Ika-4 nga Domingo sa Ordinaryo nga Panahon (B)

Dt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28

“Natingala ang mga tawo sa iyang paagi pagpanudlo kay may gibug-aton ang iyang mga pulong. Lahi kaayo sa mga magtutudlo sa balaod.”

Unsa man ang nakalahi sa paagi sa pagpanudlo ni Kristo? Unsa man ang naghatag og gibug-aton sa iyang mga pulong?

Labaw sa tanan, ang autoridad ni Kristo anaa sa iyang pagka-Dios. Ang mga magtutudlo sa balaod magpakita sa ilang autoridad pinaagi sa paggamit sa gipanulti ug komentaryo sa mga makinaadmanong tawo. Kasagaran, mosugud sila sa pag-ingon, “Sumala sa gisulti ni . . .” Apan lahi ang autoridad ni Kristo tungod kay kini nagagikan sa iyang pagka-Siya. Siya ang bugtong Anak sa Dios Amahan. Siya ang gipadala aron pagpadayag sa Diosnong gugma para sa mga tawo. Siya mismo ang Buhing Pulong nga maggiya kanato padulong sa kinabuhing dayon. Mao nga sa iyang pagpanudlo, si Kristo dili magpanuko sa pag-ingon, “Sultihan ta kamo, ang mutoo kanako makabaton sa kinabuhing walay katapusan”.

Dugang pa niini, adunay gibug-aton ang mga gitudlo ni Kristo tungod kay kini kanunay man nga paga-ubanan sa buhat. Pananglitan, ang ebanghelyo karon nagsaysay nga human sa iyang pagpanudlo, si Kristo nag-ayo sa tawo nga giyawaan. Ang mga pulong ug buhat ni Kristo dili magkabulag. Wala lamang niya isangyaw ang Gingharian sa Dios; Iya usab nga gitabangan ang mga tawo nga makasinati sa paghari sa Ginoo pinaagi sa pagpasaylo sa ilang mga sala, pag-ayo sa ilang mga sakit, ug sa pagtabang sa ilang kalisud ug kakabos. Samtang ang mga magtutudlo sa balaod gisaway tungod kay maayo lang sila magtudlo sa mga buluhaton, apan dili sila makamao mutabang sa pagpagaan sa problema sa mga kabos.

Unsa man ang hagit ning ebanghelyo kanato karon?

Pinaagi sa bunyag, gipaambit ni Kristo kanato ang iyang pagkapropeta. Bisan dili takus, gihatagan kita og autoridad sa pagdala ug pagtudlo sa mga Pulong sa Dios ngadto sa usag-usa. Dili lang ang mga pari ug relihiyoso, kondili kitang tanan kinahanglan nga magtudlo sa kabubut-on sa Dios ngadto sa atong mga anak, kauban sa trabaho, kaklase, ug kasilinganan.

Ug sama kang Kristo, mahuptan nato ang kredibilidad sa pagtudlo kon atong ubanan ang atong mga pulong sa maayong mga buhat. Gamiton nato ang atong autoridad o gahum sa matinud-anon ug mapaubsanong paagi. Magpinasayloay kita ug magtinabangay sa kalisud aron nga ang atong mga anak o isigktawo motoo sa mga butang nga atong gipanudlo.

Usa ka tinahud nga buddhist monk ang gipangutana unsa man para kaniya ang labing nindot nga aspeto sa Kristiyanismo. Ug siya mitubag sa pag-ingon: “Makita kini diha sa gihimo nga paghugas ni Kristo sa mga tiil sa iyang mga tinun-an. Sukad masukad wala pa akoy nadunggan nga Ginoo nga moluhod atubangan sa iyang binuhat aron paghugas sa iyang mga tiil. Makatandog ug dili malabwan kitang maong klase sa gugma.”

(Ang maong estorya gisaysay ni John Fuellenbach, SVD)

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Dt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28

The central point of today’s gospel is Jesus’ authority: “The people were astonished at the way He taught, for He spoke as one having authority and not like the teachers of the Law” (Mk 1:22). In terms of teaching, what is it that differentiates Jesus from the teachers of the Law?

