3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Circa 250 AD, it was during the persecutions by the Roman emperor Decius, seven young men were accused of following Christianity. They were given the chance to recant their faith, but chose to retire to a mountain cave to pray, where they fell asleep. Then the emperor ordered that the mouth of the cave be sealed.

Decius died in 251, and many years passed during which Christianity went from being persecuted to being the state religion of the Roman Empire. At some later time, the landowner decided to open up the sealed mouth of the cave. He opened it and found the sleepers inside. They awoke, imagining that they had slept only for one day, sent one of them to Ephesus to buy food, with instruction to be careful lest the pagans recognize and seize him. Upon arriving in the city, this person was astounded to find buildings with crosses attached; the townspeople for their part were astounded to find a man trying to spend old coins from the reign of Decius. The bishop was summoned to interview the sleepers; they told him their story, and died praising God.

My dear friends in Christ, this story of the seven sleepers gives us a mental picture of the words in our Gospel (Matthew 4: 12-17), “the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.” Because of their faith, the seven sleepers though they spent years in a sealed cave, had seen God’s light. Though they were in a cave overshadowed by death as the emperor ordered it to be sealed, light was arisen for them. What the Gospel conveys to us is God’s message of His light for those who find themselves in darkness. It means that God will never allow us to stay in darkness. God will never leave us alone in the dark though all our lives are covered by darkness. Sometimes, we complain or even blame God for the many problems we encounter day by day. We see Him as a punisher rather than as a loving God. We only see the bad side of our life and forget the many good things we have received from the goodness of God. This is being unchristian. Jesus taught us in today’s Gospel that we have to seek the light God has provided us. Instead of dwelling on our problems with hatred against God, we have to believe in faith that God will never let us down by giving us a solution to all our problems. Just like the seven sleepers, they never thought they slept for years in a dark cave when one day the seal was opened, we too cannot remember the pain of what we have been through when we see the light God has given us. We rather tell our stories of hardships and praise God for being there with us during those times. My dear friends, the years of darkness is nothing compared to a minute of seeing the light of God in our life. Now, we start searching for God’s light in our prayers and meditation as He has promised that it shall come. Amen.

Narito Jr. and Christy's Wedding 1-10-17

My dear friends in Christ, Narito and Christy, the court once said, “One of the ironic verities of life, it has been said, is that sorrow is sometimes a touchstone of love. (Libi v. Intermediate Appellate Court, G.R. No. 70890, 18 September 1992)

This seems to be true because it is very easy for two lovers to love each other when everything is okay. It is easy to say I love you when lovers are in their happy mood and mode. It is easy to think and feel as one when everything good happens for them.  But when problems come, things become different for lovers as they feel and think differently. When sorrow besets the two lovers, their love is like gold tested by fire.

Sorrow is worst experienced when lovers feel they would like to be united with each other but due to physical distance they could not be together. Thanks to the world’s technological development, it has at least provided bridges for lovers who are separated by physical distance. We cannot deny that during those times when there were no cellular phones or internet, long distance has been considered as a problem in a relationship. Now that communication overseas is possible, why should long distance be a problem? In fact, “Long Distance” has nothing to do with the relationship per se though it has its toll on lovers who are in the relationship. It is the lovers who build the relationship or even destroy it, not the physical distance between them. “Long Distance” may seem to strengthen the bond of their relationship or weaken it, but actually it all depends on the quality of love they have for each other. Just like what happened to you, Narito and Christy, in your eleven years as lovers, you have never been together physically for seven years. You have been separated by physical distance due to the nature of your work: Narito, you have been working in Qatar while Christy, you have been working in Hong Kong and then in Canada. But here you are today in the presence of many people and before us priests to declare that your love survives. You are the primary reason why your love survives regardless of the physical distance which separates the two of you. However, Narito and Christy, do not be overwhelmed that because your love has survived and that you are getting married you can now relax. No. The story of your love does not end here. Rather, this is now the most important time for you to ask for God’s grace. As husband and wife, you have to make your love survive through any form of separation not only that which made by physical distance. You can do this if you listen to the words of Jesus who said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” It means that you love each other with the kind of love Jesus has shown us. It also means that even in the most crucial point of your life, let your love survive. When you are in sorrow, find joy in each other’s love. It is only in loving each other like the way Jesus loves that you can overturn any sorrow in you. Jesus Himself said this, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).

