FOOD CONSCIOUS

18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the Philippines: St. John Mary Vianney Sunday

Ex. 16: 2-4, 12-15/ Ps. 278/ Eph. 4: 17, 20-24/ Jn. 6: 24-35

July has always been designated as the month for wellness and good nutrition. However, this year, we heard of two shocking news which happened in Mindanao. Last July 13, it was reported that there were nearly 2,000 people who had fallen ill due to eating durian candies in Davao and the nearby provinces. Last July 29, more than a thousand were rushed to hospitals in Dipolog City after school children vomited and experienced dizziness after taking deworming medicines. Food which is supposedly a source of health and life became a source of illness and poison.

However, this is not the same with the food mentioned in our Gospel today. We are now in the 18^th Sunday in Ordinary. Since last Sunday until the 21^st Sunday of the liturgical year, we shall be reflecting on the 6^th chapter of the Gospel of John which is about the Bread of Life Discourse of Jesus. Last Sunday’s reading was the opening story which was about the multiplication of loaves. Today’s Gospel covers the introductory part of the discourse which ends with a thesis statement: “I am the Bread of Life.”

“I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” This is one of the “I am” statements which we can find in the Gospel of John. When Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life,” he was addressing to us that he gives his total self for our total lives. He satisfies both our physical and spiritual hunger. And we can find these two realities in our first and second reading today.

In our first reading, the Israelites grumbled against Moses. It was better for them to remain in Egypt than die of hunger in the desert. Then God instructed Moses on what to do. “I will now rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion;… Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread.” Indeed, God satisfies our physical hunger. He provides for our earthly needs. However, we have to take note that the Israelites had to do something. They have to gather every day the flakes from heaven. They have to work for them to eat.

My dear friends, this is our first challenge this Sunday. Yes, God is a provident Father. He provides for our physical needs. However, we need to work. We need to do something in order to eat. Hence, in the other part of Scriptures we read, “He who does not work, must not eat.” That is why every time we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we do not only beg the Lord to provide for our needs. We are also asked to work in order to be fed. “I am the Bread of Life.” Our God is a God who satisfies our physical hunger.

In our second reading today, Paul asks the Ephesians to leave their old selves and put on Jesus Christ. “You should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” The Ephesians have to put on Christ for Jesus alone can satisfy their spiritual hunger brought about by sin.

This is our second challenge this Sunday. God the Father satisfies not only our physical but also our spiritual hunger through His Son Jesus Christ. Hence, in order to gain righteousness and holiness as a remedy to spiritual hunger, then, we must put on Christ. Thus, in the very first place, we must choose Christ. The freedom which God has given to us must enable us to “put on Christ.”

We are all hungry – physically and spiritually. Yet, we also have a God who gives himself totally – “I am the Bread of Life.” Thus, may we learn to always beg for the Bread of Life every time we celebrate the Eucharist. Why? Because Jesus alone satisfies our physical and spiritual hunger.

Most of us today are food conscious. We always calculate the amount of calories a certain product has. Some of us have decided not to eat meat or never to drink softdrinks anymore. We do all these things because we want to have a longer and happier life. In our Christian life, are we also food conscious? Every time, we receive the Bread of Life at Mass, are we food conscious? Are we conscious on what we are eating? Are we conscious on WHO are we partaking? Amen!

NB Photo taken from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5qmlbGXekYOg-0Nmmd-XfL8UevwTG2QImCvt4j-4eotkhQ2UJCct0KRZdXNJ2oEellYtgemofIZ8pV8IT36OPnZWfW0S18PtwEx-sYctX3i6GITvBkR-v6hyphenhyphen1kWN3VYfOaPFfpalHF_G/s1600/bread+of+life.png

THE HAND OF GOD THAT FEEDS US ALL

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Kgs 4: 42-44/ Ps 145/ Eph 4: 1-6/ Jn 6: 1-15

The Lady Senator Miriam Santiago once shared this conversation between God and the Presidents of China, USA, and the Philippines.

China: God, kalian mawawala sa bansa ko ang corruption at kahirapan?

God: 300 years, anak.

Umiyak ang president ng China. ‘Naku patay na ako niyan.’

