Sometimes I want to ask why am I living for. What is the sense of living a life as a Filipino, as a man, and as a Christian? Am I destined to accomplish something or am I a life traveler in search of my own mission? Too many questions. Only one concern and that is life itself. Life is a vague concept [just like love] and so is death. This came to mind because I took sometime to ponder on the three liturgical readings for the fifth Sunday of Lent.
First Reading>> Ezekiel 37: 12-14
12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you home into the land of Israel.
13 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people.
14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it, says the LORD."
Second Reading>> Romans 8:8-11
8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Any one who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
10 But if Christ is in you, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness.
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you.
Gospel Reading>> John 11:1-45
1 Now a certain man was ill, Laz'arus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Laz'arus was ill.
3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill."
4 But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness is not unto death; it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means of it."
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Laz'arus.
6 So when he heard that he was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
7 Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go into Judea again."
8 The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?"
9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any one walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
10 But if any one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."
11 Thus he spoke, and then he said to them, "Our friend Laz'arus has fallen asleep, but I go to awake him out of sleep."
12 The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover."
13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep.
14 Then Jesus told them plainly, "Laz'arus is dead;
15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."
16 Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Laz'arus had already been in the tomb four days.
18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off,
19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.
20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary sat in the house.
21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
22 And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you."
23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
26 and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world."
28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying quietly, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you."
29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him.
30 Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him.
31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
32 Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was and saw him, fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled;
34 and he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see."
35 Jesus wept.
36 So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"
37 But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"
38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb; it was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days."
40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"
41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 I knew that thou hearest me always, but I have said this on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that thou didst send me."
43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Laz'arus, come out."
44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with bandages, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."
45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him;
Commentary
Ezekiel is one of the most prolific writers of the Old Testament. His visions and prophecies sounds very futuristic as if he is born earlier his time. For the first reading, Holy Mother Church quoted a little of his writing; the one pertaining to life. Life is given by God. Building an image of a mighty God in his book, Ezekiel literally and figuratively talked about God's capacity to give life to a nation, a race of people. he also has the right to take it. He is the source of life and He can raise even the dead back to life if He wants to. I began to think of God's ability to take my life away. I am reminded that it is not me who holds control of my life. Figuratively, Ezekiel is pertaining to the life, not of a single individual, but to the life of a nation. During that time, Israel is a dying nation. they were captives similar to a corpse buried in a grave. God is telling Israel through Ezekiel that He will restore the nation in grace and godly prosperity. God will bring their life back.
The foremost theologian of the New Testament, Saint Paul the Apostle also gave a noteworthy discussion about Christian life. It is a new life with a zest. A life of ignition which Saint Paul himself experienced when he met the Lord in Damascus, the instance that brought him to life by being born again. Everyone who is in Christ is a born again in the Spirit. Even if the body dies, the spirit continues to live. It is the same Spirit that will be with us in resurrection. Lent tells us that our body is from ash [symbolized in Ash Wednesday]. It will go back to its original state after death. That body is only "Lent" by God. Meanwhile, we have spirit and the spirit is aeveternal. The source of life is so rich that He can sustain the life of all human spirits.
The Gospel Reading completes thought for the Fifth Week of Lent Mass. In the previous Gospel Readings for the Third and Fourth Sundays of Lent, the Holy Mother Church introduced Jesus as the Way and the Truth. This Sunday, Jesus revealed to all of us that he is the Resurrection and the Life. I am always stunned by the conversation that took place between Martha and Jesus. How Jesus surprised Martha that he is the resurrection and life and by raising Lazarus before the crowd. One thing that I also want to take note is the drama of Jesus' friendship with the family. Lazarus is a friend of Jesus but never an apostle. Jesus, by his friendly love to Lazarus, raised the dead man to life again. Now Jesus told his disciples that he considers them friends and he wants to share with them his eternal life. Are we friends of Jesus? Friends of Jesus will surely live in eternity with him. Jesus is also ready to die for his friends. Jesus died for his friends. Are we friends of Jesus? If yes, then Jesus died for us.
Christ offered the Samaritan Woman a way to conversion [Jn.4:5-42]. He also offered sight to a blind man to expose the Truth [Jn 9:1-41]. Jesus, finally, is offering all of us the life, the eternal life. To live with Jesus. To live for Jesus. And to live like Jesus. We are called and invited to fulfill all those three. Jesus is not only a reconciler to the Father. He not only is a multiplier of bread. Jesus is not just a healer of the sick. He is not just a teacher of the crowd. Jesus is the Way, The Truth and the Life. Because of Jesus, everything was brought to life during creation. Because of Jesus it is possible to anew in the Spirit. Because of Jesus, a dead person was resuscitated. Lastly, it is also because of Jesus that death can be overcome; when he rose after three days in the grave.
Jesus over stresses here today that the purpose of his incarnation is not to die but to defeat death through life. In closing, I would like the readers to muse about their/our own lives. We have to take care of our lives and live it to the full as Christians. We have to make the most of our lives so we can extend the Kingdom of God on earth. To win as many souls as possible. To live and have friends to love like Jesus did. As my last Sunday Reflection this year, I hope that I did well in using my blog for evangelization.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
let five counts year rounds
Right after the celebration in Gregoria ng birthday ni Je noong 2006, siyempre mga tumba. Naginuman ba naman at nagswimming magdamag, idagdag mo pa ang mga kumanta sa videoke all night long. Kila Isaac muna kami dumeretso para sa pagpapahinga kasi magpa-5 pa lang ng umaga noon. Alam ko tulog kami nila Dacles noon. Sa luma pa nilang bahay yun. Nagmadali rin akong makauwi noon, kasi nga kukuhanin ang card sa SaintMary's at yun lang ang chance na maaari kong makita si Faye for that summer bago ako lumuwas ng Manila.
I've waited until 10 sa may patyo na baka dumaan si Faye. And just the same, kung kelan malapit na akong mawalan ng pag asa na darating siya at makikita eh saka naman siya sumulpot sa harapan ko. Pauwi na ako noon. Nakaputi siya at antalong maong, kasama niya ang mga kaibigan niya sa OLL at si Ley-Ley!!!!
