unfolds to us that we have a happy God. In the said Gospel, God sent His angel to Zechariah whose wife Elizabeth was barren. The said angel announced that Zechariah’s prayer has been heard by God. God blessed them with a son. But the angel did not stop speaking after he announced the birth of John the Baptizer to his father Zechariah. He said in addition, “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.” These words reveal the will of God who sent His angel to Zechariah: God wants to bless those who believe Him. God listens and brings favour to those who pray to Him. He is a happy God who shares His life to us that we may realize He does not want us to suffer here on earth. He gives us His blessings because He is a happy God. My dear friends in Christ, if we have one reason to celebrate this Christmas, it must be our recognition of God’s blessings for us through Jesus. Amen.

3rd Day of Simbang Gabi December 18, 2014

A mother, who was a solo parent, tried to make her best to make her only son grow happy. But because she was having a problem with her finances, of course she could not give everything to her son. One day, her son wanted a toy from a store. But she told her son they didn’t have enough money. Her son got mad and cried aloud. He wanted to have the said toy. Yet they never bought it because they did not have any money. When they arrived home, the mother thought she could make a similar toy using some scrap materials. She spent the whole day making a toy similar to what her son wanted to have. When she gave it to her son, the latter threw it on the floor and shouted, “I hate you mom!” My dear friends of Christ, this story does not just tell us that it is not easy to be a parent but also it is never easy to be a solo parent. Although one could give birth to a child and raise him/her by a solo parent, it is still recommendable that the child grows up with a father and a mother. The child needs both parents to love him/her. There are things which a father could share which the mother could not give and vice-versa. In our Gospel, Matthew 1:18-25, it is said that Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus. But God did not only choose Mary as a mother of Jesus but also the wife of Joseph. There is no doubt that Mary could be a loving mother to Jesus even without a husband. But God in His infinite wisdom did not allow it to happen. He wanted Mary to have a husband and He wanted Jesus to have a human father all in the person of Joseph. God affirmed the importance of both parents in the life of a child when He sent an angel to Joseph to tell him of his significant role as a father. My dear friends, we are called by our faith to preserve our family system –having both parents to love their children. Although solo parenting is prevalent in our time, it is still better to remind all males to be responsible in their relationship and stand to become good fathers to their children and good husbands to their wives. It is also true to all females who are in a relationship. Be careful not only for your body but also for the child you are about to carry in your womb. Remember, it is in God’s design that every child has the right to have good parents –both his/her mother and father. Amen.

2nd Day of Simbang Gabi December 17, 2014

There is a story of a boy who was caught stealing some medicines. While he was beaten by the store owner, a man intervened. He learned that the boy’s mother was ill. So he paid for the medicine which the boy tried to steal. He also gave him some food, and let him go. Thirty years later, the man was still generous especially to those who are in need. One day, he collapsed while he was in his work. He was brought then to the hospital. He needed to undergo surgery according to the physician. His daughter was worried about him as they stayed long in the hospital. Her worries were added when she received their hospital bill. She decided to sell their properties but the proceeds of the sale could not meet the needed amount to pay their dues. She was crying while holding her father’s hand until she fell asleep. When she woke up, a nurse handed her a receipt of their bill. She was surprised that it was fully paid. The nurse told her that the physician paid it in full because thirty years ago, her father saved his life. The daughter remembered then the boy who once stole some medicines for his mother was now the physician who paid their hospital bills in full. My dear friends in Christ, the story tells us that it is at times good to give chances to bad people to change their ways. But it is not easy to make such idea a reality. Most of us heard of many stories of ungratefulness in this world. It is thereof too risky to do good to bad people because we do not know what they could do to us in return. But on the part of God, He always takes a risk that something good comes out from everybody. Let us try to understand this from our Gospel, Matthew 1:1-17, which gives us the genealogy of Jesus. In the said genealogy, there are some of them who suffered a bad reputation like Tamar and Rahab who were described as prostitutes (Genesis 38: 24 and Joshua 2:1). Majority of them could not even be considered holy according to the religious standard. But why God allowed that His only Son Jesus would be born from this family? Why did he not choose a perfect line-up of men and women with unblemished lineage? Well, God is a giver of chance. It does not always follow that when one’s parents are bad, everything is bad in such family given a chance. In other words, if God would not give a person any chance, He would cut off his posterity. There is no chance for such person to redeem himself/herself. With the genealogy of Jesus, we are reminded that God does not choose only those who are good to be saved but even the bad ones. He always gives chances to everybody to be worthy of His love. In fact, as Jesus redeemed His human family –both the good and the bad, He also redeems the family of the whole human race –both the good and the bad. We have many chances to be good if we are bad, and to be better if we are already good. Amen.

