FEELING ALONE

HOLY TUESDAY

 

 FEELING ALONE

 

“Will you lay down your life for me?” – John 13:38

 

When I was in my fourth grade, the teacher asked us to write down and submit to her the names of our top two best friends in class. After doing that she made a nice chart of how everybody linked up. Guess what? None of them wrote my name. Although it was not an emotional experience, I did feel quite alone.

Having experienced Jesus in a personal way, I found myself devouring His Word, changing my ways and serving Him but intimidating people at home. Because of this, conflicts around me began. I felt quite alone.

After selflessly devoting my time to serving the Lord in a community, its leaders asked me to stop participating in ministries for unclear reasons. It hurt and I really felt alone.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus foretold betrayals and denials of people close to Him; people who ate, laughed and cried with Him, who witnessed and benefitted from His miracles! The Lord experienced deep loneliness. He felt alone.

At the cross, He felt a total loss of connection, enough for Him to say, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” He paid the price to endure and conquer so we can go through the pain of “being alone” with Him… and enjoy His company. Ariel Driz (adriz77@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Have I turned to Jesus in my loneliness?

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for allowing Yourself to be lonely at Calvary so that I may share the joy of being with You. Let me reach out to others who are going through the same.

Amen.

 

TROUBLE INSIDE THE CIRCLE

 

St. John’s Gospel has the longest coverage about the last supper and the last night of Jesus with the Twelve (cf. John 13–18). Our specific Gospel story for this day, in a way, reflects to us the climate within the circle of the Twelve. Up  to the last night of Jesus, they did not seem to understand everything that was happening, and perhaps even everything that was going to happen. They were busy guarding themselves against each other; they seemed very much into their raw element as selfish human beings. When Jesus began revealing to them about the upcoming betrayal that one of them would commit, they did not try to help resolve the issue. Instead, each one was simply interested in extricating himself from the issue. Each one was busily deflecting the possibility that the betrayal will involve him. Peter himself was trying to gain some positive points over the others, and tried to pledge his loyalty to Jesus who was quick to warn him about his own denial of Jesus “before the cock crows.” The disciples were not listening to Jesus, nor were they paying attention to one another. They were engrossed with their individual selves.

Honoring the Passion and Cross of Jesus during these holy days challenges us: the Christian disciple is one who can forget about his convenience, his issues, indeed forget about himself and, like Jesus, sacrifice oneself for others. Jesus on the Cross is not just the lesson of saving death that the Son of God underwent for us. Jesus on the Cross is the icon of genuine self-gift, service, self-effacement. Jesus on the Cross is the highest illustration of Jesus’ own teaching of “washing another’s feet.” Jesus on the Cross is the icon of genuine love and friendship. The Cross contains the wisdom of authentically being inside the circle of Jesus’ friends. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

Reflection Question:

Whenever tight situations in the family, in the office, in school, in the friendship circle arise, what is your first usual reaction? Do you tend to bring everyone in and together resolve issues? Do you tend to move away and disappear from the scene? Whichever is your option, what are your reasons for doing so? Talk to Jesus about this.

 

Lord Jesus, help me to be like you in my relationships. Give me wisdom to know the right thing to do.

 

Blessed Amadeus IX of Savoy, pray for us.

 

SERVANT DIPLOMAT PAR EXCELLENCE

HOLY MONDAY

 

SERVANT DIPLOMAT PAR EXCELLENCE

 

Here is my servant… my chosen one…he shall bring forth justice … not crying, not shouting … set as a covenant … a light for the nations. – Isaiah 42: 1-2, 6

 

Today is the start of the Holy Week. It reminds me of the First Celebration of the Eucharist. God’s Diplomat, even if He was the Son of the Most High, washed the feet of His apostles. I remember this most touching act of humility whenever I attend Holy Mass. It shows me a love that cleanses and dies on the Cross. I try to remember this greatest love story on earth daily. And I give thanks for it.