The fundamental difference lies in the fact that while Jesus teaches as a prophet, the Scribes teach merely as scholars. The substance of Jesus’ teaching is a product of His profound, intimate relationship with His Father in heaven. His constant communication with the Father enables Him to deliver God’s true message to the people. He is what the first reading identifies as one who speaks on God’s behalf. On the other hand, the content of the teaching of the Scribes is a result of their intricate, elaborate study of the Mosaic Law. A scholarly endeavor to understand the Word of God is good in itself. And yet, if it is done apart from a prayerful relationship with the Word himself, it can become a futile exercise that produces no authoritative force.

The obvious effect of the manner in which the Scribes understand God’s Word is their inability to go beyond the letter of the Law. When does the Sabbath begin and end? What constitutes work and what does not? The Scribes concentrate on learning the letters of the Law and their most detailed applications, often forgetting to ask whether or not the Law serves the real good of the person. On the other hand, Jesus’ communion with God the Father enables Him to understand the will of the Lawgiver Himself. God gives humankind the Sabbath Law so that they will find time to rest, to enjoy nature and to glorify God. But the Law does not stop anyone from doing what is good during the Sabbath, like saving life of another or of oneself. As Jesus puts it, “The Sabbath is made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mk 2:27).

The authority of Jesus is established further by the actions that support His teachings. The gospel narrates that immediately after He teaches people in the synagogue on a Sabbath, He heals a man possessed by an evil spirit. Words and deeds go together in the ministerial life of Jesus. He gladly announces the coming of the Kingdom; at the same time, He also makes the Kingdom real in the life of people by delivering them from the bondage of evil and sin. He preaches forgiveness, humility, poverty in spirit, compassion, etc., and He personally puts them into practice.

The readings challenge us to do two things. First, as prophets ourselves, we need to develop a personal, intimate relationship with God, without which, we cannot understand fully the will of God in our lives. Second, as teachers ourselves, we have to put flesh on the Word of God by practicing what we preach, without which, we cannot be credible witnesses of Jesus to others.

A famous Buddhist monk was once asked what he regarded as the most striking and most distinguishing aspect of the Christian religion. His answer was, “It is the attitude that Jesus revealed in washing his disciples’ feet. Nowhere can it be found that a God kneels in front of his creature and washes its feet. Such love is unsurpassable and breathtaking.”

(The story is told by John Fuellenback, SVD)

Ika-3 nga Domingo sa Ordinaryo nga Panahon (B)

Jon 3:1-5, 10; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20

Ang titser naghisgot mahitungod sa isda nga lumod (whale). Iyang gipasabut sa mga estudyante nga bisan dako kini nga isda, dili kini makatulon og tawo tungod kay gamay lang ang iyang tilaok.

Usa ka bata ang miingon, “Mam, si Jonas gilamoy sa lumod.”

Miinsister ang titser nga dili kini posible kay lage gamay ang tilaok sa lumod.

Apan, miinsister usab ang bata: “Mam, dili gyud masayop ang bibliya. Natulon si Jonas sa lumod.” Ug midugang ang bata sa pag-ingon, “Sagdi lang mam kay inig adto nako sa langit, pangutan-on nako si Jonas.”

“Unya kon tua si Jonas sa impyerno, unsaon man nato?” Nangutana ang titser.

Ug mitubag ang bata, “Nah, ikaw nay mangutana niya mam!”

Ang unang pagbasa nagstorya mahitungod kang Jonas nga gitahasan sa Ginoo nga muadto sa usa ka lugar nga ginganlan og Ninive aron sa pagsangyaw batok sa mga tawo tungod sa ilang mangil-ad nga binuhatan. Matud pa sa mga batid sa Bibliya, kining Ninive usa ka dakong ciudad diin ang mga tawo wala nay kahadlok sa Dios. Para sa kadaghanang mga Hudeyo niadtong panahona, ang Ninive wala nay paglaum nga maluwas. Adunay rason ang nahiunang pagdumili ni Jonas nga magsangyaw sa maong lugar. Nasayud siya nga bugal-bugalan lang unya siya o patyon sa mga tawo sa Ninive. Para kang Jonas, mas maayo pa nga tumanon sa Dios ang iyang nahiunang plano nga laglagon ang katawhan sa Ninive.

