When God Died, He was Thinking About You (Round 4)

“After the Cross, the greatest symbol of God’s love for us is Marriage"

Be ‘Polygamous’. But Please Don’t Get me Wrong

An inspiring Holy Friday and Generosity day to you! 

Today, I would like to continue our reflection by sharing some of the inspiration I got from the song “When God Made You” as well as the readings of today.

Like what I’ve told you yesterday, I found the song “When God Made You” not only about marriage between a husband and a wife but a reflection of our ‘Marriage’ to God. Yes, between you and your ‘Marriage’ with God. Because if you think you’re single, no; you’re not. You’re already married and in a relationship (complicated or not, it’s up for you to decide) If you think you should be monogamous, no; you shouldn’t. You should be ‘polygamous’. But please don’t get me wrong. What I mean is that aside from your husband or wife, you should also be (and more) loyal to God. What made me think this way? The Gospel (Jn.18:1-19:42) that you’ll be hearing this afternoon at the “Adoration of the Cross” in your parish will lead you to understand. Allow me to give some points:

At the beginning, the Gospel says: “Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward…” Jn. 18: 4

Yes, Jesus knows what will happen to him. How come? Simple. Because He’s fulfilling a promise. (And basically, a 'promise' is something that has been said before) What was that promise? The promise that God, His Father will save us through Him.

At the beginning, the promise was put by Genesis this way: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He (Jesus) will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Gen. 3:15

After many years, the prophet Jeremiah repeated the promise:

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior. Jer. 23:5-6

For us to better see, prophet Isaiah has a more elaborate version:

“Surely He (Jesus) took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”  Is. 53:4-9

In the New Testament, everything that was promised through Isaiah was summarized by John in this way:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” Jn. 3:16-17

Yes, not only Genesis, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and John; but all the scriptures are with us today to help us believe (and receive) that Christ is the perfect one, sent by the Father for us to be assured of life. A life that is full and everlasting. 

Believe It is Jesus, The Perfect One

Now, try to see these opening lines of the song “When God Made You.”

It’s always been a mystery to me,
How two hearts can come together,
And love can last forever.

But now that I have found you I believe,
That a miracle has come when God sends the perfect one.
Now gone are all my questions about why,
And I've never been so sure of anything in my life.

I hope you see what I mean. Again, more that your special friend, your husband, or your wife; today, believe it is Jesus. It is Jesus you need. That Jesus is the one who can answer your life’s greatest mysteries. That He is the one you need to be secured. That He’s the perfect one sent by God for you to experience love, a love that can last forever. Yes, it is Jesus. Believe it is Jesus!

Now, I invite you to pause for a while and reflect on these questions:

1. Do you have a question in your life today? What is it? Do you believe that Jesus is the perfect answer?  In what way?

2. What gives assurance in your life right now? Is it Jesus or anything else?

Hope you’ll ponder on these questions well. For you also to get facilitated I invite you to watch the inspiring video below entitled “We Are the Reason”. Again, enjoy God today and have an inspiring Generosity Day¹!

¹Why today is called Generosity Day? click here. Thanks.

When God Died, He Was Thinking About You (Round 3)

Nobody Thinks of Him but He Only Thinks About Us

Congratulations! Indeed, I’m happy for you for allowing God to be the center of your Holy Week 2014 celebration. By the way, how’s your conversation with Him. I hope the Gospel narrative and the questions that I gave you helped more to focus on Him. This time, I would like to share my personal journey with you with the same Gospel. May this reflection help you to have a more inspiring moment with God.

Honestly, while watching it last Sunday, there was a tendency at the beginning for me not to really pay attention.  It is because somehow as a religious educator; I have already read or listened to it for quite number of times now. But as I keep on watching, there is something that bothers me and made me quiet. It is the realization that during his passion- nobody thinks about Jesus. That from the many individual and group of people present during his passion, nobody thinks about Him, about His welfare. All of them were only concerned of his, her or their own agenda. Allow me to present some of the evidence.

The chief priests and elders; concerned only of their tradition and of pride.

Pontius Pilate; concerned of his throne and power. (even his wife; concerned of her sleep)

Barrabas; you know it, freedom of course.

The soldiers; concerned only of orders and of having fun.

The two criminals: concerned of their safety.

The crowd; their just there to see miracles and wonders.

Yes, try to watch the passion narrative again and observe what I shown you here. You’ll see, all of them are only concern of themselves. But wait, there is something more. Something that I would like you to focus more. Kindly look at Jesus. See how he responded to each one of them. Yes, this is what made my cry. Listen to this my friend.  Even though nobody thinks of Jesus during his passion, in return, Jesus only thinks about them. He only thinks of their salvation.

