WHO IS BLESSED?

There was once a story about a farmer who had been living a relaxed life on his hammock while patiently waiting for the harvest. One day, his friend urged him to work harder in life. Instead of comfortably laying on his hammock waiting for the growth and harvest of his plants, the friend encouraged him to take an extra job. The farmer asked his friend "What for?" "So that you can have more money" the friend replied. "What for?" he retorted. "So that you can send yourself to school?" "What for?" "So that you will be educated, land on a profitable job or start a business." "What for?" "So that you can live a relaxed and comfortable life." The farmer then replied, "What do you think am I doing!?"   

We all desire happiness and joy in our life. All that we do are directed towards this one desire. We work hard so that we may enjoy a comfortable life. We establish and maintain a good relationship because we yearn for the love that will complete us. But it can be observed that even if others have everything in this world, some of them are still unhappy. We hear, for example, about a singer-dancer-actress who broke into tears during her concert. She has a booming career, a love life, untold wealth and all other things that a lady may wish for; all the things of this world that can make a person happy. But why was she in tears of sorrow? The desire for happiness is an element in our life placed by God in our heart so that we may constantly long for Him who alone can give the joy we yearn for (CCC 1718).

St. Augustine says: “We all want to live happily; in the whole human race there is no one who does not assent to this proposition, even before it is fully articulated. How is it, then, that I seek you, Lord? Since in seeking you, my God, I seek a happy life, let me seek you so that my soul may live, for my body draws life from my soul and my soul draws life from you.”

We find life lonely and sad whenever we seek happiness in things, riches, powers, and honors of this world. We are not satisfied with them. They frustrate us through their empty promises and illusions. No material wealth and worldly adulations can fill the emptiness in our hearts. Our sadness indicates our yearning for a deeper sense of satisfaction which we can only find in God. St. Thomas Aquinas says: God alone satisfies. We are created and meant to live for the kingdom of God and not for the kingdom of this world. Thus, this world will never completely make us happy. And we cannot have dual citizenship. We cannot claim that we are citizens of the Kingdom of God and at the same time cling to the riches of this world. This world is no abiding city for us. Our commonwealth is in heaven (Phil 3:20). Where or to whom do you seek happiness?

The prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 17:5-8) teaches us about the two possibilities in our search for happiness: we either live an accursed (sad) life or a blessed (happy) life, depending on where you place your trust and hope. Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings alone, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. The Lord is an eternal spring that nourishes the bushes planted around it, while human beings and the strength of their flesh are like a desert where everything that is planted perishes when drought strikes. Thus, happiness and blessedness are possible only to those who put their trust and hope in the Lord.

St. Paul points to the spring from which we can quench our thirst for happiness and blessedness. The resurrection of Christ, St. Paul writes (1 Corinthians 15:12 16-20), is our assurance of the promised life eternal. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then he is just a man. And accursed are those who trust in man. But Christ rose from the dead. He defeated death and therefore Himself is God. Thus, we are not to pin our hope to human life, but rather to the eternal life that Christ's resurrection guarantees to us who trust in Him. 

The Beatitudes (Luke 6:17 20-26) are considered to be the “Manifesto of Being Christian” (what it means to be a Christian).  They are direction given to us by Christ that we may achieve eternal happiness and blessedness: the goal of our life.  They express the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of his Passion and Resurrection. They shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life. They are the paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations. They proclaim the blessings and rewards already secured, however dimly, for Christ's disciples (CCC 1717). They point to the reality that we, as Christians, no longer belong to a territory, race, or this world alone. We are destined for the Kingdom of God where our true and complete happiness can be found; where God wants us to be. 

Blessed are the hungry, those who weep, are hated, excluded, insulted, denounced on account of God, for their reward will be great, not in this world but in heaven. But woe to those who are rich, who are filled now, who laugh now, to whom everyone speaks well now for they have received their consolation now. Do the beatitudes exalt misery and demote comfortable worldly life? They challenge our outlook towards the material world; our relationship towards earthly resources and human adulations and powers entrusted to us.

