Rain comes from the clouds not from the sky
Hindi umulan ngayong hapon. Salamat naman. Ang hirap kasi. Ayokong umuulan s ahapon. Isipin mo naman instead of watching the sunset lalong nagiging dim ang 4:30-5:30.
The only time of the day na wala kang puwedeng gawin. Hindi ka muna kakain kasi malapit na ang hapunan. Hindi ka matutulog kasi malapit na rin gumabi. Primetime ito ng TV at rush hour ng MRT. Awasan ng mga bata. Kaya most of the time... TAMBAY ang pinaka solusyon sa pagkabagot.
Kapag umulan paano? Kaya ayokong umuulan sa ganitong oras. Ok lang sa gabi para nasa bahay na ang marami. Ok lang sa tangahali para di masyado mainit. Huwag lang sa oras na dapat nanonood ng sunset ang mga lovers.
Parang pagsubok ng buhay ang ulan. Ayaw nating dumating when all are working just fine. Everything falling into places. Kaya nga gusto nating iwasan pero hindi sila under our control.
What you gonna do? Fly above the storms! That's the only way. You ever wonder kapag may turbulence na binabangga ang mga pilot, they always fly above the storm. Ang mga eagle ganun din. Wala kasing pressure sa taas. Dito lang sa baba. Kaya nga ang mga astronouts, they are floating in the exosphere kasi wala na ang gravity. Ano naman ang kinalaman ng physics sa totoong buhay.
Haven't you seen? May mga reflections dapat lahat ng nagaaral ng Physics sa practcial life. Dahil ang physics ay isang practical science. The astronouts represents the hollies. Kpag hindi burdensome ang buhay you float. Gumagaan ang mga banal. Sa baba lang may tensions. Tension 1 at Tension 2 sa baba lang yan. Sa posisyon ng mga COO at CEO, kaunti lang ang naglalaban laban. Sa mga kakaunting mumo nagaagawan ang mga tao sa baba. Hirap ka makakuha ng job sa baba. pero once na nasa taas, kaunti lang ang competition. Actually pina-pirate pa anga ang iba sa taas. Kasi kakaunti sila.
Thing about that. There is no storm you can find after the clouds.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Happy Bachelor
I had a strange feeling while walking along the town plaza kanina. I feel like the center of gravity is in that point. I don't know parang hinihila ako. Naupo ako sa isa sa mga sementadong upuan doon. Just for the heck of it. Sana nga tulad ngayon noong mga bata pa kami. Doon kami naglalaro ng kahit na ano. Tayaan. Sikyo. Tumbang preso. Suntukan. Tapo sinsakyan namin yung mga leon malapit dun sa monument ni Rizal.
Yun yung mga panahon na hindi ako natatakot sa panahon. Mga mama na malaki ang tiyan lang ang kinatatakutan ko. Mga aswang sa kuwento. Hindi ako natatakot sa bukas. hindi rin ako natatakot sa kahapon. Nabubuhay lang ako sa ngayon. Puro present lang ang naiisip ko. Walang inaalala sa kinabukasan, walang tinatakbuhang kahapon.
Iba ang pakiramdam ngayon. Hindi na ako puwedeng dumisplay sa plaza. Matanda na ako eh. Paano kung may makakita sa akin doon kanina. Magisa ako nakaupo. Buti pa yung mga bata puwede pa nga sila humilata doon eh. I wonder if ginawa ko din yun noong bata ako. Nakakita ako ng bata na umiiyak at ngawa lang ng ngawa doon. Inisip ko tuloy kung nagkaganon din ba ako dati.
Nakita ko ang mga batang tinuturuang maglakad ng mga tatay at nanay nila. Suddenly nag flash sa isip ko in an instant lahat yung mga classmates at friends ko noong high school na ngayon ay may asawa at anak na. Starting with Mervin Ramirez, Cyrus Consignado, Margaret Nobleza, Angelica Pomintil, Harvey Baldovino. Ang idol idol ng marami sa pagawit na si Chris Alber Morales, si Angelo Ross Agapay, at napakarami pa.
Siyempre hindi mawawala sa listahan ang perfect amicable twins na si Dianne Carlen Martin at Dan Carlo Bueno. Pareho na silang may baby girl at ninong ako ni Jewel Keshia anak ni Dan.
Ako heto pa rin. A bachelor wandering in this ellipsoid. Ano kaya ang naghihintay sa akin? Alam ko hindi pa rin naman ako ready para maging Daddy. Pero alam ko din na tumatakbo ang oras. Malaki ang advantage nila Dan at Chris dahil masusubaybayan nila ang anak nila. Plus hindi malayo ang age brakcs nila. Magkakasundo sila sa taste. Puwede pa nila maabutan ang mga apo nila kung tutuusin. Disadvantages para sa isnag taong late nagka anak ang kabaligtaran ng mga nabanggit.
