Napakagandang Katapusan

Noong nakaraang Linggo ay ginunita natin ang Pagpasok ni Hesus sa Herusalem. Matagumpay ito at tuwang-tuwa ang mga tao. Lunes hanggang Miyerkules ay nagturo si Hesus sa mga tao at noong Huwebes naman ay nagdiwang sila ng pista. Biglang nagbago ang mga tao, bigla nilang itinakwil si Hesus at pumayag na ipapatay sa krus. Napakalungkot ang mga pangyayayaring ito sa mga alagad niya, inialay na nila ang kanilang buong buhay para sa kanya--- iniwan nila ang kani-kanilang pamilya, trabaho, bayan at mga prinsipyo subalit namatay pa siya. Nakita nila kung paano niya pinagaling ang mga tao, tinuruan at binigyan ng bagong buhay subalit di nila sinuklian ng kabutihan o malasakit man lang. Nanlumo sila sapagkat di nila alam kung paano magsisimula ulit. Di nila alam kung ano ang gagawin ngayong wala na si Hesus na naging buhay na nila. At wala nang mas papantay pa sa kalungkutan ni Maria na balo at nawalan pa ng kaisaisang anak. At si Maria ay nakakita mismo kung paano siya husgahan, pahirapan, at patayin. Sino kayang ina ang hindi labis na mahihirapan habang pinagmamasdan niya ang kanyang anak na unti-unting namamatay habang pinahihirapan ng husto? Kay Maria at sa mga kaibigan ni Hesus, parang katapusan na ng mundo ito para sa kanila. 

Makaraan ang Araw ng Pamamahinga, sa pagbubukang-liwayway nang unang araw ng sanlinggo, lumakad si Maria Magdalena at ang isa pang Maria upang tingnan ang libingan ni Jesus. (Mateo 28:1) Nais lamang nilang lagyan ng pabango ang bangkay ni Hesus. Wala silang inaasahan na anuman. Biglang lumindol nang malakas. Bumaba mula sa langit ang isang anghel ng Panginoon, iginulong ang batong nakatakip sa libingan at umupo sa ibabaw niyon. Ang kanyang mukha ay nakakasilaw na parang kidlat at puting-puti ang kanyang damit.  Nanginig sa takot ang mga bantay nang makita ang anghel, at sila'y nabuwal na parang mga patay. (Mateo 28:2) Sila ay nasorpresa. Marami nang sinabi sa kanila si Hesus tungkol sa kanyang kamatayan at pagkabuhay na mag-uli subalit di nila maintindihan. Ito na kaya ang katuparan ng kaniyang mga sinabi sa kanila?

Ngunit sinabi ng anghel sa mga babae, "Huwag kayong matakot; alam kong hinahanap ninyo si Hesus na ipinako sa krus. Wala na siya rito sapagkat siya'y muling nabuhay gaya ng kanyang sinabi. Halikayo't tingnan ninyo ang pinaglibingan sa kanya. Magmadali kayo at ibalita sa kanyang mga alagad na siya'y muling nabuhay! At papunta na siya sa Galilea. Makikita ninyo siya roon! Iyan ang balitang hatid ko sa inyo."  (Mateo 28:3-7)

Di nila alam ang kanilang gagawin. Magkahalong saya, takot at pagkabalisa ang kanilang nararamdaman. Maaring naitanong din nila kung ang mga ito ba ay panaginip lamang. Matutuwa sila kung ang mga ito ay totoo at subalit di nila alam kung paano ang mga ito nanagyari.

At dali-dali nga silang umalis sa libingan na may magkahalong takot at galak, at patakbong pumunta sa mga alagad upang ibalita ang nangyari. Ngunit sinalubong sila ni Hesus at sinabi, "Magalak kayo!" Lumapit sila sa kanya, hinawakan ang kanyang mga paa at sinamba siya. Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus, "Huwag kayong matakot! Magmadali kayo't sabihin sa mga kapatid ko na pumunta sila sa Galilea, at makikita nila ako roon!"(Mateo 28:8-10)

Binigyan niya ang mga babae ng kapayapaan. Pinagkalooban sila ni Hesus ng kagalakan at pinawi ang kanilang pagkatakot. ang mga babae ay nabago. Nakatawid sila mula sa pagkatakot tungo sa kapayapaan, sa kalungkutan tungo sa kagalakan, mula sa pagkabalisa tungo sa pananampalataya.

