http://sanctamargaritamaria.blogspot.com/2009/10/demonic-possession-and-exorcism.html

Alumni Homecoming (Dominicans: Sponsoring Batch)

My dear friends in Christ, as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents, we cannot but find some inconsistences in the Gospel narratives (Matthew 1:13-18) which we have read today. Why God spared the life of the magi but not the lives of the innocent children? Why did God warn them about Herod but not the parents of the innocent children? Why God allowed Herod to use his power and authority to spread evil in this world? Why God never used His power and authority to stop Herod in doing evil?

The most convenient answer that anyone of us here could give is to say, “God’s ways are not man’s ways or God works in a mysterious way.” This answer, however, will only leave other people behind questioning God’s goodness, that if God is good, then why can He tolerate such things i.e., the massacre of children. Why God preferred the magi to live while the children die a gruesome death? Why God allowed an evil man like Herod to live while the innocent die? My dear friends in Christ, it is difficult to reflect on this mystery. But if we read the 1^st Letter of Paul to the Corinthians 15: 24-26, we may be able to at least grasp something why the massacre of children happened as it happened.

1 Corinthians 15: 24-26 says, “After that will come the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, having done away with every sovereignty, authority and power. For he must be king until he has put all his enemies under his feet and the last of the enemies to be destroyed is death…”

These words of St. Paul may be considered as an allusion to our today’s Gospel. In our Gospel, Matthew narrated how Herod used his sovereignty, authority and power and then death of the innocent children as his last recourse. In his letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul talked about sovereignty, authority and power and then death as the last enemy. In our Gospel, Matthew narrated how Herod used his sovereignty, authority and power to cause the death of the innocent children. In his letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul spoke of the end of sovereignty, authority and power and then death. So, if we ask why God spared the life of the magi but not the lives of the innocent children? Why did God warn them about Herod but not the parents of the innocent children? Why God allowed Herod to use his power and authority to spread evil in this world? Why God never used His power and authority to stop Herod in doing evil? Well, in our Gospel narratives, evil seemed to prosper. But we know, as St. Paul would say, Jesus Christ will put an end to all evils –the evil use of sovereignty, authority and power and the last enemy which is death.

Now, my dear friends in Christ, if in the beginning, evil seems to prosper and at the end, evil will be destroyed, what about in the middle of those times? What happens to the in-between times? The in-between time is the time we have spent since we were born. This time is the only time we have. It is timely then that we are here today for our Alumni homecoming. We are not here just to play balls, to eat and drink, or to have fun reminiscing our past. We are here first and foremost to renew and claim our identity. We are here to declare that once a seminarian, always a better Catholic Christian. We have the responsibility to battle the evil that is in this world. We are also called to make a difference in using sovereignty, authority and power. We have to put balance between good and evil if it is too difficult for us to get rid of all the evils at this moment. Nevertheless, we have to be careful in our mission. The taller we stand against evil, the greater danger we must expect to happen every day in our life and in our soul.

On our part as priests, we stand in front to defend our Church, to defend God’s people against evil. Few years ago, we have stood up to fight against the evil use of sovereignty, authority and power when there was this attempt to put up a casino in Boracay. We also have stood up to fight against the provisions in the Reproductive Health Law which promote the culture of death, death of children while in the womb of their mothers. These are just two instances taken from the many battles we have faced as priests in the diocese which I like to mention today. But what do we gain in fighting against evil? Yes, we have won the battle, but the devil never stops in looking for ways to destroy us. Truly, the devil is like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8) and sometimes we cannot resist it. We sometimes are afraid to preach the truth because we might hurt somebody’s feelings. We are afraid to do what is good because we might be criticized in the process. We have the desire to win against any form of evil, but we find ourselves oddly incapable of doing it. Our reputation is even put in bad light to silence us in our struggle against evil.

My dear friends in Christ, we the community of priests alone cannot withstand the overwhelming evil in this world to protect God’s people. We need you, our lay brothers. We need you to use your sovereignty, authority and power to promote life rather than destroy it. In your working place, in your home, in your parish, see that no evil has infected anyone there, not even you.

I personally appreciate that masses are celebrated in the Regional Trial Court, in hospitals, in the offices and in other places where you know you can help us in our fight against evil. I also appreciate every time you my brothers would bring your family and friends to avail the sacraments of baptism, confession, anointing of the sick and marriage. I appreciate that we talk about Jesus, about the parish, about our spiritual growth as these show that we indeed have authentic brotherhood. I appreciate even the way we play basketball, people know through our movements that we are still brothers, as we were once in this seminary together. I appreciate when we call each other “blans,” as this is our code of brotherhood. But above all, I appreciate you my dear brothers to remind us that we are priests. The way you treat us, the way you welcome us, you see us beyond our personality. You see the priesthood conferred in us.

To cite my personal experience, I remember when I took the Bar in 2015, I was already frustrated and was about to give up taking the Bar due to the many problems in my parish while I was away, our classmate Alan Pelayo was there to be my brother. It was one of those Sundays we took the Bar, Alan and I had a simple conversation. Then he asked me to pray over him, to bless him before he would enter the room. I told him that I could not do that because I myself was having some troubles in preparing for the Bar. What really touched me was his words, “Pari kat ing!” I was mesmerised then and I prayed over him. It took Alan’s words to remind me that as a priest I exist not to give in to any shadow of evil. I am a priest and I have to protect God’s people from evil by praying over them. My dear lay brothers, thank you for giving us the motivation to rise up and fight against evil –the evil use of sovereignty, authority and power as well as the evil of death of the innocents. I believe this is what Fr. Victor Hugo I. Martelino envisioned for us –to instill in us the “Igmaeanghoran Spirit”. You our lay brothers by our side, we can defeat evil. It is only through this that we can truly say there is a flourishing authentic brotherhood among us. Please pray for us priests, as we pray for you, our brothers. Amen.

A Tribute to the Late Atty. Allen Salas Quimpo

When my brother informed me that Nong Allen passed away last December 14, I was moved to sadness. Why? Though Nong Allen belonged to a different or opposing political party, I have never heard him saying nasty things against our family who supported his rival candidate for congressman of Aklan. In fact, he was even smiling and exchanging friendly conversation with us. His act of kindness later won the support of our family for him as a political leader. It was only when I became a priest that I learned that the nature of Nong Allen’s kindness was not just because he was a politician but because he is a true Christian.

In 2001, it was during my 1^st celebration of the Mass that I saw him actively participating in the liturgy. After the mass, food and beverages were served but people had to fall in line first. Nong Allen, a former congressman, together with the late Diego M. Luces, a former mayor, humbly joined the people in the queue. They were courteously asked to get out of the line and be given priority for food and beverages but they preferred to stay and wait for their turn to have their food and drinks. He was a Congressman of Aklan but he never imposed his distinction over the people. He chose to be one with the ordinary people and be treated equally with them.

Sometime in 2002, his son was a graduating student of the seminary where I was assigned. Nong Allen, as a parent, approached me for confession. I was hesitant to hear his confession because I knew he was a congressman. I wanted him to go to other priests who belonged to the senior clergy for his confession. Yet, he insisted. He wanted me to treat him as one of the penitents and not as a congressman. He wanted me to be aware that he belonged to the laity no matter what his title was and I belonged to the clergy. He showed his respect to the Church’s hierarchy. He never questioned the Sacrament of Confession by humbly asking for God’s forgiveness through the ministry of the Church.

