3rd Sunday of Advent (A) - Checking One’s Expectations

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Mt. 11:2-11

December 15, 2013

GOSPEL READING: The Messengers from John the Baptist

When John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:  the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:

‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.’ Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

REFLECTION: Checking One’s Expectations

Every time I will start my learning sessions, I ask my participants to write down their expectations and later on, I encourage them to share it openly to the group as I take note of this one by one. What I do is to let them know that their expectations are all important to be covered but I also tell them some limitations just in case we cannot meet all their desired experience. I call this managing my participant’s expectations.

Much in life, our expectations are powerful because it creates the reality of what we want to happen. Let me put a contrast between the use of a thermometer and a thermostat. On one hand, a thermometer absorbs and measures the temperature, which is passive in nature while on the other hand, a thermostat has the power to adjust the temperature according to the needs of the user.

In the same manner, this is how our Gospel story unfolded today when the disciples of John asked Jesus about the fulfillment of the promise of the coming savior. All throughout in this Gospel passage, one could feel the hesitation and the unbelief of John’s messengers. In fact, Jesus used the following statements thrice and interchangeably to testify in behalf of John:

“What did you go out to the desert to see?”

“Then what did you go out to see?”

 “Then why did you go out?”

These disciples were expecting a different kind of prophet. They were expecting a different kind of Messiah and they were all judging according to what they see and they have forgotten to see in eyes of their faith. With all of these false expectations Jesus responded to them through this:

Go and tell John what you hear and see:

The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.

And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.

Jesus’ way was not just to look and speak like a Messiah but He lives, loves and leads like one. It was shown in His life. His miracles and wonders were just a consequence of His mercy and compassion to the lost, the least and the last. It is actually an invitation and a challenge for us to partake in this mission of bringing glad tidings to the poor and sinners.

‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;

he will prepare your way before you.’

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus Christ and now that John was in prison, it’s Jesus Who is testifying for him. We can also see here that both of them were speaking the TRUTH with LOVE or in latin, veritas cum caritate.

We are all called to be John the Baptist in our own way of preparing the way for others to know who Jesus is even if it entails suffering and persecution. And like this Gospel story, expect that Jesus will testify in our behalf as well. He will speak for us and He will be on our side most especially in times of trouble and when we are in need.

REFFLECTION: How can you prepare the way of the Lord in your life? How can you prepare people around you to receive the Lord in their lives?

a.  At home?

b.  In your workplace?

c.   At school?

d.  In your community?

PRAYER: “Lord Jesus, use me to testify for your love. Use my expectations to create great things for you and your people. Use my time, talent and treasure to bring glory to your name. Amen.”

ABOUT THE SHARER:

JC LIBIRAN is a lay-missionary, speaker, facilitator and author of “Byahe ni Juan: Life Lessons I Learned From Riding a Jeepney”. He is the Director for Campus Missions of the Light of Jesus Family (www.lightfam.com). You may contact him through his e-mail at JCLibiran@ymail.com or visit his website at www.JCLibiran.com

KEYWORDS:

Advent, Cycle A, OP Laity, Truth, Love, Expectation, Attestation, Testimony

20th Sunday in OT (C) - Salvation and Rejection

20^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 

Luke 12:49-53

August 18, 2013

GOSPEL READING: Jesus: A Cause of Division.

"I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

REFLECTION: Salvation and Rejection

Honestly, I make reflections on the Gospel and some other readings only for my personal reflection. I never dared write them down until I was asked to do this reflection. In Luke 12:49-53, Jesus said that “He did not come to establish peace but rather division --- the division of a household of five will be divided three against two and two against three; a father against his son and a son against his father; a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother; a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” In my practice of my profession as a lawyer, I have encountered cases involving children against a parent, and among siblings fighting over properties which they cannot even carry with them when they die.

The Gospel speaks about salvation and rejection. The particular question asked is: “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” It may be followed by: “Who will be saved?”   “Will I be among those who will be saved?” Of course, our answer will be in the affirmative, but are we worth it?

