December 23, 2018, 4th Sunday*Mary and Elizabeth

Norma P. Dollaga, United Methodist Church/Association of Women in Theology                                                      (AWIT)

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Psalm 80:2-3,15-16,18-19

Micah 5:1-4

Hebrews 10:5-10

Luke 1:39-45

The meeting of Elizabeth and Mary was a special reunion.
Mary was a peasant woman. She was betrothed to Joseph, a step nearest to marriage. The status of their relationship was public knowledge as it was a binding agreement between their families. The problem was that Mary became pregnant before her marriage to Joseph and the father of the child was someone else. No one could have imagined that this story would eventually be the story of Christmas!
The tension must have been agonizing for Mary since she could be punished for committing adultery. The betrothal could only be broken through divorce or if one of the partners died. Mary was in a very extreme predicament because the sexual scandal might explode anytime, anywhere. Was she prepared for this?

O dear Mary
You must be blushing again
When we talk about your virginity
When juicy “gossip” spread out
About the birth of the Messiah
Words were spread, reaching the office of Herod
Thus the fascist-fool was threatened
So afraid that he ordered the killings of hundreds of boys
Making the women and men travail, and refuse to be comforted

Perhaps you are still
Blushing in wonder
Asking us “What’s the fuss about my pregnancy?”
Blushing in laughter
Intriguing us about the Magnificat, a poor woman’s poem, song and vision
Worth shaking the powers-that-be
Blushing in anger
Demanding for health services including Reproductive Health rights of women

O blessed indeed, thou blessed Virgin Mary
I love you for just being a woman of power
While patriarchy tries to reduced your image into a timid, helpless woman
We know and you know very well, it takes courage and love to be where you had been.

Mary goes to see her cousin Elizabeth.
Science says that a mother would start to feel her baby moving inside her womb on the 18th week of pregnancy. The type of movement depends upon the development and the stage of growth of the baby. The child begins to respond to stimuli. The child and a mother has a mutual sharing of knowing and feeling each other. The baby can feel his/her mother’s emotions, moods, and feelings. The movement of a child inside the womb is felt when a mother pays attention. She would only feel the leaping, if she is attentive, otherwise, she would not be able to become aware of it. When Mary came to Elizabeth, who was also pregnant, the latter was filled with joy and spirit that she could feel the baby inside her:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? “

The fruit of her womb was conceived with tension and pressure. Mary was not in the most comfortable situation when her pregnancy was beyond the understanding of people surrounding her. Elizabeth was one of the few who must have understood her. Being barren for the longest time was something Elizabeth had to endure. Being barren did not fit the standard of womanhood during those days. Culturally, having children was considered to be manifestation of God’s favor ( Ex. 23:26) .

Elizabeth, saw the blessed Mary and child inside her. Elizabeth gave Mary a positive outlook, and defied the cultural standards of what was normative and acceptable. Truth be told, it was not Mary’s fault that she was pregnant. Elizabeth considered the child to be blessed . In the midst of Mary’s worries and feeling  anxiety, here was Elizabeth who would stand with her with affirmation and assurance that she has  the  support.

Elizabeth’s sense of sister-sup port was remarkable as she did not see the law ( legal or cultural) and the “shame”  the young peasant women was  experiencing.  Elizabeth, treated MARY as a  person  who deserve  to be loved and supported specially in the troubling episode of her life.   Likewise  it is important to acknowledge  and nourish the  life growing inside the womb of Mary.

A child whom Mary was bearing was entitled to be protected from harm and threats. Mary likewise deserved to be taken cared of.

The song of Mary , known as Magnificat is a radical vision coming from a peasant woman whose credibility was under question . Yet, in her deepest tension, she was able to remain strong, and articulate a prophetic vision which the powers-that-be would find uncomfortable :

My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name;
And His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear Him.
He has shown might with His arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy
Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever.(Luke 1: 46-55)

In the whole life story of Jesus, he was indeed a blessed one. He identified himself with poor and the downtrodden because the Kingdom of God belonged to them. He was one among the blessed, because he envisioned a society that was the opposite of the ruling class whose power was founded in injustice and violence.

Mary was blessed, not only did because she gave birth to the Messiah Jesus, but she herself was a prophet who declared in the Magnificat how a society, founded on justice and peace, must look like.

December 16, 2018, *3rd Sunday of Advent*Solidarity Defines Our Union

REv. Fr. Aris Miranda, MI

Apol Laxamana Sta. Rosa’s  artwork

Isaiah 12:2-6
Zephaniah 3:14-18
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18

Today, the 3^rd Sunday of Advent is known as the Gaudete Sunday. We are all invited to rejoice in the Lord for this is the day that our joys and hopes for a new, just and peaceful world will reign in His coming.

