Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

The core of our Christian faith is the Paschal mystery. The Paschal mystery means that Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. And we celebrate the Paschal mystery everyday when we celebrate the Eucharist. But in the course of time, in the course of the year, we focus our hearts and minds to the Paschal mystery especially in the week that is called Holy Week. Why is it holy? It is holy not because of pain, because pain does not lead to sanctity. It is holy not because of suffering, because suffering by itself does not make us saints. It is holy because the One who suffered and the One who endured so much pain during this week put so much love into the pain, put so much love into the suffering, that is why this week is holy.

So what this week means is that we become holy because of love. Because St. Paul says, “You can even give up your body to be burned but if you have no love, you are nothing.” So we enter into the Holy of Holies, we enter into the heart of God who has opened His mind, who has opened His heart to us, and in this Holy Week, we reflect on His passion. The first day of this Holy Week is called Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion – that is the liturgical name of the day. It is Palm Sunday because we commemorate the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem. And when He entered, He entered to the song of the people, “Hosanna to the King of David!” “Hosanna to the Son of God.” The Son of God is entering Jerusalem. The people waved palm branches. We remember that on Palm Sunday. And not only do we remember, we also reenact, that is why we wave our palms, and the palms are blessed. Incidentally, the palms that are blessed on Palm Sunday this year become the palms to be burned for Ash Wednesday which we impose on our forehead at the start of Lent which is Ash Wednesday. But the most important component of Palm Sunday is not remembering, is not reenactment of the entry to Jerusalem, rather, it is a relationship - because Holy Week is not a matter of activities. Holy Week is not a matter of doing this and not doing that. Holy week is a matter of entering into a new kind of relationship with God, because our Christian life is not just a matter of what to do and what not to do. It is not a laundry list of activities. At the core of our Christian life is a relationship with a God who has chosen us, who loved us, and who wanted us to be holy. We enter into Palm Sunday and we call it the Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion because during the Eucharist, the Passion of the Lord is read. What does it mean? In the same liturgy, we hear the “Hosanna to the King of David”, and then, right after that, in a few minutes, we enter into the Passion, the same people who said “Hosanna...” will be the same people who will say “Crucify him!” The same people who welcomed Him to Jerusalem, will be the same people who will delight in seeing Him crucified. What does it show? It shows the fickle mindedness, the fickle heartedness of men and women.

But what makes that fickle mindedness and fickle heartedness of men and women even more embarrassing is that even if God, even if we have done such abominable things to God, God remains faithful. The fidelity of God does not depend on the fidelity of men and women. We can be unfaithful. We can be liars, we can be thieves, we can be robbers, we can violate His honor, we can violate His glory, and yet God will remain faithful. That is the big lesson of Palm Sunday. And we ask the Lord to keep us faithful like Him. So that when the trials come, we may be proven worthy as gold is tested with fire, when we are tested, may the Lord shine on us.

- Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, DD

Bishop of Balanga (Bataan, Philippines)

see the video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEc5fGO72-k&feature=user

Of Life And Faith...

Precious was the only child of Ester and Mario. The only home they have ever had is the pushcart where they sleep at night. On the eve of Valentine’s day, a taxi driver fell asleep and crashed into the pushcart of Mario and Ester. Precious was virtually dismembered in the crash. After 2 agonizing hours at the Philippine General Hospital, she died in Mario’s arms.

The funeral was typical of the poor. Since the taxi company gave only a token amount, it was the other pushcart owners and squatters who made up the difference in cost – a cheap wooden box, cheap cosmetics to disguise a disfigured face, a rush to the cemetery since the hearse was needed for important funerals, and a corner in an undistinguished section of the cemetery. Mario and Ester were inconsolable.

Two weeks later, they took in as their own the abandoned child of a night club hostess.

Some miracles happen so fast that you cannot see them if you are not looking.

Source Somewhere....

A Great Man

SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH - March 19

There are millions of saints that we paint in royal red because they shed blood as martyrs of Christ, witnesses to His own gift of His life. There are thousands of saints painted in shining gold because they were brilliant with miracles, eloquent as preachers, or attractive as missionaries. Thousands of saints are pictured with pen, scroll, ruler or book because they were great teachers, scientists, founders of schools or monasteries or convents or hospitals. Many saints were authors of great books that are still read by thousands today.

