FEAST OF THE SANTO NIÑO (B) - Being Childlike

FEAST OF THE SANTO NIÑO

Proper Feast in the Philippines

Mt. 18:1-5, 10

January 18, 2015

GOSPEL READING: The Greatest in the Kingdom

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

REFLECTION: Being Childlike

Just like the Sto. Niño, we are all called to become childlike. Far from being childish which is irritating, a childlike person is pleasing. He is like the Lord described by Isaiah in the 1st reading as someone who makes our gladness greater and our joys increase (Isaiah 9:1-2). Now the childlike person is pleasing because of his sense of wonder, dynamism, and relation.

A childlike person has a sense of wonder. Aristotle himself says that this wonder which is the desire to know more applies to all humans (Metaphysics 980a21). Now this openness implies universality and discretion. Unlike the sceptic who is too proud to learn from somebody, the child is eager to learn from his parents and elders. Similarly the childlike person has this sense of universality by being open to the truth not just of one, but of everyone. For the truth that we cannot learn from one can be learned from another. This is the reason why for us Dominicans, we do not have the tradition of appointing only a single spiritual director in formation. The spiritual direction is provided by our community and our deep study life. This structure prevents us from developing a perspective limited by a single confessor or spiritual director.

Yet it is not enough that one be merely open. Discretion is also necessary so as to evaluate whether ideas are true or not. Fr. Enrico Gonzales, OP illustrates this using an angle saying that one should be open on one side and closed on the other side. He should be open on one side in so far as he accepts new truths that complement or clarify the already-established or accepted truths. Yet, he should also be closed on the other side in so far as he rejects ideas that totally contradict the established truths. A person who boasts of being so open that he becomes a relativist has the danger of having his brains fall down! That is why in today’s gospel, the child Jesus is not merely open in listening to the teachers of the temple. He also clarifies their ideas by asking questions (Luke 2:46). Similarly while the child is generally obedient to his elders, he would refuse to follow their immoral commands like not telling the truth. In the story of the Emperor’s new clothes, in spite of the command of his elders to ignore the truth and be silent, the child could not help laughing and expressing the simple truth that the emperor has no clothes.

A childlike person is also dynamic. Regardless of our achievements we all have to keep on progressing not just in knowledge, but in all aspects of our life. Even the child Jesus Himself “increased in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and men (Luke 2:52).” The problem enters when we fail to grow in one aspect of our life. Thomas Aquinas describes this as becoming a monster. Imagine that your body is growing but not your head! Hence, let us use the prayer of Paul in the 2nd reading that we may keep on improving in knowing and doing God’s will (Ephesians 1:17-18).

And finally, a childlike person is also relational. Being the youngest, the child could be the focus of attention in the family. But this focus is far different from that of the celebrities. The care and love given to him by his parents promote not so much grasping after something as openness to receiving trust and love. The centeredness of the child promotes unity and love.

As we celebrate the feast of Sto. Niño, let us pray that we may become like Him who is pleasing to everyone because of his wonder, dynamism, and love.

ABOUT THE SHARER:

FR. RUDOLF STEVEN SEÑO, OP is a Dominican Priest assigned in the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas.

KEYWORDS:

Feast, Cycle B, OP Friars, Sto. Niño, Child, Wonder, Dynamism, Love

Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran - Mater et Caput

NOVEMBER 9

FEAST OF THE DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA.

White

Ez 43:1-2, 4-7 | Ps 112:1-2, 3-4, 8-9 | 1Cor 3:9-13, 16-17 | Jn 2:13-22

Mater et Caput

REV. MSGR. DANIEL H. MUEGGENBORG

Rev. Msgr. Daniel H. Mueggenborg has served as the Vice Rector for Administration,

Director of Admissions and Formation Advisor at the Pontifical North American College

in Rome. He is from the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The basilica of St. John Lateran is a distinctive treasure of theology, spirituality and ecclesiology. As you approach the basilica, you see an inscription across the front that says this: Sacrosancta Lateranensis ecclesia omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput (meaning “Most Holy Lateran Church, of all the churches in the city and the world, the mother and head”). In a real sense, the St. John Lateran is a mother who has been teaching us, as Catholics, what it means to be Church for more nearly 1,700 years. I think it is worth listening to a few lessons that I think this basilica, our Mother, has to offer us today even as she first taught them to the Church of Rome 1,700 years ago. 

