Metamorphosis

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Spirit Moments

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I distinctly remember the Gospel on the weekend that the EDSA Revolution of 1986 started. It was the story of the Transfiguration. There we were at Gate 5 of Camp Aguinaldo and a priest saying mass right there and then. And it inspired me no end how EDSA became a Transfiguration experience for the Filipino nation. Here is one people, often divided and bickering, always hopeful yet forever seemingly continually stuck in a rut, coming together in peace and prayer to bring about change and win their freedom back. This peaceful transition would serve as a pattern for other similar People Power Revolutions in Eastern European countries. It was a political event but for many of us it was also a spiritual experience. It was the shining moment for us Filipinos.

God often blesses us with such Transfiguration experiences. I have had several and the one that stands out is the Marriage Encounter Anabelle and I went through with other couples who would eventually become lifelong friends. After more than ten years of marriage, ours was a happy and contented one. It was not perfect but it was more than what I had bargained for going into it. A lot more. When a friend suggested the Marriage Encounter, my first reaction was “We don’t really need it.” But we are glad now that we did then. During that weeked in the hills of Antipolo, in our transfiguration as a couple, we realized that everything was gift; that God was in control; that He keeps on telling us, “You are my beloved.” And ever since, we have always been more keenly aware of God’s presence in our marriage, in our lives and in our family.

Yesterday, we had some family friends coming for a visit. They have two sons, Okir and Inaro. It was a happy event for me as I saw the transformation of Jonathan and Jane. Because they are the ‘babies’ in the family, they and we are used to them being taken care of. But the moment they saw Okir and Inaro, I immediately saw the change in them – from being taken care of to caring for others. They shared their toys; they played games with these two younger kids; they included them in their activities. I have never seen Jonathan as patient and as pleasant as when he was interacting with Okir. And Jane was ever solicitous of Inaro. Kathleen and Martin have done well bringing up their two kids. They have open hearts that are made for sharing, caring and loving.

Metamorphosis is a better translation for the Greek word for transfiguration. It reminds me of a caterpillar being changed into a beautiful butterfly. It is metamorphosis as Jonathan and Jane grow up from being taken care of to being able to care. It is metamorphosis that changed my perspective on God’s presence in our lives. It is metamorphosis that united a fractious people in that one glorious moment in time. I often try to know and understand God better. But He is just too infinite for me to wrap my feeble mind around Him. Instead, I end being wrapped in His presence. I can only feel Him working in the changes and metamorphoses and transfigurations He creates in my life, in our lives.

I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
~ Psalm 116
Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
from the cloud came a voice,
“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.

As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
Mark 9:2-10

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Perfect Love

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Spirit Moments

One of the thrills there is in loving is the give and take in the relationship. It is such a pleasure to be able to give and do things for a loved one. And there is even greater pleasure when that giving is reciprocated by a loved one. But the essence of love is not really in the reciprocity.

Can I keep on loving even if my love is unrequited? Can I keep on giving even when I receive nothing in return? If love were merely a question of quid-pro-quo, isn’t love then simply reduced into a mere commercial exchange or a business transaction? I think of a mother and her love. She never expects anything in return while nursing her baby. I think of true friends who unselfishly give without keeping a balance sheet. I think of generous dedicated teachers whose only reward is the opening of young minds to knowledge and learning. True love is not about expecting anything in return for the love I give.

What about, can I love those who do not love me? Or, can I love those who even outrightly hate me and wish me evil? Anger and hatred is so alive in the world today, there are those who would kill and destroy those they hate or harbor hatred for. I think of the Coptic martyrs in Libya who went to their death with the name of Jesus on their lips. I think of the peace-loving people in my home country who keep on working for peace and justice even in the midst of all the anger and hatred and confusion. I think of the many unsung care-givers, many of them Filipinos, who serve and care for the ill and the disabled even in the face of much abuse and challenges.

We know deep in our hearts that love is what makes us human; that love is all about the giving; that love endures even when it is unrequited or when it is paid back with hatred. I think of the sun that keeps on giving light, life and warmth without receiving anything in return. We feel all of these – light, life, warmth – when we experience love. It is almost like experiencing and encountering God Himself. No wonder, from the earliest times, people have worshipped the sun-god, from whom all light, love and warmth come. Like most things in His creation, God has made it so that the essence of existence is in the giving and in the loving.

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
~ Psalm 119
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies,
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:43-48
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Living by Higher Standards

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Spirit Moments

It is easy to keep away from being a murderer; for it is the most difficult thing to take away another person’s life. But it is so easy and hard to avoid from killing other people little by little. Every time I cut off someone with a sarcastic remark, I kill him a little bit. I do the same thing every time I insult or offend or abuse another person. I slowly snuff out the joy of life in them. I may be a worse offender for I slowly kill the spirit.

It is easy not to be a thief or an embezzler; for it goes against what I feel is right and just. But I often take away small things that should otherwise belong to other people. When I take more than I need or keep more than I require, I am denying these from people who are in want and misery. Anything I keep in excess belongs to others.