Why was I stuck? Hindi ko alam kung miinis ako na hinayaan kong maiipit na lang ako sa buhay na pinili ko noon. Bakit nga ba hinayaan ko na kay Lara Faye lang umikot ang mundo ko for how many years hanggang sa maging masakit na kapag ile-let go siya. Kahit na from 2005 nakakareceive na ako requests from Mytz at Jhona na bitiwan ko na yung nararamdaman ko kay Faye.
Hindi ko rin alam kung magiging proud ako kasi bihira na ang lalaki na gumagawa ng nagagawa ko. Pursuing Lara Faye for seven years... hindi biro yun. Ni hindi naman kami nagkakasama for that long years. Nakikita ko lang siya once in a while at walang assurance na kapag tinanong ko siya ng "___" ay sasagot siya ng OO.
Unfair kung magaasawa ako. Kung pipilitin kong mahinog ang hilaw. Kawawa ang babaeng magiging asawa ko kung hindi ako handa para mahalin siya ng buo. Hindi ako handang maging kabiyak ng sinuman lalo na kung hidni siya si Lara Faye. Magiging tortrue lang s akanya gabi gabi na ang binubulong kong panagalan ay hindi kanya kundi ang walong letrang bumubuo sa pangalan ni Faye. At paano kung hindi sa letrang L nagsisimula ang name niya at ang mga anak namin panay L ang simula ng pangalan. Ano ang isasagot ko?
Siguro may reasons kung bakit hanggang ngayon wala pa akong better half. Siguro hinding hindi pa ako ready financially, physiologically, spiritually, at siguro higit nga sa lahat ay emotionally. I wanna be the best father kais yun ang hindi nagawa ng bio father ko. I wanna be the greatest Dad Leuthor, Lianne, and Lance could ever have. I want to fulfill the prophecy given to me; to find my protege who will make the drastic change in this country or even in the world. Ang dami ko pa ngang aayusin sa buhay ko.
I just have to enjoy and be merry this time. Siguro period of preparation ang lahat ng oras na ito. Huwag kong isipin na sinasayang ko ito. may pagasa pa naman. Who knows, kung talagang matibay ang nararamdaman ko kay Faye, baka maging magnet yun na magpapabalik sa kanya sa akin. Anyway the greatest fulcrum naman is the heart not material things.
There is much to enjoy in life rather than envying the friends who already are fulfilled in life. Who knows if they are convenient? Baka kahit may asawa at anak na sila eh problemado sila. I-enjoy na lang ang mga adavantages of being single. So that when time for marrying comes, hindi ko na hahanapin dahil heto na pinagsawaan ko na. I will remain pure for that lucky woman. Matapos kong pagdaanan lahat ng karma ko sa mag binastos ko dati, na siningil ni Lara Faye, siguro that girl who is coming soon is truly lucky.
Whoever she is... I am waiting for her. I will try my best to be Best pagdating niya.
Yun yung mga panahon na hindi ako natatakot sa panahon. Mga mama na malaki ang tiyan lang ang kinatatakutan ko. Mga aswang sa kuwento. Hindi ako natatakot sa bukas. hindi rin ako natatakot sa kahapon. Nabubuhay lang ako sa ngayon. Puro present lang ang naiisip ko. Walang inaalala sa kinabukasan, walang tinatakbuhang kahapon.
Iba ang pakiramdam ngayon. Hindi na ako puwedeng dumisplay sa plaza. Matanda na ako eh. Paano kung may makakita sa akin doon kanina. Magisa ako nakaupo. Buti pa yung mga bata puwede pa nga sila humilata doon eh. I wonder if ginawa ko din yun noong bata ako. Nakakita ako ng bata na umiiyak at ngawa lang ng ngawa doon. Inisip ko tuloy kung nagkaganon din ba ako dati.
Nakita ko ang mga batang tinuturuang maglakad ng mga tatay at nanay nila. Suddenly nag flash sa isip ko in an instant lahat yung mga classmates at friends ko noong high school na ngayon ay may asawa at anak na. Starting with Mervin Ramirez, Cyrus Consignado, Margaret Nobleza, Angelica Pomintil, Harvey Baldovino. Ang idol idol ng marami sa pagawit na si Chris Alber Morales, si Angelo Ross Agapay, at napakarami pa.
Siyempre hindi mawawala sa listahan ang perfect amicable twins na si Dianne Carlen Martin at Dan Carlo Bueno. Pareho na silang may baby girl at ninong ako ni Jewel Keshia anak ni Dan.