Yun ang isa sa pinakamasayang April 7 ng buhay ko. Although laging maganda ang nagagana sa akin kapag April 7. April 7 kasi ang birthday ng tita ko. Ito rin ang araw na namatay daw ang Lolo ko na Daddy ng Mama ko. Ngayon, ang graduation sa CGMES, at pumunta ako dun kanina para lang sariwai yung ties na kami yung naroon. Halos walang ipinagbago ang school. Ganoon pa rin, pati ang rituals ng graduation. Ngayon ko lang napansin, nakakatamad pala. Pero kung ikaw ang nagraduate, feeling mo yun ang pinaka importanteng event sa history of mankind. Hapon kasi ginawa ang graduation. Ang ilan dun mga anak anak na lang ng dating mga haiskul noong bata pa ako.
After sneaking sa gradaution, tumuloy ako sa ilaya para sana tumambay kila Vcoy. And just as luck would have it on me sa isang masuwerteng April 07, nakasalubong ko sila ALger at Kevin na wala namang pupuntahan kaya inaya ko na lang kila Vcoy. Isinama din namin si Paul Andrew para mas masaya. Wala naman si Vcoy nung pumunta kami kaya tambay na lang muna sa tapat ng bahay nila. Lampas 5 na nang dumating si Vcoy at sa amin na siya naghapunan kasi madami rin kami pinagkuwentuhan. So from sa kanila, nilakad namin hanggang sa amin. Para gutom di ba?
Hindi irn natuloy ang inuman, may ginawa rin kasi sila Alger at sila Paul. In some time, I'll be back working. Hay... siyempre tiring pero sulit. Hope I can still land safely sa job na gusto ko talaga. But for the mean time, I'll stick to what I do best. In 9 days pala, Myx is arriving. Sana we will have a chance to meet each other and catch up for the time na nawala sa amin while we were away from each other.
April 07... you'll always be precious!
I've waited until 10 sa may patyo na baka dumaan si Faye. And just the same, kung kelan malapit na akong mawalan ng pag asa na darating siya at makikita eh saka naman siya sumulpot sa harapan ko. Pauwi na ako noon. Nakaputi siya at antalong maong, kasama niya ang mga kaibigan niya sa OLL at si Ley-Ley!!!!
Yun ang isa sa pinakamasayang April 7 ng buhay ko. Although laging maganda ang nagagana sa akin kapag April 7. April 7 kasi ang birthday ng tita ko. Ito rin ang araw na namatay daw ang Lolo ko na Daddy ng Mama ko. Ngayon, ang graduation sa CGMES, at pumunta ako dun kanina para lang sariwai yung ties na kami yung naroon. Halos walang ipinagbago ang school. Ganoon pa rin, pati ang rituals ng graduation. Ngayon ko lang napansin, nakakatamad pala. Pero kung ikaw ang nagraduate, feeling mo yun ang pinaka importanteng event sa history of mankind. Hapon kasi ginawa ang graduation. Ang ilan dun mga anak anak na lang ng dating mga haiskul noong bata pa ako.
After sneaking sa gradaution, tumuloy ako sa ilaya para sana tumambay kila Vcoy. And just as luck would have it on me sa isang masuwerteng April 07, nakasalubong ko sila ALger at Kevin na wala namang pupuntahan kaya inaya ko na lang kila Vcoy. Isinama din namin si Paul Andrew para mas masaya. Wala naman si Vcoy nung pumunta kami kaya tambay na lang muna sa tapat ng bahay nila. Lampas 5 na nang dumating si Vcoy at sa amin na siya naghapunan kasi madami rin kami pinagkuwentuhan. So from sa kanila, nilakad namin hanggang sa amin. Para gutom di ba?
Hindi irn natuloy ang inuman, may ginawa rin kasi sila Alger at sila Paul. In some time, I'll be back working. Hay... siyempre tiring pero sulit. Hope I can still land safely sa job na gusto ko talaga. But for the mean time, I'll stick to what I do best. In 9 days pala, Myx is arriving. Sana we will have a chance to meet each other and catch up for the time na nawala sa amin while we were away from each other.
April 07... you'll always be precious!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
for the sake of summer
April is a month I am eagerly waiting every year. Maraming taong mahalga ang nagdiriwang ng birthday nila ngayong April. Una na sa mg ayan si Je. Birthday ngayon ni Je. Ang sarap alalahanin na noong 2006, limang taon na ang nakalilipas ay grabe ang sayang na-experience namin sa Gregoria as we celebrated his 19th birthday. Suwerte nga ni Je na dahil tapat na summer vacation ang birthday niya ay laging mayroong outing. Actually, halos lahat naman yung apat nila Dacles, Daryl, at Edison ay puro summer ang birthday. Si Edison ay magse-celebrate ng 24th birthday niya sa 9. Bukod pa dun siola Betong, si AA, si Nikki, si Sir Toby, si Ron-Ron, at siyempre si Dan Carlo.
Sa bahay nila Vcoy kami nagluto ng adobo hapon. Mga six ng dapithapon kami dumating Gregoria. Sumunod si Regine dala anmg sound system. may Crema gawa ni Dacles. Dumating ang barkada ng kapatid ni Je. Ang saya. Pati si Ota, dala ang tricycle niya. Swimming, kain, inom, bonding, videoke. Speaking of videoke. Doon ko nakausap ng malaliman si Blaze. Oo nga pala ano. Si Blaze ang dating kakalse ni Faye na parang kamukha niya. Ang saya namin noon. Kumanta kami ni Blaze sa videoke. Suwerte nga at nakasabay namin sila doon. Hindi siya hesitant na kausapin ako. Buong magdamag yata eh si Faye ang pinagusapan namin. Hindi ko maintindihan na parang si Faye na rin ang kausap ko. Basta alam ko masaya ako. Tapos nag one on one kaming magkakaibigan. Seryosong usapan tungkol sa buhay. Parang sharing nga eh. Ang galing.
