TINIG SA ILANG

PONDONG DAMAYAN

2011-07-07T05:03:00.000-07:00

Primer on PONDONG DAMAYAN

1. What is Pondong Damayan?

Pondong Damayan is a Solidarity Fund which aims:

- primarily, to save money for the needy ones. It is saving money for those who are less fortunate.

- secondarily, for one’s own need, especially in times of emergency.

2. How to build up the Pondong Damayan?

Pondong Damayan can be generated thru:

a. Regular Saving. One can save thru the 3S way: Sacrifice, Save and Share.

b. Tithing/Monthly Pledge

c. Donations/Voluntary Contributions

3. What are the special services offered by the Pondong Damayan?

Pondong Damayan offers:

a. Subsidy to all the member-depositors

b. Loan without Interest

c. Opportunity to share with others.

4. How to join the Pondong Damayan?

One can join the Pondong Damayan by opening an account with the Fund. Any amount can open an account.

Like savings in a bank, Pondong Damayan will issue a passbook in the name of the member depositor. There shall be a ledger for individual depositor in order to record total deposits.

5. What will happen to my savings if I join the Pondong Damayan?

Money deposited in the Pondong Damayan is strictly no longer owned by the depositors. Hence, it cannot be withdrawn by the depositors, but must be ready to be disposed in favor of the needy brothers and sisters. All deposits, including tithes, donations and voluntary contributions are not withdrawable, and shall not bear interest inasmuch as they are intended for charity and social services of the poor. In fact, all deposits are considered donations by the depositors.

However, depositors may avail of the services of the fund such as, Loans without Interest, Grants, Annual Biyaya Dividends and Extraordinary Subsidy.

6. Who manages the Pondong Damayan?

If the Pondong Damayan is parish-based; it is the parish that manages, with the Parish Priest as the Administrator. The services of the Parish Finance Council can utilized as auditor, or bookkeeper, or cashier.

If the Pondong Damayan is organized by the BEC or any community-based, from among the depositors-members of the community, the manager and other officers shall be selected.

There shall be a Board of Directors elected by all the depositors-members. The Board shall be the policy making body. The Administrator takes care of day to day transaction of the Fund.

All the officers and those people working at the Bank shall receive no remuneration.

Fund collected shall be entrusted to a secured bank or invested to a reliable broker in order to earn interests.

7. In case of dissolution, what will happen to the fund of the Pondong Damayan?

The policy shall determine the proper action in case of dissolution of a particular community that established the Fund. In the absence of such policy, the management may decides to merge the fund with other Pondong Damayan or may donate all the remaining funds to a chosen charitable institution.

SAVING THE 3S WAY:

SACRIFICE, SAVE and SHARE

SACRIFICE means giving up something or mortifying from any unwanted desires in favor of someone needing immediate aid. Every act of sacrifice shall be quantified in terms of monetary equivalent. For example, I will not take any snack today or every Friday. If one snack would cost twenty pesos, I save twenty pesos that day. There are many little acts of sacrifice we can think of, then calculate their worth. That’s your saving!

SAVE. Keep what you save that day. Choose a day in a week, when you can come to the office of the Pondong Damayan and deposit it. Make it your regular habit. Or at least once a month you deposit the accumulated amount you have for all the mortifications and sacrifices you made.

SHARE. Allow the Pondong Damayan to use your saving to help your poor brethren. That is your sharing. The Lord say, “…when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right hand is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you”(Mt.6:3-4). Almsgiving can be linked to fasting. Money saved from giving up superfluities may be redirected to helping those who do not have necessities for life. Why not take the money that would be spent on that fancy meal you decided to forego and give it to those who do not know where their next meal is coming from? If you have given up movies for Lent or any other indulgence, again let the money saved be diverted to the really needy.

2011-05-20T20:17:00.000-07:00

Prayer of Forgiveness

(Adapted from the prayer of the Rev. Joe Wright delivered during
the opening of a new session of the Kansas Senate)

Heavenly Father,
We come before You today to ask Your forgiveness
and seek Your direction and guidance.
We know very well Your Word says, ''Woe to those who call evil good,''
but that's exactly what we have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.
We confess that; we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word
and called it pluralism;
We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism;
We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle;
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery;
We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation;
We have prevented conception of human beings and allowed to kill our unborn,
and called it choice;
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem;
We have abused power and called it political savvy;
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography
and called it freedom of expression;
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers
and called it enlightenment.

Search us, O God, and know our hearts today;
try us and see if there be some wicked way in us;
cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Guide and bless our so-called honorable men and women in the legislature
who have been sent by the people and who have been ordained by You,
to enact laws for our welfare
Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your Will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

2011-03-07T05:05:00.000-08:00

LENTEN CALL

“What are you doing for Lent?”
There is one thing to give up during Lent – sin.
The season of Lent is a preparation for renewing our baptismal promises during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. Paul says, when writing to the Romans (6:3-6), that when we were baptized we died to our old way of life to live a new way of life i.e. when we were baptized we died to our old sinful ways, we left sin behind.
The season of Lent is to give us time once again to die to our old sinful ways and rise out of the tomb with Jesus to a new way of life so that by the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night when we renew our baptismal vows we will also have renewed our lives.
That is why the First Preface of Lent says,
"Each year you give us this joyful season
when we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery
with mind and heart renewed".

2011-03-07T04:58:00.000-08:00

ASH WEDNESDAY

The significant rite of the beginning of Lent is the signing with the ashes on Ash Wednesday.
The sign of the cross is traced upon the forehead with the words, "Remember Thou, O soul, that thy body is dust and unto dust it shall return." These words signify a release from the identification of the self with the mortal and corruptible body and personality. A detachment from our conventional identification with our mortal shell can result in an altered state of consciousness where our bodies can communicate to us a spiritual reality and we can develop in actuality a more caring attitude toward it.
The words, “Remember, O Soul, that thy body is dust and unto dust it shall return,” is a reminder that the body is not immortal, and that we must turn our attention to that within us which truly is immortal.

Thoughts for Christmas

2010-12-24T03:57:00.000-08:00

1. Jesus came to earth out of love. He was given by the Father: For God so loved the world he gave his only son!
We are also called to love. If Christ is to be born today it must be through us.
Christ fills us with love. Allow us to be agents who fill the world with love.

2. Jesus was born poor and simple. We are called to celebrate his birthday in a simple way, not extravaganza. Live a simple life.
Filipinos is known of celebrating Christmas longer and expense, due to commercialism.
The people that surrounds Jesus are the poor and the simple, first Mary and Jesus, then the shepherds, later on the three kings.

3. Jesus done it in obedience to the Father. He emptied himself taking the form of the eservant. We should be obedient also by doing the will of God. Like Mary, who obediently accepted to be the Mother od the Saviour.
Obedience now seems to be a bad word. Today it is do your own thing; of if it feels good, then do it. People focused on their rights, on what others owe them. But if we truly we have Jesus as our Lord, then we ought to be obdient to our Master. Otherwise, talking of lordship is just a lot of talk. Remember, not everyone who merely says "Lord, Lord" will enter enter, We need to obey.

Q & A # 6 - Adbiyento

2010-11-28T23:39:00.000-08:00

Tanong: Napansin ko po noong unang linggo ng adbiyento ay may isang koronang berde na may apat na kandila sa may altar sa Simbahan. Dekorasyon lang po ba iyon o mayroon itong kaugnayan sa panahon ng Adbiyento?

Sagot: Mabuti naman at napansin mo ang mga bagay na iyon sa loob ng Simbahan. Actually, hindi lang iyon dekorasyon. Talagang bahagi iyon ng panahon ng Adbiyento. Mas magandang talakayin natin ngayon ang mga simbolismo ng adbiyento.
Isa sa mga popular na simbolo ng adbiyento ay ang tinatawag na “advent wreath” o ang koronang pang-adbiyento. Karaniwang ito’y gawa sa mga sanga ng evergreen (kung minsan mahirap hanapin ang evergreen tree dito sa Pilipinas kaya pwede na rin ang sanga ng pinetree) na pinaglikaw-likaw na hugis bilog o korona. Ang simbolo na koronang sanga ng evergreen ay nangangahulugan ng buhay na walang hanggang na kaloob ng Diyos sa naniniwala sa kanya. Alam mo, tuwing panahon ng taglagas at taglamig (autumn and winter) tanging ang mga dahon lamang ng evergreen o pine trees ang natitira at nanatiling sariwa at berde. At ang kulay berde naman ay simbolo ng pag-asa at patuloy na pagmamahal ng Diyos sa tao.
Sa koronang iyon ay mayroong apat na kandila. Ang apat na kandila ay kumakatawan sa apat ng linggo ng adbiyento bago sumapit ang kapaskuhan. Ang tatlong kandila ay kulay ube o purple at ang isa ay kulay rosa o pink. Ang kulay ube ay simbolo ng panawagan ng adbiyento tungo sa pagsisisi at pagpapasimula ng bagong buhay, samantala ang kulay rosa ay simbolo ng kagalakan na dala ng Mesiyas. Ang kandilang rosa ay sinisindihan sa ikatlong linggo ng adbiyento o ang “Gaudete Sunday”. Ang ibig sabihin ng latin na “gaudete” ay kagalakan. Sa tuwing makikita natin na may sindi ang mga kandila sa koronang pang-adbiyento, tumitingkad ang ating paniniwala na nasa piling natin ang Diyos at dapat tayo’y ay higit na magbantay.

Maaring rin po ba na maglagay ng advent wreath sa mga tahanan at mga opisina?

Sagot: Kung sususugan natin ang pakahulugan ng simbolong ito, maliwanag na hindi lang sa mga simbahan maaring ilagay ito. Maganda rin na sa mga tahanang Kristiyano o mga opisina ay ilagay ito at isagawa rin ang mga ritwal ng pagbabasbas at pagsisindi ng kandila tuwing linggo ng adbiyento.

Kaya rin po pala karaniwang ginagawang Christmas Tree ay pine tree, di po ba?

Sagot: Korek ka dyan. Kaya lang, konti lang sa atin ang mga buhay na pinetree at napakamahal noon. Maganda sana laging sariwa. Kaya nagtitiyaga na tayo sa mga plastic o tuyong sanga. Basta mahalaga kulay berde para nandoon pa rin ang simbolismo ng adbiyento.

Napansin ko rin po Monsignor na ang kulay ng mga kasuotan o vestment ng pari sa panahon ng adbiyento ay ube o purple na siya ring ginagamit sa panahon ng Kuwaresma at mga Mahal na Araw. Bakit po ganoon, dapat masaya tuwing adbiyento at hindi malungkot tulad ng kuwaresma?

Sagot: Tama ka dyan. Kung mapapansin mo rin, hindi inaawit o binibigkas ang “Papuri sa Diyos” sa pagdiriwang ng Misa sa panahon ng Adbiyento. Alam mo, sa liturhiya ang kulay ube o purple ay tradisyonal na nananawagan ng pagsisisi at pagbabalik-loob sa Diyos. Ito ay angkop din sa panahon ng adbiyento sapagkat ang isang magandang paghahanda sa pagsalubong sa pagdating ng Dakilang Hari ay isang malinis na tahanan sa ating mga puso. Isa pa, ang kulay purple noong unang mga panahon ay isang uri ng pangkulay na napakamahal at tanging ang mga nasa maharlikang angkan lamang ang gumagamit ng ganitong kulay sa kanilang mga kasuotan. Kaya nga, sa panahon ng adbiyento, naangkop ang kulay purple sapagkat maharlika ang ating hinihintay na darating: ang Anak ng Diyos, Hari ng mga Hari!
Dapat nga Roy ang paborito mong kulay ay ube o purple sapagkat ang ibig sabihin ng iyong pangalan ay hari.

Maraming salamat po Monsignor.

Salamat din sa lahat. Nawa’y tanggapin ninyo ang mga biyaya hatid ng panahon ng Adbiyento. Halina Hesus, Halina!

Q & A # 5

2010-08-20T04:19:00.000-07:00

Mayroon pong nagtatanong na isang aktibong myembro ng Couples for Christ (CFC). Isa raw po sa kanilang apostolate ay ang hikayatin ang mga mag-asawa na magpakasal sa simbahan. At sa tuwina pong magsasagawa sila ng Christian Life Seminar, mayroon pong mga kaso na dapat ihanda para tanggapin ang Sakramento ng Kasal. Subalit ang isa pong problema na laging nae-encounter nila ay ang paghingi ng parokya ng baptismal certificates ng mga ikakasal. Karaniwan daw po ay wala silang maipakita dahil hindi alam ng mga ikakasal kung saan sila bininyagan o wala pong registro sa binyag. Yung iba naman po ay malayo ang lugar kung saan sila bininyagan. Kung minsan nga raw po ay iniisip na lang nila na baka pinapahihirapan lang sila sa mga requirements ng parokya. Baka naman daw po pwede nang ikasal kahit walang baptismal certificate?

