Mga Kapanalig, kinagabihan ng ika-4 ng Marso, naglabas ng pahayag si Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes ukol sa pagpaslang sa gobernador ng Negros Oriental na si Governor Roel Degamo at siyam na iba pa. Nakiusap siya sa mga mananampalataya sa diyosesis na ipagdasal ang mga pinatay at ang kanilang naulilang mga pamilya. Kinundena ng obispo ang walang saysay na pagpatay sa probinsya. Tanong niya: paano natin makakamit ang pangmatagalang kapayapaan kung nagpapatuloy ang kultura ng karahasan sa Negros Oriental? Kailan matutuldukan ang tila walang katapusang pagpatay?
Magtatanghali ng araw na iyon nang binaril si Governor Degamo sa kanyang bahay sa bayan ng Pamplona sa Negros Oriental. Habang kinakausap daw ang mga benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilya sa kanilang lugar, dumating ang isang grupo ng mga armadong lalaki naka-full battle gear. Pagkapatay sa gobernador at ilan pang sibilyan, agad na tumakas ang anim hanggang sampung suspek. Habang isinusulat natin ang editoryal na ito, patuloy ang ginagawang imbestigasyon ng mga pulis at paghahanap sa mga suspek. Inihatid naman na sa huling hantungan ang gobernador.
Pinagtibay noong nakaraang buwan lamang ng Korte Suprema ang proklamasyon ni Degamo bilang gobernador ng probinsya. Ito ay matapos ibasura ng korte ang petisyon ng kanyang kalaban noon na si Pryde Henry Teves laban sa Commission on Elections (o Comelec) na ibinilang ang mga boto ng isang nuisance candidate kay Governor Degamo. Tumangging umalis sa puwesto si Teves. Away pulitika ang isa sa mga sinisilip na motibo sa pagpatay sa gobernador ng Negros Oriental.
Dagdag si Governor Degamo sa humahabang listahan ng mga pulitikong inatake sa ating bansa, at siya ang ikatlong pinaslang mula noong eleksyon ng 2022. Pebrero din ngayong taon nang atakihin si Governor Mamintal Adiong ng Lanao del Sur. Sa buwan ding iyon, binaril at napatay ang bise-alkalde ng Aparri, Cagayan na si Rommel Alameda.
Matatandaan ding naging laman ng mga balita ang mga patayan sa Negros Oriental noong 2019. Sa ilalim ng tinatawag na Oplan Sauron ng PNP, ilang buwang dumanak ang dugo sa probinsya. Tinugis noon ng mga pulis ang anila’y mga kasapi ng New People’s Army na inuugnay nila sa kriminalidad at paglaganap ng droga roon. Hindi pa man nakakaanim na buwan ang Oplan Sauron, dalawampung katao na, kabilang ang isang abugadong tumutulong sa mga nangangailangan, ang binawian ng buhay.
Tama si Bishop Cortes, isang kultura ng karahasan ang bumabalot sa Negros Oriental. At ang tanong niya ay tanong din natin: kailan ito matatapos?
Katulad nga ng nakasaad sa Mga Kawikaan 13:2, “Ang ninanasa ng masama ay puro karahasan.” Wala nang iba kundi kasamaan ang nasa likod ng karahasan—karahasang buhay ang maaaring maging kapalit. At walang lugar sa isang makataong lipunan ang paggamit ng karahasan, lalo na kung ito ay upang pagtakpan ang mali, upang manatili sa kapangyarihan, o upang pairalin ang baluktot na mga pananaw. Kung tunay nating pinahahalagahan ang ating buhay at ang ating bayan, hindi natin gagamiting kasangkapan ang karahasang sumisira ng buhay at sumisira sa lipunan. Paalala nga si Pope Paul VI, kung gusto natin ng kapayapaan, maging makatarungan tayo.5 Kaya tanungin natin ang ating mga sarili: ano ang ninanasa natin para sa ating pamilya? Tanungin natin ang ating mga lingkod-bayan: ano ang ninanasa nila para sa ating bayan?