USA: God, kalian mawawala sa bansa ko ang corruption at kahirapan?

God: 500 years, anak.

Umiyak din ang president ng USA. ‘Naku patay na ako niyan.’

Philippines: God, kalian mawawala sa bansa ko ang corruption at kahirapan?

Umiyak si God.

God: Patay tayo diyan!

Corruption and poverty are just some of the many problems we have to face every day in life. Since birth until now, problems have grown together with us. Even death cannot stop our problems because once we are dead, we leave to our loved ones our unsolved problems like mga utang at mga kaaway. And in every problem that we face, we also have different attitudes and ways to solve them.

In our Gospel today, we see a problem, a need in the ongoing ministry of Jesus and his disciples. Jesus saw a large crowd coming to him. And so, he asked Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” In this story, we find three different ways/attitudes of solving the need for food. First, we meet Philip who immediately said, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” According to his calculation, the problem was something beyond his reach. Second, we meet Andrew who found a little boy who had five barley loaves and two fish. However, seeing the vast crowd, he ended a pessimist. “But what good are these for so many?” Finally, we see the two movements of Jesus – he asked the people to recline and took the bread and fish. Commentators would say that these two movements are Jesus’ exercise of his human wisdom (if the people will remain standing, then during the distribution of food there will be a stampede) and his supernatural wisdom (took, thanked, and distributed a limited number of food yet fed a large crowd).

What happened in the Gospel is also true in our life today. When we are confronted with a big problem, need, and concern, sometimes, our easy way out is to be like Philip, “a hopeless romantic.” We lose hope. Thus, we only complain and complain without doing anything at all. Once we lose hope in this present life, then it is better for us to look for a space in the cemetery, where only hope for the future resurrection remains.

Sometimes, we are also like Andrew. We look for a solution yet the gravity of the problem pulls us away. Every New Year, we always make a list of resolutions. However, as the days, weeks, and months move forward, we go back to our old lifestyle. We are carried away by our problems.

Therefore, in this 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are challenged to be like Jesus. Let us use our human wisdom! Let us be practical in dealing with our problems. For example, if there is a feud brewing in the family, the practical solution is to dialogue in order to settle things. If we are experiencing health problems, then the practical solution is to live a healthy lifestyle. However, we have to admit that human wisdom is limited. Humanity cannot totally solve its problems. Thus, we seek divine wisdom. We allow God to move in our lives just as he took, thanked, and distributed the bread and fish.

Why insist on Jesus? Because our responsorial psalm today has taught us that “the hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.” Because Paul in our second reading today reminded us that we have “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Such is the experience of Elisha, the prophet, in our first reading today. He experienced God’s hand feeding the people.

My dear friends, just as “tomorrow never dies,” our problems, too, never die. And so, let us use our human wisdom in dealing with them. However, we must never forget to ask for “the hand of God who feeds us all.”

And so, may this song inspire us as we continue to face our never ending problems yet holding on to the hand of God.

“There is no problem too big

God cannot solve it

There is no mountain too tall

God cannot move it

There is no storm too dark

God cannot calm it

There is no sorrow too deep

He cannot solve it

Oh, if He carries the weight of the world upon

His shoulders

I know my brother that He will carry you

Oh, if He carries the weight of the world upon

His shoulders

I know my sister that He will carry you

He said, “Come unto me all who are weary

And I will give you rest.”

Amen!

Photo taken from en.wikipedia.org356 × 234

WITH THE EYES OF MERCY

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Jer 23: 1-6/ Ps 23/ Eph 2:13-18/ Mk 6: 30-34

We have different reactions every time we meet poor people begging along the streets. “Professor Effect” – instead of giving help, we lecture them about diligence, hardwork, and creativity even if in the very first place we are guilty of mediocrity, procrastination, and laziness. “The Invisible Effect” – when these people come, we suddenly become blind. We do not see them. They are invisible! “The mediaman effect” – Yes, we entertain their presence. We ask a lot of questions and in the end give them nothing at all. A priest once shared with us his experience after his Mass, he was met by street children begging for food. Deep in his mind, he was analyzing how authentic the statements of the children were. Then suddenly a car parked in front of the priest. The children then told the priest that it was the car of the attorney who helped one of them who had a problem with a security guard. Then turning to him, the children said, “Pero ikaw Fr., hanggang ngayon hindi ka pa nakatulong sa amin.”