Hindi lang mga babae ang nabago. Nagpakita si Hesus sa kanyang ina. Wala nang mas papantay pa sa kaligayahan niyang nalaman niyang buhay ang kanyang anak at maghahari pa magpasawalang-hanggan! Hindi lamang niya ipagpapatuloy ang kanyang mga nasimulan, magkakaroon pa ang mga ito ng kaganapan! Magpapakita si Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad sa Emaus, sa Jerusalem, kay Tomas, sa mga unang Kristiyano, hanggang kay Pablo hanggang sa mga Kristiyano sa bawat panahon. Ang kapayapaan, kagalakan at kaliwanagan na dulot ng Kristong nabuhay muli ay nananatili. Ang pagkabuhay ni Kristo ay nagdulot ng malaking pagbabago sa kasaysayan ng tao. Walang dahas, nakalikha si hesus ng bagong sibilisasyon. Mapapansin natin ang pagbabago ng mga alagad na naging dahilan ng paglago ng Simbahan. Marami ang nagbagong buhay at naging inspirasyon sa iba lao na sa mga di-Kristiyano. Nagkaroon ng mga pag-uusig, mga digmaan, kaguluhan, iba't ibang suliranin ang mga Kristiyano subalit kailanaman ay di nagtatagumpay ang kaaway. Nagliliwanag sa kadiliman ang ilaw, at hindi ito nagapi kailanman ng kadiliman. (Juan 1:5) Ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ni Hesus ay patuloy na nagliliwanag at gumagapi sa dilim.

Wala na sa libingan si Hesus. Siya ay nasa Galilea--- simbolo ng Simbahan. Siya di na siya pisikal na naririto subalit siya ay buhay na nararamdaman sa tuwing tayo ay nagkakaisa sa pagdiriwang ng banal na Misa, sa mga munting Sambayang Kristiyano o BEC, sa mga PREX at Life in the Spirit Seminars, sa Caritas Manila at Gawad Kalinga, at marami pang mga pangkat kung saan ang paghahari ng Diyos ay nakikita at damang-dama. Siya ang nasa puso ng sinumang tumatalikod sa kanilang mga kasalanan at itinalaga ang sarili sa tapat na paglilingkod sa Diyos at sa kanilang kapwa. Siya ang inspirasyon ng mga santo at mga bayani sa kanilang mga pagtitiis upang isabuhay at ihayag sa iba ang kanyang mensahe. 

Kung tayo ay nagkakaroon ng pagdiriwang at piging sa tuwing may mahahagang okasyon sa ating buhay kagaya ng graduation, birthday, anniversaries at kasal, marapat lamang na ang araw na ito ay ipagsaya. Ito ang napakagandang katapusan pagkatapos ng ating mga pagpapakasakit at paghahanda noong Kuwaresma.  

Maaring nararanasan natin ang mga Biyernes Santo sa ting buhay subalit ang araw na ito ay nagpapahiwatig sa atin ng tiyak na pag-asa mula kay Kristo na nabuhay muli. 

Aleluya!

God's Love Has Changed the World

Once upon a time, on a mountain were three trees. Each of them had a dream. The first tree dreamed of being made into a treasure box. The second one dreamed of being made into a war ship. She dreamed of carrying the greatest general who wins a lot of battles. And the last tree dreamed of being made into a building. Not long while they discuss about their dreams when a woodcutter came.

The first tree was cut into pieces and was made into a feeding box. She was put in a stable and from then on, she holds water and animal feeds until she became stinky and dirty. She was disappointed of what had happened to her dream.

The second tree was made into a boat and was sold to a fisherman. From that day,  she brings fishermen to the sea and she keeps on holding dead and stinky fishes. Like the first tree, she felt disappointed as well.

The third tree had her branches removed and was polished and then was cut into two. Her two pieces was then joined against each other. She was then set aside. She was wondering what had happened to her dream.