1st Day of Simbang Gabi December 16, 2014

There is a story of a boy who wished to become a famous rockstar. However, his parents could not afford to buy him even the cheapest guitar in this world because they were so poor. Yet, his father made a promise to buy him a guitar as a birthday gift. So the boy became excited. He did not bother to know how hard his father tried to look for some ways to earn the money he would use to buy a guitar. On his birthday, he waited for his father to bring him his guitar. His father decided to steal a guitar from the store as his money was never enough to buy it. He did not want to disappoint his son on his birthday. As the father rode his bike home to give the guitar to his son, he met an accident. He fell from his bike at the train station. The boy saw how the father tried to save the guitar by pushing it away from the train while giving up his life for it. The son cried as he lost his father though he had what he wanted –a guitar. Years later, the said boy became a famous rockstar. His guitar always reminded him of his father who wanted to fill him with success and happiness. My dear friends in Christ, in this world, God sends us people who can inspire us, make us happy and give meaning to our lives. We can say they serve as our light in life. In our Gospel, John 5: 33-36, Jesus reminded the people of his time that John the Baptizer served as their light. He said, “John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.” It means John the Baptizer inspired the people, made them happy and gave meaning to their lives. But Jesus also reminded them the role of John was limited and temporary. It means then that as it ended, people should see the “source” of light which John’s showed them. It also means that as John’s role to be the people’s light came to an end, people should not live in darkness. Rather, they should seek to live in the unfading light of God –who is Jesus. My dear friends in Christ, our family, friends, etc. serve as our light in this world. However, we have to remember that someday we will lose them. And though we come to grieve in the process, we should not allow ourselves to stay in darkness. We should seek the light of God –Jesus. It is only in Him that we can find the true meaning of everything including our life. Amen.

3rd Sunday of Advent December 14, 2014

There is a story about a little girl who wanted to become a great pianist, but all she could play on the piano was the simple little tune, "Chopsticks." No matter how hard she tried, that was the best she could do. Her parents decided after some time to arrange for a great maestro to teach her to play properly. Of course, the little girl was delighted. When the little girl and her parents arrived at the maestro's mansion for the first lesson, they were escorted by the butler into the parlour, where they saw a beautiful concert grand piano. Immediately, the little girl dashed over to the piano and began playing "Chopsticks." Her embarrassed parents started across the room to tell her to stop, but as she played, the maestro entered the room and encouraged the little girl to continue. The maestro then took a seat on the piano bench next to the little girl, listening to her play. After a moment he began to play along with her, adding chords, runs, and arpeggios. The little girl continued to play "Chopsticks." The parents couldn't believe their ears. They were hearing a beautiful piano duet, played by their daughter and the maestro, and amazingly enough, the central theme of it was still "Chopsticks." My dear friends of Christ, there are times when we feel little with ourselves or we are nobody in front of others. We think they are great in what they do and what they accomplish too. And yet, when it comes to evaluate ourselves, we lack some skills or something in order to be great. Such times are so tough for us especially when we hear words of discouragement from people we thought who should have supported us in the first place. In times like these, it is useless to prove how great we are. But in these time too, we need to accept who we are as well as the limits of what we can do even if others would not accept us. The moment we learn to accept ourselves, we also learn to see and glorify God in what He has done for us. In our Gospel, John 1:6-28, John the Baptist was asked, “What do you have to say for yourself?” John’s answer was plain and simple indicating his own “self-acceptance”. He never cared about what people would say about him, whether they regarded him as someone great or small. He just did what he believed he should do though how little it may seem to be for others or even for himself. Because he knew who he is before God and before others, he allowed no man to persuade him to seek “self-glorification.” Rather, he did everything for the greater glory of God. This coming Christmas, some of us may seem to be forgotten. No gifts to receive. No Christmas greetings or message to read. It seems that no one gives us at least even a little importance this season. Though we know we have done many good things to others, they never remember any. But instead of being morbid during this season, we have to look at ourselves and embrace the way we are. We forgive ourselves for the sins we have committed because God has forgiven us first. We have to forgive ourselves for the times we blame ourselves due to our failures because God never blames us even until now. We accept who we are including the darkest part in us because God has accepted us first. The moment we feel at ease with ourselves, we become more ready to give thanks and bless God. This is what advent season is all about –to prepare ourselves to glorify God for what He has done for us. Advent season and even Christmas season are not meant to be celebrated just for partying, eating and drinking. Reasonably, they are seasons to celebrate the great things God has done for us though how little we could do for Him. To end, we have to remember that though how little we could do in this life as long as God is working with us and through us, we have the reason to rejoice especially this Christmas. Therefore, rejoice!