Our Gospel today narrates to us the many people who were following the Lord. They were so many that some of them arrived first in the place than Jesus. It is to be noted however that Mark did not give us the reasons of the people’s following of Jesus. We can assume however that some of them were simply curious of this miracle worker. Some of them were probably asked by the teachers of the Law to look after this Jesus. Some of them probably needs healing. However, despite the varying reasons, Jesus, after disembarking from the boat, saw them and his heart was moved with pity for they were like sheep without a shepherd.

Such act of Jesus fulfills the prophecy in our first reading today when the Lord will send someone who will gather the people; who will reign in justice. Such act of Jesus is the reason why Paul in our second reading today tells us that through Jesus we became nearer to the Father; we gain access to the Father.

Thus we ask ourselves, what moved Jesus to pity? Pope Francis in Misericordiae Vultus explains that “what moved Jesus in all of these situations was nothing other than mercy, with which he read the hearts of those he encountered and responded to their deepest need.” Mercy! Misericordia! Kaluoy!

In this Mass, let us then beg the Lord for mercy! Let us ask the Lord for his mercy because it “fills our hearts with love and consoles us to pardon.” Only when we take away our biases and put on the eyes of mercy can we feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; give shelter to the homeless; and visit those who are sick and in prison. Only when we are filled with God’s mercy can we relate well with one another.

However, it is not enough to relate with mercy. In our Gospel, after Jesus’ was moved to pity, he began to teach the people about many things. And what made his teaching more effective was that he himself practiced what he taught.

This is also our challenge today. As we see the rest of humanity especially the poor and marginalized with the eyes of mercy, we must also do something. We must also teach them about God. And how do we teach people? By simply “walking our talking.” We practice what we preach! Pope Francis once said, “you pray for the hungry then you feed them. This is how prayer works.” All our prayers in this Mass can only work if we put on the eyes of mercy and be moved to service.

A priest once narrated his experience about listening to an old man narrate his life story. While the poor man was speaking, the priest’s mind was already grumbling. He was saying to himself why this man can’t simply tell me that he is asking for money. However, the encounter ended differently. The poor man told the priest, “Padre, sorry if I took your time. I am not here to ask money from you. I am just here to simply thank God through you for all the blessings which I receive despite my poverty. All that I would ask from you is to continue praying for me.”

How about you? How do you look at other people? What do you see in them? However, before looking at others, try to ask yourself, how does God look at me right now? Amen!

Photo taken from www.stampqueen101.com

A SHEEP - SHEPHERD BRAND OF RELATIONSHIP

A SHEEP-SHEPHERD BRAND OF RELATIONSHIP

16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Jer 23: 1-6/ Ps 23/ Eph 2:13-18/ Mk 6: 30-34

There are many kinds of relationship. A relationship between an ugly boy and a beautiful girl is called DISKARTE! How about if it’s between a handsome boy and an ugly girl? It’s called SWERTE! What if the boy is handsome, the girl is beautiful, and their children look like the face of angels? It’s called TADHANA! But what if both faces are indescribable? It’s called SUMPA! There are many kinds of relationship. But God’s relationship to us is more than just a diskarte, swerte, tadhana, or a sumpa.

In our Gospel today, after seeing the vast crowd, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for they are like sheep without a shepherd. Thus, in this 16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Our Lord is inviting us into a relationship with him, a relationship like that of a sheep and a shepherd.

We are the sheep!

Sheep have the reputation of being considered as one of the dumbest animals on earth. They easily get lost. They are very vulnerable to other animals. They are always in need of a guide, a shepherd to look after their needs. Indeed, Jesus was right when he saw the vast crowd following him and even arriving first than him. They were like sheep. They are in need of a guide, a master.

Such is the condition of humanity today. Every day of our lives is always marked with a constant search for survival. We look for money. We study for a better future. We work hard for a secured family. And in the course of our searching, we get lost. We become like sheep who are easily led astray. In the course of our searching, we give in to temptations and end in sin. No matter how knowledgeable we are about God, we remain dumb and stupid in the face of sin.

