Holiness and Sinfulness

The Lord Is My Chef Simbang Gabi Recipe-3

18 December 2018

Jeremiah 23:5-8///Matthew 1:18-25

One of my unforgettable experiences in my parish is when a husband and wife quarreled during the baptism of their child. When I asked the father the name to be given to their son right before baptism, he gave another name and instantly, his wife hit him with her elbow and snapped, “who’s that baby again!?”

In the rites of baptism, it is the father who is asked by the minister on the name to be given to the child. It is the father who gives the name because he is the origin of life, the giver of life; hence, every child uses the father’s family name to show his paternity. This is in essence the reason God asked Joseph “to be not afraid to take Mary as his wife” so he would be the legal father of Jesus Christ. Though it is very clear in the account of Matthew yesterday and today that Jesus is truly the Son of God and not of any human, the evangelist shows us how through Joseph, Jesus belongs by law – legally – to the house of David as fulfillment of God’s promise. At the same time, in giving name to Jesus, Joseph proves more than ever his holiness which is the meaning of his description as a “righteous” or “just” man. This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly (Mt.1:18-19).

Holiness for the Jews or being righteous and just is primarily obedience to the Laws of God handed down through Moses. However, during the time of Christ this perception became so limited to mere obedience to the letters of the law that even Jesus later on would try to correct. His legal father, St. Joseph, in fact would exactly do that when he showed that holiness is a constant dialogue with God when one is nourished by His words like a tree planted near the streams of water, bearing fruits of love for God and for others. This imagery is found in the Book of Psalms that says men who are just and righteous are those who “delight in the law of the Lord, like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in season; its leaves never wither; whatever they do prospers” (Ps.1:2-3). When St. Joseph decided to quietly divorce Mary after learning about her pregnancy, it was the height of his love for her as he was very willing to walk away and let her marry whoever fathered that child in her womb than subject her to public shame and humiliation as their laws prescribed. In that aspect alone, we find St. Joseph very holy indeed! But it did not stop there: after being informed by the angel in a dream of the divine nature of Mary’s pregnancy, St. Joseph proved anew his holiness with his deep love for God by eventually taking Mary as his wife that paved the way for the first Christmas we now celebrate. St. Joseph’s holiness shone brightly in this aspect when his love for Mary was never diminished but even deepened when his love for God moved him to take “his wife home.” Here are the fine prints of St. Joseph’s holiness that in his love for God, he had to take Mary as his wife and in doing that, he eventually brought forth in a sense the birth of Jesus Christ. Every time we love God, it always leads us to love others too. It is when we live in love that Jesus Christ truly comes into our lives and Christmas happens always.

But there is something bigger and better, lovelier and holier to unfold in St. Joseph’s role as legal father of Jesus Christ. Notice how Matthew repeated the verb “to name” twice: “She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Mt.1:21)” and “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and named him Jesus (Mt.1:24-25).” Giving of names in general connotes authority. In Genesis, God gave man the authority to give names to the animals He had created. Parents give names to their children as a sign of their authority. Bullies in classrooms and anywhere always try to assert their authority by giving funny names to their victims while lovers always have unique names given to their beloved as terms of endearment. In this respect, St. Joseph did not merely give up that authority of giving name but must have also realized within him the awesome reality of things about to unfold in the birth of Mary’s child who “will save his people from their sins” (Mt.1:21).

Three weeks ago I read in the news how a popular American airlines apologized to a mother when their ground crew at the boarding gate laughed and insulted her daughter named “Abcde” which is pronounced as Ab-city. I have baptized a baby in my parish with a similar name, “Wxyz”. The parents never complained or filed charges against me when I questioned them for their choice of name for their son, warning them of negative repercussions in the future. Giving of names is a very serious duty among the Jews (and it should be for everyone!) because a name always indicates the person’s mission. In giving the child of Mary the name “Jesus” that means “God is my salvation”, St. Joseph must have realized not only the mission of Christ but most of all fully accepted it as one that the world needs so badly. Recall that during the ministry of Jesus, religious leaders of His time always questioned His forgiving of sins because only God can forgive sins. Problem with them like the Pharisees and the scribes, they have refused to recognize Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God sent to forgive sins. Right from the start during his dream, St. Joseph was already aware of the mission of Jesus Christ which is to forgive sins. And his obedience to the instruction of giving the name “Jesus” is indicative of his holiness because the first step to being holy is to admit our sinfulness, our need for forgiveness by God. This is the problem of the world today, the lack of sense of sinfulness among most of us even among us priests as shown by the sex scandals. The mark of true holiness is the humility to admit and accept one’s sinfulness and need for forgiveness. When Pope Francis was interviewed for the first time for a magazine, he was asked how he would describe himself and his quick answer was, “I am a sinner.”