2nd Sunday of Advent December 7, 2014

Since last week, the Philippine government has been preparing for the impact of Typhoon “Ruby,” aka “Hagupit.” The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has also briefed everybody to make a pre-emptive evacuation in strategic place. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda was even heard saying, “We still don’t know what the impact of the incoming storm would be primarily because we don’t know yet. Until it’s near the country, we can’t make a more accurate assessment as to the size, as to the path it will really take. But, definitely, we are preparing for that.” He even said, “We have learned a lesson from Typhoon “Yolanda,” so I think that’s one area where we could really make sure that we are going to be prepared for this typhoon, as we are in all other typhoons.” My dear friends, I myself have been busy these days bringing my books and other things in a more secure place. I am afraid to experience again what I had experienced when Typhoons “Frank” and “Yolanda” visited our place. When Typhoon “Frank” devastated our town, I admit I was not prepared for the flood and mud which destroyed many things I treasured the most like my sacred vestments. When Typhoon “Yolanda” devastated our parish, I admit I was prepared yet my preparation was never enough to minimize what I lost. In both Typhoons, I learned what it means to prepare for such event. Now, there is a need again to prepare for Typhoon “Ruby.” I have to set aside and secure first those things which are important like my car registration, land titles, sacred vessel and vestments, etc. If it would still be possible, I would save all my stuff like my steel cabinet and others similar to it. But as the time is of the essence, I decided to leave behind those things which I believe are not important and necessary if ever Typhoon “Ruby” destroyed them. (Of course, I still pray that God will spare us all from such disaster!) Today, our Gospel Mark 1:1-8, reminds us of the need to prepare not for the Typhoon but for Jesus: "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight -- " Unlike our preparation for the Typhoons, we prepare for the coming of Jesus with a welcoming heart. And yet, similar to our preparation for the Typhoon, we prepare for the coming of Jesus by setting aside to secure what is important and necessary while leaving behind what is not important. During this season of advent then, it is best for us to go to confession, leaving our bad memories and sins behind while securing the goodness which is within us. We should not allow to happen again what happened during the first Christmas day when many people were never prepared to welcome Jesus. We have learned a lesson from His “first coming” how the three magi prepared for the Lord. They left everything behind and bring only their best gifts to Jesus. But for those who were not prepared including Herod, history reveals how they clung to their selfishness. My dear friends, I urge you to prepare the way of the Lord to your hearts. You know you are well-prepared when you can face God and His people without any burden of pain hidden in your hearts. Amen.

1st Sunday of Advent 2014 (November 30)

St. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was a fisherman. He was a disciple of St. John the Baptist, but when John pointed to Jesus and said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" Andrew understood that Jesus was greater than John. At once he left John the Baptist to follow Jesus. Jesus knew that Andrew was walking behind him, and turning back, he asked, "What do you seek?" When Andrew answered that he would like to know where Jesus lived, Jesus replied, "Come and see." From then on, Andrew chose to follow Jesus. After sometime, he brought his brother Simon (St. Peter) to Jesus and Jesus received him, too, as His disciple. It is believed that after Jesus ascended into Heaven, Andrew went to Greece to preach the gospel. He is said to have been put to death on a cross, to which he was tied, not nailed. He lived two days in that state of suffering, still preaching to the people who gathered around their beloved Apostle. My dear friends of Christ, the life of St. Andrew would tell us what it means “to watch”. For Andrew, to watch is not just about seeing something or looking at someone. When John the Baptist pointed to Jesus, Andrew “watched” Jesus i.e., he made a close continuous observation for the purpose of discovering who Jesus is. When he told Jesus that he wanted to know where the Lord lived, Jesus replied, “Come and see.” The reply of Jesus simply conveys to Andrew that he has to keep watching on Jesus for some special purpose. Later, Andrew discovered and realized that Jesus is the Son of God. He also realized that his special purpose in knowing the identity of Jesus is to preach the good news of his discovery about Jesus. Today, our Gospel Mark 13:33-37 reminds us of the necessity of watching on this first Sunday of Advent. Jesus said, “And what I say to you I say to all: Watch.” We have to watch for Jesus to come into our lives especially during this season –to heal us, to protect us, to forgive us, to love us, etc. It is only by our close observation on how Jesus would touch our lives that we begin to preach about Him –about how we are miraculously healed, how we are protected from dangers, how God loves us, etc. If we fail to watch Jesus closely, if we lack knowledge about Jesus in our lives, we can still preach about Him yet we can never be an authentic witness of who Jesus really is. My dear friends of Christ, let us then begin to watch Jesus closely starting today. Amen.