Kung susumahin natin ang tanong ay: Bakit ba kailangan pa ang baptismal certificate sa kasal?
Ano ba ang pinapatunayan ng baptismal certificate? Ito ang katunayan na ang isang tao ay tumanggap ng Sakramento ng Binyag o naging Katoliko. Sa lahat ng mga parokya ay may libro ng Binyag, kung saan ang mga importanteng impormasyon ay nakatala. At ito’y lubos na iniingatan ng mga parokya. Kailangan ang Baptismal certificate sa kasal upang patunayan na ang mga ikakasal ay binyagang katoliko. Para sa kaalaman ng lahat, ang binyag ay ang pintuan ng lahat ng mga sakramento. Ang ibig sabihin nito’y, matatanggap mo ang iba pang mga sakramento kung ikaw ay binyagan na. Kung hindi ka pa binyag, hindi ka maaaring tumanggap ng ibang sakramento katulad halimbawa ng Kasal. At kung hindi ka katoliko ay hindi ka rin sakop ng Batas ng Simbahan hinggil sa kasal.

At isa pa, ang baptismal certificate ang siya ring magpapatunay na ang ikakasal ay malaya pang magpakasal o hindi pa tumatanggap ng kasal sa simbahan.

Sa ano pong paraan malalaman na ang isang ikakasal ay malaya pa kapag mayroong baptismal certificate?

Alam mo sa Simbahan, mayroon pamamaraan para malaman ang ikakasal ay hindi pa nagpakasal sa simbahan. At ito’y sa pamamagitan ng registro ng binyag. Mayroon policy ang simbahan na ang sinumang ikinasal sa simbahan ay magpapadala ng notice sa parokya kung saan ang mga ikinasal ay bininyagan, at pagkatapos ay ilalagay naman sa libro ng binyag sa puwang ng “annotations, na ang binyagan ay nakasal na. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit kailangan ang baptismal certificate ang sino mang nag-aapply ng kasal. At sa certificate mismo ay inilalagay ang anumang nakasulat sa annotations. Kung hindi pa kasal, ilalagay ng kura paroko ang note na ”Free to marry”. Kung may nauna nang kasal, ilalagay rin ang mga impormasyon nito sa certificate. At kailangan din na ang baptismal certificate ay newly issued at balido lamang sa loob ng 6 na buwan.

Eh, paano po kung hindi naka-rehistro ang kanilang pangalan sa libro ng Binyag, subalit sinasabi naman nilang sila ay nabinyagan na at sila ay pawang mga Katoliko, paano po iyon?

Iyan ang laging idinadahilan ng marami na kesyo sila raw ay binyag na. Subalit kailangan na patunayan ito. Ngayon, paano ba ang tamang proseso?
Una, mas mabuting malaman kung saan ang parokya ng mga ikakasal, o saang bayan sila ipinanganak, o kung saan nakatira ng kanilang mga magulang. Karaniwan na kung saan sila isinilang ay iyon din ang lugar ng kanilang binyag. Sa tulong ng parokya, maaring kontakin ang parokya ng mga ikakasal upang humingi ng baptismal certificate. Ngayong panahon ay mas madaling makontak ang mga parokya. Kung sakaling walang maibigay ang parokya kung saan maaaring naganap ang binyag, ang parokyang iyon ay magbibigay ng “certification of no records.”
Kung walang records, ang kura paroko na naghahanda sa mga kakasalin ay magsasagawa ng mas masinsinang imbestigasyon upang malaman niya kung ang ikakasal ay talagang nabinyagan o hindi. Kung napatunayan niyang nabinyagan siya, kaya lang ay hindi naka lista sa libro, maari siyang magdesisyon na paniwalaan ang pahayag na siya ay binyag. Pero mas nakabubuti na gumawa rin ng affidavit mula sa dalawang testigo bilang patotoo na talagang binyag na siya. Kung mayroon naman siyang pagdududa, ang kura paroko ay maaaring magsagawa ng tinatatawag na “conditional baptism” sa ikakasal.

Paano po ba nangyayari na walang baptismal records ang parokya?

May mga pangyayari na wala sa registro ng binyag ang pangalan ng isang nabinyagan dahil sa kapabayaan ng mga tagapag-lista. Kaya nga dapat ang kura paroko ay laging nagmamatyag upang huwag mangyari ito.
May mga kaso rin na wala na ang registro ng binyag dahil sa sunog, baha o dili kaya’y kinain na ng mga anay ang mga libro ng parokya.
Sa ganitong mga kaso, ang kura paroko ay nagbibigay ng certification of no records.

Q & A # 4

2010-08-20T04:08:00.000-07:00

Nabanggit po ninyo noong nakaraan na dapat magpakasal sa Simbahan ang mga Katoliko. Bakit mayroon po bang pagkakaiba ang Kasal sa Simbahan at Kasal sa Sibil?

Una sa lahat, ang Kasal sa Simbahan ay isang Sakramento. At ang Sakramento ng Kasal ay isang banal na kasunduan na pinagtibay ng mag-asawa sa harapan ng kinatawan ni Kristo, ang may akda ng Sakramento; at ng Kanyang Sambayanan. Ang kasunduang ito ay hindi mababali o mababago ng dalawang ikinasal lamang. Kasama nila ang Diyos sa kasunduang ito, at sang-ayon sa Kanya: “Ang pinag-isa ng Diyos ay huwag paghiwalayin ng tao”(Mt. 19:6).

Samantala ang kasal sibil ay inaaring isang kontrata, kung saan ang tawag sa mga ikinasal sa sibil ay “contracting parties”. Bilang isang kontrata, ito ay nakabase sa anumang napagkasunduan at maaring baguhin kung sakaling gusto ng mga pumasok sa kontrata.

At isa pa, ang Sakramento ng Kasal ay nagkakaloob ng biyaya para sa mag-asawa (conjugal grace) upang magaan nilang maisakatuparan ang mga tungkulin bilang mag-asawa at bilang magiging magulang sa kanilang mga anak. Ang kasal sibil ay isang aktong legal at nagbubunga ng mga epektong legal lamang.

Ang mga Katolikong tumanggap ng Kasal Sibil ay inaaring hindi tumanggap ng tunay na kasal sa mata ng Diyos, alalaong baga’y sila’y nagsasama pa rin ng walang basbas ang Diyos. Sa madaling sabi, hindi pinapayagan ng Diyos. Bagamat sila’y legal na nagsasama bilang mag-asawa sa harap ng batas sibil, masasabi naman nating sila’y hindi sumusunod sa batas ng simbahan bilang mga Katoliko.

Marami pong ikinasal sa Simbahan na hindi naging maganda ang pagsasama at naghiwalay na, bakit magpapakasal pa?

Totoo na ang hangarin ng Sakramento ng Kasal ay upang maganda ang pagsasama ng mag-asawa, subalit ang desisyon ng pagpapaganda ng pagsasama ng mag-asawa at ang pagpapatuloy ng mabuting hangarin ng Simbahan ay nasa kamay pa rin mismo ng mag-asawa sapagkat maaari nilang palaguin o sirain ang gandang inihahandog ng Sakramento. Kaya hindi natin pwedeng sabihin na kapag ikinasal na ay gaganda na pagsasama ng mag-asawa. Ang Sakramento ng Kasal ay tutulong lamang upang pagtibayin ang pagsasama ng mag-asawa. Sila ay sisidlan ng grasya ng kasal na maaari nilang ingatan at pag-ibayuhin o dili kaya’y basagin o sirain ito. Maarin nilang panatilihing maganda ang sisidlang ito o kanilang balewalain para matapon at masayang. Kahit ang Diyos ay hindi tao pipiliting gumawa ng mganadang relasyon sa isa’t-isa kung wala tayong kooperasyon sa mga ibinibigay Niyang mga pagpapala. Kaya nga nagpapakasal sa simbahan ang magkasintahan upang tumanggap ng pagbabasbas mula sa Poong Maykapal.

Maaari bang tumanggap ng Banal na Komunyon ang hindi Kasal sa Pari o ang Hiwalay sa Asawa o isang Diborsyado/Diborsyada?

Ayon sa Batas ng Simbahan, ang isang tao na nabubuhay sa estado ng kasalanan, lalung-lalo na kung hayag at alam ng nakararami na siya ay nanatili sa paggawa ng mabigat na kasalanan at walang balak na umalis sa pagkakasala (obstinate and manifest siiner), ay hindi maaaring tumanggap ng Banal na Komunyon (CIC Can. 915). Kasama sa pagiging hayag na makasalanan ay ang pagiging matigas ang puso at hayagang hindi pagsunod sa mga kautusan ng Simbahan sa kabila ng maraming beses ng pangangaral. Ang isang halimbawa ng hayag na pamumuhay sa kasalanan ay ang pagsasama ng dalawang katoliko o kahit ang isa ay katoliko bilang mag-asawa na walang basbas ng Sakramento ng Kasal. Ito ay inaaaring isang kasalanan ng pakiki-apid. At ang kasalanang ito ay maaalis lamang kung silang dalawa ay tatanggap ng Sakramento ng Kasal.

Eh, paano naman po iyong mga hiwalay na at mga diborsyado o diborsyada?

Sa kaso naman ng mga hiwalay sa mag-asawa, kung sila ay wala namang kinakasamang ibang tao maliban sa dating asawa, hindi sila nagkakasala ng pakiki-apid. Kung wala silang ibang mabigat na kasalanan, maaari silang magkomunyon. Subalit kung sila ay hiwalay sa isa’t isa at pagkatapos ngayon ay may kinakasama, maliwanag na sila’y nagkakasala ng pakiki-apid. Gayundin sa isang diborsyado o diborsyada, kung siya ay hindi na mag-aasawa pang muli o walang kinakasama pang iba, maaari rin silang magkomunyon, subalit sa panahon na muling mag-asawa at hindi pa napapawalang-bisa ang unang kasal, siya rin ay nagkakasala.

Q & A # 3

2010-08-18T04:17:00.000-07:00

Tanong: Marami sa mga binata at dalaga ngayon na hindi na naniniwala sa Kasal, lalo na sa Kasal sa Simbahan, kesyo kaugalian lang daw ang pagpapakasal sa Simbahan, o kagustuhan lang ng mga magulang. Mas mainam nga raw na mag live-in muna bago pakasal para malaman kung talagang sila ay sa isa’t-isa. Monsignor, Bakit po ba kailangan pang magpakasal sa Simbahan?

Ayon sa Batas ng Simbahan, ang sino mang binyagang Katoliko o naging Katoliko ay sakop ng mga batas hinggil sa kasal, hindi lamang ng batas divina kundi ng mga batas rin na nakapaloob sa Kodigo ng Batas Kanon (cf. CIC Can. 1059). Mababasa sa CIC Can. 1117 na ang isang Katoliko ay obligadong tanggapin ang forma kanonikal ng kasal.

Ano po ba ang tinatawag na forma kanonikal ng kasal?

Ang forma kanonikal ng kasal ay pagpapahayag ng palitan ng konsentimiento matrimonial ng mga ikinakasal sa harapan ng isang diakono, pari o obispo bilang kinatawan ng Simbahan at sa harapan ng dalawang testigo. Kung ang kasal ng dalawang katoliko o kahit isa lang sa kanila ay katoliko ay naganap na walang forma kanonikal, ang kasal na yaon ay inaaring walang bisa o inbalido (cf. CIC Can. 1108).

Ang isa pang mas matinding dahilan kung bakit ang magkasintahan ay dapat magpakasal ay sa Simbahan ay dahil sa ang kasal kristiyano ay “isang taimtim na pagpasok ng mag-asawa sa isang wagas na pagtatalaga sa harap ng Diyos at ng pamayanang Kristiyano habang ipinahahayag nilang: ‘Nagmamahalan kami at umaasa kaming hindi magwawakas ang pagmamahalang ito. Hinihiling namin sa inyong igalang ang pananagutan naming ito at tulungan kaming maging tapat sa pananagutang ito’”(Katesismo para sa mga Pilipinong Katoliko (KPK), n. 1899).

