29 ene 2012

REFLEXION del Evangelio dominical

¿No quedas asombrado ante tanto amor de Dios? (P. Luis J. Tamayo)

Marcos 1,21-28: “En aquel tiempo, Jesús y sus discípulos entraron en Cafarnaún, y cuando el sábado siguiente fue a la sinagoga a enseñar, se quedaron asombrados de su doctrina, porque no enseñaba como los escribas, sino con autoridad…”

El evangelista, cuando escribe, se acordó de este detalle… “Se quedaron asombrados con su doctrina por que enseñaba con autoridad.”

La pregunta que me surge es: ¿Por que se quedaron asombrados?

Yo tengo la experiencia de quedar asombrado muchas veces con personas maravillosas que te llaman la atención por sus palabras, pero sobre todo por sus gestos y su actitud frente a la vida o a una situación concreta.

En otra parroquia conocí a un chaval que en una reunión de los jóvenes compartía que delante de un examen que lo había estudiado todo excepto un tema, le cayó ese tema. Tuvo la oportunidad de copiar pues parece que el profe era cegato, pero en las reuniones de jóvenes de la parroquia se estaba hablando de la honestidad como un valor del cristiano. El nos contaba que en silencio se puso a hablar a Jesús y le decía: Jesús se que copiar sería la salvación de mi nota, pero yo valgo más que una nota, y prefiero defender la honestidad, por Ti Jesús quiero ser una persona honesta. Dice que nunca había llevado un cero con tanta alegría a casa…

Uno se asombra cuando ve un compromiso hasta el final con aquello en lo que crees. Hoy día no estamos acostumbrados a ver a la gente consecuente hasta el final… Es el asombro es cuando uno dice una cosa y es capaz de llevarla a cabo hasta el final. El compromiso, la coherencia entre lo que digo y lo que hago.

Unos compañeros vuestros se comprometieron a dar catequesis en la parroquia a los niños pequeños, luego llega el conflicto… exámenes, etc… Me encantó las palabras de su madre a uno de ellos: si te comprometes, lo llevas hasta el final… y ahí están todos los domingos por la mañana dando catequesis a los peques de la parroquia.

Lo que asombraba a los que escuchaban a Jesús es que hablaba del amor de Dios y notaban que no eran palabras huecas o vacías, sino que luego iban acompañadas con gestos, obras, actos. Era coherente con lo que decía: el amor a todos: y era capaz de comer con los pecadores, abrazar a la prostituta, tocar al leproso… cuando para la sociedad era un escándalo. Jesús era consecuente, era coherente… y eso asombraba.

Cuantas veces hemos escuchado: “del dicho al hecho, hay mucho trecho”… pues nos toca acortar cada vez más el trecho, la distancia. El compromiso llevado hasta el final nos habla de coherencia.

Hay un chiste que le dice el novio a la novia en la tarjeta de San Valentín: “Te amo, te adoro, daría la vida por ti… posdata: ya iré mañana a verte que hoy está lloviendo.”

Mi abuelo de chaval siempre me hablaba de que había que ser un hombre de “Palabra de honor”; es decir, ser una persona de las que te puedes fiar. Ser honesto, la verdad por delante… Recuerdo que iba en el coche con un buen amigo y saliendo del parking le ralló a otro el coche, se paró, bajó… yo le miraba… sacó una tarjeta de su bolsillo, escribió una nota y se la agarró al parabrisas. Lección magistral… aquí van las palabras del Evangelio como anillo al dedo: “Me quedé asombrado con su doctrina por que enseñaba con autoridad.”

¿Qué enseñaba Jesús? La lección magistral de Jesús fue: “como el Padre me ama, así os amo yo”. Sus amigos y seguidores no entendieron la locura del extremo del amor de Dios hasta que Jesús los amó hasta el extremo en la cruz, hasta que dio la vida por ellos… Esto lo estamos escuchando de un padre cuando dice delante de una hija grave: Dios mío reparte su angustia conmigo, no lo dejes todo en ella. Este es el ejemplo de Maximiliano Colve cuando intercambió su vida por el otro preso.