Sometime in 2006 or 2007, I was at the Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in BF Homes Parañaque when he fetched me to visit his mother Nay Carmen. He wanted me to hear her confession, give her communion and anoint her with oil. Though they brought their mother to Manila for her medical check-up, Nong Allen never forgot to take care of his mother’s spiritual health too. If Nong Allen’s act of kindness was not that genuine, then he could not have thought of calling a priest to visit his mother. It was because he knew what his mother needed spiritually, he initiated everything just to have his mother received the sacraments.

In citing all these, I cannot do anything for his kindness now but to pray that may God treat Nong Allen with kindness and give him the reward of eternal life in heaven. I also thank the family for allowing Nong Allen to serve us even after he retired from the public office. Nong Allen could have spent his time with you his family totally but you let him pursue his passion to show kindness to all. His passion to serve the people, I believe, is not rooted from just being a politician but above all, it is rooted from being a true Christian. Because of this, may God see in Nong Allen the sign of a true Christian and give him eternal rest like all the true believers. Amen. 

9th Day of Simbang Gabi

One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, “This is good!” To which the king replied, “No, this is not good!” and proceeded to send his friend to jail.

About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took them to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to the stake. As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So untying the king they sent him on his way.

As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. “You were right” he said, “it was good that my thumb was blown off.” And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. “And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this.”

“No,” his friend replied, “this is good!” “What do you mean, ‘this is good’! How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year. “If I had not been in jail, I would have been with you.”

My dear friends in Christ, this story conveys a message that at times we could not understand why things happened the way we never expected them to happen. It was only later that we realized there must be an invisible hand which made those things happened in His own time and reason. They served most of the times as blessings in disguise.

In our Gospel, Luke 1:67-79, the author also unfolds a blessing in disguise. Zechariah who seemed to be “fruitless” at first because at his old age, he never had a child with his wife Elizabeth, finally blessed God. He gave thanks to God because at the time when it was impossible for him to have a child, God miraculously blessed them with a son. He did not only thank God for giving them a son, but also for appointing their son as the precursor of Jesus, the Son of God. What happened in the case of Zechariah called so much attention from their relatives and friends. The seemingly ordinary occasion of giving birth to a child was viewed as the greatest blessing not only for the family but for all in the society. From this instance, thereof, we can somehow learn that everything happens according to God’s perfect timing and purpose. At the end, it is God’s plan that must be followed.

On this last day of our Simbang Gabi, we recall our experiences which seem too hard for us to bear. We recall those moments that something or someone hinders us to find peace and happiness especially in celebrating this Christmas. Let us lift them up to the Lord with faith that everything happens in accordance to His will. We keep our faith by looking forward that God shall turn our misery into a story of blessings in disguise. Whatever problems we may have now, whatever pain we may feel today, let us be inspired by Zechariah to wait for the unfolding of God’s blessings out of our undesirable condition. Amen.

8th Day of Simbang Gabi

King Midas was a very rich king. He had more gold than any other king in the world. He was happy with his gold that he loved it better than anything else in all the world. King Midas had one little daughter, whose name was Marigold. But he loved his gold better than his own little daughter. His one great wish seemed to be for more and more gold.

One day while he was in his gold room counting his money, a beautiful fairy stood before him. The fairy said that she was willing to grant any wish of the king if ever he would ask for one. King Midas asked that everything he touches should turn to gold. So, it happened. As soon as the sun arose he tried the gift by touching the bed lightly with his hand. The bed turned to gold. He ran around the room, touching everything he could see. His magic gift turned all to shining, yellow gold. Later he realized, there was nothing he could get to eat. All was gold. His little daughter came running in from the garden. He touched her with his lips. At once, the little girl was changed to a golden statue. In his grief, he called upon the fairy who had given him the gift of the golden touch. He begged the fairy to take all his gold but give him back his little daughter. So, it happened. Alas, the king knew that happiness is not found with his gold. Then, he and his little daughter sat down to breakfast.

My dear friends in Christ, the story reminds us that happiness does not lie on our every wish which is granted. Rather, happiness lies on a grateful heart. Whenever a person is thankful for what he or she has in life, be it big or small, happiness is surely there.

In our Gospel, Luke 1:57-66, it is said that neighbors and relatives of Elizabeth and Zechariah rejoiced with the couple upon hearing that the Lord had extended His mercy to the latter by giving them a child. Here, the Gospel narrates that those neighbors and relatives were happy first and foremost because of God’s mercy. The Gospel even emphasizes that the happiness of the couple, Elizabeth and Zechariah was also based on God’s mercy when they named their child, John. The name John means the Lord is gracious. In other words, all the said characters in this Gospel were thankful to God for the gift of life in the person of John. They were not just happy because their wish was granted. They were not just happy because they had John with them. They were happy above all because whatever God would have done for them, they were ready to thank Him.

My dear friends in Christ, this Christmas season, in no way one could be happy unless he or she would be ready to thank God for whatever he or she would receive. Even if parents give their children some expensive toys or gifts, those things could not make their children happy unless the children have a grateful heart. If they do not have such a heart, then they would ask for more and more but they would never be satisfied. Even if a husband and his wife exchange gifts with each other, one would never be appreciated for the gift he or she bought if the other who received it has no grateful heart. Yes. A person who does not know how to thank God for whatever comes his or her way, will never be happy. He or she will only see something to be blamed for. He or she will only make others unhappy. This is why this Christmas season, our Gospel calls our attention to at least learn to be thankful to God. Christmas shall be merry and bright only for persons who find the reason to thank God. Amen.

7th Day of Simbang Gabi

A Chinese Filipino businessman, Henry Sy, Sr. was listed as the number 1 billionaire in the Philippines by Forbes Magazine in 2011. In his youth, he wanted to get rich ever since, so he tried many businesses to get enough income but failed. After trying so hard, something crossed to his mind. He thought of building a small shoe store. But how could he get some customers? He noticed that Mercury Drug, which has been in the business for so many years, has many loyal customers coming to them. He approached the owner and asked if he can rent and place his small shoe store there even with a very small portion. Unfortunately, he was not allowed and got embarrassed even though he asked politely. Instead, he promised to himself that he will never let Mercury Drug step into his life when he gets rich. So in 1958, Mr. Sy established his shoe store in Quiapo, Manila, which became SM Quiapo, the first SM Mall, in November 1972. He even franchised Watson’s from Hong Kong which became the substitute for Mercury Drug. This is why we cannot find Mercury Drug in any SM malls in the whole Philippines.

(Source: https://www.facebook.com/PhilippinesShockingHistory)

My dear friends in Christ, this story (whether this is true or not) reminds us that though how small or little a person is in the eyes of many, we have no reason to belittle or make him or her feel small before us. Remember, we cannot predict the changing fortunes of times. Someday, we might find the said person as one who is greater than us as he or she made progress in life. We might also find ourselves lesser than him or her as we experience some setbacks in life. It might happen also that God’s blessings, though how little or small it is for others, the person who receives it knows how to treasure it and make it bigger. Just like in the story, Mr. Sy started small but he made everything to make it big in the business world.