One day, a young couple came to the stable. The feeding box saw that the young woman gave birth and the newborn child was placed in her. When she saw the star above her with some people coming and bowing and kneeling before the newborn baby she was holding, she felt that she is now something special. She was now holding the Greatest Treasure of all.

Many years passed, the boat now has her own owner. One day, a man, a teacher who seems popular among the people sat in her while teaching them. Later, she took this man with his owner and some of his friends to the sea. Then, a storm came. She was very afraid. She find it helpless to save those people she was carrying. But, she heard the teacher says, "Be still!" And suddenly, the harsh wind was turned into a gentle breeze and the sea indeed became still. She felt happy that she may not be a war ship but she was now carrying the Lord of Heaven and Earth.

Few years have passed and it was one Friday morning when a soldier grabbed the cut tree. She was then placed on the shoulder of a man who was covered with sweat, dirt and blood. She was afraid when this man frequently fell because of her. She was even surprised when that man was nailed on her. And for three hours, both she and the man endured the shame and ridicule of  people around them. After the man died, she was left on a sad, barren hill.

Early Sunday morning, in a distance, the tomb where the man was buried shone with great light.

The tree smiled as she understood that the man was the same baby who made her friend, the feeding box precious. He was the teacher who made her friend, the boat famous. And she, the cross, which was a symbol of shame became an instrument of God's salvation.

God's love has changed the world. Christ makes the cross beautiful.

Jesus Empties Himself

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. (John 13:1)

Passover festival is the most joyful celebration of the Jews. It commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.  The Gospels recorded four Passover Festivals in his life, the first one was when he was a twelve year old accompanied by his mother, Mary and his foster father, Joseph. I  was thinking that in his last Passover, Jesus must have felt sad thinking that he will now leave this world in order to return to the Father. He will now undergo his passion and he will be separated from his disciples whom he treats as friends and he love them dearly.

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:2-5)

Jesus felt the need to show his love as to console himself and as well as his disciples regarding his coming hour of departure. He will show his love even for his friend now thinking of betraying him, to the one who will deny him and to those who will desert him. He took of his outer clothes--- perhaps an allusion to what Paul will say about him later: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing  by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Philippians 2:6-7)

In those times, where roads were rough and dusty and sandals is the common footwear, there is a need for the host to have the feet of his guests washed. He will ask his servants to do the task but it is reserved for a non-Jewish servant. It is one of the lowest tasks in their civilization. Yet,  Jesus was the one who acts as a servant who washes the feet of his servants. Imagine the scandal to Peter when he says “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”   “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”  Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” (John 13:6-8)

It is necessary for Jesus to humble himself out of love for Peter and all men to receive the inheritance---- our salvation. All men sinned and there is a need for someone to atone for their sins. But, since no man can atone for them, the Father gave His only begotten Son. (John 3:16) Only the God-Man can atone for the whole sins of humanity.

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”  For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:9-17)

Today is Maundy Thursday. It comes from the Latin word "mandatum" meaning "to command". The name comes from the Gospel for today which speaks of Jesus commanding his disciples to imitate his love for them. Jesus teaches that love and humility go together. There is no true love when a boyfriend says "I love you" to his girlfriend without him setting aside his ego and his thinking that he will always be in command. There is no true love when leaders do not set aside their prestige and status in order to listen and empathize to the needs of the common people. There is no true love when parents do not set aside their authority and their line of thinking in order to show their love for their children.

But, Jesus knows that washing of the feet is not the ultimate expression of his love. The day after, he humbly allowed himself to suffer and to die on the cross establishing a new and everlasting covenant with his friends.

Gabriel Marcel, a French Christian philosopher says: To love is to say to the beloved--- You shall not die. In his great love for us, Jesus will not let us die to the point that he chose to die instead.

Hosana! Iligtas Mo Kami!

Mahal na araw na naman.  Sa buong taon, sa linggong ito yata tayo pinakrelihiyoso. Natitiis nating maglkad ng napakalayo, o lumuhod ng napakatagal o mag-ayuno at mag-abstinensya. Sa linggong din ito mas naaappreciate natin ang ating pagiging Katoliko. Sa panahong ito, kahit marami ang nagbabakasyon, mas marami pa rin ang nagugunita sa linggong ito sa pamamagitan ng pananalangin, pagninilay-nilay sa pagpapakasakit ng Panginoon at pagsasakripisyo.