Franciszek G. fue uno de los diez elegidos por el coronel de las SS, Karl Fritsch, para ser ajusticiados en represalia por el escapado. Cuando Franciszek salió de su fila, después de haber sido señalado por el coronel, musitó estas palabras: «Pobre esposa mía; pobres hijos míos».3 El padre Maximiliano estaba cerca y lo oyó. Enseguida, dio un paso adelante y le dijo al coronel: «Soy un sacerdote católico polaco, estoy ya viejo. Querría ocupar el puesto de ese hombre que tiene esposa e hijos».4 El oficial nazi, aunque irritado, finalmente aceptó su ofrecimiento y Maximiliano Kolbe, que tenía entonces 47 años, fue puesto, junto con otros nueve prisioneros, en ayuno obligado para que muriera. Los diez condenados fueron recluidos en una celda subterránea el 31 de julio de 1941.

Nosotros no lo apreciamos… pero hay gente que desde la Iglesia, desde tu Parroquia hace mucho por ti desinteresadamente… horas de trabajo, de escucha, de atención, de preparación, de organizar para que esto salga… Yo tengo un ejemplo en mi director espiritual: a veces con el conflicto de horarios que tenemos me dice: vente esta noche, te espero… ¿a las 22h? le digo… un hombre de 76 años… Si! Me contesta. Y nos podemos quedar hasta las 23:30h… A veces me pregunto: ¿Que necesidad tiene este hombre tan mayor de atenderme? Es el amor de Dios en un hombre… esto me asombra!

Uno podrá decir: “bueno ese es su trabajo… si y no… esto es por mi, por vosotros… pues no me digáis que no es para asombrarse…

El centurión, un pagano sin fe, al pie de la cruz, cuando Jesús murió… también se asombró… dijo: “verdaderamente este era Hijo de Dios”… Se dio cuenta de la locura de amor de Jesús… verdaderamente Jesús murió lleno de amor y no de odio y venganza. Consecuente con el amor extremo de Dios.

4th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B

The word of Jesus drives out unclean spirits

Deut 18:15-20 Ps 95:1-2, 6-7b, 7c-9 1 Cor 7:32-35 Mark 1:21-28

In today’s gospel we find Jesus teaching in the synagogue. His teaching “made a deep impression” on the listeners. Why? “Because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.” Jesus taught with authority and conviction. When Jesus spoke that day in the synagogue he was challenged by an unclean spirit “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” But Jesus said sharply “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Jesus has authority to drive out unclean spirits, to silence them and to heal those afflicted. Jesus continues to teach us today and continues to drive out many unclean spirits. How are we to understand this, the driving out of unclean spirits? It depends on how we see the concept of unclean spirits. Sometimes we jump to images of devils and demons, or remember a scene from a movie like Poltergeist! But what unclean spirits is he wishing to drive out?

Well for sure an unclean spirit is not something desirable. Presumably its presence would lead to deleterious effects for the person infected or affected. Also it seems that it is powerful. The man possessed could not drive it out alone. However Jesus is stronger than the unclean spirit. His word dislodges the bad spirit. His truth is more powerful than lies and his light overcomes the darkness. So what are some examples of unclean spirits for us today? Let us not think that they do not exist today in our modern world. Certainly a fear can be an unclean spirit. It is good when we experience an irrational fear to pray to Jesus and put ourselves in his presence. To listen to his reassuring words that he is with us always. Often this alone brings peace and drives out unclean spirits. Sometimes an unclean spirit can be the holding of a grudge. It is unclean as it poisons our heart as does an indecent or sexual thought which can wreak havoc, attacking our eye and giving us an impure gaze. In a similar way when we don’t forgive someone it can be like an unclean spirit in us. Where outright sin is involved, the unclean spirit will not budge but thanks be to God we can listen to Jesus telling us “Be quiet! Come out of him!” in the sacrament of reconciliation.

Sometimes the unclean spirit is a distorted truth which we hold on to in our intellect, often subconsciously. An example of an unclean spirit which resides in the intellect is the notion that the world population is exploding and the only solution is widespread contraception. It is an unclean spirit that destroys human life in many countries, especially the developing ones. Why? Because its first world proponents instead of devoting their efforts to doing good for humanity, pour thousands of millions of dollars into contraceptive programs which include widespread sterilization and abortion. To make the coercion worse, aid packages are often offered on the condition that the country submits to the population control programs offered.