Noong 2009, isang swimming ulit ang naganap para sa birthday celebration ni Je. Sa Sabang naman kami pumunta. Kumpleto. Si Isaac, si Jophet, si Regine, si Daryl, si Edison, ako. Lahat kami naroon para kay Je. Alam kasi namin na matatagalan na ulit bago maulit ang ganoong eksena na kumpleto kami.
Ngayon birthday nanaman ni Je. Ordinaryong araw para sa mga nagtatrabaho. Sa mga nasa malayo. Ang magagawa na lang namin ay sariwain yung mga panahon na napagbigyan kami. Hindi naman kasi puwedeng magkakakapit na lang kami araw araw at di na maghihiwalay. Kailangan naming lumipad na kami lang. Para yung mga sarili naming mga pangarap ay mabigyang katuparan.
Heto lang naman yun eh. Lilipas rin. Hoping na may panibagong taon para mabawi namin lahat yun. Andyan pa naman kami. Alam ko meron at merong magandang pagkakataon para sa lahat ng kasiyahan. As for now, kailngan hintayin muna ang mga yun. May birthdays pa na darating gaya ng sa mga nabanggit kong tao. Mas mapapasaya pa sa mga susunod na panahon. Alam ko magkakaroon ng vindication sa huli. Malay mo maging masaya ang mismong graduation ni Faye nagaganapin sa 12. Everything, just for the sake of this summer.
Sa bahay nila Vcoy kami nagluto ng adobo hapon. Mga six ng dapithapon kami dumating Gregoria. Sumunod si Regine dala anmg sound system. may Crema gawa ni Dacles. Dumating ang barkada ng kapatid ni Je. Ang saya. Pati si Ota, dala ang tricycle niya. Swimming, kain, inom, bonding, videoke. Speaking of videoke. Doon ko nakausap ng malaliman si Blaze. Oo nga pala ano. Si Blaze ang dating kakalse ni Faye na parang kamukha niya. Ang saya namin noon. Kumanta kami ni Blaze sa videoke. Suwerte nga at nakasabay namin sila doon. Hindi siya hesitant na kausapin ako. Buong magdamag yata eh si Faye ang pinagusapan namin. Hindi ko maintindihan na parang si Faye na rin ang kausap ko. Basta alam ko masaya ako. Tapos nag one on one kaming magkakaibigan. Seryosong usapan tungkol sa buhay. Parang sharing nga eh. Ang galing.
Noong 2009, isang swimming ulit ang naganap para sa birthday celebration ni Je. Sa Sabang naman kami pumunta. Kumpleto. Si Isaac, si Jophet, si Regine, si Daryl, si Edison, ako. Lahat kami naroon para kay Je. Alam kasi namin na matatagalan na ulit bago maulit ang ganoong eksena na kumpleto kami.
Ngayon birthday nanaman ni Je. Ordinaryong araw para sa mga nagtatrabaho. Sa mga nasa malayo. Ang magagawa na lang namin ay sariwain yung mga panahon na napagbigyan kami. Hindi naman kasi puwedeng magkakakapit na lang kami araw araw at di na maghihiwalay. Kailangan naming lumipad na kami lang. Para yung mga sarili naming mga pangarap ay mabigyang katuparan.
Heto lang naman yun eh. Lilipas rin. Hoping na may panibagong taon para mabawi namin lahat yun. Andyan pa naman kami. Alam ko meron at merong magandang pagkakataon para sa lahat ng kasiyahan. As for now, kailngan hintayin muna ang mga yun. May birthdays pa na darating gaya ng sa mga nabanggit kong tao. Mas mapapasaya pa sa mga susunod na panahon. Alam ko magkakaroon ng vindication sa huli. Malay mo maging masaya ang mismong graduation ni Faye nagaganapin sa 12. Everything, just for the sake of this summer.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
when men become blind
In my reflection Last Sunday, I mentioned and I quote;
“…the remaining three Sundays of Lent are all about the encounter of Jesus with a sinner, with a ailing person and to the grieving poor loved ones of a dead person. Jesus will bring the Good News to all of them. For these three Sundays, Jesus will stand out as the Way, the Truth, and the Life of humanity waiting for redemption. “
Jesus had proven that he is the Way as narrated by the Evangelist John. Jesus extended his ministry from his friends [as in the Second Sunday of Lent] to the sinners. This Sunday, we will continue to look up close and personal to Jesus and his journey to Mount Calvary after the glorious transfiguration.
Jesus and the Man Born Blind
Most of us already experienced waking up in the middle of the night with no electricity and all lights turned off. There is total darkness. We almost thought we were blinds. Most of us may have experienced walking blindfolded and have no idea where direction we are going. Because of these, we are scared to be blind. We know that blindness is a form of separation to the world. Almost half of me will die if I become blind.
It is hard to imagine how a man who was born blind lived his life. Jesus clarified that it is not the fault of the man that caused his blindness but it so happened that the plan designed by God might be realized. Absence of sight is evil. Jesus explains that evil is not intended by God from the beginning. And again, the Gospel presents Jesus’ victory over evil. To annihilate evil, something good must replace it. Jesus gave sight to the man. The man was healed through the use of Jesus’ saliva. It taught me that we need a part of Jesus to truly recover. An interesting story of Jesus winning against evil that is physical blindness.
Meanwhile, another form of blindness appears before us--the religious blindness. The sanhedrin members so caught up of themselves that they weren't able to see the light that the blind man saw. They question the process of healing and even the veracity of the miracle. The laws so blinded the religious leaders that instead of being compassionate and understanding to the poor blind man, they turned into stony hearted regulators of social status quo. they were OCs of the torah.
How many times do we become blinded by our good intentions to the point that we neglect others in the process? How many times do we close our eyes to Jesus who is in our needy neighbors? Many times we are no different from the high priests of Jesus' time. When we are busy doing good to become too good, we forget to be good to others. Jesus opened the eyes of the blind man and also the heart that sees the goodness in the world but the religious leaders were so stiffed that they cannot even see a reason to rejoice and praise God in that very situation.
