August 28, 2022*Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time*A Banquet Fellowship

Rev.Callum Tabada, Church of the Risen Lord  

   

https://pewboy.net/2020/10/10/a-banquet-of-grace-an-expanded-guest-list-and-a-demanding-dress-code/

Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29  

Ps 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11       

Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a    

Lk 14:1, 7-14      

    

                As with most, if not all, successes in life we celebrate these with a joyful coming together of our families, even with friends, and if allowed by our resources, with the larger community. This usually happens in a banquet or table fellowship of sorts or, as in our present-day language, a party, where food is shared with everyone in a celebrative setting.

                Our lectionary passage today in Luke presents to us a similar setting. We are not so sure as to the occasion, but here we read that Jesus was invited to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath. This passage gives us a glimpse of three things that we can learn from banquet fellowships from the perspective of our faith.

                First is that banquet fellowships are visible expressions of gratitude and faith. While our passage did not indicate the occasion, we can learn from various passages in the Gospels that banquet fellowships are an important occasion where generosity is shared and faith is expressed. We remember various stories of banquet fellowship – from the feeding of the five thousand, to Jesus’ meal with Zacchaeus, to the meal after Jesus’ appearance to two of his followers on the road to Emmaus, and of course the last supper with his disciples, and many more.

                While occasions during parties or banquet fellowships call for the honoring of the one who achieved success in life or is celebrating a special event like a graduation, loved ones, special friends or persons of honor are invited to grace the occasion. This is usually done in order to help make the occasion special, such as the presence of relatives, church leaders and even public officials and celebrities. There’s nothing wrong with having guests of honor such as those mentioned, and this somewhat gives us an idea that Jesus must have personally known the leader of the Pharisees who invited him to the meal. However, Jesus points out a problem in banquet fellowships, and that is that it has become an economic tool and an occasion for social discrimination.

                This brings us to the second point that Jesus teaches us in this story – invitations to banquet fellowships must be genuine and not something that we use to expect something in return in the future. In Jesus’ time, the people experienced oppressive social and economic norms under the Roman empire. Much like what we can also see in our time today, reciprocity governed much of the social interactions during the Roman rule.

My classmates in high school  in the province invited me to join them in going to the next barrio and eat at the house of a friend during their fiesta. There were a lot of us in that house, eating the lechon and the sumptuous meals served. Nabilaokan lang ako ( Caught off guard)  when after being introduced to the owner of the house, I was told to prepare to be visited during our own town’s fiesta as it was expected that we will return the favor and eat in our house as well

                There’s nothing wrong with returning the favor, but if this is the only reason why people are invited because of the idea of reciprocity, this is wrong. This is basically what is happening in our country where patronage politics rears its ugly head. People do things for others so that they can get something from them in return, perhaps not immediately, but in the future. This is the reason why in our elections, vote-buying is rampant because the politicos know and abuse the value of “utang na loob” or debt of gratitude, which is basically what patronage reciprocity is all about.

Jesus said in verses 12 and following, “When you give a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

                Here Jesus points out that the very purpose of inviting people is not to be able to get or collect something back, but that we extend such invitation because we have already been blessed and thus share such blessings to others, especially those who are in need. This is the very nature of our faith since time immemorial, when Abraham was called by God and blessed by God to be a blessing to the nations, and ultimately when God gave Jesus Christ out of God’s love for everyone, not because God wants something in return, but that God has so much to give.

                In the same way, in all our dealings with life, when we extend our help to others, we do it not because we want something in return, but because we have already received and share such blessings from God to others who are in need.

                This brings us to the third and last point: in being invited to a table or banquet fellowship, we must always clothe ourselves in humility. Jesus uses this as a parable in our lives as a people who experience salvation, not out of our own efforts or credentials, but because of the free gift of grace from God. Because we have been made worthy to join the banquet fellowship of God by virtue of our being cleansed by the blood of Jesus, we are to live lives of humility, acknowledging always God’s work of salvation in our lives through Jesus Christ our Lord.

                By living a life of humility and gratitude to God, we therefore must always remember those whom our Lord Jesus Christ cared for – the poor, the destitute, those who have nothing and those who long for God’s complete salvation. For we once were like them, in need of God’s salvation.

