God's Good Hands

Reflection on Lk. 11:27-28

Jesus always has a surprise coming for those who follow Him. In the Gospel today, they thought they had already grasped fully the person of Jesus by praising the womb that carried Him. But Jesus would always raise it to the highest level. Not that He disregarded the praise given to His mother who gave birth and nursed Him, but He wanted His disciple to realize that blessedness is not determined by blood or biological relationships. The mere connection or relation with God is not enough.

"Rather, Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and live it." This is not the first time we heard Jesus say who is blessed. In the Beatitudes He enumerated who are blessed. The common idea of being blessed is to have many things in this earth. For example riches, power, authority, relationships and other things that are important and treasured in this world. Unfortunate is one who does not or are wanting of those things. But here, the Lord Jesus corrects that idea. To be blessed for Him is to be a hearer and follower of the Word of God. This is further understood in the Beatitudes where those who are in prison, poor, meek, crying, rejected and other known "anawims" of society maybe blessed! The blessedness is not in one's status but in how it is lived. You maybe poor but if you are poor because of your faithfulness to God (not wanting to acquire riches by stealing, deceiving, or killing), you are blessed. In other words, if you are experiencing a challenging and hard situation as a result of your following God's Word, you are blessed. As Jesus said in the Gospel today, the blessedness is in the living of the Word that is heard. In the same way, even if you are rich, happy, free, and popular, you can blessed if you have attained those status as a result or while you are living your faith.

Therefore, we can not be comfortable of the sacraments we have received just because we have received them. Together with the reception of those sacraments are the graces that will help us be sanctified. Together with the gift of the sacrament are the tasks to live them. Thus, a baptized Christian must make his life always in accordance with the life exemplified by Jesus. A recipient of the forgiveness of God in the sacrament of reconciliation must try hard not to sin anymore and prove to God he is worthy of the forgiveness. A participant in the Eucharist must be aware of the presence of Christ in his life when he received the Lord in communion. The sacrament of marriage makes the couple as another witness to the love of Jesus to the Church and vice versa. Depending on the graces of the sacraments, the Christian is expected to live them and not just be contented with having received them and expect it to "magically" transform him.

Let us not just be Christians by name. Let us live up to our names. "Christian" means a follower of Christ. Following Christ can only happen if we have heard His Word, understood it, and live it. The parables of the sower and the house built on rock also teach this message. Because it is God's Word, then it must be Good, True, and Right. No matter how difficult it can be at times, our best move is still to follow it. And in doing so, we will be in the best of hands because it is the hand of God!

Discernment versus Deception

Reflection on Lk.11:15-26

Jesus met almost every kind of resistance during His ministry. In any generation, what He had done would have been met with so much appreciation and awe. But it is understandable that the Jewish community where Jesus walked and lived was being threatened of their belief and leadership. Add to this the difficulty of a God becoming human! Therefore, it is but normal that they would cast every doubt they could muster against Him.

The incident in the Gospel today is one of the worst attacks against Him. He drove out a mute demon from a person. Instead of being praised for what He had done, they accused Him of having done it by the very power of Beelzebul, the prince o demons! They are really desperate in discrediting Jesus. Jesus could not believe it. But He knew well this desperation against Him that even the most evil reason would be thrown at Him. In response, He turned the table against them by asking them "by whom do your own people drive them out?" If they believe that only Beelzebul is capable of doing what Jesus did, then it follows, that their own people are also able to do it because of Beelzebul? 

It was a clear case of rejection of Jesus no matter what. Whatever Jesus did, they will always have a reason even if the reason is twisted or forced. Jesus was just unwanted and unwelcome, plain and simple. He was a threat to their leadership and He was already becoming very popular, too popular for their comfort.

Jesus took advantage of the situation to proclaim the Good News to them. He challenged them that they may think what they want of Him but He would hold them responsible if it was not true that He was driving our demons by the power of Beelzebul but by the "finger of God"! Jesus used this figure of speech to send the message that He was acting by the power of God. A "finger" may represent part or whole of a human being. But in this case, it represents the whole of God's power! The people were given by Jesus a choice; to hang on to their accusation which they know is a lie or to finally accept Him because He comes by God's power and authority.

Maybe, so many times, we are confused by the things happening around us. True, it is not anymore easy who are telling lies. It is not easy anymore who is doing what. It is not that clear anymore what is real and what are deceptions. Externalities can never be the sole criteria for judgements. There was a time when anyone who wears a Filipino barong is regarded as a respectable man. Now, even criminals wear it while doing their crimes. Bare-headed males used to be seen as bad people because of their similarity with convicts for electrocution. But now, it is ,in fact, a fad among the rich and famous. Bare-headed now is cool! Advertisements use a lot of deceptions. If you are not careful, you maybe had by their come ons! There is a need to discern. We must take time and reflect about things that are put before us. St. Paul has a good advice on this. He tells us that we must look at the fruits. If the fruits are good, then it must have come from the good Spirit. Even in evaluating who to believe, we must not only consider their looks and reputation but more importantly, their lives (family, work, friends, etc) and achievements.