It is easy to avoid committing slander and calumny against others; for such big lies leave an awful taste in the mouth and unsettle the spirit. But I often engage in gossip and idle talk which slowly chip away at the character and reputation of other people.

The commandments are a minimum standard of behavior. Christ asks me to go beyond these minimum standards.  I love others not because of what I can get in return. I do acts of love to recognize and reciprocate the love that has been first given to me by a loving God. I do good not to avoid punishment. I do good to honor the goodness that is in every person I meet. I tell the truth to respect the truth that is in every human person. I do good because I came from God who is all good.

If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?
~ Psalm 130
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you, 
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
Matthew 5:20-26

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My Prayers

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Spirit Moments

Ima taught me how to pray. First, as a simple devotion on waking up and before going to sleep. Then as an answer to all the things that a little child could be worried or excited about. There were nights when I could not fall asleep because of too much excitement or fear. Ima would pray with me and soon I am all asleep. I would routinely pray before every important happening in my young life.

In my life, there is nothing that I have fervently prayed for that was not given to me. In some instances, it takes time before my prayers are answered. But in time, they eventually are. I realize then that God was putting some things in place before granting me my request. And often, I am simply overwhelmed by what I receive, usually more and better than what I prayed for.

There is some form of spirituality these days that would tell people to claim what it is they are praying for. This smacks of the arrogance and selfishness of the Prodigal Son demanding his share of the inheritance from the father. Rather, I pray by humbly asking, diligently seeking and persistently knocking for God to answer me.

My most earnest prayers though are not petitions. My most grace-filled prayers are those moments I simply spent in the presence of God. I say nothing. I do nothing. I even try not to think of anything. But simply feel the presence of God in my life, in my being and in my thoughts.

Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
~ Psalm 138
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
or a snake when he asked for a fish?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good things
to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets.”
Matthew 7:7-12

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Signs @ EDSA

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Spirit Moments

It is a beautiful world and we see but a small portion of the bigger picture, which is even more awesome in its beauty and its goodness. There are always abundant signs that point to a bigger and more magnificent reality. Where there is smoke, there is fire as its source; then all the beauty and goodness around us must point to a similar source. If dark clouds augur the coming of a storm and behind each storm a silver lining; then consolation and joy will also eventually dispel the clouds and darkness in our lives.

It was Pope John XXIII who first spoke about reading the signs of the times. God moves on earth and He leaves behind a trail of signs of where He has passed through. Good Pope John called us to read these signs and follow where the Lord has trod on in our lives. He did and he brought about changes the Church like no other Pope in recent memory.

Today is the anniversary of the historic EDSA Revolution, when and where Peaceful People Power became a reality. It was a sign of God being incarnated once more in our times. For four blessed days, the Lord walked that stretch of highway with His mother. No one saw them and yet everyone knew they were there: people, practically strangers to one another, arms locked together to form a barricade against tanks; people keeping vigil in prayers to guard the rebels in their lairs; endless stream of food coming as if from nowhere to feed the millions who were there; soldiers refusing to fire on the defenseless civilians while young students offered them food and flowers instead; not one act of violence and not a single casualty reported. God was with us on EDSA. We knew because of the signs.

A great temptation is to ask God for a sign of His presence. Rather, I ask for the grace of discernment for me to see the signs that He leaves in my life of His abiding and loving presence.

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
~ Psalm 51
While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,
“This generation is an evil generation;
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,
except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment
the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation
and she will condemn them,
because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and there is something greater than Solomon here.
At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it,
because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,
and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
Luke 11:29-32
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Our Father

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Spirit Moments

The Lord’s Prayer is probably the very first prayer I learned in childhood. And it has become even more precious to me over the years, specially more so now that I am in my twilight years.

The first part is acknowledging the lordship of God over my life, how doing His will should be my paramount concern for His will holds sway over heaven and earth. My life is much simpler now. My daily schedule revolves around driving Jonathan and Jane to and from school and Anabelle as she runs her errands. I used to drive whole companies and hundreds of people in the organizations I managed. Yesterday, we cleaned up Mickey’s condo in preparation for some friends coming to visit over the weekend. I used to clean up massive projects to their successful completion. Every Tuesday, I join a team of catechists in guiding a small group of catechumens seeking the light of faith.  I used to teach thousands of students in my classes and to rally hundreds of sales reps in conferences. I used to meet tens and even hundreds of people on a daily basis. Today, my world revolves around eight to ten people on a daily basis. But through it all, there is a God who walks with me every step of the way: guiding, cajoling, inspiring, remonstrating, yet loving and deeply caring. He who has created me is in His heavens and everything is right with my life. He assures me that even in my old age, I am loved and there is still something for me to do for Him.

The second part is asking Him to guide me lead my life. I ask for my daily bread, which today is a lot less than what I used to eat. And then I ask for forgiveness for all my trespasses. I have wronged many and I have wronged God – many times and repeatedly. Sometimes, with malice. And at other times, unknowingly. I bow in humility as ask for pardon through my God. Finally, I pray that I persevere till the end, that I be kept safe from temptations and the machinations of the evil one until I finally get home -safe and sound.