Ngayon ay Linggo ng Palaspas. Gunugunita rin natin ngayon ang Pasyon ng Panginoon. Mahigit dalawang-libong taon na ang nagdaan simula nang gamitin ang mga sanga ng oliba upang tanggapin si Hesus sa Herusalem subalit ginagamit pa rin natin ang mga ito upang tanggapin si Hesus bilang pagsalubong natin sa kanya sa Mahal na Araw. Ang kaibahan lamang ay noong panahon, tinanggap si Hesus ng mga taga-Herusalem sapagkat naniniwala sila na si Hesus ang magliligtas sa kanila sa kapangyarihan ng mga Romano. Kung kaya naman ang sigaw nila ay "Hosana" na ang ibig sabihin ay "Iligtas mo kami!". Ang mga taong tumanggap at nagbunyi kay Hesus ng "Hosana" ay siya ring mga taong nanlait at sumigaw ng "Ipako siya sa krus!" Pagkatapos ng apat na araw ay nawala na ang kanilang pananampalataya at sila pa ang nagpadala at nagpasuhol sa kanilang mga lider at mga saserdote upang ipapatay si Hesus nang makita nilang hindi niya kayang ipagtanggol ang Israel sa kapangyarihan ng mga kaaway.

Maaring tayo ay maging ganito. Marami tayong inaasahan sa Diyos at lumalapit tayo sa kanya sa tuwing maayos o maganda ang lahat. Subalit kapag napapansin natin na mahina tayo at hindi natin nakikita ang kanyang pagtulong, madalas bumaliktad tayo at magpadala sa tukso. 

Ang mga palaspas natin ngayon ay tanda na maari nating tanggapin si Hesus sa ating buhay bilang Panginoon natin at Tagapagligtas. Sinisigaw din natin ang "Hosana" hindi upang palayain tayo sa kamay ng ating mga kaaway kundi upang palayain tayo sa ating mga kasakiman at kasalanan. Subalit, nasa atin pa rin ang desisyon kung mananatili ba siyang Hari ng ating buhay o itatakwil natin siya. Nasa atin ang desisyon kung tayo ay magiging tapat sa kanya o lalayo tayo sa kanya kapag nagiging mahirap na ang mga sitwasyon.

Sa parokya na aming pinanggalingan, ang tradisyon ay dapat wala talgang tao sa loob ng Simbahan bago magsimula ang misa. May palaspas man o wala, lahat nasa lugar ng pagbabasbasan ng palaspas at pagkatapos ng Ebanghelyo at maikling homiliya, magpuprusisyon na nasa unahan ang pari, mga apostol at magseserve sa misa kasunod ang mga tao. Pinapaalala kasi na ang Simbahan ay simbolo ng Heruslaem na kung saan ang pari na simbolo ni Kristo ay papasok upang tanggapin na maluwag ang kanyang pagpapakasakit at pagkamatay. Kasunod siya ng mga tao bilang tanda na sila ay nakikiisa sa pagdiriwang ng kanyang Mahal na Pasyon.

Nawa, pagkatapos ng ating pagpapabasabas ng palaspas, maalala nawa natin ang ating desisyon nanag tinaggap nation si Hesus bilang Panginoon. Sana sa tuwing nakikita natin ang mga palaspas na ito sa isang lugar sa ating bahay, maalala natin ang ating desisyong makiisa sa kanyang pagpapakasakit, pagkamatay hanggang sa kanyang Muling Pagkabuhay.

Ito ang isang clip sa Jesus Christ Superstar. Paborito ko ang linyang "Hey JC, won't you die for me?" At kahit na nanlumo si Hesus ay bukas puso niyang tinanggap ang kanyang kamatayan.