If we listen to Jesus we can drive out this unclean spirit. He continues to speak through the teaching office of the Church. Reading the document “Ethical and Pastoral Dimensions of Population Trends” will help us to listen to the voice of Jesus. Read it and it will make a deep impression on you. As the psalmist tells us, “O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.” On population the Church teaches that “much of the information published about demographic facts is open to question and is erroneous at times” such that all Christians are encouraged to “develop a critical spirit regarding the population crisis ideology.” When Pope Paul VI spoke to the United Nations in 1965 he said “You must strive to multiply bread so that it suffices for the tables of mankind, and not rather favour an artificial control of birth, which would be irrational, in order to diminish the number of guests at the banquet of life."

A disciple is someone open to learn from the Master. To come to Jesus and be taught by him. Many people today will use their travel time to be better informed of church teaching – reading a spiritual book or church document, or even downloading by iPod or MP3 talks and homilies to listen to on their journey. How are you forming your mind? What are you reading on the train or bus? Jesus, continue to teach us! Help us to be open. May the constant desire to search for the truth drive out many false ideas in our minds. May listening to your voice in the Church teaching help drive out many unclean spirits. Jesus, continue to teach us! Make us good students and willing disciples. May your words, spoken in us and through our lives, continue to drive out many unclean spirits in us, in others and in our society of today. Amen.

22 ene 2012

REFLEXION del Evangelio dominical

La fe como respuesta a una llamada (P. Luis Jose Tamayo)

Marcos 1, 14-20: Pasando junto al lago de Galilea, vio a Simón y a su hermano Andrés, que eran pescadores y estaban echando el copo en el lago.
Jesús les dijo:
-«Venid conmigo y os haré pescadores de hombres.»
Inmediatamente dejaron las redes y lo siguieron. Un poco más adelante vio a Santiago, hijo de Zebedeo, y a su hermano Juan, que estaban en la barca repasando las redes. Los llamó, dejaron a su padre Zebedeo en la barca con los jornaleros y se marcharon con él.”

El Evangelio de este domingo toca una realidad de la fe cristiana a la que poco se presta atención y tiene unas consecuencias importantes para nuestra vida de fe. El Evangelio de hoy, 3º del tiempo ordinario, nos presenta el inicio de la vida pública de Jesús, y es justo al inicio de su andadura en el anuncio del Reino que llama a unos cuantos a seguirle y a caminar junto a él. En Marcos 3,13 dirá: “llamó a los que él quiso para estar con él y enviarlos a predicar”. La vida de los discípulos dio un giro cuando escucharon la llamada, y éstos escuchando la llamada, le respondieron, dice el Evangelio que “dejándolo todo le siguieron”.

Al comienzo de todos los evangelios encontramos la realidad de la llamada de Jesús a seguirle.

Es importante descubrir que nuestra vida cristiana se enraíza en esta realidad del llamamiento de Dios a nuestras vidas, y por lo tanto, todo lo demás es una respuesta nuestra a esa llamada. San Agustín lo expresa con la frase de “todo es gracia”, es decir, si uno es capaz de vivir la fe no es más que una respuesta a una llamada previa de Dios. Si uno hace un rato de oración, no es mérito propio, sino que es respuesta a la sed de oración que Dios ha puesto en el corazón previamente. Si uno hace una obra de caridad, no es iniciativa personal que se pueda atribuir, sino que es la respuesta lógica a un deseo de generosidad que Dios ha plantado previamente en el corazón del hombre.

La vida cristiana ha de concebirse siempre como una respuesta a una llamada, sólo así conseguimos salir de una moral de la obligación para enraizar la fe en una dimensión relacional. Hemos sido educados en una moral muy rígida de la obligación, del deber, del ‘tengo que’… Cuantos de nosotros hemos escuchado sobre la misa dominical la expresión “la obligación semanal”, o “mis practicas de fe”, o “mis obligaciones”… como si de un cumplimiento se tratara, y al fallarse se rompe algo. Si que la fe nos pide unas practicas, pero son respuesta a una amistad. Ir a visitar a mis padres no es una obligación, quedar con un amigo no puede ser una obligación, sino que ese estar y compartir es fruto de la amistad, del cariño, de la relación. Si la fe la sacamos del contexto de la relación, nos movemos en el contexto de las normas… y las normas al final se hacen una carga.