In our Gospel, Luke 1: 46-56, Mary learned that she was having a baby boy. Because of this, she glorified God. She considered her pregnancy as a big blessing from God. She gave importance to what seemed to be an ordinary event for any woman who dreams to be a mother. Though it is not a big deal to get pregnant, Mary magnified God for she understood that behind a small gift there is a great Giver who is God. This Mary’s magnificat becomes true for a woman who finds it hard to have a baby. It is only God who can give her a baby. If this happens, surely the woman shall be forever grateful to God. Mary’s magnificat becomes true also whenever we treasure the little that we have and try to make it bigger. An example for this is our talent though how little it might be for others, but if we use it in serving God, then we make it bigger as we acknowledge the great Giver who provides it for us. My dear friends, today, we are called to reflect on how we give importance to what God has given us. No matter the size of the gift, it is still a gift from God. We cannot but magnifies His name. Amen.

6th Day of Simbang Gabi

The 1973 movie, Message to My daughter, is the moving story of Miranda, a completely disoriented teenage girl who saw the world as “meaningless, cruel and stupid.” Miranda did not know her mother. She died when Miranda was only two years old. Miranda felt unloved and was incapable of loving anyone. Then she discovered some tapes on which her dying mother had recorded a “message” for her. As she listened to the words of her long-dead mother, she realized that she was not the unloved child she thought she was. Her mother had thought of her and had loved her very tenderly. This discovery brought about in her a complete change in the way she saw herself and the world around her. She was finally able to accept herself and put her life together again.

Though I have never watched this said movie, the way it is presented gives us an idea that perception affects character. Miranda’s perception of her life and of the world affected the way she forged her future. When she discovered the tapes on which her dying mother had recorded some good messages for her, her perception changed. When she changed the perception of her life and of the world, things completely changed. Perception is not just a way of seeing things but a way of believing and living with what one believes. It affects character which influences anyone in making his or her life script or a story line of his or her life.

In our Gospel, Luke 1: 39-45, it is told that Mary visited Elizabeth. This happened after the angel Gabriel appeared first to Zechariah and then to Mary. Prior to this event, Zechariah and Elizabeth seemed to live a miserable life for not having any child of their own. When the angel appeared, Zechariah perceived that what the angel announced to him was impossible. But for Elizabeth, she perceived that what the angel announced was the dawning of time for God to take away her reproach among men. She had a better perception of life compared to her husband based upon their reactions on the angel’s announcement. She showed she was hopeful about their future. She believed that good things would happen, and so it happened. Going back to the situation in our Gospel, Elizabeth displayed her consistent character by saying, “Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled.” She would always see life in a positive light. She believed that there would always be a divine intervention to lift up one’s broken spirit. Her perception of her life was made manifest in her character. She lived a life in God’s control and supervision.

My dear friends, we are called today to check our perception. Our perception affects our character. In particular, we check our perception about Christmas. The way we look at Christmas season affects how we celebrate it. Just like Elizabeth, we should have a better perception of life. At this point, we should have a better perception regarding Christmas. This would only happen if we realize that Christmas is not just a social event but above all a religious-spiritual event. During this season, we recognize how God has intervened in our life. We recognize how God has saved us. If we do recognize what God has done for us, we celebrate Christmas in prayer and thanksgiving. We learn that Christmas is not all about having parties, availing Christmas sales, receiving Christmas bonus, etc. but it is about preparing ourselves to let God who loves us lead our life. Christmas is about God who has always fulfilled His promise to give us a better life. Amen.

5th Day of Simbang Gabi

Two brothers worked together on a family farm. One was unmarried and the other married with children. They shared what they grew equally as they always did, produce and profit. But one day the single brother said to himself, “You know, it is not right that we should share the produce equally, and the profit too. After all, I am all alone, just by myself and my needs are simple. But there is my poor brother with a wife and all those children.”

So in the middle of the night he took a sack of grain from his bin, crept over the field between their houses and dumped it into his brother’s bin.

Meanwhile, unknown to him, his brother had the same thought. He said to himself, “It is not right that we should share the produce and profit equally. After all, I am married and I have my wife to look after me and my children for years to come.” So he, too, in the middle of the night took to taking a sack of grain from his bin and sneaking across the field to deposit it in his brother’s bin.

For years, both were puzzled as to why their supply did not dwindle. Well, one night it just so happened that they both set out for each other’s houses at the same time. In the dark, they bumped into each other carrying their sacks. Each was startled, but then it slowly dawned on them what was happening. They dropped their sacks and embraced one another.

This story is one among those which tells us that love is all about giving. When one loves, he or she thinks of what is good for the other. He or she is happy to hear good news about the other. Unlike any person who does not know how to love, a loving person does not envy or jealous of what the other receives as a blessing from God. He or she even adds blessings for the other despite the blessings the latter already has received.

In our Gospel, Luke 1:26-38, it is implicitly provided that God loves us all as He thinks of what is good for us. God, in His love for us, sent an angel to Mary to be the mother of Jesus our Saviour. God gave us His only son through Mary. Mary, in turn, accepted the will of God as a blessing for all. Mary knew that the blessing of God was not only meant for her but for all. She gave her “Yes” to God in our behalf. In saying “Yes”, Mary understood well that love is all about giving, especially giving oneself to God. What is surprising in this Gospel however, the angel told her that her kinswoman Elizabeth conceived a son in her old age. Although the purpose of this information was to confirm the possibility of the announcement of the angel to Mary to be the mother of Jesus, it could help us also uncover how full of love Mary is. Upon hearing the good news about her cousin Elizabeth, Mary felt neither envy nor jealousy. This is how a person filled with love reacts upon knowing about the blessings others receive from God. Persons like Mary think good about the other and for the other. They rejoice like Mary to be a blessing from God to others. They are willing to give even themselves for the sake of the other. My dear friends, may this Christmas season then be the occasion for us to give our time, talents and even ourselves to bring blessings to others. Amen.

4th Day of Simbang Gabi

Shortly after the victory of the Athenians over the Persians fleet at Salamis in 480 B.C., Themistocles, the great admiral, was met on the street by a fellow citizen who hailed the victory and called the hero the most powerful in the world.

“You are wrong,” said Themistocles, “my little son here is the most powerful.”

Puzzled, the man asked, “How so?”

“Well,” said the admiral, “it’s like this: The Athenians rule the world, I rule the Athenians. My wife rules me. And this little boy rules his mother.”