From Death to Life

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”  When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:1-4)

Each Sunday of Lent especially in this year's liturgical cycle, dwells on a particular mystery of Christ as the Savior. We have reflected Jesus as a Suffering Servant of God last First Sunday of Lent. We have seen Jesus as the Glorious Messiah in the Sunday after that. The Third Sunday of Lent allows us to reflect on Jesus as the Giver of Life-giving Water, giving lasting satisfaction to human thirst. Last Sunday, we have seen Jesus as the Light of the world. And in this Sunday, the last Sunday before the Holy Week, we are invited to recognize Jesus as the Giver of Life.

When Lazarus was sick, Jesus did not immediately go there to heal him. Instead, he waited two days more and at that time, Lazarus died.  Jesus is a close friend of Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary. There must be the reason why he did not heal him immeciately. He can heal Lazarus merely by his word--- like what he did to the servant of a centurion and the nobleman's son at Cana. But, he had chosen not to heal him, but as he had said, he did this in order to show the power of God.

In our life, sometimes we ask God why did he allow an evil thing to happen. We might have asked why did he allow Ondoy to hit causing the death of so many lives. The same thing with tsunami and earthquake in Japan and in New Zealand. Why is God so silent when his children are crying to him for help?

Let us proceed first with the Gospel passage. On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.  Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11:17-22)

Martha cannot understand why Jesus was not with them when Lazarus was sick. Lazarus must have been alive if Jesus was there. But, her faith did not waiver after her brother's death and she still believes that Jesus will do marvels for them.  Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”  Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:23-24) Because of her faith, Jesus himself assured Martha that he will make his brother rise again. But Martha's response, although correct, indicates her lack of faith. She is still waiting for the last day to come. A person with enough faith and who has limitless trust in Christ's words may say: I believe Lord, I will now open the grave in order for you to bring his life again. So, Jesus once again allow her to understand: Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:25-27)

So, after hearing Martha's confirmation, Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.  “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” (John 11:38-39) Martha still has not enough faith. She has not fully abandoned herself to Jesus word. She still relies on her reason and still has excessive worries. That is why Jesus scolded her and said: “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40)

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (John 11:41-44)

We are invited to reflect on our faith. We must believe in Jesus constantly giving life both in ordinary and extraordinary events of our lives. Sometimes, we ask for miracles but we sometimes forgot the small miracles that he is doing.  We have expected for Ondoy to stop suddenly or for the earthquake not to destroy anything. Yet we fail to see that it is an act of nature. God may not intend to contradict nature's laws. But, something good comes out of evil. Actually, St. Augustine says that evil does not exist. All things are good. Without vocanic eruption, the earth will failt o release the heat underneath the surface. Without earthquakes, the earth will burts since there are no movements of the land plates. Without typhoons, the earth will have global warming since the athmosphere is steady. But when we see these disasters, we actually see the hand of God doing "miracles"--- we see the unity and camaraderie, we reflect the transiency of our lives here on earth and we see the survivors as stronger persons as they go on with their lives.

There is nothing to be afraid of death--- it is a passage to life. Only in the valley death, does God allow seeds of new life to sprout. It is also true in "small deaths" that we have everyday. And Jesus is the Lord and Giver of Life. His death on the cross is actually a participation to our own "deaths". We are invited to put our faith in him.

This Sunday, let us supplicate: Rescue me O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears from death into life.

Liwanag ni Kristo

Sa paglalakad ni Hesus, nakita niya ang isang lalaking ipinanganak na bulag. Tinanong siya ng kanyang mga alagad, "Guro, sino po ang nagkasala at ipinanganak na bulag ang lalaking ito, siya ba o ang kanyang mga magulang?" Sumagot si Hesus, "Ipinanganak siyang bulag, hindi dahil sa nagkasala siya, o ang kanyang mga magulang, kundi upang mahayag ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos sa pamamagitan niya. Kailangang gawin natin a ang mga ipinapagawa ng nagsugo sa akin habang umaga pa; malapit na ang gabi, at wala nang makakagawa pagsapit niyon. Habang ako'y nasa sanlibutan, ako ang ilaw ng sanlibutan." Pagkasabi nito, dumura si Jesus sa lupa at gumawa ng putik. Pagkatapos, ipinahid niya ito sa mata ng bulag. Sinabi ni Jesus sa bulag, "Pumunta ka sa deposito ng tubig sa Siloe at maghilamos ka roon." Ang kahulugan ng salitang Siloe ay Sinugo. Ganoon nga ang ginawa ng bulag, at nang magbalik siya ay nakakakita na.(Juan 9:1-7)