Ako heto pa rin. A bachelor wandering in this ellipsoid. Ano kaya ang naghihintay sa akin? Alam ko hindi pa rin naman ako ready para maging Daddy. Pero alam ko din na tumatakbo ang oras. Malaki ang advantage nila Dan at Chris dahil masusubaybayan nila ang anak nila. Plus hindi malayo ang age brakcs nila. Magkakasundo sila sa taste. Puwede pa nila maabutan ang mga apo nila kung tutuusin. Disadvantages para sa isnag taong late nagka anak ang kabaligtaran ng mga nabanggit.
Why was I stuck? Hindi ko alam kung miinis ako na hinayaan kong maiipit na lang ako sa buhay na pinili ko noon. Bakit nga ba hinayaan ko na kay Lara Faye lang umikot ang mundo ko for how many years hanggang sa maging masakit na kapag ile-let go siya. Kahit na from 2005 nakakareceive na ako requests from Mytz at Jhona na bitiwan ko na yung nararamdaman ko kay Faye.
Hindi ko rin alam kung magiging proud ako kasi bihira na ang lalaki na gumagawa ng nagagawa ko. Pursuing Lara Faye for seven years... hindi biro yun. Ni hindi naman kami nagkakasama for that long years. Nakikita ko lang siya once in a while at walang assurance na kapag tinanong ko siya ng "___" ay sasagot siya ng OO.
Unfair kung magaasawa ako. Kung pipilitin kong mahinog ang hilaw. Kawawa ang babaeng magiging asawa ko kung hindi ako handa para mahalin siya ng buo. Hindi ako handang maging kabiyak ng sinuman lalo na kung hidni siya si Lara Faye. Magiging tortrue lang s akanya gabi gabi na ang binubulong kong panagalan ay hindi kanya kundi ang walong letrang bumubuo sa pangalan ni Faye. At paano kung hindi sa letrang L nagsisimula ang name niya at ang mga anak namin panay L ang simula ng pangalan. Ano ang isasagot ko?
Siguro may reasons kung bakit hanggang ngayon wala pa akong better half. Siguro hinding hindi pa ako ready financially, physiologically, spiritually, at siguro higit nga sa lahat ay emotionally. I wanna be the best father kais yun ang hindi nagawa ng bio father ko. I wanna be the greatest Dad Leuthor, Lianne, and Lance could ever have. I want to fulfill the prophecy given to me; to find my protege who will make the drastic change in this country or even in the world. Ang dami ko pa ngang aayusin sa buhay ko.
I just have to enjoy and be merry this time. Siguro period of preparation ang lahat ng oras na ito. Huwag kong isipin na sinasayang ko ito. may pagasa pa naman. Who knows, kung talagang matibay ang nararamdaman ko kay Faye, baka maging magnet yun na magpapabalik sa kanya sa akin. Anyway the greatest fulcrum naman is the heart not material things.
There is much to enjoy in life rather than envying the friends who already are fulfilled in life. Who knows if they are convenient? Baka kahit may asawa at anak na sila eh problemado sila. I-enjoy na lang ang mga adavantages of being single. So that when time for marrying comes, hindi ko na hahanapin dahil heto na pinagsawaan ko na. I will remain pure for that lucky woman. Matapos kong pagdaanan lahat ng karma ko sa mag binastos ko dati, na siningil ni Lara Faye, siguro that girl who is coming soon is truly lucky.
Whoever she is... I am waiting for her. I will try my best to be Best pagdating niya.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
His Majesty Concludes History
It is so fitting that on this week, the first part finale of Harry Potter comes to a close. The series we all loved since the beginning is now finally coming to an end. So also is the Church's liturgical season drawing to a close. The feast of Christ the King marks the end of the liturgical year and next week will be advent already. In the same way, the Church and the world is also waiting for the second coming when Christ will be ruler and King above all and that is also the end of the terrestrial history.
We all can't wait for that. What is the lesson of today's Gospel? It is partly eschatological and partly ecclessiological. There is a striking line coming from Jesus at the end which is the only line we find Jesus speaking.
"Today you shall be with me in paradise"
He didn't say heaven because the thief cannot enter heaven unless Christ return for the second coming. The thief did not die after but Jesus is truthful when said that. And that line will be the only line He will utter when he comes again. For example, he saw me, Paul you will be with me in paradise. He has nothing to say to those who are mocking him which means he has nothing to tell them when he returns. Only torment and fire awaits them. The abyss is ready! So also is heaven ready to accommodate us!
Jesus is teaching the Church to be more reflective of their sins and ask him to bring us to heaven. The story of the thief inspires us that it is never to late even if you are a sinner. The Church is collectively a clique of sinners working their way to restore the image that was lost in Eden.
Christ is our King!
We all can't wait for that. What is the lesson of today's Gospel? It is partly eschatological and partly ecclessiological. There is a striking line coming from Jesus at the end which is the only line we find Jesus speaking.