This story tells us how the presence of a child makes a difference in the family. If a baby is expected by his or her family to be born, the latter’s world revolves around the former. The baby becomes the center of all attention inside the home. No matter how strict or tough a mother or a father is, she or he experiences tenderness of heart as she or he sees their baby grows and turn into a teenager. How many couples get married just because the woman is pregnant? How many couples stay together despite their irreconcilable differences just because of their children? How many parents endure the hardship of their work for the sake of their children’s future? Truly, we cannot deny that the presence of a child in the family makes a difference in the life of so many couples. This is also what our Gospel, Luke 1: 5-25, reminds us of: Many will rejoice at the birth of the child named John. This means that the child John does not only influence his family but also the whole community. The joy he brings is not only for his parents but for all mankind. In behalf of his parents, Elizabeth rejoices saying, “Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.” In the community, he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, to prepare a people for the Lord. Though the child is yet to be born, the joy of welcoming him is made manifest. The dream for his future is all set. Above all these, the name John means God is gracious instill into our minds and hearts that every child is a gift of God for all. Therefore, let people see every baby in a mother’s womb as a cause for one’s joy and not as a burden. Christmas is the season to find hope for every baby, for every child, whom God gives each family. Each child in the family gives hope for the whole community that someday he or she will contribute something for the good of the community. Amen.

3rd Day of Simbang Gabi

A saintly man was collecting funds for the orphans whose parents had died in a war. He walked into a restaurant, where three men were playing cards, and asked them for a contribution to his good work. One of them cursed him and spat in his face. The saintly man quietly took out his handkerchief, wiped the spit from his cheek, and said without the slightest sign of anger, “Now, that was for me, sir. How about something for the orphans?”

The abusive card player was so dumbfounded that he reached into his pocketbook and handed the man all the money he had with him.

My dear friends in Christ, this story reminds us that at times we put aside our own self agenda to give way to the welfare of others. We learn to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others. Sometimes too we can be patient when people insult us ourselves, though we cannot allow them to insult our dear ones. We know that if we can do this (sacrifice) for others, we can do it also for God. Just like in our Gospel, Matthew 1: 18-25, Joseph had his own personal dream not only for himself but also for his future wife. But when he learned about the situation of Mary, his future wife, he was willing to give up his personal dream in order to give way to God’s plan for Mary. He was willing to let Mary go if such was the will of God. He was also willing to take Mary as his wife, even if he knew that the child in Mary’s womb was not his, if such was the will of God. Joseph was ready to accept all the insults people would throw against him for marrying Mary. Because of these, God gave him His divine assurance that Joseph was doing the right thing, to sacrifice himself for God.

Today, my dear friends in Christ, we are called to recall the moments when we offered ourselves as a sacrifice for others. Parents, have you sacrificed yourselves for the sake of your children? Spouses, have you sacrificed yourselves for each other? Children, have you sacrificed yourselves for the sake of your family? All of us, have we sacrificed ourselves to give way to God’s purpose for us? Upon recalling the said moments, how have we sacrificed ourselves? In what ways did we do it? In making sacrifices for God and for others, we need to be stronger because we might lose ourselves in the process. Just like what we are doing these days, we try to wake up early in the morning to attend the Simbang Gabi. We sacrifice our comfort and nice sleep to pray to God, thanking Him for the gift of His Son to us. In our parish too, we ask our people to donate something for the improvement of our church facilities. Yet we could hear some of them murmuring against what we are asking from them. Though we do a noble act, we need more strength to sustain what we are doing or else we cannot finish what we have started good. My dear friends, we need to have faith that we do all these things for the glory of God. It is only when we feel inside us that everything is in accordance to God’s will that our sacrifice has a meaning. Amen.

2nd Day of Simbang Gabi

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they travelled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed, elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness.

One Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. A soldier visited him saying, “I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. I am an artist and I want to give you this.” As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man’s son.

The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation! Unmindful of the story of the man’s only son, but in his honor; those paintings would be sold at an auction. Art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff.” More voices in agreement. “No, we have to sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take the son?”

Finally, a friend of the old man spoke, “Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it.” “I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?” called the auctioneer. After more silence, the gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, “Now we can get on with it and bid on these treasures!” the auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, “What do you mean it’s over? What about all these paintings?” The auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son, gets it all.”

My dear friends in Christ, the story tells us how a father and son relationship affects a father. Just like in the story, our Gospel, Matthew 1: 1-17, highlights the importance of a son for a father. A son is important to perpetuate or even immortalize the name of his father. As an example, if the father has named his son after his own name, the son becomes his junior. This, interestingly, we could not hear from a mother who has named her daughter after her. Moreover, our particular Gospel passage does not just show importance to the birth of the son for familial or social reason but also for a religious reason. For a father, a son is a gift from God and at the same time a gift for God. The firstborn son succeeds to the authority of the father. Only a son inherits priesthood as a holy profession from his father’s lineage. In saying these, it does not mean a baby girl should be unwelcomed. It is just but embedded in some subcultures to prefer to have a son rather than a daughter. Perhaps, one reason for this is that a baby boy continues to bear the surname or family name of the father even if later he marries. In the situation of one’s daughters who enter into marriage, they follow the family name of their husbands. In addition, any honor given to a son then is a recognition of one’s family name, that of the father. To state an example for this, once a son becomes a lawyer, he is called attorney coupled with his family name. If he marries a lawyer, his wife is called attorney coupled with his family name. To state an opposite example, a son who is prodigal is a shame to his father’s name. Though it is not bad to give importance to the birth of a son, parents should welcome any child, girl or boy, given to them by God. In the Bible, it is often mentioned how Jesus welcomed children, boys and girls. So, a baby girl is as important as a baby boy in the family. What matters here is not the gender of the child but the child herself or himself. The message of our Gospel for us today is clear: for every birth, for every child, there is hope for a better future in the family as well as in the society. For every birth, for every child, there is God who always remembers to send us someone to take our place and to continue the works God has started in us and through us. For every birth of a child, either girl or boy, we celebrate life as a gift of God. Amen.

1st Day of Simbang Gabi

A father punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the little girl tried to decorate a box. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, “This is for you, Father.”

The father was embarrassed by his earlier over reaction, but his anger flared again when he found out the box was empty. Father yelled at his 3-year-old daughter, stating, “Don’t you know, when you give someone a gift, there is supposed to be something inside?” The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and cried, “Oh, Father, it’s not empty at all. I blew kisses into the box. They’re all for you, Father.”

My dear friends in Christ, whenever we receive a gift or birthday present, we know what is important is neither the wrapper nor the box but the thing wrapped which is inside the box, no matter how much is its worth. It is not unusual for us, however, to get attracted to the elegance of the wrapper and the size of the box before we see the gift itself.  

In relation to our Gospel, John 5: 33-36, we can say by way of metaphor that John is the wrapper while Jesus is the gift of God. John testified that he himself was not the Christ. He knew his mission was only to prepare the way of the Lord. He knew he was not the gift. But people rejoiced with him that they took him as a gift. When it was the time for Jesus to reveal Himself as the gift of God for all, some people questioned Him. Those people seemed to enjoy looking at the wrapper instead of opening the box to see the gift. To use the metaphor of the Gospel itself, John is referred to as a burning and shining lamp. When people saw the light on it, they rejoiced. They rejoiced that they took John as a light itself although John knew he was just a lamp for the light of the Lord. If people rejoiced in seeing John, the lamp with his light, it must be expected that the more they must rejoice in seeing Jesus, the light himself. Yet, this was not the situation imposed in the said Gospel. People questioned Jesus rather than rejoiced in Him.