Ano naman po ang maidudulot ng Kasal sa Simbahan sa mag-asawa?

Ang kasal sa Simbahan ay isang Sakramento. At bilang sakramento, ang kasal kristiyano ay larawan ng presensya ni Kristo sa buhay ng mag-asawa: “Nananahan Siya (si Kristo) sa piling nila upang sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay nila ng sarili sa isa’t isa, ang mag-asawa ay magmahalan ng buong katapatan”(GS n. 48).

Ang maidudulot ng Sakramento ng Kasal ay ang mismong biyaya na ipinagkakaloob nito sa mag-asawa. Ang tawag dito ay “conjugal grace”. Ang grasyang ay nakalaan sa pagiging ganap ng pag-ibig mag-asawa, sa pagtitibay ng kaisahang di-malalansag. Sa pamamagitan ng grasyang ito "nagtutulungan sila sa isa't isa na magpakabanal sa buhay matrimonial at sa pag-aaruga at pagtuturo ng kanilang mga anak"(LG 11; cf. LG 41). Sa madaling sabi, ang Sakramento ng Kasal ay napakalaking tulong upang ang mga mag-asawa ay mabuhay na banal at maging mabuting mga magulang ng kanilang magiging mga anak (cf. CCC 1641-1642).

Ano naman po ang masasabi ninyo tungkol sa mga “live-in” na pagsasama at “trial marriages”?

Sa pagsasama ng malaya o live-in, tinatanggihan ng lalaki at babae na gawaran ang kanilang pag-uugnayan sekswal ng katangiang juridical o legal at ayaw ipaalam sa publiko ang kanilang pagsasama. Alalaong baga’y , sila ay nabubuhay sa kasinungalinan. Ano ang kahulugan ng isang pagsasamang walang kaakibat na pangako nsa isa’t isa at hindi nagtataglay ng pagtitiwala sa kabiyak, sa isa’t isa at sa kanilang hinaharap.

Ang live-in ay matatawag rin na concubinato, ang pagtanggi sa kasal, ang pag-iwas sa matagalang pakikipag-ugnayan. Ito’y salungat sa karangalan ng kasal, sinisira ang kahulugan ng pamilya, binabawasan ang pagpapahalaga sa katapan. Ang live-in na ugnayan ay labag sa alituntuning moral: ang pagtatalik ay dapat maganap lamang sa loob ng kasal; sa labas ng kasal, ito ay isang kasalanang mabigat (CCC 2390).

Eh, ang Trial Marriages po?

Tungkol naman sa mga “trial marriages” o pansamantalang pagsasama o talaga namang may balak na magpakasal kaya lang gusto nilang subukin kung sila ay para sa isa’t isa, ang itinuturo ng Simbahan ay ang ganitong pamamaraan ay hindi tiyak kung talagang mananatili silang totoo at tapat habang panahon. Maari naman subukin nila kung talagang itinadhana sila na mag-asawahan na hindi mag-sasama o mag-Trial marriage. Basta walang pakikipagtalik habang hindi pa kasal. Sapagkat ang relasyon sekswal ay naaayon sa moralidad at dapat ito’y ginagawa na may tiyak na pagkakaloob ng sarili sa isa’t –isa at hindi sa pagsubok lamang (cf. CCC 2391).

Q & A # 2

2010-08-18T04:10:00.000-07:00

Tanong: Si Eva, dalaga at isang entertainer sa Japan, ay nakilala si Saki, isang diborsyado at may relihiyong Shintoismo. Sila ay naging magkasintahan, at pagkatapos ng isang taon ay nagyaya si Saki na pakasalan si Eva. Pumayag si Eva sa kondisyon na sa Pilipinas sila pakakasal at sa Simbahang Katoliko na mayroong engrandeng kasalan. Ano po ba ang mga kailangan nila para maghanda sa isang Katolikong kasalan?

Sagot: Medyo kumplikado ang binabalak na kasalang ito.

Una, sa panig ni Eva hindi masyadong mabusisi. Dahil siya ay siyang dalaga, kailangan lang niya ang certificate of no marriage (cenomar) mula sa civil registrar para mabigyan ng marriage license. Bilang katoliko, kailangan niyang kumuha ng Baptismal Certificate (with annotation of freedom to marry) at Confirmation certificate (kung hindi pa kumpil, mas nakabubuti na magpakumpil siya).

Ang mas kumplekado ay sa panig ni Saki: isang Hapones, Shinto at diborsyado.

Unang dahilan, bilang isang shinto. Kung nais niyang maging Katoliko, kailangang may pag-aaral hinggil sa pananampalatayang Katoliko, medyo matagal-tagal ito. Kung mananatili naman siyang isang Shinto, kailangan ang dispensasyon ng “disparity of cult” na ibinibigay ng Obispo kung saan sila magpapakasal. May mga kailangang dokumento ng pangako ang dapat pirmahan bago makakuha ng dispensasyon (Cautiones).

Ano po ba ang dispensasyon sa Kasal?

Ang dispensasyon sa kasal ay ang pagbibigay ng pahintulot na makasal ang babae at lalaki sa kabila ng isang impedimento o hadlang sa kaso ng kanilang kasal, Ibinibigay ito hindi sa pangmaramihang sirkumstansya kundi sa pamamagitan ng pagsusuri ng bawat kasong dumarating sa simbahan. Karaniwang ang Obispo ang nagbibigay nito. Ibinibigay ito ng simbahan kung mayroong sapat at makatuwirang dahilan. Karaniwang ipinapahintulot ito ng simbahan kung ang impedimento o hadlang ay nagmumula sa batas ng simbahan at hindi sa tinatawag na batas natural (natural laws). Kung talagang ang hadlang ay natural, halimbawa ang edad ng kakasalin o ang napakalapit na blood relationships, hindi ito nabibigyan ng dispensasyon. May mga dispensasyon na ang Santo Papa lamang ang nagkakaloob, tulad ng impedimento ng pagpapari at perpetual vows ng mga relihiyoso.

Ikalawang dahilan sa kaso ni Saki, siya ay isang diborsyado. Kailangan ang mga papeles ng deklarasyon ng diborsyo na dapat certified ng Japanese Embassy dito sa Pilipinas. Dapat din magbigay ng certificate of freedom to marry mula sa Embassy. Kailangan ito sa pag-apply ng marriage license sa local civil registrar. Ang marriage license ay kailangan na i-submit sa parokya bago ang kasal.

Kinikilala po ba ng Simbahang Katoliko ang diborsyo?

Ang sallitang diborsyo ay tumutukoy sa paghihiwalay ng mag-asawang mayroong totoong nangyaring Sakramento ng Kasal. Ito ay isinasagawa sa pamamagitan ng deklarasyon ng korte sibil at pinahihintulutan na ang mag-asawa ay maghiwalay at payagang magkapag-asawang muli. Hindi pumapayag ang simbahan sa ganitong kalakaran, lalong-lalo na kung ang kasal ay tunay na may bisa ng isang Sakramento. Sinusunod lamang ng Simbahan ang sinanbi ni Kristo sa Ebanghelyo na “ang sino mang pinag-isa ng Diyos ay hindi dapat paghiwalayin ng sinumang tao”. Kinikilala ng simbahan ang tinatawag na deklarasyon ng annulment (pagdedeklara ng kasal na talagang walang bisa bilang isang sakramento sa simula’t simula ng ito’y ipinagdiwang dahil sa hadlang o impedimento na hindi naalis). Dahil walang naganap na totoong sakramento ng kasal kaya ang simbahan nagdedeklara nito. Subalit ito’y ginagawa ring pormal sa pamamagitan ng Matrimonial Tribunal ng Simabahan.

Ang ikatlong dahilan na nakikita ko ay ang kanyang pagiging banyaga. Kung hindi marunong magsalita ng Ingles, kailangan ang matapat na interpreter para sa pre-nuptial interview at sa mismong pagdiriwang ng kasal upang maunawaan niya ang nagaganap. Dito sa Pilipinas, may isang paring Hapon na nag volunteer upang siya ang mag-interview sa mga Hapon na ikakasal. Siya rin ang magsasagawa ng pagtuturo hingil sa sakramento ng Kasal (pre-marriage instruction o seminar). Siya rin ang magbibigay ng certification na pwede na silang ikasal.

Dito sa Pilipinas, hinihingi ang isang buwan na paghahanda bago ikasal. Kung sakaling kulang sa isang buwan ang paghahanda sapagkat nagmamadali sila, kailangan ang dispensasyon mula sa Obispo. Ito ay upang maisagawa ang marriage banns or Tawag sa Kasal na karaniwang isinasagawa sa loob ng tatlong linggo.

Ano po ba ang inyong maipapayo kay Eva hinggil sa kanyang balak na pakasal kay Saki?

Mas nakabubuti na sa pagdating nila dito sa Pilipinas ay kaagad magtanong sa parokya ni Eva hinggil sa kanilang pagpapakasal upang malaman kaagad ang dapat nilang gawin. Dapat unahin nila ang dapat unahin, lalo na ang mga dokumento na hinihingi ng simbahan at ng local civil registrar. Medyo matagal rin ang paghingi ng mga dispensasyon sa Obispo at ang pre-nuptial seminar. Sa local civil registrar naman ay may 12 araw na publication of notice bago ibigay ang marriage license. Sa banding huli na lang ang paghahanda kung ano ang trahe at mga susuotin sa kasal, o kung saang restaurant ang reception o ang pagpapagawa ng imbitasyon. Mas mahalaga ang seremonyas sa simbahan keysa mga susuotin at pagkain.

Q & A # 1

2010-08-18T04:01:00.000-07:00

Tanong: Si “Myrna” isang OFW, 45 taong gulang, 10 taon na nagtratrabaho sa Italia bilang tagapag-alaga ng isang matanda (Care giver). Nang siya ay umalis sa Pilipinas, mayroon na siyang problema sa kanyang asawa, na may ibang babae. Ito ang nagbunsod sa kanya na mangibang-bansa upang tuluyang hiwalayan ang asawa. Sila ay may 1 anak na nasa pangangalaga ng magulang ni Myrna.
Sa loob ng 10 taon sa Italia, nakilala niya si “Nestor”, binata, at sila ay madaling nagkapalagayan ng loob. Sila ay naging magkasintahan hanggang mapag-isipan na nilang magpakasal.
Ang problema: si Myrna ay kasal sa simbahang Katoliko. Ang 10 taon bang pagkakahiwalay nila ng kanyang asawa sa Pilipinas ay sapat na para payagan na makasal ulit? Paano ang tamang paraan para mapawalang-bisa ang unang kasal ni Myrna, upang makapag-pakasal sa kasalukuyang kasintahan?

Sagot: Una sa lahat, ang 10 taong pagkakahiwalay ng mag-asawa ay hindi nagbibigay ng kapahintulutan sa isa’t isa na pwede nang nag-asawa. Walang kinalaman ang tagal ng hiwalayan para mapawalang bisa ang kasal. (Maliban na lang sa kaso ng “presumed death”. Sa ibang pagkakataon maarin nating pag-usapan ito).
Ngayon sa katanungan kung paano ang paraan para sina Myrna at Nestor ay makasal, ang unang hakbang ay tingnan kung may dahilan na ang unang kasal ni Myrna ay maideklara na walang bisa (declaration of nullity). Kailangan na ito ay maidulog sa isang Marriage Tribunal para maproseso ang deklarasyon. Sa Diyosesis kung saan ikinasal o kung saan nakatira ang mga nasasangkot maaaring idulog ang petisyon ng pagpapawalang bisa ng kasal.

Ano po ang ibig sabihin ng deklarasyon ng nullity sa kasal?

Ang deklarasyon ng nullity sa kasal ay ipinakikitang walang naganap na totong Sakramento Matrimonial noong ikasal ang lalaki at babae sa simbahan kaya ang mga ito ay maaaring pahintulutan ng Tribunal ng Simabahan na maghiwalay o di na magsamang muli bilang mag-asawa. Ang deklarasyon ng nullidad ng kasal ay nagpapahiwatig na hindi tunay ang nagyaring kasal dahil may hadlang (impedimento) na hindi naalis o dili kaya’y may depekto ang konsientimento ng dalawa o isa sa mga ikinasal o kaya’y wala naman talagang intensyon na sila’y magpakasal ayon sa intensyon ng simbahang katoliko.

Gaano po ba katagal ang proseso ng deklarasyon ng nullity?