Mga Kapanalig, hinihiram natin ang mga salita ni Dumaguete Bishop Cortes: nawa’y magtulungan ang kinauukulan upang mabilis na mabigyang-katarungan ang pagkakapatay kay Governor Degamo nang sa gayon ay matamo nila ang kapayapaan at katarungan sa Negros Oriental. Ito rin ang hangad natin para sa iba pang biktima ng karahasan upang hindi na maging normal sa ating bansa ang walang saysay na pagpatay.
Such a short phrase. There are strictly speaking three words, but said fast sound like only three syllables. Yet they carry so much weight.
Imagine a scene in a public utility bus: A woman accidentally hit on the head by a passenger’s bag and turns around, with eyebrows crossed, to see who did it. When she is about to yell all kinds of invectives at the culprit, her eyes meet another lady’s fawn eyes as she pleadingly and humbly says, “I’m sorry!” The aggrieved woman merely opens her mouth wide, takes a deep breath, and sighs heavily without saying a word. She shakes her head and says nothing, and her anger slowly dissipates into mere irritation.
Another scene: A mother cries silently in her room because her teenage son just screamed at her and blamed her for a day devoid of fun. She waits patiently for the son to quietly enter her room, slip her a note, or ease his way beside her and whisper, “Mom, I’m sorry.” In a situation like this, a mother understands her son. Of course, a mother forgives her son long before he acknowledges his fault, but what music it is to a mother’s ears when an erring son says, “I’m sorry.” Yes, when the son behaves better the following day, the mother knows he’s sorry. But it is just not the same. Sometimes, not explicitly saying “I’m sorry” at this point could aggravate the situation. Even if the mother understands, there is no replacement for the overt statement of sorrow.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the Sacraments many Catholics find difficult to accept. They ask why they should confess their sins to a priest. Self is a sinner. They can confess directly to God. Many good Catholics say: “Why go to Confession when they have not committed any mortal sins? Why waste the priest’s time?” More people, though, do not go to confession because they are too embarrassed to confess their sins. My close friends tell me their children are embarrassed to make me hear their confessions because I know them. In other words, they would go to any priest who does not know them to avoid embarrassment.
Have we ever stopped to think how much we like to hear “I’m sorry” said when we are wronged or offended? If this phrase means so much to us and we are happier when we hear it said by an erring friend, can you imagine then the joy and satisfaction Our loving God gets when we formally go to Confession and in some manner say in a formal way through His priest: “God, I am sorry!” God loves us too much ever to let sin separate us from Him. Again, it is we who leave His loving embrace. He does not leave us and will never leave us. But each time we err and hide our faces from Him, we distance ourselves.
Each time we rationalize that we will confess our sins directly to God and not course it through a priest, it is as if we are not saying the phrase “I’m sorry!” Of course, God can see our hearts. He can see how truly sorry we are for our sins if we truly are. Yet the gesture of going to confession has the value of saying the all-important phrase, “I’m sorry.”
The first greeting of Christ after rising from the dead was “Peace!” Peace is possible for those who have been forgiven. How, then, can we be forgiven unless we beg for it? How can there be peace without saying, “I’m sorry” There are so many opportunities waiting for us to attain peace, and the key to it is a sincere and loving plea, “I am sorry!”
Mga Kapanalig, mula nang mangyari ang oil spill mula sa lumubog na oil tanker sa Oriental Mindoro noong ika-28 ng Pebrero 28, daan-daang barangay na sa Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, at Antique ang naapektuhan. Tinatayang nasa 30,000 pamilya mula sa mahigit isandaang barangay sa mga baybay-dagat ng MIMAROPA at Region VI ang apektado sa insidenteng ito. Maitim at makapal na langis sa karagatan at dalampasigan ng maraming bayan sa Oriental Mindoro na matiyagang nililinis ng mga residente at volunteers. Matagal na ring nagtitiis ang mga residente sa napakasangsang na amoy ng langis. Mahigit isandaang katao na ang nakaranas ng hirap sa paghinga, pagkahilo, pananakit ng tiyan at ng ulo, at pagsusuka.
