Gentle Yoke

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25-30)

There were countless times especially when I am away from my family that I keep on worrying about them and also regarding the outcome of my vocation, how I miss my friends and other things. But oftentimes, these thoughts are just distractions, if I focus on them, I will certainly fall.


Instead, I must be concerned on how can I be pleasing to Jesus.  I must do good things.  That is not difficult.  If I just be faithful to God's commands, avoid temptations, live in righteousness, make use of my freedom to do good, forget the past and stop worrying about the future and living the present fully, I will certainly walk fearlessly and peacefully towards Jesus.


Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24) So, must i forget myself.  I must abandon myself and stop thinking about myself.  I should not be guilty of my past sins and stop worrying about the future rather I must take up my cross and follow Christ.  If ever I fall because of my burdens, I must remember that Christ is also Simon of Cyrene who will help me carry my cross.  Because only he who bears the cross, only he who holds on to the end will be saved.

Jesus invites me to cast my burdens upon him.  Jesus invites all who are tired to come to him and rest.  At times when I am tired of my problems, instead of worrying about them, I must rest in the Heart of Christ.  I must trust in his Sacred Heart who loves me so much.  I must leave to him my burdens and carry his yoke.  It is the gentle yoke of following his commands.  Following him and walking in his light is easy and his commandments light.  With this I can attain peace.

I will not attain peace unless I lay my burdens to him, forget myself, follow him and walk in a straight road.

He is the God of silence living in the depths of my heart, awaiting me to come to him and feel his arms and dwell in his love.

Lessons on Apostleship

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-19)

 I just imagine, what if St. Peter entered the seminary in this modern time? I think, with various tests and programs that will be given for a candidate for priesthood, he may not pass.  And he was boastful, proud, knows nothing except fishing. However, Jesus made him the first pope and entrusted to him the keys of heaven's gate.  St. Paul was a Pharisee and a former persecutor of the early Church.  He was one of the responsible for the death of St. Stephen. But he was transformed miraculously into a great apostle and pillar of Christianity.


I have reflected on myself.  I am a great sinner. I am unworthy but it becomes not a reason for God to call me.  He shows me that my past does not define my future.  I have committed a lot of sins but God in his love did not will to condemn me but he taught me a lot of things and made me a vessel of his grace.


Before I bid goodbye to the young people in Pasig in order to enter seminary, I was touched how they showed their love to me by preparing video presentations and giving me roses and gifts. I have realized at that time that I have been instrument of God to these young people.  In my own way, God made use of my sinful hands and lips to impart his message to them.


Here in my pastoral exposure assignment as I prepare myself to my formal seminary entrance next year, I must always realize that it is God's love alone which is the reason why I am here.  Therefore, I must be pleasing to God always.  I must show to God gratitude by doing all things for his greater glory.

I remember what a priest once told us in our college years: The Church does not need ministers but persons configured to Christ.  I am called not just to be a minister of the sacraments but most importantly for my life to be likened and one with Christ.  Then, I will become his effective and true minister. 


My calling is the same as you, my fellow young people.  Not all of us are called to be priests or religious.  You may be called to be youth leaders. But it is still a call to be likened and one with Christ.  Often, when we think of youth leaders, we just think of attending meetings, planning activities or facilitating our group.  But it is more than that! We commonly forget the pastoral aspect of our call.  We are called to be role models.  If you can observe, young people today are having actors and actresses, athletes and singers as role models.  No wonder if they imitate their immodest fashions and followed their worldly ways of thinking.  (Although I am not generalizing. ) So, it is our duty primarily to be someone that they can look up to and for them to imitate.  They must see Christ in us and may they be evangelized through the example of our lives.  Sad to say, we still remain as nominal Catholics.  That is why many of the youth today remains unconverted.  Because we have not been effective instruments of God's grace.  They do not see in our lives, the ways we proclaim by our lips.


Another characteristic of a true pastor is having a mature way of thinking.  That is why, it is good that we do not just elect leaders but we appoint.  We must make sure that a leader can handle responsibilities well and will not panic once he found himself in the driver's seat.  But we do admit that even if we ask each youth a hundred questions for initial interview, we cannot fully know his or her fitness in the ministry.  That is why, we must have a continuous follow up and training of these leaders.  And these leaders and us must also recognize our need for youth ministers like our parish priests, parish lay leaders and parents to help us fulfill our responsibilities. And we must have the willingness to learn and improve ourselves so that God's grace will truly mold us into effective leaders and pastors for our fellow young people.  St. Paul once says about the grace of God in him: But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)

There will be times that we will feel discouragement and frustrations. I observe that some youth leave the ministry because of this.  We must be strong and remain faithful. We should remember that these trials are actually opportunities to make us stronger and more mature. And we are needed by our fellow youth. Are we going to sacrifice our ego and pride for them? Let us be encouraged by St. Paul who says: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.(2 Timothy 4:7-8)


May Sts. Peter and Paul be our inspiration.  I believe that they become great apostles by God's grace and by their commitment.  If God planned their conversion and they responded but they backslided afterward, they would not be great apostles that we venerate today.  But they learned from their mistakes and resolve to always do good and be fruitful leaders of the Church. They still commit sins after their conversion but they became saints because of their openness to God's grace and they always strive to be God's servants.