Numerous other saints are painted in bright colors because they were great leaders, kings, queens, emperors, knights in shining armor, even generals of armies like the famous young girl Joan of Arc, or brightly robed bishops, popes, abbots, mother superiors and father superiors. Take just one long look at the choirs of saints in heaven, and you are dazzled by all the color, all the talent, all the most tremendous of human accomplishments. Then we come to today’s saint. What dazzling colors do we find for him? Not the red of martyrs nor the scroll of a great author.

No – just a small workshop, a little hut with a battered shingle over the door. It says, “Joseph and Son, Carpenters.” But oh, which of the saints in heaven has the last laugh when those great millions start telling stories of their earthly accomplishments? Isn’t the humble carpenter, St. Joseph? Which of the other saints, except Blessed Mother Mary, can say, “Every day for almost 30 years, I sat at table with the growing boy who was the son of God. Daily I watched Him develop into manhood; I taught Him His prayers; I showed Him how to make chairs and tables. I couldn’t count the times I held Him in my arms when He was little; the times He hugged me and kissed me; the meals we ate together, the miles we traveled together, the joy we had in working together.

But Joseph, you are and always were a humble man, a good and holy man. As you reflect on your memories of the boy Jesus, you thank those millions of saints for "the great honors you pay to the Boy that we raised, Mary and I".

St. Joseph, pray for us....

-From Pray Today's Gospel, Mischke/Mischke

The Meaning of Life

A story is told by Robert Fulghum, a Unitarian minister, about a seminar he once attended in Greece. On the last day of the conference, the discussion leader walked over to the bright light of an open window and looked out. Then he asked if there were any questions. Fulghum laughingly asked him what was the meaning of life. Everyone in attendance laughed and stirred to leave. However, the leader held up his hand to ask for silence and then responded "I will answer your question." He took his wallet out of his pocket and removed a small round mirror about the size of a quarter. Then he explained "When I was a small child during World War II, we were very poor and we lived in a remote village. One day on the road, I found the broken pieces of a mirror. A German motorcycle had been wrecked in that place. I tried to find all the pieces and put them together, but it was not possible, so I kept the largest piece. This one. And by scratching it on a stone, I made it round. I began to play with it as a toy and became fascinated by the fact that I could reflect light into dark places where the sun could never shine. It became a game for me to get light into the most inaccessible places that I could find. I kept the little mirror, and as I grew up, I would take it out at idle moments and continue the challenge of the game.

As I became a man, I grew to understand that this was not just a child's game, but a metaphor of what I could do with my life. I came to understand that I am not the light or the source of the light. But light - be it truth or understanding or knowledge - is there, and it will only shine in many dark places if I reflect it. I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have, I can reflect light into the dark places of this world - into the dark places of human hearts - and change some things in some people. Perhaps others seeing it happen will do likewise. This is what I am about. This is the meaning of my life." (1)

Do we reflect the light of Christ into the darkness of other people's lives? Will the world be a better place for our having been in it?

From It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It, by Robert Fulghum. Ivy Books, 988.

Indeed, Mountains Moved...

If you have faith.... yes, not only did the mountains move, your dreams became real. Sometimes, there are two sunsets in the horizon.

Waiting for the Mountains to Move...

They said that faith can move mountains. Now, I am waiting for the mountains to move.....

EPIPHANY SUNDAY

MY STAR…

We don’t know how many stars are in the sky, maybe billions. When I was a young boy, I dreamt of counting the stars, I dreamt of catching a star and place each star in my transparent cookie jar. Then keep them under my bed, watch them exude their brightness when I turn off the lights in my room. Or sometimes, mix them with my fireflies in the transparent cookie jars. The child in me beckons me to come back – on those starry nights when the wind was sweeter, it seems, or maybe because my life was not as complicated as it is now. I used to look for my star at night. When I grew up, I lost track of my star, not that it stopped sending its brightness, well may be yes, but, the reason was that there were other stars in my life that came – the busyness of adults would rob us of stargazing, of star-counting, of cookie jars and of catching fireflies.