The first lesson is what she says to us by her sheer size. You know, when Constantine legalized Christianity in 312/313 AD, he made it possible for Christians to worship publicly for the first time. But temples in the ancient world were very small, even the temple in Jerusalem had a very small sanctuary. That’s because people in the ancient world did not participate in worship. Instead, only the priest would enter the sanctuary to offer sacrifice. The people stood outside while the priest worshiped for them. So you can imagine Constantine’s surprise when he said to Pope Silvester, “how big of a temple do you want” and Pope Silvester replied, “How big can you build it?!” The idea that people would actually participate in worship was revolutionary. St. John Lateran was, in first place, built for public Christian worship in the City of Rome and as such it set the standard for all others. It taught them, and it teaches us, that the Mass is never something we watch like spectators but always something in which we participate. No one can do our prayer for us. Do you see why Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the temple? He didn’t want a temple in which others offer purchased sacrifices; He wanted a new temple in which the presence of God dwells and those assembled are members of His body raised up. So when we come here for our liturgies, do we watch the priest pray or are we transformed with the priest as he leads us in prayer? If the first words the come out of our mouths following a liturgy are observations of criticism rather than expressions of thanksgiving, then we are more observers than participants. But if we are participants, then every reading of scripture will speak to our heart and every Eucharist will be a life-changing encounter with Jesus.

The second lesson of St. John Lateran is in the Baptistry – it is the lesson of the red columns and beautifully carved pilasters. These were taken from other imperial monuments in Rome and used to build the baptistery. They could have used new materials when they built the baptistery – they didn’t have to use things from other buildings. They did so for a purpose, to teach a truth of faith. And I think the truth is this: In baptism, that which is secular becomes sacred; that which is profane, is now profoundly incorporated into the body of Christ. Those old pieces of marble and red porphyry used to adorn the monuments of the pagan emperors. They are symbols of all the forces of sin and death that tried to destroy Christianity – but through the grace of Baptism, they become a beautiful part of the Church. That is the power of baptism – It changes all people and makes them new in Christ. The Church always has been a community of sinners seeking God’s grace. The baptistery of St. John Lateran reminds us that no sin is greater than God’s mercy, and that the waters of Baptism and the grace of Reconciliation continue to take what is secular and make it sacred. How easy it would have been for the early Church to become elitist thinking that people had to earn their right to be Christian or somehow prove themselves holy before they would be accepted. St. John Lateran shatters that arrogant illusion. If the porphyry pillars that once served the personal needs of murderous pagan emperors could become the welcoming public entrance of a Christian Church, then there’s hope for us, too, and for all God’s people. St. John Lateran teaches us that the Church is where we trust and celebrate God’s all-powerful, unbounded, transforming mercy.

Lastly, the gilded bronze pillars near the altar of repose for the Blessed Sacrament. Constantine gave these pillars to the Basilica of St. John Lateran for a reason – because they tell a story. You see, in 44 BC, Augustus was named the heir of Julius Caesar. It was not an easy transition – he had to conquer Mark Anthony. And when he did, in the year 30 BC, he set sail to also conquer the famed and feared Egyptian navy of Cleopatra. And when it was over, he confiscated all the Egyptian ships of Cleopatra’s fleet and removed their prows – that’s the bronze decoration piece that was used on the bow. Augustus melted those bronze pieces and molded them into 4 pillars which he had placed in the temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill. They were a symbol to everyone that a new day had dawned and that a new era had begun. A new chapter in world history had opened – the Roman Empire had been formed. Those pillars were powerful. And Constantine gave them to the Basilica of St. John Lateran to make the same statement … but now for the Church – a new day has dawned, a new era has begun, a new chapter in world history is now opened – Christianity is no longer only a private, personal experience of faith; it is now a public witness that courageously forms society and transforms cultures and no longer hides in fear of persecution or rejection. Those pillars are a statement to us today that we are to be courageously prophetic, and publicly vocal in our witness of faith: That the new chapter of Christianity is still open and the Church has a necessary voice in world affairs. We need to remember that–today more than ever–lest we become silent and the bronze columns of St. John Lateran become nothing but interesting artifacts from the past. 

So when you visit St. John Lateran, and when you see her size, remember it is so, that we too can be participants in worship and not just watch it. When you see the columns and marbles of ancient Rome reused, remember it is so, that we too can be transformed by grace and the profane in our lives can be made profound by Christ. When you see the pillars of bronze around the tabernacle, it is so, that everyone may become priests and prophets of the Christian era in a secular world.