We may not be as great as the two of them but may we imitate their apostleship.  In the midst of our sinfulness, I pray that through the merits of Jesus, king of the apostles and Mary, queen of the apostles, may we learn the lessons on apostleship. May we become saints with pasts and sinners with future.

May we continue to  listen to God's call within us and be continually encouraged as we become apostles for others.  Let us be motivated by St. Peter in his exhortation: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.(1 Peter 5:2-4)

Lover, Beloved, Gift and Love Merged Into One

Jesus said: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.  For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.  Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.  This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” (John 6:51-58)

To love is to be united to the beloved and the more ardent the love, the more complete union it seeks.  So, is the love of God.  In order for us to be united with him intimately,  he instituted the Eucharist so that we can be one entity with him just as the head is one with the body, just as the food is one with the one who consumes it.  St. Paul says in his epistle to the Ephesians that marriage union is a symbol of Christ's union with his Church, for the two shall be one flesh. (Ephesians 5:25) And the Eucharist is actually our "marriage" with Christ. It is the sacrament effecting the union of Christ to the individual soul.

In this sacrament, Jesus under the appearance of bread and wine gives himself to us. It is not enough for him to become one like us and to suffer and redeem us. Rather, he loves us tremendously that he always seeks to be united with us that is why in an extraordinary method of union, he becomes our food to be completely one with us.

When I was a child, during my birthday, my mother will bake a cake for me. She will choose the finest flour, milk and eggs and mix them and bake them with love. She will decorate it just to make sure that I will be happy on my birthday. Thus, the cake is her symbol of her love for me.

But, the Eucharist is more than that. As human as we are, we can only give symbols of our love. Unlike the cake my mother bake for me, Jesus is both the gift and the giver. He gives not just a symbol of his love but Love itself!

In the Holy Communion, Jesus becomes one with me not only in the soul but also in my body. He becomes part of my system as a digested food. St. Augustine once said that without the Eucharist, the Church would not be perfectly united to Christ. Among the seven sacraments, it is the one that unites us to him in the most intimate way for we receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ in our own body, soul and spirit. As Jesus in the Gospel says: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. (John 6:56)

I have reflected that since I receive the fullness of his being, I also receive his tremendous love. In the Eucharist, I receive the fullness of his redemption. I have reflected that I must therefore not be discouraged by my life of sin. Even though I can say that I am weak and sins ruin my life, the presence of Jesus in me can repair everything evil has done to me. His presence in me can destroy my wickedness and increase my virtues. Like a fountain in the desert, Jesus in my life can wash and cleanse me from my impurities and can vivify and refresh my soul.

I must have no limit in my confidence to him. I must remember that every time I receive Jesus in the Eucharist, I am reinitiated into Christian life. I belong once again to Christ and he belongs once again to me. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

But unlike any corporeal food, Jesus will not have any effect in me once I am not properly disposed or I cannot digest him properly. I must have good faith, firm hope, tender love, humility and submission to his will. Distractions, negligence and sins interfere to receive him fully. Therefore, I have reflected that I need to prepare myself. The more I avoid sin and strive to live in the life of grace, the more I am disposed to receive him fully.

If I prepare myself scrupulously for the coming of a guest, if I take a bath, make sure that my clothes are ironed, and groom myself and put on my best clothes before I meet the guest, how much more for the coming of Jesus in the Holy Communion? Are we taking time to prepare?

If I take time for preparation, I must also take time for thanksgiving. Like any food, we cannot obtain nourishment once we do not digest it properly. So is the Eucharist, there is also a need to digest Jesus by spending time in silence and prayer. Usually in our meals (and I can observe it anywhere), we end it with a long conversation. I seldom see a person who immediately gets up after finishing his meal. He usually sits for awhile to make sure that the food is properly digested and to converse with others. So we must do it every time we receive him. We must spend few moments after receiving him.

The more frequent we receive Christ (of course, provided that we are properly disposed), the more we are strengthen to resist temptations, obtain remedy to our souls and the nearer are we to grace. As I see it, the Eucharist is not just a magic food that can transform us immediately into a holy person. Rather we must receive Jesus continually and patiently. Even though we sin, Christ always gives himself until we become more and more like him.

In the Lord of the Rings, the bread that Frodo and Sam bought with them is a beautiful analogy to the Eucharist. They only eat a little of it but it gives them strength in their long journey towards the Mountain of Fire in order to destroy the ring. There are times that they feel weak but strengthened by the food; they were strengthened to continue the journey.