The stories of Lent are stories of winning souls back to God; of presenting Jesus as redeemer of mankind not only from sin but from the day-to-day evils of life; of resisting the temptations of the world and think closely of heavenly kingdom; of repentance and conversion. Jesus won the Samaritan woman and now the blind man who was given sight. How heartbreaking to see that there are also calloused persons who never wanted to receive Jesus in their hearts. They are hopeless situations because Christ's forgiveness is always available but they chose to harden their hearts. Better is the case of the blind man who, though blind physically, was able to see the truth but the other side were not able to see the truth because of their blindness. At the end they asked "Are you telling us we are blind?" because they were confused.
"Who is he Lord? That I may believe in him." is the response of the man to Jesus when asked if he believe in him. He is looking for the truth. The newly healed man yearns for certainty. Jesus offered him the truth. We want to see first to say something is true. Jesus came so tat those who do not see might see. Jesus offered us light. Jesus takes us away from darkness because he is light. The second reading teaches us, through Saint Paul, that we are children of light. Everything exposed by light becomes visible. We can see because there is light and light exposes the truth. Jesus is not only the cure to blindness. He not only is the giver of light and sight. Jesus is, above all, the truth. Without his light, we will be like Samuel in the first reading who only sees the appearance and not the heart. Jesus by healing the blind man exposed to the world who really are blinds. Like the cured blind man let us say to Jesus, "I do believe Lord" and let us worship him.
“…the remaining three Sundays of Lent are all about the encounter of Jesus with a sinner, with a ailing person and to the grieving poor loved ones of a dead person. Jesus will bring the Good News to all of them. For these three Sundays, Jesus will stand out as the Way, the Truth, and the Life of humanity waiting for redemption. “
Jesus had proven that he is the Way as narrated by the Evangelist John. Jesus extended his ministry from his friends [as in the Second Sunday of Lent] to the sinners. This Sunday, we will continue to look up close and personal to Jesus and his journey to Mount Calvary after the glorious transfiguration.
Jesus and the Man Born Blind
Most of us already experienced waking up in the middle of the night with no electricity and all lights turned off. There is total darkness. We almost thought we were blinds. Most of us may have experienced walking blindfolded and have no idea where direction we are going. Because of these, we are scared to be blind. We know that blindness is a form of separation to the world. Almost half of me will die if I become blind.
It is hard to imagine how a man who was born blind lived his life. Jesus clarified that it is not the fault of the man that caused his blindness but it so happened that the plan designed by God might be realized. Absence of sight is evil. Jesus explains that evil is not intended by God from the beginning. And again, the Gospel presents Jesus’ victory over evil. To annihilate evil, something good must replace it. Jesus gave sight to the man. The man was healed through the use of Jesus’ saliva. It taught me that we need a part of Jesus to truly recover. An interesting story of Jesus winning against evil that is physical blindness.
Meanwhile, another form of blindness appears before us--the religious blindness. The sanhedrin members so caught up of themselves that they weren't able to see the light that the blind man saw. They question the process of healing and even the veracity of the miracle. The laws so blinded the religious leaders that instead of being compassionate and understanding to the poor blind man, they turned into stony hearted regulators of social status quo. they were OCs of the torah.
How many times do we become blinded by our good intentions to the point that we neglect others in the process? How many times do we close our eyes to Jesus who is in our needy neighbors? Many times we are no different from the high priests of Jesus' time. When we are busy doing good to become too good, we forget to be good to others. Jesus opened the eyes of the blind man and also the heart that sees the goodness in the world but the religious leaders were so stiffed that they cannot even see a reason to rejoice and praise God in that very situation.
The stories of Lent are stories of winning souls back to God; of presenting Jesus as redeemer of mankind not only from sin but from the day-to-day evils of life; of resisting the temptations of the world and think closely of heavenly kingdom; of repentance and conversion. Jesus won the Samaritan woman and now the blind man who was given sight. How heartbreaking to see that there are also calloused persons who never wanted to receive Jesus in their hearts. They are hopeless situations because Christ's forgiveness is always available but they chose to harden their hearts. Better is the case of the blind man who, though blind physically, was able to see the truth but the other side were not able to see the truth because of their blindness. At the end they asked "Are you telling us we are blind?" because they were confused.
"Who is he Lord? That I may believe in him." is the response of the man to Jesus when asked if he believe in him. He is looking for the truth. The newly healed man yearns for certainty. Jesus offered him the truth. We want to see first to say something is true. Jesus came so tat those who do not see might see. Jesus offered us light. Jesus takes us away from darkness because he is light. The second reading teaches us, through Saint Paul, that we are children of light. Everything exposed by light becomes visible. We can see because there is light and light exposes the truth. Jesus is not only the cure to blindness. He not only is the giver of light and sight. Jesus is, above all, the truth. Without his light, we will be like Samuel in the first reading who only sees the appearance and not the heart. Jesus by healing the blind man exposed to the world who really are blinds. Like the cured blind man let us say to Jesus, "I do believe Lord" and let us worship him.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
ides of march and graduation march
Isa sa pinakainaabangan kong buwan ang March. This year, 2011, sobrang naging napaka memorable ng March. In as much as I want to remember the good and cheerful happenings alone, hinid maiiwasang matandaan rin ang mga bagay na di maganda.
Me with Joel and Jayson at work
March happen to be a lucky month for me. Personally wise, naging masaya akong simulan ang March sa pagkakaroon ng isang trabaho. Hindi ko alam kung talgang magiging pangmatagalan ang trabahong ito, pero ang sigurado ko ay may bagong experiences at bagong mga aral na matututunan.Nagkaroon ng mga bagong tao sa buhay ngayon. Ang mga nakatatas na administrators at mga kapwa katrabaho o employees.