 

However, is there a reason to rejoice when the most vulnerable like the indigenous people who live in peace shepherding our “common home” (the land) are driven out by force because of martial law. Is there a reason to rejoice when extra-judicial killings and impunity are unabated? Is there a reason to rejoice when the freedom of expression in a democratic country is guaranteed only if it favors the ruling power? Is there a reason to rejoice when the peacemakers, advocates for justice and human rights defenders are gagged and threatened with trumped-up charges? Is there a reason to rejoice when the pork barrel funds are again the menu of the day?

 

But, there is a reason to rejoice because the prophets of God and our modern prophets began to speak and assure the People of God of His coming where He will establish a new world where everyone could live in joy and peace.

 

In our first reading, the prophet Zephaniah declared to Jerusalem – “Be glad and exult with all your heart … The LORD has removed the judgment against you; he has turned away your enemies; … the Lord is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.”  (v.14). We are in one of the most difficult moments of Israel’s history. In Jerusalem everyone is corrupt: the king, the priests, the prophets, and the judges. In the beginning, Zephaniah has no alternative. He began to threaten his people with disasters and misfortunes. But looking at their condition he cries: “Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior.”

 

This text shows in what the day of God’s wrath consists of. It is not the moment when he loses patience, gets angry for the wickedness of people and decides to punish them. It is the day when finally he is able to drive home his love.  It is the day when God brings the radical transformation of the social, political and religious situation. That is the reason for calling all the poor of the country to rejoice.

In our second reading, Paul writes to the community at Philippi from Ephesus. He is in prison because of the Gospel and would have every reason to be sad and dejected. Instead, the invitation to joy comes back: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!”

It is not simply the success in life, good health, good performance of the economy, the lack of concern (Paul and the Philippians had it as many as we have today), but the certainty that “the Lord is near.” This is the thought that accompanies the Christians and that makes them affable, kind, and generous towards all (v. 5).

Faith gives the certainty that everything that happens does not escape God’s plan and then everything will turn out well. Who is animated by this confidence never despairs. He cannot be caught by anxiety or upset with anguish but exposes to the Lord his every need in prayer (v. 6). From this union with God, he receives peace as a gift.

In the first part of today’s Gospel, there are three groups of people—the crowd, the tax collectors, the soldiers—who go to the Baptist to have concrete directions. He does not suggest anything specifically “religious,” nor recommends devotional practices, ceremonies, penances (imposition of ashes, fasting, prayers, and spiritual retreats in the desert). He demands something very concrete: a major overhaul of one’s life from the ethical principle of loving a brother or a sister.

The first group is the crowd. “What should we do? If you have two coats, give one to the person who has none; and if you have food, do the same” (vv. 10-11). The Baptist focuses not so much on the act of giving which can be done by everybody; even corrupt politicians do. The key message is the complete detachment from the goods of this world; detachment from our instincts to greed and power. It is a recognition that all the goods of this earth belong to God and thus it should be enjoyed by all and not only by the few. It is an invitation to overcome the sin of omission, that is, refraining from doing good to your neighbor despite knowing what the good is.

 

The second group is the tax collectors. They enriched themselves by extorting money from the weak and defenseless. The Baptist does not ask them to change profession, but not to take advantage of their trade to exploit the poor – abuse of power. He challenges them to desist collaboration with an oppressive system who uses its authority to drown others and lift up fellow oppressors.

The third group is the soldiers. Having weapons in hand, they took advantage of their power to beat up people, harass women, extort money and impose harsh and humiliating services on the weakest, bully the poor farmers and force them to carry loads. They allowed themselves to become protectors not of the people but of the oppressors. The Baptist asks them not to mistreat anyone and be content with their wages.

With the coming of our Lord, a new world begins – the new world which offers the “fullness of life”. What must be done to make it happen? The only way is to accept God’s vision of a new world. The Baptist describes it with three images – water, fire, and the winnowing fan. The water in which Jesus baptized us is the spirit of love which cleanses the interior aspect of our being and makes us dispose to share this love with others even if it costs our lives. The fire is the spirit which descends during the Pentecost event; the fire which burns all our iniquities and let this new world shines. The “winnowing fan” is the spirit which blows away our instincts and makes ourselves pure and true to our dignity as a human person who desires always the good of others more than one’s own good.

There is indeed a reason to rejoice for those who freely embrace God’s offer of a new world where justice and peace reigns, and a renewed life where fraternity and solidarity define our union.##

 

Dec.9,2018*Second Sunday of Advent Repentance* Preparing the Way of the Lord

Fr. Jay-Ar Roferos, MJ

Bar 5:1-9;

Ps 126;

Phil 1:4-6, 8-11;

Lk 3:1-6

It has already been a year already since we arrived in Tangos Mission Station, Navotas City last October 2017. Our Institute, the Missionaries of Jesus (MJ) accepted the invitation extended by His Excellency Pablo Virgilio S. David, DD, also known as Bishop Ambo, to do mission in the Diocese of Kalookan. Fr. Efren N. Reyes, MJ and myself were assigned at Tangos.