"Today you shall be with me in paradise"
He didn't say heaven because the thief cannot enter heaven unless Christ return for the second coming. The thief did not die after but Jesus is truthful when said that. And that line will be the only line He will utter when he comes again. For example, he saw me, Paul you will be with me in paradise. He has nothing to say to those who are mocking him which means he has nothing to tell them when he returns. Only torment and fire awaits them. The abyss is ready! So also is heaven ready to accommodate us!
Jesus is teaching the Church to be more reflective of their sins and ask him to bring us to heaven. The story of the thief inspires us that it is never to late even if you are a sinner. The Church is collectively a clique of sinners working their way to restore the image that was lost in Eden.
Christ is our King!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Talking About Deathly Hallows
"It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well."
--Albus Dumbledore
Alam ko, hindi ko kayang palampasin ang pelikulang ito. Kahit pa nga ba nahati sa dalawang part ang installment ng Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. i know they are going to make up for the unforgivable boredom brought by the previous movie Half Blood Prince.
Madilim pa nung bumangon ako kanina. I can't believe luluwas ako alone to Manila just to watch a movie. How pathetic! And yet I still did. Kahit na wala talag akong makakasama to watch it. Kung magaaya ako ng taga Laguna baka mag libre pa ako para sa meal at sa transpo. Kung ang mga taga Manila naman baka busy sila. Pero aaminin ko ilang beses kong pinagmunimunihan kung ite-text ko ba si JS or si Dimitri or sino man sa classmates ko nung college and OJT barkadas para naman may makasama. Anyway, it is not about my trip. I am top write about how the movie made a little history today. Sa kalalagay lang niyang status sa facebook, Sir John August Pamintuan described Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in the following words and I quote;
I watched Harry potter tonight and found it awfully boring. It had none of the magical kids' stuff that enthralled us before; just drama, drama, drama... for a moment I thought Potter was trying hard to be a vampire, and the director David Yates was trying to shoot Twilight
Sure ako na hindi niya nagustuhan pero ako naman nilagay kong post ay [and I quote again];
Two thumbs up for The Deathly Hallows! The plot is amazing, cinematography spectacular and Emma Watson is damn immaculately stunning...
How was that? Bakit ko nga ba nagustuhan ang movie. Siyempre una sa lahat, kung hindi ko sasabihing gusto ko eh di parang sinayang ko ang pamasahe at mall tour ko alone. Second, mas gusto ko naman talaga si Emma Watson kay Kristen Stewart when it comes to acting portrayal. Third, the movie as much as it could remained faithful to the book.
I even tried surfing the net if there are anybody out there who have the same emancipation as I had. To my surprise meron naman.the Menneapolis Movie Reviews Examiner posted a review about Harry Potter and there I quote;
With superb acting and a strong plot, the movie only pumped the break in a few spots. A scene in which a cartoon portrayed the story of the Deathly Hallows and the directing in a few action sequences wasn’t quite as sharp. Not to say the directing was bad because it was good, it just needed to be tightened up in a few scenes. The other obvious downfall is that the movie is only half of the story and keeps us all wanting more, bothered by not being able to finish in one sitting.
Hindi ko pa nakakausap ang ibang kaibigan patungkol sa movie but I am sure many are dismayed sa ilang part. Hindi naman din ako kasi masyadong technical. Basta ang hanap ko is kung mai-enjoy ko ang movie sa kinauupuan ko o hindi like, wala bang mga interuptions, hindi ba ako gininaw, or maayos ba ang Acoustics ng sinehan. Yun lang naman ang after ako pero sa kabuuan medyo nadala ako ng drama. I am not saying na hindi na ako makahintay until the next screening ng second part sa July 2011, sinasabi ko lang na enjoy talaga panuorin sa big screen ang Harry Potter. If I watched it on TV-DVD, siguro madami ako comment and that is very critical of me.
Paguwi ko sa bahay, finale airing na ng Illumina, a local TV show of the same graphics. My gosh! Why is there so much sorcery in the world? Hindi ba nila alam na bawal yun?
--Albus Dumbledore
Alam ko, hindi ko kayang palampasin ang pelikulang ito. Kahit pa nga ba nahati sa dalawang part ang installment ng Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. i know they are going to make up for the unforgivable boredom brought by the previous movie Half Blood Prince.
Madilim pa nung bumangon ako kanina. I can't believe luluwas ako alone to Manila just to watch a movie. How pathetic! And yet I still did. Kahit na wala talag akong makakasama to watch it. Kung magaaya ako ng taga Laguna baka mag libre pa ako para sa meal at sa transpo. Kung ang mga taga Manila naman baka busy sila. Pero aaminin ko ilang beses kong pinagmunimunihan kung ite-text ko ba si JS or si Dimitri or sino man sa classmates ko nung college and OJT barkadas para naman may makasama. Anyway, it is not about my trip. I am top write about how the movie made a little history today. Sa kalalagay lang niyang status sa facebook, Sir John August Pamintuan described Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in the following words and I quote;
I watched Harry potter tonight and found it awfully boring. It had none of the magical kids' stuff that enthralled us before; just drama, drama, drama... for a moment I thought Potter was trying hard to be a vampire, and the director David Yates was trying to shoot Twilight
Sure ako na hindi niya nagustuhan pero ako naman nilagay kong post ay [and I quote again];
Two thumbs up for The Deathly Hallows! The plot is amazing, cinematography spectacular and Emma Watson is damn immaculately stunning...