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time_A

In the Gospel of Matthew 13:24-43, the three parables have something in common i.e., they speak about small things. In the first parable, Jesus used the word seed, a small thing. In the second, he used the mustard seed to teach some lessons about the Kingdom of God. In the last parable, he used the word leaven. In these three parables, Jesus would like to remind us Catholics that we should not ignore some small things because they are small. We have to remember they sometimes have lasting effects in our lives. In the first parable, good or evil starts with small beginnings until it becomes full-blown. The difference between good and evil is that God puts an end to a seemingly lasting effect of evil. In the long run, the good wins against evil. In the second and third parable, good things might be small yet they are considered great by those who benefit from them. A little goodness shared to others could change their lives for the better. Thereof, we do good to others through our own little ways and let God make it grow bigger. Let me end with a story. One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” “You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.” As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit. Year’s later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She began to read the following words: “Paid in full with one glass of milk” In the Gospel of Matthew 13:24-43, the three parables have something in common i.e., they speak about small things. In the first parable, Jesus used the word seed, a small thing. In the second, he used the mustard seed to teach some lessons about the Kingdom of God. In the last parable, he used the word leaven. In these three parables, Jesus would like to remind us Catholics that we should not ignore some small things because they are small. We have to remember they sometimes have lasting effects in our lives. In the first parable, good or evil starts with small beginnings until it becomes full-blown. The difference between good and evil is that God puts an end to a seemingly lasting effect of evil. In the long run, the good wins against evil. In the second and third parable, good things might be small yet they are considered great by those who benefit from them. A little goodness shared to others could change their lives for the better. Thereof, we do good to others through our own little ways and let God make it grow bigger.

Silver Wedding Anniversary of Arnel and Juvy Yarra -July 16, 2014

In the Discovery Channel, there is this science entertainment television program known as MythBusters. The show’s hosts would use elements of the scientific method to test the validity of rumors, myths, or urban legends. By the end of the episode, they would rate the myths as “busted”, “plausible” or “confirmed.” Today, I would like to probe in a similar way to test the validity of myths about love with the marital experience of Juvy and Arnel, the MythBusters for 25 years. Myth 1: Love at First Sight Is it possible to fall in love after just one look? For Arnel and Juvy, without the so-called love at first sight, this 25th Wedding Anniversary would not happen. Why? Well, Arnel and Juvy first met at the then LM Cinema near Kalibo Plaza. At that time, Arnel was working as a crew in the said movie house. He was assigned for the maintenance of the air-conditioning. Juvy too was working there as a part-time worker of the cinema’s canteen. It was one beautiful day, while Juvy was walking down the stairs of the cinema, she captured Arnel’s attention. Arnel was so interested on her that he asked all his close friends to search and to find her. Immediately, they followed his urgent request. Of course, it is obvious Arnel found Juvy. It was how and when they started to make their love story. My dear friends, whether what happened between them is love at first sight or not, the truth is we believe in the Divine Providence. God provides us or gives us the person who can truly and rightfully love us in His time. Myth 2: Too Young to Fall in Love Is it possible for a young person to fall in love and sustain such love until the end? Well, for Juvy and Arnel, they can! Arnel had already graduated from a maritime school at that time. He was just preparing his papers to work abroad when he proposed his intention to Juvy. He was too persistent and he would not take no as an answer. While Arnel was waiting for a job abroad, he enjoyed his time with Juvy. It was only in the month of June, as the opening of classes began that Arnel was surprised about Juvy. He found out that Juvy was studying at the then Aklan College. He also found out through Juvy’s class card that she is a 3rd Year High School student. He was really surprised that a physically well-developed lady is just a 14 year old girl. She was an early bloomer for her age so to say. My dear friends, though Juvy was too young to fall in love being at the age of 14, yet the truth remains, love knows no boundaries. True love can be possible for the young ones or even for the old ones. True love is possible because it is God who sets the perfect timing when to love and provides the right person whom to love. Myth 3: Long Distance Relationships never Last. Is it possible that a long distance relationships will last? Well, after two years of working abroad, Arnel went home and saw Juvy as a lady, and no longer a baby. Arnel went abroad again and came back home after seven years of a long distance relationship with Juvy. This time, they decided to get married. They had their civil wedding before Arnel returned to work abroad. After two years, he came back home for a church wedding with Juvy. Their wedding was held on the same date, July 16. For Arnel and Juvy, long distance relationships work! My dear friends, love can survive despite the physical distance between a husband and his wife. The secret of a lasting relationship is not about the distance but love. It is a kind of love which God provides to those who love Him. Myth 4: Marriage is made in Heaven Is it possible that two people are destined by God to be together? Well, we believe that marriage is a vocation. It is a call from God for a man and a woman to join together as husband and wife until the death of either party. Thus, as a Catholic Christians, we believe that marriage is the will of God. For Arnel and Juvy, they both experience how God has worked and is still at work in their family life. Remember, Juvy and Arnel, it was raining when you got married in the church. Today, it is raining again as you celebrate your 25th Wedding Anniversary. Is this coincidence or a sign of God’s Divine Providence? Remember, Juvy and Arnel, after a year of your marriage in the Church, God gave you John Arvy. Then as you celebrated your 5th Wedding Anniversary on July 16, 1994, God gave you on that very same day another gift –Hannah Jane. You have one boy and one girl as gifts from God. Is this coincidence or a sign of God’s Divine Providence? Now Arnel and Juvy, despite the great challenges that passed your way, you are still together and have reached your 25th Wedding Anniversary. It has been 25 years that you have been best friend for each other, best buddies together, aside from being husband and wife. It has been 25 years of marriage based on “Give and Take” arrangement between the two of you. But above all, it has been 25 years that you have God as the center of everything as a couple, as a family. Arnel and Juvy, we, the Christian community, are happy to witness today the renewal of your marital vows. We have witnessed how generous and dedicated you are as a family to our Church. We have witnessed how you hold on to each other. But Juvy and Arnel, hopefully in your 25 years in marriage you have witnessed how more generous and well dedicated God is to both of you. Moreover, we hope that as we await for another 25 years to celebrate your Golden years of marriage, we can witness from both of you not only that you hold on to each other but above all you hold on to God. Your vocation as a renewed married couple is no longer “Go and multiply” but what Jesus has commanded you: “Love each other as I (Jesus) have loved you (John 15:12). God bless! Congratulations! Best wishes!