Today, we do not just celebrate the dedication of a church–we celebrate the dedication of that church which continues to teach us how to be Church.

KEYWORDS: 

Feast, Lateran, Basilica, Mother, Head, Teacher

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (A) – Look at the Cross and be Healed

SEPTEMBER 14, 2014

FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS. Red

Nm 21:4b-9; Ps 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38; 2 Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17

Look at the Cross and be Healed

RUDOLF STEVEN N. SEÑO, O.P.

The Cross is part of our everyday life. We use it in our prayer and liturgy, in our homes, in our clothes, and even in our non-religious actions. Some of our drivers would touch the cross hanging from the mirror before leaving. I used to have a batchmate who had the habit of making the sign of the cross before shooting the ball in the game. And even Manny Paquiao himself (during his golden years) would make the sign of the cross when he

is inside the ring!

But the cross has not always been that popular. It used to be infamous for being used as a punishment for criminals. This is the reason why the Lord asks Moses in the 1st reading to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. The serpent is a treacherous animal that tempted Adam and Eve. It is also the same animal that punished the nagging Israelites by biting and killing them in the 1st reading.

But Moses did not mount a true serpent on the pole. He just used a copy—a bronze image of a serpent. Unconsciously, Moses was foreshadowing the crucifixion of our Lord. To borrow the expression of Paul in our 2nd reading: Jesus is the Holy and Innocent God who humbled Himself and took the form of a slave—a criminal at that. Just like the bronze image of serpent which is not really a serpent, He was not a criminal but just appeared as criminal to the public.

What is good about the image of the Christ as a criminal on the cross is that Christ embraces everything—all of our sins and weaknesses and turns them into something new and good. This sheds light on the mysteries of life as expressed in today’s psalm. And this is also what makes our Bible unique. Just like the Quran of the Muslims, the Vedas and Upanishads of the Hindus, the Bible also has its own stories of violence which can be found in the Old Testament. But unlike the holy books of the other religions, the bible alone sheds meaning on its stories of violence in the light of the New Testament, in the light of the cross. The Cross shows us that God is against sin and violence because He Himself pays for it in His suffering. But at the same time, He also uses the cross to make us children of God.

And just like the rebellious Israelites in the 1st reading, many of us who are now experiencing some problems could blame no one but ourselves. The biting of serpents represents our constant struggle in this world. Some of us may not have enough money and that is because we are not working. Some of us may not be excelling in our studies and that is because we waste much of our time on less important things like computer games. Some of us feel unattractive and that is because of our vices and lack of discipline. But just like the wounded Israelites in the desert, let us repent of our sins, look at our Lord Jesus on cross, ask for His forgiveness and be healed... because the cross triumphs over our sin and failures.

KEYWORDS:

Cycle A, Feast, OP Friars, Holy Cross, Challenges, Healing

FEAST OF THE SANTO NIÑO (A) - Greatness

FEAST OF THE SANTO NIÑO

Proper Feast in the Philippines

Mt. 18:1-5, 10

January 19, 2014

GOSPEL READING: The Greatest in the Kingdom

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

REFLECTION: Greatness

We live in a world that usually aims not for silver or for bronze but for gold. To win as second place or as runner up, is simply not enough. In the Hunger Games, there must only be one victor; all the other tributes do not win – they die. We hear of the number one FM station, number one TV station and so on. Self-coronation. All claim the same spot. Such competition. 

Even in the ancient Mediterranean world, this kind of mentality is prevalent. The disciples, in the gospel, are pre-occupied with this: who will be greatest in the Kingdom. As if they already are assured of entering, their concern is of the next level. Surprisingly, Jesus points to the child, not to a famous figure in history, as model for greatness. He says: “…Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18: 3-4).

To properly understand what Jesus is trying to impart, we take a short time travel to the ancient world. When Jesus walked on earth, children, as well as women, sadly do not count. Remember the events when Jesus multiplies the loaves and the fishes, children, together with women, are not counted. Though seen as helpless, children are loved by parents. We, Filipinos, are naturally fond of children; we can relate much to this. Is it their unique cuteness that makes them lovable? Perhaps so. But more than that, it is their innocence, their vulnerability, their simplicity, their dependence or their trust that does the magic. In the final analysis, the child is seen as the perfect picture of true humility, which is highlighted as a must in the Kingdom. 