Today we celebrate Epiphany Sunday. The word 'epiphany' comes from Greek and it means a 'showing' or 'manifestation'. We usually call this day “Three Kings Sunday” . We might be concerned to know if the story did happen. But a story, especially a biblical story, is concerned with meaning. Instead of asking of the hard facts, we should reflect on its meaning in our lives. But let us see how this wonderful story unfolded…

So the wise men or magi were associated with the interpretation of dreams, Zoroastrianism, astrology and fortune-telling. We are not told what their names were or how many were the kings or the wise men who visited Jesus. The number 3 must be based on the kinds of gifts they brought. And they were also given names -- Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior. Caspar was represented as black and thus they were understood to represent the whole non-Jewish, Gentile world which came to Christ. We are told, too, that they came "from the east" or any distant place. But the fact remains that they were guided by this mysterious star – that they believe would point them to the place of the child. In fact, there were dangers around them – they will be traveling in a faraway place – there were robbers who might stop them or kill them or wild animals to eat them or any danger that went with distant travels. But because they knew the star, they knew the “why?”, they will bear all the “hows”. Despite the human danger from Herod and his men, when they saw the Child, they made a decision not to go back to the same path. When they saw the Child, their dream was fulfilled.

Who is or what is the star in our lives – that despite the dangers, despite the uncertainty, we are willing to give our all – just to reach that star. When Viktor Frankl, the Austrian psychiatrist and philosopher who was detained in a concentration camp in Auschwitz during the Nazi rule, in his book, “Man’s Search for Meaning”, was asked how he was able to survive under the grueling conditions in the concentration camp, said, “He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how.”

His “why” is his star – that despite the dangers he was facing and the pain he was feeling, he was focused on his star- to survive! I think, we could reflect on this and ask ourselves today about our “whys” in our lives – our guiding stars - that despite the possible consequences, we are ready to face them – all the “hows” can be transcended and endured because we know the star in our lives…

Ask ourselves today - how and to what is God calling me? Where does he want me to find him, to serve and follow him? We may have our priorities already fixed and so have stopped or have never even started to look for the real priorities, the God-sent stars in our lives. This very day, let us stop in our tracks- in our journeys in the road called Life. At this stage, there are many things which, for better or worse, we may not or cannot change, some decisions, right or wrong, which cannot now be undone. But it is not too late to look for our star and begin following it from where we are now.

The wise men did not know where the star would lead them. They just followed the star until it brought them to Bethlehem -- and to Jesus. They did not, I am sure, regret their decision. If we can only have the courage and the trust to follow their example, I doubt if we will have regrets either. If we have not already done so, today is the day to make that start. Follow your star! If you know your “why” in life, all the “hows” will be endured and transcended. This is what it means to celebrate Epiphany – it is not in the falling but in the rising after a fall!

image from Google search

WAITING...

Not for winter, nor for autumn to fade

Not for the leaves to turn green

Nor the shadows beneath the trees

But for dreams to be made real.

Not for the mountains to move

Nor the grounds to dry up

Not just the melody but the love

And the hope for every song.

Not just for the park bench and the stories

And the laughters and the whispers

But for the breath of life and faith

And the inspiration to move on.

I sat on the same park bench

The same cobbled stones and the lake nearby

With the memories and a prelude to Advent

And the birth of Love within.

The park seemed lonely, mysteriously quiet

But we have promises to keep...

*******

December 1, 2007

Happy New Year!!!

THE PARADOX OF OUR TIME

The paradox of our time in history is that we have

taller buildings but shorter tempers,

wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spent more, but have less,

we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families,

more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less common sense,

more knowledge, but less judgment,

more experts, yet more problems,

more medicine, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have

trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce

more copies than ever,

but we communicate less and less…

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion,

big men and small character,

steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce,

fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway

morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and

pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you,

and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because

they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe,

because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you,

because that is the only treasure you can give with

your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and

your loved ones, but most of all mean it.

A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from

deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for

someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time

to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away.

*Author Unknown*

THE WORK OF CHRISTMAS

by Howard Thurman



When the star in the sky is gone,

When the Kings and Princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flocks,

The work of Christmas begins.

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry

To release the prisoner,

To teach the nations,



To bring Christ to all

To make music in the heart.

******

SAYING GOODBYE...

 

Simply,

Beyond words.

 

Because words are not enough.