How was that? Bakit ko nga ba nagustuhan ang movie. Siyempre una sa lahat, kung hindi ko sasabihing gusto ko eh di parang sinayang ko ang pamasahe at mall tour ko alone. Second, mas gusto ko naman talaga si Emma Watson kay Kristen Stewart when it comes to acting portrayal. Third, the movie as much as it could remained faithful to the book.
I even tried surfing the net if there are anybody out there who have the same emancipation as I had. To my surprise meron naman.the Menneapolis Movie Reviews Examiner posted a review about Harry Potter and there I quote;
With superb acting and a strong plot, the movie only pumped the break in a few spots. A scene in which a cartoon portrayed the story of the Deathly Hallows and the directing in a few action sequences wasn’t quite as sharp. Not to say the directing was bad because it was good, it just needed to be tightened up in a few scenes. The other obvious downfall is that the movie is only half of the story and keeps us all wanting more, bothered by not being able to finish in one sitting.
Hindi ko pa nakakausap ang ibang kaibigan patungkol sa movie but I am sure many are dismayed sa ilang part. Hindi naman din ako kasi masyadong technical. Basta ang hanap ko is kung mai-enjoy ko ang movie sa kinauupuan ko o hindi like, wala bang mga interuptions, hindi ba ako gininaw, or maayos ba ang Acoustics ng sinehan. Yun lang naman ang after ako pero sa kabuuan medyo nadala ako ng drama. I am not saying na hindi na ako makahintay until the next screening ng second part sa July 2011, sinasabi ko lang na enjoy talaga panuorin sa big screen ang Harry Potter. If I watched it on TV-DVD, siguro madami ako comment and that is very critical of me.
Paguwi ko sa bahay, finale airing na ng Illumina, a local TV show of the same graphics. My gosh! Why is there so much sorcery in the world? Hindi ba nila alam na bawal yun?
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Boxing Ring Lessons
"Boxing is not about killing each other"
Ito ang sagot ni pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao sa isang interview kung bakit daw hindi niya ni-knock out si Margarito matapos niya itong talunin sa Cowboy Stadium kanina lamang. Tunay na isang Filipinong may delikadesa, very humane at professional ang sagot niya.
Na surpass na ni manny ang fame ni Jose Rizal bilang pinakasikat na Filipino sa mundo. Hindi nga lahat kilala si Leah Salonga pero halos buong mundo kilala na siya. Siya ang kaunaunahang tao na may walong sinturon sa larangan ng boxing. Sapat na para sabihin kong tumigil siya at mag concentrate na lang sa public service. He has proven enough. Nakaktakot na baka sa huli pa niyanglaban matalo siya. At magretiro siya kung kailan may sira na rina ng katawan. Tamang tama ito para itigil niya ang boxing at pagtuunan ang pagiging isang international diplomat and celebrity.
Malaki ang maitutulong ng pagkapanalo ni Manny matapos mag deklara ng flight ban ang mga matataas na bansa at humina ang turismo sa Pilipinas. Muling niya itong mapapasigla kung si Leah, Charice at Manny ay kapwa mag eendorso ng bansa sa international arena.
Congratz Manny! Patuloy mo kaming gawing proud...
Ito ang sagot ni pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao sa isang interview kung bakit daw hindi niya ni-knock out si Margarito matapos niya itong talunin sa Cowboy Stadium kanina lamang. Tunay na isang Filipinong may delikadesa, very humane at professional ang sagot niya.
Na surpass na ni manny ang fame ni Jose Rizal bilang pinakasikat na Filipino sa mundo. Hindi nga lahat kilala si Leah Salonga pero halos buong mundo kilala na siya. Siya ang kaunaunahang tao na may walong sinturon sa larangan ng boxing. Sapat na para sabihin kong tumigil siya at mag concentrate na lang sa public service. He has proven enough. Nakaktakot na baka sa huli pa niyanglaban matalo siya. At magretiro siya kung kailan may sira na rina ng katawan. Tamang tama ito para itigil niya ang boxing at pagtuunan ang pagiging isang international diplomat and celebrity.
Malaki ang maitutulong ng pagkapanalo ni Manny matapos mag deklara ng flight ban ang mga matataas na bansa at humina ang turismo sa Pilipinas. Muling niya itong mapapasigla kung si Leah, Charice at Manny ay kapwa mag eendorso ng bansa sa international arena.