From all their distress God rescues the just.
~ Psalm 34
Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

“If you forgive men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
Matthew 6:7-15

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The Trinity in Love

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Spirit Moments

If I were to fast without prayers, I am just going on a diet.
If I were to donate to the poor and needy and not pray, I am a good NGO worker.
If i were to pray without fasting nor giving, then I am a very religious person
but not yet a true follower of Christ.

It takes a trinity to truly love God.
Fulton Sheen famously wrote,
“It takes three to get married: the bride, the groom and God.”
This has been proven true in our marriage.

When I fast, I free myself of things I can give away.
When I give it away, I encounter again in the person I give
the Person who gave it all to me in the first place.
I, the other, and the Absolute Other.
A trinity that is a unity in love.
All love is trinitarian.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
~ Psalm 19
Then the king will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:31-46
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My Temptations

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Spirit Moments

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The desert and the wilderness may speak to us of barrenness and desolation; but it is also a place for purification and transformation. In its silence and the emptiness, it can be a place of revelation and intimacy with God. If we become too self-engrossed, the desert can also be the place of our greatest temptations.

 My greatest and most frequent temptations are not about embezzling a fortune or stealing millions. I am too much of a wimp to do those. Rather, my temptations about the small and insignificant amounts I pick up here and there that do not belong to me. Amount which I would not mind losing myself.

I am never tempted to murder or violence against others. I am too much of a coward to commit such offenses against people. Rather, my temptations are about taking potshots at people that hurt them deeply or ridiculing them to make them feel less worthy or behave towards them condescendingly as though I was the pinnacle of virtue and righteousness.

I am never tempted to monstrous passionate crimes. I am too much of a mouse to do any such misdeeds. My constant struggle is precisely to wallow in mediocrity and miss out doing good things a little bit better and more often. I too easily succumb  to the temptation of being a creature of routine and of my habits that I fail to raise the bar of goodness just a little bit higher and stay content with just what I have been accustomed to.

Christ asks me to take up my cross daily. I think it is just a crucifix I am carrying. He challenges me to give away what I have to those who need it. I always find a way and a reason to give less than what I can. He gently tells me to love; and I do, but often with conditions. He beckons me to follow Him; and I try, but often in my own sweet time and choosing.

Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
~ Psalm 25
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert,
and he remained in the desert for forty days,
tempted by Satan.
He was among wild beasts,
and the angels ministered to him.

After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
“This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Mark 1:12-15

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Uncomplicating My Life

Posted on February 21, 2015 by Spirit Moments

The world is hungry for love.
And it seems the easiest thing to give.
Yet there are many who’d rather deal in hatred.
Can I make their numbers less
And choose to deal in love rather than hatred?

There are too many tears shed in the world.
It seems the simplest thing to do to wipe the tears from another’s eyes.
Yet, there are many who see reasons to make others cry.
Can I just go out of my way to wipe away the tears
And ease the pain of one crying person I will encounter today?

There are too many problems besetting people and communities today.
It makes perfect sense to go out and try to solve some of them.
Yet, they just seem to grow more and bigger each day.
Can I just do my small part by being a solution or an answer
to someone’s problems today?

There are too many regrets, druthers, and should have beens floating all around.
It is always someone else’s fault when things are looking down.
Yet, a simple change in perspective can make all the difference.
Can I face all the negativism around me with “I choose to . . . .” “I will . . . .” “We shall . . . .”
and just get things moving along?

I will stop casting stones and instead gather them together
and start building something new or better or just even different.
I will stop raining on other people’s parade
and instead cheer them on bringing the sunshine to encourage others.
I will choose to see what is good and true and beautiful around me
instead of seeing the dark clouds or the coming storm or the dreadful end.

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.
~ Psalm 86
Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.
Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house,
and a large crowd of tax collectors
and others were at table with them.
The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying,
“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”
Luke 5:27-32
 
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On Fasting

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Spirit Moments

There is something about fasting that is liberating. We have a natural tendency, an instinct, to preen and look after ourselves. This often goes to extreme and people become too self-engrossed, thinking only of themselves. Fasting allows us to stop thinking of ourselves, acknowledge our lowly origins and that, but for the grace of God, our lives are just “candles in the wind” – easily snuffed out and gone.

Our lives are made meaningful not by the accoutrements we put on but by the good we do for others. This is the reason why fasting is not only about denying ourselves of food but also includes rituals like putting on sackcloth and ashes on the forehead. This the reason why fasting must go with almsgiving, that we do good for others. This is the reason that fasting must be accompanied by prayers, our humble acknowledgement of God being in control over our lives.

Then, Jesus warns us against being too engrossed with the rituals and forgetting the essence of what we are doing. I listen to these words with humility and pray over them:

Is this the manner of fasting I wish,
of keeping a day of penance:
That a man bow his head like a reed
and lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Do you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed,
breaking every yoke;
Sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;
Clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed.
~ Isaiah 58:1-8

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
~ Psalm 51
The disciples of John approached Jesus and said,
“Why do we and the Pharisees fast much,
but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn
as long as the bridegroom is with them?
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast.”
Matthew 9:14-15
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