If we knew and understand the great graces we receive in the Eucharist, we will always receive him. Since not at all times we can receive him sacramentally, we can receive him spiritually at anytime. Therefore, let us make use of the daily presence of Jesus in the churches, chapels and tabernacles. Let us make use of the Eucharistic vigil every afternoon in our parish. Jesus is waiting for us as a faithful Friend, as our good Shepherd, Teacher, Master, Counselor, the man who can change our lives. 

It is said that every time, the Eucharist is being celebrated somewhere in the world. While you are reading this, Jesus is being offered in an altar somewhere. My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations," says the LORD Almighty. (Malachi 1:11) The whole world therefore is filled with the blessings of God! 

To Prepare the Way for the Lord

When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.  Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.  He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”  Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.  All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things.  Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. (Luke 1:57-66)

This June 24th, six months before Christmas eve, we are celebrating the birth of John the Baptist with a solemn feast.  In the Church's calendar, only the birth of Jesus and John the Baptist are celebrated as solemnities.  Our Lady's birth of course on September 8 is a feast.  This degree of celebration explains the greatness of John.

As of the moment, we can hear his voice, "Prepare the way for the Lord! Make straight his paths!" (Luke 2:4) We are reminded that Christ is soon to come not anymore as a child but as a King whose kingdom is already here before us.   “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.  (John 1: 6-8)  The role of John is great in the ministry of Jesus.  He prepared God's chosen people Israel through preaching, baptism but most importantly through the example of his life.  His preaching is the way to lead Israel to hope for the coming of the Messiah and his baptism is a symbol of repentance for Israel in order for them to be properly disposed for his coming.  And this baptism is also the foretaste of the True Baptism that Jesus will later give--- the Baptism of water and the Holy Spirit  (John 3:3-8)

John is the voice and the Word is Christ. The voice is an instrument for the Word to be heard and to be understood. The voice fades but the Word remains.  For example, I tell you something. After a second, I stopped talking and you cannot hear my voice anymore but it served its purpose for you understood what I have said.  John may be likened to this blog entry.  You may close this website but the meaning that I am trying to impart remains in your memory. 

John says “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:27-30) John's life is actually an evangelization. His preaching is just but a confirmation of what his life is.  He never treats himself as great.  He never accepts praise from people but he always points to Christ.  He never minds Andrew and his other disciples change of allegiance after he points to them the Lamb of God.  Once he saw Jesus and proclaims him as the Lamb, Jesus never thanked him but just took his disciples. When a lot of his disciples turn from him and followed Christ, he even considers it as his complete joy.  And when he was imprisoned, he never complained if Christ and his apostles never showed him any signs of gratitude.  He never complained if he was not even visited in prison. He does not mind if Christ left his precursor lowly and despised. 

As we can see, Jesus did not call John to follow him.  Why? Because he understand his role and his mission.  He knows that if he became Christ's disciple, he may interfere with the mission of the Messiah. He does not want to hinder Christ's popularity among the people that is why he just allowed himself to be set aside.

The life of John the Baptist maybe find its parallelism in our lives.  We might feel that as time goes by, we lose our prestige in our family or in the group.  We might feel unappreciated even if we have done numerous great deeds.  We might see that we are unacknowledged or set aside.  But, let see the life of John and then  see ours and ask ourselves: Are we doing this things really out of service and generosity or out of prestige and honor?  Are we narcissistic like the Pharisees who seek just rewards from God or humble like John who treats himself as just God's mere instrument?

I do not say that we should avoid praises and acknowledgment from our good deeds.  But I am just saying that if in case we do not receive them, it is a call to be humble.  And to be humble as we can learn from the life of John is to prepare the way for Christ.  It is painful not be loved or to be set aside.  But it is God's way to strip us of our narcissistic attitude and be pure and ready to meet him.  "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5, James 4:6) 

 "True humility" is distinctly different from "false humility," which consists of deprecating one's own sanctity, gifts, talents, and accomplishments for the sake of receiving praise from others.  It is actually foolishness to think and boast of yourself as humble then you began to despise others because they are proud.  True humility is an attitude of recognizing your littleness before God and what you are is not what you did but it is God's free gift. So, humility is knowing that if you are humble because God has given you the grace to be so.  And it is just your duty to be that way.

True humility is a preparation to meet Christ. Not only to prepare ourselves for his coming in the last day but most especially to prepare for his encounter in our daily lives.  Are our hearts really prepared?  Maybe it is the reason why we haven't experienced Christ's coming and  his transforming power in our lives.

Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart,  Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed,  Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Champion of Chastity Revolution

 Today, June 21, we are celebrating the feast of St. Aloysuis Gonzaga, patron of the youth.

Aloysius (Luigi) Gonzaga was born at his family's castle in northern Italy.  He was a member of the illustrious House of Gonzaga. He was the oldest son of the Ferrante Gonzaga (1544–1586), Marquis of Castiglione, and Marta Tana di Santena, daughter of a baron.

