At 33

October 25,2015

 

At 33

JER 31:7-9	HEB 5:1-6
PS 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6	MK 10:46-52

As I turn 33, this October 24^th, I am reminded of the life of Jesus. Jesus was crucified on the cross when he was 33. If I was that radical, I would not probably reach this age. Like the many unsung heroes of the revolution, a lot of them are young people, sometimes even younger than the 33 years old. They are students, young professionals, prophets, dreamers and poets who have big and wild dreams for their community. A lot of them are teeming with potentials to lead the country and contribute to the transformation of society—where justice is present and peace is the norm.

As I grow older in life, I have been a witness on the loving and powerful hands of God in the lives of the people. I see, feel God’s handiwork happening even in the midst of uncertainties and defeat. I can feel God’s providence even in the direst of circumstances, and even where there seemed to be hopelessness among us. One of the most powerful acts of Jesus in the Bible is being with the people. His presence meant a lot, his words are soothing balms, and his assurance and accompaniment with them gave hope to the people and transformed their lives. Jesus’ compassion to the people is constant, even to his last words.

God’s assurance of love and compassion throughout history has proved that we are serving a God of Justice. In the book of Jeremiah, as part of our reading today, (Jeremiah 31: 7-9), God assured the people of God’s saving grace and deliverance to the people, and of the promise that they will be taken cared of, there will be singing with Joy and Jubilee even in the midst of their uncertainties:

“Sing with joy for Jacob;
shout for the foremost of the nations.
Make your praises heard, and say,
‘Lord, save your people,
the remnant of Israel.’ (Jer 31:7)

This kind of celebration is only done in community. And time and again, God’s loving arms are always ready for those who are marginalized, the poorest of the poor and the oppressed and because God is the God Love and compassion.

This kind of celebration in the midst of the struggle reminds me today of the upcoming Manilakbayan 2015. Our Lumad sisters and brothers are coming to Manila to  share their stories as a people. The Lumads have been fighting for their sacred lands and defending life since time immemorial. They have been victims of state repression, militarization and negligence of this government. Their journey as Lumad Peoples in Mindanao shows us their resolve spirit of defending the land and life that the Mother Earth has given to them. They have been constant and faithful in nurturing and defending their land and their culture. They are the caretakers of the earth, and their lives are a constant reminder of stewardship of God’s creation. The Lumads have been protecting their land with their blood and life for a long time ago from the plunderers, big mining companies, and even from this government.

Their lives as Lumads, and their stories as a minority testifies to a rich history of resistance, and protection of their people and the generations to come. This Manilakbayan  Caravan is a sweet testimony of arduous and joyous struggle and resistance of the Lumads, and also, rests on the hope that people’s victory will happen and is certain.

Our support as Christians and Church people to the cries and woes of our Lumad sisters and brothers in Mindanao is a living testimony of our faith as followers of Christ. Our act of solidarity with them is a concrete act of Love. Our support for asserting for their rights and for seeking justice with and for them is a call for celebration of unity, and an understanding of strength as community of faith that goes over and beyond our own doctrines, but calls for our humanity to respond and work for Justice for all. In this upcoming Manilakbayan, may we, as Church people support the struggles of the People in Mindanao. May we welcome them with open arms , ready to see and hear their stories. May their coming here also show us and open our eyes to God’s revelations of what a true community should be, and may it show us pulsating acts of resilience and of hope.

Being 33 today, made me realized the myriad ways of how God shows love and mercy to people. In this juncture of being 33, and thinking whether I’m radical enough for social justice or not (because I am still alive)  made thankful for the 3 decades that has been given to me, and of making it to where I am today, of reaching this age, and still be healthy, alive, and sane, and still very much part of the justice movement, and yet, I have to see many things still.