As Chief Ambassador for God, He did not equate Himself with the Almighty. He went about His mission in the gentlest and most unassuming way. Very diplomatically, He ate with tax collectors and did not throw a stone upon an adulterer. His peaceful and healing ways opened the eyes of the blind and brought out prisoners from their sinful dungeons.

He brought peace, became the bridge between heaven and earth and connected man back to God. The beginning of the holiest and yes, the happiest week of our liturgical year invites me to live for others — dying to my selfish wants to give life to my fellow pilgrims on earth as we journey to eternity. Grace Princesa (grprincesa@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Paradoxically, as Christ did, in order to give life, we must first die. Just like seeds in the earth’s darkness before seeing the light of day, Good Friday comes before Easter Sunday.

 

Lord, as Your ambassador, may I do the purposes that You want me to do during my earthly existence — just as You did in Your short life in loving , humble and sacrificial

service.

BEING PRO-POOR IS HIGH RISK

 

The Church — going back to the radical demands of the Gospel of Jesus — began to pronounce a reflected, systematic and elaborated theology on social teachings and involvement since the papacy of Leo XIII. This was a response to the growing tide of socialism and communism that started to captivate the hearts and minds of ideologues and idealists who were reacting to the evils of capitalism and commercialism that were also rapidly eating up societies.

The Church’s social doctrine states that there is a common ground for the Church and for socialism regarding their genuine concern for the plight and welfare of the poor, and those victimized by the inhuman workings of capitalism. However, the Church does not share the thought that the only way out of the issue is violent and revolutionary dialectics between the rich and the poor. The Church does not share socialism and communism’s ideal that to be “pro-poor,” one has to be “anti-rich.” The Church uses the expression “preferential option for the poor,” rather than the expression “pro-poor” which connotes the relative term “anti-rich.” The Church advocates that hope lies in making both rich and poor realize that they are children of God, and therefore both of them are meant by God to use and to progress with the earth’s resources with responsibility and mutual concern.

The Gospel of today underlines how being “pro-poor” alone is insufficient and unbalanced. The figure of Judas Iscariot in today’s narration exemplifies this risk. This risk has been exemplified as real in our milieu by the number of priests and religious whose immersion with the plight of the poor led them to bitterness with society, and to bitterness even with the Church. Needless to say, these men and women, like Judas Iscariot, ended up leaving behind the Church and the Gospel that opened their eyes to the poor. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

Reflection Question:

What is your gut-feel reaction to the issue of rich and poor in our country, and in your own Christian community? In what way do you need purification of heart and mind as regards this aspect of your Christian commitment? Are you able to keep a balanced view of issues, while you also become actively involved in works and apostolate for the needy and the disadvantaged?

 

Help me, O Lord, to see with Your eyes so that I may love like You.

 

St. Gladys, pray for us.

MISSING YOUR STEP

MISSING YOUR STEP

 

“All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine.” – Jeremiah 20:10b

 

 

The priest at the Sunday Mass was limping as he went to the altar and had to sit down to give his homily. He explained that he had missed a step on the way down the stairs of their rectory and sprained his leg. He added that he had been taking those steps for many years; but this time, because he was not focused, he made a mistake.

The devil in the same manner is always on the prowl like a roaring lion ready to attack us (1 Peter 5:8) when we lack spiritual focus. Our Christian foundation would be strong if we are anchored on these four spiritual disciplines — studying God’s Word in the Bible, regular prayer times, Christian service and joining a congregation in church. Being strong in these four areas of our spiritual life would make our defenses impregnable against the “devouring” lion. We will be less likely to miss our step on the narrow ladder to heaven.Rolly España  (rolly@homeliving.com.ph)

 

REFLECTION:

When God comes looking for you, where will He find you? Reading God’s Word or praying? At a church congregation or at places serving other people?

 

Lord God, You are my firm foundation. In You, I find strength and refuge.