Congratz Manny! Patuloy mo kaming gawing proud...
Everything Else Shall Vanish
Now we are close enough to the end of the liturgical year. We would like to thank Saint Luke for giving us all the Gospel readings from the resume of Ordinary Times up to this Sunday. And since talking about the end, the theme of the liturgy today is also eschatological. What will it be like before the end?
As a recap, last Sunday Jesus taught us that the foci of every Catholic Christians are the heavenly things which are eternal and not the worldly things that are very transitory. Before that the Gospel readings two Sundays ago showed us how Jesus also accepted the repentant publican and how a tax collector who sincerely prayed in the temple is justified. Those readings are very comforting and make us feel light.
Meanwhile, the Gospel reading today may seem to be a little bit shocking and unpleasant. Jesus is certain that nations will indulge in wars. There will again be persecutions of Christians and faithfuls will be brought to courts. That makes it even more inconvenient.
So audacious is Jesus' words that we should take note of the things that are important after all. Search for what is eternal and do not be deceived by what is temporal. We will attempt to see again how this applies to us. Many people are amazes by how the temple is decorated with all majestic jewels and precious stones but Jesus told them that one day no stones will be found over another.
When I was still studying, I often ask myself what this conversation is for. Was it a way for Jesus to initiate His preaching about the end times? But as we go along with our lessons in Synoptic Gospels, I understood that Jesus is actually referring to all temporal attractions. What is your temple? For me it can be a beautiful girl. Jesus is warning each of us that they wont last until the parousia. A beautiful girl will soon grow old and die and all you will find after is dust. A cellphone you are craving for today will soon be outmoded and crashed. Only God can stand the test of time until time itself ceased. As a matter of fact, Jesus wants us to beware because many of the objects today will distract is from loving and worshiping Him.
Many will pretend to be God and Messiah. That can be literally read, that many false prophets will come. However, more than that, many false god will come also. They may appear to be noble causes like love for brothers and families, fight for human rights and equality, campaign for nature restoration and care for ecosystem but they can take us away from God. Many people are so busy working for these advocacies that they even forget to pray and be still, keep quiet, and commune with God. They may forget that while they are restoring the planet earth they are also loosing a place in a new Kingdom, a new Jerusalem. I am not saying that these are bad but while we are pursuing these, make sure we are not neglecting the home of the spirit, our souls. What is the use of rejuvenating a home [habitat] for humanity if in the end you loose the home of God inside you? Our love for God must be on top among all loves. It is prior to our love for family, love for the country, love for virtues, love for the ecosystem. Prior to all ideals and aspirations. Material things may deceive you also playing to be gods. Let us be watchful for the Lord will come like a flash of lightning.
As a recap, last Sunday Jesus taught us that the foci of every Catholic Christians are the heavenly things which are eternal and not the worldly things that are very transitory. Before that the Gospel readings two Sundays ago showed us how Jesus also accepted the repentant publican and how a tax collector who sincerely prayed in the temple is justified. Those readings are very comforting and make us feel light.
Meanwhile, the Gospel reading today may seem to be a little bit shocking and unpleasant. Jesus is certain that nations will indulge in wars. There will again be persecutions of Christians and faithfuls will be brought to courts. That makes it even more inconvenient.
So audacious is Jesus' words that we should take note of the things that are important after all. Search for what is eternal and do not be deceived by what is temporal. We will attempt to see again how this applies to us. Many people are amazes by how the temple is decorated with all majestic jewels and precious stones but Jesus told them that one day no stones will be found over another.
When I was still studying, I often ask myself what this conversation is for. Was it a way for Jesus to initiate His preaching about the end times? But as we go along with our lessons in Synoptic Gospels, I understood that Jesus is actually referring to all temporal attractions. What is your temple? For me it can be a beautiful girl. Jesus is warning each of us that they wont last until the parousia. A beautiful girl will soon grow old and die and all you will find after is dust. A cellphone you are craving for today will soon be outmoded and crashed. Only God can stand the test of time until time itself ceased. As a matter of fact, Jesus wants us to beware because many of the objects today will distract is from loving and worshiping Him.
Many will pretend to be God and Messiah. That can be literally read, that many false prophets will come. However, more than that, many false god will come also. They may appear to be noble causes like love for brothers and families, fight for human rights and equality, campaign for nature restoration and care for ecosystem but they can take us away from God. Many people are so busy working for these advocacies that they even forget to pray and be still, keep quiet, and commune with God. They may forget that while they are restoring the planet earth they are also loosing a place in a new Kingdom, a new Jerusalem. I am not saying that these are bad but while we are pursuing these, make sure we are not neglecting the home of the spirit, our souls. What is the use of rejuvenating a home [habitat] for humanity if in the end you loose the home of God inside you? Our love for God must be on top among all loves. It is prior to our love for family, love for the country, love for virtues, love for the ecosystem. Prior to all ideals and aspirations. Material things may deceive you also playing to be gods. Let us be watchful for the Lord will come like a flash of lightning.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Heavenly Bonds and Faith Defense
We have interesting readings for this Sunday. Once again let us reflect on them.