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time_A

An Aesop’s fable: One winter a Farmer found a Snake stiff and frozen with cold. He had compassion on it, and taking it up, placed it in his bosom. The Snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and resuming its natural instincts, bit its benefactor, inflicting on him a mortal wound. "Oh," cried the Farmer with his last breath, "I am rightly served for pitying a scoundrel." If God created everything good, then why are there evil in this world? Truly God created everything good. When it comes to human being however, one is endowed with intelligence to know what is true and with free will to do what is good. The gift of intelligence and free will is good. But it is on how one uses his/her intellect and freedom that determines his/her adherence to goodness. In Matthew 13:1-23, the Parable of the Sower may help us understand why evil men exist by way of analogy. 1. A sower went out to sow: the sower sowed the same seeds in various grounds like God who bestowed the seeds of goodness on various races –black man and woman, white man or woman, brown man or woman, etc. Everybody is called by God to remain in His goodness. 2. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them: Even though God bestowed the seeds of goodness to all, still there are those who decided to do nothing with the goodness in them. They know they can be good, yet they choose to stay with evil. They live with the habit of doing evil. In one TV documentary report, there were truck drivers who engaged in sex with minors. After having sex, they gave those two minors some rice as payment. The two minors wondered during the TV interview why those truck drivers still look for sex with them and not just be satisfied with their wives. These truck drivers could choose to be faithful to their wives yet they chose not to. 3. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away: There are those people who choose to be good and appear to be good. But when circumstances change and they are placed in a worst case scenario, they choose doing what is evil. The father of a rape victim, though how good a person he was, planned and executed his plan to kill the rapist. He became a fugitive after he killed the rapist. 4. Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them: There are those people who choose to be good but due to peer pressure or bad companions, commit to do evil. A good boy from the province was sent to study in the City. There he met some friends who forced him to join a fraternity. He learned how to drink and smoke with his new friends. His parents could not imagine that their good son turned to be a son with many vices. 5. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty: There are those people who remain to be good despite the odds, they stay away from bad companions and they choose to do more good deeds. They do more by consistently connecting themselves to God the source of all goodness. They pray constantly. A couple whose daughter was raped and killed by their chauffer chose and decided to forgive the latter for his crime. Their forgiveness is a sign that they are indeed good and they would not waste their goodness just because of the chauffer who brought them one great evil experience. 6. He who has ears, let him hear: This is the “catch-all” caption in this Gospel passage. If only every person would listen to his/her conscience, then he could be guided accordingly to choose and act for what is good. Nevertheless, no one is good unless he/she is in communion with God, the one who created all that is good. Amen.