Ang matalinong si Plato ay gumawa ng kuwento upang mas maipaliwanag niya ang kanyang pilosopiya. Noong daw ay may mga taong nakakulong simula pa nang sila'y ipanganak sa kuweba. Doon na sila lumaki. Doon ay madilim at ang tanging nakikita nila ay ang mga anino dahil sa liwanag na galing sa kuweba at sa apoy sa loob. Ang mga matatalino sa kanila ay pinagaaralan ang mga aninong nakikita nila sa dingding ng kuweba. Subali't may isa sa kanila na nakatakas at nakalabas. Una'y nasaktan siya sa liwanag na kanyang nakita. Subalit napansin niya na maganda pala ang nasa labas ng kuweba. Mas malawak, mas maraming mga tanawin, maliwanag at mas masaya. Ang ginawa niya, muli siyang pumasok sa loob at niyaya niya ang maga kasama niya na tumakas at lumabas. Subalit hindi siya pinaniwalaan at pinatay pa siya.

Noong nakaraang linggo ay napagnilaynilayan natin si Hesus bilang tubig na nagbibigay buhay. Kapag tinanggap natin siya, hindi na tayo mauuhaw at hindi na natin kailangan ang mga tubig na nagbibigay ng panandaliang pagpawi ng uhaw. Ngayon naman, pinatutunayan sa atin ni Hesus na siya ang liwanag ng sanlibutan at ang sinumang nannampalataya sa kanya ay hindi na muling maglalakad sa kadiliman bagkus ay magkakaroon ng liwanag ng buhay. (Juan 8:12)

Katulad tayo ng bulag o ng mag presong nakakulong sa kuweba. Alipin na tayo ng kasalanan kahit bago pa lamang tayo isilang. Bulag tayo sa kagandahan ng buhay, hindi natin makita at makilala ang Diyos at ang tunay na kahulugan ng ating buhay. Maaring katulad ng mga preso sa kuweba, nakikita natin ang mga anino ng mga bagay-bagay at pinag-aaralan natin ang mga patterns niyon subalit hindi natin alam kung ano ba talaga ang mga iyon. Maaring katulad ng mga bulag, naririnig natin ang mga sinasabi ng mga tao o nagagamit natin ang ating pandama subalit, hindi natin totoong alam kung ano ang tunay na anyo o kahulugan ng mga bagy-bagay sa ating paligid. At sapagkat lahat tayo ay bulag, naaakay natin ang kapwa natin bulag at madalas na akayin din nila tayo na nagdadala sa kapahamakan ng bawat isa sa atin.

Subalit, isa lamang ang hindi bulag at siya'y nagkatawang tao katulad natin upang alisin tayo sa pagkabulag at dalhin sa liwanag. Nais niyang mas makilala natin ang Diyos, mas maintindihan natin ang kahulugan ng mga nangyayari sa ating buhay at sa ating kapaligiran at magkaroon tayo ng matibay na pagpapasya na hindi lamang nagre-rely sa mga naririnig natin. Siya ang "naging preso na katulad natin" upang ipahayag ang tunay na mayroon pang buhay na mas maganda at mas malawak kaysa sa ating buhay sa kasalukuyan.

Subalit, masakit tanggapin ang katotohanan. Naroroon ang pagmamatigas ng ating ulo. Iyon ang naramdaman ng mga eskriba at mga Pariseo nang hulihin nila si Hesus, paratangan at patayin spagkat ang mga sinasabi niya ay "masakit sa paningin". Iyon din ang naramdaman nila nang makita nilang pinagaling niya ang isang lalaking isinilang na bulag. Ayaw nilang tangapin ang katotohanan na ang ginawa ni Hesus ay isang himala. Itinituring nilang makasalanan si Hesus dahil lamang na siya'y nagpagaling sa araw ng pangilin.