Ang labing kahibulungang bahin sa storya sa kinabuhi ni Jonas dili ang iyang pagpuyo ilalum sa tiyan sa dakong isda sulod sa tulo ka adlaw, kondili ang wala damhang pagsanong sa mga tawo sa Ninive human nila madungog ang pagsangyaw ni Jonas. Naminaw sila, nagpu-asa ug nagsakripisyo aron ipakita ang ilang paghinulsol, ug nagsugod pagpuyo sa kabubut-on sa Dios. Siguro, nahingangha si Jonas sa iyang kaugalingon sa dihang nakita niya kini ug nasabtan niya nga walay imposible sa Ginoo. Ang Dios, dili siya, ang mag-usab sa kasingkasing sa tawo.

Ang ebanghelyo nagsaysay nga si Hesus nagsugod sa iyang ministeryo pinaagi sa pag-awhag sa mga tawo sa pagbiya sa ilang daang kinabuhi: “Ania na ang Gingharian sa Dios. Bag-oha ang inyong kinabuhi ug too sa Maayong balita.” Ang gusto sa Ginoo nga matang sa pagbasol mao kanang pagaubanan sa pagtoo sa Maayong Balita. Unsa man ang Maayong Balita? Kini mao nga ang Dios nahigugma sa tanang tawo ug nga gusto Niya nga maluwas ang tawo pinaagi sa pagsunod sa panig-ingnan sa Iyang bugtong Anak nga si Hesus.

Kitang tanan nanginahanglan og kabag-ohan. Sama sa katawhan sa Ninive, kitang tanan makasasala ug adunay kahuyang. Gihigugma kita sa Dios ug gusto Niya kita nga pasayloon. Mao man gani nga nagpadala siya sa Iyang Anak, ang bag-ong Jonas, aron nga magdani kanato sa pagbiya sa daan tang kinabuhi ug sa pagpuyo sa mga paagi sa Dios.

Ang pangutana karon: Andam ka ba nga magbag-o o maghinulsol? Basin moiingon kita “Unya na lang” o kaha “Sayo pa man; inig katigulang na lang nako”. Mahilig ra ba kita sa “Last two minutes”. Anha na kita magkabuang sa pagpangita og pari kon magtinga na ta. Dili kini maayo nga batasan. Kung gusto kita nga mosanong sa kabubut-on sa Dios, karon na ug di na ta maglangan! Si Hesus mismo ang miingon, “Karon na ang panahon. Bag-oha ang inyong kinabuhi.” Nasayud ang Dios nga kon mag ugma-ugma kita, dako ang puruhan nga dili gyud kita makahinulsol sa tinuoray nga paagi.

Karong adlawa, gisaulog nato ang dakong kapistahan sa Pagbag-o sa Kinabuhi ni San Pablo. Nasayud kita unsa kangitngit ang kinabuhi niining tawhana sa wala pa siya mahimong sumusunod ni Kristo. Usa siya ka dakong tiglutos sa mga Kristyanos. Apan ang Ginoo milihok kaniya. Didto sa dalan paingon sa Damasco, gipadaygan si Pablo sa presensya ni Kristo pinaagi sa dakong kahayag ug sa mga pulong, “Saulo! Saulo! Nganong gilutos mo ako?”. Nabuta si Pablo human niadtong hitaboa, apan didto nagsugod ang kabag-ohan sa iyang kinabuhi. Pinaagi kang Ananias, usa ka tawo nga sulondon sa Dios, si Pablo nakakita pag-usab ug nakadawat sa dakong misyon sa pagsangyaw sa Maayong Balita ngadto sa mga pagano.

Kon nagtoo kita nga grabe na kangil-ad ang atong kinabuhi ug nga wala na kitay paglaum pang maluwas, hinumduman nato ang katawhan sa Ninive ug ang pagkatawo ni Pablo. Walay imposible sa Ginoo. Ang gugma sa Dios mas dako pa kaysa sa atong mga sala. Busa dili na kita maglangan. Karon na ang panahon. Bag-ohon na nato ang atong kinabuhi.

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Jon 3:1-5, 10; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.  The teacher explained that it is physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human being because even though it is a very large mammal its throat is very small.

The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.

Quite annoyed, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human being; it is physically impossible.

The little girl said, “When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah.”

The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?”

The little girl replied, “Then you ask him.”

