Because I love you

Nobody is perfect. Though the Lord tells us to be perfect just like the Father, because we are creatures, we have some limitations. In that case, perfection is becoming who we are as created by God. Everyone has his/her blind spot. We can not know everything. For this reason, we need the guidance of others. When necessary, we need to be corrected.

Telling somebody his faults or mistakes is one of the most difficult thing to do. Yet, it is one of the most important thing that we must do, especially as Christians. In the Gospels, Jesus painstakingly enumerated and detailed how fraternal correction maybe done. This sends the message that correction is part of every Christians responsibility. When we were baptized, we were incorporated to the family of God and had acquired the threefold functions of Jesus; prophet, pastor, and priest. Fraternal correction is based on the prophetic ministry given to us by virtue of baptism. We have the responsibility to proclaim the Word of God to everyone we meet. 

The book of the prophet Ezekiel reminds us that fraternal correction is not an option. There are consequences for doing and not doing it. When a wicked person is reminded of his guilt and he does not change, the wicked will die for his guilt but the neighbor who reminded him will be saved. But if the neighbor fails to correct the wicked and did not change, the wicked will die for his sins and the neighbor who did not correct him will be responsible for his death. We are our brother's keeper. 

We can see here that the purpose of the Lord is for the benefit of all; the wicked and the neighbor. What good will it be if we lie to make someone smile? Better to tell the truth and make somebody cry.

A helpful guideline would be to evaluate the correction to be made. First, it must be true. There must be certainty that what will  be said is true. Truth is worth telling even if it will hurt. Second, is it necessary? It maybe true but not really necessary or relevant. In other words, it may not be told and nothing substantial will be affected. If it is relevant, is being done out of love? St. Paul said that with love, one can never go wrong. Loving is always a fulfillment of the commandment. But loving here is not the romantic or the secular carnal kind. This is Christian loving, i.e. wishing the spiritual goodness of the other. Spiritual goodness means salvation. Therefore, fraternal correction must be done out of love for the sake of salvation.

The Power Of Intercession

Catholics believe in intercessions of angels, Mother Mary, and the Saints. The intercession is more of guidance than direct help. We believe that it is God who gives all graces. The intercessors, as experts on relationship with God, are the best models for obtaining these graces. Their experience of God could lead us to live our lives into full fruition.

During the construction of our new church, I had experienced so many intercessions from our patron saint, Alphonsus Mary De Liguori. There was this incident of acquiring a certain material needed for the church. As established practice, because of the big bulk we need, we invited suppliers to quote. The Construction Committee evaluated the quotes. A decision was arrived at and an appointment to meet the supplier was made for further negotiations. After the talk, I would usually bring the matter in prayer. I will ask God through the intercession of St. Al to help me discern. Quality and availability, more than money, were considered more. In this particular order, I did not get a clear message from God. The supplier pressed us to confirm the quote because the prices may change. Worrying about losing the proposal, I decided to sign the conforme. Just then, I received a call from a friend. It so happen that he was also into the construction business. I took the opportunity to asked advice from him  about the deal I was about to sign. He intimated his reservations to the deal. He asked if I can give him some time to know more about it and give me a feedback as soon as possible. He did and he found out some doubts as to the quality and availability of the materials. I did not sign the deal and to make the long story short, we were saved from the "bogus" deal. And to top it all, we were able to find a better deal!

Maybe to some, situations like the above should not be brought to discernment anymore. But my formation (Ignatian Spirituality) from the Jesuits tells me that God is present in all things. All decisions must be made in accordance with God's Will. All decisions must be tested by God's Will no matter how trivial they maybe to some. We believe that we are connected with each other, those in heaven and those undergoing purification. In our Creed, we profess our belief in the Communion of Saints; in purgation, on earth, and in heaven. The guidance of those who had lived their lives in faith are very important. This we need to make use if not to discover.

This is a treasure of our faith. Intercession works!

Jesus Is The One Who Makes It Happen

St. Paul, on one occasion noticed that the Christians in Corinth had become boastful and full of pride for their achievements. They recognized their leaders as fully responsible for all of these. It resulted to factions and divisions. Paul reminded them that their leaders were mere instruments of the true leader who is Jesus. Nobody can really make things happen without the assistance of God. No matter how intelligent, powerful, and famous we are, we are still dependent on God.