We establish an inordinate relationship with this world when we see it as our sole means and end in life. We err gravely when we attempt to find happiness and satisfaction in this world and all that it offers to us; when we live our life as if there is no life after this. We are simple sojourners, pilgrims in this world. We are not to stay here forever. This world we are passing through is given to us as our way to find and live the vocation God gives to us. Through the created reality, we are to know, love and serve God through the love of our neighbor. In the Creator alone are we to find true fulfillment, happiness, and blessedness; not in the creation.

The poor are truly blessed for their true consolation lies only in God and not in riches or worldly power. In their emptiness, they provide a space for God in their lives. They may not be rewarded now in the eyes of men, but they are truly blessed, for they welcome God in their lives and the kingdom of God is in their midst. Yes, even in hardship we find joy, for we know that God is with us.  Be poor, therefore, so that you may have Jesus as the true source of your joy in life. 

The rich and those who depend on the security of their riches are in great danger of not seeking happiness from the true source of joy who is God alone. They may be deceived in thinking that they are self-sufficient; that they can do all the things by themselves. But remember, all human deeds perish, but not that of God. Will you allow human works and strength to reign in your life?

Sino sa atin ngayon ang nais maging maralita? Ang maging aba? Ang maging walang-wala? In our emptiness of the material things, detachment from the worldly riches, we can give God space in our lives to work in us.

Indeed, a blessed person relies solely on the promise of God. Trust, and hope in the Lord are sure springs for the growth of our life. The resurrection is our assurance to live a blessed life. We can begin our journey to heaven rightly, to be happy as God wants us to be, if we have these directions from the beatitudes that direct us to God and not to human and worldly satisfaction.

Gusto ng Dios maging masaya tayo. Nais Niyang maging mapalad and bawat isa sa atin. Pero minsan hinahanap natin ang saya sa ibang bagay o ibang lugar. Nagiging maralita at salat tayo sa mga tunay na yaman mula sa Dios. Sino ang mapalad? Silang nilalagay ang buhay nila sa palad ng Dios.

Happiness is Holiness:La Naval de Manila 2018

The theme of this year’s celebration, Maria: Huwaran ng Kabanalan, enriches the annual commemoration of the 1646 Batallas de las Marinas de Manila fought and won through the miraculous intercession of Our Lady of Rosary. The theme is aligned with the declaration of 2018 as the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons in the Local Church in the Philippines, in view of the nine-year spiritual journey towards the 500th Jubilee of Christianization of the Philippines in 2021.

It is an opportune time for integral renewal of values, behavior, and lifestyles of the clergy and consecrated persons. The La Naval Festivities centers on holiness which embodies the value that should animate the life of the clergy and religious, along with the rest of the faithful. Mary is our model and paragon of holiness.     

Most people nowadays want to be famous or rich. But who among us aspire to be saints? Holiness is a state and task of life often ignored or neglected by many. Our world is in chaos because we have a surplus of rich and famous people, but we are wanting of saints and holy men and women.

Holiness has often been associated with great suffering and sacrifice, as portraited by some images of saints martyred in the name of our faith. As one sees the image of St. Peter Verona during the procession, with his head hacked and backstabbed, who would desire to suffer the same fate as he did? But holiness is not all about suffering and death. In fact, it points to overcoming the fear of suffering and death assured by the resurrection and eternal life Christ promises to us. “If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him.” (2 Tim. 2:11). 

The image of Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval, adorned with jewels and gold, reflects the glory that awaits anyone who dares to live a holy life. The life of the Blessed Virgin Mary points to the reality that the suffering which comes from the pursuit of holiness is but transitory. There is joy in a life dedicated to God. The joy brought forth by holiness in our life and by our closeness to God is not experienced only after the end of our life. As we pursue holiness, there is gladness. There is no sadness in holiness. No saint wears a long face. And so it is with the clergy and the religious.

As Mary lived a holy life by remaining close to her Son, she rejoiced. She holds Jesus in her loving arms. She has Jesus in her heart. How can the clergy and religious not rejoice? They hold Jesus on their hands in the Eucharistic celebration. How can Christians not be joyful and holy as they take Christ into their hearts and receive Him in Holy Communion? Pope Francis says: “Wherever there are consecrated people, seminarians, men, and women religious, young people, there is a joy.” There is always joy in holiness.      