(The Story is from an unnown author)

The first reading is the story about Jonah who was asked by God to go to a place called Nineveh to preach against the people because of their wickedness. According to scholars, Nineveh was a huge pagan metropolitan city, the seat of immorality and godlessness. For many Jews, Nineveh was a hopeless city, doomed to perdition. Jonah had a reason when he objected to God’s call for him to go there. Who was he to change this godless people? The pagans would simply make him a laughingstock or would immediately break him to pieces. He thought it would be better for God to carry His plan to destroy the whole city of Nineveh.

The amazing part in the story of Jonah was not his incredible adventure inside the belly of the fish; rather, it was the unexpected reaction of the people of Nineveh when they finally heard the Word of God from Jonah’s mouth. The people believed in Jonah’s prophecy and immediately they changed their ways, they fasted and offered sacrifices to God. One can just imagine Jonah asking in complete amazement, “How did I do that?”

The gospel narrates how Jesus started his ministry by asking people to repent and turn back to God: “The kingdom of God is at hand. Change your ways and believe the Good News” (Mk 1:15). Then He invited followers to help in catching people for the kingdom. The first four disciples were ordinary fishermen, who like Jonah, had no credentials to show with regards to teaching or preaching. For sure, there were good orators, lawyers, teachers and leaders during Jesus’ time, but He did not choose them.

There are three important points that we need to learn from the readings. First, God wants us all to be saved. He constantly sends people to remind and to help us understand His will in our lives. Second, God wants us to get involved in His plan of salvation. He invites us to actively participate in His kingdom. He wants us to lead one another to Him, to help one another change evil ways. Finally, God wants to assure us that our ordinariness is not a hindrance to our vocation of serving His kingdom. What He asks of us is our willingness and our complete surrender to His will. God will fill up what is lacking in us.

The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember – Noah was a drunk; Abraham was too old; Isaac was a daydreamer; Jacob was a liar; Leah was ugly; Joseph was abused; Moses had a stuttering problem; Gideon was afraid; Samson had long hair and was a womanizer; Rahab was a prostitute; Jeremiah and Timothy were too young; David had an affair and was a murderer; Elijah was suicidal;  Isaiah preached naked; Jonah ran from God; Naomi was a widow; Job went bankrupt; John the Baptist ate bugs; Peter denied Christ; The Disciples fell asleep while praying; Martha worried about everything; The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once; Zaccheus was too small; Paul was a religious fanatic; Timothy had an ulcer; and, Lazarus was dead!

No more excuses now. God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.

(The article is from an unknown author)

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul (B)

Acts 22:3-16; Ps 117:1-2; Mk 16:15-18

Today, the Church commemorates how Saul of Tarsus, formerly an enemy and persecutor of Christians, was led by the grace of God to become the Early Church’s greatest missionary.

The Book of Acts tells us that Saul was a Roman citizen from birth. He became a student of the famous rabbi Gamaliel and was educated in the most rigid observance of the Mosaic Law (22:3). Saul embraced the sect of the Pharisees and developed a religious fanaticism against the Early Christian community (9:1). He took part of the stoning of the first Christian martyr, Saint Stephen (7:58), and the succeeding persecution of the followers of Christ (22:4)

Saul received an authorization from the high priest to go to Damascus to arrest the Christians in that city. It was on the road to Damascus that Saul encountered the Lord in a most dramatic way. A light from heaven suddenly blazed round him and, as he fell to the ground, he heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?” When he asked “Who are you, Lord?” the voice replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 9:-6) This is an important passage because for the first time in the Bible, Jesus clearly identified himself with his Church. The Lord did not say, “Why do you persecute my disciples?” but “Why do you persecute me; it is he, the Head, who is persecuted in his followers.

The “Damascus experience” was a turning point in the life of Saul. The encounter had affected him so deeply that a radical inner transformation happened. The light that had blinded him for a while also helped him see the light of Christ. When Saul got back his sight, he converted to the Christian Faith and got the name Paul. The man whose name once brought terror to the early Christians became a chosen instrument of Christ to spread Christianity to other places beyond Israel and the Jewish people (Acts 9:15-16). He became the Apostle to the Gentiles, bringing Christ to the people of Asia Minor, Greece, and ultimately Rome itself.

Ironically, the man who caused the martyrdom of so many people was eventually martyred himself in Rome around 65 AD. Paul was beheaded by a Roman sword as punishment for the same offense as the people he once persecuted.