And this started a different Holy Week 2014 journey for me. Having realized that for most of my life, I was also like those who are present in Christ passion - only thinking of myself; only concerned of my fears and of my dreams, my defeats and my triumphs, forgetting most of the time, what really God wants me to be and what I can really do for and with others.   

Because also of this inspiration, this song that I would like to share with you below becomes different. Yes, it is a weeding song. But for me, it’s not only between a husband and a wife. It’s between me and my God. The God who loves you and me, that is why He gave Jesus to you and me generously. My friend, I invite you to listen and be touch by the song. Try to sing it as if you are having a chorus with Jesus. ‘Til next time. 

When God Died, He was Thinking About You (Round 2)

Thank you for praying with me. I hope you’re enjoying your journey with God this far through our reflections here in Iampasahero. To begin our second round, I would like to invite you to watch the passion narrative of Christ from the Gospel of St. Matthew as presented in Word Exposed by clicking the link below:

The Passion Of Christ According to St. Matthew

I’m sure you’re already familiar with this Gospel but like what I told you before, let us listen, see, and touch it again with new ears, eyes and new hands. To do this, I invite you to watch it again considering the following guide questions:

  

1.    What particular words or incident in the Gospel stuck me the most? Why?

     2.    What do I think God is telling me to do through these words or incident?

     3.    Is there an event in my life right now (or before) that I find somehow similar with the experiences of Jesus? If Jesus is in my position, how do I think He will respond?  

     4.    If I was there in His crucifixion, what am I going to tell Him?

After you watched it, read again the questions, allow yourself to be quiet and answer some of them. However, those are only guide questions, if there are more relevant questions or things that you would like to reflect upon, I advise you to focus on them. My only tip is to do this activity slowly and to allow God to speak to you through silence. Now, I’ll stop here for a while. Enjoy your conversation with God. He’s really looking forward to this.

When God died, He was Thinking about You (Round 1)

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life… When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”  Mt. 27:52-54

Not Only PALM but a FIST Sunday for Filipinos

With much tension and excitement, while watching the 5^th round of Paquiao and Bradley fight last Sunday on local television, a friend texted me that Paquiao already won via unanimous decision. More than a “Basag Trip” moment for me, I really thanked this friend or mine because he helped me remove my stress. Yes, because of that text, I was able to relax a little bit and said to myself “Hay! Mabuti naman, salamat sa Diyos.”

Indeed, it was a relief for me (and to my very nervous dad) to know that Manny Paquiao already won the match although I haven’t seen or heard it by myself announced in television.  And although my anticipation is no longer the same as before, I still cling to the television, watch the fight, and with excitement see by myself how Manny fought and won that most anticipated contest especially for us Filipinos.

It’s Not a Replay

Maybe you are thinking why I’m starting our Holy Week reflection with this. Listen my friend. Like my experience, you and I already know what happened and will happen these coming days. Although our Holy Week is just starting, we know that Jesus already won. That Jesus already defeated the enemy but doesn’t really receive the champion's belt for himself but we did.

Why not? How many Holy Weeks we have gone through? How many Visita Iglesia we have participated? How many 'Daan ng Krus' we have prayed? How many “Palaspas” we have bought, rose, and hung to our doors and windows? How many times we have gone on Good Friday processions? How many times we have seen the washing of the feet and last supper portrayed in our parishes? How many times we have listened to 'Siete Palabras'? How many times we have read or heard the biblical presentation of the passion of Christ? How many times we have kissed that crucifix? How many times we have woke up early Sunday morning and greeted each other “Happy Easter”? Yes, I’m sure many times already. Oh, I’m sorry; I missed something to ask. How many times we have visited resorts or climbed mountains and even renew our ‘anting-anting’?  I guess, many times also.

That’s why, even we are asleep; we knew the fact that Judas will betray Jesus and he will not change. That Jesus will be denied by Peter three times and not twice. That the disciples will run away from the garden of Gethsemane and leave Jesus. That Pontius Pilate will wash his hands not his feet. That Jesus will be hung in the cross. That those soldiers will gamble for the attire of Jesus and not for food. That one criminal will mock Jesus not three. That Jesus will die and after three days (not two or five), He will rose again. Bottom line, we have heard it and we have seen it. Nothing new, nothing different. Yes, this Holy week 2014 is finished before it started.  

No. I hope not! 
Please say that with me again. 
"No, I hope not!”