His father assumed that he would become a soldier, as the family was constantly involved in the frequent minor wars in the area. His military training started at an early age, but he also received an education in languages and other subjects. In 1576, at age 8, he was sent to Florence with his younger brother Ridolfo, to serve at the court of Grand Duke Francesco de Medici and to receive further education. While there, he fell ill and he took the opportunity to read about the saints and to spend much of his time in prayer. He is said to have taken a private vow of chastity at the age of 9. In November 1579, the brothers were sent to the Duke of Mantua.  Aloysius was shocked by the violent and frivolous life-style he encountered there.


In 1584, he returned to Castiglione. There, he met the saint, Charles Borromeo, who was a cardinal at that time. He received the first Holy Communion from him on July 22 1580. After reading a book about Jesuit missionaries in India, he felt strongly that he wanted to become a missionary himself. He started practicing by giving catechism classes to young boys in Castiglione in the summers, and by repeatedly visiting the religious orders in Casale Monferato, where the family spent the winter. He also practised the renunciation of worldly and carnal pleasures to strengthen his spiritual life.

The family went to Spain in 1581, to assist Empress Mary of Austria. Aloysius and his brother Ridolfo became pages for the Don Diego, Prince of Asturias. He then started thinking in earnest about joining a religious order. He had considered joining the Franciscan Capuchins, but he had a Jesuit confessor, St. Robert Bellarmine, so decided to join that order. His mother agreed to his request to join the Jesuits, but his father was furious. In July 1584, one and a half years after the Prince's death, the family returned to Italy. Aloysius still wanted to become a priest and several members of his family worked hard to persuade him to change his mind. When they realized that there was no way to make him give up his plan, they tried to persuade him to become a secular priest, and to arrange for him to become a bishop. If he became a Jesuit he would renounce any right to income from property or status in society. His family was afraid of this, but their attempts to persuade him not to join the Jesuits failed; Aloysius was not interested in higher office and still wanted to become a missionary.

In November 1585, Aloysius gave up all rights of inheritance, and this was confirmed by the emperor. He went to Rome and, because of his noble birth, gained an audience with the pope. Following a brief stay at the Rome home of his cousin, Cardinal Scipione Gonzaga on November 25 1585 he was accepted into the Jesuit Roman novitiate.  He was asked to moderate his asceticism somewhat, as it disrupted his relationship with the other novices; they found it difficult to speak with him when he isolated himself. He also practiced mortification and acts of penance like sleeping on the floor, whipping his body with a stick, eating little and refusing recreation.

His health continued to cause problems. In addition to the kidney disease, he also suffered from a skin disease, chronic headaches and insomnia. He was sent to Milan for studies, but after some time he was sent back to Rome because of his health. On November 25, 1587, he took the three religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. In February and March 1588, he received the lower ordinations, and started studying theology to prepare for priesthood. In 1589, he was called to Mantua to mediate between his brother Ridolfo and the Duke of Mantua. He returned to Rome in May 1590. Later that year, he had a vision in which the  Archangel Gabriel told him that he would die within a year.

In 1591, a plague broke out in Rome. The Jesuits opened a hospital for the stricken, and Aloysius volunteered to work there. As it turned out, a man on his ward was infected, and on March 3, 1591 (six days before his 23rd birthday) Aloysius showed the first symptoms of being infected. It seemed certain that he would die in a short time, and he was given the last sacraments. To everyone's surprise, he recovered, but his health was left worse than ever. While he was ill, he spoke several times with his confessor, St. Robert Bellarmine. Aloysius had another vision, and told his confessor that he would die on the Octave of the feast of Corpus Christi. On that day, which fell on June 21, he seemed very well in the morning, but insisted that he would die before the day was over. Cardinal Bellarmine gave him the sacraments, and recited the prayers for the dying.

Purity was his notable virtue; he never looked even upon his mother's face and never looked at his queen so that he could only recognize the queen by her voice. He died just before midnight on June 21, 1591.

The life of St. Aloysius Gonzaga inspires us that in the midst of this world corrupted of good values, we can still win the revolution.  As we see, the world advertises purity and chastity as passe virtues. People who are chaste and pious are labeled as old-fashioned. Sadly, sometimes even the youth in the church and in religious organizations are not exempted. But, as St. Paul exhorts us: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Romans 12:1-2)  We should not conform to the world's ways. We must make a change and we must be exemplary. Maybe, as youth leaders and workers, we are not effective in our evangelization and in recruiting new members to our group is because they do not see real Christianity in us. They see externals like praying, processions and recollections but we are still worldly in the way we think, speak and act. That is why the life of  St.Aloysius invites us to be holy and pleasing to God. We cannot be totally like him but we can imitate his example of penance and turning away from temptations. St. Aloysuis is not a superhuman. He is also weak and only strong through God's grace at work in him. He also experiences temptations and urges to sin but he can conquer them through his total dedication to Christ.

