HOLINESS THROUGH WHOLENESS IN PREACHING

Once there was an Indian mother who was disturbed that her son had been eating too much sugar. She knew it would cause illness to her son if he continues such a bad habit. She tried to persuade him to stop eating too much sugar but to no avail. And so she decided to bring her son to Gandhi to seek advice. Upon hearing the mother's predicament, Gandhi asked them to come back after two weeks. And so she obeyed the guru. Two weeks later, they returned to Gandhi. The leader told the boy to stop eating too much sugar for it was not good for his health and the boy nodded in agreement. The mother wondered why would the leader take two weeks for him to give her son such simple advice.  And so she asked: Why didn’t you tell him that two weeks ago when I brought him here to see you? Gandhi replied, “Two weeks ago I was still eating too much sugar myself.”

Integrity is an important aspect of preaching. It is teaching not by words alone but accompanied by deeds. And the preacher becomes more credible as he himself lives by the standards he preaches. Integrity, simply put, is the quality of being honest. It is the state of being whole and undivided as it comes from the Latin word: integritatem (integritas) meaning soundness, wholeness, or completeness. A preacher with integrity proclaims the Word of God sincerely if his preaching resonates from the richness of his very own life: his words and actions are one.

In the gospel (Lk 11:42-46), Jesus condemned the Pharisees and the teachers of the law: “Woe to you...” For these men preach righteousness but fail to live by the standards they impose upon the shoulders of their people. They overlooked the essentials of living a holy and humble life, and imparting mercy. These were the very subjects of their teachings. Their words differ from their life. They did not preach with the integrity of heart, and consequently suffered the consequences of the contradictions in their life. 

St. Paul warns us in his letter to the Romans (Rm. 2:1-11) that we will be judged by the same standard we preach to and judge other people: “You, O man, are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment. For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things. We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true. Do you suppose, then, you who judge those who engage in such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?”

There is difficulty in preaching by our actions. We know what is good. And so we teach it, though having difficulty to live by it ourselves. The struggle is real in living by the words we preach. But we have to, for by doing so, it can make as whole. That wholeness achieved through preaching can give us holiness. Preaching indeed can be our way to holiness!

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.

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THE ESSENTIAL FOR A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE

I had the opportunity to preach in a celebration of the sacrament of matrimony. The marriage was of no ordinary kind. The couple had been civilly married for fourteen years. Despite their civil marriage, they thought of receiving the sacrament of holy matrimony.

According to Plato, humans originally had four arms, four legs, and a single head made of two faces. Humans were so strong that they threatened to conquer the gods. The gods wanted to destroy them but ceased to do so for fear of losing the tribute they receive from humans. Zeus thought of splitting humans into halves that would weaken them and would double the humans who would give tribute to them. So it happened. Humans were split into halves. And only when the two halves find each other, they can be whole and strong again.

By the standards of the Greeks,  this couple was already complete, and ought to be satisfied in their marital relationship. But still, they felt their union is incomplete. Though it was functioning and had borne three daughters, their relationship was incomplete.

They rightly pinned point that which is missing: the grace of God. Knowing this, they had attempted to be married in the Church for three times. For some reasons, they were impeded for three times. They never stopped pursuing and attaining God’s grace in the sacrament of holy matrimony. Thus, came the day they were married. The joy manifested in their glowing faces was inexplicable, after all, that marriage was fourteen years in the making. The grace they received could not be contained, moving them in tears. Finally, with Christ and His graces in their midst as a couple, their marriage is complete.

St. Augustine once said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You (Lord).”  This is true not only in our individual search for meaning in our life. It extends to our relationship with our fellow human persons. Our relationships are restless until they find rest in God; until God rest in our relationships; until Christ becomes the center and foundation of our human relationships. This leads us to the fact that in every successful relationship there would always be a third party: God. It is not limited to a You-and-I bond. For a relation to remain firm, despite the hurly-burly of life, it has to be solidly grounded on a sure foundation. And Christ alone is our rock.

With Christ present in a relationship, though it may be buffeted by suspicions, pounded by challenges, it will remain standing through the life-principles and graces that Christ imparts. With the teachings and commandments of Christ serving as guiding stars, topped with His very own presence as the steersman Himself, we can be assured that our love boats would reach the port of heaven. With Christ in the rudder of our relationships, even the most hellish marriage, responsibilities, and commitments can be heaven here on earth.

In the gospel (Lk 7:11-17), the touch (of presence) and words of Christ brought back to life an only son of a widowed mother. To lose a husband more so a son, one after the other, cause unimaginable pain and suffering to a woman. Thus, to have her son brought back to life is a cause for unimaginable joy to a mother. Her purpose to live was restored.