The text of Mark 10: 46-52 where a blind man, Bartimaeus received sight and followed Jesus reveals many things. As I interpret it, and as an activist, many are the eyes that see but don’t actually really process what it is being revealed to them. Being an activist is an act of revelation. In a society where many truths are withheld, it is important for us to seek the truth, and act upon those truths. And even in my age of 33, in this Jesus Year, I have yet to see and seek many tangible truths, and I have yet to act on those. Asking Jesus to see is a work of faith. That means, that even in the midst of dark and hopeless days, we have the assurance that God is on the side of the people. When we see the true realities in our land, it compels us to exercise a faith that is not personal but as a communal one.

To see the realities is a very powerful. It means that there is truth out there. And our faith even calls us to dig deeper for the truth, and lets us choose sides. When we see the realities of our people in Mindanao, we see militarization,  their rich land being plundered, lives are violated, the killing of their leaders, we see all of this a direct violation of the sanctity of life.  The God that we worship takes sides, and we can see that in our rich history of the people’s struggles.  And when we take the side of the people we are being healed from our own self-seeking schemes, and our own self-doubt and individualism. When Jesus said that “your faith has healed you” I believe that that faith is healing our own self-seeking egos, towards a community of service and engaging ourselves, our sight, our very own rich senses for the vision of Christ.

Now, at this part of my life, may this Jesus year for me of being 33, be an offering of continued and faithful service to the people, with the people. May I continue to see things, and follow Christ and to take sides, and serve the people. May this Jesus year for me be a pivotal age and radical age of continuing our task in doing peace and Justice, and to usher new and budding young people along. I am very thankful for all the people who accompanied me in this journey, the friends, families and kasamas. And truly, enough, God’s acts of transformation richly happens in the midst of community. It takes a community to raise a child as they say, and it takes a community, kasamas, family and friends, and organizations to transform a world.

In this coming Manilakbayan, may we open up our eyes, our senses our whole being as Christians, as people of faith to the People of Mindanao, to our Lumad sisters and brothers. May we be a conduit of God’s acts of mercy and love, in the name of solidarity, and concrete social transformation, for justice and lasting peace. May we be one with them, as we transform their communities, and transform our selves in building God’s reign here on earth.

May the God of Anawim be with us all in this Journey. ##

Ms. Cheekai dela Cruz

Kalipunan ng Kristianong Kabataan(3KP)

Be True Missionaries

https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=JAmes+Zebedee+disciples+of+Jesus&rlz=1C1CHWA_enPH639PH639&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI2LXay9zJyAIVEnKOCh2hBgv2&dpr=1#imgrc=J_hAxb51D6jX4M%3A

October 18,2914

Today as we celebrate Mission Sunday. We contemplate on the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, in today’s Gospel, reminded us how, as his followers, we should be servants to our brothers and sisters, even to those who may not profess the same faith as ours.

And so we ask ourselves, “Have I become a true missionary of Christ by living a life consistent to Christ’s teachings? Or am I merely proclaiming that I a follower of Christ but do not make his teachings alive in my life?”

Yes, many people, like James and Zebedee, well-meaning as they may be, would want to sit in either side of Christ, but not many are willing to share his cup of self-sacrifice and self-giving.

What is the best place  or location  of greatness?  Perhaps Jesus was a little bit  surprised with how disciples could also be vulnerable in seeking for great position. It is a reflection  that  as we are being remolded by mission and servanthood, we are also    capable of falling into temptation of seeking greatness by the “standard”  of  the elitism. What the disciples  expressed was not necessarily a  crime  but a tendency to commit grave error   of  leadership assumption by seeking position in an   hierarchical culture.

I am reminded of Fr. Pops Tentorio, PIME. He was an Italian priest who spent the best and productive years of his missionary life with the Lumad. He dreamt, aspired, struggled, and hoped with the  Lumad .   Through his humble service, he was able to build schools for the Lumad and provided scholarship for the hundreds of them. His greatness was seen through his humble service and faithful adherence to the aspirations of the people. He believed with the Lumad and never questioned their dream  .