It is better if we have a spiritual director like St. Aloysius. One of the reasons why he excelled in spiritual life is through the advice of St. Charles Borromeo and St. Robert Bellarmine. We must confess often. We must also take time to read the bible, Christian books and magazines and blogs. We must take time to study and learn God's word and Christ's teaching. Sometimes, we even read worldly books, magazines and blogs that create in us evil ways of thinking. It is true that it is difficult to be holy if we think in our own perspective but we can be strong through Christ alone. Since greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world! (1 John 4:4)

I can say that like an ordinary youth, I also failed a lot of times, but I always pray to St. Aloysius who is also my personal patron saint to inspire me to be like him. True, we cannot imitate his innocence but we can have a life of penance. We must be sorry for our sins and allow God to give us a chance. And it doesn't matter to God even if we fail so many times. He is always there to strengthen us and help us to stand once again and sin no more.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, pray for us!

For God so Loved the World...

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18)

God is love. That is why we can say that the Bible is but a long love story between him and his bride, that is his people.  Since the beginning of creation, he professed his love for his people and he promised that he will do so until his bride is totally united with him forever. And as he profess and express his love for his people, he reveals himself as one loving God in three Divine Persons--- the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Is he not your Father who created you, who made you and established you?' (Deuteronomy 32:6)  God reveals himself as a loving Father to his chosen people, Israel.  God created man in his own image and likeness. (Genesis 1:27) And he continue to love him even though he sinned.  God continually took care of him and his descendants.  He chastises him when they have done wrong in order for them to turn back from the slavery and harmful effects of sin.  If man chooses evil, he chooses several persons and set them aside to be an agent of change such as in the case of Noah. Furthermore,  he made lasting covenants to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and he continually fulfills his promise.  When his people are threatened with slavery, he saves them from their enemies. He chose Moses to lead the people from slavery of Egypt to freedom.  He works wonders so that their enemies will see to their shame that a Great God is with his people.  He gave the law to Moses as an instruction and as an ideal way of life for the people.  He feeds them and provides their needs even though many times they rebel against them and refused to heed his ways.  And when the Israelites already settled in the land of promise, they always forget God's commandments so he sends judges, kings and prophets to serve and lead his people and to remind them of God's ways. But the more servants God sends, the more his people turn away from him.

The fullness of time has arrived when God sends his Son. (Galatians 4:4a) He reveals himself as a God made flesh in order to be with man and for man to know and love him more.  The Word was made flesh and made his dwelling among us, we have seen his glory as an only Son coming from the Father, filled with grace and truth. In his fullness we have all received one grace coming after another. The law was given through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is only the Son who is at the Father's side has made him known.  (John 1:14.16-18)

 

Yet, the world and even his chosen people did not know him. They even condemned him for speaking for the truth about God.  Their hearts have been stubborn to accept and understand the fullness of his covenant.  They condemned the Light by nailing him on the cross.  However, the Light emerged again one Sunday morning and promised an everlasting Day to the world.

 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. (Acts 2:33) The Holy Spirit which proceeds from the Father and the Son came and remains an active presence of God in the Church, which is the new Israel. God's holy people were added from all over the world.  Through the zeal given to the chosen apostles whose power has been given in every place and in every generation.

The Holy Trinity is about God who loves, who expressed his love and continually reminds his people of that love.  That is why the mystery of the Holy Trinity is the center of Christian faith and life.  That is why in every prayer and in every undertaking, we always make the sign of the cross while saying: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. In Liturgy of the Hours, we always end each psalm and canticle with Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.  And in every sacrament, the minister always invoke the name of the Three Persons. That is what Jesus commanded his disciples:  Make disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:16) And the apostles and even today, the misters of the Church always invoke the name of the Three Persons to bestow their blessing like what Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:13)

Let me end my reflection in a story: A skilled boy made a toy boat.  It was the most beautiful he had made so far.  It was wonderfully made that if you will look at it, it seems to be an expensive toy that can be bought in a shop.  One day, he let it flow on a river and it got lost.  He searched for it and after a week, he saw it on a toy shop. he was sure that it was the boat that he had made.  He told the owner but he would not listen.  So he just decided to buy the boat back.  Once he had it back, he said: "Now this boat belongs to me twice. I made it and I bought it back."

We are more fortunate than the boat since God not only made us and bought us back through Jesus but he also consecrated us to himself through the Holy Spirit.  We belong to God three times.  And when we were baptized, we acknowledge our belonging to God who reveals himself as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The same with all the sacraments and every time we pray, we are ushered into the communion of the Three persons. We are at the center of their loving relationship.