Ayon pa sa mga eksperto, malaki ang posibilidad na umabot ang nakalalasong langis papunta sa Verde Island Passage (o VIP) dahil sa pagbabago ng direksyon ng hangin. Tinaguriang “center of the center of marine biodiversity in the world” ang VIP dahil doon nananahan at nagpaparami ang iba’t ibang uri ng isda at lamang-dagat. Doon din matatagpuan ang iba pang marine organisms, corals, at seagrass. Kaya’t napakalaking banta sa yamang-dagat ng naturang lugar ang kumakalat na langis. Asahan nating lubos na maaapektuhan ang kabuhayan ng libu-libong mangingisda na hindi makapalaot. Dahil sa malawakang fish kill at pagkaunti ng nahuhuling isda, kailangang paghandaan ng pamahalaan ang epekto ng oil spill sa buhay at hanapbuhay ng mga mangingisda.
Napag-alamang walang “authority to operate” ang MT Princess Empress na maghahatid sana ng tumapong langis. Sa imbestigasyon ng Maritime Industry Authority (o MARINA), lumabas na walang Certificate of Public Convenience (o CPC) ang oil tanker at hindi ito dapat pinayagang maglayag. Ayon pa sa MARINA, siyam na beses pang lumayag ang oil tanker nang walang permit bago pa man ang nangyaring oil spill. Dahil sa kawalan ng permit, malabong makuha ng kumpanya ang insurance na gagamiting kompensasyon sa libu-libong apektadong residente.
Nakadidismaya ang kawalan ng sapat na tulong mula sa kumpanya para sa mangingisda at iba pang pamilyang naapektuhan ng pagkawala ng kabuhayan dahil sa oil spill. Idinadaing ngayon ng mga residente ang kakulangan at kawalan ng tulong gayong hindi nila kasalanang nawalan sila ng ikabubuhay. Bagamat may nag-aabot sa kanila ng tulong pinansiyal at pagkain, hindi ito ang pangmatagalang solusyon. Wala pa ring konkretong plano ang gobyerno upang protektahan ang mga apektadong komunidad at panagutin ang mga kumpanyang responsable sa nangyaring sakuna.
Ayon nga sa ensiklikal ni Pope Francis na Laudato Si’, nangangailangan ng malayong pagtanaw ang pangangalaga sa kalikasan dahil walang tunay na pagmamalasakit sa kalikasan ang sinumang naghahanap lamang ng mabilis at madaling kita. Tunay na malaki ang kapalit ng mga pagkasirang dulot ng pagiging makasarili. Ang pagkasira ng biodiversity sa karagatang balot ngayon ng langis ay hindi matutumbasan ng kahit anong halaga ng pera. Kaya naman, wala nang panahon para manahimik at manatiling pikit-mata sa mga kawalang-katarungan at paglalapastangan ng mga pabayáng kumpanya.
Ang susunod na henerasyon ang magbabayad ng bunga ng pagkasira ng ating kalikasan. Kailangang tiyakin ng pamahalaan ang kalagayan at kalusugan ng mga naapektuhan nating kababayan at ang pagpapanumbalik ng nasirang karagatan at pangisdaan. Gaya ng paalala sa Lucas 12:48, “ang binigyan ng maraming bagay ay hahanapan ng marami; at ang pinagkatiwalaan ng lalong maraming bagay ay pananagutin ng lalong marami.” Sa lawak ng pinsalang iniwan ng oil spill, malaki ang inaasahan nating pagtugon sa pamahalaan.
Mga Kapanalig, nakalulungkot na walang kinalaman o walang kasalanan ang mga residente sa nangyaring oil spill ngunit sila ang magdadala ng kalbaryo bunga ng pagpapabaya ng malalaking kompanya at pamahalaan. Sana’y kumilos nang mabilis ang gobyerno upang gumaan naman ang hirap na nararanasan—at mararanasan pa—ng mga labis na naperwisyo.