Let us avoid the mistakes of the people in Jesus' time. Because of their strong biased against Jesus and their inability to discern who Jesus really was, they forfeited the opportunity to welcome Jesus and be the chosen people that they were. The salvation that would have been theirs, slipped pass their hands.

God is Being God, Not A Snob!

Reflection on Lk. 11:5-13

This is a further teaching of the Lord Jesus on prayer. He began with a parable of a persistent friend who finally prevailed upon a friend to give him what he needs. Then the Lord told His disciples that God will give them what they ask, find what they seek, and opens for those who knock. The clincher was the last part when He said that the Father, who is good, could never deprive us of His Holy Spirit if we ask for its presence. No father would give his child anything that will harm his child. Compared to us who are still able to give good gifts in spite of our wickedness, God, who is all good, will definitely respond to our prayers.

We usually hear the explanation that God always respond in His time and in His way. He answers our prayers with a "no" if it will not be good for us. He answers us with a "yes" if it is for our good and in accordance with His Will. He also answers "wait" if what we ask for is not yet due to us. God knows not only the best but the most appropriate for us. In prayer, trust in Him should be one of our main attitude. Therefore, we must never think that God does not care if and when we do not receive yet what we prayed for. We have to admit that there had been times when we have doubted God's presence and wisdom. As a result, we abandon our faith. We stop praying. We stop going to mass. We stop doing what is good. We just go on our way as if it will be God's loss and not ours. Yes, later, we realize that to go away was not the right response. Rather, the more our prayers are not happening the way we want them, the more we cling to God. The more we must seek Him. The more we must knock to Him. For without God, we are nothing! Our only way out of darkness is to seek the LIGHT! Our only course to reach our true destiny is to find THE WAY. Our only resort to be free from all lies is to embrace the TRUTH! And our only way to find the essence of our existence is to belong to LIFE Himself. Not that we would insist what we want but to immediately make ourselves available and open to the very first response He will give to our prayers. Only when we exercise that humility can we fully benefit from His goodness. In my prayer life, I have realized that, in fact, the responses of God which were initially unacceptable to me were the right responses. I was just too happy that God did not give what I had asked!

God is God. He will never give anything that is against His very being. Jesus gave a very good point about us and about God. As human beings we have weaknesses and wickedness. But in spite of these weaknesses and wickedness we still find the goodness in our hearts operative to people we love. The goodness in us that God had given is not forever defeated nor erased from our person. While we have been wicked at times, we are still basically good because it was God, who is Goodness, who created us. Therefore, it is not hard to see that God, who is Goodness Himself, would always give to us what is Good.

That is why, for a Christian, there is no prayer that is left unanswered. But God answers them in His way. And His way is the best way. There is never a moment when God is not present. There is not a time when God had taken us for granted. God is not a snob as many would think. In fact, He is the most caring and attentive. We are the ones who do not care. We are the ones who are not attentive. We are the ones who are snobs. We do not want to accept what He gives. Fortunately, God remains to be God. When He knows it will not be for our own good even if we want it, He will not give it.

Today, we also celebrate the feast Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. We recognize the message of our blessed Mother to pray the Holy Rosary. The Holy Rosary is a very good prayer because it is a reflection on the life of and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying the rosary makes us more aware of what God had done for us when we were still sinners. This love, when fully understood and appreciated, will tell us that God had never abandoned us but had done everything and the best in helping us be freed from the slavery of sin. Therefore, praying the Holy Rosary helps us understand God more and makes us trust and depend on Him more.

The next time you pray, express to God fully your feelings and pleadings. Communicate to Him your full dependence on His graces. Trust that He will respond in the best way at the best time. Commit that His answers (whether "no", "yes", or "wait") to your prayers would only make you closer and faithful to Him. In the end, prayer is not really about answers by God, but our responses to the answers of God to our prayers.

The Perfect Prayer

Homily for the Wednesday of the 27th week in Ordinary Time

October 6, 2010

Lk. 11:1-4

Communication is a necessity in life. Life is unimaginable without communication. Our mere existence is already a communication. It is much more important and necessary in faith. That is why, the anchor (Bernard F. Canaberal) in the daily program "Pamilya Muna" (DZRV Radio Veritas, 846 AM, 10:30 am-12 nn) would always ask their listeners at the beginning of the program, "Nagdasal ka na ba?(Have you prayed already?)" In the Gospel today, the disciples beg the Lord to teach them how to pray. They recognized that they need to always confer with God and seek His guidance if they are to fulfill their mission. The need to know how to pray is also everyone's need. How must we pray? The Lord Jesus responded by teaching them how to pray. And so, we have what is popularly called now as the "Lord's Prayer" or the 'Our Father". 