Medyo matagal-tagal rin, depende sa pag-usad ng kaso. Subalit kailangan na may linaw ang kaso para umusad sa loob ng isang taon. Nagiging mabagal ang pag-usad ng proseso dahil sa hindi pakiki-isa ng respondent o mga testigo. O dili kaya sa kawalan mismo ng interest ng petitioner. Depende sa dahilan ng paghingi ng deklarasyon, may mga kailangan pa na konsultahin, tulad ng mga expert (medical, psychiatrist, atb).

Kung naideklara na ng Marriage Tribunal na walang bisa ang kasal, maari na ba kaagad na sila ay magpakasal?

Depende pa rin. Kung ang dahilan ng pagdeklara ng nullidad ay immaturity or psychological incapacity, maaring sabihin ng Tribunal na hindi kaagad sila pwedeng magpakasal hangga’t hindi napapatunayan na ganap na siyang makakatayo sa sarili (matured na.).

Kung ang Marriage Tribunal ng Simbahan ay nagbigay na ng desisyon ng pagwawalang-bisa ng kasal, kailangan pa bang idulog ito sa Civil Court o Family Court para sa mga epektong legal?

Ang desisyon ng Tribunal ng Simbahan ay para lamang sa aspektong sacramental at canonical, alalaong baga’y hinggil sa pagiging sakramento ng Kasal, at wala itong kinalalaman sa mga epekto ng batas pampamahalan o civil laws. Kailangan pa rin idulog ito sa Korte Sibil. Sa Pilipinas, karaniwan na ang kasal sa pari o simbahan ay mayroon ding epektong sibil. Sa katunayan, ang ikinasal ng isang pari ay inirerehistro din sa mga civil registrar, kaya sakop din ng batas sibil.

Kung sakali pong hindi napawalang-bisa ng Tribunal ng Simbahan ang kasal dahil walang mabigat na dahilan, subalit naideklara naman ng Korte Sibil na walang bisa ang kasal, pwede po bang pakasal din sila sa Simbahan?

Hindi. Kung hindi nagdeklara ang Simbahan na walang bisa ang kasal, nangangahulugan na balido ang kasal at nananatili ang marriage bond. Ang bawat isa ay hindi maaaring magpakasal uli sa iba. Kung ang Korte Sibil ay nagpawalang-bisa naman ng kasal, maaring sa sibil sila magpakasal. Subalit kung ang magpapakasal ay parehong Katoliko, hindi pa rin ito maaaring pahintulutan. Maaring ang kanilang pagsasama ay hindi labag sa batas sibil subalit labag naman sa batas ng simbahang katoliko.

Sa kaso ni Myrna at Nestor, nakabubuti na kaagad alisin nila ang hadlang (impedimento) sa kanilang pagpapakasal. Sumangguni sa kanilang Kura Paroko upang matulungan na mag-petisyon sa Tribunal ng simbahan, at hintayin ang positibong tugon bago magplano ng pagsasama o pagpapakasal. Kung sakali namang hindi maaaring ideklara ang unang kasal ni Myrna na walang bisa, mas nakabubuting sila ay kumalas sa kanilang kasalukuyang relasyon.

Today's Prayer

2010-05-07T20:40:00.000-07:00

THE PRAYER,
BLESS THIS DAY.

This day is full of beauty and adventure,
help me Lord to be fully alive to it all.
During this day, may I become a more thoughtful person,
a more prayerful person, a more generous and kindly person.
Help me not to be turned in on myself but
to be sensitive and helpful to others.
Let me do nothing today that will hurt anyone,
but let me help at least a little,
to make life more pleasant for those I meet.

When night comes, may I look back on this day without regrets;
and may nobody be unhappy because of anything
I have said or done or failed to do.

Lord God, bless this day for me and all of us.
Make it a day in which we grow a little more like your Son,
and gentle as Mary His Mother.

Amen.

2010-01-30T05:49:00.000-08:00

GO,

PREACH

THE

LOVE OF GOD!

2009-10-02T05:29:00.000-07:00

PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE FROM CALAMITIES

Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for your providence in sustaining us in our needs, and for your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation.

We have not been good stewards of Nature.

We have confused Your command to subdue the Earth.

The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing, and how we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference.

Global warming is upon us. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruption, and other natural calamities occur in increasing number and intensity.

We turn to You, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins.

We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made.

We bessech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation, and generous neighbors to those in need. Amen.

Epic Flood: A Call for Compassion

2009-09-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

THE pictures we see in the newspapers and television screen in these days, after the epic flood brought about by devastating tropical storm “Ondoy” have many stories to tell which are beyond words. Many of the victims of super typhoon Ondoy has a scary experience to narrate.
While we keep in our imagination the pictures that invite our deepest sympathy, and even listen in our hearts to their desperate cries for help, the victims agonizing and angry complaints at the slowness or absence of response from Disaster Preparedness Program, let us see in this situation a call to everyone for compassion. If there were no graft and corruption in our government, our government would be more prepared to respond to such crisis.
Typhoon Ondoy’s destructive path may be the worst flood in more than half a century. Through the ravages of nature in the past, the Filipino sense of compassion, which we also call “bayanihan,” has been called forth. The pictures we have seen in the past few days are pictures of Filipinos responding to the call for compassion, of people willing to “suffer with,” people with the spirit of “bayanihan.”
We pray against typhoons, earthquakes, floods and other natural calamities. But when they do occur, the heroism of the Filipino comes out. We salute, for example, to that 18-year old teen-ager, Muelmar Magallanes, who lost his life after saving more than a dozen neighbors, the last of whom was a six-month old baby.
This one heroic example is an inspiration of our appeal with the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action. The CBCP NASSA has been mobilized to help with its limited resources the victims of the flood. Relief goods have started to be gathered and distributed to the flood-affected provinces around Metro Manila. Caritas Manila has started to respond to the flood victims in Metro Manila. Compassion is drawing many Filipinos to unite with their unfortunate brothers and sisters. Social Action Centers of other Dioceses may join the campaign by sending to CBCP NASSA whatever they may collect. Profound gratitude to the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council and the US Bishops’ Conference – Catholic Relief Services. They were among the first to respond.
Other Institutions like the RED CROSS, have also started to respond to the call for compassion, as we have seen in GMA network and ABS-CBN network in the spirit respectively of “KAPUSO” and “KAPAMILYA.”
We bend our knees in prayer for salvation against natural calamities, but when they do come, we are not so helpless as not to respond with heroism. We have said it before and we say it again “In the Church, no one is so poor as to have nothing to give, and no one is so rich as to have nothing to receive.” We are humbled by the crises that come to us. We pray to God and appeal for our neighbor.

+ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO

Archbishop of Jaro

CBCP President

September 29, 2009

PANALANGIN PARA SA MGA PARI

2009-06-15T17:19:00.000-07:00

Panginoon, kami’y nananalangin nawa’y ang Mahal na Birhen ang maging kulandong na bumabalot sa iyong kaparian, at sa pamamagitan niya, sila’y magingmatatag sa kanilang paglilingkod.

Nawa’y si Maria ay maging gabay ng mga pari sa pagsunod sa kanyang mga salita:

“Gawin ninyo ang sasabihin niya sa inyo”(Jn. 2:5)

Nawa’y ang iyong mga pari ay magkaroon ng puso katulad ni San Jose, matuwid na Esposo ni Maria.

Nawa’y ang pusong nasugatan ng Mahal na Ina, ay maging inspirasyon ng mga pari upang yakapin ang lahat na sino mang nagpapakasakit sa paanan ng krus.

Dalangin namin na ang mga pari ay maging banal, puspusin ng apoy ng iyong pagibig na walang hinahangad kundi ang iyong higit na kaluwalhatian at kaligtasan ng mga kaluluwa. Amen

San Juan Maria Vianney, ipanalangin mo kami.

Prayer for Priests

Dear Lord,
we pray that the Blessed Mother
wrap her mantle around your priests
and through her intercession
strengthen them for their ministry.
We pray that Mary will guide your priests
to follow her own words,
“Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5).
May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph,
Mary’s most chaste spouse.
May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart
inspire them to embrace
all who suffer at the foot of the cross.
May your priests be holy,
filled with the fire of your love
seeking nothing but your greater glory
and the salvation of souls.
Amen.
Saint John Vianney, pray for us.

Panalangin ng Isang Pari

2009-06-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Amang minamahal,
Pinupuri kita, Minamahal kita, Sinasamba kita,
Isugo mo ang iyong Espiritu upang tanglawan ang aking isipan at akayin tungo sa mga katotohanan ng iyong anak na si Jesus, Pari at Handog.
Sa Espiritung ito, gabayan mo ang aking puso na matulad sa Mahal na Puso ni Jesus, upang panibaguhin sa akin ang marubdob na pagmamahal ng isang pari; na ako rin ay handang maghandog ng sarili sa paglilingkod sa banal mong altar.
Sa Espiritung ito, linisin mo ang aking mga kahalayan at palayain sa aking mga pagsalangsang sa pamamagitan ng Kalis ng kaligtasan. Nawa ang iyong kalooban ang aking tanging masundan.

Ang Mahal na Birhen, Ina ni Hesus, ang siya nawang maging aking kulandong at sanggalang sa lahat ng masama. Gabayan nawa niya ako na gawin lamang ang naisin ni Hesus. Turuan nawa niya ako na magkaroon ng katulad ng puso ni San Jose, na kanyang esposo, na ipagtanggol at pangalagaan ang Simbahan. Nawa ang kanyang pusong nasugatan ang aking maging inspirasyon at tanggapin ito bilang isang anak na handang magpakasakit sa paanan ng krus. Ako’y nagsusumamo na ikaw sana ay maging mapag-ampong Ina sa akin, at tulungang ako’y maging isang mabuting anak.

Panginoon, gawin mo akong isang banal na pari, pag-alabin mo sa apoy ng iyong pag-ibig, na walang hinahangad kundi ang iyong higit na kaluwalhatian at kaligtasan ng mga kaluluwa.

Pakumbabang nanalangin at nagpapasalamat ako sa iyo, aking Ama, sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo, kay Kristo Jesus na iyong anak at aking kapatid. Amen.

O Maria, Ina ng mga pari, ipanalangin mo kami.
San Juan Maria Vianney, ipanalangin mo kami.

Body and Blood of Christ

2009-06-08T07:26:00.000-07:00

We have a saying: "You are what you eat!". This means that whatever we take, it somehow becomes part of ourselves. Not only becoming part of ourselves but gives something good within ourselves. Take for example the food we take. It gives nourishment which made us strong. Moreover, when we take something inside ourselves it gives not only something good to us but in fact, does something within us. Take another example when we take medicines or an antibiotic pill. When the pill dissolves, a substance begins to work in order to inhibit or kill microorganism or the virus inside our body. In this way, it makes us feel good and restore our health.

This leads us to think on the food that our Lord Jesus is talking about in the Gospel reading today. "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."(Jn 6:51). For the Jews, it was hard for them to imagine taking the very flesh of Christ for their food. But they missed the point of Jesus in saying that He is giving his flesh for the life of the world. This promise finds its fulfillment in the celebration of the Eucharist, as mentioned in the second reading, where the bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. This is a real food. And we have to partake of it, as Jesus wished to do so. This happens when we receive the Sacred Host in the Holy Communion. So much so that he really enters into our being and becomes one with us.

But does he make something different within us after we received him in the communion? It should!

I had a chance in seeing and venerating in Lanciano, Italy, the very species of the bread became real flesh and the wine turned into real blood of Christ. What touched me much is the result of the scientific investigation conducted in 1970 by a group of scientists and experts when they found out that the flesh came from the muscular tissue of the heart: the myocardium. This made me conclude that whenever we received the Body of Christ, we also received His Heart, the seat of his unfathomable love. I can imagine love passing through our own veins, mixed with our own blood that supplies our mind, our extremities, our whole being. Indeed, my whole body is full of love.

This finds full meaning at the end of the Mass when the priest says, "Go, the mass is ended!". What is next?

Solemnity of the Pentecost

2009-05-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

"Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth!"

These words from the Responsorial Psalm eloquently capture the atmosphere of joy and thanksgiving that characterizes our gathering today. It is the Solemnity of Pentecost, or the descent of the Holy Spirit upon God's People. On this day, we also commemorate the birth of the Church because this very occasion signalled the spreading of the Gospel of Christ among the nations under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost opened a new dimension in the life of the Church. With the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles who were assembled with the Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the era of the Church began. The Holy Spirit brought together all humanity and formed them into one body, the Mystical Body of Christ. Likewise, the same Spirit became the guiding principle of the Church into all truth and unity in communion and in service. And through the centuries, the Church continues to exist and journey by the power of the Holy Spirit which bestows different gifts or "charisms" on each and every member of the Church in order to perpetuate the mission entrusted to her by Jesus Christ.