To end, Narito and Christy, if God does not will that you are meant to be for each other, even if you are together in space and place, time will come that you will be separated from each other. But if God wills that you are meant to be for each other, and you believe that this is so, then nothing, not even the physical distance, can separate you. Therefore, if this marriage is in accordance to God’s will, Narito and Christy, love each other as God has loved you. Amen.

Noni and Mila's 40th Wedding Anniversary 1-7-17

My dear friends in Christ, Noni and Mila, 40 years of marital life and relationship with the same person, with your one and only spouse, what else shall I say to you? Shall I deliver a homily or shall I rather ask you to give us your secret on how you keep your marriage work? Nevertheless, married couples like you, Noni and Mila, are living testaments that there is marriage made in heaven. Everything in your marriage and married life happens according to God’s divine providence. Remember, your love story began with a simple story line. It is said that the two of you met during Noni’s homecoming. It was at such time that Nang Sel invited Mila, her best friend, to join the family in welcoming Noni. What happened next from that event brings us all here to celebrate this 40^th Wedding Anniversary. This love story thereof is not just a story of love between Noni and Mila but also a story of God who has brought them together for the first time and has kept them together until now. This is important for us to hear because there is a lot of talk about crisis in marriage nowadays. We seldom hear some good news about marriage like the two of you who celebrate your 40^th Wedding Anniversary, that during your marriage you are blessed with five wonderful children, two boys and three girls who are all successful in their own careers and in their married life, that as of this date you are blessed with seven grandchildren and that there are two more granddaughters on the way. We need to hear some good news about marriage and thanks to you Noni and Mila, to be the bearer of this good news. For all of us who believe that marriage is a vocation from God, it is logical for us to conclude that with the celebration of your wedding anniversary, your marriage has been made in heaven. Thus, it is meant to be forever.

Now, Noni and Mila, after you have lived your life successfully, both in your career and in your family life, you are encouraged to live together not only with your spouse but with Jesus in the Church. You are called to proclaim the good news about marriage. It is time for you then to make your love present in the ministry of the Church. Your encouragement to other married couples to keep their marriage sacred, your inspiration to other couples to spend their time in prayers as one family, your assurance to them that there is God who protects their marriage are things you can do as a result or outcome of your marital commitment. To stand as a living witness that there is good news in marriage is fundamental to its authenticity. If your marriage is a good news, there is no way in this world you can resist telling people there is a successful marriage. It is just like a beautiful wedding picture taken on April 10, 1977, no one could stop you Mila from posting it on your Facebook last November 15, 2015. Do you see the effect of having it posted? Many people congratulated you and many were made happy to look at your wedding picture. They were even inspired that they said many good things about the two of you. This shall also be true if both of you will bear the good news of marriage in the Church. You will make everybody happy and inspired to treat marriage as a sacred vocation from God.

To end, Noni and Mila, your 40 years in your marriage is not only a great sign of your success but of your faultless fidelity. This reminds us all then that our vocation here on earth, whether in marriage or in priesthood, is not only to be successful but above all to be faithful. Congratulations. God bless. See you on your 50^th Wedding Anniversary. Amen.

Laurence and Jarrie's Wedding 1-6-17

One of the best love quotes from the court I have encountered is this:

Marital union is a two-way process. An expressive interest in each other’s feelings at a time it is needed by the other can go a long way in deepening the marital relationship. Marriage is definitely not for children but for two consenting adults who view the relationship with love amor gignit amorem, respect, sacrifice and a continuing commitment to compromise, conscious of its value as a sublime social institution. (Chi Ming Tsoi vs. Court of Appeals and Gina Lao-Tsoi, GR No. 119190, 16 January 1997)

This quote seems to suggest that there are two features which are considered important to forge a beautiful marriage. One is somewhat personal and then the other, legal.

For the first one, the personal aspect pertains to the feeling that the two have for each other. Both should feel they need each other and at the same time they feel needed by the other. This feeling is known to us as love. Love makes one interested about the other. Without love, a man and a woman lack foundation to build a personal relationship with each other. Without love, there is no willingness to give one’s life for the other. Without love, there is no willingness to accept one’s life given for the sake of the other. Love is the most basic reason why we see a man and a woman marry.

