November 20, 2022 The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe * Of Monarchs, An Encyclical, And Salvation In Poetry

Weena Salvador Meily, Hosea Hermitage of the Hear

Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5         

2 Sm 5:1-3          

Col 1:12-20         

Lk 23:35-43         

For centuries, monarchs have played a significant role in the civil and political life of a people.  Its presence has either inspired its nation or caused so much suffering. There are evidences of dungeons in castles to torture subjects who do not give in to the whims and caprices of the King. There are stories of monarchy known to have given up life for charitable acts, deep spirituality, and saintly persuasions setting a new path for following Jesus, their beloved.   From flag-waving-for-the-monarchy fanatics  to enlightened-taxpayers-who-question-their -extravagant lifestyles, it is clear that monarchs of this world have imposed  a presence that may be relevant or irrelevant for the people of our times.

In the Philippines, our Pre-Spanish Conquest People-of-the-Islands did not live in kingdoms. We are a people of small islands, an archipelago, to be exact, governed by local leaders, concerned about the problems and issues of everyday life – planting, harvesting, medicinal cures, a culture replete with a system of writing, literature, music and the cycles of the heavens.  In other words we are a flourishing civilization! And so, kings and kingdoms were so foreign and remote a notion that perhaps confused some minds when the West arrived, imposed its culture and conquered our ancestors.

In 1925, Pope Pius XI first instituted this feast of Christ the King with his encyclical “Quas Primas” (‘In the first’).  His primary objective was to bring a certain understanding among nations divided particularly by the influences of militantly secularistic regimes that threatened not only the Catholic Church and the faithful, but the whole of life itself.  The gift of hope was the highlight of this feast.  The people suffering from these regimes were assured that while governments may crumble, Christ who is King of the whole of the Universe shall forever reign.  (USCCB, About Christ The King, www.usccb.org  )  While indeed, throughout the world’s history, fascist and tyrannical regimes have crumbled, cruel governments are still clinging to power through the support of arms deals, power brokering, drug-human trafficking and maintaining shell companies.

In the Philippines, it is a known fact, that the present government is an unholy alliance with dubious powers and personalities that have continued its efforts to resurrect a once crumbled dictatorship. Everyday life is witness to the people’s suffering. In its paper released in Nov. 2, 2022, Ibon Foundation asserts that “substantial emergency cash subsidies or ‘ayuda’ will be more immediate and effective to help Filipinos cope” with the “rapidly rising prices of food and other basic goods and services”. “This contrasts with relentless increases in spending on infrastructure, military modernization, dubious confidential and intelligence funds and debt service”.  To make matters worse, as rubbing the people’s wounds with salt, rights activists are disappearing, journalists are silenced, and the senseless war on drugs continue to rear its ugly head on the innocent. Ibon further asserts that “the government’s spending priorities need to be fixed, social protection needs to be expanded to help families and sectors in need.” (please read more, www.ibon.org ) 

Truly, Christ as King of the Universe, Christ as the highest power over all these powers wielding its atrocities over the weak and vulnerable, is a powerful symbol for people suffering in subjugation from authorities.  Faith in a higher power or in ‘higher forces’ (Phil Stutz, MD), has always been the shield of those living on the edge. In the Old Testament, the Creation Story was written to defend the belief of the Jews that there is a higher power, one Creator who made the heavens and the earth, the stuff that the non-Jews asserted as the powerful sun-god, moon-god, etc. In other words it must have been a warring feat.  Hence the encyclical of Pope Pius XI, to give hope to those suffering the indignities of tyrannical rule. 

At this point,  I would like to share how I perceive this inspired notion, “Christ as King”.  Christ as King? I had a difficult time coming to grips with this. Jesus… as King?  Of course, besides the Catholic teaching of God as omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, the teaching of the triumphant Christ , emerging victorious as after a triumphant battle with the Enemy comes as just and fair, since His death on the cross is perceived as saving power. (Read the gospel today, Lk23:35-43) But to my mind and heart, this death and resurrection is indeed a seal, as a seal of a monarch or a leader of a nation stamped on a decree or proclamation.  Nothing is written and yet, the Word is enough. The cross and empty tomb are enough.  The witnessing of life is enough. Love is enough. Here now is a piece of poetry I wrote (a queer thinker I am) after looking at the two opposing poles of Jesus, human and divine…

Christ, Servant-King

I saw my muddy feet deep in the land of my ancestors, dancing,

Walking a path apart from the pathways of the world.

I saw my muddy feet enlarged, made so by the weight I carried

my mothers, my daughters, our stories, our tears.

I saw my muddy feet criss-cross the path upwards, spiraling,

Circling, engulfed by the music of drums, and flutes, and gongs and strings.