March 15, naganap ang pinakahinihintay kong araw sa buong taon. Ang birthday ni Lara Faye. Ito ang tinatawag nilang Ides of March kasi nga naman sa araw na iyon ay namatay si Julius Cesar. Naging ordinaryong araw nanaman ang March 15 para s aakin, pero sinikap kong maging espesyal sa paraang alam ko. Natutuwa akong alalahanin na wala namang pangit na nagyari sa araw na iyon, sa akin man o sa ibang taong kakilala ko.
Subalit hindi na mawawaglit sa isipan ng lahat ang naganap sa Japan noong March 11. Nagdulot ang lindol ng takot at pangamba sa lahat ng tao sa buong mundo. Awa para sa mga nakakasaksi sa telebisyon ng naging resulta ng tsunaming tumama sa bansang nabanggit.
Sino rin ang makakalimot sa kabikabilang graduation ceremonies na naganap ngayong taon na ito. Napakaraming kakilala ko at kaibigan mula sa iba't ibang dako ang nagsipagtapos ngayong buwan at ang pinamatunog na pangalan ay sila Benj at Gizelle mula sa UST; sila Daryl at Isaac mula sa mga matatlik kong kaibigan sa Nagcarlan; at ang nakahihigit sa lahat, walang iba kung hindi si Rizzel, ang kapatid ko sa turing.
Photos of the baccalaureate graduates for 2011. From the top; Rizzel, Avengel, Isaac, Daryl and Gizzelle
Nagcelebrate din ng birthday niya noong araw ng graduation ni Rizzel, si Stacy. Ang saya talaga ng March 29, ganoon rin ang March 18...yun ang araw na nakapanood ako muli sa CCP at nakita ko si Ginoong Olivier Ochanine sa unang pagkakataon. Masaya ako sa buwang nagdaan. Halos lahat naging maayos at masaya sa akin.
Kaya nga lang, isang malungkot na pagtatapos para sa sambayanang Pilipino ang iniwan ng buwan ng Marso. Ika tatlumpu ng Marso nang isailalim sa pagbitay ang tatlong kabbayang Pilipino sa China. Sa pamamgitan ng lethal injection, binawi ang buhay ng tatlong nakasuhang Pilipino sa China. Sinubaybayan rin ang laban ng Philippine Azkals na isa sa naging highlight ng buwang ito para sa mga sports enthusiasts.
Noong March 28, dalawang TV series sa Philippine primetime ang nagsimula. Ang "Mula sa Puso" ni Wenn Deramas sa ABS-CBN at ang Captain Barbell ni Richard Gutierrez sa GMA. Pareho ko sanang gustong subaybayan pero dahil sa schedule ng work, wala akong time manood kung minsan. Para sa akin, magandang buwan din ito kila Lauren Young, JM de Guzman, at Enrique Gil na matatagal ring naghintay para sa break na ito. Sa tingin ko karapatdapat naman talaga na bigyan ng break ang tatlo dahil sa kalidad ng acting na pinapakita nila. Ito na ang pagkakataon nila.Kagaya ng naging success ng Mara Clara kahit pa puro baguhan ang mga naging bida, ganoon rin ang mangyayari sa programa ng tatlo. Hindi lang acting ang meron ang tatlong promising artists kung hindi pa ti na rin looks at X factor. Si Richard, mukhang mananatiling stagnant ang rating ng show niya. Hindi na ganoon kaappealing ang superhero stories sa mga Pinoy at mukhang gigibain ng "Mutya" at "Minsan Lang Kita..." back-to-back ang timeslot niya. Very sorry to say that pero kailangan matutunan ni Richard mag reinvent. For the pass 4 years puro ganyan ang ginagawa niya. Yung tipong magliligtas sa mundo. Kialangan niyang mag take ng risk as an actor. Gumanap ng papel na komplikado at hindi isteryotipikal. Kung tutuusin mas kaya ni Richard gampanan ang role ni Jerome sa Green Rose kaya nga lang, nasa maling lugar siya. Mahihina ang directors ng GMA. Ayaw nilang lagyan ng experimental features si Richard. Sayang kasi hindi maipakit aang versatility niya bilang actor. Ang mangyayari niyan, darating ang time na sa environmental documentaries na lang natin siya mapapanuod. Kailangan ng something na iba sa mga magiging palabas ni Richard. Something that people do not expect. Kailangan niyang tandaan na hindi lang mga Grade 1 pupils ang nanonood sa kanya. Kung ayaw niya, thyen mag host na nga lang siya ng "Survivor" at ng "Full Force Nature" sa Sunday primetime.
Nakatutuwang isipin na tapos na agad ang March. Isang maganda at meaningful na buwan na naman ang dumaan. Ngayon April na! Sobrang bilib na ako sa mga Math major at sa mga mabbait na jeepney drivers na marunong magsukli at magbaba sa tamang babaan. Nagiging malinaw na ang mga plano ko lalo na sa pagiipon ng budget. Nagiging matatag ang mga values na pinanghahawakan ko, mga bagay na di ko mai-compromise sa anumang sitwasyon. Sana tuloy tuloy lang ang pagunlad ng sarili ko. Alam ko mas magiging maganda pa ang salubong ng Abril sa akin. Isang summer na huhugot ng pinaka-the-best sa akin. Sa buwang ito rin, magtatapos si Lara Faye sa kolehiyo.
sa lahat ng nagtapos at magtatapos pa lang...
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Me with Joel and Jayson at workMarch happen to be a lucky month for me. Personally wise, naging masaya akong simulan ang March sa pagkakaroon ng isang trabaho. Hindi ko alam kung talgang magiging pangmatagalan ang trabahong ito, pero ang sigurado ko ay may bagong experiences at bagong mga aral na matututunan.Nagkaroon ng mga bagong tao sa buhay ngayon. Ang mga nakatatas na administrators at mga kapwa katrabaho o employees.
March 15, naganap ang pinakahinihintay kong araw sa buong taon. Ang birthday ni Lara Faye. Ito ang tinatawag nilang Ides of March kasi nga naman sa araw na iyon ay namatay si Julius Cesar. Naging ordinaryong araw nanaman ang March 15 para s aakin, pero sinikap kong maging espesyal sa paraang alam ko. Natutuwa akong alalahanin na wala namang pangit na nagyari sa araw na iyon, sa akin man o sa ibang taong kakilala ko.