Recently we went to an elite prestigious Catholic school in Quezon City to bring to the student leaders the cause of the indigenous people who are victims of exploitation, harassment, vilification, extrajudicial killings, and other human rights abuses.

Our purpose was to encourage the students to support  the upcoming Manilakbayan 2015  .

Three Lumad were with us and they spoke about their personal experiences, their fears, and their desire of a better future for their children.

When the Lumad  themselves shared their stories, all that the young leaders could ask was how they could help them.

While Lumad  could not articulate  their stories according the  academic standard or framework of the “scholars”  , the wisdom they share could be internalized by believing them and by trusting  on their  testimonies.  Their  cries and calls are important. They would not spend time travelling to Manila and   expose themselves to  multiple risks if their  appeals and demands were  not valid.

As disciples of Jesus, how do we take their stories and their dreams ? How can we serve them and mission with them?

Are we ready to  suffer with them?

Let us be true missionaries of Christ by helping our brothers and sisters  . God does not desire us to perform wonders for Him. Our simple acts of kindness are a treasure in God’s treasure vault.

The Lord said, through the prophet Isaiah,

“Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many and their guilt he shall bear.”

Our lumad brothers and sisters  have suffered a lot. We could choose to  take their path and walk with them as they pursue the cause of PEACE.

Let us be true missionaries, not by vilifying those who disagree with our beliefs, but by becoming true followers of Christ, by loving our neighbors as ourselves, or even more than ourselves. By truly choosing the side of the poor, oppressed, exploited, and marginalized, and not be spokespersons of the exploiting class. Let us be faithful to our vows – in whatever  situation we are in. ##

RITCHE tribo SALGADO, OCarm,

From The Gospel Reading to Navotas

MK 10:17-30

A Filipino man reinforces his makeshift home at a fish port in Navotas, north of Manila, Philippines on Monday May 9, 2011. Tropical storm Aere threatened the Philippines’ agricultural north Monday after pummeling the eastern coast and the capital with fierce winds and rain that sparked floods and landslides, officials said.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Am I Ready To Follow Jesus?

As I pondered upon the Gospel reading this Sunday, I reflected on few questions: What am  willing to give-up in following the footsteps of Jesus? What do I think of the purpose of Jesus   in telling the rich man to sell everything and give it to the poor before following Him?

Following Christ is  a difficult and the most demanding endeavor.  My teacher once said,  that no one among us can fully embrace the Christian life. As I meditate, I am inclined to believe on the remark of my teacher.  Am sure, I am not yet fully embracing the ways and teachings of Jesus.  I feel I need to internalize the way of following Jesus, and that include, taking my own cross, and venturing into the unfolding revelation of mission work

In today’s gospel, a rich man asked Jesus, “How to obtain eternal life?

In response, Jesus said “Go sell everything and give it to the poor and follow me and you will have treasure in heaven”.

We knew the reaction of the rich man. His face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

If we were  in the place of a rich man, what would be our response?

Last Saturday, Kuya Pepe of the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) brought us to Navotas Fish Port. This is a part of our apostolate program. Prior to our exposure we have already a background of the area since Yaying of PCPR described it to us prior to the visit. I was  already aware of the  situation in Navotas.  In the area, one would be able to  see and feel what poverty is in our country. “How unfortunate”, were the first words that crossed my mind while walking through the community.

The odor seems unfamiliar to me. As I inhaled , I could  smell the rotten dead animals, stagnant water from the drainage or rotten garbage that were dump anywhere. The plight of the poor people living in miserable condition reminded me of what Jesus said in today’s gospel. My skeptic thoughts immediately told me, where is God in this situation? Then suddenly, that question shifted into more realistic inquiry. Where  am I in their miserable situation? Where are we in their quest for better life? If Jesus was present, walking, and talking with us I am very sure  he would ask the same invitation that He asked to the rich man in the gospel.