Today, in our first novena Mass, we reflect why do we celebrate Christmas? We celebrate Christmas for it is the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ. So how do we celebrate it? For some, including some non-Catholics look forward for the Christmas sale in every mall or store, enjoy the Christmas party at the office or school, prepare gifts and cards, and anticipate their Christmas vacation. For others, they celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ with prayer of thanksgiving. Though how difficult it is for us to wake up early in the morning to attend the Simbang Gabi, we do it because it is the proper way to prepare for His birthday i.e., with prayer of thanksgiving. We must understand that all the activities related to Christmas are just mere wrappers. The gift is Jesus. We have those activities because of Jesus, He was born for us. But many of us engaged in Christmas activities without Jesus being welcomed as a gift. It is like celebrating Christmas without Christ; celebrating a birthday party without the birthday celebrator. Just like those people in the Gospel, they missed to look at the gift with importance, we too do the same mistake by celebrating Christmas without prayer of thanksgiving. If we do celebrate Christmas with prayer of thanksgiving, we thank God for giving us Jesus in our lives. As we receive Jesus, the gift of God, we learn to give as Jesus gives. We learn to forgive as Jesus forgives. We know that our Christmas would be merry and bright because of the gift and not because of the wrappers. We accept Jesus in our lives. Amen.

Advent Mass at RTC and lower courts

In the case of Republic of the Philippines versus Merlinda L. Olaybar G.R. No. 189538, the facts narrated show the said respondent requested from the National Statistics Office (NSO) a Certificate of No Marriage as one of the requirements for her marriage with her boyfriend of five years. Upon receipt thereof, she discovered that she was already married to a certain Korean National. She, thus, filed a Petition for Cancellation of Entries in the Marriage Contract. During the trial, she denied having contracted said marriage and claimed that she did not know the alleged husband; she did not appear before the solemnizing officer; and, that the signature appearing in the marriage certificate is not hers. She also presented a document examiner to testify that the signature appearing in the marriage contract was forged. On May 5, 2009, the RTC rendered its Decision in her favor. The trial court found that the signature appearing in the subject marriage contract was not that of respondent; the court found basis in granting her prayer to straighten her record and rectify the terrible mistake. This said decision was affirmed by the Supreme Court when the Office of the Solicitor General assailed it in the petition for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court.

My dear friends in Christ, Merlinda L. Olaybar knows who she is. There could be no other person better than her to testify about who she truly is. She herself could even be the best evidence presented in court to prove her identity. But this is not how things in court work. There is a need to produce evidence and to present witnesses to help the judge weigh everything and render a just decision with basis. In the said case, the testimony of the document examiner was vital because the court made a categorical conclusion that Olaybar’s signature in the marriage certificate was not hers and, therefore, was forged. Clearly, it was established that, as she claimed in her petition, no such marriage was celebrated. The testimony of a credible or expert witness helped her establish her identity without being further questioned.

Now, let me ask you, “Who could be a better witness other than Jesus to testify for someone?” Of course, the answer is none! Jesus is the most credible and the most expert witness one can ever have. He can neither deceive nor be deceived. But this is not how things in this world work. Why do I say this? In the Gospel of Luke 7: 24-30, Jesus testified on who John the Baptist is before the crowd. He testified that John the Baptist is a prophet of God whose mission is to prepare the way of the Lord. The entire populace who heard Him, even the tax collectors, gave praise to God, for they had received from John the baptismal bath he administered. However, unlike a just judge in our court, take note of the reaction of the Pharisees and the lawyers who failed to receive baptism John administered. When Jesus appealed to the Pharisees and lawyers that John the Baptist was the prophet they were waiting for, they ignored His words because they were already fixated on their wrong opinion. No matter how Jesus told them that if they wanted to see a prophet, they should set aside their belief of what a prophet looks like and welcome John, they refused to submit themselves to Him because they could not accept John as a prophet. No amount of evidence or testimony of a witness could change their minds as they were fixated on their wrong belief. They were not open for change or to change because their minds and hearts were already fixed like an immovable solid rock.

My dear friends in Christ, this Gospel reminds us of our own experience with some people whose minds are fixated on their wrong opinion about us. We know ourselves. We know we have our share of weakness as well as of goodness. Nevertheless, there are people who think they know us more than we know ourselves. They unjustly judge us. They condemn us for reasons we do not know. They criticize us even if we do not do anything against them. No matter how we try to be good to them, they never stop putting us in a bad light. We cannot even defend ourselves as all the attacks come from behind. Sometimes even our own friends who heard those circulating bad stories start to doubt us and avoid us. Worst, when our own family like our brother or sister, a spouse or an in-law and even one’s children would be involved in rashly judging us. We begin to live in desolation. We reach the tipping point that all we can say is “Alam ng Panginoon na wala akong kasalanan. Alam Niya ang totoong nangyari. Bahala na Siya sa akin.” We know that even if Jesus would be present to testify for us we could not expect those people to change the way they treat us just like what the Pharisees and the lawyers did to John.

So what should we do? Should we allow them to ruin our days? Should we retaliate? The answer is found in the next verses (verses 33-35) of the same Gospel passage which are not part of what we have read today. From these verses, we are conditioned to accept the fact that there are people in this world who are fixated on their wrong opinion about someone. Those who suffer this kind of fixation love to find faults on someone. Such people are consistent in finding faults on someone yet inconsistent on what fault they are looking for. Just like the Pharisees and the lawyers, they criticized John because he fasted and did not drink wine; yet they criticized Jesus who ate heartily and drank wine! Thus, according to Jesus, we have to use wisdom in dealing with them and live our lives as children of wisdom. We have to dare to be who we are vis-a-vis what God wants us to be. We need to spend time in silence and listen to the voice of God speaking through our conscience. God’s wisdom shall lead us to go back to our true self and to take care of it. If in the past, we have left it untended because we are more concerned on what others say about us, it is now time to know what is going on in our true self and try to put everything in order. We are not here to live up to the expectations of others. We do not live in order to listen to those people who make us feel unwanted and rejected. Remember, no amount of evidence or testimony even of a credible witness could change their minds as they were fixated on their wrong opinion. God’s wisdom tells us to live our lives according to His purpose for us. It is only in finding meaning with our life that we can totally stop hearing from those people who make our life miserable. Therefore, let us live free. Let God alone at the end be our witness as well as our judge. Let us live freely. Amen.