Subalit hindi na mawawaglit sa isipan ng lahat ang naganap sa Japan noong March 11. Nagdulot ang lindol ng takot at pangamba sa lahat ng tao sa buong mundo. Awa para sa mga nakakasaksi sa telebisyon ng naging resulta ng tsunaming tumama sa bansang nabanggit.
Sino rin ang makakalimot sa kabikabilang graduation ceremonies na naganap ngayong taon na ito. Napakaraming kakilala ko at kaibigan mula sa iba't ibang dako ang nagsipagtapos ngayong buwan at ang pinamatunog na pangalan ay sila Benj at Gizelle mula sa UST; sila Daryl at Isaac mula sa mga matatlik kong kaibigan sa Nagcarlan; at ang nakahihigit sa lahat, walang iba kung hindi si Rizzel, ang kapatid ko sa turing.
Photos of the baccalaureate graduates for 2011. From the top; Rizzel, Avengel, Isaac, Daryl and Gizzelle
Nagcelebrate din ng birthday niya noong araw ng graduation ni Rizzel, si Stacy. Ang saya talaga ng March 29, ganoon rin ang March 18...yun ang araw na nakapanood ako muli sa CCP at nakita ko si Ginoong Olivier Ochanine sa unang pagkakataon. Masaya ako sa buwang nagdaan. Halos lahat naging maayos at masaya sa akin.
Kaya nga lang, isang malungkot na pagtatapos para sa sambayanang Pilipino ang iniwan ng buwan ng Marso. Ika tatlumpu ng Marso nang isailalim sa pagbitay ang tatlong kabbayang Pilipino sa China. Sa pamamgitan ng lethal injection, binawi ang buhay ng tatlong nakasuhang Pilipino sa China. Sinubaybayan rin ang laban ng Philippine Azkals na isa sa naging highlight ng buwang ito para sa mga sports enthusiasts.
Noong March 28, dalawang TV series sa Philippine primetime ang nagsimula. Ang "Mula sa Puso" ni Wenn Deramas sa ABS-CBN at ang Captain Barbell ni Richard Gutierrez sa GMA. Pareho ko sanang gustong subaybayan pero dahil sa schedule ng work, wala akong time manood kung minsan. Para sa akin, magandang buwan din ito kila Lauren Young, JM de Guzman, at Enrique Gil na matatagal ring naghintay para sa break na ito. Sa tingin ko karapatdapat naman talaga na bigyan ng break ang tatlo dahil sa kalidad ng acting na pinapakita nila. Ito na ang pagkakataon nila.Kagaya ng naging success ng Mara Clara kahit pa puro baguhan ang mga naging bida, ganoon rin ang mangyayari sa programa ng tatlo. Hindi lang acting ang meron ang tatlong promising artists kung hindi pa ti na rin looks at X factor. Si Richard, mukhang mananatiling stagnant ang rating ng show niya. Hindi na ganoon kaappealing ang superhero stories sa mga Pinoy at mukhang gigibain ng "Mutya" at "Minsan Lang Kita..." back-to-back ang timeslot niya. Very sorry to say that pero kailangan matutunan ni Richard mag reinvent. For the pass 4 years puro ganyan ang ginagawa niya. Yung tipong magliligtas sa mundo. Kialangan niyang mag take ng risk as an actor. Gumanap ng papel na komplikado at hindi isteryotipikal. Kung tutuusin mas kaya ni Richard gampanan ang role ni Jerome sa Green Rose kaya nga lang, nasa maling lugar siya. Mahihina ang directors ng GMA. Ayaw nilang lagyan ng experimental features si Richard. Sayang kasi hindi maipakit aang versatility niya bilang actor. Ang mangyayari niyan, darating ang time na sa environmental documentaries na lang natin siya mapapanuod. Kailangan ng something na iba sa mga magiging palabas ni Richard. Something that people do not expect. Kailangan niyang tandaan na hindi lang mga Grade 1 pupils ang nanonood sa kanya. Kung ayaw niya, thyen mag host na nga lang siya ng "Survivor" at ng "Full Force Nature" sa Sunday primetime.
Nakatutuwang isipin na tapos na agad ang March. Isang maganda at meaningful na buwan na naman ang dumaan. Ngayon April na! Sobrang bilib na ako sa mga Math major at sa mga mabbait na jeepney drivers na marunong magsukli at magbaba sa tamang babaan. Nagiging malinaw na ang mga plano ko lalo na sa pagiipon ng budget. Nagiging matatag ang mga values na pinanghahawakan ko, mga bagay na di ko mai-compromise sa anumang sitwasyon. Sana tuloy tuloy lang ang pagunlad ng sarili ko. Alam ko mas magiging maganda pa ang salubong ng Abril sa akin. Isang summer na huhugot ng pinaka-the-best sa akin. Sa buwang ito rin, magtatapos si Lara Faye sa kolehiyo.
sa lahat ng nagtapos at magtatapos pa lang...
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
wishing well woman and water
Lent is definitely a journey to Easter just as Advent is to Christmas. We dispose ourselves several weeks before the coming of the Lord Jesus to life; first at his birth and second at his resurrection. The First Sunday of Lent introduced Jesus as a person who prepares for his mission that was after the Baptism at Jordan River. Knowing that his task requires strength of character and clarity of vision, Jesus struggled to control the human in him for forty days and nights. Yes, like us humans, he was also tempted by the devil and resisted it. The Second Week of Lent, Jesus prepared his friends for the mission. They need to understand and accept the suffering of Jesus but they also received the promise of his victory over sin and death. Also presented was the last temptation of the devil using Peter. Jesus was tempted to stay in the glory of Mount Tabor and Peter is ready to settle in there and thus forget the mission of Jesus. But once again Jesus succeeded in resisting the temptation for comfort. The story closed with Jesus going down the mountain to bring the Good News to the sinner, the sick and the poor. And so the remaining three Sundays of Lent are all about the encounter of Jesus with a sinner, with a ailing person and to the grieving poor loved ones of a dead person. Jesus will bring the Good News to all of them. For these three Sundays, Jesus will stand out as the Way, the Truth, and the Life of humanity waiting for redemption.