It was not hard to understand what Jesus wanted in uttering those words to the rich man. He wanted  us make a choice: whether to hold on to the possessions and wealth or to  open our hearts in giving importance to the poor and marginalize sector of our society.

You don’t need to be a bible scholar in order to interpret what the message is. Jesus wants us to understand. Just look around and us and we would surely see the invitation of Jesus. His message is very clear, it is not good to have a miserable life here on earth. The text emphasizes the seriousness of giving attention to the poor. What really matters is what  do we do  to the least of our brothers and sisters. Following Him is useless if we are dumb and blind to the suffering of the poor. The story calls us to take  a sense of responsibility for the poor and the oppressed. This  a  reference to Jesus’s judgment and criterion to become His follower.

We are all aware how hard it is  to follow the footsteps of Christ, He gives invitation , and he opens up an option to take. . Must we welcome it?

Bro.Arfie John Gultia, MJ

The Radical Call of Jesus

October 11,2014

WIS 7:7-11	HEB 4:12-13
PS 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17	MK 10:17-30

In the gospel, Jesus emphasizes on what it entails to inherit the Kingdom of God. There are two important things that Jesus said to the man asking on what must he do to inherit the treasures of heaven: observe the commandments and sell everything you have and give it to the poor.  Following the principles to gain eternal life does not only mean following the laws of God but we also need to empty ourselves of our material possessions that cause us to be blinded and be paralyzed to love and help the poor, marginalized, and oppressed.

As we celebrate the Indigenous Peoples Sunday, we are reminded of our indigenous brothers and sisters who for many years have been oppressed, exploited, neglected, and humiliated. They have been suffering since the time that the colonizers took control of their lands which they inherited from their ancestors. The colonizers took away not just their lands but they also took away their dignity as a people and the richness of their culture.

My experience meeting and living with our Indigenous brothers and sisters had brought me to see and understand their beliefs, cultures and current situations. The Tagakaulo and the Mangyans that I met during my mission exposure in Davao del Sur and Mindoro taught me a lot of things about life. I learned from them that true wealth and happiness are not measured by power, fame, material things, and money , but wealth is measured by how much a person have shared and given his/her life for the sake of others and all of God’s creation.

They also taught me that the most important wealth in the world is our family and community. They are a constant reminders that technologies should serve the interest of the people and must not replace our precious time with our families and communities. These are just few of the beautiful teachings that I learned from them.

Our Indigenous brothers and sisters continue to suffer because of the negligence of our government, the oppression that they receive from the mining companies, and from the abusive capitalist. Understanding their different cultures can educate us on how we can treasure the things that are most relevant in this world: love of God, family, neighbors and creation.

The words of Jesus to the man resound the invitation to us to be in solidarity with the Indigenous people to achieve the justice they deserve.

The gospel is challenging us to go beyond our boundaries in helping others. The two principles in order for us to inherit the Kingdom of God and its treasures is all about the second commandment of Jesus which is to love our neighbors. In order for us to show the truthfulness of our love for God we should also love our neighbors. We need to be radical in following the call of Jesus in order for us to be called true followers of him and it entails total self-giving for the cause of letting others feel that the Kingdom of God is real and can be present in this world.

“Where your heart is there your treasure is”. Let our love for God and our neighbors be our true treasure in this world. Let us not be blinded and be paralyzed by our personal ambitions and affairs that neglect us to answer the radicality of the call of Jesus in addressing the needs of the poor, oppressed, and marginalized. We should always remember that we are God’s co-creators and stewards and we should take part in creating and recreating the world and making it a haven and Heaven for everyone.

Luis D. Joven, MJ

Family

GN 2:18-24	PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
HEB 2:9-11	MK 10:2-16

Greetings of Peace! The readings for this Sunday are very close to my heart – being a wife and a mother.