Balikan natin ang Ebanghelyo, paano pinagaling ni Hesus ang bulag? Maari namang pagalingin niya ito sa pamamagitan lamang ng kanyang wika o kahit hindi niya hawakan ang mata ng bulag. Subalit, dumura siya, gumawa ng putik at ipinahid sa bulag. Kailangan nating tanggapin na tayo ay bulag at matanggap natin ang marurumi o pangit na mga aspeto o pangyayari sa ating buhay. Kailangang tanggapin natin na tayo ay makasalanan upang makahingi ng kapatawaran. Paano tayo gagaling kung hindi natin alam o tanggapin na mayroon tayong sakit? Ang pagpapakumbaba ang simula ng pagbabagong buhay.

Pagkatapos niyon ay inutusan ni Hesus ang bulag na pumunta sa Siloe na malayo at mahirap para sa isang bulag. Kailangang mayroon din tayong panananampalataya upang tayo ay magkaroon ng kapatawaran at pagbabagong buhay. Paano tayo gagaling kung hindi natin paniniwalaan ang sinabi sa atin ng doktor? Kailangan ang pagtanggap sa pagbabagong buhay na kaloob ng Diyos. Dapat, kagaya ng bulag ay handa tayong gawin kung ano man nag pinagagawa sa atin bilang kondisyon ng pagbabagong buhay.

At sa pagbabagong buhay ay mararanasan natin ang persekusyon. Hindi nasiyahan ang mga tao maging ang kanyang mga magulang nang siya ay makakta. Sa halip ay tinanong-tanong pa siya at nagdulot ng kalituhan at tsismis sa kanilang lugar.  Itiniwalag siya ng mga Pariseo at ang masaklap pa, maging ang kanyang mga magulang ay hindi man lang siya ipinagtanggol at itinatwa pa siya. Mahirap magbagong-buhay kung ang kapalit ay magandang reputasyon. Subalit, dahil sa mga ito ay nakilala niya si Hesus at tinanggap bilang kanyang Panginoon.

Nabalitaan ni Hesus na ang lalaking pinagaling niya ay itiniwalag ng mga Pariseo. Kaya't nang matagpuan niya ito ay kanyang tinanong, "Sumasampalataya ka ba sa Anak ng Tao?" Sumagot ang lalaki, "Sino po ba siya, Ginoo? Sabihin ninyo sa akin upang ako'y manalig sa kanya." "Siya'y nakita mo na. Siya ang kausap mo ngayon", wika ni Hesus.   "Sumasampalataya po ako, Panginoon!" sabi ng lalaki. At sinamba niya si Hesus.   Sinabi pa ni Hesus, "Naparito ako sa mundong ito upang humatol, at nang sa gayo'y makakita ang mga bulag at mabulag naman ang mga nakakakita." Narinig ito ng ilang Pariseong naroon at siya'y kanilang tinanong, "Ibig mo bang sabihi'y mga bulag kami? Sumagot si Jesus, Kung kayo nga'y bulag, wala sana kayong kasalanan. Ngunit dahil sinasabi ninyong nakakakita kayo, ang kasalanan ay nananatili sa inyo." (Juan 9:35-41)

Ngayon ay ang Linggo ng Kaligayahan o Laetare Sunday. Ipinapahayag ng Simbahan na nalalapit na ang pagdiriwang ng lubos na kaligayahan sa Linggo ng Pagkabuhay o Easter Sunday. Sa Linggo ng Pagkabuhay natin muling gugunitain ang mga panata natin sa Diyos noong tayo ay binyagan.  Magkakaroon lamang tayo ng bagong buhay bilang mga Kristiyano sa pamamagitan ng pagbabalik sa panahong itinakwil natin ang kadiliman ng kasalanan at tanggapin ang liwanag ni Kristo noong tayo ay binyagan. Mga bata pa tayo noon at ang sumagaot sa atin ay ang ating mga magulang at mga ninong at ninang. At ngayong tayo'y malaki na, muli nating sariwain ang ating mga panata sa Diyos at patuloy na mamuhay bilang mga anak ng liwanag. 