This is also our belief in our departed, the Saints, angels, and Mary. They are intercessors. They are not the source of grace nor they obtain the graces for us. Our intercessors give us an example of how they themselves had obtained the graces that made them who they are. They are our models. We see their lives as examples of how we, ourselves, can benefit well from God's love. God is the Creator. God is the sustainer of life. God is the Savior!

Love Prevails!

Love is the essence of marriage. As I had said in one of my previous blogs, Catholic marriages are testimonies for the love between Jesus and His Church. Love can transcend everything; differences in attitudes, family background, status, and even religion. Yes, even religion! The very vow the couple makes, "To love and to cherish, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, for better for worse, till death do them part.", means that whatever happens after their marriage celebration, they will be together. Their love for each other will see them through.

Husbands and wives go through a lot of challenges and problems during their married life. They range from financial issues to extra-marital relations. But their love for each other is what would see them through those tests. Forgiveness can only be possible because of love.

That is why the decision to love can not be confused with "feeling in love". Feelings change. They are not permanent. They are reactions to experiences. The decision to love is absolute. No matter what happens, that love stands. Actually, there is nothing in marriage that can not be touched and healed by love. Because of love, the husband and the wife can go through anything successfully. That is how powerful the decision to love is. It is this kind of love that the couple expresses to each other during their marriage rite and it is that decision that they will carry out during their life of marriage.

That is why preparation before marriage is very important. It has to be clear that they are deciding to love each other. As the song says, "Kahit maputi na ang buhok ko.." (even if my hair had turned gray...). It means that love does not change with change. It persists and even grows as they live longer together. Just like wine, love is sweeter and better as they grow older.

God so love the world....

Love prevailed. Love prevails. Love will prevail.

Marriage is forever. God made it so. Jesus loved the Church unto death and even beyond death.

Who Is Behind This....?

It is the first day of September and in most shows on television and radio, we can here greetings for and references to Christmas. The Christmas Season, which is yet to happen and be celebrated four moths from now, is now being anticipated. It seems to even disregard and render the Advent Season irrelevant.

I know that many will react to this and may even accuse me of over-reacting or making a mountain out of a hill. But I simply can not just take all of these sitting down and watch the spirit of the season be eaten alive or lose by default. Things are happening as if the truth of Christmas is not known. Or, the accepted celebration is already obsolete? 

Christmas is a Jesus-event. It is the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the information of many. If we look at the birth of the Lord, it has a distinct message. In fact, when He was born, it was a silent night, a holy night. He was born in a manger. There were no fun fares. Quietly He was born not in a palace or glamorous place but in a manger, a home for animals. That was the first Christmas and it was God's way of fulfilling His promise that He will be with us. That is why Jesus was named "Emmanuel", meaning "God with us!". God became one like us to extend His peace. Peace here means reconciliation. At that time when Jesus was born, the world was in dire need of conversion. God's plan was to give His only Son to die for us after bringing the Good News of salvation. It is in this context that the Advent Season, a time of repentance and reflective anticipation of the birth and the second coming of the Lord Jesus, is first celebrated so as to fully and truly receive the grace of the birth of Jesus which is called "Christmas". Unless there is another Christmas, then I believe we stick to how it must be celebrated or change its name so as not to mistake it with those who want to celebrate Christmas in their own different way. In that way, confusion will be avoided!

Commercialism maybe behind all these. The earlier they can introduce the Christmas spirit, the longer will be the spending season. Hedonism may also be operating. People just try every opportunity to shun from sacrifices and sufferings. Every chance of enjoying is being grabbed and experienced. Ignorance is also a factor. The lack of knowledge of the true meaning of Christmas easily sways and influences many. There maybe other reasons but all the same, they affect and contribute to the dilution, and worst, secularization of a core-Jesus-event in the life of the Christian faithful.

The challenge to the Catholic Church grows harder and harder each year this practice is being done. She must find a way to cope with it. Is a compromise solution acceptable? Is it possible to allow it and just remind people about the essence of Christmas? The Church does not reject changes to things that maybe changed as long as the core message is retained. This would need a thorough and deep discernment of the signs of the times. In the meantime, let us strive not just to be easily swayed by all the forces around us, but seek sincerely what is being offered by the season. In the end, what is at stake is not just the happy and meaningful celebration of every Christmas but the grace it gives that we must be able to receive.