                In our celebration therefore of the various occasions in our lives, whether as individuals or as a family, or as a faith community, we are called to a celebration that recognizes the true reason for the season, the very source of our being and purpose in life, and that is God. Yes, we celebrate our graduation, our birthdays, our anniversaries, our whatever it is that we celebrate – but we must always remember that all these come from God who is the source of all good things. Amen.

August 21, 2022*Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time *Salvation And The Narrow Door

Dss. Rubylin G. Litao, Rise Up for Life and for Rights

Is 66:18-21     

Ps 117:1, 2     

Heb 12:5-7, 11-13      

Lk 13:22-30

The gospel begins with someone asking Jesus about salvation, “Jesus will there be only a few saved?” (Luke 13:22).  This question was not answered directly, instead of saying not many will be saved, Jesus said, “Many will try hard in entering by the narrow door and will not succeed therefore will not be saved.”

Salvation and Narrow Door are two themes we find ourselves worth reflecting in today’s gospel reading. 

For us church people, salvation is one of the issues we often hear during Sunday School or homilies in our churches.  There are times when we ask ourselves, are we worried about “being saved?” Do we find ourselves stressed when we think of salvation?  If that is so, what is the source of our anxiety? If salvation is a gift from God, (Romans 6:23) then we don’t need to worry for after all it must be freely given to those who have faith in God.

Then Jesus answered this question on what to do to be saved.  Try hard, make a good effort, focus your energy to enter into the narrow door for you to be saved.  Entering a narrow door may also mean carrying only the essentials so that there will be no distraction. No extra baggage needed to enter the narrow door.  Enter the narrow door as you are.  Bringing only the essentials may also mean seeing life with the heart. Antoine D’ Saint Exupery, in The Little Prince wrote, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”  What matters most is the focus on following Jesus and the gospel values of being and doing.

To enter the Narrow Door is to reclaim the authentic self.  The self that has been, “buried under cultural conditioning, other people’s opinions, and inaccurate conclusions you drew as a kid that became your beliefs about who you are.” (Entering through the Narrow Door) is “a returning to yourself.  An unlearning, an excavation, a remembering who you were before the world got its hands on you.” (Cf. Emily McDowell)  Hence, we are able to work the Work of God, because of the wholeness we have received.  This is salvation promised.  The reclaimed authentic self. The “original blessing”. The “original good”.

To say the least, do not presume on our salvation while knowing that it is a free gift from God.  Try hard, make a good effort and focus our energy on what is pleasing and acceptable to God – to show compassion, love mercy and be truthful as if everything depended on our own effort.

August 14, 2022*Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Holy Fire, Sacred Divide, and Hope for the Better Places

Weena Salvador Meily, Hosea Hermitage

Jer 38:4-6, 8-10

http://ttmucvusaigon.org/tin-tuc/english/daily-meditation—i-have-come-to-bring-fire-upon-the-earth-89638483/

Ps 40:2, 3, 4, 18

Heb 12:1-4      

Lk 12:49-53

About three times a week, at around 4pm, I morph into something else. I wear the most comfy clothes and bring my shawl-turned-(kitty) carrier with me.  I transform into a “Kitty cuddler”.  Yes, there is such a thing.  I cuddle kittens or sometimes adult kitties too.  That’s what I solely do as a volunteer of DLSU-PUSA , Taft Ave., Manila (De La Salle University – Professors for the Upliftment of Society’s Animals).  It may be the least one can do for the cats, but it is quite significant according to animal behaviorists. Well, my behavior may be out of the ordinary, you know, talking, singing, bringing cat music to these felines, but it’s ok. The cats look like they love it! Ok that’s another story.   Cuddling is just one form of changing the life of a cat.  Helping them get treated at the Vet, feeding them regularly, caring for cats with special needs, and the usual TNVR (Trap-Neuter/Spay-Vaccinate-Release) are what makes the broken, terrible street life of a stray/feral whole again.  Transformation happens at a deeper level.

What fuels this passion for rescuing and caring for strays and ferals along Taft Ave. and its surrounds?  The founders of this group, are two women Philosophy Professors.  Such passion! For teaching and caring.  Which I strongly believe go together.  Hence their hashtag, #WidenTheCircleOfCompassion. And to spread quite far and wide it has been. Like wildfire!  A “big forest fire” that consumes a whole campus and transforms it into a life-giving paradise. Ever heard of forest fires or wildfires actually giving life to the next generation of species growing in the charred ruins? Experts believe that wildfires may help in biodiversity and the regeneration of new species.  No wonder, “fire” is used as metaphor for passion, love, and even the Holy Spirit is likened to tongues of fire.