RELIGION CAN BE DANGEROUS

 

Jolo is one place where you don’t need to set your alarm clock when you wish to wake up early. At exactly 5:30 a.m., the small town comes alive with the chanting of the Muslim prayer “God is Great.” Around six mosques simultaneously wake the town up with the prayer being broadcasted over the loudspeakers that are perched on their minarets. Then around 6:00 a.m., the bells of the Carmelite Monastery announces the start of the Eucharistic Celebration in their chapel. In Jolo, one never misses to think of his God upon waking up. The call to prayer envelops the town first thing in the morning.

After the morning prayers of Muslims and the morning Eucharist of Christians, the whole day is however dominated with the drone of army helicopters doing the usual reconnaissance flights around the town. When I was there for input talks to the less than three percent Catholic residents, I was told that the army helicopters were being augmented by American crafts that were there for the “Balikatan (Cooperation) Exercises.” Then I was reminded — I was in a crisis town.

Sad, but true. Muslims, Jews and Christians all believe and pray to One God: Allah, or Yahweh or the Father of Jesus. This God is the Creator, the Almighty, the Beginning and End, the One who controls all times and seasons. But these religions also figure out in all the known conflicts and struggles that make it to national and international headlines. Their religions have encased their respective beliefs in God in unbending, fossilized dogmas and doctrines. So, they quarrel and find it hard to talk and relate as brethren for their religions have chosen to highlight differences, rather than bonds and ties of convergence.

In today’s Gospel, the doctrine of God becomes an issue that divided the Jews and Jesus. Today’s conflicts are not too different: religion has become an issue that raises arms in conflict. Jesus must be lamenting; Mohammad must be shaking his head; Moses must be covering his face.Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

Reflection Question:

What are your own biases with other faiths and beliefs? How have these biases limited and negatively influenced your attitude with persons of a different faith? What is Jesus telling you today from the Gospel story?

 

Father in heaven, help us see what binds us together instead of what separates us. Enable us to work towards that end.

 

St. Basil the Younger, pray for us.

GOD KNOWS BEST

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

 

GOD KNOWS BEST

 

 “May it be done to me according to Your word.” – Luke 1:38

 

A young lady took up Nursing to fulfill her dream of going abroad. But try as she might, she flunked the board exams several times. Since she couldn’t apply for a nursing job, she applied in an airline company. Having the looks and the height, she qualified as a flight stewardess.

She has been a flight attendant for more than 10 years and is now based in Europe. Her dream of going abroad was fulfilled but not in the way she planned it.

I believe that Mary also has her own dreams: to be a loving wife and mother. God fulfilled her dream but with a twist. She became the mother of God. Mary said yes to God even if she didn’t know what lay ahead. She submitted to the will of God and because of her obedience, salvation came to us through her Son, Jesus.

We all have our own plans and dreams. But there are times that things don’t go our way and our life takes a different turn. We only need to trust God and allow Him to direct our paths. For He alone knows best. Judith Concepcion (svp_jmc@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the decision of the Lord that endures.”

 

Lord God, take charge of my life. I surrender everything into Your care — my plans… my dreams… my future.

 

St. Harold, pray for us.

LIFE IS A CYCLONE !

 

Preaching a homily for today is a challenge. We are very much into the season of Lent, when we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. But the liturgy for this day asks us to commemorate the angel’s announcement to Mary about her motherhood to Jesus. This makes us think of the joys of Christmas, when nine months from now we will celebrate Jesus’ incarnation.

This is life. It is not a defined, layered and laddered experience. Life is a cycle, or more accurately, life is a cyclone: never-ending, simultaneous, overlapping, spiraling, web-like occurrences engaging us altogether. There are no pure moments of joy, as there are no pure times of pain and sorrow. There are wakes and funerals in December; there are baptisms and marriages in March and April. One family mourns as the world watches fireworks during the New Year. Endings easily become beginnings; beginnings are automatic endings of some things. Yes, come to think of it, there are really no real moments of “rests.” The cycle and the cyclone goes on and on.