40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 20 March 2023
Monday, Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of Blessed Virgin Mary
2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16 + Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 + Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2023.
Praise and thanksgiving to you, God our Father
for the gift of calling me like St. Joseph
to bring your Son Jesus into the world
despite my many fears and doubts,
inadequacies, weaknesses
and sinfulness,
you entrusted me
with the same task you gave St. Joseph
of making known your Son
as “God Saves” - Jesus.
…the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home… She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:20, 21
Remind me always, dear God,
of this first task you gave us
your beloved children
to make known to everyone
that Jesus came to die on the Cross
to show us “God saves” -
that we are so wrong to think
you are domineering and ruthless God,
that you are not a God hungry of power,
that you are not insistent, and demanding God,
most of all, you are not a God who competes
with us your mere creatures like everyone thinks
from Adam and Eve down to us today.
Photo by author, Chapel of Holy Family, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 2014.
Teach me to be silent,
trustful of you, O Father,
like St. Joseph not bothered at all
of how things would turn out
with my task to make people realize and
experience Jesus Christ;
give me the courage and obedience
of St. Joseph to do as you have
tasked me to witness this great mystery
and wonder of your love
because “God saves”.
Amen.
Homiliya para sa Linggo ng Laetare, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma, Juan 9:1-41
“Laetare” ang tawag nating mga Katoliko sa ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma. Kung merong Gaudete sa Pangatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento, meron ding Laetare sa Pang-apat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma. Magkaibang bokabularyo, pero pareho din ang ibig sabihin: MAGALAK! Kaya ang madilim na kulay ube ay liliwanag at magiging kulay rosas. Para bang preview ito ng liwanag na hatid ng Paskong Pagkabuhay.
Kaya siguro natataon sa araw na ito ng Laetare ang pagbasa tungkol sa pagpapagaling sa taong bulag mula pa sa pagkapanganak. Siya ang larawan natin ng mabuting balita na hatid ni HesuKristo sa atin—isang taong nakasilay ng liwanag sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon.
Ang bulag na pulubi sa kuweno ay hindi katulad ng ibang mga bulag na pinagaling ni Hesus sa mga ebanghelyo. Karamihan sa kanila ay dating malinaw ang mata ngunit lumabo at nabulag pagtanda dahil sa sakit. Itong taong ito, hindi pa nakaranas na makakita ni minsan sa buhay niya. Kaya nga siya lumaking nagpapalimos . Dalawang bagay ang bibigyan natin ng pansin sa kuwento: una, merong dalawang yugto ang kuwento ng paggaling ng bulag, at pangalawa, pinalayas siya mula sa pinagpapalimusan niya.
Simulan natin sa una, nakita muna niya ang paligid niya for the first time. Pagkatapos, nakita niya si Hesus at sinamba niya. Dalawang bagay ito: ang makakita sa pisikal na mata at makakita sa mata ng pananampalataya.
Kay San Markos, may dalawang kuwento ng pagpapagaling na medyo hawig sa kuwentong narinig natin kay San Juan. Una, iyung bulag na taga-Bethsaida sa chapter 8 ni San Markos, vv22-26. Dalawang yugto rin ang pagpapagaling sa kanya: sa una, nakasilay na siya ng liwanag pero malabo pa ang paningin niya. Kaya inulit ni Hesus ang proseso at pagkatapos, luminaw na. Sa chapter 10 naman ni San Markos, vv.46-52, naroon ang kuwento ng pulubing si Bartimeo: may dalawang yugto rin. Sa una, gamit ang pandama kahit walang nakikita, lumapit si Bartimeo kay Hesus. Sa pangalawa, nang gumaling siya at nakakita, sumunod siya kay Hesus at naging alagad o disipulo.