Mga Tanda ng Espiritu Santo

Ngayon ang birthday natin bilang mga Kristiyano.  Sa linggong ito, Pentekostes sa mga Hudyo ay ipinagdiriwang natin ang pagpanaog ng Espiritu Santo sa mga unang miyembro ng Simbahan. Ang mga mahihina at duwag na mga alagad ni Hesus ay nagkaroon ng lakas loob na lumabas at ipahayag ang Ebanghelyo ni Hesus sa Herusalem, sa Galilea at Judea, sa Samaria, hanggang sa buong daigdig at patuloy na lumalago sa kasalukuyan.

Sa linggong ito, ating ipinagdiriwang ang Espiritu Santo bilang Panginoong Diyos na tulad ng Ama at Anak at angTagabigay ng Buhay.  

Ang Dios Espiritu Santo ay espiritu kung kaya hindi natin siya makikita. Hindi rin natin siya kayang ipaliwanag o ihanbing sa kung anong bagay. Subalit, mababasa natin sa Banal na Kasulatan na kapag siya ay papanaog sa lupa, siya ay nagpapakita ng mga tanda upang sa kahinaan natin bilang tao ay maramdaman natin at maintindihan ang kanyang presensiya. Sabi nga ni Santo Tomas ng Aquino: Walang pumapasok sa isip at diwa natin na hindi dumaraaan sa pandama (Nothing comes to the mind without passing through the senses.) Subalit alalahanin natin na ang mga tandang ito ay kakapiraso pa lamang ng ating pagkakaintindi sa misteryo at gawain ng Espiritu Santo.  At ang mga tandang naririto ay iilan lamang sa mga tandang maaring ilarawan sa kanya.

Ang puting kalapati ang pinakapopular na tanda ng Espiritu Santo. Ito ang tanda niya ng pumanaog siya kay Hesus ay nagsimula ng kanyang ministeryo sa pamamagitan ng pagpapabinyag kay Juan. Ang Banal na Espiritu ay bumaba sa kaniya na may anyong tulad ng kalapati. Isang tinig ang nagmula sa langit na nagsasabi: Ikaw ang aking pinakamamahal na anak. Lubos akong nalulugod sa iyo. (Lucas 3:22) Sinasagisag nito ang Espiritu Santo bilang maamo at nakapagbibigay galak sa sinumang makakita.  Ang mga pakpak din ng kalapati ay sagisag ng Espiritu Santo na yumayakap sa atin upang tayo ay maging ligtas at payapa. Maaalala rin natin ang kalapati na siyang unang nagpahayag na malapit ng humupa ang baha sa pamamagitan ng pagdadala nito ng dahon ng oliba. Ang pagpanaog din ng Espiritu Santo sa anyo ng kalapati ay pagpapahayag din na tayo ay ligtas na sa pamamagitan ng pagkakatawang tao ni Hesus. Gayundin ang kaligtasan na ito ay ating matatanggap sa pamamagitan ng tubig ng binyag na kung saan ang Espiritu Santo ay nanahan sa atin.

Nagkakatipon silang lahat sa isang lugar nang sumapit ang araw ng Pentecostes. Walang anu-ano'y may ingay na nagmula sa langit, na tulad ng ugong ng malakas na hangin, at napuno nito ang bahay na kinaroroonan nila. (Gawa 2:1-2) Ang presensiya ng Espiritu Santo ay sinasagisag din ng hangin. Simbolo ng buhay. Ibig sabihin ang Espiritu Santo ang hininga ng Diyos na siyang nagbibigay buhay sa lahat.  Noong Pentekostes, muling hiningahan ng Diyos ang mga alagad niya at ginawa niyang mga bagong nilalang katulad ng paghinga niya sa alikabok at naging si Adan. At ang hangin ay di natin nakikita subalit nararamdaman natin at nakikita natin ang epekto nito sa sinumang nahanginan. Ang Espiritu Santo rin ay di nakikita subalit nadarama natin ang kanyang presensiya sa atin at ang bunga niya sa kanyang mga pinatnubayan. Subalit ang bunga ng Espiritu ay pag-ibig, kagalakan, kapayapaan, katiyagaan, kabaitan, kabutihan, katapatan, kahinahunan, at pagpipigil sa sarili. (Galacia 5:22-23)

May nakita silang parang mga dilang apoy na dumapo sa bawat isa sa kanila. (Gawa 2:3) Ang apoy ay napakagandang tanda rin ng presensiya ng Espiritu Santo.  Siya ang tumutupok sa ating mga kasalanan. Siya rin ang tumutupok sa atin upang maging buhay na handog sa Diyos kung paanong sinusunog rin ang mga handog sa templo. Kung ang mga pagkain natin ay nagkakaroon ng pagbabago kung ito ay ating iluto (sa pamamagitan ng apoy), ang Espiritu rin ay nagbibigay sa atin ng pagbabagong buhay. Gayundin ang apoy ay nagbibigay ng init at liwanag katulad ng Espiritu Santo sa ating mga puso.

