Cycle B, Year II

21 October 2012: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Liturgical color: Green)

Mark 10:35-45

The joy in serving others!

The month of October begins the preparation for another election year in the Philippines, both national and local. Many candidates, new and old politicians, went to file their certificate of candidacy or COCs with the Office of the Commission on Elections. Are we impressed that so many are aspiring for public service? Are they really motivated by the willingness to serve, or just to enjoy the perks and privileges of being in power?

The theme of today's gospel reading relates to aspiring for power even in the time of Jesus. The disciples James and John, the sons of Zebedee, asked Jesus that they may sit "one at your right and the other at your left" in Jesus' kingdom.

When the other disciples heard this, they became indignant at James and John for their personal ambitions. So Jesus brings them back to their senses with this preaching:"Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all."

The story tells of  brothers James and John asking for shortcuts but Jesus tells them there are no shortcuts to God's favor. Instead, Jesus points out that authority or leadership in God's kingdom is not about lording it over but about carrying a cross.

In other words Jesus makes a clear point here. What is leadership all about? Well, it is not self-glorification, but about the service of, and the upliftment and empowerment of others.

So now how do we become better servants?

One way is by ensuring that our motivation for service is love, and not self-profit. It is said that God has three types of servants in the world: some are slaves because they serve God out of fear; others are hirelings, who serve Him for wages;  and the last ones are sons and daughters who serve because they love Him. Which type are we? As we seek to serve God let us check our motivation.  Divine servanthood is always motivated by LOVE.

We, too, are called to follow Christ with an attitude of service to others. As many in our society, including politicians, strive for success, fame and wealth, true followers of Christ are instead called upon to always look for opportunities to serve others out of love.

In contrast to worldly greatness, to be great in God's eyes is to be servants after Jesus' own life of service. "For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Also today, at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, Blessed Pedro Calungsod will be raised to the altar of sainthood as the second Filipino saint after Saint Lorenzo Ruiz. By their martyrdom, they showed us a life for God in service of others.

Let us thank God for the gift of faith so that these Filipino saints inspire us to follow their example of service to our mother Church.

A blessed  Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Deo Optimo Maximo

Cycle B, Year II

14 October 2012: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Liturgical color: Green)

Mark 10:17-30

Are we ready to inherit eternal life?

Worldly inheritance can sometimes become a hotly contested issue. We hear or read about legal battles among families and relatives to fight their share of material inheritance. But then we ask, "What for?" For not even a fraction of our wealth can come with us to the grave. A wise saying:"I came empty handed into this world, and empty handed I got out of this world!"

Today we hear the popular story of the encounter between Jesus and a rich man. The rich was a good man who observed all of God's commandments. He wanted to be assured how to inherit eternal life.

The evangelist Mark noted that Jesus loved the man for observing the commandments. But he lacked one thing, and Jesus told him this:"Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me."

But the rich man went away sad, "for he had many possessions. Jesus said to his disciples: "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"

So then we ask, "Is wealth essentially evil?" The answer is "No". For God himself gives us the material world to sustain us, through our own creativity and resourcefulness. Thus, riches are both the gift of God and the fruit of human work intended to benefit all.

The call of Jesus to the rich man to give up his possession is a call to move the focus from just himself to the needs of others. Because it is only through sharing with others that we receive Jesus. It happens every time we give away what we think we need.

Many Catholics think in a way similar to the rich man in the gospel story: "What do I have to do to get to heaven? Follow the commandments. Go to Mass on Sundays. Know our catechism. Pray the rosary every day."  All very good and necessary things to anyone, who wishes to reach heaven. But is this all that God wants from us?

What is most important is not the laws themselves but the conversion of our heart. That was what Jesus was trying to tell the rich man. That he would have to convert his heart, but that this wouldn't happen unless he first released himself from the bonds of his earthly possessions.

Jesus calls us too at different times in our lives, in different ways, to follow him. And his call is to all, whether rich or poor. We are called to detach ourselves from worldly possessions and concerns, so that we can fully give ourselves totally and completely to God. Because when we "sell everything that we have and possess" we put God above all else.

This Sunday the Church also celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Sunday and Extreme Poverty Day. It is a good start to share what we have with those in need. So that only when we detach ourselves from all worldly possession that we can inherit eternal life.

A blessed  Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Deo Optimo Maximo

Cycle B, Year II

7 October 2012: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Liturgical color: Green)

Mark 10:2-16

Marriage: an everlasting commitment of love!

There is this anecdote of husband and wife. "Honey," the wife asked, "what are you looking for?" The husband answered, "Nothing." The wife persisted, "Nothing? You have been reading our marriage certificate for an hour now."  The husband finally admitted, "Well, I am looking for the expiry date!"

The gospel touches on the topic of marriage and divorce. The Pharisees tested Jesus with this question:"Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?"

Jesus' categorical answer is NO, saying that from the very beginning of creation God intended marriage between husband and wife to be an everlasting commitment of love. "Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate."

In God's plan the dignity of every person is realized in matrimony and family, because it is there where the self-esteem for mature adult relationship is first experienced and nurtured. Also, marriage reflects who God is, because God is relationship and eternal commitment.

The various teachings of the Church, especially in the encyclical Humanae Vitae, tell us further that the love to which espouses are especially called in matrimony mirrors the very love of Christ himself for his Church: a love that is full, total, faithful and fruitful as he gives his very life for the Church and its members.

But it is sad that today marriage and the family is struggling and under attacks even among Catholics. There are persistent attempts in Congress to legislate divorce, and the divisive reproductive health bill that tends to destroy family life. As true Catholics we must stand up to defend the sacrament of marriage and the family from all these attacks. Because marriage and the family are the important foundation of society. The future well-being of society depends on strengthening family life. Pope Benedict XVI in his recent speeches tells us that "the sacred institution of marriage is vital to the well-being of every nation."

Interestingly, the gospel narrative concludes with Jesus telling his disciples to be childlike as the criteria for entering the kingdom of God.

Perhaps Jesus is advising us that when some of his teachings are hard to understand, and much more difficult to accept and obey, for example the teaching on indissolubility of marriage and the sacredness of life, it is better to adopt the docility and trusting attitude of a child as an attribute that will help followers of Jesus experience kingdom of peace and joy in their own lives. In other words, trust God always instead of questioning the wisdom of his words.

The Eucharist that we celebrate at Mass is in itself a nuptial meal, a wedding banquet, calling us to fidelity to our faith and to the fullness of life in God's kingdom. Let us pray that we do our share to strengthen and defend marriage and family life in our community and society. 

A blessed  Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Deo Optimo Maximo