In the midst of the maddening experiences we have about life, for  us Christians, there is one important revelation: Jesus has gone through all our human experiences. In fact, Simeon called Him the “sign of contradiction.” His birth was at the same time welcomed by the poor of Yahweh, feared by Herod and his court, questioned by the experts of Jewish Law.

Jesus comes as Immanuel, that is, “God-with-us.” Today, this is what matters as we have the liturgy of the Annunciation to Mary. Today, we thank heaven for stepping into our earthly and human affairs. Today, heaven steps into human affairs not by changing everything in an instant, but by simply joining in. Isn’t this cool?Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

Reflection Question:

In what way is your life today a cyclone? What web-like flow of events and emotions are you going through now? Ask Jesus, Immanuel, to step into your life.

 

You are calm in the storm. You give joy amidst the sorrow. You are the only One who will always be there. Thank You for being Immanuel.

 

St. Harold, pray for us.

WHAT YOU CAN HANDLE

WHAT YOU CAN HANDLE

 

“… where I am going you cannot come.” – John 8:21

 

Our son Jac loves playing with Lego toys. This is the toy which allows you to build cars, houses and other things by attaching plastic pieces to one another. A simple object like a car may require less than 20 pieces but the complex ones — like a castle with multiple towers — can have more than 100 pieces.

One of the reasons why he enjoys Lego is because I make it a point to ask him to build the simple items first, like a car, while I handle the more complex ones. When I see that he is already familiar in building cars, then I give him something which is a bit more challenging.

I believe our Heavenly Father also applies the same concept when He deals with us. He only allows trials in our life when He is sure that it’s something we can handle. He also allows us to undergo such trial because He knows it will help us grow more as a person. Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

“God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

Lord, thank You for allowing me to undergo trials which You know I can handle. I offer back to You the trials I face today for I know that Your love alone is more than enough for me to overcome them.

 

 FAITHFULNESS BEGETS GREATER FAITHFULNESS

 

With the superabundance of God’s grace, I have been sustained in my priesthood for a little over two decades now. I have been blessed to celebrate the Eucharist for couples who have spent 25 years and even 50 years of married life. I have also joined in celebrating the Eucharist for fellow priests who are thankful for 25 years of ministry. In all these, I kept telling myself: “You are fast growing old, Domie!” The landmark celebrations of priesthood and marriage that I have observed also brought me a wonderful lesson. Fidelity to commitment is not easy, especially in our world where a promiscuous lifestyle seems easily tolerated and “understood.” Fidelity to commitment also, even without the cultural burden and conditioning of our time, has its built-in demands and difficulties. Being married and staying happily married means the daily routine of looking after the upkeep of each member of the family, going to work to find ways and means to support the family, sacrificing one’s convenience and comforts for others. Similarly, perseverance in ministry entails waking up for daily Mass schedules, preparing homilies and talks, making oneself available for the celebration of the sacraments at all sorts of hours. It may mean forgoing some moments of rest and recreation for some real emergencies. Yes, one does not have to seek out martyrdom and danger at some distant frontiers. It is a great feat to be consistent and constant, and to survive just where one is!

Above all these demands and challenges of fidelity is this big word of Jesus from our Gospel: “He (the Father) who sent me is with me and has not left me alone; because I always do what pleases him.” God is Faithful, Faithful among the Faithful, Faithful of all the Faithful. He is Faithful, even for Israel who has been repeatedly unfaithful. Let not our faltering steps discourage us then. Let us lift up all our efforts, all our best intentions to God who is able to guard everything with His Great Faithfulness!Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

Reflection Question:

Confess in prayer before God your difficulties regarding your life commitment. Mention to Him your great resolve to be faithful. Renew in prayer today your marriage vows or religious vows.

 

Lord, I want to be faithful to my commitments until the end. I especially want to be faithful to You until I see You face to face. Help me to live out my resolve.

 

St. Fidelis, pray for us.