At silang lahat ay napuspos ng Espiritu Santo at nagsimulang magsalita ng iba't ibang wika, ayon sa ipinagkaloob sa kanila ng Espiritu. (Gawa 2:4) Ang pagsasalita sa mga dila ay tanda rin ng Espiritu Santo hindi lamang noong Pentekostes subalit kahit sa kasalukuyan. Karaniwan ito sa mga Charismatic groups.  Natatandaan ko ang kuwento ng Tore ng Babel sa aklat ng Genesis. Ang mga tao ay gumawa ng tore sapagkat nais nilang marating ang langit at maging kasing dakila ng Diyos.  Noong mga araw na iyon ay iisa lamang ang kanilang salita. Subalit, dahil sa kanilang pagmamataas at kapalaluan ay pinagiba-iba ng Diyos ang kanilang mga wika at hindi sila nagkaintindihan kung kaya't nagkawatrak-watak sila at hindi natuloy ang kanilang proyektong dimaka-Diyos.  (cf Genesis 11:1-9) Sa pagsasalita sa iba't ibang wika ay tanda ng pagkakaisa. Ito rin ay tanda na ang tao ay bukas sa anumang ipinapasabi sa kanya ng Espiritu. 

Sa kahuli-hulihan at pinakatanging araw ng pista, tumayo si Jesus at nagsalita nang malakas, Kayong mga nauuhaw ay lumapit sa akin, at ang lahat ng nananalig sa akin ay uminom. Sapagkat sinasabi sa kasulatan, ˜Mula sa puso ng nananalig sa akin ay dadaloy ang tubig na nagbibigay-buhay.  Ang tinutukoy niya'y ang Espiritung tatanggapin ng mga sumasampalataya sa kanya. . (Juan 7:37-38)

Ang tubig ay simbolo rin ng Espiritu Santo bilang tagabigay ng buhay. Hindi tayo mabubuhay nang walang tubig. Ito ang 70 porsyento ang ating bigat sapagkat ito ang naglilinis sa ating katawan at tumutunaw at nagbibigay ng sirkulasyon ng mga sustansiya at mineral sa ating katawan. Samakatwid, ang Espiritu Santo ang tagalinis rin ng ating mga kasalanan at siyang patuloy na nagbibigay kalusugan at kahusayan sa ating kaluluwa.  Kung kaya tayo ay palaging mga uhaw--- sa pagmamahal, sa pagkilala ng iba, sa kaligayahan. Malimit ay pumupunta tayo sa yaman, sa iba't ibang relasyon, pansariling kakayahan, libangan at iba pa subalit ang Espiritu Santo lamang ang tanging makakapawi nito.

"Ang Espiritu ng Panginoon ay sumasaakin,sapagkat hinirang niya ako upang ipangaral sa mga mahihirap ang Magandang Balita. Isinugo niya ako upang ipahayag sa mga bihag na sila'y lalaya, at sa mga bulag na sila'y makakakita. Isinugo ako upang palayain ang mga inaapi, upang ipahayag na darating na ang panahon ng pagliligtas ng Panginoon." (Lukas 4:18-19) Ang langis ay isa ring simbolo ng Espiritu Santo na nagtatalaga sa atin sa isang misyon. Hindi lang ordinaryong langis kundi langis na galing sa dahon ng oliba na simbolo ng tagumpay.  Ang Mesias ay galing sa salitang ibig sabihin ay pinahiran ng langis. Noon sa Israel, pinapahiran ng langis ang sinumang itinalaga ng Diyos bilang hari, pari at propeta. Hanggang sa ngayon ay nanatili ang ganitong tradisyon sa Simbahan kung saan, pinapahiran din ng langis ang mga binyagan, kinukumpilan at itinatalaga bilang diakono, pari at obispo. Kung kaya't tayo sa binyag ay pinahiran ng langis at natanggap natin ang Espiritu Santo kagaya ni Kristo upang maging hari (tagapamuno at lingkod ng bayan ng Diyos), Pari (tagapaghandog ng sakripisyo sa Diyos) at propeta (tagapagsalita sa bayan bilang sugo ng Diyos).  Maliban sa pagpapahid ng langis upang utusan tayo sa isang misyon, ang langis din ay ginagamit sa pagpagaling sa maysakit na naroroon sa Sakramento ng Olio.  Kung kaya't ang Espiritu Santo ay siyang nagpapagaling sa ating mga karamdaman pisikal man, sikolohikal (pag-iisip at pag-uugali) at espiritwal. 