I saw my muddy feet bring me to that hallowed ground

Where gods and goddesses once trod.

Then my muddy feet led me to the One called Christ, who sits

     On a stone,

     Not a throne,

     Holding nothing but

     Lifting up His arms, as if ready to embrace.

I saw others with muddy feet too,

and this Christ who

began washing, cleansing with herbs and flowers,

oils and perfumes

these feet, these poor insignificant feet!

This Christ is my beloved, my song of songs

The One who serves, teaching how to serve,

This Christ, this is all-love. This is King because …

He cleansed my muddy feet.

And so, the only way to topple the tower of tyranny is to love. To die for love. To experience a certain conversion of life. A daily spiritual battle of beginning again. To rise after a fall. To love the gospel values that Jesus once lived as a human being, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, comfort the lonely, give water to the thirsty, heal the wounded, love all.  Hence Jesus earned His kingship. To remember that Jesus Christ is King only because He was servant

November 13, 2022 Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time * God’s Partners in Dismantling and Rebuilding

                                        Klein Emperado, Iglesia Filipina Independiente (youth)

    

Ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9     

Mal 3:19-20a  

2 Thes 3:7-12 

Lk 21:5-19

Many people have always imagined God’s coming to bring disasters, wars, earthquakes, famines, and destruction. Some would proclaim that God is coming back because the signs of the times mentioned in the Gospel text (Luke 21:5-19) occur occasionally, one after the other, causing so much suffering — especially among our society’s marginalized sectors.

https://www.peasantjournal.org/gallery/

However, few of us have truly understood God’s coming in terms of the day when God will destroy all earthly ruling powers, systems, and structures that oppress and enslave humanity as well as victimize and exploit the whole creation. For the suffering and oppressed, this is a long-awaited day when poverty, hunger, oppression, power and control, exploitation, and subordination will no longer exist.

On that day, God’s reign of love, justice, and peace will reign over all peoples and creation. However, such eschatological hope is mysterious and ideal for some, but uninteresting to many who are experiencing difficult and struggling times — those exploited, abused, and dehumanized.

As Jesus predicted, not a single stone will be spared, and not a single pillar will remain standing. All will crumble to the ground, just as our human bodies will. Jesus hints at how God’s reign is built on equity and justice for all. That means that anything that goes against God’s will or abuses and exploits God’s creation will be destroyed. When God’s Day of favor comes, those earthly hierarchical structures and powers will vanish and decay.

God’s reign is just, and it upholds and heralds the fullness of life. Instead of waiting for God’s authority and judgment to be revealed, may we find ourselves dismantling structures and powers that perpetuate the poor and marginalized, exploit and abuse women and children, and victimize the labor force and farmers through inhumane policies that contribute to their sufferings and never-ending cycle of poverty. The Jesus we follow not only predicted the temple’s destruction, but also overturned tables of those who commercialize and desecrate the temple, not just the structure, but also the people of God who were held captive by colonial powers at the time.

In our Gospel text, Jesus reminds us not only of the destruction of oppressive structures and powers that must be dismantled so that God’s reign can be established on the foundations of justice, peace, compassion, and abundant life for all peoples.

Part of the dismantling work is to speak truth to power. It is sad to note that the prophetic witness of the Church today has put the Church in a dangerous position. The fact that the state and other authorities and collaborators vilify the churches for their work of service and love for the poor and marginalized was mentioned long before by Jesus in the text of this Sunday’s Gospel. The way Jesus encouraged the disciples was unlikely, as many people today are frightened rather than encouraged by such profound words that speak morbidly of death when delivered to the hands of the foe.

On the other hand, in the New Testament text (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12), we as Christ’s living body are called to participate in the establishment of God’s reign on earth, rather than simply waiting for the eschatological hope to unfold.

Our mission as followers of Christ should be to establish God’s reign of justice, peace, and compassion on earth. And in this work, each of us has a significant role to play. As old oppressive structures and powers must be demolished, we must recognize that we are responsible for realizing and establishing God’s reign on earth – a reign of peace, equity, justice, compassion, and abundant life. We must not be mere observers, but partners with God not only in dismantling oppressive systems, but also as brave actors in recreating, rebuilding, and renewing humanity, and the entire creation.

Let us all pray.

God, we pray that our churches will continue to uphold the prophetic witness

to proclaim Your truth in the face of vilification and red tagging.

God, we pray for church workers, both lay and clergy,

as they work to demolish oppressive systems and powers

and to establish Your reign of justice and righteousness.

Be with your people, O God, as they struggle

and accompany us on our journey to defy the culture of death

and violence to uphold and herald life in its fullness for humanity and all of creation.

Siya Nawa! Hinaut pa unta! Kabay pa!