This is therefore our first challenge this Sunday – to humbly accept our delicate condition and like the sheep who longs for a shepherd, may our hearts ultimately and primarily long for God. There is nothing wrong in our work for survival. However, we must not forget that only in God can we truly survive for only in Him can we have the fullness of life as our Responsorial Psalm has assured us today, “the Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”

Jesus is the Shepherd!

Given the condition of sheep, there is a need for a shepherd. A shepherd is not only there as an ordinary worker. He has to know his sheep. He must be able to identify who are the weak ones, the stronger ones, and those who easily get lost. He has to be intimate with his sheep so that he can be recognized by his flock.

This is the promise of God in our first reading today. Time will come when God will send a Good Shepherd who shall “reign and govern wisely…who shall do what is just and right in the land.” Such promise is fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus. Paul in our second reading today tells us that through Christ we become nearer to God. Through Christ, “we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”

This is our second challenge this Sunday – that as we admit our vulnerability and accept our need for God, we must also acknowledge Jesus, as our Good Shepherd. Money, power, authority, and fame do not secure our future. Only when we listen and follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd can we truly be kept away from harm and enjoy the rich green pasture of life. We must not be afraid to approach Jesus because he is the misericordia vultus! He is the “face of the Father’s great mercy.”

Every time we gather together for this Eucharist, Jesus sees us and his heart is moved with pity. That is why he shares with us not his money, fame, or power, but his very self – his body and blood. Let us then ask for the grace of humility to always long for God and listen to the one voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

How is your relationship with God? Diskarte ka lang ba ng diskarte? O depende lang ba kung swe-swertihin ka? O nakasalalay lang ba sa tadhana? O matagal mo bang isunumpa na away mo na sa kanya? No matter how unfaithful we are, until now, God continues to offer us a “sheep-shepherd brand of relationship.” It does not have an expiration date, you simply have to grab it now! Amen.

Photo taken from  www.zwallpix.com

TRAVEL LIGHT AND WALK WITH THE LIGHT

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Am. 7: 12 -15; Ps. 85; Eph. 1:3-14; Mk. 6: 7 – 13

“TRAVEL LIGHT” is the first rule for those who are always on the move. If one travels light, then he sets himself free from excess baggage fees in the airport. If one travels light, then he is free from worries of losing some of his things. If one travels light, then it is easy for him to move from one place to another. However, this rule seems to be the most violated among Filipinos. We like to travel big! Tatlong araw lang sa Maynila, dala na ang isang malaking stroller, may back pack, at sling bag pa! Well, I myself is guilty of violating this rule: TRAVEL LIGHT.

My dear friends, we are now on the fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. We are almost halfway of the season. And our Gospel reading today reminds us of two important things as we continue in our spiritual journey.

“He commanded them to take nothing for the journey.” This command of Jesus re-echoes a rule in Judaism wherein rabbis could not enter the temple area with a staff, shoes, and bag, in order not to appear engaging with other businesses than the service of the Lord. Thus, Jesus’ command is meant for his disciples not to lose track of their mission that is to preach the message of Kingdom. Taking nothing for their journey makes them not only appear but faithful preachers of the Good News and nothing else.

The same command is very applicable in our world today. We live in an “ask for more” society. Uso na ngayon ang “two wives” at “illegal wife.” Wala ng naniniwala na may forever…na may forever sa ating mga relationships. Para sa atin only diamonds are forever. If we have the “diamonds” then we can be forever alive in this world. Such mentality according to Pope Francis makes us out of track. “Worldliness transforms souls, it makes people lose touch with reality. They live in a fake world they have made.” When our concern in this world is only about getting rich then we forget our primary task of preaching the Good News. As Christians let us “travel light” in our earthly journey so that we can become effective proclaimers of the Good News amidst an accumulating society. If we have nothing, let our second reading be our assurance. Let us continue to bless the Father who has blessed us in Christ because he has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavens and has destined us not to be children of this world but his adopted sons and daughters.