For the legal aspect, age and maturity become a considerable circumstance. Marriage is for two consenting adults, man and woman, who establish a permanent union of conjugal and family life. The permanence of the union between a husband and his wife is protected by our law being a sublime social institution. But the law itself requires that both the husband and wife must know their rights and obligations so as to observe them. In other words, the law protects the marriage of a husband and wife who protect it.

Laurence “Niño” and Jarrie, I believe the two features required to forge a beautiful marriage are already upon your power. In terms of personal aspect, the love that is asked from you is already there. Remember, it was sometime in December of 2014, Laurence “Niño” was diagnosed with Dengue and was confined in a hospital. His platelet count went as low as 21 and only the doctor could tell if Laurence “Niño” would already need blood transfusion. The twist of this event happened when Jarrie decided to stay during the Christmas season to take care of Laurence “Niño” at the hospital rather than to go home here in Iloilo. Jarrie stayed beside Laurence “Niño” and even forced him to drink “tawa-tawa” that helped him fully recovered his health. Laurence “Niño” and Jarrie, this event in your life unfolds the love which is demanded from you.

In terms of the legal aspect, again it was in December but this time of 2015 that Laurence “Niño” decided to take Jarrie as his wife. Laurence “Niño” with a bended knee asked Jarrie to marry him as the countdown for the New Year started. What happened on that New Year’s Eve eventually brings us all here today. Laurence “Niño” and Jarrie, you sealed your love today and you want your love to be protected by law –law of the State and law of the Catholic Church. It seems that after this mass, you have all what is being required to forge a beautiful marriage. There is no reason for you then to doubt the future of your marriage.

Laurence “Niño” and Jarrie, aside from these two aspects, personal and legal, let me add another aspect which the Church considers important for every marriage i.e., the spiritual aspect of marriage. Learn from your experience that even how much you love each other, other feelings such as anger, jealousy, pride, etc. still do exist somewhere in your heart. Learn from your experience that even if you are legally and sacramentally married to each other, you still have your own share of up’s and down’s, you still have something to argue. Sometimes, if little sentiment is left unresolved, it becomes determinative for the worsening condition of a marital relationship. Then the hash tag, JARneytoLAU, is nothing but an isolated journey of an individual to reach out for another individual. This is not the marriage you want I believe, Laurence “Niño” and Jarrie. The marriage that you want is to find yourselves joining each other’s hands journeying together to a direction God has given you. Marriage, for you Laurence “Niño” and Jarrie is a lifetime partnership and this can only be real and true when God is with you. So please, both of you pray together. Prayers will always keep your marriage safe. As it happens that you marry here in this famous Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Iloilo, pray to Mama Mary to always help you. Have faith and pray every day!

To end, Jarrie, I have known Laurence “Niño” since 2005 when I was assigned as a guest priest in their parish. I assure you, he is a very responsible loving young man as well as a very straight guy. I have never seen him happier until he has found you. I say this because I remember the moment, it was sometime in 2015, when his family introduced you to me at their home while we were having dinner, I could see how Laurence “Niño” felt so complete because of you. Jarrie, Laurence “Niño” loves you with the only love he has reserved for a woman he dreams to marry, be always thankful for that.

Laurence “Niño”, though I have only met Jarrie once or twice at your parents’ home, I know she is your missing link. Like a typical Ilongga, she knows how to take care of the people you love. She knows when she has to speak her mind or to be silent. She will do everything she thinks right to support you. Ilonggas are “malambing’ but they are strong when it comes to issues affecting marriage and family. You are therefore blessed by God Laurence “Niño” for having Jarrie as your wife. Basta Ilongga, manami guid magpalangga.

So for both of you, Laurence “Niño” and Jarrie, your journey towards each other ends in this wedding but your journey together towards a meaningful lifetime partnership begins in this marriage. You are no longer two but one. You remain one as long as you can spell the word JARLAU in your marriage. Just Another Reminder Love Always Understands. Jarrie and Laurence, let us bless God and give Him thanks. Amen.