Meeting the Woman at the Well
That great mission starts today. The Gospel presents Jesus and a woman at the well. The Old Testament is full of stories about the well and in those stories; the characters [man and woman] end up in marriage. The servant of Abraham met Rebeka near the well and the latter married Abraham's son Isaac. Jacob met Rachel at the well. Moses met the Zephorah at the well. The well is the analogue of town plaza during those times. A place where women use to see and chat with each other. They get their water provision from the well and they come either early in the morning or before dusk. So it is very unusual that the woman in today’s Gospel, who is a Samaritan, went into the well to fetch water at the height of the sun. Perhaps the woman is afraid to socialize with other women. Jesus told us why; this woman is living a sinful lifestyle.
This is one of the most interesting stories in the Bible. In broad day light, we see two very opposite persons conversing with each other filling the entire chapter 4 of John. One is a man and the other a woman. One is a Jew and the other a Samaritan. One is purely holy and the other a sinner. The Samaritan woman was shocked by how Jesus talked to her. How can a man who is a Jew talk to a woman who is a Samaritan and a sinner at that? Jesus is breaking cultural stereotypes in here.
Jesus opened a way for the woman to be reconciled to herself and to God. She restored the dignity lost when she swam into sin. Jesus is not only offering forgiveness to the woman; he wants to convert the woman and turn her into an evangelizer. The woman drastically change 360® and left her jar announcing to the world that here is a man whom prophets long foretold, a man who converted her. Before she met Jesus she was ashamed of her life. She didn’t even want to be seen by the people in fear that they might talk about her lifestyle. Now, after she met Jesus, she shouted out to the world to know that she was changed suddenly by a man she met at the well. For an ordinary woman, the jar means everything and by leaving the jar of water, the woman walked the path that leads her to the water that lasts for eternity. She left everything in exchange of that water promised by Jesus. Jesus told her that there is a way to get that water and a better way to enjoy this life. The water that quenches her thirst is just the same as the desire for the man. It will satisfy her temporarily but after sometime she is wanting even more. The woman is not only looking for living water that takes away her thirst forever, she is looking for an eternal spouse, like you and me. The woman mistaken those men to be the groom of her life but none lasted. After talking to Jesus, she finally found who [not what] she is looking for and immediately ran to the isle that leads her to the groom. She became part of the Church which is the spouse of Christ. The story also ended up in marriage. She is now waiting for the bridegroom to come as written in the book of Revelation. She will take part to the Wedding of the Lamb, the most awaited wedding in human history. She tried so many ways and yet found no groom until she met Christ.
Jesus is the way to conversion. Jesus is the only way. Jesus is the right way. He not only shows us or points us the way but he himself is the way. Only when the woman talked to him that she understood how to change her ways. Through the intimacy developed between Jesus and you/me, we reform the way of living that once imprisoned us. Let us ask Jesus to show us the fountain of living water to keep us going. The way of Christ is here, it is up to us if we will take the path like what the Samaritan woman did.
Meeting the Woman at the Well
That great mission starts today. The Gospel presents Jesus and a woman at the well. The Old Testament is full of stories about the well and in those stories; the characters [man and woman] end up in marriage. The servant of Abraham met Rebeka near the well and the latter married Abraham's son Isaac. Jacob met Rachel at the well. Moses met the Zephorah at the well. The well is the analogue of town plaza during those times. A place where women use to see and chat with each other. They get their water provision from the well and they come either early in the morning or before dusk. So it is very unusual that the woman in today’s Gospel, who is a Samaritan, went into the well to fetch water at the height of the sun. Perhaps the woman is afraid to socialize with other women. Jesus told us why; this woman is living a sinful lifestyle.
This is one of the most interesting stories in the Bible. In broad day light, we see two very opposite persons conversing with each other filling the entire chapter 4 of John. One is a man and the other a woman. One is a Jew and the other a Samaritan. One is purely holy and the other a sinner. The Samaritan woman was shocked by how Jesus talked to her. How can a man who is a Jew talk to a woman who is a Samaritan and a sinner at that? Jesus is breaking cultural stereotypes in here.
Jesus opened a way for the woman to be reconciled to herself and to God. She restored the dignity lost when she swam into sin. Jesus is not only offering forgiveness to the woman; he wants to convert the woman and turn her into an evangelizer. The woman drastically change 360® and left her jar announcing to the world that here is a man whom prophets long foretold, a man who converted her. Before she met Jesus she was ashamed of her life. She didn’t even want to be seen by the people in fear that they might talk about her lifestyle. Now, after she met Jesus, she shouted out to the world to know that she was changed suddenly by a man she met at the well. For an ordinary woman, the jar means everything and by leaving the jar of water, the woman walked the path that leads her to the water that lasts for eternity. She left everything in exchange of that water promised by Jesus. Jesus told her that there is a way to get that water and a better way to enjoy this life. The water that quenches her thirst is just the same as the desire for the man. It will satisfy her temporarily but after sometime she is wanting even more. The woman is not only looking for living water that takes away her thirst forever, she is looking for an eternal spouse, like you and me. The woman mistaken those men to be the groom of her life but none lasted. After talking to Jesus, she finally found who [not what] she is looking for and immediately ran to the isle that leads her to the groom. She became part of the Church which is the spouse of Christ. The story also ended up in marriage. She is now waiting for the bridegroom to come as written in the book of Revelation. She will take part to the Wedding of the Lamb, the most awaited wedding in human history. She tried so many ways and yet found no groom until she met Christ.
