Inspirations at your Fingertips!

The true companion   Matthew 5:13-16 Who is St. Barnabas?  Saint Barnabas was born in Cyprus. He was one of the early converts in Jerusalem and vouched for St Paul when he appeared before the elders there. He accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey and later went to Cyprus with his cousin John Mark (Mark the evangelist) to preach the gospel there. (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02300a.htm) Who is the "companion" today?  He can be a "co-journeyer"; a friend to stay with us in our journey. He is a "co-discerner"; someone who thinks with us in making the right decision. And here's my favorite theme in my formation in the seminary; we are "co-responsible" for our formation.  A companion joins us in our formation to perfection in God so we can realize what we are supposed to do in this world. Such is St. Barnabas.  And we can be companions too if our task is to lead others to heaven.

A ministry of love John 15:9-17 We are waiting as Jesus said before going up to heaven in the gospel of Luke (44, 49).  He will send to us the Holy Spirit. But we are also celebrating the Feast of St. Matthias, the apostle, the one who completed the 12 and carried out the ministry entrusted by Jesus. There is a ministry that we have to continue; a ministry started by Christ.  Our lives are a continuation of that ministry to proclaim the forgiveness of God. The Holy Spirit enables us to continue the ministry and link all generations to Jesus. It is a ministry of forgiveness; it is a ministry of friendship.  It is a ministry of love according to the heart of Jesus. It is ministry of fruitfulness, producing generous hearts and leading souls to God. It is the story saving work of Jesus in our generation.

Even though Jesus is not here   John 16:5-11 At this time in the liturgy, Jesus is getting ready to ascend to heaven. But he is giving his last minute instructions before his last departure. He is not going to leave us as orphans.  Rather, he will send the Holy Spirit; then we shall understand what is right and what is wrong. In the first reading, Paul and companions are experiencing what Jesus also experienced in his life - rejection.  On the other hand, they are also experiencing the miracle of being free. What constitutes real freedom?  Freedom is intimately connected with knowledge and life of truth.  Truth is what we learn from Jesus to help to be truly free. Even though it's 2000 years from the time of Christ's life, we continue to experience his truth as if Jesus were near us.  Only through the Holy Spirit can we say that Jesus has not abandoned us; and he continues to work in the world because he is with us.

Unity and division  John 15:9-11 The Church has always found itself in conflict - with principles, personalities and beliefs. But it also has its way of uniting peoples, especially for God. The reading from the Acts of the Apostles reflects a resolution; there would not be any circumcision, but there would not be eating of food from animals offered to idols.  Christianity now focuses on internal dispositions and not outward expressions. The gospel emphasizes the result of unity and a united heart - love.  Love comes from the Father and the son.  Love enables us to follow Jesus.  True joy comes in loving rightfully the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We should stop looking for things that divide us.  Instead, look for things that unite us in love.

50th Wedding anniversary Gospel: John 15: 12 - 16 I have been privileged to facilitate the renewal of marriage vows of Ching and Mar who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. It is the dream of all dreams of the children to see their parents walk up the aisle again and renew their eternal love which now we all know is a direct replica of God's love. I haven't had the privilege of the length of  days to journey with this lovable couple; nevertheless, I would want to reflect on their marital relationship as reflected on their chosen readings - from the book of Tobit and St. Paul to the Collosians. From the book of Tobit, already advanced in age and deported to Niniveh, sends his son Tobias to Medias to collect a debt.  Tobias meets and marries Sarah in the process as they now continue to serve his father who dies of old age. This story is famous for a young man's total love and dedication to his father as well as his wife, which is solidifies the conce...

Instruments of life John 6:52-59 How could someone like Saul, who was a murderer of Christians, become Paul, now an instrument of Jesus to bring life to others? How could we be the same, i.e., instruments of life to others? First, center on Jesus; literally, receive Jesus, take in Jesus into the self.  "I tell you most solemnly, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you."   Second, taking Jesus in the self means learning from him, digesting his teaching, literally letting him live in us.  "He lives in me and I in him."  The self becomes a replica of Jesus.   Finally, only Jesus becomes the source of life of everyone.  "He now draws life in me."  We become instruments of life to others because it is Jesus' life in us.   Thus, learn the three things that make us instruments of life: receive Jesus, learn from Jesus, and let Jesus be a part of our lives.

Educated in the ways of God  John 6:44-51 The Ethiopian replied to Philip who questioned whether he understood what he was reading, "How would I know unless someone guides me?" This is where we come in in the whole story of humankind's salvation - to teach others God's ways and truth. In the Gospel, the intention of God is crystal clear - "They will always be taught by God." Educating people toward Jesus will naturally come to Him, "And they will come to me."  They will not be afraid.  Coming to Him also implies a change our life and outlook; all people living virtuous lives are always coming closer to Jesus and are patterning their lives after him. Finally, our education should lead us to see the Father in heaven, "Anyone who sees Jesus has seen the Father." Let us allow ourselves to be educated by Jesus himself by receiving him as the bread of life.  We shall live forever.