Building mission stations are the flagship of Bishop Ambo. In fact, the diocese has more or less 15 mission stations. This is a clear indication that our bishop has a special concern for his flock. Our bishop dubs us as buena mano which literally means “in good hands,” and I want to understand that we are under the loving care of the people around and vice versa. Bishop Ambo keeps inviting religious men and women in the diocese for mission stations. According to him, it is sad to learn or to know that people, who are in the margin of our society, are the same people who are marginalized in our church. Reaching out to the peripheries is a loud call, it is a cry because it is a dire need. We could not assume that everybody goes to church, said the bishop. There is still a big percentage of the parishioners who do not come to church at all.

Tangos Mission Station does not have a big church. We seek assistance from the barangay people to allow us to hold our liturgical celebrations and other religious activities in their chapels. I remember the bishop saying that we do not need a big church, especially that a space to build a church is difficult to find in a bustling city like Navotas. In our first months in mission station, we held masses in the streets. People prepared the venue, arranging chairs, setting up the altar, and putting up tents. According to the bishop, our main concern is not any more church made of stone, but the church made of the faith of the people.

Slowly, I vividly observed the attendance of the people going to the Holy Mass is increasing. In the mission station, we have masses in the morning, in the afternoon, and another in the evening so that people can choose according to their choice and availability. We also are reaching out to our sick brethren by giving them the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Aside from spiritual nourishment of the people, we also responded to the material needs of the people. Last November 08, 2018, Tangos Public Market was burned. In coordination with Caritas Kalookan, Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP), and some friends, we were able to provide food for the victims of the disaster.  We are also giving catechism to the children every Sunday afternoon for values education.

Indeed, God never abandons us despite the difficulty we are experiencing in the mission station especially its early  beginning. God sends committed and dedicated people to be our partners in the mission.

We are now in the second Sunday of Advent. We await the coming of our Lord Jesus here on earth. God incarnated into a human being. The gospel reading from St. Luke begins with the political and religious background. At that time, it was the reign of Emperor Tiberius. Pontius Pilate was the procurator; Jerod was the tetrarch; Annas and Caiphas were the high priests. Amidst the “big names” mentioned and considered dangerous, someone mightier comes along the way. John the Baptist exhorts emotionally from the book of Isaiah, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” That is that part of the reading that Luke firmly establishes John as the precursor. Not only did John preach the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, but also John’s role in the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

I reflected upon on repentance. Repentance is about acknowledging our sins, feel sorry about it, readiness to take the consequence of the sins, and turning away from sins and going back to God.

Today, we have read and heard from social media, like Facebook, the heated arguments President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Bishop Ambo. Bishop Ambo is a critique of the administration’s war on drugs. And I can understand that because there are plenty of victims of Extra-Judicial Killings or EJKs in the Diocese of Kalookan. The exchanging of words between Pres. Duterte and Bishop Ambo started when the former accused the latter of stealing. According to the president, a certain Bishop David brought mass offerings, like pineapple, to his family. But the bishop said that his parents never taught him to steal. During our Christmas party among the religious men and women in the Diocese of Kalookan, Bishop Ambo was there. We invited him. He affirmed that yes he goes out and roams around the cathedral in the evening to pray the rosary and at the same time his way of exercise. Children then come to him asking for food. The bishop would say to them to wait because he is praying the rosary. Surprisingly, the children join the bishop in praying the rosary and even responded in Filipino. After they prayed, the bishop goes to his residence and look for food for them. The bishop realized the reason why Pres. Duterte falsely accused him of a drug dealer because children used to deliver drugs. Bishop Ambo says that we are not dealing against the human. Rather, our enemies are the evil spirit.

The church must take a strong stance against political and drug-related killings whether the situation is within the geographical bounds of the diocese or location of concern or outside geographical bounds.

The killing of when Kian delos Santos, 17 years old by the policemen had placed the issue of killings in the consciousness of the public. Lately, the killers were convicted guilty beyond pardon. A glimpse of justice prevailed on this case, but the policy and pronouncements that give police to be abusive have not been lifted up. !

The killings go on.  It was in the news that in the first 10 days of November 2018 there were 11 people killed in CaMaNaVa (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela). I said a  mass to two of them because they were our parishioners.

We still await for an  unspeakable joy when  we all  stand excited and thrilled  singing to the top of our voices, “Joy to the world the Lord has come!”  The advent  reminds us to prepare the way,

By being able to stand up and speak up when the truth is being denied of us

By being  vigilant and daring amidst fear because we have to let our LIGHT SHINE

By being  strong, when our  poor parishioners are  violated and killed, and ready to take their side and bias for justice

By being humble, that while we could not save the world, we could take a meaningful act of compassion and justice to avert more killings, oppression, and exploitation.  ##