The conversion of Paul is uniquely celebrated as a feast by the Church to remind us of the great celebration in heaven for every converted soul on earth (Lk 15:7). Moreover, it also reminds us of the great missionary efforts of Saint Paul, which became the pioneer and inspiration of future Christian missionary endeavors.

The life of Saint Paul should inspire us to spread the Good News to all people who do not share our Christian faith by our word and by our whole life. Like Paul, we need to transmit the Word of God in a manner suited to every culture and time without losing its original message, that is, Jesus, the eternal love of God! 

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42

After the Master attained Enlightenment, he took to living simply – because he found simple living to his taste. He laughed at his disciples when they took to simple living in imitation of him.

“Of what use is it to copy my behavior,” he would say, “without my motivation? Or to adopt my motivation without the vision that produced it?”

They understood him better when he said, “Does a goat become a rabbi because he grows beard?”

(The story is told by Anthony de Mello, SJ)

To the two disciples of John the Baptist who followed him, Jesus asks, “What are you looking for?” The first thing that Jesus wants to know about those who wish to follow Him is their motivation and disposition. People might follow the Lord thinking that His company would give them honor, glory and power, and that it would be comfortable and secure. Yet, Jesus does not hide anything and He does not make false promises. He invites followers to “come and see”, meaning, to walk with Him and to see and learn for themselves what kind of life they are following.

In another part of the gospel, Jesus clearly says, “Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man does not even have whereon to lay His head” (Mt 8:20), which could mean a life of complete detachment and of no comfort. Yet, the disciples who followed Him must have seen something in Jesus’ lifestyle that impressed them and that led them to say that this man is the Savior. When he saw his brother Peter, Andrew told him that they found the Messiah and he brought him to Jesus.

Today’s gospel invites us to clarify our own intentions and dispositions in following the Lord. What is it that we are looking for? Often we are disappointed because we expect to be problem-free or trouble-free after following the Lord. We painfully realize that in becoming disciples, we have to deny ourselves often and carry our cross daily.

The gospel challenges us to discover for ourselves what is it that somehow convinced the first disciples of the Lordship of Jesus. To do this, we need to stay with the Lord and to walk in His ways. To understand the joy of self-giving, we need to do it. To understand the value of simplicity, we need to live it. To know the meaning of unconditional loving, we need to share it.

Living the ways of God requires us to constantly listen to Him. God’s word is a light to our path. Like Samuel in the first reading, we may not easily recognize the voice of God. Often, we need people like Eli who will help us understand the will of God in our lives. May we find pastors, teachers, ministers and friends who could enlighten our minds and our hearts!

God hath not promised, skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways, all our lives through;

God hath not promised, sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing kindness, and undying love.

(The poem is by Annie J. Flint)

Feast of the Sto. Nino (Holy Child)

Filipino families would make little children the center of their attention. Children in Filipino homes are over protected and lavished with love from their siblings, parents and grandparents. This could be the most significant reason why the devotion of Filipinos to the child Jesus is quite strong. The Santo Niño is a little child whom we easily can love and shower with affection.

There are at least three reasons why we, Filipinos, should keep and develop our love to the Santo Niño. First of all, the Santo Niño reminds us of the beginning of the Christian faith on earth. The Santo Niño provides a visible representation of the great mystery of the Incarnation. When the fullness of time came, the Second Person of the Triune God decided to be born as a little child and to become one like us in everything except sin. At the center of our faith is the fact that God became little in order to make us great. Saint Irenaeus once wrote, “On account of His great love, He became what we are, that He might make us what He is.”

Second, the Santo Niño reminds us of the establishment of the Christian Faith in the Philippines. In 1521, the Spanish conquistadores landed in the Philippine soil. The missionary friars who were with them worked hard to introduce Christianity to the natives. In the beginning there was strong resistance, but after some time the friars were able to bring many to the Christian faith, including the king (Humabon) and queen (Juana) of Cebu. As a baptismal present, Magellan handed to the queen an image of the Santo Niño. Today, the same statue, which marked the Christianization of the country, is venerated in a beautiful basilica in Cebu.

Finally, the Santo Niño serves as a perpetual reminder of the key to our salvation. Jesus said, “Unless you become like a little child, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God” (Mt 18:3). Obviously, the Lord doesn’t want us to remain a child forever. He wants us to mature physically, emotionally and spiritually. He likes us to grow in our faith and love of God and neighbor. And yet, in all these, the Lord wishes us to remain childlike. He wants us to remain humble, simple and trustful in God who is our Loving Father in heaven.