November 6, 2022* Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time* God is not of the dead, but of the living

Ms. Arceli Bile, Association of Women in Theology

Ps 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15      

2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14        

2 Thes 2:16-3:5          

Lk 20:27-38   

Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. (Haggai 2:4-5)

The prophecy of Haggai to rebuild the temple came after the exile in Babylon. While the Jews focused on their self-interests, the house of the Lord remained a ruin. God sent a message to the people of Judah to “give careful thought to their ways” at a time when their harvest was not enough, and they lacked food and clothing.

The people heeded Haggai’s call to rebuild the temple, and God assured them of God’s abiding presence.

What Must We Build?

The word of the Lord “give careful thought to your ways” was mentioned twice in the first chapter of Haggai (v.1:5 and v.1:7). The people of Judah were called to reflect on the consequences of ‘building their own houses’ and not of the ruined house of the Lord. Six months ago, we had our national elections. Some had hoped that after the elections their lives will be much better than before. However, we have seen how people continue to suffer from low wages, unemployment, food insecurity, poor public transport, poor health care, and inadequate social services. While people hope to have a little ‘heaven’ in their lives, the majority of the people live in a ‘hell’ situation.

When shall we live in the promised land that is overflowing with milk and honey? Why do a few live in abundance, but others live in dearth?

At such a time as this, we are summoned to give careful thought to our ways and build what the Lord wants us to build.

Some have built small houses.

Some have built concrete ones.

A few have built mansions and kingdoms.

But most have no land at all.

Have we given careful thought to our ways?

Whose ways perpetuate injustices and violence?

Whose ways oppress the people and deny them their rights?

Whose ways do you side with?

And whose voice do you amplify?

Give careful thought to your ways, as many live in dire poverty and are indebted while a few people have great surplus!

Give careful thought to your ways, as there is massive corruption, poor governance, and the rights of the people are violated!

Give careful thought to your ways, for people suffer from violence and neglect, God’s creation is plundered and destroyed, Indigenous people experience militarization, and their lands are robbed from them!

Give careful thoughts to your ways, as children are forced to work for a piece of bread, while women, youth, and LGBTQI are discriminated against and marginalized!

Enough of your silence and neutrality;

Enough of favoring greed and the avarice of the rich;

Enough of hypocrisy and apathy;

Enough of building kingdoms.

Build nurturing and caring communities.

Build a just and sustainable society.

Build sanctuaries of peace and camaraderie.

Build God’s kindom here and now.

We have this assurance: God is with us!

Take courage, do not fear.

Take courage, do not fear.

Take courage, do not fear.

Luke 20:27-38

Some Sadducees, who believed that there is no resurrection, came to Jesus just like other religious who questioned Jesus’ authority. The Sadducees had a custom where if a man dies without bearing a child, his brother is obligated to marry his widow. This custom is what they call ‘yibbum’ or levirate marriage.

The Sadducees posed the question of whose wife will the childless widow would be after marrying seven brothers because of the levirate marriage. Jesus subverted the premise of the Sadducees’ question and answered with the truth and power of the resurrection. He answered them that in resurrection, children of God are liberated from the burden of obeying the laws and customs, such as the levirate marriage (Luke 20: 34-36). In the resurrection, the law is diminished and grace is increased.

Moreover, the conversation between Jesus and the Sadducees reveals a faith perspective that does not dwell on life after death, but on life in the here and now. God is a God of the living, not of the dead. Jesus came so that all may live life in all its fullness. Hence, our faith and action must be life-giving and life-affirming. We uphold life and denounce systems that rob peoples’ lives and disrespect their dignity. God is not of the dead, but of the living.

On November 1, we observed  All Souls day to remember and honor our departed loved ones. Sadly, days before this commemoration, we witnessed the loss of lives of our fellow Filipinos because of the onslaught of typhoon Paeng. The aftermath of the typhoon exposed the vulnerabilities of the affected communities in both rural and urban areas. They were not just victims of the typhoon – but victims of neglect and injustice. They do not only suffer from the grief of what they have lost, but also from how they will continue to live.

But who cares for these people who need to rebuild their lives after the storm? How can they experience LIFE after their loss?

Who cares for the grieving and suffering?

Who cares for the poor and needy?

Who cares for the sick and homeless?

Who cares for the widows and orphaned?

God of the living, help us to care for the living.

Teach us to value and uphold life.

Make us advocates for people’s dignity and rights.

Empower us to speak out against the systems that neglect and deny life.

God of the living,

Give us courage in our daily struggle towards the fullness of life

Lead us into the path of Shalom. Abide in us, now and in the days to come.

Photo : https://www.etsy.com/fi-en/listing/462414768/resurrection-painting-wall-art-print