Dito sa binasa natin, nang hugasan ng bulag na pulubi ang mga mata niya at nakakita siya, wala si Hesus sa tabi niya. Kaya hindi niya alam kung sino ang nagpagaling sa kanya. Palagay ko sinadya ito ng Panginoon dahil ayaw niyang pagkaguluhan siya. Pagkatapos na ng mga interogasyon na gagawin ng mga Pariseo sa pulubi, saka lang niya makakatagpong muli si Hesus. Silang dalawa na lang. Noon siya tatanungin kung naniniwala ba siya sa Anak ng Tao at ang isasagot niya ay, “Sino po siya para maniwala ako sa kanya?” Noon sasabihin ni Hesus, “Ako siya, ang taong nakikita mo ngayon sa harapan mo.” Noon siya magpahahayag ng kanyang pananampalataya at sasamba kay Hesus. Ito ang tinatawag kong pangalawang yugto ng pagsilay niya ng liwanag, ang liwanag ng pananampalataya o pagkilala kay Hesus bilang Anak ng Diyos at kanyang Tagapagligtas.
Noon sasabihin ni Hesus sa Juan 9:39, “Naparito ako sa mundo … upang ang hindi nakakakita ay makakita, at ang mga nakakakita ay mabulag.” Obvious ba kung sino ang pinatatamaan ni Hesus? Ang mga Pariseong walang nakikitang mabuti sa pangyayari—isang taong bulag mula sa pagkabata ang biglang nakakita. Pero wala silang nakikita kundi ang paglabag sa batas ng Sabbath.
Ibang klaseng kabulagan ito, hindi makita ang kamay ng Diyos sa pangyayari dahil pinadilim ang kanilang mga isip ng pagkainggit at pagkamuhi kay Hesus. Hindi naman talaga lahat ng tumingin o nakinig kay Hesus ay sumampalataya sa kanya. Ibang klaseng pagpapagaling ang kailangan para dito—pagbubukas ng esiritwal na mata. Hangga’t hindi nabubuksan ang mata ng pananampalataya, talagang hindi makikita ng tao ang pagkilos ng Diyos sa buhay niya, hindi makikita ang mapagkalingang kamay ng Diyos sa mga karanasan niya. Kaya siguro PAGKAMULAT ang tawag natin sa pag-unawa. “Ah, nakikita ko na ang ibig mong sabihin!” Ito ang nasasabi ng tao kapag naiintindihan na niya ang sinasabi ng kanyang kapwa.
Pansinin naman natin ngayon ang dulo ng kuwento. Pinalayas daw ang dating pulubi mula sa puwestong pinagpapalimusan niya. Parang ganoon din ang naranasan ng maraming mga Hudyo na yumakap sa pananampalatayang Kristiyano—pinalayas din sila mula sa mga sinagoga. Kung masakit ang mapalayas, palagay ko dito hindi.
Di ba matamis sa pandinig ng pulubi ang “Lumayas ka dito.”? Simula na ito ng bagong buhay para sa kanya. Hindi na siya bulag; hindi na niya kailangang umasa sa limos ng iba. Pwede na siyang magtrabaho, magtrabaho hindi lang para kikitain kundi para sa kaharian ng Diyos. Hindi lang nanauli ang silbi niya sa buhay, nanauli rin ang layunin at misyon niya bilang tao, ang dangal niya bilang anak ng Diyos, na tinanggap niya bilang regalo mula sa Anak ng Diyos.
Iyun marahil ang tinutumbok ni San Juan kung bakit sinabi pa niya na ang kahulugan ng salitang Siloam na pangalan ng balon kung saan naghugas at nakakita ang pulubi ay SUGO. Sa pagsamba niya kay Hesus, magsisimula rin ang kanyang pagiging sugo. Ang katapusan ng kanyang buhay pulubi ay simula ng kanyang buhay-alagad at sugo.