First Reading 2 Maccabees 7 1 - 2, 9 - 14
1 It happened also that seven brothers and their mother were arrested and were being compelled by the king, under torture with whips and cords, to partake of unlawful swine's flesh.
2 One of them, acting as their spokesman, said, "What do you intend to ask and learn from us? For we are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our fathers."
9 And when he was at his last breath, he said, "You accursed wretch, you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we have died for his laws."
10 After him, the third was the victim of their sport. When it was demanded, he quickly put out his tongue and courageously stretched forth his hands,
11 and said nobly, "I got these from Heaven, and because of his laws I disdain them, and from him I hope to get them back again."
12 As a result the king himself and those with him were astonished at the young man's spirit, for he regarded his sufferings as nothing.
13 When he too had died, they maltreated and tortured the fourth in the same way.
14 And when he was near death, he said, "One cannot but choose to die at the hands of men and to cherish the hope that God gives of being raised again by him. But for you there will be no resurrection to life!"
Second Reading 2 Thessalonian 2: 16 - 17 ,3: 1 - 5
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph, as it did among you,
2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from evil.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things which we command.
5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Gospel Reading Luke 20: 27 - 38
27 There came to him some Sadducees, those who say that there is no resurrection,
28 and they asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the wife and raise up children for his brother.
29 Now there were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and died without children;
30 and the second
31 and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died.
32 Afterward the woman also died.
33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife."
34 And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage;
35 but those who are accounted worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage,
36 for they cannot die any more, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him."
Commentary
The first reading gives us a clear yet simple lesson. The pagan king is only after the eradication of Israelite religious conduct. By eating pork meat the Israelite will symbolically renounce their bond to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Some experts say that it is because of the pagans' envy to Israelite nation for they have a high religious and ethical standards when it comes to worshiping only one God while the pagan world worships several gods. More over, the conducts and practices of the gentiles are considered dirty and immodest to the Jews.
The first reading is very parallel to the main theme of the Gospel in some very reflexive details. Meanwhile, let us focus our attention on the second reading. This letter from Saint Paul to the Thessalonians serves as an exhortation or a plea for prayer. He is reminding this Church to act in accordance to how a body/community of people waits for the coming of Christ. Again this is addressed to the elders of Catholic Church but everyone of us can be ministers of God's Word. Maybe because these people are being deceived by or a force coming from the outside is offering them a new lesson which is a case similar to the first reading.
A religious stance being challenged and how Christians should face it. That statement best summarizes the three readings with their least common denominator. In the first reading, the Israelites were put to test by the king who wanted them to eat pork meat. In the second reading, Saint Paul reminds the Thessalonians to be steadfast even amidst the confusion about the second coming of the Lord. In today's Gospel we see our very Lord Jesus Christ being challenged by a different belief. A religious stance tested. The Lord shows us how to deal with traps laid by unbelievers who today we are surrounded of. In a very salient point, the Lord described the Catholic Church and the members of His body. They are the people not aspiring only to be husbands nor wives. They are the people who are even willing to be angels. Hence, the Catholic Church is the "City of God" as described by Saint Augustine. A city of God where the living people resides. Our God is a god of the living and not of the dead. Jesus referred to Him as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. who are all alive in heaven even if their bodies died. Jesus here is pointing that Christians' lives are not determined nor governed by bodily concerns but rather lives of the souls waiting to be in heaven one with the saints and the patriarchs. Marriage is dissolved when both parties' bodies died. Jesus wants us to think of heavenly things aside from earthly. Not only are we to aspire being fully human who have a wife, a child, a family but to aspire becoming angels. Angels do not have genders. They are neither males nor females. In heaven we will all be like that.
Application
To take a stand for ones faith when shaken by unbelievers. This is one of the two practical lessons I want to high light. To courageously defend our faith is not an impossible act. The readings gave us concrete examples of how Biblical characters protected it. Last Monday we commemorate the lives of all the Saints of the Catholic Church, they are testaments of how faithful Christians fought with all their lives for holiness and what they believe.
Second, the Holy Catholic Church in today's liturgy wants us to learn that a truly spiritual person is not after the things of this world. The seven brothers and their mother in the book of Maccabees valued their spirit rather than their stomach and physical comfort. They are willing to tortured and endure the pain rather than suffer in heaven. Saint Paul invited the Thessalonians to pray. To pray is a spiritual act. Saint wants us to focus on prayer life more than the things of this world. The Gospel reading is most of all teaching is that marriage, a worldly bond, is nothing compared to our bond with God. Our priority in this life being Christians, is not to marry but to do good.