Por eso Jesús al llamar no les pone una serie de normas, sino que simplemente les dice: “Ven y sigueme”, ven y aprende una forma nueva de vivir, ven y seamos amigos, ven y descubre como el amor que te tengo te transforma. El cristianismo es una relación de amor, de amistad… ya lo decía Santa Teresa de Ávila: La oración es tratar de amistad, muchas veces y a solas, con Aquel que sabemos nos ama. La fe es tratar de amistad. Por eso no nos quedemos en los mínimos de la “obligación semanal” de la misa… eso son mínimos… la fe se vive 24h/7 días… la fe es de lunes a domingo. Si puedes venir a ver a Jesús a misa algún día más entre semana, muestrale que sales de la obligación y lo haces por que de verdad le buscas a Él; si paras en una capilla a lo largo del día, dile que lo haces por que deseas alimentar la amistad con Él; si haces una obra de caridad, dile que buscas volcar el amor a Él en otra persona.

3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B

I will make you a fisher of people

(Fr. James McTavish)

Mark 1:14-20

Jesus is walking along the shore of Lake Galilee. He saw two brothers casting a net in the lake. The brothers were Simon and Andrew and they were fishermen. Jesus said to them “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” At once, they left their nets and follow him. What did Jesus see in those simple fishermen? The first Pope and another Saint! Simon would be the first Pope and Andrew would be St Andrew. St Andrew is the patron Saint of Scotland and as he was crucified in a diagonal position the Scottish flag has a diagonal white cross in it.

It is interesting as in a fisherman Jesus sees a fisher of men. In some ways it is the fulfilment of what a person is already doing. It is not a career change but more of a huge promotion. Before I became a priest I was a surgeon. I was working in the field of plastics and reconstruction. That is why I am so handsome. Just joking! I was working with children with facial deformities and trying to rebuild them. Sometimes when people hear that I am now a missionary priest they will comment “Oh why did you change?” or “Why did you leave it all behind?” As the years have gone by I feel that answering the call of Jesus has meant that all the aspirations have been fulfilled. Jesus does not take away, he gives! The mission entrusted to the church is a mission to reconstruct, to give back the broken identity of many people, to make them beautiful once again. Many people who answer the call experience this, that to follow Jesus is to fulfil all human aspirations. I have met engineers who instead of building structures dedicate themselves to building bridges between people, accountants who teach people to invest in heavenly things, and mathematics teachers who now teach that 5 +2 = 5000 (remember the multiplication).

Most of the time in following Jesus we imagine all that we have to leave behind! If we only focus on the renouncement then we are missing the point. We are still not following him yet, only thinking about it. As the slogan goes “Just do it!” in the little options of everyday life and you will discover the joy to follow Jesus. He is not a thief who comes to steal but the giver of life who wants us to have life to the full. I remember my younger brother asking me about my decision to follow Jesus. He asked me about the vows of obedience, chastity and then hesitantly asked if I had to take a vow of poverty. I wondered why he was so interested until he asked “Well who is going to get your walkman?” Sometimes we have to examine our lives and see what we are holding on to. Sometimes we are clutching on to things which have no real value. I remember in my novitiate visiting a very rich woman who was dying. She had asked for the anointing of the sick. During the unction she stretched out her hand. She said to the priest, “Father, I have invested all my life in money. Do you know what I have now?” She opened her palm and I was expecting to see a key to a hidden bank vault or perhaps a precious stone. But her palm was empty. “I go to my grave with nothing” she said sadly.

Following Jesus will not leave us empty handed! The disciples became fishers of people. They caught so many fish, and you and I are each one of them! Jesus has a huge horizon for each one of us. How can we participate in the great mission entrusted to the Church? Don’t worry, it is not too late. There is still lots of work to do! John Paul II said that the mission after 2000 years the mission of the church is only just beginning. Sharing in the nets helps us leave many nets behind, many nets that just entangle us. How do we become fishers of people when we can’t even catch a few little sardines? Jesus gives us the secret “Come follow me, and I will make you a fisher of people.” It is about following Jesus. He will do the miracles, the magical makeover of our lives. He is the good Doctor and knows what needs to be reconstructed! A spiritual nip and tuck here and there, not an eyebrow lift but lift up your eyes and see the mission fields ready for harvest. I am nobody, what can I do? Don’t say that! You are the next St. Andrew, you are a fisher of people! With me you will catch some big fish. Do you believe? Let the adventure begin. Time is running out, enough has been wasted. Ok Jesus, let’s go. I want to go fishing with you…

15 ene 2012

REFLEXION del Evangelio dominical


El seguimiento de Cristo

P. Luis J. Tamayo

Hoy es segundo domingo del tiempo ordinario. El domingo pasado entramos en el tiempo ordinario con la celebración del Bautismo del Señor, después de todo un primer tiempo de Adviento, es decir, de preparación a lo que sería la Natividad del Señor.