Sin is a turning away from God, the absence and failure to love. It is the opposite of holiness which is being filled with God. Unless we realize that our sinfulness is the first and most important thing needed to be fixed within us, we will never move forward, we will never grow, and we will never experience Christ’s coming. This is the very reason Christ was born, to forgive our sins so that we may return and go back to God who is our fundamental relationship in life. No healing, no life in general will ever come and prosper when this relationship with God is out of order because of sins. St. Joseph is a righteous or just man, a holy man, because in recognizing the need for the forgiveness of our sins, he cooperated with God in His plans by naming the child of Mary as “Jesus” and that is why we now celebrate Christmas. God bless you! AMEN. Fr.NicanorF.LalogII,Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, .Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

*Photo by author, Church of St. Joseph at Nazareth, the Holy Land, April 2017.

Growing In Holiness In Jesus

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Wednesday, 14 November 2018, Week XXXII, Year II

Titus 3:1-7//Luke 17:11-19

Lord Jesus Christ, it is the middle of the week and because of your mercy and love, I have overcome many obstacles as well as accomplished many things since Monday. It is pure grace from you that I am still well, whole and complete physically, mentally and emotionally.

What could possibly be my adequate response to your gifts of love and mercy, Lord Jesus?

More than expressing my gratitude to you like that Samaritan leper you have healed in today’s gospel, help me to grow in holiness in you by going back to you, by being rooted in you.

Growing in holiness in you Jesus is being filled with you.

Growing in holiness in you Jesus is being led by you, my shepherd (Ps.23:1).

Growing in holiness in you Jesus is more than avoiding sin and evil, but doing what is good and just as I walk in this valley of darkness (Ps.23:4).

Growing in holiness in you Jesus is being “obedient and open to every good enterprise (Titus 3:1).”

Growing in holiness in you Jesus is “slandering no one, being peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone” (Titus 3:2).

Thank you Jesus Christ in giving me with so much; I know I have given so little. Help me to give more of myself, give more of my presence with others, and most especially to give more of you dwelling in me. AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

*Photo by my former student at ICSB, Arch. Philip Santiago at the Fatima Square, Portugal, September 2018. Used with permission.

Holiness is Living the Beatitudes

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Thursday, 01 November 2018, Solemnity of All Saints

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14//1John 3:1-3//Matthew 5:1-12

O loving and merciful Father in heaven, on this glorious solemnity of all the saints, I pray to you borrowing the third encyclical of your servant Pope Francis, Gaudete et Exsultate (#63-94) issued last March 19 of this year to remind us of your call to holiness. Therefore, I implore you to:

Help me, O God to become holy by being poor of heart for Jesus said “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” (Mt.5:3) Let me take a deep look into my heart to see where I truly find security in life. Forgive me when I cling more to wealth that ensures nothing and leaves no room to love you and others that make me miss the most important things in life.

Help me to mourn with others, O God, for indeed, “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” (Mt.5:4) This is easier said than done for the world tells exactly the opposite that entertainment, pleasure, diversion, and escape make for the good life. Let me see things as they truly are so I may sympathize with those in pain and in sorrow, only to be comforted by your Son Jesus Christ.

Help me, O God to become holy by being meek (Mt.5:5). I know this is very difficult because it is the reign of pride and vanity in my heart that makes me think I have the right to dominate others. Give me the grace to trust in you more, not to be upset and impatient with others that leave me drained and weary always. Let me surrender everything to you, my only Lord and Master.

Help me, O God to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Mt.5:6) so that I may be holy by being filled with you. Hunger and thirst are intense experiences because they both involve basic needs and our instinct for survival. Let me be intense in working for your justice by being faithful to your words even if it is very attractive to join the train of winners through corruption. Let me be faithful to you even if I will not see in my lifetime the fruits of my fighting for justice.

Help me, O God, to be merciful (Mt.5:7) like you which is reproducing in our lives some small measure of your perfection which gives and forgives superabundantly. Teach me to be giving and forgiving like you.

Help me, O God, to have a clean heart (Mt.5:8) so that I may see you more clearly and follow you more clearly in love. Give me the grace to keep my heart free of all that tarnishes love.

Help me, O God, to be a peacemaker and truly become your child (Mt.5:9). When I think of this beatitude, I see the many endless situations of war in our world and yet, too often, I must admit that I am also the cause of some conflicts or at least of misunderstanding around me! Teach me how to sow peace all around me as I try to embrace even those who are a bit odd, troublesome or difficult, demanding, different, beaten down by life or simply uninterested. It is really hard work on my part, O God, demanding creativity, serenity, sensitivity and skill.