One big stumbling block on our way to heaven is pride. A proud person would forget easily that God is the source of all blessings. He would think that he achieves everything only with his efforts, and thus, would not be grateful to anybody, not even to God.

A proud person would hardly say “sorry.” He would see only the faults of others, not his own. Even when he recognizes his mistakes, he would not say “sorry” because repentance for him is a sign of weakness.

Worst of all, a proud person would be quick to judge and slow to forgive. A person who does not realize his own need of forgiveness would tend to be very hard on others.

As we celebrate the feast of the Santo Niño, let us be reminded that true greatness lies not in lording it over others, but in being grateful, humble, compassionate and merciful with others.

Wednesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 1:29-39

This week marks the beginning of the Ordinary Time of the Church's liturgical calendar. The Ordinary Time urges us to live the Christian life in our daily routine at home, in school, at work, or in the marketplace. In the gospels, the Lord Jesus proclaims God's love not only inside the synagogue during the Sabbath but also, if not most of the time, in his daily life by teaching common people, visiting and healing the sick, feeding the hungry and comforting the poor and the afflicted. We, who commit ourselves to Jesus, must also fulfill our saving mission not only through the sacraments but also through the good works that we do for others every day of our lives. 

Today's gospel gives us some fundamental tips on how to live the Christian life.

First, the Christian life is a busy life of service. The gospel tells us how busy Jesus was in his ministry. From sunrise to sunset, Jesus was working because people in need kept following him. He cured many who were sick with various diseases and he drove out many demons. 

For a true Christian, therefore, there is no dull moment because there are so many people out there who need help and love. Are you bored to death? Are you lonely? Why don't you go out and lend a helping hand? Be a Christian. Be busy.

Second, the Christian life is energized by prayer. The gospel tells us that after a whole day of work Jesus rested and woke up very early at dawn in order to find a deserted place where he prayed. This was a regular practice of Jesus as the other parts of the gospel would suggest. In between work, Jesus prayed in order to find guidance and strength from his Father in heaven.

For a genuine disciple, therefore, prayer is a must because life in the world is not always easy. We need God to lead us the way and to sustain us. Be a Christian. Work and pray.

And finally, the Christian life is for the glory of God. The gospel tells us that Jesus started to become popular because of the marvelous things he did to people. "Everyone is looking for you", his disciples told him. And Jesus said, "Let's go to the next town that I may preach there also." Clearly, the Lord did not allow his need of affirmation to distract what God the Father wills him to do.

For a true follower, therefore, personal fame and glory are subordinate to the will of God. Doing the work of Jesus often is not popular, as many saints would testify. What God wants, the world would  sometimes hate. Be a Christian. Be a sign of contradiction.

Wednesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time (B)

Mark 1:29-39

This week marks the beginning of the Ordinary Time of the Church's liturgical calendar. The Ordinary Time urges us to live the Christian life in our daily routine at home, in school, at work, or in the marketplace. In the gospels, the Lord Jesus proclaims God's love not only inside the synagogue during the Sabbath but also, if not most of the time, in his daily life by teaching common people, visiting and healing the sick, feeding the hungry and comforting the poor and the afflicted. We, who commit ourselves to Jesus, must also fulfill our saving mission not only through the sacraments but also through the good works that we do for others every day of our lives. 

Today's gospel gives us some fundamental tips on how to live the Christian life.

First, the Christian life is a busy life of service. The gospel tells us how busy Jesus was in his ministry. From sunrise to sunset, Jesus was working because people in need kept following him. He cured many who were sick with various diseases and he drove out many demons. 

For a true Christian, therefore, there is no dull moment because there are so many people out there who need help and love. Are you bored to death? Are you lonely? Why don't you go out and lend a helping hand? Be a Christian. Be busy.

Second, the Christian life is energized by prayer. The gospel tells us that after a whole day of work Jesus rested and woke up very early at dawn in order to find a deserted place where he prayed. This was a regular practice of Jesus as the other parts of the gospel would suggest. In between work, Jesus prayed in order to find guidance and strength from his Father in heaven.