El Evangelio de hoy, es el comienzo de la vida pública de Jesús. Jesús todavía no ha predicado en público, no ha hechos grandes obras. El Evangelio de este domingo nos relata que “estaba Juan con dos de sus discípulos y, fijándose en Jesús que pasaba, dice: «Éste es el Cordero de DiosJuan 1, 35-42

Este gesto de Juan de apuntar a Jesús y llamarle como el cordero de Dios, pudiera ser el lema al que apunte nuestras vidas, como cristianos, para este año nuevo 2012 que empieza, es decir, tener bien claro la meta y apuntar hacia el fin de hacia donde vamos: “Este es el Cordero de Dios, Cristo, Jesús es el fin y meta de mi vida”.

San Pablo lo llega a decir claramente: “Para mi la vida es Cristo(Fil 1,21). Pablo tenía bien clara la meta a la que aspiraba llegar con su vida. Cristo.

Por ejemplo, yo pienso en el mundo empresarial y al comienzo de cada año es importante fijar las metas de hacia donde debe de ir el negocio. En el mundo escolar es lo mismo, al menos en la Universidad, el primer día te presentan el programa y el temario, incluso con fechas y un buen programa de metas con el objetivo de todo el curso.

Por eso la razón de este evangelio a principio del año litúrgico, por que el título que recibe Jesús de boca de Juan es lo que da respuesta a la pregunta de la existencia humana: ¿Qué es lo que aspira lo más profundo de tu vida? Nuestras vidas debiera estar orientadas y polarizadas hacia Cristo, el Cordero de Dios.

Es lógico que un joven se pregunte ¿Hacia donde voy?. Quizás un adulto ya tiene la vida más resuelta. Pero no hablamos de lo externo de una carrera profesional, sino de la meta y fin de tu vida, puesto que si no decides apuntar claro hacia Cristo, otras metas te absorberán en tiempo, la energía y la ilusión. Metas que no colman ni satisfacen el corazón plenamente como Cristo lo hace.

¿Hacia dónde orientar la propia existencia? ¿A quién seguir? ¿Qué enseñanza, qué ejemplo, para encontrar el camino correcto y responder a ese anhelo profundo de plenitud, de felicidad? Muchos modelos se publicitan en este mundo, "ídolos" con promesas que pretenden responder a nuestras aspiraciones, desde las más externas hasta las más profundas y lo son de diverso tipo: actores de cine, cantantes de moda, ciertos políticos, gurús y maestros de nuevas religiones, etc. A veces el modelo que se nos ofrece es simplemente el de la masa amorfa: "haz lo que todos hacen". Pero, ¿conducen todos ellos a responder plenamente a nuestros anhelos más íntimos de permanencia y despliegue? La respuesta sabemos que es negativa. Hay en todo ser humano una como necesidad de encontrar un Maestro y Modelo que responda completa y verdaderamente a su sed de infinito y felicidad.

Juan no sólo le da el título de “El cordero de Dios”, sino que mirando a sus amigos apunta con el dedo a Jesús iniciando una invitación al seguirle. Esto es lo que la Tradición de la Iglesia ha llamado desde siempre: el seguimiento de Cristo, la imitación de Cristo.

Por eso, si la meta queda clara al principio: una vida que apunte a Cristo, sin embargo el contenido se irá dilucidando a lo largo del mismo curso según vamos siguiendo a Jesús en el día a día, pues es en el día a día que tendremos que intentar imitar a Jesús, en el como viviría, que diría, que actitud tendría en las distintas circunstancias que nos toquen vivir. Volviendo al ejemplo de antes, en la universidad al principio del curso daban el programa con los títulos de los capítulos, pero el contenido se iría dilucidando y viendo a lo largo del curso. Lo mismo nos pasa en el seguimiento de Cristo: es en esa circunstancia concreta que te toca vivir hoy, en donde se ha de ver en la práctica si intento seguir a Jesús. Por eso tan importante preguntarle en la oración: Señor, y esto como lo vivirías, y aquí que harías, y en esto que dirías, como actuarías… por que sólo es en ese vivir según Jesús que uno descubre la integridad y la alegría profunda que nos da la dignidad plena de ser hombres a la imagen de Dios.