Ang punto: ito ang tunay na pagpapagaling na hangad ni Hesus—hindi lang ang mabuksan ang mga mata ng tao, kundi ang mamulat siya sa tunay na kahulugan ng buhay, ang tunay na layunin nito. Marami na akong nakilalang mga tao na malaki ang kinikita pero walang nakikitang saya, kabuluhan o kaligayahan. May isang linya sa Book of Revelation 3:17-18 na parang ganito rin ang mensahe:
“Sinasabi ninyo na mayaman kayo, sagana sa lahat ng bagay at wala nang pangangailangan. Ngunit hindi nʼyo alam na kaawa-awa kayo dahil dukha kayo sa pananampalataya, bulagsa katotohanan at hubad sa paningin ng Dios . Kaya pinapayuhan ko kayong bumili sa akin ng ginto na dinalisay sa apoy upang maging totoong mayaman kayo. Bumili rin kayo sa akin ng puting damit upang matakpan ang nakakahiya ninyong kahubaran, at pati na rin ng gamot sa mata upang makita ninyo ang katotohanan.” Pahayag 3:17-18
There is no other story in the gospel of John that is so closely knit and with consummate artistry and dramatic skill as this story of the healing of the man born blind (9:1-41). Just outlining it shows all that: vv1-5 Setting; vv6-7 Miraculous Healing; Interrogations of the Blind Man: vv8-12 by neighbors and acquaintances; vv 13-17 by the Pharisees; vv18-23 by the Jews questioning the parents: vv24-34 second interrogation by the Jews; vv35-41 Jesus leads the blind man to that spiritual sight which is faith while Pharisees, in turn, are hardened in blindness.
From the story the word “typhlos” (τυφλὸς) first refers to physical blindness (vv1-32; in OT, cf Pentateuch, e.g. Ex 4:11; Lev 19:14; Dt 27:18; in the gospels where blind men experienced healing at the hands of Jesus- Mt 9:27, 20:30; Mk 8:22; Lk 18:35). Later in the story it indicates blindness in the figurative sense, meaning spiritual dullness and hardness of heart (v35f; cf Prophets- Is 42:18, 56:10, 59:10; Zep 1:17; Jer 31; and in NT, Rom 2:19; 2 Pt 1:9, Rev 3:17; in Mt 23:14, this particularly refers to the hypocritical, self-righteous Pharisees being blind.
The story focuses on the single affirmation that Jesus is the light of the world (v5, cf 8:12). To come to him in faith is to accept the light, to reject him is to embrace the darkness (cf 1:3-11). The blind man symbolizes the alienated person without faith to whom Christ comes as the Savior. As the narrative unfolds the blind man who earlier received his physical sight (vv6f) grows into his spiritual vision through his recognition of Jesus. To his inquisitors, he responds that his healer was “the man called Jesus”(v11), “a prophet”(v17), “a man from God”(v33), “son of man” (v35-38). Finally, Christ is recognized and worshipped as Lord (v38). On the other hand, the Pharisees claim to have “sight” (vv40f). As teachers of Israel, they have knowledge of the scriptures and theological skills. Yet their “sight” leads them into ever deeper darkness. Their identification of Jesus is in strong contrast with that of the blind man.
This drama of parallel cross-passage from blindness to sight and from “sight” to blindness receives the definitive sentence of Jesus in the end (v41). Those truly blind without faith but open to Jesus are far better off than those with “sight” who are actually in darkness and sin and yet fail to recognize it and stubbornly hold in their certainty that they have the truth. As the saying goes “There are none so blind as those who will not see”. Physical blindness would be understandable and preferable for Jesus, to the willful metaphorical blindness of those who refuse to believe in Him. As Christians, we are all called to light, to sight, to truth. And so we pray “May the Lord Jesus touch our eyes…that we may see in visible things those which are invisible”, (prayer of Origen c.185-253).