3rd Sunday of Advent

In the case of Cipriano “Efren” Bautista versus The COMELEC, Municipal Board of Canvassers of Navotas, Metro Manila (and Miguelita del Rosario), G.R. No. 133840, the petitioner was a duly registered candidate for the position of Mayor of Navotas in 1998 election. Then a certain Edwin “Efren” Bautista also filed a certificate of candidacy for the same position of mayor at the very last minute. Bearing the same appellation with the petitioner, the latter filed a petition to declare Edwin Bautista as a nuisance candidate which the COMELEC saw merit as they resolved it in his favor. Consequently, they ordered the cancellation of Edwin”s certificate of candidacy so that his name was not included in the list of candidates. But Edwin filed a motion for reconsideration which resulted to the inclusion of his name in the list pending its resolution. So the petitioner, through his counsel, gave instructions to the Board of Election Inspectors to tally separately the votes for “Efren Bautista”, “Efren”, “E. Bautista” and “Bautista”. The COMELEC chairman affirmed the said instruction in a Memorandum. All these events occurred before the election. It was only two days after the election the COMELEC finally denied Edwin’s motion for reconsideration and declared him a nuisance candidate. Given this set of facts, the primordial concern of the Court was to verify whether or not on the day of election, there was only one “Efren Bautista” as validly registered candidate as far as the electorate was concerned. It must be emphasized that the case involved a ground for disqualification which clearly affected the voters’ will and caused confusion. Thus, extreme caution was observed before any ballot was invalidated. The petitioner was able to prove his identity bearing the name Cipriano and appellation “Efren Bautista” in various elective positions, i.e., from Barangay Captain to councilor then Vice Mayor of Navotas. It was obvious then that the votes separately tallied were not really stray votes. Therefore, the COMELEC was directed to order the inclusion, as part of the valid votes of petitioner, those votes that were separately tallied by the Board of Election Inspectors.

My dear friends in Christ, this case reminds us that each person is born unique; that no person is exactly the same with the other even if they are twin brothers or sisters. Yet, there are times when an identity is challenged as one is closely identical or similar with the other. It also happens that two people resemble in a lot of ways which somehow causes confusion to the mind of many people to determine one from the other. In the cited case, it was the Court which verified the identity of “Efren Bautista”. On the part of the petitioner, he was able to reveal and prove his identity which was his alone to claim.

In contrast, our Gospel, Matthew 11:2-11, said that while John the Baptist was in prison, he heard of the activities of Christ. He was sure that only the Christ could do all the good things that he heard of; those were unique to Christ. Even if John was so sure about the Christ, he wanted to hear it from Jesus Himself to reveal His identity which is His alone to claim. He then sent his disciples to Jesus, asking Him: “Are you the one who is to come or should we expect someone else?” The question of John was in the form of a searching question. He wanted to verify whether or not on the day he heard about the activities of Jesus, there was only one Christ. If so, then it must be Jesus. I would like to emphasize that John asked Jesus not because he was confused regarding the identity of Jesus but for ordinary people including his disciples to avoid being confused if someone other than Jesus would claim for the title of Christ. The answer of Jesus to his question was not just a simple “Yes or No”. He answered them by saying, “Go and report what you hear and see: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life and good news is reaching the poor.” Why did Jesus have to answer like this? Well, it is easy for one to say “Yes” that he is the Christ but how about proving it through one’s action? For Jesus, His actions speak louder than words that He is the Christ. If one wants to verify whether Jesus is the Christ or not, then let His actions prove everything. In our Gospel, truly the actions of Jesus proved His identity as Christ which was his alone to claim.

My dear friends in Christ, our Gospel presents to us how we should answer when our identity is placed in question. Unlike in the cited case, we are not encouraged to provide documents or record of credentials or accomplishments to reveal and prove our identity. We are not even encouraged to mention that we belong to a noble lineage or we are members of any respected social class. Rather, we are only called to answer in the same manner Jesus answered John’s disciples i.e., we reveal and prove our identity through our daily actions. Whenever we are criticized, mocked or unjustly judged, we learn from Jesus, we can prove them wrong by our actions. Metaphorically, we cannot expect a pig to crow like a cock. We cannot expect a cock to bark like a dog. The actions of these animals tell us what kind of animals they are. So too, our actions will tell us who we are. Our actions can prove our identity which is ours alone to claim. Therefore, let us do things the way we are. Amen.

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

I remember a case against a Court Stenographer II (Calingasan), of a Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna who was reprimanded for her habitual tardiness with a stern warning that a repitition of a similar offense in the future will be dealt with more severely. In the said case, the excuses offered by respondent are not the kind that would justify her tardiness. The court held that moral obligations, the performance of household chores, traffic problems, health conditions, and domestic and financial concerns are not sufficient causes to excuse habitual tardiness. But what is striking in this case was this quote: "Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people... Inherent in this mandate is the observance of prescribed office hours and the efficient use of every moment thereof for public service, if only to recompense the Government, and ultimately, the people who shoulder the cost of maintaining the Judiciary. Thus, to inspire public respect for the justice system, court officials and employees are at all times behooved to strictly observe official time. As punctuality is a virtue, absenteeism and tardiness are impermissible."

My dear friends, our Gospel (Luke 13:22-30), speaks of the same thing, that tardiness is impermissible. In other words, it is not good to risk being shut out especially when we set our feet for a spiritual journey. In the said Gospel, Jesus made it clear that each one of us must strive to enter heaven. Heaven is already open for all. Yet, Jesus made it also clear that not all would be able to enter heaven. Why? Jesus said that time would come for the householder to rise up and shut the door. The door of heaven would be shut to those who would come too late. It is like a door closed by the teacher on tardy students. At its best, this is a particular Gospel that gives us one instance why some people could not enter heaven i.e., they come late. We are therefore reminded to efficiently use every hour, every minute, every second, every moment of our life to serve God and His people. We have to do this as early as possible while alive. We must not waste any time. While still young and able, we must be good. When we are old and weakened by age, we must remain good. And when death comes, we are not afraid going to heaven. Because by that time, we know our right foot has already entered heaven waiting for our left foot to step inside too. To end, our Gospel reminds us that it is not good to always say it is better late than never. We are rather called to do good as early as we can. It is like saying then, early bird catches worms. Amen.

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

A young man who aspired to become a priest someday entered a seminary. All his family, relatives and friends were happy with his decision except for one person, the young man's father. His father never wanted him to become a priest. At his father's deathbed, he was asked to leave the seminary to follow the dream of his father i.e., to perpetuate their family name. When his father died, he finally left the seminary to give in to his father's last request. 

My dear friends, our Gospel, Luke 12:49-53 confirms as a matter of fact that in following Jesus, conflict arises even between or among family members. Jesus Himself declared that He came to cast fire upon the earth, to give not peace but division. Just like what I said in the story, a son's decision to follow Jesus as a priest was in conflict with his father's wish for him. If the son really would stand for Jesus, he would find himself going against his father as his father would go against him. There would be division between them. Here, instead of making his father understand his love for priesthood, the son gave up his love for priesthood just to have peace between them. In a father and son relationship, the decision of the young man was noble. But in relationship with Jesus, the young man's decision was ignoble. In short, our Gospel reminds us that we rather have rest with Jesus than have peace without Him. This is not an easy choice but we must choose for the love of Jesus. Amen.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

All things are vanity according to our first reading taken from Ecclesiastes 1. It means that at the end of our life here on earth, everything we do, everything we have, everything we are, are vanity.  The one who has many achievements in life in comparison with one who has not achieved anything, dies without bringing anything. Both end up with worms in their decaying bodies. The question is, what is the difference between being good and being bad in this life if both suffer the same consequences in death? 

Well, as Psalm 90 states, "You turn man back to dust, saying, 'Return, O children of men.' For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the night", it reveals that the end of our life here on earth is not an end in vain. The Psalm reminds us that there is God who knows when our life shall end and even how it shall end. If therefore there is God, then whatever we do, whatever we have, whoever we are matters as we are accountable to Him with what He has given us while here on earth. Yes, we cannot bring what we have here on earth when we face death. But whatever we do with what we have is important for our life after death. This is made clear when we read the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians 3:1-11 as it says, "If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." So what we do, what we have and who we are here on earth is given weight for our life after death. When we do good things, though our body lies in death just like those bodies of bad people who die, we have this hope that we shall rise again and gain our eternal reward in heaven. By this, we do not share the same consequence with those bad people.