“No bag, no bread, no copper in their money bags.” Travelling light made the disciples to trust in the Lord for everything. This is also the challenge of Amos in our first reading today. God asked Amos to go to the people of Israel and prophesy. Despite his feeling of unworthiness being only a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores, God chose him. God sent him.

Trusting in the Lord means walking with the Light who is Christ. In our world today, we are heavily dependent on people and things. Kaya nga nagkakaproblema tayo dahil sa maling akala. Akala natin na alak, drogas, barkada, sigarilyo at kutsilyo ang solusyon sa problema, hindi pala. Pope Francis himself has said that “those who do not trust in the Lord is on the road towards unhappiness.” Only when we walk with the light who is Christ can we surely reach our destination for Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Let us then re-echo with our Psalmist today! Let us ask the Lord to let us see his kindness so that we can TRAVEL LIGHT! Let us ask the Lord to grant us his salvation so that we can WALK WITH THE LIGHT! “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation!”

Sabi pa ni Miriam, ang love parang electric fan. Dapat naka steady lang at hindi lumilingon sa iba. The same is true in our journey here on earth. We must steady our lives only to Jesus for only he knows the way. Thus, we must TRAVEL LIGHT and WALK WITH THE LIGHT. Amen!

Photo taken from https://alan326.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/how-to-travel-light.jpg

CALLED, REJECTED, YET BLESSED

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ez 2: 2-5/ Ps 123/ 2 Cor 12:7-10/ Mk 6: 1-6

Rejection. It’s a never easy to accept reality. Yet it happens every once in awhile in our lives. Some of us are rejected because of our different backgrounds. Get ready to be rejected if you cannot distinguish “faith” and “feet” or “Matthew” and “macho.” Some of us are rejected because of our long held principles in life. I just can’t imagine how many bashers the Governor of Texas have right now after speaking against same sex marriage. And some of us are rejected simply because of our face value. Kaya nga tama si Andrew E sa kanyang advice, “Kung gusto mong lumigaya ang iyong buhay, Humanap ka ng pangit at ibigin mong tunay.” Rejection. It’s a never easy to accept reality.

Such is the experience of Jesus in our Gospel today. After ministering to the needs of the people, feeding them, and performing miracles, he went back to his own town. However, instead of being appreciated and admired, people took offense at him. Yet, it is important to note that despite being rejected, Jesus cured a few sick people through his laying on of hands. Rejection did not stop Jesus from his ministry and mission. He continued doing about good. He continued showing God’s face of mercy.

As Christians, we are also called to become like Jesus. We are called to be prophets and witnesses of God’s mercy in our world today. Why? Pope Francis in Misericordiae Vultus tells us that “without a witness to mercy, life becomes fruitless and sterile, as if sequestered in a barren desert. (MV 10)” When we stand up for Christ, rejection becomes inevitable. Not all will accept God’s mercy which is for all. Yet, like Jesus who continued to heal the sick, we must also  continue our being “missionaries and prophets of God’s mercy.”

Our first reading today reminds us that being a prophet of God’s mercy in our modern world is not an easy vocation. God warns Ezekiel that he will be sent to a nation who are “rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day. Hard of face and obstinate of heart are they to whom I am sending you.” We know for a fact that being a Christian today does not assure us of a walk in the park. The recent terror attacks of ISIS and Boko Haram groups; the straight to the face mockeries of pro same sex marriage groups in the US to the Catholic faith; and the never ending criticisms against the principles of the Church are the proofs that we are sent in the midst of people whose hearts for God have become hardened. Nevertheless, the call remains to be there for you and me.

Thus, in our second reading today, Paul is teaching us one virtue that can make us persevere in our mission amidst the difficulty – “I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.”  We need to be humble so that the power of Christ will dwell in us. We need to empty ourselves so that Christ will fill us. Only when Christ lives in us can we become effective prophets and witnesses of God’s mercy.

Have you experienced rejection? As a Catholic Christian, have you experienced rejection because of choosing Christ rather than the world? If no, then wake up from sleep! If yes, do not be afraid! Continue with your mission and follow our responsorial psalm today… let us fix our eyes intently on the Lord and plead for his mercy. Amen!

NB Photo taken from https://tillchrist.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/jeffwatkinsjrejectedatnazoil.jpg