Perfect…Pain

 

Lenten Reflection #8

“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Matthew 5:48

If Jesus had posted “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” on social media today, I would have commented, “Lord naman! With matching eyeroll hanggang bumbunan emoji)” How can you love a neighbor who regularly plays blaring music and parties till three in the morning disrupting your work and sleep and even gets mad when you complain? How can you love the woman who stole your husband? Or the co-worker who backstabbed you to get a promotion? Or the business partner who left you to deal with a debt in staggering amounts? (Disclaimer for the Marites out there: problems not all mine, for example lang 😉) And the list goes on.

Jesus does ask us to do hard things. Even St. Teresa of Avila was prompted to say, “If this is the way you treat your friends, it’s no wonder You have so few.” But then again, the road to heaven is not easy to trek.

As the priest said in today’s homily, “Perfection cannot be attained without pain. It is only painful in the beginning. Later it will no longer bother you as it becomes part of your system. It is the same with praying for your enemies. And the First Reading gives the key to perfection: ‘Observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.’”

So, this Lent, let aiming for perfection be our sacrifice.

References:      Mass Homily for today – Fr. Danichi Hui

                        Carmelites.org – “Quotes from Teresa of Avila”

Plug In

 

Lenten Reflection #5

Prayer is how we connect to God. It’s plugging ourselves into the divine power source. Like charging a cellphone. But as Fr. Cris Cellan mentioned in his homily this morning, “The problem is we start our day with our cellphone, not on our knees.”

As prayer is another of the three pillars of Lenten practice, let’s intensify our prayer habit by being more aware of what it is.

“Prayer during Lent focuses on our need for God’s forgiveness. It’s also about repenting (turning away from our sins) and receiving God’s mercy and love.” (from cru.org – Campus Crusade for Christ)

In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches us to pray the Our Father. We ask our Abba to forgive us, but we are also tasked to forgive others. Lent is a time for healing relations with God & with others. And “prayer is the means of healing our relationship with God.” (from “Restore”*)

“Yet you are merciful to all, for you can do all things, and you overlook men’s sins so that they may repent.” – Wisdom 11:23

As part of my reflection, I asked myself: Which of my relationships need healing? Who do I need to forgive or need forgiveness from?

References:      Mass Homily for today – Fr. Cris Cellan: Relationship with God our Father

*“Restore” – A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation by Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT

Loving the Least

 

Lenten Reflection #4

Almsgiving. Why do this especially for Lent?

From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: “During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on “almsgiving,” which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity. As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is a ‘witness to fraternal charity’ and ‘a work of justice pleasing to God.’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462).”

Today’s gospel about how God will separate the sheep from the goat (Matthew 25:31-46) and the homily gave me more clarity on the practice of almsgiving. The priest said that the measure God will use is how much we have loved our neighbor. Love…not how many novenas we can pray in one day or how far we can walk on our knees to the altar or how many ministry meetings we attend. Better yet, love for the least of our brethren. The least need not only be the materially poor – Manong Magbobote, Sampaguita Girl, Beggar Ate. It can also be that nerd who has no friends or the rich, overbearing boss every employee hates. Yes, even the emotionally and spiritually poor need the love of a neighbor. As Pope John Paul II said, “Nobody is so poor he has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich he has nothing to receive.”

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:40

 Reference:      Mass Homily for today – Fr. Jason Laguerta: Separation

You Are Mine

 

Lenten Reflection #3

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” – Isaiah 43:1

Abstinence. Wikipedia defines it as “giving up certain luxuries in imitation of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice during his journey into the desert for 40 days.”

After watching the roundtable discussion about the story I assigned myself to watch today*, I realized why we need to practice abstinence especially during Lent. As we live in this material world, we become addicted or attached to things. We end up being “owned” by them. They dictate the use of our time and resources. Worse, they threaten our wellbeing and relationships. It may not be major, like addiction to alcohol and drugs and attachment to wealth and power. It can be a host of seemingly innocuous things. Say “Aray!” if this hits you:

You deny yourself by eating tuyo and kamatis but will die if you can’t drink from that Venti coffee cup with a green siren.

You have labelled your chocolates “Vitamin C” and take a regular dose for your wellbeing. (Aray!)

You binge watch Korean novelas for 3 straight days without sleep.

You feel naked without your expensive designer bag (original, not Class A from Divisoria).

You’re awake till two in the morning because you want to reach the next level (and the next, and the next…) of your favorite mobile game. (Aray! again)

Ø        > Insert your own list here if you haven’t said “Aray!”

Many times, our attachments make us forget what’s important. It can even lead to illness of body and spirit. I was struck by what the rabbi, the priest and the pastor (no this is not the beginning of a joke) said in the roundtable discussions: “There are different ways evil can try to insert itself into one’s life. When God is missing, a vacuum is created which results in sickness. The lack of wholeness is an opportunity for things that are not of God to come in.”

In the homily for today’s mass, the priest also said that Lent is not just about self-denial. It is also about self-knowledge. It is knowing your identity, your name. Is it Starbucks, Lindt, Soong Ngit (sorry I don’t watch KDrama), Prada, Candy Crush?

So, this Lent, abstain from things that have “owned” you. Let Jesus call you “Mine”.

References:      *The Chosen Season 1 Episode 1 – “I Have Called You By Name”

                        The Chosen S1E1 Bible Roundtable

                      Mass Homily for today – Fr. Eric Salazar: “Self-Knowledge”

One of Us

 

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” – John 1:14

This morning, in my conversation with Jesus, the interviewer in me kicked in. My question for Him was: What was it like for you, fully God, to come into this earth and be fully human? How does your being human affect us? (Feeling KMag writer again 😉)

Jesus came from a perfect place into a perfectly messy place (a stable with animal manure Joseph had to shovel out*). Being fully human, He will not be turned off by the mess you have made of your life. Do not be ashamed to go to Him. He has lived through mess, brokenness and want. After all…

“He was one of us for a time.” – Mother Mary (from The Chosen’s Special Episode – “The Messengers”)

You lost your job in the pandemic and the only bulalo you can afford now comes in instant noodle cups? Jesus felt hunger too.

“Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.” – Matthew 21:18

You are in constant pain because of a dreaded disease. Jesus also felt pain as he was scourged and crowned with thorns.

“Then Pilate ordered that Jesus be scourged. The soldiers twisted together some thorns into a crown and placed it on his head.” – John 19:1-2

You experienced rejection and betrayal? Sumakabilang bahay ang jowa mo? Your business partner ran off with the company funds? Jesus had Peter and Judas.

His being fully human assures us that He understands where we are coming from.

Today as we ponder on the meaning of Lent, let us remember that because of His fully human death, His being Fully God was proven at the Resurrection.

References:      *The Chosen’s Special Episode – “The Messengers”

Grafted’s “The Messengers” – Messianic Reaction to the Birth of Yeshua

Gcu.edu’s article: Dear Theophilus: Is Jesus fully God and Fully Human?

Mass Homily for today – Fr. Jason Laguerta: “Rebuild”; What is Lent?