In today’s gospel, Jesus says I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!  We know Jesus told stories in parables, and used images and symbols and metaphors.  Here, Jesus tells of his passion for his mission to be accomplished. And as if the message isn’t “fiery” enough, he says he brings division and not peace. Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! This comes as a shock to some not familiar with Jesus’ purpose.  In as much as  Jesus wants us to love one another, to live in peace with each other, to enjoy living in the Kingdom of God, Jesus was so much aware of reality.  He knew about the struggles of human life. In his time, Jesus disturbed the status quo.  His words jolted, shook and disturbed.  And most definitely Jesus knew about the cry of the poor for justice in the midst of oppression. And what’s in it for us? 

Today is no different.  This is precisely God’s call to us. To be the voice of the voiceless, the courage of the vulnerable and the light of those in the dark. A woman theologian once put it clearly, …in our efforts to call out evil when we see it, and yes, misinformation, we will rattle a few bushes, shake a few trees. In other words, we will get into “good trouble.”  Getting into “good trouble”.  This is our prophetic calling. The calling we received in our baptism as Christians. To speak up when we see something is not right.  Whether that is in a conversation with a friend, a social media post (especially when we fact check so much fake news!) or joining a protest march.  The call to “disturb the peace”.  The call to wake from sleep those in their comfort zones.  To wake us from a life of complacency and indifference.

In a world replete with lies and disinformation, our faith today, more than ever, compels us to call out how these lies and disinformation worm their way into the very fabric of our lives. The greatest lie perpetrated by this new government is the promise of unity.  It is very clear since the beginning. Their notion of unity, as peddled by the sins of the father before him, is for all to bow down to the dictates of the ruling regime. And the rule is tyranny.  When the people follow this rule, then there will be peace. (Remember the Pax Romana? Obey the Roman rule and there will be peace.)  Peace?! But what then is true peace if we do not welcome resistance, protest, dialogue to bring peace based on justice?  

True peace is not the absence of conflict…ultimately, if we are open, and patient, conflict can lead us to new life, lead us to true peace… (Dr Karen Seaborn)   Conflict opens possibilities and gives us glimpses into a flourishing life of the people. Conflict opens a new way into the wilderness, brings fresh ideas onto the table of discussion.  If we welcome conflict and allow ourselves to learn from it, new paths are welcome and life begins anew. But it is not easy.  Dorothy Day (co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement) once said, What we would like to do is change the world…by crying out unceasingly for the rights of workers, of the poor, of the destitute… And crying out unceasingly is not easy as it sounds. Our voice for the voiceless is that voice of Christ speaking up for the woman caught in adultery, speaking up and telling the story of the Good Samaritan, speaking up and rebuking the Pharisees what an abomination they have been.  

What is it are we passionate about in life?  How do we light a fire into the hearts of the people we serve? How do we keep the fire burning within us so that our contemplation pushes us to prophetic action? Do we think critically rather than blindly accepting whatever we read or hear? Do we speak up when, full of faith and hope, we seek the truth?

Let us pray…

O God of Holy Fire, enkindle in us the fire of your grace to seek the truth.  Enkindle in us the fire of your love to embrace courage to face this truth. Enkindle in us the fire of hope, to bring this truth to all who hunger and thirst for justice. Enkindle in us the fire of renewal so that new life may emerge.

O God of Sacred Divide, fill us with understanding that we may not be accepted by some friends and those close to us because of beliefs different from them.  Give us the strength to endure the loneliness of friends who have left us for our principles of compassion for the poor and destitute, for adherence to the truth and rejecting lies and distortions.  Give us the strength to struggle on, so that ALL are welcomed in the spirit of inclusivity and equality, accepting differences as the source of life-giving joy. 

O God of the Better Places, disturb our complacency, wake us to a passionate life to do your work, to fulfill our mission, our prophetic vocation. Disturb our indifference to unjust powers and oppressive forces at work in our world today.  Bring us to the reality of our dream, a new Earth, where the better places are where peace based on justice resides.

AMEN.

August 7, 2022*Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time*Be Prepared 

  Geraldino B. Loyola Jr.