Moreover, Pentecost is also a time of commissioning. Jesus Christ sent by the Father was anointed by the Spirit and fulfilled His mission. But as He returned to the Father He entrusted His disciples with His own mission to continue. So, the disciples too received the Holy Spirit so that they could discharge their mission as Jesus did. Hence, this feast of Pentecost reminds us anew of our apostolic mission to proclaim the Good News of Salvation in words and in deeds. Eventually, this must lead us to the realization of the continual presence of the Holy Spirit not only in the Church but also in each and every one of us, as Christians and as members of the Church. We all know that the Holy Spirit was infused in all of us when we were baptized and especially when we received the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is the reason why we consider the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation as our personal pentecost.

Today, therefore, as we commemorate the day of Pentecost, we need to recall and renew the graces that come to us that moment when we received the Holy Spirit, graces which we perhaps long forgotten, graces which we have not used, and graces which we need today in our disunited and turbulent times.

"Receive the Holy Spirit!" Today, Jesus re-echoes his words to all of us. He offers us the Life-giving Spirit, who is the manifestation of the love between the Father and the Son. And this same Holy Spirit impels each and every one of us to manifest also our love through our sharing in the mission of the Church and our sharing in the communion which is inherent to the life of the Church.

PENTECOST SUNDAY

2009-05-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrate what is often called the birthday of the Church. We also bring to completion our celebration of the Paschal Mystery - the suffering, death, resurrection, ascension and coming of the Spirit on Jesus’ disciples.

Full of symbols

Most of us are more familiar with the account given in the Acts of the Apostles which is the First Reading of today’s Mass. In this account, the apostles are all gathered in one room at the time of the Jewish feast of Pentecost, which in the Jewish calendar traditionally falls 50 days after the Passover (or Easter in our Christian calendar). What follows is a scene filled with scriptural symbols. First, there is the sound of a mighty wind from heaven filling the whole house. The word in Greek for ’spirit’ and ‘wind’ is the same, so the wind clearly indicates the Spirit of God. Then there appeared tongues of fire which rested on the head of each one present. Again we have a symbol of God’s presence. We remember Moses speaking to God out of the bush which was on fire. We remember that, as the Israelites wandered through the desert, they were accompanied during the night by a pillar of fire - God was with them. All present are then filled with the Spirit. The sign of this presence is their ability to speak in different languages.

A message for all

Immediately, the apostles go out and begin to speak to the crowds of people. Jerusalem is filled with Jewish and convert visitors from all over the Mediterranean, from Asia Minor, Egypt and North Africa, even Rome, to celebrate the feast. These people are amazed to hear men, who are clearly relatively unlettered people from the province of Galilee, speaking to them in so many languages. The meaning is clear. What the apostles are preaching is a message destined for the whole world and not just for one people. A long time ago, as described in the book of Genesis, men tried to build a tower right up to heaven. For such arrogance they were punished by having to speak in a myriad of languages unintelligible to others. Humanity became deeply divided.Today, Babel is reversed. All are speaking and hearing the message with full understanding; people are being brought together in unity under God.

Receiving a mission

And then he gives their mission: “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.” Their mission is the same as his; they are to continue doing what he did.Then he breathes on them. Breath symbolizes life. In the creation story, God breathed over the waters. He also breathed on to the clay of the ground and formed the first human being. Today he breathes on his disciples and gives them a new life, making them a new creation, giving them the life of his Spirit, saying: “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Then he goes on to say, “Those whose sins you forgive are forgiven…” This is no mere juridical authority in which people are declared free of guilt. It is much more than that. The disciples are being given the authority to bring people back to God, to reconcile those who have become separated from their God to renew their unity with the Beginning and the End of their lives. They also have the authority to decide which people are not yet ready for reconciliation.

Ultimate mission

This is ultimately the mission of the Church, to bring people to God. It is not primarily to make converts to Christianity or to build up the Church but to work with God in building the Kingdom. The Kingdom realized is the whole world acknowledging the lordship of God our Creator and people directing their lives to be one with him. This was the mission given by Jesus to his disciples and the same mission has been given to each one of us. So, as soon as a person becomes reconciled with God as Lord and Jesus as Savior, that person in turn accepts the obligation to become in turn a reconciler of others.

Special gifts

So, today’s Second Reading speaks of the gifts that the Spirit of God and Jesus gives to each one for this work. We are not all called to the same thing in the same way. “There are all sorts of service to be done but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them.” We all have exactly the same ultimate goal, energized from the same Source, but, with our different qualities of character and ability and depending on the environmental situation in which we find ourselves, we aim at that goal in different ways. Working together in different ways towards a common aim, Paul compares us to a human body. It consists of many parts but each part is ordered to the well-being of the whole. That should be a picture of the Christian community, of our diocese and of each parish and of each community within a parish. We are all equal in dignity - Jew or Greek, slave or citizen, man or woman, cleric or lay - but different in calling and manner of service.

On this feast of Pentecost, as we celebrate the formation and the mission of the whole Christian community, we also need to reflect on the particular role that God has for me, to reflect on the particular contribution that I can make to the corporate mission of the Church and of the particular group with which I am involved.

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

2009-05-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered whether Jesus was really with his Church? Or have your ever doubted whether Jesus is indeed present in the Church? For example, when you see some Church leaders failed to live up to the teachings of Jesus, or when you see some members of the Church ignore needy brothers and sisters. Do you ever asked yourselves whether Jesus inspires the faithful to lead lives of love and generosity?

Let me share with you a true story that might help clarify the question about Jesus being with his Church. It is about a seven year-old boy who was taught by his father how to take a bus in going to his school from their house and in going back. One day, the father told his son that he will just accompany him going to the school but in going back to their house, the son would do it alone. So, the father explained very well to his son the route by showing all the landmarks and how may stops there are before arriving the final bus stop. So, when they arrived at the school, the father left him with the final instruction to follow all what he instructed.

The whole morning was for the boy full of worries, he has been thinking of how to go home all by himself. When the time came to go for home, the little boy took the bus, with some question in his mind whether if it was the right bus or not. But he continued, looking for all the landmarks and counting all thebus stops. But as the trip continues, the heart of the boy beats faster, especially when sometimes the bus took turns and he was not able to see the landmarks and was confused in his counting of the bus stops. Until he recognized familiar streets and buildings, and finally he reached the right stop. The boy stepped off the bus and he was so proud and happy. He had actually made it home all by himself.

What the boy didn't know, however, was that his father was also riding at the back seat of the same bus watching over him all the way. He had been with him every foot of the trip just in case he needed help.

The story somehow resemblances the story about Jesus and his Church. Before departing on the day of Ascension, Jesus gave his Church all the directions we needed to journey through life to our heavenly home and final destination. Like the little boy, however, we sometimes notice the Church taking unexpected twists and turns. When this happens, we should recall the promise of Jesus to be with us always. Even though we can't see him, we know he is there, ready to help us, just in case the need arises.

Where there is love, there is God

2009-05-16T07:18:00.001-07:00

St. John says, “Wherever there is love, there is God”. He does not say, “Wherever there are Christians, there is God” or “Wherever there is a Christian church, there is God”. But, wherever there is a person filled with real agape-love for others, God is there. That is the meaning of the parable of the Good Samaritan. He was called “good” not because he was a religious person but because he reached out in compassionate love for someone who was supposed to be his enemy. Wherever in the world there is truth, compassion, justice, true freedom and peace, God is certainly there.
Jesus gives us just one commandment. He does not say, “Love Jesus or love God as I have loved you”. No, he says, “If you want to be my disciple, then you must love one another, as I have loved you.” If we really love our brothers and sisters, including strangers and even enemies, we do not have to worry if we love God. But, if we do not love everyone unconditionally, then there is no other way I can claim to love Jesus. I need to love those God loves (with agape) and God loves every single person without exception, even the most wicked.
In practice, of course, it is not always so easy. We need to learn slowly how to love people unconditionally. Our lower instincts and the prevailing culture around us think differently. Yet, we need to learn that the way of Jesus is in fact more in tune with our deeper nature. It is more human to be loving than hating (yet we often excuse our outbursts or anger or hatred as being “only human”). Deep down, we all want to love people. We do not like to hate people and hating does terrible things to our minds and our bodies. We like people to be our friends and do not like them to be our enemies.
Love is not a question of keeping rules and commandments. Love is a way of life. It is an internal attitude which influences every single thing we do and say and think.
The love of a Christian needs to be unconditional. Sometimes people will love us back; sometimes they will not. Sometimes, even though we want to love people, they may reject us. If they do reject us, we need not necessarily think that we have done wrong. When people cannot return genuine love, it is they who have the problem. Sad to say, not everyone is capable of loving. All the more reason why we need to reach out to them. People often learn to love by being loved.
The most important thing is that I am someone who really loves. When I genuinely love others, there will always be some who cannot love me back but there will be others who will really respond in love. And it may be that my love has empowered them to be loving too.
To be able to reach out in love and to experience being loved is God’s greatest grace.

Love in Action

2009-05-12T06:20:00.000-07:00

Love is shown in ACTION, in DEEDS. Only when we are loving in deed can we know that Jesus lives in us.

For me to experience God’s love, others have to experience mine. And I cannot make an exception of even one person, because God doesn’t. And that is how we become “good”. We are good because God’s love and goodness is acting in and through us. We usually put it the other way: if I am first good, then God will love me. But God always loves me, whether I am good or bad. When I am good, it is because I allow his love to act in me; when I am bad, it is because I have blocked off his love.

We must abandon entirely the idea that we “earn” God’s love by our “good deeds”. God does not love me because I am good; I am good because God’s love is working in and through me to others.

SWINE FLU ALERT

2009-04-27T03:47:00.000-07:00

What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease normally found in pigs and caused by type A influenza viruses. While outbreaks of this type of flu are common in pigs, human cases of swine flu do happen. In the past, reports of human swine flu have been rare—approximately one infection every one to two years in the U.S. From December 2005 through February 2009, only 12 cases of human infection were documented.

How is it spread?
Humans with direct exposure to pigs are those most commonly infected with swine flu. Yet, human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses have been documented, however it's not known how easily the spread occurs. Just as the common flu is passed along, swine flu is thought to be spread by coughing, sneezing, or touching something with the viruses on it.
If infected, a person may be able to infect another person one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. Thus, a person is able to pass the flu on before they know they are sick. Those with swine flu should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are demonstrating symptoms and up to seven days longer from the onset of their illness. Children might be contagious for longer periods of time.

Can I catch swine flu from eating pork?
No. The CDC says that swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food. Properly cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills all bacteria and viruses.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of a regular flu: fever and chills, sore throat, cough, headache, body aches, and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting can also be present. Without a specific lab test, it is impossible to know whether you may be suffering from swine flu or another flu strain.

What precautionary measures should I take?
The same everyday precautions that you take to prevent other contagious viruses should be used to protect yourself against swine flu. "The best current advice is for individuals to practice good hand hygiene. Periodic hand washing with soap and water, or the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hand washing is not possible, is a good preventive measure. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as germs can more easily gain entrance into your body through those areas," suggests

Dr. Rob Danoff. Covering your mouth with a disposable tissue when you cough and sneeze is also a good practice.
The CDC recommends avoiding contact with sick people and keeping your own good health in check with adequate sleep, exercise, and a nutritious diet.

What should you do if you think you are sick with swine flu?
Contact your health care professional, inform them of your symptoms, and ask whether you should be tested for swine flu. Be prepared to give details on how long you've been feeling ill and about any recent travels. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you feel sick, but are not sure what illness you may have, stay home until you have been diagnosed properly to avoid spreading any infection.

Watch for these symptoms in children. Seek emergency medical care if your child experiences any of the following warning signs:
Fever with a rash
Dehydration
Fast breathing
Bluish skin coloration
Slow to wake or sluggish interaction
Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return and cough worsens
Severe irritability

For adults, emergency medical care is needed if you experience these warning signs:
Difficulty breathing
Dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Pain/pressure in the chest or stomach
Remember that the symptoms for swine flu are almost identical to those you might experience with the regular flu. Only your doctor can give you the correct diagnosis.