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time -A

Matthew 11:25-30 –I am very familiar with this Gospel passage. I use this particular passage from the Scripture in my funeral masses. I could even close my eyes and say this aloud during the mass. But I never thought this same Gospel passage would bring new meaning to my life as a priest. Truly, the Word of God is not only for intellectual giants who studied the Sacred Scripture in its original language or text. ("I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants) It has been almost three months that many friends approached me and disclosed their problems or burden in life. One’s sister and nephew were murdered; another’s daughter was raped. Then there was a good man who lost his job; and a beautiful woman whose husband abandoned them. There were more others who came for counselling but I referred them to other priests because I was already emotionally affected and experienced depression. Almost all of them would ask me, “If God exists, then where is He?” or “Why evil things happen to good people?” I could have given them some intelligent answers but I believe my answers would only cause disrespect to their shared experience and feelings. So I asked them to just pray. I know they were disappointed with this advice as they expected some higher wisdom from their priest. I just comforted myself with the thought that not all problems in life could be solved anyway. So in troubled times like those, better pray. (Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.) For almost three months, I have asked God why we still have problems despite we serve the Church or dedicate ourselves to Him in whatever ways we best fit in. It is only then I realized that Jesus Himself did not say God will solve all our problems or there will be no more problems once we believe in Him. Rather, Jesus acknowledged that there would be problems in life, big and small. God would not take them away from us. But He offers us Himself, He who can give us rest. The moment we take a rest in God, we restore our lost energy. In other words, though God does not give us problems; He gives us strength to deal with our problems. (Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.) Moreover, problems resulted from murder, rape, reckless imprudence resulting to homicide, etc. have irreversible effects to the victims. One cannot restore to life the person he killed. One cannot take away the stigma or trauma of rape from the victim. One cannot just say sorry after abandoning his family in misery for almost 50 years. One cannot easily forget the physical, psychological and emotional abuses she or he underwent. Problems like these could make one think of revenge, suicide, or whatever injurious to oneself and others. Jesus knew this. He asked us that in case we find ourselves in one of these most difficult situations, we have to be like Him (Christ-like), to be gentle to ourselves and to others. We have to be lowly in heart by acknowledging that we could not use full control over our life and liberty. Of course, this is difficult! It is difficult to entrust to God everything and have faith in what we call His Divine Justice. But if we could do so, our conscience is clear, and our soul is at peace. (Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.) My dear friends in Christ, Jesus left us a Christian way of looking at our problems or of dealing with life’s burdens. Problems in life is inevitable. Whether the problem is big or small, it does not matter. What matters most is the strength we need to face it. Small problem becomes heavier when we run out of energy or when we do not have enough strength to carry on. Thereof, we need to recharge ourselves with the energy which comes from God through Christ who gives us strength. (For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.) I end with this story of Frank Mihalic, SVD: A little boy had broken his leg and had to use a crutch. Sometimes he forgot about it and tried to run and then he would fall and hurt himself. How he hated that crutch! But his grandfather understood. So one night, while the boy was in bed, the old man painted the crutch red. In the morning the boy was astounded. He loved red. Now he was proud to show off that crutch. After the red had worn off, the boy woke up one morning to find a little bell attached to the hand bar. It tinkled whenever he walked, and people could even hear him coming. Now he enjoyed his handicap, his crutch. That boy grew up to become a doctor, who still has a slight limp from his childhood accident. He keeps the little red crutch hanging on the wall of his office. Sometimes it gives him an excuse to pass on to a patient his grandfather’s idea that a burden is carried more easily if we take pride in carrying it.