For a genuine disciple, therefore, prayer is a must because life in the world is not always easy. We need God to lead us the way and to sustain us. Be a Christian. Work and pray.

And finally, the Christian life is for the glory of God. The gospel tells us that Jesus started to become popular because of the marvelous things he did to people. "Everyone is looking for you", his disciples told him. And Jesus said, "Let's go to the next town that I may preach there also." Clearly, the Lord did not allow his need of affirmation to distract what God the Father wills him to do.

For a true follower, therefore, personal fame and glory are subordinate to the will of God. Doing the work of Jesus often is not popular, as many saints would testify. What God wants, the world would  sometimes hate. Be a Christian. Be a sign of contradiction.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (B)

Is 55:1-11; 1 Jn 5:1-9; Mk 1:7-11

Jesus’ baptism marked a turning point in his life as the Son of God made man. For many years, he lived a quiet, ordinary, private life, known only to his parents, relatives and friends. Then, the time came for him to begin his special mission in life, a task that was planned from eternity. 

After his baptism by John, Jesus began his public ministry. He was becoming a public figure. He started to preach, “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand!” And as he preached, Jesus also healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, forgave sinners, fed the hungry, embraced little children, protected the rights of widows, and consoled the poor with his words and deeds. In Jesus, the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled: “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. I have put my spirit upon him, and he will bring justice to the nations.” 

As the Church celebrates the feast of our Lord’s baptism, we also are reminded of our own baptism, the turning point of our lives whereby we become disciples of Jesus and members of his Church. Before our baptism, we were creatures of God; after our baptism, we became adopted children of God, heirs of His kingdom. This is our fundamental identity, something that cannot be taken away from us. We may lose our material possessions, friends, job, or physical attractiveness, but we will never lose our mark as sons and daughters of the Most High. Not unless, we choose to lose it ourselves by consciously and freely turning away from God.

In baptism, we become sharers not only of the identity of Jesus but also his mission on earth. We are to live as Jesus lived.  We are to live the Father’s will everyday of our lives, which could mean a lot of things. Basically, however, it means that we are to love God above all else, with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. It also means we are to love one another as we love ourselves. 

One thing that is lost by many people today is a sense of mission. What are we here for? What is the meaning of our being sons and daughters of God? What does God want us to do on earth? Not many of us have seriously considered these questions. The prevailing culture does not urge us to find joy and meaningfulness in the fulfillment of our real mission on earth. 

I like what Cardinal Newman writes about his life and mission:

God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me, which He has not committed to another. . . . I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do the good, I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place while not intending it—if I do but keep His commandments.

Therefore I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirit sink, hide my future from me – still He knows what He is about.

The self-awareness of Cardinal Newman is something that all Christians must try to emulate. People who know who they really are and what they are about to inherit will fear no one. They will not waste their time and energy with other things that do not matter in the kingdom of God. They will not worry when sometimes things go wrong because they know that God, the Father in heaven, is in full control. 

Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord (B)

Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

The New Testament mentions four people named Herod, but the one talked about in today’s gospel is Herod the Great, whose greatness we can hardly see (unless our idea of greatness includes the power to murder innocent children).

Herod was an extremely paranoid person who saw rivals to his throne everywhere. His fears of losing his power led him to murder all whom he suspected of plotting to dethrone him, including members of his family and the holy innocents. 

Herod was so self-absorbed and his selfishness was the root of his paranoia. He thought that by remaining king and by having people worship him, he would have all the happiness in the world. However, his self-centeredness brought him fear and misery.

In contrast to Herod, the three magi from the East were self-effacing. Tradition would call them kings and their names are Gaspar, Melchor and Balthazar. Actually, the gospel does not say that they were “kings” and that they were “three”. Tradition proposes that they were three because of the three gifts, namely, gold, frankincense and myrrh. Bible scholars suggest that the magi were not really kings but astrologers who studied the heavens in order to understand and predict what was going to happen on earth.

The magi were wise men, but their wisdom was clothed with humility and obedience. In fact, they showed willingness to be guided by a shining star, which was considered a manifestation of heavenly power. Unlike Herod, the magi were not self-centered. They recognized a higher Authority and they went out of their way in order to find him. Herod wanted to locate the Child in order to kill him; the magi wished to find the baby in order to worship and offer him gifts. Because they chose to give themselves in service to the real King, the magi found the happiness which they all longed for. The gospel says it clearly: “They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary His mother” (Mt 2:10-11).