Ang menorah ay ang ilawang palaging nakasindi sa templo ng mga Hudyo (cf. Exodo 37:17-24)  Ito ang sagisag ng presensiya ng Diyos sa kanyang bayang Israel.  Ito rin ay isang simbolo ng Espiritu Santo na palaging tumatanglaw sa kanyang Simbahan, ang bagong Israel taglay ang kanyang pitong handog ayon sa sinabi ni Propeta Isaias: Mananahan sa kanya ang Espiritu ni Yahweh, ang espiritu ng (1) karunungan at (2) pang-unawa, ng (3) mabuting payo at (4) kalakasan,(5) kaalaman at (6) pagsunod at (7) paggalang kay Yahweh. Kagalakan niya ang sumunod at gumalang kay Yahweh. (Isaias 11:2-3)

Patuloy na pinupuno ng Espiritu Santo ang mundo na nagbibigay ng kapayapaan, lakas at kagalakan na galing sa Diyos. Kung wala sa atin ang Espiritu Santo, ang mga tao sa paligid natin ay mga bagay lamang na wala tayong malasakit o pakialam kundi mga kasangkapan lamang natin upang mapunuan ang mga pansarili nating interes. Subalit kung nasa atin ang Espiritu Santo, tayo ay mapupuno ng pag-ibig at titingnan natin ang lahat ng bagay at mga tao sa ating paligid katulad ng pagtingin ni Hesus. Gayundin, sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo, makikilala natin, mamahalin natin at paglilingkuran ang Ama katulad ng pagkakailala, pagmamahal at paglilingkod ni Hesus. 

Aleluya!

Passing the Torch

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Forty days after Easter Sunday, we are celebrating the Ascension.  Jesus remained with his disciples throughout these days and showed to them proofs that he is indeed alive and strengthened their faith in him.  He also prepared them to take care of the Church he already founded.  These days were Jesus' last minute preparations for his departure.  He will now go to the Father where he had his glory with him and the Holy Spirit even before the world began. 


So, Jesus made a Great Commission.  He send his disciples to continue the mission that he started.  But he promised that he will not leave them orphans. He is with them all the time, even to the end of age. He will send the Holy Spirit in order to be fill his disciples with his presence and enable them to carry on the same ministry that he had started. The Holy Spirit from now on will be the one to remind them everything that he had taught and to teach them greater things and to enable them to understand these.  From now on, his disciples will be like him.  They will be transformed into another Christs to the world. 

I remembered the story of an AIDS victim whom I have read.  Many isolate themselves from him. His friends deserted him.  People talk about him.  Even his family abandoned him except his sister. She took care of him, talk to him often and consoled him. One day, her friend came to visit him as well.  And on the next weeks, the friend brought more friends and even helped them in their needs.  They made the two of them stronger even prayed with them.  The sick died peacefully.  When he died, they offered masses, prayed and gave the body a proper burial.  The sister later joined an organization helping and consoling AIDS victims.


During the Olympic games, the torch carries a powerful symbol.  The flame is being passed from one person to another traveling miles and even passes on mountains, seas and even under the sea.  They make sure that the flame will never die out until the Olympic Cauldron is lighted.  This is Jesus' Great Commission.  Jesus passes on us the torch by the grace of our baptism and we are fortified and reminded through our confirmation.  We gain Christ's mission as priest--- to offer sacrifices to God in behalf of the people whom we are serving, as king--- to serve and lead the people to God and as a prophet--- to announce to the people the Word of God.  May this torch never die and may we continue to spread the flame by passing this Torch to others.

Love is payed by love.  In the same way, sin is payed by sin. When we do good to others, others will do the same to other people.  Psychologists say that when a child is abused, when that child grow up, he will do the same to his own child.  But if a child is properly cared for and given much love, he will also take care of his own child the same way as he has been treated.  According to the movie Pay it Forward, when someone does good to us, they do not just pay it back to us. Rather, it is payed to someone else.  That is why, I give kudos to my fellow Parish Youth Council core group members as they initiate in forming the youth of each sub-parish.  When we continue to lead them, take care of them and show them good examples, I am sure they will do the same when they will be in our position.  They will become good leaders as well and they will continue the good legacy that we have started.

This Sunday, we are also celebrating the Day for Mass Communications. And this Gospel is the same as the Gospel that I have used in our first post for this blog.  I believe that this blog can be one of the tools for youth evangelization.  I believe that if Jesus is with us today, he will use the modern technologies in communications like the internet and this blog to proclaim his Gospel more effectively to more people.  I suggest that let us use our Facebook and Twitter to proclaim Christ the same as with our mobile phones.  And let us pray that in these modern times, the mass media will become a tool not just for entertainment and for gaining information but most importantly, it will become a vehicle of truth.


After Ascension, Jesus was asked by the Archangel Gabriel, "What will now happen to your kingdom on earth?" Jesus replied, "I have entrusted it to the care of Peter and his companions, I will send them the Holy Spirit and have instructed them to announce the Gospel to the world." "But, what will you do?", Gabriel asked again.  Jesus again answered, "I have given them my full trust."


Jesus is trusting us.  Are we an agent of the propagation of his kingdom on earth?