In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus reminds us not to lay up treasure for ourselves for such act does not make us rich toward God. It means we have to consider that everything we do, everything we have, everything we are is from God and for God. Our happiness lies in living, in being and in doing what is pleasing to God. Our life here on earth points towards our life in heaven as we use our life for a divine purpose. Life is in vain only when no God is in our vein. Amen.

SNS Intrams 2016

Last July 25, 2016, I was invited by Sem. Rome to celebrate this mass today with you so as to signal the opening of your Intramural. I was invited not because I was one of the Mythical Five during the 1995 Intramural in this seminary. I was invited not because I was the champion in chess during the 1995 Intramural in this seminary. I was invited not because my team, our Base group San Miguel, was the back to back Champion in basketball before I graduated from this seminary. I was invited not because I initiated that the two Class A basketball courts be painted with the seminary's logo in 1995.  I was invited not because I used to be the chairman of Sports Committee which I called Sportscom during the 1995-1996 Academic Year. 

Rather, I was invited to say this mass with you today because of so many priests who were invited prior to me, they all refused to accept the invitation. (To refuse an offer is an insult) In short, I was the only one left, the last choice. To make this sounds better, I am your only hope because you have no more choice. (To offer a reject is an insult)

Nevertheless, I accepted the invitation to say this mass today because Sem. Rome is a good friend of mine. Aside from just being a good friend, there is a bond of brotherhood that I forge with Sem. Rome as well as with Sem. Rollo which started when we met some few years back in my very poor parish. I cannot afford to say NO to any of them especially if this is the only way I can convince them to become a priest; I do not have any reason to reject their invitation. Above all, I convey to you today that my presence here makes our brotherhood authentic. 

Now, Sem. Rome, Sem. Rollo as well as to all seminarians who are here, hopefully you know what it means to state "Flourishing Authentic Brotherhood" as the theme for this year's Intramural. I shall not explain what "brotherhood" is as it is obvious that all of you are physically male and therefore you call each other as brother (unless you prefer to call each other in a different way).  I shall not also explain to you what the verb "flourish" is as you already know it connotes that something is at the height of fame. But let me ask you why you use the adjective "authentic" in describing your brotherhood. Does this mean there is among you an experience of "false brotherhood?" 

False brotherhood is nothing but a relationship established with the purpose of handing over a person to his enemies. To understand this, look at our Gospel which is taken from Matthew 14:1-12. Although the verb used in verse 3 is "had arrested" or "had laid hold", it is not the exact translation of the greek word "paradedomei" which means to hand over a person to his enemies by a pretense of friendship. To have a better picture of the word "paradedomei" look at the Gospel of Mark 14: 43-45 which tells us about how Jesus was arrested. It is said that Judas handed Him over to His enemies by a kiss. "Paradedomei" is also seen among brothers as the Gospels of Matthew 10:21 and Mark 13:12 state, "Brother will hand over brother to death." This is "false brotherhood" as one leads another to his destruction. So in having a theme, "Flourishing Authentic Brotherhood" during your intramural, it is but right that each one of you must wish for the best of another.

To dwell with the theme, "Flourishing Authentic Brotherhood", just let me tell you something about the First Intramural by Base Group at least in the College Level. In 1993 Intramural, our Base group Saint Michael was the toughest team among the seven teams in basketball. Our team captain was Stephen Bolivar of Nabas, the best among his classmates in terms of basketball skills. Our pointguard was Brechyl Rapio of Banga who was also one of the best in their class in terms of basketball skills. Our shooting guard was Ian Gubatina of Madalag who was also one of the best in his class in terms of basketball skills. Fr. Ike Temporaza of Tangalan was our power forward and I was there just to complete the list of the first five. I could still remember how we won every game during the elimination round to reach the championship game. We were sure that our Base group St. Michael would be the champion in basketball as we defeated all the six teams with scores you do not want to know. We were the Dream Team. We were proud and we aimed to get the title of the Overall Champion for the 1993 Intramural. 

But during the championship game against the Base group of Saint Gabriel; anybody might imagine it was an epic battle between San Miguel and San Gabriel. We were leading the scores quarter by quarter against the Base group of St. Gabriel. When the last quarter began, the tone of the game changed. All the other teams cheered for the Base group of St. Gabriel. Everyone wished for our defeat. With the joint forces of the six teams, we were demoralized. We panicked. Stephen Bolivar was even fouled out. It became a close fight. The game ended with our hearts broken. The Base group of St. Gabriel won. 

The players of St. Gabriel Base group at that time were too small for us but they won over us because almost all seminarians gave their moral support to them. The six base groups had something in common against us. They all lost against us. Their individual defeat made them sympathetic from one base group to another base group. Their experience of defeat created in them a unique brand of brotherhood. The brand of their brotherhood was not confined to their base group but was extended to those who tasted defeat against us. The authenticity of their brotherhood flourished when all the six teams joined together during the basketball championship. We were not just playing against the St. Gabriel base group but with all the other base groups as their allied forces. We were dealing with a band of brothers.

On that day, we realized we were defeated not because we lacked skills. Rather, we were defeated due to our failure to show some good attitude with the other base groups. Perhaps, we failed to treat them as brothers during the game. In every game, we were like roaring lions looking for someone to devour. We somehow forgot that Intramural, which literally means "within the walls" is an exclusive activity involving ONLY brothers of the same seminary. We somehow neglected to show a kind of brotherhood which the late Fr. Victor Hugo I. Martelino instilled in our hearts and minds known as the "Igmaeanghoran Spirit". It is a brotherhood that goes beyond the four walls of this seminary.

With all these realizations, our team, the St. Michael Base group finally became the champion in basketball not only in 1994 but also in 1995 Intramurals. We played every game with respect for other base groups. We remained humble whenever we won. We faced defeat with a hope for a fighting chance for the next game. Above all, we treated every seminarian, skilled or unskilled, as a real brother. We experienced the "Igmaeanghoran Spirit" among us.

My dear friends in Christ, intramural is one venue that allows everyone to experience authentic brotherhood within one's base group extending to other base groups. We can say there is authentic brotherhood among you when you play every game with an attitude of a real brother. Just like in basketball, those who are skilled encourage their base group members who are unskilled to dribble and shoot the ball. In playing with the other base group, play with them just like a big brother playing gently with his little brother. No matter how good one dribbles the ball or shoots the ball, if he does not know how to play calmly like a caring big brother, the risk of losing the ball while he dribbles or the risk of missing the shots is highly probable. To develop one's skills during intramural is good but remember it is the brotherly attitude that defines how good he is with his skills. 

To end, I wish you seminarians bear this in your mind, that today is the day for you to show there is indeed a flourishing authentic brotherhood among you. You must have that desire to play every game for the good of the other. And if there is this brotherhood among you, then bring it on!

