3rd Sunday of Advent December 14, 2014

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

2nd Sunday of Advent December 7, 2014

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

1st Sunday of Advent 2014 (November 30)

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

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time_A

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

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

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

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time_A

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

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time -A

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