 

Wis 18:6-9

Ps 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22

 Heb 11:1-2, 8-19

 Lk 12:32-48

Our readings today directly speak about our most common experience, that we are oftentimes caught unprepared. And because we are not ready, we always find ourselves in the constant predicament of being left in the situation of misery, grappling with the difficulties of life and having to face unsurmountable odds.  However, it is in such precarious situations (the least that we expect) that the saving actions of God are revealed and clearly become visible. Also, it greatly highlights the trustworthiness of God and the tremendous quality of faith of those who believe in the divine power. In other words, nothing is impossible with God.

The first reading from the book of Wisdom Chapter 18, tells us the hopelessness of Israelites freeing themselves from oppression. Yet God made the impossible possible, by enacting the Passover, the tenth plague, which is the death of the first born. By this event, the Israelites were finally released from their bondage. Egypt, a nation so strong was laid weak in the face of the helpless slaves, the Israelites, who were saved by God.

Psalm 33 recounts the mighty deeds of God. It says that God delivers the Israelites from death. Again, such act is done during a hopeless situation, where there is a severe famine. At other times, the Lord becomes a help and shield to the vulnerable. This is a clear indication that God intervenes in defense of the weak and against the war of aggression.   

In his letter to the Hebrew, St. Paul also narrates the impossible. This is hard to believe because God had put a child inside Sarah’s barren womb. And then in his old age, Abraham had become the father of all nations. All these things point to the supreme power of God which is shown in the most desperate circumstances. Such is also an incredible display of faith by Abraham.

When God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, he immediately complied without question nor hesitation.  This is an incident that greatly inform and taught us about the nature of faith in God. Faith is something that goes far beyond the bounds of reason. Where reason ends, faith begins. The amazing thing is, we always receive more than what we expect.

God is an abundant giver. Surprises are indeed good, but when we are confronted by the thing that we did not expect, we are frightened because we are caught unprepared. Thus, the central theme of all the readings today is the value of preparedness. Are we ready to claim and accept what we did not anticipate? In other words, are we willing to relinquish all our concerns and put our faith in God?

In the Gospel of Luke 12:39-40, the importance of being vigilant is especially highlighted. Such as the reality of the thief, judgment day and death are certain. We just don’t know when they will happen. But when they come, we must be prepared. Many times, God and his/her offer of salvation comes to us, but we just ignore it because we are not ready and prepared for it, and to make the situation worse, our focus is on something else.

We are ready for everything, especially business opportunities, to earn money, to save money, to increase money, to steal money from the poor, except we are not ready for God. What are we accumulating money for?

Contrary to preparing by hoarding, God is telling us to prepare for the opposite, by selling what we have and give the money to the needy (Luke 12:33). And, in the Acts which Luke also authored, he changes the treatment of ownership and property.  He changes the relation in terms of good from selfish or private property to sharing or common ownership of resources (Acts 2:44-46; 4:32-37). 

But, the greatest preparation of them all is this, are we ready to accept and claim the comprehensive notion of salvation (economic, political, cultural, spiritual and environmental) that only comes from God? Are we ready to follow the way, the truth and the life who is Jesus Christ? We know we will die sometime, but we do not know exactly when. Did we address the things that truly matters, like love, forgiveness and reconciliation before we die?

If we never had some kind of preparation in our lives, now here’s an urgent advice to start preparing. Pray always, morning and afternoon. In my long years of existence in this world, I find it best to sleep early and wake up early. The purpose of which is to pray, to access the tremendous and unlimited power and energy only known to the wise of all ages. Whether you believe in personal God (the Western appreciation of Wisdom), or you believe in the Supreme Being (the Eastern culture of life in the Spirit).

Within this secular age (age of science), religion no longer holds influence on many aspects of our lives, yet post-modernism cannot simply do away with what is meaningful for humans. Healthy, normal and successful people still value noble thoughts and continue to dream about higher form or existence (not merely working, eating and sleeping). We are destined for greatness, and that is, to be the best human beings that we can possibly be.

We must pray with somebody, early in the morning, soon as we wake up, perhaps with our wife or husband, or with children or a friend. Do not pray alone because that can easily lead to a trap, such as self-seeking and worst to selfishness. Pray for those who cannot pray, especially for the poor. That they maybe given wisdom and moral strength by the Holy Spirit to seriously put their problems and worries in front of God. For with God, nothing is impossible. ###