Are there medicines effective in treating swine flu in humans?
The swine flu responds to the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for those infected. For treatment, these antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

CHRIST IS RISEN! ALLELUIA!

2009-04-06T23:14:00.000-07:00

EASTER SUNDAY

In the Gospel we had just read, we learned that Mary Magdalene was so surprised when she saw that the stone that covered the tomb where Jesus' body was lain had been moved away. The Gospel of Saint Matthew related that she and other women met an angel who announced to them: "You are looking for Jesus the crucified, but he is not here. He has been raised, exactly as he promised"(Mt. 28:5-6). Then, they hurried away from the tomb half-overjoyed and half-fearful, and ran to carry the good news to his disciples.

When Peter and John received the news about the empty tomb, they immediately ran toward the tomb. John arrived first but did not enter instead bent down to peer in, and saw the wrappings lying on the ground. He waited for Peter and together they entered the tomb. This is because according to the Jewish Law the testimony of two witnesses is juridically valid. Since both Peter and John went in together, their verification constituted a valid account. They saw that the wrappings were "rolled up in a place by itself." No thief would have gone through the trouble of removing the bandages just to leave them there; it would have been more logical for the thief to have taken away the body wrapped in bandages. This is to refute the theory of the chief priests that the body of Jesus was stolen by the disciples.

In the light of the foregoing, factual evidence of Christ's resurrection as shown by the empty tomb is not an invention of the early Christians. In fact, Christ Himself made sure that His followers would believe in the reality of His resurrection. He stayed on earth for forty days more after His resurrection to appear before His disciples - to Simon Peter, to the Twelve and to more than five hundred brethren (cf. 1 Cor 15:6). The number of eyewitnesses is more than enough to establish the truthfulness of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

Christ is risen! These words express a truth that has been handed down to us by the Apostles. They remind us that Christ's resurrection is a historical fact. The New Testament tells us how the Apostles experienced the Risen Lord, who was only seen by them, but was perceived by touch and by every form of communication and perception man is capable of. Our faith, my dear brothers and sisters, rests on these eyewitnesses of the apparition of our risen Lord. "If Christ had not been raised", says St. Paul, "our preaching is void of content and your faith is empty too" (1 Cor 15:14).

There are many reasons for celebrating this beautiful and unparalleled event. For one, without Christ's resurrection, we will still be slaves of Satan; without His resurrection, we are still dead to sin. But because Christ rise from the dead, we have been freed from the clutches of the devil. In the words of last night's Easter praises, we continue to proclaim joyfully that "the power of this holy night dispels all evil, washes guilt away, restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy; it casts out hatred, brings us peace and humbles earthly pride."

With Christ's resurrection, we are given the hope that we shall also have a similar resurrection. We shall raise up with Him. Therefore, Christ's resurrection is also ours. In this regard, St. Paul tells us that "if we have been united with Him through likeness to his death, so shall we be through a like resurrection"(Rom 6:5). These words inspire hope, create encouragement and produce joy. They also challenge us to prove our oneness with Christ in His resurrection by the life we live. "Since you have been raise up in company with Christ, set your heart on what pertains to higher realms where Christ is seated at God's right hand"(Col 3:1).

St. Paul once again reminds us: "When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery"(Gal. 5:1). To be really free is to live the resurrection experience by rising our defeats and spurning with out lives the creeping postures of death. Faith in the resurrection leads us to a renewed hope in the preponderance of possibilities of a new life. We rediscover our real identity as persons whose vocation is to be in union with God and with others. We leave behind the tombs of isolation, selfishness, hatred, and sin to be God's servants of life. We emerge as re-created persons reaching out in communion with one another, celebrating the communal faith in the Risen Christ. Simply to say, we have to undertake a life that is new - that which follows the teachings of the Gospel. Then will our actions ring the joyous notes of an Easter allelluia song, and we shall become a living proof of Christ's resurrection.

Another reason for us to be joyful on this day is because Christ's resurrection gives a rich meaning to our Sunday Eucharistic celebration. In fact, the early Christian Jews changed their time-honored last day of the week observance of the Sabbath to the first day of the week and called it the Lord's Day. That is why, Sunday is a special day of gathering for us as a community of believers; we celebrate the Mass and collectively proclaim the mystery of our faith: "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again."

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!

Easter Sunday Homily
Gospel: Jn 20:1-9
Theme: We know that Jesus is alive and risen because we can feel his risen power at work in our lives.

I FEEL THE TUG

Story:

A small boy and his grandfather were fying a kite on a hill. The kite soared into the sky, then suddenly a low cloud hid it from their sight. The granfather said to the boy, "Bobby, maybe some thief up in that cloud stole your kite!" The boy shook his head in disagreement. "But Bobby," said the grandfather, "how can you be sure that the kite is still at the end of your string?" The boy replied, "Because I can feel something you can't feel. I can feel the kite tug at my string."

That story illustrates whu many people who were not privileged to see Jesus after His resurrection were sure, nonetheless, that he had risen from the dead. They were sure for the same reason the boy was sure that no one had stolen his kite. They felt the tug of Jesus in their lives. In other words, they experienced the power of the risen Christ at work in their hearts.

* * *

Before Easter Sunday many people were filled with doubt. They had seen Jesus die a terrible death on Good Friday. They had seen Jesus nailed on a cross and had watched their dreams die before their eyes. But then came Easter Sunday morning. News spread throughout Jerusalem that the rock that sealed the tomb had been rolled away and the tomb was empty. The Jewish authorities told the guards at the tomb to say that someone had stolen the body while they dozed during the night (cf. Mt. 28:13).

At first people wondered about the guard's story. Was it really true? Did someone steal the body of Jesus? But as time passed, the people became sure beyond doubt that the body had not been stolen. Jesus had, indeed, risen!

And the reason the people were sure is the same reason that the little boy was sure that no one had stolen his kite. They felt the tug of Jesus in their lives. They felt the power of Jesus at work in their lives.

* * *

Transformed by this power, the people went forth to tell the good news to all the world. No amount of persecution could stop them. Eventually, some of them were crucified, like their master. Others were ripped apart by wild beasts in the Roman Collosseum. Still others were burned alive at the stake. But their belief in Jesus never wavered. The lives of these early Christians changed the course of history.

Today, 2,000 years later, modern Christians still feel the tug of Jesus. They still feel the power of Jesus at work in their hearts. An example is a missionary who for years has been working among the poor. In spite of all his efforts, he saw absolutely no progress. He says: "I became despondent... I finally reached the breaking point one night... I was beaten... When I went to bed, I didn't know how could I continue." The next morning, shortly after he awoke, something strange happened to him. It was as though Jesus himself said to him, "Can you not trust my plan for you? He writes: Then I realized that I did not have to see the plan, I only had to trust Him. I arose from my bed a different person... My encounter with the living Christ changed me from a broken defeated person into a person with unshakeable hope and faith." Today, the missionary's work among the poor is bearing remakable fruit.

That story is what Easter all about. It is the good news that Jesus is risen and in our midst. It is the good news that Jesus has a plan for each one of us. And nothing can interfere with that plan is we don't let it - not pain, not sorrow, not rejection, not sin, not even death.

* * *

Easter invites us to let Jesus help us trust again after we've lost our ability to trust.
It invites us to let Jesus help us love again after we've lost our ability to love.
It invites us to let Jesus help us hope again after we've lost our ability to hope.
It invites us to let Jesus help us pick up the broken pieces of our lives and start over again after we've given up.

* * *

Easter is the good news that Jesus has triumph over sin and evil; and so will we, if we but open our hearts to His Easter power.
It is the good news that Jesus is ready to work miracles in us, if we but open our hearts to His Easter power.
It is the good news that every Good Friday in our lives can be turned into an Easter Sunday, if we but open our hearts to His Easter power.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!

IKA-APAT SA HULING WIKA MULA SA KRUS

2009-04-03T23:48:00.000-07:00

“DIYOS KO, DIYOS KO, BAKIT MO AKO PINABAYAAN?”
(Mt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34)

Diyos ko, Diyos ko, bakit mo naman ako’y pinabayaan? Panaghoy ng isang nilalang na waring pinabayaan ng Diyos; ng isang tao na ang hinaing ay hindi napakinggan o ang kanyang panalangin ay hindi nabigyan-pansin. Isang sigaw ng nagpapahiwatig ng damdamin ng kawalang-halaga, ng itinakwil, ng nag-iisa, ng binale-wala, ng kawalang-pag-asa.

Subalit, teka; hindi ba’t mula sa bibig ni Jesus, ang mahal na Anak ng Diyos, nagmula ang mga katagang ito? Hindi maaaring mangyari ito! Paano pababayaan ng Ama ang kanyang anak na maraming beses na nagsabi: “Ako at ang Ama ay iisa”. “Ako ay sumasa-Ama at ang Ama ay sumasa-akin”. Bakit nga ba nasambit ni Jesus ang ganitong mga kataga? Bahagi ba ito ng misteryo ng Kanyang pagiging tao, o talagang matindi ang kanyang dinaranas na paghihirap.

Diyos ko, Diyos ko, bakit mo ako pinabayaan? Sa ganitong mga salita, si Jesus ay tunay na tao! Siya ngayon ay nakararanas ng matinding paghihirap na siya ring dinaranas ng tao. Hindi ba’t ganito rin ang panaghoy ng mga tao, makasalanan man o banal?

Sa Lumang Tipan, si Haring David ay ganito ang panambitan sa Salmo 22: “vO Diyos ko! Diyos ko! Bakit mo ako pinabayaan? Sumisigaw ako ng saklolo, ngunit bakit di mo ako tinutulungan? Araw-gabi'y tumatawag ako sa iyo, O Diyos, di ako mapanatag, di ka man lang sumasagot.”

Gayundin din ang butihing si Job. Sa kabila ng kanyang pagiging mabuti sa paningin ng Diyos ay dumanas pa rin ng maraming trahedya sa buhay; nawala ang kanyang lupain, mga alagang hayop, ang kanyang anak at asawa, nawala ang lahat sa kanya. Tunay na pinabayaan na siya ng Diyos. At dapat lang na magalit si Job sa Diyos: "Ako'y nagsasawa na sa buhay kong ito, sasabihin ko nang lahat, mapapait kong reklamo. Aking Diyos, huwag n'yo muna akong hatulan, sabihin ninyo sa akin ang inyong paratang. Tama ba namang iyong pagmalupitan, parusahan at itakwil ang likha ng iyong kamay? At ang gawain ba ng masamang tao ang iyong magugustuhan? (Job 10:1-3).

Ilan beses na rin ba nating narinig sa tao: Diyos ko, bakit po ba nangyari ang mga bagay na ito? Diyos, bakit naman kami’y iyong pinabayaan?

Kapag may mga kalamidad, tulad ng baha, bagyo, sunog, lindol: bakit iyon pang maliliit na bahay ang nasisira, mga mahihirap ang unang nagiging biktima. Bakit sila pa, Panginoon?

Sa loob ng mga hospital, kung saan ang isang mabuting magulang o asawa o anak pa ang magkakaroon ng kanser o malubhang karamdaman. It’s unfair, Lord!

Ang mga masisipag at matitiyagang manggagawa, mga tatay na maagang gumigising upang mag trabaho, ay siya pang unang tatanggalin sa trabaho.

Ang mga kabataang nalalason ng droga, bisyo at pita ng laman, bakit pinapayagan ito ng Diyos, na lubos na nagmamahal sa mga musmos, sapagkat katulad nila ang paghahari ng Diyos.

Ang mga naparatangan ng isang krimen na hindi naman nila ginawa, mga nabilanggo dahil sa kahirapan, mga bata na iniwan ng mga magulang, nasaan ba ang iyong katarungan, Panginoon?

Masasabi nating nararanasan ng tao ang ganitong waring pagpapabaya ng Diyos dahil na rin sa kasalanan! May mga trahedya sa buhay ng tao dahil sa kasalanang kanyang nagawa. Subalit sa kabila ng pagiging makasalanan ng tao, isang ang tiyak na masasabi ko: Mahal pa rin ng Diyos ang tao!