The Batallas de las Marinas de Manila ended on October 4, 1646, with the defeat of the Dutch Protestant Armada in the Five Naval Battles in the Philippine waters. The Filipino-Spanish Catholic forces walking barefooted to the Shrine of La Gran Señora de Filipinas, Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario - La Naval de Manila in Santo Domingo Church in Intramuros fulfilling a promise made in exchange of an intercession sought. The battle of La Naval continuous to this day in a different form, with holiness as a goal, with various temptations and sins as enemies.  

In our unfinished battle to becoming holy and saints, Mary, La Gran Señora de Filipinas, Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario- La Naval de Manila, accompanies us as our Model of Holiness; as she holds Jesus on her hand; as she dwells in the presence of God.      

The grand feast of Our Lady of La Naval will be on October 14, 2018, at Santo Domingo Church, Quezon City. The grand procession will start at 4:00 p.m.

s

STANDING ON THE RIGHT PLACE

God gives us different responsibilities that rightly correspond to our capacities. He does not give us a burden that we cannot handle (1 Cor 10:13). He has a tailored fit plan for each of us.   There are no generic formulas only special treatments. Every person is special, unique, unremittable, for God has a unique plan for each of us; married teacher, consecrated lay, a nurse who later became a nun, a chemist who found God in the chemicals he mixed, and billion other unique stories. Though many, all these are united to His overall plan of salvation for man. In these responsibilities God entrusts to us, He demands fidelity and commitment. Christ speaks of fidelity in commitments we make; fidelity in marriage (Mt 19:3-12); fidelity in God who cares for us (Ezekiel 16:59-63).

In all that we do, we ought to plant our feet and stand firm, but be sure you are standing in the right place (A. Lincoln). Thus, before committing oneself to a relationship or a responsibility, think about it a hundred times. Think, assess if you can accept and fulfill its demands, feel whether it is for you.  

Why do we betray God or the persons to whom we have committed ourselves? Why would a spouse look for another partner? Why would a priest leave the active ministry? Why would parents give up on their children? Sometimes, we fail to dedicate our whole self on the things we do, on the life we live, because in the first place it is not for us. We embrace something that is not meant for us, something God never intended for us. You entered medical school because it is what your parents wanted, but your heart beats for architecture. You never wanted to have a tattoo, but since everyone in your circle has, better have one. You keep on insisting to run the family business, but you never had any inclination in accounting. You have always been good at dancing but you keep on singing just so you can compete with your siblings. As we embrace things which are not meant for us, we experience difficulty, sadness, dissatisfaction. We may achievements from time to time, but there is a part of us that is unsatisfied. And we try to fill that part with something else; with incongruous things in the life we have embraced. Without us knowing we lose track of the life we have embraced, and of the life, we ought to embrace. We become unfaithful. We break our vows. All these because, in the first instance we fail to discern what is meant for us, what is God’s plan for us.     

When we realize what life God is calling us into, we experience joy, though it may demand sacrifices. The responsibilities in our vocations that God gives become more than chores to be fulfilled but means towards perfection, holiness, a joy in the Lord. Though how burdensome other people may see our responsibilities, there is an inner force that motivates us to continue. There is a meaningful purpose that inspires us.  

Should you grow weary in bearing the responsibilities in your life, pray that you may remain faithful! Beg the good Lord to give you strength to carry on, to remain enthusiastic (be full of God).

St. Hyacinth is a Polish Dominican priest. In the midst of burning church, Hyacinth was able to carry the Blessed Sacrament on one arm and a heavy alabaster image of Our Lady. Hesitant to carry the heavy image, as he admitted that he could not carry it by himself, he heard a voice saying “My Son will lighten the burden.” And so, he was able to carry the heavy image and brought safely out of the burning church. The life of St. Hyacinth teaches us that there is no burden too heavy for us to carry if and only we admit our weakness and humble enough to ask for help. As God’s entrusts us with various responsibilities, He never meant we shall go solo. He establishes a Church, a community, a family who would strength each other as they live the life God has given to them. We can do things joyfully with the help of others, especially of God. Our community helps us to lighten each other’s responsibilities.  

May we remain faithful and committed in the life God has given to us. May we plant our feet and stand firm on the right place God appointed to us.