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our Gospel, it is said that Jesus prayed in a certain place. Afterwards, one of His disciples asked Him, "Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples". There is nothing wrong with what the disciple asked from Jesus i.e., to teach them to pray. But let me ask, why did the disciple say "as John taught his disciples" if he could only say, "as how You (Jesus) pray"? Well, the answer may be obvious as they could not pray the way Jesus prayed. So when the disciple asked Him to teach them how to pray as John taught his disciples, this is a direct statement from the disciple that they could not pray the way Jesus prayed but they could pray the way a follower of Jesus should pray.

In praying as a disciple of Jesus, one is privileged to address God as a Father. Apostasy is never an option whenever painful events happen in his life. In other words, he has to glorify the Holy Name of God whatever comes his way. He also treats everybody as his equal because in the Kingdom of God, only God is above all. As a disciple, he believes in the Divine Providence. Everything that he needs, God will provide him. If it is not good for his soul, he is deprived of it. When he falls into sin, he asks for forgiveness. If he has not yet sinned, he has to pray for protection against temptation. 

My dear friends in Christ, we are led to realize with our Gospel that Jesus taught His disciples not only how to pray but also how to be a man of prayer. We are also invited to do the same. So, everytime we pray the Lord's Prayer we condition ourselves that all in all we must submit our will to God. We pray not to impose our will to God but to attune our will with His will. We pray the Lord's Prayer as we know how to live as disciples of Jesus. Moreover, we pray the Lord's Prayer, so our hearts and minds are formed to be authentic diciples of Jesus. Amen.

Thanksgiving of Rev. Fr. Eubert Sarabia 7/18/2016

Our Gospel, Matthew 12: 38-42 narrates that some scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus to work for a sign. The sign here refers to a proof perceptible to the senses that would clearly reveal the authority of Jesus, which includes His words and deeds, is all from God. A sign is asked for the purpose of converting unbelievers like the scribes and Pharisees in our Gospel to a belief in Jesus as the Son of God. A sign is asked to know the will of God. A sign is asked to confirm that what is said and done is in accord with God's plan.

Jesus answered the only sign that will be given them is that of the prophet Jonah. What is this sign of Jonah? Who is Jonah? 

Jonah was a prophet sent by God to Nineveh to preach repentance but he rose up to flee by ship unto Tarshish instead of going to the said city of Nineveh. God then sent out a great wind upon the sea so that the ship was like to be broken. In order to save the rest of the people in the ship, Jonah  was thrown overboard from it and swallowed by a large fish, remaining in its belly for three days before being cast up onto the shore unharmed. This is the sign of Jonah: that God rescued Jonah from death by means of the "great fish" to go to Nineveh and preach repentance there. The sign of Jonah revealed the will of God. The sign of Jonah confirmed that everything should be in accord with God's plan. The purpose of the sign of Jonah is to convert unbelievers to a belief in God. 

Rev. Fr. Eubert Sarabia keep in your mind and heart the day of your ordination as the sign of Jonah. After your four years in High School, you decided to leave the seminary despite the advice of your Prefect of Discipline that you are called to the priesthood. You rose up to flee unto Las Pinas to study at Perpetual Help wanting to be a nurse instead of becoming a priest. More than three days and three nights, you experienced restlessness. I remember in 2005, we met in my former parish at the Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in BF Homes Paranaque and I was happy that you were looking for a priest to guide you back on your sacred vocation. Finally, after two years outside the seminary, you went back to Aklan, you went back to the seminary, you went back to become a priest. 

As the sign of Jonah revealed the will of God, so your ordination reveals the will of God for you -that you belong indeed to the Community of Priests. As the sign of Jonah confirmed that everything should be in accord with God's plan, so your ordination confirms that you have done everything in accord with God's plan. As the purpose of the sign of Jonah is to convert unbelievers to a belief in God, so your ordination can bring unbelievers to a belief in God. 

Rev. Fr. Eubert Sarabia remember that you were given the sign of Jonah. Do not look for any sign anymore. Do not say you will remain a priest as long as you are assigned in a financially-established parish. Do not say you will remain a priest as long as you can collect some best toys for the big boys like my pajero and montero sports or my Delica and Grandia. Do not say you will remain a priest as long as you are loved by many and enjoy a good reputation. Do not say you will remain a priest if you can visit the Pope in Rome. Rev. Fr. Eubert Sarabia, just remember the day of your ordination. You have realized what it means to say that it is God's will and not yours is done. You have personally witnessed how God has worked in some mysterious ways to make you a priest today. Let your ordination be the most memorable experience in your ministry. Let your ordination be the sign of Jonah for you. Let your ordination be enough as a sign from God to embrace your priesthood.

Nevertheless, though you keep your ordination as a sign from God, never forget your personal encounter with Jesus everyday as a priest. Signs are just signs. Signs are nothing without Jesus. In our Gospel, Jesus Himself declared that there is something greater than Jonah. It means there is greater than the signs you are asking fom God: He is Jesus Himself. Your ordination is not just your personal story but above all it is the story of Jesus in your personal life.

Sometimes you might think your ordination is a sign that God needs you to do something. Well, Rev. Fr. Eubert Sarabia think otherwise. Your ordination is a sign that Jesus does something special for you. Sometimes you might think your ordination is a sign that you have done your best before God. Well, Rev. Fr. Eubert Sarabia think otherwise. Your ordination is a sign that Jesus loves you even in your worst. In short, your ordination as well as our ordination is a sign for the whole Christian community of how Jesus loves us. Jesus has called us; He has chosen us despite our weakness, our sinfulness, our defective personality and frailty. Who can love us the way we are except for Jesus? 

Rev. Fr. Eubert Sarabia, without Jesus, our ordination is nothing, our priesthood is nothing. Signs are just signs. Signs are nothing without Jesus. This is why in our Gospel when Jesus mentioned about the sign of Jonah, He immediately mentioned something about Himself: "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of  the earth." Signs are just signs. Signs are nothing without Jesus. 

Moreover, Rev. Fr. Eubert Sarabia, during your ordination, remember that you prostrated before the altar of the Lord. Such act of prostrating oneself before the altar of the Lord happens only twice in your life as a priest. The first one, as I have said it, was at your ordination and the second one shall be on Good Friday. On both occasions, the act of prostrating yourself before the altar of the Lord is an admission of your guilt, that you are sinful and weak. On your ordination, you prostrated and thanked Jesus for choosing you to the priesthood. On Good Friday, you shall prostrate and thank Jesus for sustaining you to the priesthood. On your ordination, the act of prostrating before the altar of the Lord is a sign that despite your human limitation, Jesus loves you. On Good Friday, the act of prostrating before the altar of the Lord makes you a sign that despite your human limitation, you must love God's people as Jesus has loved you.

Therefore, Rev. Fr. Eubert Sarabia, your ordination is a sign from Jesus. It is a sign of the love of Jesus. No doubt about it. Jesus has already given you a sign. Jesus loves you. Do not look for any sign anymore. Rather, as a newly-ordained priest, be a SIGN of the love of Jesus in His Church. Live as a priest. Die as a priest. May Jesus bless you and keep you. May Jesus make His face shine on you. Amen.