Preséntale a Jesús tu situación de vida y pregúntale a Jesús hoy en tu oración como mejor reproducir sus gestos o palabras para reflejar su rostro y disfrutar de la plenitud del amor en tu corazón.

Baptism of the Lord , Year B

We need to immerse ourselves

Isa 42:1-4, 6-7 Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3b+9b-10 Acts 10:34-38 Mark 1:7-11

Today the Universal Church celebrates the baptism of the Lord when Jesus was baptized by John in the river Jordan. Baptism is a sacrament, a mystery. What does it mean that Jesus was baptized? In being baptized Jesus enters fully into the human condition. Entering the water he shows us his desire to enter into our human situation, to dive in.

In Greek, the word “baptize” means to dip or immerse oneself in water. In antiquity it was common in baptism for the candidate to be fully immersed in the water. Jesus was the first one to enter fully and totally into the murky depths of the Jordan, but in a symbolic and real way to dive into the murky depths of our humanity. He goes ahead of us, sanctifying what he finds and opening a way. Jesus is fully human and fully divine. Often we have an expression “I am only human.” If only we were really fully human! The one who is fully human is the one who lets himself be loved fully by God, who is divinized and sanctified by the Spirit.

Without God’s grace and love we cannot enter fully into the human experience. What we see, the complexities, contradictions and ambiguities frighten us off. The human condition, marked by sin, is not possible for us to embrace without divine assistance. Only the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world can redeem us. St Maximus of Turin commented “Christ is baptized, not that he may be sanctified in the waters, but that he himself may sanctify the waters.” He sanctifies the human condition, loving it, embracing it and redeeming it. John Paul II in his encyclical about the Christ the Redeemer of man wrote that man remains a mystery unto himself unless he encounters love, embraces it and makes it his own (cf. Redemptor Hominis no. 10).

What is the consequence of not fully encountering and embracing love? We sit on the fence. We don’t commit, we don’t dive in. How often we are afraid to commit! Afraid to make a decision, uncertain and insecure. Of course we need to discern well, to “test everything and retain what is good.” But sometimes it is very obvious what is needed! We know God’s will clearly. Committing ourselves means we have to confront our inconsistencies. Don’t be afraid to dive in!!! Sometimes watching rock concerts you see the diehard fans climbing on stage and before the security can capture them they launch themselves into the crowd in what is known as “stage diving.” They do this because they know they will be caught by many safe hands of people in the crowd. And us? We know that when we dive into God’s will, the safe hands of three very dependable persons will catch us – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit will catch us!

In the baptism scene God the Father speaks and reminds all to trust in Jesus “This is my Son, my beloved. Listen to him.” The Father assures us that we are safe in the hands of his Son. Trust is very important. What is Jesus telling you? So if God is for you who can be against you? Time is passing fast. Get on with it. Otherwise we grow old and we are only theoretical persons, people who bore others with all our “plans” but no action because we have no faith. What are you afraid of? The worst that can happen is that we make a mistake! Don’t be afraid! Dive in…

Epiphany of the Lord, Year B

Be an epiphany of my love to all!

Isa 60:1-6 Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matt 2:1-12

Epiphany comes from the Greek and means “manifestation.” This feast is the manifestation of God’s glory to all peoples. How did God manifest himself? Well there were no fireworks, brass bands, no fanfare of earthly trumpets, no interviews, media or TV crews. There were no reporters from Hello magazine, no autographs, no awards. Just a little baby lying there with Mary and Joseph. In fact it was so simple, so humble and so sublime that even the great biblical scholars of King Herod missed it. They knew the scriptures that prophesied the birth of the infant King but in the reality did not recognize his coming. And the same goes for me. I can know that Jesus is born but do I really witness the manifestation of God’s glory?

We can learn from the Wise men. How did they arrive at the infant King? What guided them? A star. It led the way. The star shone in the darkness and pointed the way. We too have a star to guide us, many stars. The star of our faith. The star of the Word of God which is a light for our path. The star of the teachings of the Church to guide us when the way is not clear. The star of the Community which accompanies us on the journey. The star of many lives who have gone before us, whose lives point clearly to Christ. Which star are we following on our journey?