But the heart knows it all.

 

It is also saying hello

To the promise, to the dream

Of your waiting friends

And loved ones

Back home.

 

It is also facing life

That a loving father and a sister are no more

But not the love

And the memories in between.

 

Another chance to say Yes

To my God who will never give up loving

Will never give up waiting...

December 2, 2007

STANDING STILL

Almost motionless,

As the passing buses erase the wrinkles in my face

And the gloom that covered my eyes

But not the dreams.

The heroes of long ago stood gazing

And the fortress of freedom envelopes

The aura of a lost soul

But not a lost dream.

And the winds continue to bring chill

Crawling into the shoulder of an old jacket

And the closed fist inside the pocket

Bringing ice to the rosary and the coins

But not to the spirit.

Standing still

On a breezy afternoon

Looking for the sunset

And the memories.

November 8, 2006

REMINISCENCE

  

When I was young

I believed that  oceans

Have no memories,

Only waves.

 

When I was young

I saw the trees

And the falling leaves,

But not the shadow.

 

I saw the wrinkles

But not the worries,

The body

But not the heart,

When I was young.

 

Suddenly

When many years

Crept inevitably beneath  a tired foot

And an aching shoulder,

You will see

The memories of the ocean

The shadow of the tree

The heart of a traveler

And the spirit of a dream.

 

 

 

November 9

WAITING FOR THE MOUNTAINS TO MOVE

 

 

There she knelt

With all her might

Asking for the impossible

Below the old Virgin

Aged by time

And prayers.

 

She walked as flawless as the sunset

And as silent as the shadows

Her mind wandering

Lost in the city

Hurrying to find a home.

 

She was waiting for the mountains to move

And her dreams to come true

And her life would have meaning

And her soul would not be lost.

 

But the mountains stood still

And her prayers left unanswered

But she went to the old Virgin

Just the same

As the angelus bell continues to toll

And her thoughts are lost in the darkness

But not to oblivion's trail

But not her faith.

 

November 10, 2006

ika-21 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

 

SINO DAW?

 

Sino daw si Hesus?  Tanong sa mga alagad, tanong din sa atin...

 

Sabi kasi ni Sister, siya raw iyong namatay sa krus.  Siya rin iyong ipinanganak sa sabsaban.  Siya rin iyong hinanap ng mga magulang noong bata pa siya, nagparami ng tinapay, naglakad sa tubig, iniwan ng mga kaibigan, nagpasan ng krus, hanggang sa siya ay namatay.  Nguni't sa ikatlong araw, muling nabuhay.  At kung anu-ano pa.

 

Sabi rin ni Father, siya iyong nagtatag ng Huling Hapunan, na hanggang ngayon ay ating pinagsasaluhan.  Siya rin iyong nagtawag ng mga alagad upang maging kaibigan niya sa pagpapalaganap ng kaharian ng Diyos, siya rin iyong nagpaliwanag kung ano ang kahulugan ng maging alagad ng Diyos, pagpapaliwanag na kasabay ng pagsasabuhay nito.  Siya rin iyong nagpakilala sa atin kung paano mag-alay ng buhay para sa kaibiagn.

 

E, ano ngayon?  Ngayong alam na nating lahat ito, simula pa sa Katesismo noong bata pa tayo. Simula noong panahon na marami pang gumagalang sa matatanda, nagmamahal sa mga pari, nag-uunahan magpa-upo ng matanda sa bus, nakabelong nangasisimba... noon pa ito di ba?  E ano ngayon kung alam na natin itong lahat.... Nang makilala mo ba si Hesus, nagbago ang buhay mo?  Nang makilala mo ba si Hesus ay iniwan mo na ang pagiging lasenggo at sinunggaling?  Nang makilala mo ba si Hesus, nagbago ang direksiyon ng buhay mo?

 

 Ang hinahanap ni Hesus na sagot ay hindi iyong mga de-kahon at naka-kwadrong kasagutan na na minsan ay parang display ng mga larawan.  Ang hinahanap na sagot ni Hesus ay isang simpleng pagtanggap na - noong nakilala mo Siya, nagdeklara ka ng digmaan laban sa kasalanan at magulong buhay, at nagpasya kang sundan Siya, ano man ang kahahantungan nito.