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

14th Sunday in OT (C) - The Mission of the Dominican Laity

14^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20

July 7, 2013

GOSPEL READING: The Mission of the Seventy-two

After this, the Lord appointed seventy [-two] others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no moneybag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.

REFLECTION: The Mission of the Dominican Laity

Today’s gospel is often referred to the lifestyle of priests, religious sisters and missionaries. We sometimes tend to forget that we, lay people are partakers of the three-fold mission of Jesus on earth: Priestly, Kingly and Prophetic, by virtue of our Baptism. Nevertheless, this reminder of Jesus applies to us, too.

Jesus, the Son of God is the second person of the Trinity. He is God in the real sense of the word and that He has powers. Yet, He delegated some responsibilities to us to proclaim the Kingdom of God, to proclaim the Word. He already chose 12 of His companions but we are lucky to be chosen to collaborate with His ministry.

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” In today’s modern world, people are more concerned about earthly treasures that, most of the time, we miss the real essence of life on earth. Everyone wants to be the leader of the pack; no one wants to do the dirty job. The Lay Dominicans are tasked to follow the footsteps of our Master, to proclaim God’s Kingdom in every corner of the world. I remember a listener who called up my radio program and was put on air. She told me, “I want to be a member of the Dominican Laity, but I don’t have time to attend meetings, recollections and retreats. I am quite busy with my business which is fast growing.” I replied, “I’m sorry sister, but you can’t have the best of both worlds.”

 

Photo Credit: abscbnpr.com

To be a Lay Dominican does not necessarily mean you will have to enroll in a Theology class or rub elbows with the Bishops for you to gain popularity and wisdom. Like Jesus’ advice, “Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals...” A follower of Christ needs to acknowledge his nothingness, thus, a craving for wisdom. He needs to open his whole being to be transformed by the Master into something that He wants. A follower needs to study and learn his basic faith. He needs to live his faith and share it with the rest. We will all be sent out in the forest like lambs among the wolves. Your only defense is the Word. Remember, you cannot give something that you don’t have.

A Dominican should be a reflection of Christ’s holiness. His presence should always be a sign of Peace to all. An emblem of truth. A pillar of a strong spirituality. We will all be sent out in the midst of the wolves of this world, be strong. Fear not ,my brothers and sisters. The first reading tells us that,  “As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap, as a mother comforts her child, so shall I comfort you…” Weak as we are, we become strong, knowing that God is with us, proclaiming our faith and the truth till the end of the earth.

We look forward to coming back to the folds of the arms of the Father like the seventy-two, rejoicing, proclaiming, we have run the race to the last. After all, Jesus promised, “BEHOLD, I HAVE GIVEN YOU THE POWER TO TREAD UPON SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS AND UPON THE FULL FORCE OF THE ENEMY AND NOTHING WILL HARM YOU”.

In the second reading, let us all be reminded that our presence should always be a blessing to others, not a curse. I tell you, having those two letters after your name is no joke, it is not easy. Much is expected of us.

Remember the two (2) letters attached to your name? O.P. (Order of Preachers), it also means ONWARD PRISONERS of the Lord.

ABOUT THE SHARER:

To listeners, BROTHER JUN BANAAG, O.P. is the one and the only Dr. Love. Before becoming the doctor of the love-troubled, Dr. Love started as a newscaster of DZEC in 1969 and from there, he moved from one station to another. He was offered a position in ABS-CBN and pinch-hit for Noli de Castro on TV Patrol and Magandang Umaga, Pilipinas. Upon his return to the Philippines from the United States, he continued his career in media and worked as a production director for Radyo Veritas and joined DZMM in 1999, hosting the Dr. Love Radio Show.

Furthermore, Bro. Jun is a lay preacher and professed member of the Dominican Laity or the Order of Preachers. He also helps the underprivileged through the "Jun M. Banaag Foundation Inc."

KEYWORDS:

Ordinary Time, Cycle C, Dominican, Laity, Faith, Holiness, Truth, Peace, Spirituality, Mission