The Lord's Prayer is a perfect prayer. Not only because it came from the Lord who perfectly knows His Father, but because it contains the necessary elements of our prayer. The four essential elements of prayer are; Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. We come before God to give Him praise, to ask forgiveness and seek reconciliation, to express our gratitude and to beg for needed graces. The common reason for our prayers is the last one. We usually pray to ask from God. When was the last time we thank God? When was the last time we asked forgiveness from God? When was the last time we praised Him for the good things He had given us? Therefore we must be aware that communication with God should not only be because we need something but also because we want to maintain our communion with Him. Our God is not an idea. He is a Person whom we can relate to. We must always be conscious of having a personal relationship with Him. Communion and communication do not only constitute supplication but all other relational activities as well.

But mouthing these words is not enough. The pray-er must mean what he says and say what he means. It must be done with the right intention, feeling and attitude. Sincerity  must accompany prayer. They must not be regarded as "magic words" that would instantly obtain the intention asked as soon as they are uttered. The words were a result of the intention and experience of the pray-er. Thus, the prayer given by the Lord, though it could be prayed as it is, is really a guide to the perfect prayer. It gives us an idea of how we should communicate with God and what must be said in prayer.

At the beginning of the Lord's Prayer, He reminded us to follow God's Will. This, I believe is the essence of any perfect prayer. Coming before God's presence, we must set ourselves to follow His Will and not ours or another's. When we approach God, we must be aware that God is God and we are His creatures. Fr. Orbos said that there are only two truths in life; There is God and we are not Him! Very true and useful specially in prayer. This is because we many of us think that when we ask for something, we want that it will be given. Once given, we claim "answered prayer". When not given, "unanswered prayer". Where is God's Will? Better, when we pray, we ask God what we think is best for us. Then, leave it to Him on how, when, and where it will be given. That is what we mean when we say "Your Will be done."

When we pray this way, we will realize how powerful is this communication with God, our Father. The Lord Jesus had given us a way to the heart of His Father. The Lord Jesus had led us to the truths about the Father's Will. And the Lord had shown us how life must be lived according to His Father.

Amen!

Contemplative in Action, the Best Part!

Homily for the Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

October 4, 2010

Feast Of St. Francis of Assisi

Which is better, prayer or active service? To spend time with God or to go to the neighbor and do acts of charity? To kneel before God or to feel for the neighbor in need? These are the questions which the Gospel today clarifies before us. Jesus went to the house of the sisters Martha and Mary. Martha, the "busy body" immediately went about preparing the Lord's needs. Mary, the "listener" sat beside the Lord and attentively received His words. Martha complained that Mary was not helping her. Jesus responded by telling her that Mary's calm in spending time beside Him is better than her anxiety in serving the Lord.

Many of us can easily identify with Martha. Society had named achievements as the main standard of success. We are worthy persons if we are work-oriented. We are measured by your outputs and products. That can only be possible if we work, work, and work. Some people even work during Sundays and holidays so as to earn more and find more meaning in their lives. The well-liked and popular ones are those who had done many things and are always capable of doing something. Doing is seen as better than being.

It is for this reason that the statement of our Lord in response to Martha is shocking if not discouraging. Mary chose the better part! What did it make of Martha? Is not doing (serving) that is providing all the results and fruits? Did Jesus mean that we all stop working and go to the chapel, kneel before the altar, and spend most of our time there? No, that was not what Jesus meant. St. Paul was angry at the early Christians who abandoned their work and their families and just spent their time in the temple after the Lord Jesus went up to heaven. They were anticipating the coming again of the Lord as He promised before He ascended into heaven. But that was a misunderstanding of the Lord's command. While they were waiting for the second coming, they should go about their daily chores applying the Words of the Lord in their lives. St. Paul finally gave them an ultimatum, "Those who will not work, will not eat!". In the Gospel, the Lord Jesus wanted to stress the priority and foundation that spending time and listening to God give. Service must be based on a very deep communication with God. In the same way that a soldier would not go to battle without reporting to his commandant or an employee should not work without instructions from his boss, a Christian should never go on doing services without meeting with the Lord. No matter how certain we are of the good, it is always best to seek God's will in prayer before we do them. Equip with the Word and guidance of God, service has more meaning and direction. 

Jesus, in the Gospel, may have praised Mary in listening to Him rather than help Martha, but He did not mean that what Martha did was not necessary. If we are to avoid service without prayer, we must also avoid prayer without service. These are two extremes that have no place in the Christian faith. Service is good. Prayer is better. But contemplative action is the best! It consists in spending time first with God to know His Will and be guided by Him. After that communication with God, we now have the inspiration and source for a meaningful and worthy action. Work draws its meaning from prayer and prayer finds completion in work. Thus, it is not work or prayer, but prayer and work. God should always be a part of any work. Work should be the consequence of any prayer. That is why there are some social workers, those who are very much involved in helping the needy, who come to a point when they look for reason and inspiration for what they are doing. There is always the tendency to see the work as routine. A worker who is in constant communication with God will not get bored, see as routine, and lose meaning in what they are doing. For one who is contemplative in action, every day at work is a new day and another opportunity to help. It is always interesting and exciting. That is because the very reason for the work is anchored in His relationship with God.