I have been married for three years – a relatively short amount of time but enough for me to realize the blessings and challenges that come with married life. I have been blessed with a husband who knows the Lord. We are not “religious” but we know our faith.  This FAITH has guided us through our good times and tough times.  When the Lord provides, we thank God.  When we feel that we have nothing left, we seek God.  Through every decision we make, we ask guidance from the Lord.  I am blessed to have a prayer partner in my husband and prayers can do wonders!

I always remember our wedding day when we said our vows before God.  It is the happiest day of my life as all of our loved ones were there to witness the ceremony.  But now, when I look back on that day, it also gives me the strength to keep on going.  Married life brings with it lots of trials and difficulties.  But as long as our love and faith hold us together, I know we can make it through anything.  Recently, one of our sisters at the Daughters of Charity hosted a Kasalang Bayan for couples in Tanauan, Leyte.  You can see the glow in the couples’ eyes. One woman said, “20 years na kaming nagsasama ng walang basbas ng simbahan.  Ngayong nakatangap kami ng Sakramento ng Kasal mas naramdaman ko ang tunay na sagradong pagmamahal sa aking asawa… mas mamahalin kita habang buhay.”  Another man said, “Sa harap ng Diyos sumumpa tayo na pakakamahalin natin ang bawat isa kasama ng ating mga anak at ng buong pamilya natin.  Daanan man tayo ng matinding Yolanda hindi matitinag ang pagmamahal ko sayo!” What a beautiful promise it is. When you have that deep sense of commitment to the Lord and to each other, you are not afraid of the many factors that try to keep families apart. Indeed, marriage blesses unions and strengthens the love.   Our relationships are constantly being tested with fire, but the important thing is to remember our promise to God, the very basis of our vows of total commitment toward each another.

Like everyone else, my husband and I HOPE for a better future.  I am a development worker while my husband works at a bank.  We are your typical middle class family.  Our combined income is just enough for us to pay our home loan, bills, groceries, and daily allowance.  As the one doing the budgeting, I can feel the pinch (or punch) when the prices of commodities and fares increase.  When unexpected expenses arise, I have a headache trying to make ends meet.  Of course, we pray for prosperity – not just to answer our daily needs and secure our future but more importantly, so that we can respond to the needs of others as well.  When my husband and I talk about the future, we do not just talk about the future of our family but also the future of our nation.  There are times when we want to migrate to another country because we feel hopeless about our present political situation.  If politicians will continue to serve their own interests instead of the nation’s, it gives me the chills as to what kind of future my children will be living in.  And my husband can be quite insistent in moving abroad.  But there is still hope in me that all our actions in fighting for justice and peace will bear fruit and we can have a brighter future.  The day that hope in me dies will be the day I will agree with my husband that we migrate.

I have not yet told you about my son.  We have been blessed with a beautiful son.  He is our most precious gift from above.  He gives purpose and direction in our lives.  Our son has taught me so much about life. He keeps me grounded and reminds me about enjoying the simple things in life.  He has some expensive toys and yet the toys he enjoys the most are the ones we got for free from a Happy Meal or the arcade. And when he looks at me and holds my hand, I know I can see the purest form of LOVE – the love that comes from a child.  That look that trusts that you will be there for him at all times.  That look that trusts that you are doing everything to give him the best.  That look that trusts that you accept him no matter what.  And I tell you all that as a mother, I do promise to be there for my son at all times.  I do promise that I am doing my best for him.  I do promise that I love him unconditionally.  It is only now that I have felt this kind of love.  It is as if my heart will burst from this feeling.  And I know that this is only a fraction of God’s love for us.  God gives us the best.  He endured the most painful death for us.  He accepts us no matter who we are.  He provides for all our needs.  God is LOVE.

Faith. Hope. Love. And the greatest of these is love. If we let love reign in our hearts, we can look at the person next to us as family and that will pave the way to achieve peace in our land.  God bless our families and God bless our nation.##

Ms. Jeanette Credo-Figueroa,

JPIC-Daughters of Charity