The presence of Christ made manifest in His touch, in His words, in His graces in our life, bring forth life, bring us forth to a complete life. When Christ touches us and speaks to us, we experience the fullness of life. And so, it is in anything and anyone that is honored by Christ’s presence. A life graced by the Lord of life is a life that begets life. A relationship graced by the Lord who is love is a relationship that will surely beget love. That is His grace at work in us to make us whole (again); to make us holy (again). What an honor?!? What a privilege?!?

The honor and privilege Christ bestows upon us behoove us towards a mission. The graces accompanying Christ’s presence (in the sacraments and other means) are powers that enable us to be whole; to be holy. But the graces we received are not meant for our own sanctification alone. Our Christian life always possesses a social dimension. The graces we receive sanctifies us, that in turn, we may sanctify others. As Christ brings us to life, we too ought to bring others to life (in Christ). And is this not the goal of every relationship, of every marriage, of every friendship? A husband leads his wife not to nag about unattended chores, and vices, but to cause her to utter kind words. Parents lead their children to become saints through words and examples. In our relationships, with Christ in our midst, we seek the good and holiness of others. We bring them forth to life (in Christ) as Christ has brought as to life.

In life, we long to be complete. Thus we seek for others that will complete us; our better half. We establish human relationships, and for many, marry. But still, our life, our love, and our relationship long to be complete. We remain incomplete until Christ grant us the privilege to grace and honor our life with His presence. As Christ brings us to a life of wholeness and holiness, He gives us a mission: to help others to be brought to the same life (in Christ); to be whole; to be holy. 

That is the essential for a successful marriage. 

  

'DI CHEAP ANG KABANALAN, LALONG DI CHEAP ANG KATOTOHANAN

 Inihabilin tayo ni Kristo Hesus sa mapagkalingang kamay ng Diyos Ama. Isa sa mga paraang kanyang binanggit, upang tayo ay lubusang maangkin ng Ama, ay ang pagpapabanal sa atin sa pamamagitan ng Katotohanan (Juan 17:17). Ang pagkalinga ng Ama, kung gayon, ay napapaloob sa kabanalan at katotohanan. Ngunit ano nga ba ang totoo? Ano ang ba ang banal? Paano maging totoo? Paano maging banal?

Sa kasalukuyan, napakaraming ibinibentang produkto sa mercado. Merong pampaputi, pampakinis, pampapula, pampapayat, pampataba, nagbenbenta ng laman, aliwa, panandaliang ligaya at marami pang iba. Ngunit may nabalitaan ka nabang nagbebenta ng pampabanal? O di kaya tableta na sa punto lunukin mo ito ay magsasabi at mamumuhay ka na sa katotohanan? Wala. Walang nagbebenta ng pampabanal o tabletang kung saan ikaw ay magpapakatotoo. Wala kasing market ang kabanalan at katotohan. Kung meron man eh kakaunti ang magnanais bumili ng kabanalan at katotohanan.

Sa kabilang banda, si Kristo Hesus ay di nagbenta o naglako ng katotohanan at kabanalan. Ito ay kanyang ibinahagi at ibinabahagi sa tuwina, sa Eukaristiya, sa pagpapahayag ng Salita ng Diyos, at sa turo ng Inang Simbahan. Ibinibigay ni Kristo ang Kabanalan at katotohanan. Ngunit hindi ibig sabihin na libre ito. Hindi Cheap ang Kabanalan. Hindi Cheap ang katotohanan. Naririyan ang kabanalan at katotohanan ibignibigay ni Kristo. Kailangan pagsumikapan mong angkinin ito at isabuhay.     

Napakahirap maging banal. Napakahirap maging totoo. Ngunit posible ito. Binigyan tayo ni Santo Tomas de Aquino ng halimbawa.  Sa kanyang buhay ating masasalamin ang higit na hirap na kanyang dinanas upang maging banal at totoo, ang paghihirap na maangkin at maisarili ang dakilang bigay ni Kristo. Maraming kwento na tayong narining patungkol sa kanyang buhay. Nariyan na ang mga kwento patungkol sa mga salawahang babae na sadyang inilagay ng kanyang kapatid sa kastilyong nagsilbing kanyang bilangguan, upang siya ay tuksuhin at tuluyang talikuran ang buhay na banal at totoo. Nagsumikap si Santo Tomas. At ngayon siya ay tinitingala bilang halimbawa ng isang taong namuhay sa kabanalan at katotohanan.

Hinahamon tayo ng Panginoon na mamuhay sa kabanalan at katotohan, ang angkinin ang kanyang bigay. Hindi natin ito kaya nang mag-isa. Nawa ay ating isa-isip sa tuwina, na nariyan ang Ama upang tulungan tayong maging banal at totoo.  Nariyan ang mapagkalingang kamay Niya upang tayo ay gabayan sa ating daan, upang tulungan bumangon mula sa putikan. Ito ang dalangin ni Kristo sa Ama para sa atin. Nawa ito rin ang mamutawi sa ating mga labi sa tuwina.

Ama, turuan mo kaming maging banal at totoo. Amen.