We are called to follow the guiding star and not just any bright lights. Once, scientists were amazed observing the behaviour of newborn turtles. Instead of going to the safety of the ocean after their birth they went to the newly built highway where they were crushed under the wheels of cars. After investigation the scientists realized that instead of following the light of the moon, reflected on the ocean surface, they were being drawn to the dangerous highway by the light of the car headlights. Sometimes we too are confused. Instead of following the light of faith we go after many bright lights which put our dignity as children of God in danger: the bright lights of success at all costs, the lure of vices such as excess alcohol or drugs. When we do not follow the true light that has come into the world we can be crushed like the little turtles. The Epiphany is an invite to follow the true light that has come into the world. “Rise up in splendour! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See darkness covers the earth, but upon you the Lord shines. Nations shall walk by your light” (See Isaiah 60:1-6).

The infant King is the glory and splendour of God. He is the one of whom the prophet spoke “the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.” The gifts of the three Kings bear witness to the manifestation of God’s glory in a little baby. Gold is for a King, incense is for the High Priest and myrrh for the one who is to die to save us (it was commonly used to embalm the body after death to prepare it for burial). The wise men do not offer these gifts to King Herod but to the infant King, Jesus. Let us not give the gifts of our time, our affections, our energy and our talents to the Kings of this world! What a joy to offer what we have to the true King, Jesus.

Many have not yet discovered the love of God. The feast of today is a reminder that God’s light, life and love are for all people. Typically the 3 Magi are represented with different colours of skin to show the universality of God’s love. God wants his love to reach to all people. Each one of us can share in this great task and mission. We too are called to be light. Jesus needs you to be an epiphany or a manifestation of his love. Go for it! Don’t let anyone stop you. There are many Herods who will try to get in the way. But keep your eyes fixed on Christ and stay away from Herod. Like the Wise Men. They really were wise because they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod so they went home another way. Jesus is telling us in this Feast “Be an epiphany of my love to all!” We can respond “Jesus, I want to manifest your love. Help my little life to be a bright and shining epiphany of your love!!!”

Mary, Mother of God, Year B

Love comes down again

Num 6:22-27 Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6+8 Gal 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21

Today we ponder on the feast of Mary the Mother of God and it is once again a time to truly wonder at the incredible truth of the Incarnation. God became man. This truth must never cease to amaze, delight, and fascinate us - that the Creator, the Lord of all heaven and earth, took on human form and became one of us. Of course, we can never separate that Jesus was both divine and human, but today is extra special in that we contemplate the “humanness” of Jesus in being the son of Mary, a woman and a human being who became the Mother of God.

The 2nd reading stresses this mystery: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.” Here it talks of God’s overall plan; to come down, to be born of a woman (Mary) to redeem us in every way (under the “law”) and to give us our identity as Jesus’ brothers and sisters. God’s only Son became human, so that we humans can become sons and daughters of God – incredible! What a plan!!!

Let us never lose sight of just how amazing this is in which we are pondering today - God’s crazy plan of the incarnation. One of my favourite songs at the moment is “Love Come Down” by a man called Matt Maher and I find he expresses what I feel every time I think of this mystery. It goes like this: “I’m finding grace beyond all measure, In flesh and blood He hides His majesty, Inside of you and me, Why would a king do such a thing? Isn’t it beautiful? Isn’t it marvellous? The God of the universe he became one of us, we cry out and then love comes down again, faith/hope/love is found in him, Hallelujah.”

Listen to this! And this is an amazing truth. It sounds like fiction but it is true. It is a source of never-ending wonder and joy for us. Look at the gospel today, the very famous account of Jesus’ birth from the shepherds’ viewpoint: “So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Can you feel the shepherds’ amazement? And of those all around? Are you also amazed today or has somehow the incredibleness of this truth become desensitized in you as you have listened to it over and over again?

In the Philippines we hear the prayer, “The Angelus” prayed quite often. For me it was quite a shock when I first arrived to be shopping for groceries at a supermarket and then suddenly for everyone to stop and start praying this prayer. It is an amazing prayer as it reminds us that the Word of God became flesh. And when I first heard the Angelus being prayed (it is not so common to say it where I grew up) it amazed me with the truth of the Incarnation every time I heard it. I thought it is so good to be reminded of God’s amazing plan at least once a day. But after I had prayed it many times I sometimes got a little bit desensitized and just mumbled off the words without really pondering on the meaning behind. But how beautiful to refocus once again on the incredibleness of it all!