First Reading 2 Maccabees 7 1 - 2, 9 - 14
1 It happened also that seven brothers and their mother were arrested and were being compelled by the king, under torture with whips and cords, to partake of unlawful swine's flesh.
2 One of them, acting as their spokesman, said, "What do you intend to ask and learn from us? For we are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our fathers."
9 And when he was at his last breath, he said, "You accursed wretch, you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we have died for his laws."
10 After him, the third was the victim of their sport. When it was demanded, he quickly put out his tongue and courageously stretched forth his hands,
11 and said nobly, "I got these from Heaven, and because of his laws I disdain them, and from him I hope to get them back again."
12 As a result the king himself and those with him were astonished at the young man's spirit, for he regarded his sufferings as nothing.
13 When he too had died, they maltreated and tortured the fourth in the same way.
14 And when he was near death, he said, "One cannot but choose to die at the hands of men and to cherish the hope that God gives of being raised again by him. But for you there will be no resurrection to life!"
Second Reading 2 Thessalonian 2: 16 - 17 ,3: 1 - 5
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph, as it did among you,
2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from evil.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things which we command.
5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Gospel Reading Luke 20: 27 - 38
27 There came to him some Sadducees, those who say that there is no resurrection,
28 and they asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the wife and raise up children for his brother.
29 Now there were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and died without children;
30 and the second
31 and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died.
32 Afterward the woman also died.
33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife."
34 And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage;
35 but those who are accounted worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage,
36 for they cannot die any more, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him."
Commentary
The first reading gives us a clear yet simple lesson. The pagan king is only after the eradication of Israelite religious conduct. By eating pork meat the Israelite will symbolically renounce their bond to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Some experts say that it is because of the pagans' envy to Israelite nation for they have a high religious and ethical standards when it comes to worshiping only one God while the pagan world worships several gods. More over, the conducts and practices of the gentiles are considered dirty and immodest to the Jews.
The first reading is very parallel to the main theme of the Gospel in some very reflexive details. Meanwhile, let us focus our attention on the second reading. This letter from Saint Paul to the Thessalonians serves as an exhortation or a plea for prayer. He is reminding this Church to act in accordance to how a body/community of people waits for the coming of Christ. Again this is addressed to the elders of Catholic Church but everyone of us can be ministers of God's Word. Maybe because these people are being deceived by or a force coming from the outside is offering them a new lesson which is a case similar to the first reading.
A religious stance being challenged and how Christians should face it. That statement best summarizes the three readings with their least common denominator. In the first reading, the Israelites were put to test by the king who wanted them to eat pork meat. In the second reading, Saint Paul reminds the Thessalonians to be steadfast even amidst the confusion about the second coming of the Lord. In today's Gospel we see our very Lord Jesus Christ being challenged by a different belief. A religious stance tested. The Lord shows us how to deal with traps laid by unbelievers who today we are surrounded of. In a very salient point, the Lord described the Catholic Church and the members of His body. They are the people not aspiring only to be husbands nor wives. They are the people who are even willing to be angels. Hence, the Catholic Church is the "City of God" as described by Saint Augustine. A city of God where the living people resides. Our God is a god of the living and not of the dead. Jesus referred to Him as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. who are all alive in heaven even if their bodies died. Jesus here is pointing that Christians' lives are not determined nor governed by bodily concerns but rather lives of the souls waiting to be in heaven one with the saints and the patriarchs. Marriage is dissolved when both parties' bodies died. Jesus wants us to think of heavenly things aside from earthly. Not only are we to aspire being fully human who have a wife, a child, a family but to aspire becoming angels. Angels do not have genders. They are neither males nor females. In heaven we will all be like that.
Application
To take a stand for ones faith when shaken by unbelievers. This is one of the two practical lessons I want to high light. To courageously defend our faith is not an impossible act. The readings gave us concrete examples of how Biblical characters protected it. Last Monday we commemorate the lives of all the Saints of the Catholic Church, they are testaments of how faithful Christians fought with all their lives for holiness and what they believe.
Second, the Holy Catholic Church in today's liturgy wants us to learn that a truly spiritual person is not after the things of this world. The seven brothers and their mother in the book of Maccabees valued their spirit rather than their stomach and physical comfort. They are willing to tortured and endure the pain rather than suffer in heaven. Saint Paul invited the Thessalonians to pray. To pray is a spiritual act. Saint wants us to focus on prayer life more than the things of this world. The Gospel reading is most of all teaching is that marriage, a worldly bond, is nothing compared to our bond with God. Our priority in this life being Christians, is not to marry but to do good.
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