No is not yet over. If you think that everything will only be a replay, a mere flash back, only a commemoration of what happened thousands of years ago, or it will only be that same busy or nostalgic week for you, I invite you, please PRAY that you may remove this kind of disposition. Yes, let us pray that you and I may experience God's gift of salvation this week in a more inspiring and refreshing way.

Like what most of us did last Sunday, although we already knew that Manny Pacquiao won even before we see or heard it by ourselves, (thanks to those who spill the news after watching it live in Pay Per View and even thanks to GMA 7 who post it in their Facebook account even if their airing is not yet over) let us anticipate still or better say, celebrate still with much excitement (with holy stress) every saving acts of Christ, every false accusations, every denial, beating, spit and pain that He will receive, yet every forgiveness and love that He will give. Let us see, hear and touch it “by ourselves” and approach this Holy week as if we never saw, heard or experienced it before. So that we may also find ourselves attentive not only to the highlights but even to the ordinary yet life-giving incidents of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. No, not only this week, but in all the weeks and days of our life. That is my prayer for you. That is my blessing for you. 

Our Generous Opening Prayer

Now, let us pray.

Generous Father, I humbly pray that as I start my Holy Week 2014 journey with you,  give me new eyes, new ears, new hands, and new heart to experience anew the wonders of your salvation. Make me more attentive to the lessons that your Son wanted me to learn and imitate so that like Him, I may also win the boxing, the battle of life here on earth for You and for others. These I pray in Jesus name my Savior. Amen.

Your Easter is Near

“Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” Jn. 4:49-50

Now that I increase in age and understanding about God, the more I find it challenging to talk about Him to others. It’s because I realized that my mind is so limited, that I cannot really comprehend and explain all the things pertaining to Him.

But though I find Him so mysterious nowadays than before, I’m pretty much convinced that this God of ours is no doubt a GIVER of LIFE. This is His primary trait. That God is God because He gives life.  With this faith, (how fragile it may seems) I approached him every time I see something in myself needed to be given life- to be resurrected.

A directionless pursuit… He gives me purpose.
A fearful decision… He gives me courage.
A bankrupt account… He gives me resources.
A terrible mistake… He gives me forgiveness.
A painful sickness... He gives me healing
A dying friend… He gives me comfort.

My friend, I find this trait very much natural to him.
Indeed, our God is naturally and supernaturally life giving.
Trust Him. I invite you.

Lift to Him your dead dreams, your dead careers and dead relationships.
He can resurrect them in due time.
For though I may not know where heaven or hell is,
But this I do know- wherever you find God, there life is!

Trust Him more. Your Easter is near.

Who Needs Water The Most?

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" Jn. 4:7

I used to believe that when I do good, I’m giving favor to God.
That when I pray, the more I can love God.
That when I help someone, the more I can serve God.
That when I sacrifice, the more I can prioritize God.

These may be true but the truth behind these is truer.
That when I pray, the more God can love me.
That when I help someone, the more God can serve me.
That when I sacrifice, the more God can “prioritize” me.

Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not telling you that the more we do good the more God loves us. No, it’s not the point and no, it’s not the truth.
The truth here is that the more we allow ourselves to do good (to ourselves, to others, and even to God), the more God CAN work in our lives. The more we CAN experience His unconditional love. And in the end the more we CAN live a fulfilled life.

This is why I think in the gospels, there are times that Jesus asked something from people although, we know that he can easily provide it for himself. Take a look at these.
Jesus needs a bread to feed the five thousand and he requested his disciples to look for it. (Mt.14:16)
Jesus needs water to quench his thirst and she requested the Samaritan woman to give it to him. (Jn. 4:7)
Jesus needs more fish and he asked his disciples to provide it. (Jn. 21:10)

Here’s a question for all of us to think.
Is Jesus really in need of bread, water, fish in these occasions? Or the people do?

So better now we ask ourselves these questions?
Does God really in need of our prayers? Or we need them the most?
Does God really in need of our tights? Or we need them the most?
Does God really in need of our good works? Or we need them the most?

I hope now you see the point.
God requests that we give him our utmost love and time not because He will become more powerful or Godlier. The truth is; He will still remain God even without them. (even without us)

What I would like to think is that he requested these from us and “appear” that he needs them because he wants to train us to GIVE. To be GENEROUS!
Because he knows that the more we give our love to Him, the more we will learn to give love to ourselves. The more we give love to ourselves, the more we will learn to give love to each other. And the more we give love to each other, the more we will experience and enjoy a fulfilled life.

What more can I say.
When God asks something from us, surely; it will be for the benefit of us.
God is really generous! Don’t you think?