Subalit si Jesus ay walang kasalanan. Bakit kailangang pabayaan rin siya ng Ama? Ipinaliwanag ni San Pablo sa kanya Sulat sa mga taga Corinto: “Hindi nagkasala si Cristo, ngunit dahil sa atin, siya'y itinuring na makasalanan upang sa pamamagitan niya ay maging matuwid tayo sa harap ng Diyos” (2 Cor 5: 21). Sa madaling sabi, waring pinabayaan ng Ama si Jesus sapagkat inako niya sa sarili ang kaparusahan sa kasalanan ng tao! Nakiisa si Jesus sa tao sa pamamagitan ng pagpasan sa kasalanan ng tao at kasama na rin nito paghihirap na bunga ng pagkakasala.

Samakatuwid, maari rin natin sabihin na: Pinabayaan ng Ama na magdanas ng kahirapan ang kanyang Mahal na Anak na si Jesukristo, ng dahil na rin sa tao, para sa kaligtasan ng lahat. Napakadakilang pag-ibig: “vSapagkat gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sangkatauhan, kaya't ibinigay niya ang kanyang kaisa-isang Anak, upang ang sinumang sumampalataya sa kanya ay hindi mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan”(Jn. 3:16). Tiniis ng Ama na pabayaan ang Kanyang Anak, upang isigaw ang mga katagang: Diyos ko, Diyos ko, bakit mo ako pinabayaan?, upang sa pamamagitan na rin ni Jesus, marinig ang hinaing ng tao! Napagtanto ba natin, na kailangang pabayaan ng Ama si Jesus, upang tayong tao ay huwag niyang pabayaan? (Have you taken time to consider that Jesus was abandoned by the Father so that you might not be?)

Nakikiisa si Jesus sa bawat sigaw ng tao upang humingi ng tulog sa Diyos. Kung kaya nga’t ang sigaw ni Jesus na “Diyos ko, Diyos ko, bakit mo ako pinabayaan?”, ay sigaw na puno ng pananampalataya sa Ama, sigaw ng pag-asa, sigaw na puno ng pagtitiwala sa Diyos! Hindi ba’t ang sigaw na ito ay isang panalangin: “Diyos ko, Diyos ko!”

Sa katunayan ang Salmo 22 ay nagtatapos sa mga salitang: “Mga ginawa mo'y ihahayag ko sa aking mga kababayan, sa gitna ng kapulungan ika'y papupurihan. Kayong lingkod ni Yahweh, siya'y inyong purihin! Kayong lahi ni Jacob, siya'y inyong dakilain, bayan ng Israel, luwalhatiin siya't sambahin! Mga dukha'y di niya pinababayaan at hinahamak, hindi siya umiiwas sa humihingi ng paglingap; sinasagot niya agad ang mga kapus-palad” (Ps. 22:22-24).

Kailanman ay hindi itinatago ng Diyos ang kanyang mukha sa sino mang dumadaing sa Kanya. Kanyang dinirinig ang bawat panaghoy ng mga dukha. Sapagkat, ang mga panaghoy na ito ay siya ring panaghoy ni Jesus. Nakiisa si Jesus sa ating pagkatao.

Kung nakiisa si Jesus sa ating pagkatao, hindi ba nararapat na makiisa rin tayo kay Kristo? Isanib natin an gating sarili kay Kristo, na naunang magpasya na isanib ang kanyang Sarili sa ating pagkatao, upang tayo ay maging katulad niya, na maging mga anak ng Diyos.

Sumigaw na kasama ni Kristo. Pakinggan ang sigaw na kasama ang Diyos! Paano natin ito gagawin? Madali ang sumigaw kasama ni Kristo, sapagkat karaniwan na nating itong ginagawa sa tuwing mga hinanaing sa Diyos sa ating mga panalangin. Ang mahirap ay ang makinig sa hinaing ng iba kasama ang Diyos.

Ang makinig sa hinaing ng mga dukha kasama ang Diyos ay nangangahulugan ng pakikiisa sa kanilang pagkaduhagi, pakikiramdam sa kanilang gutom at paghihikahos. Pagpapakasakit upang ang iba ay maibsan kahit man lamang konti ang paghihirap. Ang tayo’y mamatay sa pagiging makasarili, ang pagtatakwil ng ating sarili, ang magpaubaya ng sarili, upang punuin ang buhay ng iba tulad ng ginawa ni Jesus sa krus. Ang mga halimbawa nito ay: ang mga sakripisyo ng mga magulang sa kanilang mga anak; sakripisyo ng mga anak para sa mga magulang at mga kapatid; ang pagtitimpi na huwag kumain ng masasarap at sa halip ay ibigay sa walang kakain ngayon, ang pagiimpok ng salapi hindi para sa sariling pangangailan kundi para sa mga matitinding pangangailan ng mga kapus-palad, ang unahin ang kapakanan ng iba keysa sa sariling layaw. Ang mamatay ng dahil sa minamahal at sa hindi nagmamahal!

Ang mamatay sa sarili ay ang pagkamatay sa ating pagiging makasalanan. Ayon sa Ebanghelyo: “vAng nag-iingat ng kanyang buhay ay siyang mawawalan nito, at ang nawawalan ng kanyang buhay dahil sa akin ay magkakamit nito"(Mt. 10:39). Kaya’t paalaala ni San Pablo sa taga Roma: “Kaya dapat din ninyong ituring ang inyong sarili bilang patay na sa kasalanan ngunit buhay naman dahil sa Diyos, sapagkat kayo'y nakipag-isa na kay Cristo Jesus.”(Roma 6: 11). Dahil sa binyag, namatay tayong kasama ni Kristo at dinamtan ng pagkatao ni Kristo. Kaya meron na tayong kakayahan na mamuhay tulad ni Kristo sapagkat may buhay na tayo ng pagiging mga anak ng Diyos at kapatid ni Kristo!

Ang pakikipagkaisa kay Kristo ay ang ating pakikipagka-isa sa Kanyang Katawan Mistiko – ang Simbahan, ang Sambayanan. Sa pakikipagkaisang ito ay pakikiisa sa pakikinig sa mga panaghoy, panambitan, mithiin, panaginip, ninaharap na mga pagsubok, mga kinababalisan ng sambayanan. Ang pakikisangkot ni Kristo sa sambayanan ay tunay na pakikisangkot ko!

Isang tao ang minsa’y nanalangin at nagreklamo sa Diyos: “Panginoon ko, bakit wala po kayong ginagawa sa mga sunod-sunod na problema sa mundo? Wala po kayong gagawin sa mga ito? At ang Diyos ay sumagot: “Iyan nga ang dahilan kung ikaw ay nilikha ko!”

“Diyos ko, Diyos ko, bakit mo ako pinabayaan?” Panaghoy ni Jesus sa krus!

“Panginoong Jesus, narito ako! Katuwang mo ako upang pakinggan ang mga panaghoy mo! Amen.”

(To be delivered during the Siete Palabras, Good Friday at St. John the Baptist Parish, Daet, CN)

Christian Paradoxes

2009-03-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

If you want God to know that you are hungry, know that another is hungry. If you hope for mercy, show mercy. If you look for kindness, show kindness. If you want to receive, give. If you ask for yourself what you deny to others, your asking is a mockery.

Do not lose by saving, but gather in by scattering. Give to the poor, and you give to yourself. You will not be allowed to keep what you have refused to give to others.

Kwaresma

2009-02-28T04:59:00.000-08:00

Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma

Nagsimula na tayong maglakbay sa panahon ng kuwaresma. Tayo ba ay naghanda? Tayo ba ay nagdala ng sapat na baon?

Sa Ebanghelyo, si Jesus ay ipinakikilala na sa tanang buhay niya ay handang suungin ang paglalakbay patungong Jerusalem upang harapin ang kanyang paghihirap at pagkamatay upang matupad and Misteryo Pascual. Sa katunayan, bago niya simulan ang kanyang hayag na buhay ng ministeryo, siya muna ay pumunta sa disyerto sa loob ng 40 araw at gabi upang maghanda sa kanyang espiritwal na paglalakbay. 40 araw at gabi ng panalangin at pag-aayuno.

Sa disyerto, si Jesus ay napasailalim sa tukso ng demonyo. Isang karanasan na laging nakakasalamuha ng ordinaryong tao. Napagtagumpayan ni Hesus ang tukso kung kaya nga’t ito rin ang nais niyang ituro sa sinumang nais maglakbay sa panahon ng kuwaresma.

Sa paglalakbay, dapat nating dalhin ang mga bagay na kailangan lamang. Paano ito ginawa ni Jesus? Sa unang tukso, iwinaksi ni Hesus ang pagiging makasarili! Sabi ng demonyo: “Dahil ikaw ay makapangyarihan, gawin mong tinapay ang batong ito.” Isang tukso na gamitin ang kapangyarihan sa sariling kapakanan, sa sariling kaginhawahan, sa makasariling motibo. Subalit si Jesus ay hindi nadala bagkus mapagpasinsyang naghintay hanggang sa pagkakataon gawing tinapay, hindi ang bato, kundi ang kanyang mismong katawan, upang maging pagkain, hindi para busugin ang kanyang sarili, kundi ibigay sa lahat upang maging tunay na pagkain sa ikaliligtas ng marami.

Ikalawa, ang tukso ng pagsamba kay Satanas. Ang tukso ng pagsamba sa mga bagay na magpapalayo sa tunay na pagsamba sa Diyos. Ang sabi ng demonyo: “Sambahin mo lamang ako at ibibigay ko sa’yo ang lahat ng kaharian ng mundo.” Ano ang kahariang makamundo? Hindi ba’t ang materialismo! Subalit handa si Jesus ng iwaksi ang kahariang makamundo, sapagkat handa siyang ipahayag ang isang kaharian, hindi ang kaharian ni Satanas, bagkus ang kaharian ng Diyos, isang kaharian kung saan ang pagmamahalan, kapayapaan at katarungan ang namamayani.

Ikatlo, ang tukso ng pagmamataas (pride). Sinabi ng demonyo: Magpatinhulog ka sa templo sapagkat hindi ka mapapahamak sapagkat aalalayan ka ng mga anghel. Subalit ang motibo ng demonyo ay upang makita ng maraming tao, na sa pagkakataong iyon ay natitipon sa templo, nang sa gayon ay maging sikat siya at palakpalakan sa isang spectacular na palabas. Hayagang iwinaksi ni Jesus ang anumang anyo ng pagmamataas, sa halip ay handa siyang magturo tunggkol sa kapakumbabaan, isang payak na pamumuhay at lahat ng mga katangiang katulad ng mga malilit na bata.

Ito ang tatlong bagay na itapon natin sa paglalakbay sa panahon ng kuwaresma: pagmakasarili, materialismo at pagmamataas! Dalhin natin ang mga bunga ng Espiritu Santo, na sa totoo nga’y ipinagkaloob na sa atin noong tayo’y binyagan at kumpilan. Dalhin natin ang mga katangian ng pagmamalasakit sa kapwa, tunay na paghanap sa Kaharian ng Diyos, at ang papapakumbaba.

Ang panahon ng kuwaresma ay isang magandang pagkakataon upang piliin ang mga bagay na dadalhin natin sa patuloy na paglalakbay dito sa lupa. Gusto mo bang magdala ng mga bagay na junk o bulok, o iyong bagay lamang na mabubuti at kaaya-aya sa Panginoon? Magdala tayo ng baon at iyon din ang ating handog sa Panginoon pagkatapos ng ating paglalakbay patungo sa Ama!

2009-02-22T04:52:00.000-08:00

THE KID DADDY

(GUSTO GAYAHIN NI TOTOY TATAY)

We heared about the case of a kid who became a father at the age of 13 years old with a 15-year old girl in London.

The news became an alibi for some of our lawmakers to pursue the passing of the Reproductive Health Bill in the Congress. Sabi nila: "Kailangan na daw maipasa ang RH Bill para hindi matulad ang ating mga kabataan na magka-anak din sa murang edad tulad ng nangyari sa London!"

Wow naman nga pareng Congress! Do you think London Parliament have not yet pass any law on reproductive health care? Do you think there was no sex education in the elementary schools in UK? I don't think so. Or probably, nasobrahan ng sex education ang mga bata kaya ayon laging ng practicum ng bahay-bahayan.

RH Bill is not the answer to aviod early pregnancy for the young. Sex education at the very early age is not a safeguard of not being pregnant. I may say, sex education among the children (as the RH Bill is encouraging) would make the young curious about sex and would certainly lead to promiscuity!

What will make our young people handle sex with care is their VALUES! On how they regard sex as sacred! On seeing sex as a participation in the creative power of God.

These values, esp. christian values, are best transmitted by the parents themselves and not by the State! (RH Bill is saying, the State a shall be the one to impart sex education to your children. Just simply making all the contraceptives available to them, or if the unexpected happened, pagnatesbun, abortion is also made available!