"Gumising ka, ikaw na natutulog, bumangon ka mula sa libingan, at liliwanagan ka ni Kristo." (Efeso 5:14)

A Model of Filipino Youth

I remembered the previous poll that we have presented in this blog last January.  We asked the favorite saint among the young. Blessed Pedro Calungsod gained the highest vote of about 60%. And since today is his feast day, it is good to have him remembered and to be presented as an exemplary to young people.

We knew little of his personal life but Blessed Pedro was probably born in Ginalitan, Cebu. But it was established that as a sacristan, he joined the Spanish missionaries to Marianas, Guam (previously called Ladrones) in 1668. He was a companion to another blessed, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores, the head of the mission.

The life of missionaries especially at that time is hard. They were sailing for many days and even months to get to the mission areas and most of the time, they were devastated by typhoons. Besides, the provisions for the mission are not coming regularly. And in the mission, they had to cross thick forests and steep cliffs. That was the life of Blessed Pedro who was just 17 years old. But they were blessed with many conversions. However, Choco, a Chinese merchant, envious of the prestige the missionaries were gaining among the natives, started spreading false rumors that the missionaries are actually spreading poison through the holy water poured during baptism and through the Holy Communion. As an influential person to the village and since a lot of sickly infants died, many believed in him and apostatized (abandoned the faith). It was the beginning of Calvary for the missionaries.

It was April 2, 1972, an Easter Sunday when Blessed Padre Diego came to visit Tumon, a village in Guam. They visited the natives and catechized them. They also visited a baby girl who was just recently born and asked permission to baptize the infant. But Hurao, the baby's father, influenced by the false accusations among the missionaries, refused. When he visited a friend to vent out his anger, his wife consented to have the baby baptized. Meanwhile, Hurao's friend advised him to kill the missionaries. Initially he refused due to the kindness they show among the people, but when his friend called him a coward, he agreed.

Hurao was very furious when he learned of the baptism. He chased the missionaries and hurled a spear to Pedro. Pedro could have escaped if not for his decision not to leave Padre Diego who was old and weak. Pedro got hit by a spear on his chest and in a distance, Padre Diego had a chance of giving him the blessing and absolution. Hurao then finishes him through a fatal blow on his head. After that, the natives who were with Hurao also killed Padre Diego. They pounded the crucifix Padre Diego was holding and tying their bodies on large stones, they threw them on the ocean. These events were recorded on the diary of one of their companions in the mission.

Padre Diego de San Vitores was beatified on October 6, 1985 while Pedro Calungsod on March 5, 2000 both by Pope John Paul II at Vatican City.

This is what Pope John Paul II says about Pedro during his beatification:  "From his childhood, Pedro Calungsod declared himself unwaveringly for Christ and responded generously to his call. Young people today can draw encouragement and strength from the example of Pedro, whose love of Jesus inspired him to devote his teenage years to teaching the faith as a lay catechist. Leaving family and friends behind, Pedro willingly accepted the challenge put to him by Fr Diego de San Vitores to join him on the Mission to the Chamorros. In a spirit of faith, marked by strong Eucharistic and Marian devotion, Pedro undertook the demanding work asked of him and bravely faced the many obstacles and difficulties he met. In the face of imminent danger, Pedro would not forsake Fr Diego, but as a "good soldier of Christ" preferred to die at the missionary's side."

 

Blessed Pedro Calungsod is invoked as patron of the Filipino Youth, Filipino missionaries, altar servers, catechists, of Guam and Cebu and of Overseas Filipino workers. His shrine, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Pedro Calungsod is located in Cebu City.

The life of Pedro Calungsod invites us young people that we are never too young to serve God. Blessed Pedro became blessed and soon to be venerated as a saint became such because he faithfully served God as a sacristan. We may not attain a martyr's crown like him but we can make our lives a pleasing gift to God by doing our own work according to our conscience and as a fruit of love.

Most of us are serving to God as a choir member, as an altar server or as a youth leader. Or a regular church-goer, a community leader or a young professional. Who knows, maybe through these roles, we can be saints? We may not be as popular as the venerated saints of the Church but as long as we do our duties with devotion, we become saints in God's eyes.

As our theme for the Year of the Youth says: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)