The feast of the Epiphany reminds us that Jesus is the manifestation of God in the lives and hearts of all peoples. He is the Savior not only of the Jews but of all humankind. It is only in Jesus that we can have the fullness of life. Today, we are challenged to emulate the example of the magi who remained humble and open, who left their homes and families, who gave their time and energy in order to find him who is the “Light of all lights”. The magi found Jesus not in a palace but in a manger. This serves to remind us that God is easily found in places where simple people are welcome, where there is no discrimination against anybody, and where the spirit of love and mutual concern prevails.

There is a legend about a little boy called Emmanuel who was always asking questions. One day he asked the question, “What language does God speak?” No one could answer him. He traveled all over his own country with the same question, but still did not receive an answer.

Eventually, he set off in search of the answer on other continents. For a long time, he had no success. At last he came one night to a village called Bethlehem, and, as there was no room in the local inns, he went outside the village in search of a shelter for the night. He came to a cave, and he saw that it was occupied by a couple and a child.

He was about to turn away when the young mother spoke, “Welcome, Emmanuel, we’ve been expecting you.” The boy was amazed that the woman knew his name. He was even more amazed when she went on to say, “For a long time you have been searching the world over to find out what language God speaks. Well, now your journey is over. Tonight, you can see with your own eyes what language God speaks. He speaks the language of love, which is expressed in sharing, understanding, mercy and total acceptance.” 

(The story is told by Jack McArdle)

New Year's Day/ Feast of Mary, Mother of God (B)

Nm 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21

A young man at a New Year’s party turns to his friend and asks for a cigarette. 

"I thought you made a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking," his friend says. 

"I'm in the process of quitting", the man says. "Right now, I am in the middle of phase one." 

"What's phase one?" 

"I've quit buying."

(The story is from an unknown author)

The first month of the year is named after the Roman god Janus, the deity with two faces, one looking to the past and the other looking to the future. The first day or days of January is a time to look back at the year that has just ended and to look forward to the New Year ahead of us. In relation to this, many of us, got used to making New Year's resolutions -- promises that we often make every New Year with the intention of breaking bad habits and becoming better persons.

It was the great Socrates who says, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” A person’s life is only meaningful when it is regularly examined with the purpose of growing towards maturity in all of life’s dimensions. We have to review our lives from year to year in order to set our goals and resolutions for the years ahead. Actually, we are encouraged to examine and plan our life on a daily basis. However, every New Year is a special opportunity to scrutinize more deeply our life – to humbly recognize mistakes and failures and to find ways and means to make reparations, to grow and become better persons.

The examination/planning must be done prayerfully and holistically. It has to include our physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual dimensions. We need to check the amount of effort and time we invested for a particular task. How did we manage our time considering the demands of work, family, friends and community and the demands of our spiritual life? Some of us might have invested much time and effort to advance in business or carrier to the neglect of one’s time for the family. Others may have given much time and energy to fulfill one’s obligation to the community but have taken the self for granted. We need to remind ourselves that the important thing in life is not excellence but balance. A mature or a holy person is one who has enough time for self, others, nature and for God.

The first day of the year is the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. This is a fitting reminder that we have to live our life as disciples of Jesus under the guidance and protection of Mary, our Mother. 

During her lifetime on earth, Mary had experienced life’s joys and sorrows. There were times when she was deeply troubled and there were events that she could hardly accept and understand. Nevertheless, from the mystery of the annunciation to the suffering, death and resurrection of her Son, Mary had developed a habit of treasuring and pondering things in her heart.  She pondered the word of God in order to discern what God was saying to her at every event and circumstance of her life.

All of us are called to follow the example of the Blessed Mother. God continues to speak to us through the Word of the Bible, the teaching of the Catholic Church, as well as through our daily experiences in life. Like Mary, we need to give time to reflect on our personal experiences and to see in them God’s will in our lives. What does God want me to see in the painful experience of losing a loved one? What does God want me to learn from my broken marriage? What does God want me to do now that I am losing my business or carrier? If we are able to reflect prayerfully, we surely will find answers that could give us interior joy and peace.

The prayer of Thomas Merton is meaningful for this time of the year:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where I will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. 

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are with me, and will never leave me to face my perils alone.