I remember the parable of the weeds among the wheat. Good seeds were sown, but later as they grew, weeds were discovered among them. When the servants asked the Master if they would pull out the weeds, the Master did not consent to it  but allowed them to grow until harvest time --- wherein the angels will be made to select the weeds and thrown into the fire, and the wheat will be taken into the barn (Mt. 13:24-30). What I remember most is about the “sheep” and the “goats” in Mt. 25:35-46 --- when on judgment day, the Lord will ask what we have done to the least of our brethren. Then, we will be classified whether we are “sheep” and placed on His right and be given eternal life; or “goats” and be placed at His left and go off to eternal punishment.  Could it be that even here on earth the “weeds” are now being separated from the “wheat” or the “sheep” from the “goats”?

When we do the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy for the least of our brothers and sisters, we may be considered as “sheep”,  provided we do them not out of compulsion or for a reward or price, but out of love for God and our neighbors. As Blessed Theresa of Calcutta said, “on the last day we will be judged based on the love we have done to our neighbors”.

Jesus also tells us to “strive to enter through the narrow gate”. We cannot enter through the narrow gate (or through the “eye of a needle”) if we have so many “baggages”.  If we want to enter through it, we have to deny ourselves of our pleasures in life that lead us to sin; carry our cross; and follow Jesus. It may mean performing our responsibilities and living selflessly in love of God and our neighbors.

One time, I overheard a Catholic and a non-Catholic having a discussion while we were in a bus on my way to office. The Catholic claimed that only Catholics, because of faith in Christ, will be saved. The non-Catholic, on the other hand, claimed that even if he belongs to another sect, he and his other members will be saved because they make it a point to study the Bible and that they love one another. During our trip I pondered on the issue they were discussing. I believe faith alone cannot save us. It is faith and good deeds, and not doing evil.  In the 365 Days with the Lord, I read that many non-Christians will be saved if they follow their consciences and do good, while many Christians will be rejected if they do not do good. Our Christian religion is a great help to know what Christ says and what God wills, but our belonging to the Christian religion is not a guarantee that we will be saved. Let us always be thankful to God that we are  Christians, yes, Catholic believers, and witnesses to the Word.

So now, what do I want, salvation or rejection? Of course, SALVATION! Dear Lord, if the good deeds I have done are still lacking,  please give me a chance to do some more for You through my neighbors. I love You, my God, and I want to be with You in Your Kingdom, together with Mama Mary, all the Saints and Your angels.

ABOUT THE SHARER:

MRS. EDNA BUSTAMANTE-ROA, O.P. is a member of the Dominican Laity. She is from Oas, Albay. She finished Bachelor of Laws at Legazpi Colleges (now Aquinas University of Legazpi). She is a member of the Philippine Bar since 1964 and was a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (Albay Chapter). At present, she is its Chapter Secretary and Chairperson of Chapter’s Bar Discipline. She is a practicing lawyer for almost fifty years now.

She is active in civic organizations as president for Bicol Region of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines Sons & Daughters Association, former Director of Bicolandia of Philippine Amateur Radio Association, former president of Mayon Amateur Radio Club; and likewise active in religious organizations like being the president of St. Martin de Porres Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and president of the Jesus’ Peace Community Foundation. She is the Chapter President of St. Martin de Porres Chapter and President of the Dominican Laity of Bicolandia. She was the former secretary of the Provincial Council of the Dominican Laity, Philippine Province. Now, she is a member of the Provincial Council and Coordinator of the Commission on Medical, Dental, Justice and Peace, and a member of the Commission on Formation.

KEYWORDS:

Ordinary Time, Cycle C, OP Laity, Salvation, Rejection, Faith, Love, Good Works

An Experience of a Family

AN EXPERIENCE OF A FAMILY

I joined the Laity of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) in 1986.  I attended all chapter meetings as well as recollections, retreats and conventions.  What overwhelmed me most was the celebration of the Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena and the Feast of Saint Dominic where the Dominican Family gathered together in one accord to worship God.

Through recollections, retreats and conventions, I learned that one should have a strong spiritual life that acts as the impulse of apostolic activity.  To be truly apostolic, one should have constant consciousness of being in God’s presence.

Hence, as a lay Dominican, I learned to share in the prayers, penances and good works of all lay Dominicans.  Sanctification grew in me through a way of life recommended by the Church and proven effective by many men and women now counted among the saints and the blessed.

Simply said, I experienced the solidarity of one of the great universal families in the Church.

ABOUT THE SHARER:

SOPHIA BAYLON, OP is a member of the Dominican laity.

KEYWORDS:

OP Laity, OP Family, Solidarity, Special