To be saved, there is the call for conversion that we ought to answer positively – to have a change of mind and heart. In a world where independence and self-sufficiency is altogether valued highly, acknowledging once dependence could be embarrassing. But isn’t this true: everything we own is but given by God? Everything comes from God; in every way, we all depend on His providence. Once we humbly accept the truth that we are in need of His mercy, salvation is not far from us. And this should be our primary concern: to enter the Kingdom, not to aspire to be the greatest in the Kingdom. To push the issue, if need be, it is this same humility that is ultimately the criterion for authentic greatness. Furthermore, Jesus himself, in the Last Supper, showed us that the mark of true greatness is humble service. It is also written: “The first will be the last and the last will be first.” (Matthew 20:16)

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me” (Matthew 18: 5). Recently, many are affected by natural calamities; thousands of lives are lost and millions of properties destroyed. These are examples of little ones to whom we are called to serve. Still others, independent from these calamities, are waiting for some helping hands, not only eyes that pity them. Jesus identifies himself to people such as these; whatever we do to them, we do to Christ. And if such acts are charitable, those are surely to be rewarded in heaven.

Just like a child, may we learn to live humbly, possessing the attitude of trustful dependence on our Father’s provident mercy. Acknowledging that we are gifted with so much, despite our unworthiness, may we not delay in showing kindness of heart to those who, like us, are in need. Amen.

ABOUT THE SHARER:

BRO. JOHN PAUL SONTILLANO, OP is a Dominican Student-Brother.

KEYWORDS:

Feast, Cycle A, OP Friars, Sto. Niño, Simplicity, Vulnerability, Innocence, Greatness

Baptism of the Lord (A) - Living Water

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Mt. 3:13-17

January 12, 2014

GOSPEL READING: The Baptism of the Lord

Jesus appeared: he came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. John tried to dissuade him. ‘It is I who need baptism from you’ he said ‘and yet you come to me!’ But Jesus replied, ‘Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands.’ At this, John gave in to him.

  As soon as Jesus was baptized he came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favor rests on him.’

REFLECTION: Living Water

Water cleanses. Water is life. Water is a great symbol in Baptism, the sacrament that cleanses our sins and welcomes us into a new life in Christ, Who was “born of the Virgin Mary [and] has truly been made one of us, like to us in all things except sin” (Gaudium et Spes 22, 2). But wait! Why was Jesus baptized if He is without sin? He went to the River Jordan, fell in line, waited His turn, sloped into the waters, and was baptized by John like the others.

Our Lord voluntarily submitted Himself to baptism intended for sinners in order to “fulfill all righteousness” (Mt 3:15). Jesus’ gesture is a manifestation of His self-emptying (cf. Phil 2:7.) The Spirit Who had hovered over the waters of the first creation descended on the Christ as a prelude of the new creation, and the Father revealed Jesus as His “beloved Son” (Mt 3:16-17). Therefore, He was not baptized for His sins to be cleansed because He is sinless in the first place; He was baptized for us to be cleansed from sin through His love. Baptism marked the start of His public ministry. The water of Baptism inaugurated His proclamation of the Good News and this must be true to all baptized Christians as well. We are Christians because we are followers of Christ.

We were baptized with living water, and we must let this water flow in our life. If we are baptized Christians yet we are only nominal Christians, this water will become stagnant. Yes, we are Christians but we don’t attend the Eucharistic celebrations on Sundays and holy days of obligation. We are Christians, yet we don’t care for the poor, the sick and the less fortunate. We are Christians, yet we lead others to temptation and sin. We are Christians, yet we don’t forgive. We are Christian, yet we don’t love. With these, the living water becomes stagnant, swarmed by wrigglers, dengue-inflicted, dead and deadly.

There can at least be two imageries for living water: one is a glass catching water from a faucet; and the other one is water pipe where water flows from inside out. The glass in the former can only share if it is filled; while the water pipe in the latter must not be filled in order to share. Christians can relate to the former for God fills us in order to share His love while God is the latter Who emptied Himself for us to be filled: “Though He was in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God, something to be grasped. Rather, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8). 

All of these because of God’s love for us. Let us be living waters drawing from Christ Who is the Water of Life. Ang tubig na buhay ay mula sa Tubig ng Buhay. (Living water is drawn from the Water of Life.)

ABOUT THE SHARER:

FR. LOUIE CORONEL, OP is a Dominican Priest assigned in the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas.

KEYWORDS:

Feast, Cycle A, OP Friars, Baptism, Submission, Mission, Life