Living out the Beatitudes by your Son Jesus Christ is accepting the daily path of the Gospel, even though it may cause me problems, most especially persecution. But whatever weariness and pain I may experience in living the commandment of love and following the way of justice, the cross remains the source of my growth and sanctification. That is why “blessed are those persecuted for righteousness’ sake for there is the kingdom of heaven.”(Mt.5:10) No holiness can ever happen without pain and suffering for the path to heaven is always through the way of the Cross of Christ. AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022. *Photos from Google.

holinessdontbeafraid3

We Are All A John the Baptist: A gift of God, herald of Jesus Christ

Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (mosaic) - Ravenna, Italy

The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe, Birth of John the Baptist, 24 June 2018

Isaiah 49:1-6///Acts 13:22-26///Luke 1:57-66,80

Today we take a break from our series of readings in Ordinary Time to give way for the Solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist. Solemnity is our highest liturgical celebration as it shows a direct link with the salvific work of Jesus Christ like the birth of St. John the Baptist who prepared the way of the Lord. This is the reason he is the greatest of all prophets according to our Lord Jesus Christ Himself who declared “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”(Mt.11: 11) But, here we also discover our own greatness though we are the least in the kingdom of heaven because as disciples of Jesus Christ, we are tasked like John the Baptist to make way for Him whom we proclaim by preparing His path, showing Him to those who seek Him. We are all a precursor, a forerunner of the Lord like John whose name means “God is gracious” who is so good to call us for such a mission despite our sins and weaknesses. Three things I wish to share with on being another John the Baptist, a forerunner of the Lord: rejoicing, being amazed, and becoming strong in spirit.

“When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her and they rejoiced with her.”(Lk.1:57-58)

They rejoiced with her. How sad that in our world today characterized by affluence and convenience, there is that growing trend of dissatisfaction and gloom among us, giving rise to depression that leads to suicide. For the past couple of years, we have been shocked by news of celebrities here and abroad ending their lives. They are the people we looked up to for making our lives better with their thoughts and creations, people who have made us laugh and cry in the movies and arts, and people who have simply inspired us with their success. Joy is more than being happy; it is having that firm conviction within that no matter what happens in our life, there is always God who loves us despite our sins and shortcomings. Joy is always a gift of the Holy Spirit, a result of our faith in God. The neighbors of Elizabeth rejoiced because they have felt the spirit of God in the birth of John. Unless we are able to go back to our grounding in God, we can never experience joy. Wealth and fame, gadgets and other things can make us happy for a moment but never joyful which comes only from within. Pope Francis explained “Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless.”(Evangelii Gaudium, 2)

He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed.(Lk.1:63)

All were amazed. Joy always leads to amazement or surprise and sense of awe. The neighbors were amazed not only with the miraculous birth of John by his mother who was not only old but also barren. Likewise, they were more amazed because when they asked his father what name to be given him, he wrote “John”. Immediately, Zechariah spoke anew after being deaf and mute as punishment in doubting the angel’s announcement of Elizabeth’s giving birth to their child. Being surprised or amazed is an expression of a sense of wonder that indicates our recognition of God and His presence. Remember how Isaac’s son, Jacob fled to Bethel where he slept and upon waking up from a dream, “he exclaimed, ‘Truly, the Lord is in this spot, although I did not know it.’ In solemn wonder he cried out: ‘How awesome is this shrine! This is nothing else but an abode of God, and that is the stairway to heaven!’”(Gen.28:16-17)

See how in our world today we are losing that sense of awe due to “demystification” when everything has to be empirical to be true. No more surprises, no more patient waiting, no more spiritual because when something cannot be dissected or explained, it is dismissed as untrue. What amazes us these days are often the extraordinary, the ones at the extremes of the scale like longest or shortest, bestest or worst. We have forgotten to appreciate and be surprised by the usual and ordinary things that actually make up real life! The most significant things in life are not the “pinaka” and “bonggacious” (spectacular) but the most ordinary and average things we experience and encounter like the usual people we meet day in and day out, the sunrise and sunset, the plants and trees we see around us, the gentle breeze on our face or simple sights of kids playing on the streets, licking an ice cream cone. Without that sense of awe in us, then we stop “taking things into our hearts” and everything becomes fleeting and temporary that we no longer pause to reflect on the meaning of life. It is that taking things into our hearts that truly enrich us, always surprising us to go on with life amidst all the pains and difficulties and uncertainties. Every time we are surprised in life, that is when God is beside us.

The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel. (Lk.1:80)

The child grew and became strong in spirit. Becoming strong in spirit is being holy. Again, Pope Francis reminds in his latest letter “Gaudete et Exultate” (Rejoice and Be Glad) that holiness remains our call as Christians. He writes, “We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That is not the case. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves.”(14) The Holy Father stressed that holiness is “oneness in Christ” (20) which is the meaning of our celebration today in the birth of St. John the Baptist: we have to see our life as a mission in Christ. Sometimes like Isaiah, we feel discouraged because we “thought we have toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly spent our strength”; but, that is our task, to lead others to God, to be a light on their path to God (cf. Is.49: 4-6) that when they find Him, we vanish from the scene like John who said “He must increase; I must decrease.”(Jn.3:30) Continue to rejoice in the Lord always, be amazed of His love and mercy, grow and be strong in the spirit for God remembers His promise to His people like Elizabeth which means “God promised” and Zechariah that means “God remembered.” God be with you! Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ni San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022

*Photo from Google, mosaic detail of the Baptism of Christ found in Ravenna, Italy (c. 451 AD).