And we know that we also have become the child of Mary just like Jesus through his life here on earth. This was fulfilled and really made abundantly clear to us by Jesus on the cross which we can see in John 19:26-28 – “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.” After this, we have Mary as our Mother too. This was Jesus’ last wish, for us to really recognize our identity as a child of God through the motherhood of Mary, the Mother of God

Mary will show us how to live as a human, just as she always helped Jesus fulfil his mission and identity. The best example we have is at the wedding at Cana when Mary gently kept nudging Jesus into doing all that he should do in that moment and to start off His ministry to everyone and She will always to the same. She shows us how to live, and how to keep reminding us of how to keep remembering how amazing God’s plan of the incarnation was – look at her in the Gospel – “But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” She never stopped bringing God’s plan to mind and heart and allowing it to change and transform her life.

And because she kept it in mind she lived her whole life in great joy! The words in chapter 2 of Luke’s gospel are very famous – here she gives praise to God for how blessed we all are in her beautiful song of praise – The Magnificat – and really this reflects God’s invitation to all of us in the 1st reading today – “You shall say to them, The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” We are so blessed!!!

So let us remember with Mary today and every day exactly what it means to have the Mother of God as OUR Mother also. It means we are sons and daughters of God and everything Jesus did for us, we are also to do too. Go to Mother Mary and she will always remind you of this and gently suggest that we follow her example and ponder over and over again the mystery of the Incarnation in our heart - it will continue to fascinate you, give you joy and all of the motivation you need in every moment of your life! Amen.

The Holy Family, Year B

See Salvation

Gen 15:1-6; 21:1-3 Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 Luke 2:22-40

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Family. The Scriptural readings present to us a childless couple, Abram and his wife Sarah. God gives him a new name Abraham – the Father of a host of nations. “No longer shall you be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations. I will render you exceedingly fertile; I will make nations of you.” Abraham believed the promises of God. His wife conceived because she too “believed that he who made the promise would be faithful.” The second reading of today is taken from the letter to the Hebrews. The author of this letter praises the faith of Abraham and Sarah. What we have is a family that is listening to God and believing in his promises. The family starts to walk towards becoming a holier family. Many families today give importance to the Word of God. Listening to it, meditating it and trying to apply it to their lives. One title of the family is the “Domestic church.” In the Church the Word of God is listened to and meditated. So too in the Domestic Church. St John Chrysostom commented that if not all the family are able to go to Church then the one who goes must go home and share the Word he has listened to with all the family and all the people of the house. In this way the faith of the whole family is strengthened.

The gospel of today focuses on the presentation of the child Jesus in the temple. In the Mosaic Law it was proscribed that for 40 days after the birth of the child the mother could not enter the temple for reasons of impurity. Quite harsh really as Mother Mary was the Immaculate one. But Mary in her simplicity and obedience to the Law obliges. When she and Joseph are in the temple they present their offering – either a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons. What a small offering! Seemingly so insignificant. Probably not many would have noticed them. It would need eyes of faith to see the significance of such a small sacrifice. But God had prepared everything. There was a man called Simeon there, who was led to the temple that day by the Holy Spirit. Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God saying that now God’s word to him was fulfilled and that his eyes had seen the salvation. When we listen to God’s Word everything changes. What is apparently an ordinary event becomes extraordinary. Simeon sees a family offering their first born to the Lord and recognizes this grace filled moment of salvation history. Mary and Joseph were amazed at what was said about their son Jesus. It makes me wonder too. Is there space in my life to be amazed at God? Can the “simple” things still inspire me? Can I see God’s presence in small details? Or am I only moved by the “big” things?

Lord, in this Octave of Christmas, we have been given a privileged time to contemplate what we have received. Teach us how to contemplate and to have faith. If not, we look at the world of today, we see the challenges to the family and we become prophets of gloom and doom. Yet you are working. The Saviour has already been born. Will we recognize his coming? Will we recognize his powerful yet often hidden presence? Open our eyes teach us how to see the “reality” as you see it. As St Paul reminds us “The reality is Christ.” As the Spanish song goes “I can’t give you a new world, but I can give you new eyes.” Grant us new eyes to see your power and your glory, to see you working in the family. Grant us more faith in your promises. Teach us how to listen to your Word. And we pray for all families that amidst all the challenges they can still strive to be holy. Amen.