32nd of May

Treinta y dos de mayo Kon bukon ra it milagro/ daya hay mabahoe nga misteryo Tungod sa bilog nga kalibutan/ ro adlaw kon febrero ginabuhinan Ugaling iya eang sa Caiyang/ ro inadlaw kon Mayo hay ginadugangan. Treinta y dos de mayo Aeang-aeang nga pyesta ku simbahan/ bangod owa man da sa atong kasuguan Pero di man maako ku gobierno/ nga sanda kara ro ginhalinan Kundi raya nga treinta y dosan/ hay bunga it manami nga katuyuan Nga ro mga pumueoyo it Caiyang/magabuyloganan. O misis it treinta y dosan/ kunta indi mo kalipatan Nakasandig kimo/ bukon it korona nga ginpasa-pasahan Kundi imo guid ro isaea nga katungdanan/ nga indi mautod kada Mayo ro daya nga kasadyahan. O misis it treinta y dosan/ kabay imo madumduman Sa pagbutang kimo it korona/ ikaw mangin huwaran Mangin primera sa paghaead it pangamuyo/ kay Birhen Maria sa simbahan Tungod sa ana nga pag-ampo/ ro Caiyang ginbendisyonan Dugang sa paghiwat ta/ it treinta y dosan Ro mayad nga natabo ku una/aton gina uman-uman  Di baea tagsiielak kato/ ag wa nag-abot rong uean Nangamuyo sa Dios ro inyong katigueangan/  Du pamatbat ag ambahanon daw owat katapusan Mabahoe nga handom ro mga pangamuyo hay pagapamatian Gani ro inadlaw it mayo hay andang ginsugpunan Bisan isaea eang ka adlaw agud may kalipay rong tanan May nagsuksok it eambong ag nagpulis pulisan May nagdaea it tuba halin sa kasanggutan May lapag nga ginpahaum ag pagkaon sa nagutman Pero eabaw kara, ro pagdayaw kay Birhen Maria indi guid mapunggan. Ngani atong misis sa rayang treinta y dosan Sampita man ro iba nga magduaw sa simbahan Owa eon it iba pa nga manami naton adtunan Kundi kon siin ro atong kaeag hay may kaeuwasan. Sa tanan nga pumueoyo it barangay Caiyang Sakop man ro barangay Magubahay ag Camaligan Kon may kapirdihan sa pulitika o sa basketbolan Tanan kita daug sa paghiwat it treinta y dosan  Kabay nga indi magkalipat kon ano ro treinta y dosan Manami guid ro inyong gin-umpisahan/ Ag kon raya hay may katapusan man/ Kabay malipayon guihapon rong kabilogan. Sa akon pagtapos it pagtao kinyo it pamisaea Owa akot ikatao kinyo ag indi man maka promisa Pero makasalig kamo nga ro akong pagpalangga Mabatyagan ninyo paagi sa akong presensya. Saeamat sa mga nakabati ag nagpaeamati  Saeamat man sa mga natak-an magpinamati Saeamat sa raya nga okasyon kon siin kita tanan nagatililipon Bisan ginahueasan, ginatamyaw ko kamo it mayad nga hapon. Saeamat, saeamat, saeamat sa tanan. Koronahan ta eon ro bag-ong misis it treinta y dosan. Pagkatapos it koronasyon kabay indi anay mag-uean Agod hinduna nga gabii kita tanan makapamaylihan.