Now tell me, will this Reproductive Health Act an answer to our young people not to get buntis. Mas maganda pa, let us preserve our christian catholic values. Mas effective pa yata para wag tayo matulad sa batang-batang Englishboy Dad.

Ano say nu, mga katiwala at kapanalig?

2009-02-14T06:48:00.000-08:00

BUHAY KATIWALA (STEWARDSHIP)

1. What is Stewardship o Buhay Katiwala?

Stewardship is not all about money or raising fund for the parish. Or others may say: secular fundraising in sheep's clothing! It is not a gimmick or strategy to increase the collections in the Church or to secure financial stability of a parish!
Stewardship is above all, A WAY OF LIFE! a SPIRITUALITY! Isang landas ng pagpapabanal bilang isang katiwala. isang BUHAY KATIWALA!
In short, stewardship is a way of life, a spirituality; not just an activity nor a parish program, nor a practice. It covers all aspects of our life, not just our money. It's about my whole life, my whole self, my time, talent and treasure!
Stewardship encompasses everything: my life, my time, my talents, my possessions & money, my faith, the environment, my vocation/profession and social status/position, my capabilities & opportunities!
Stewardship is the ability to share one’s gifts of life, time, talents, and resources with others with no strings attached and no conditions.

2. What is Spirituality of Stewardship or Daan ng Pagpapabanal sa buhay Katiwala?

Spirituality of Stewardship is a way of life chosen by a person who decided to follow the way of Christ. It's a disciple's response! A response to Jesus' invitation to the young rich man mentioned in the Gospel (cf. Mt. 19: 16-30).

This way of life is also a way of discipleship! Why? Because: a) Mature disciples make a conscious decision to follow Jesus, no matter what the cost; b) Christian disciples experience conversion - life-shaping changes of mind and heart - and commit their very selves to the Lord; c) Christian stewards respond in a particular way to the call to be a disciple. Stewardship has the power to shape and mold our understanding of our lives and the way in which we live; and d) Jesus' disciples and Christian stewards recognize God as the origin of life, giver of freedom, and source of all things. They are grateful for the gifts they received and are eager to use them to show the love for God and for one another.

Spirituality of Stewardship will lead a disciple to a deeper realization that she/he is:
a) a God’s creature with a mission (true to her/his identity as a child of God);
b) being lead to reverence and awe: an attitude of profound respect – seeing God in all and all in God;
c) expressing a sign of gratitude to God;
d) called to trust God;
e) called to love God above all things, as part of the dynamics of love.

Two important signposts of Spirituality of Stewardship or Buhay Katiwala:

1) Our Connectedness to the Father. A good steward has a "puso sa pusong ugnayan" with the source of all life. We are connected because we are made in the image of God and responsible for all of creation - this is our common heritage and identity. As a an image of God and Steward of Creation "kawangis ng Diyos at katiwala", our lives vibrate with the 4 core values of a) identity as image of God (kawangis ng Panginoon); b) sense of gratitude (may utang na loob, marunong magpasalamat); c) sense of trust (may pagtitiwala at mapagkakatiwalaan) and sacrificial love (may malasakit sa kapwa at kalikasan, may pag-ibig na mapagpalaya). A good steward has a "puso sa pusong ugnayan sa Diyos", a person who honors and nurtures this realtionship by receiving all of God;s gifts gratefully, and shares these gifts out of justice and love to all, esp. the poorest of the poor!

2) Our Life is ready to be poured out for the Kingdom. A good steward heeds Jesus' call to build the Kingdom of God which is "a new heaven and a new earth" marked by justice, peace and integrity of creation. This Kingdom-building is more than just a call to a new inner more pious life, but also a demand to transform the world. This Kingdom that a good steward is called to pour his/her life is not the kingdom in the next life, it is the kingdom "here and now", the kingdom here on earth, the earth we live in, "ang pangarap nating langit dito sa lupa".

Buhay Katiwala is therefore characterized by a VIBRANT PERSONAL FAITH or EXPERIENCE OF JESUS EXPRESSED IN RADICAL LOVE FOR GOD AND NIEGHBORS - ESP. THE POOREST AMONG THE POOR - THAT TRANSFORMS HUMAN PERSONS, COMMUNITIES AND THE WORLD!

3. What are the qualities of a good steward?
a) A good steward is one who is grateful, thanking God daily for the blessing he or she has received. A good steward never stops saying “thank you”.
b) A good steward is one who is responsible and accountable with the blessings that God has bestowed, not only using them prudently, but also making sure that they do not atrophy.
c) A good steward is one who shares God’s gifts out of a sense of love and justice. A good steward knows that it is better to give than to receive, for in giving we receive far more than we could ever have imagined (cf. Acts 20:35).
d) A good steward is one who makes a return to the Lord with increase. Remember the parable of the stewards to whom the master had entrusted the silver pieces? They had to render an account of their stewardship. One day you and I will have to stand in accountability before the judgment seat of God. And God will ask: “What did you do with all the time that you had? What did you do with all the gifts that I gave you? What did you do with your life?”

4. How do we live out this spirituality of stewardship in our daily lives?

One can live out the spirituality of stewardship through the famous stewardship triptych: time, talent and treasure!

a) Stewardship of Time: helping people to look at their lives as an opportunity to serve the Lord and to build up God’s kingdom. Stewardship of time is about paying attention to the three most important things in our life:
Making sure that we are connecting with the Lord through faithful prayer and regular participation in the sacraments of the Church.
Making sure that we are spending time with our families/loved ones.
Making sure that our lives are anchored firmly in our community of faith by allowing our lives to revolve around the worship of the Lord and the activity of the parish.

b) Stewardship of Talent: helping the people in bringing their passion to all that they do in order to make a difference. We can’t think of stewardship of talent only in terms of what we can do to help out around the parish. Talent is the passion that people have for doing what is good. Think of people that you know who are passionate about the cause of the poor, who are passionate about pro-life issues. In bringing their passion to all that they do, they make a difference. Remember that Jesus warned in a parable about the temptation of burying our talents because we think of them as insignificant. Don’t give in to that temptation. Realize that God has blessed you with unique talents, meant to be invested in the lives of those around you.

c) Stewardship of Treasure: helping people realize that stewardship is not about giving to a need, but rather a need to give, a need to make sure that material possessions do not dominate our lives. In the Gospel, Jesus praised the widow who gave what little she had, declaring that she had given more than all the others. Realize that in giving of your “treasure,” what you have to offer is of great value in the Kingdom of God.
· A good steward of treasure purchase goods and services prudently and knows the difference between needs and wants.
· A good steward sets aside part of his or her income for the Church and makes a gift to the Lord that is prayerful, proportionate, planned, and sacrificial.
· The faithful steward gives in a significant way, all in gratitude for the Lord’s magnanimous gift upon the Cross. To be sure, God will not be outdone in generosity.

Stewardship of time teaches us to give in a manner proportionate to how we have been blessed. It teaches us make our gift sacrificial. To give to the Lord a gift that is meaningful to us, a gift that we are proud to present to the Lord as a means of giving thanks for all that He has done for us.

2009-01-29T18:00:00.000-08:00

CHURCH AND CONCERNED CITIZENS IN TRANS-PARTISAN POLITICS

I. PHILIPPINE POLITICS, CHURCH AND CIVIL SOCIETY

Approaches in addressing the political crisis:
"The Church values the democratic system inasmuch as it ensures the participation of the citizens in making political choices, guarantees to the governed the possibility both of electing and holding accountable those who govern them, and of replacing them through peaceful means when appropriate." (Centesimus Annus, # 46)

"As bishops, we believe that at the bottom of our political chaos is a crisis of moral values, a crisis of truth and justice, of unity and solidarity for the sake of the common good and genuine peace. Truth has become a victim of political partisanship as well as of transactional politics. Moral accountability and justice for crimes, such as the killings of journalists and labor leaders, are yet to be realized." (CBCP, January 2006)

To promote a spirituality of public service, integrity and stewardship among public servants and citizens groups alike. These forms of social spirituality should counteract the persistent evils of gambling, drug-pushing, usury, destruction of our environment, and corruption in public office."(CBCP, January 2006)

II. CONCERNED CITIZENS IN TRANS-PARTISAN POLITICS
(Renewing Politics through Gospel ValuesPCP II, 351)

A DREAM:

Citizens’ Movement for Good Governance"TINIG SA ILANG"
Movement for a Concerned Citizenry

Why TINIG SA ILANG?

"Tinig sa Ilang" points out to the person of St. John the Baptist.
"I am, as Isaiah prophesied,: a voice that cries in the wilderness: make straight way for the Lord" (John 1:23; cf. Is. 40:3).
St. John the Baptist is the Patron Saint of Daet, capital town of Camarines Norte.
TINIG will always be a VOICE that echoes in the "wilderness" of our society.
"ILANG" (wilderness) will stand for:
I - Illegal activities
L – Life Issues/Labor Issues
A –Anomalies & Corruptions
N – Environmental Concerns
G – Good Governance

Purpose of TINIG SA ILANG:
Bishop Almoneda envisions the inception of a movement composed of Lay Catholic Faithful who will champion the promotion of human development through advocacy on social issues prevalent to our province and in our country in general. TINIG will represent citizens’ voice on

I – ISSUES affecting the
L – LOCAL
A – AND
N – NATIONAL
G - GOVERNMENT

Advocacy against:
1.ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES like jueteng and any form of illegal gambling; illegal fishing, illegal logging, etc

Promotion related to:
2. LIFE ISSUES – promotion of culture of life vs. culture of death; advocacy on pro-life issues; promotion of human dignity and human rights and duties
LABOR ISSUES – dignity of human labor, protection of workers’ rights.

Advocacy against any forms of:
3. ANOMALIES AND CORRUPTIONS

Protection of
4. NATURAL RESOURCES/ENVIRONMENT

Advocacy on
5. GOOD GOVERNANCE

Features of TINIG SA ILANG:
1. TINIG is a Catholic Lay Movement coming from different sectors of our society.
2. TINIG works for political education and electoral reforms. Each one’s vote is sacred.
3. TINIG provides a neutral forum for all candidates and parties to present their platforms.
4. TINIG monitors winning candidates who are expected to report every quarter.
5. TINIG works towards the new politics of "principles, party platforms and people’s participation."

Possible Learnings from TINIG experience:
1. A small, committed group of citizens can make a difference in elections.
2. Vote-buying is diminished.
3. Public officials become aware that they are being monitored and accountable for their actions.
4. Separation of the institutional Church and State is observed.
5. Post-election activities take the form of regular social auditing and engage citizens up to the next elections.

"The Church, by reason of her role and competence, is not identified with any political community nor found by ties to any political system. It is at once the sign and the safeguard of the transcendental dimension of the human person."
(Church in the Modern World, no. 76)

50 and something

2009-01-29T08:25:00.000-08:00

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS FOR THOSE OVER 50 YEARS OLD & ABOVE

1. Focus on enjoying people, not on indulging in or accumulating material things.

2. Plan to spend whatever you have saved. You deserve to enjoy it and the few healthy years you have left. Travel if you can afford it. Don't leave anything for your children or loved ones to quarrel about. By leaving anything, you may even cause more trouble when you are gone.

3. Live in the here and now, not in the yesterdays and tomorrows. It is onlytoday that you can handle. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may not even happen.

4. Enjoy your grandchildren (if you are blessed with any) but don't be their full time baby sitter. You have no moral obligation to take care of them. Don't have any guilt about refusing to baby sit anyone's kids, including your own grandkids. Your parental obligation is to your children. After you have raised them into responsible adults, your duties of child-rearing and babysitting are finished. Let your children raise their own offsprings.

5. Accept physical weakness, sickness and other physical pains. It is a part of the aging process. Enjoy whatever your health can allow.

6. Enjoy what you are and what you have right now. Stop working hard for what you do not have. If you do not have them, it's probably too late.

7. Just enjoy your life with your spouse, children, grandchildren and friends. People, who truly love you, love you for yourself, not for what you have. Anyone who loves you for what you have will just give you misery.

8. Forgive and accept forgiveness. Forgive yourself and others. Enjoy peace of mind and peace of soul.

9. Befriend death. It's a natural part of the life cycle. Don't be afraid of it. Death is the beginning of a new and better life. So, prepare yourself not for death but for a new life with the Almighty.

10. Be at peace with your Creator. For... He is all you have after you leave this life.