Jesus is the way to conversion. Jesus is the only way. Jesus is the right way. He not only shows us or points us the way but he himself is the way. Only when the woman talked to him that she understood how to change her ways. Through the intimacy developed between Jesus and you/me, we reform the way of living that once imprisoned us. Let us ask Jesus to show us the fountain of living water to keep us going. The way of Christ is here, it is up to us if we will take the path like what the Samaritan woman did.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
moment of shining sacrifice
The One Holy Catholic Church is journeying with Jesus for the whole Season of Lent. The itinerary is the Easter Triduum. We [the Catholic Church] are children of the Easter Morning. Last Sunday, Jesus journeyed in the wilderness and encounters the human in him being tempted by the devil. Jesus opens the voyage of Lent with a lesson of self introspection and recognition of our sins. Our selves first! Jesus began by administering to himself making sure he is ready to take his ministry to the second level.
The Metamorphosis of Jesus
Today, Jesus secluded himself again from the crowd but this time he has company. Three of his disciples are with him. At the top of the mountain, Jesus metamorphosed into a very different being with all glory and splendor. The Gospel for today was taken from Matthew 17:1-9; the transfiguration of Jesus and twice we are reading this periscope in the liturgical year. We read this Gospel during Second Sunday of Lent which is today and the other one is during August 6 which is the Feast of Transfiguration. The same reading but two different occasions of different approaches to the word. For August 6, we contemplate on the transfiguration as a triumphant episode of Jesus’ ministerial life. Yet today, we contemplate in a very dramatic sense. It used to be like that because we want to set the tone for Lent; but as Fr. Gil use to say during Lent, Christianity is a “religion of joy” and that gives colorful enthusiasm to me.
We can look at the transfiguration of Jesus both as preview of resurrection and a preview of crucifixion. Jesus was crucified on top of a mountain with two men beside him. One is looking at him in despair and the other one with hope for eternal life. Moses lost his trust in God and died in Moab but Elijah remained optimistic and reached eternal life without dying. Crucifixion is not just a dramatic episode, it is also a moment of victor—Jesus won over sin. Transfiguration is a foretaste of the Passion of Jesus but also a glimpse of humanity’s redemption. That is why Christianity is a religion of joy. We need not maintain the mellow of lent but stay attuned with the Spirit of recollection and repentance.
The Gospel Narrative also presents another instance of persisting temptation from the devil. The devil made use of Peter to tempt Jesus so he will stay on the mountain. This may be the fourth temptation to Jesus. Looking at it the other way, it is also Peter tempted by the devil to lay back and deny the passion and the ministry which Jesus has to attend down the mountain. This stresses that Lent is an invitation to look inwardly and acknowledge our sinfulness and in coming to our senses, we take the courage to be reconciled to God.
Only when a person braves the painful experience of contrition that transfiguration can took place. Yes, Jesus wants all of us to experience transfiguration and restore the image and likeness of God that was once lost in Eden when men fell into sin. He encouraged the apostles; he still encourages us today at the Mass during the consecration of the Holy Host to witness the transfiguration. The bread turns into the Body of Christ. Jesus will not turn stones into bread, only bread into his body.
Next week, we will continue reflecting on the journey of Christ as we also journey this Lent. The journey of Christ to the Cross as set by the Holy Mother Church this liturgical year. For the meantime, let us look at ourselves and ask if we are looking at the transfiguration in a purely victorious manner or are we also tempting Jesus by asking things that should not be asked anyway? Are we experiencing transfiguration in our lives as we grow in holiness?
The Metamorphosis of Jesus
Today, Jesus secluded himself again from the crowd but this time he has company. Three of his disciples are with him. At the top of the mountain, Jesus metamorphosed into a very different being with all glory and splendor. The Gospel for today was taken from Matthew 17:1-9; the transfiguration of Jesus and twice we are reading this periscope in the liturgical year. We read this Gospel during Second Sunday of Lent which is today and the other one is during August 6 which is the Feast of Transfiguration. The same reading but two different occasions of different approaches to the word. For August 6, we contemplate on the transfiguration as a triumphant episode of Jesus’ ministerial life. Yet today, we contemplate in a very dramatic sense. It used to be like that because we want to set the tone for Lent; but as Fr. Gil use to say during Lent, Christianity is a “religion of joy” and that gives colorful enthusiasm to me.
We can look at the transfiguration of Jesus both as preview of resurrection and a preview of crucifixion. Jesus was crucified on top of a mountain with two men beside him. One is looking at him in despair and the other one with hope for eternal life. Moses lost his trust in God and died in Moab but Elijah remained optimistic and reached eternal life without dying. Crucifixion is not just a dramatic episode, it is also a moment of victor—Jesus won over sin. Transfiguration is a foretaste of the Passion of Jesus but also a glimpse of humanity’s redemption. That is why Christianity is a religion of joy. We need not maintain the mellow of lent but stay attuned with the Spirit of recollection and repentance.
The Gospel Narrative also presents another instance of persisting temptation from the devil. The devil made use of Peter to tempt Jesus so he will stay on the mountain. This may be the fourth temptation to Jesus. Looking at it the other way, it is also Peter tempted by the devil to lay back and deny the passion and the ministry which Jesus has to attend down the mountain. This stresses that Lent is an invitation to look inwardly and acknowledge our sinfulness and in coming to our senses, we take the courage to be reconciled to God.
Only when a person braves the painful experience of contrition that transfiguration can took place. Yes, Jesus wants all of us to experience transfiguration and restore the image and likeness of God that was once lost in Eden when men fell into sin. He encouraged the apostles; he still encourages us today at the Mass during the consecration of the Holy Host to witness the transfiguration. The bread turns into the Body of Christ. Jesus will not turn stones into bread, only bread into his body.
Next week, we will continue reflecting on the journey of Christ as we also journey this Lent. The journey of Christ to the Cross as set by the Holy Mother Church this liturgical year. For the meantime, let us look at ourselves and ask if we are looking at the transfiguration in a purely victorious manner or are we also tempting Jesus by asking things that should not be asked anyway? Are we experiencing transfiguration in our lives as we grow in holiness?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)