Thanksgiving of Rev. Fr. Adonis R. Rimano

My dear friends in Christ, we are here today to thank God for His gift of priesthood to our Christian community. As I say this, I would like to emphasize that the gift of ministerial priesthood is God’s gift to the whole Christian community, the Church and not a gift to an individual or individuals. This is in line with the thought of John Paul II manifested in his encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia –If the Holy Eucharist as the “source and summit of the Christian life” is Christ’s greatest gift to His Bride, the Church –it is only thanks to His prior gift of the ministerial priesthood that we still have the Holy Eucharist in the Church. Thereof, in this “Thanksgiving Mass”, it is we, the Christian community who give thanks to God and not Fr. Adonis alone because the gift of ministerial priesthood which is strictly linked to the gift of the Holy Eucharist is God’s gift to us all. In other words, as we celebrate this Thanksgiving Mass to affirm God’s gift of priesthood, this celebration is not a family affair although it includes a family affair. This is not also a personal matter to Fr. Adonis although it includes his personal matters. This celebration is about us who are blessed by God with the gift of priesthood. We are gathered here as one Christian community, as a Church, to claim as our own the gift of ministerial priesthood through the person of Rev. Fr. Adonis Rimano. Moreover, this Thanksgiving celebration makes us realize that just as we have our share in this precious gift of God, we too must take our share in the responsibility over this gift. If we have our share in the blessings of the priesthood, we also have our share in the burdens of our priests who serve the Church. (Ro pari sarang makabati sa tawo it palakpak o libak.) Priesthood is God’s gift to you and me, to us, to our Church, we better take good care of such gift. If you and I belong to the same Church, let no one among us casts doubts against the gift of priesthood. (Kon regalo o bugay it Dios katon ro pagkapari, indi ta pag samaron ro pari. Kon ginasamaran ta ro isaea ka pari, ginasamad ta mismo ro Simbahan nga ginapatatap ku Dios sa ginpadaea na nga mga pari). The same burden is also given to us priests, especially to our newly ordained priest, Fr. Adonis. Fr. Adonis you have to take good care of the gift of priesthood not because it is yours now but because above all else, it is God’s gift to His Church. Never think of the gift of priesthood as your personal achievement that you can include in your resume to find an income-earning job. Never think of the gift of priesthood as your personal success as if it is part of your credential. Rather, think of what it means to say that priesthood is God’s gift to His Church. Go back to your experience. Remember, no matter how you wanted to become a priest when you were in the elementary, you were not included in the list of those who were admitted in the seminary. Remember, after a year of waiting, you were finally admitted in the seminary yet your health suffered as you tried to adjust with the seminary life. Remember, when you were advised to take your regency. Remember, your pre-diaconal and diaconal struggles. Remember the question of the people in Camaligan, -why is it that after you finished your seminary training, there is no guarantee of ordination to the priesthood. Well, all these remind you of your unworthiness yet God has chosen you to be His priest. God wants you to realize through your experience that priesthood is a gift. And now that you are a priest, you have received priesthood as a gift from God, so you must serve the Church as a gift to God. This is what I realize in my thirteen years in the ministry: people love us, respect us, and trust us not because of who we are. Rather, they love us because we carry with us the gift of priesthood. There are many good singers in the community, yet they are not loved the way we are loved by people. There are great public speakers, yet they are not trusted the way we are trusted by people. There are many kind teachers, yet they are not respected the way we are respected. This is so because people believe that the gift of priesthood which we bear with us, is God’s gift to them. To go further from this, there are many gays or homosexuals who suffer discrimination in our society just because they are gays or homosexuals. There are hot-tempered persons who are avoided by their neighbours because they create tensions in the community. There are some fathers of the family who gain no respect from their children because they are bad. But look at us priest. No matter how big our sin is, no matter what kind of mistakes we do, people still accept us as they accept God’s gift of priesthood in us. People love us because from among many, we are the ones chosen by God to be His priests. Therefore, Fr. Adonis you must take good care of the gift of priesthood with utmost diligence. When you are troubled, when the gift of your priesthood is endangered, call on Jesus Christ, the one and the only good shepherd. Young as you are, you are full of energy, full of ideology to be a good priest. But it could happen you might commit big mistakes or make some error of judgment. If such times come, never think that God is wrong when He bestowed on you the gift of priesthood. Rather, believe that you will mature in time because God will continue to give His grace that you may be able to preserve the giftedness of the priesthood. Fr. Adonis, we may not always understand you. We may not always like you. We may not always accept you. But one thing is sure God always loves you, He has chosen you as a shepherd after his own heart. God will never regret in choosing you. God is never wrong in choosing you, a priest for His Church. Amen.

Christmas Day 2013

A woman bought a parrot to keep her company. She returned to the pet store the next day with a complaint: "This bird you sold me won't talk."  The pet store manager said, "Does he have a mirror in his cage? Parrots love mirrors. They see their reflection and they start up a conversation." So she bought a mirror and went home. A couple of days later she was back. The bird still wasn't talking. "How about a ladder?" the manager asked. "A ladder will make your parrot happy, and a happy parrot is more likely to talk." She bought the ladder and left. Two days later she returned. The bird still hadn't said anything. The store manager thought for a minute and said, "How about a swing? All parrots need a swing. A swing will loosen him up, and he'll be talking in no time." The woman reluctantly bought the swing and left. She was back the next day, looking forlorn. "My parrot died," she said. "That's terrible," the manager said. "Did he ever say a word?" "Yes," the woman said, "Right before he died he said, 'Don't they sell any parrot food at that pet store?'" My dear friends, today is Christmas day. On this day we celebrate as we remember the birth of JesusChrist. Jesus the Christ was born (Luke 1:1-14) as a gift of God for all His creation. Jesus the Christ is the best gift of God for us in order that we might have eternal life. God knows what to give us to celebrate life. Today, people give gifts or even have an exchange of gifts. But do they give gifts in order to make the recipients celebrate life? Or do they give gifts because they are expected to give? Does the giver think of what gift he is to give or does he ask the recipient what gift he needs? Well, Christmas day is not just about giving of gifts but letting the gifts remind both the giver and the receiver that everything they do should be life-giving and life-promoting. Amen.