Napansin ba ninyo na 29 days na ang dumaan mula noong binukasan natin ang Kuwaresma noong Miyerkules ng Abo? Mahigit na tayo sa kalahati ng apatnapung araw ng Kuwaresma. Kamusta na ang ating pagpepenitensiya, ang ating pagdarasal at ang ating pagkakawanggawa? Patuloy pa ba nating ginagawa? Nagbubunga na ba ito ng pagbabago? Ngayon po ay Laetare Sunday, ibig sabihin, Linggo ng Pagsasaya kaya pink o rosas ang kulay natin at hindi violet. Ito ay nagpapahiwatig na masaya ang kahihinatnan ng Kuwaresma kung serioso tayo sa ating pagpepenitensiya, pagdarasal at pagkakawanggawa. Magiging masaya ang Muling Pagkabuhay na ating inaasahan.
Talagang magiging masaya ang kahihinatnan natin. Liwanag ang ating aabutin. Ang kadiliman ng libingan ay liliwanagan ng Muling Pagkabuhay. Si Jesus na ating sinusundan ay ang Liwanag ng mundo. Sinulat ni San Pablo: “Dati, nasa kadiliman kayo ngunit ngayo’y nasa liwanag sapagkat kayo’y sa Panginoon.”
Pinagaling ni Jesus ang taong ipinanganak na bulag na walang ginagawa kundi namamalimos lang sa templo. Wala siyang ibang magawa. Nasa kadiliman siya. Hindi lang niya natanggap ang liwanag sa kanyang mata. Natanggap din niya ang liwanag tungkol kay Jesus. Tulad nang hindi biglang nakakita ang kanyang mata, ganoon din na hindi bigla ang pagkakilala niya kay Jesus. Lumura si Jesus sa lupa, gumawa ng putik at pinahid sa kanyang mata. Pinapunta pa siya sa tubig sa Siloe at pinaghilamos at doon lang siya nakakita. Dahan-dahan ang proseso ng pagbigay sa kanya ng kanyang paningin. Ganoon din ang pagkakita niya ng liwanag tungkol kay Jesus. Noong una hindi niya kilala si Jesus. Alam lang niya na Jesus ang kanyang pangalan. Pero dahil sa nangyari sa kanya, ipinahayag niya sa mga nag-iimbestiga na siya ay isang propeta. Kahit na siya ay bulag at siguro walang pinag-aralan, noong pinagbibintangan na makasalanan ang nagpagaling sa kanya, nanindigan siya na hindi maaaring makasalanan siya. Sabi niya, “Walang magagawa ang taong iyon kung hindi siya mula sa Diyos.” Mula sa Diyos na ang pagkakilala niya sa taong iyon. At noong matagpuan siya ni Jesus at tinanong siya kung sumasampalataya siya sa Anak ng Tao, pinakita niya ang kanyang kahandaan na manampalataya. At noong sinabi ni Jesus na siya na nga na nakikita niya, siya na nagkikipag-usap sa kanya, ang Anak ng Tao, ang ganda ng kanyang sinabi: “Sumasampalataya po ako, Panginoon” at sinamba niya si Jesus. Nabuksan ang mata ng kanyang isip at puso. Hindi lang niya nakita si Jesus. Natanggap niya na siya ay ang Panginoon at sinamba siya.
Hindi sapat na may paningin upang makarating sa liwanag. Ang mga Pariseo at mga Eskriba ay nakakakita pero nanatili silang bulag, nanatili sa kadiliman dahil sa hindi nila pagtanggap sa klarong pangyayari, na si Jesus ay nakabibigay ng paningin sa bulag kasi siya ay galing sa Diyos. Nabulagan sila ng kanilang pagtanggi sa kanya. Nabulagan sila ng kanilang kasalanan.
Si propeta Samuel ay nabulagan din dahil sa kanyang maling expectation. Pinadala siya ng Diyos sa Betlehem upang pahiran ng langis ang isang anak ni Jesse na maging hari na kapalit ni Saul. Ang kanyang akala sa isang hari ay isang lalaking magiting at malakas. Ganoon si Saul noong unang pinili siyang hari. Siya ang pinakamatangkad sa lahat, malakas at pinakagwapo. Kaya noong makita ni Samuel si Eliab, ang panganay na anak ni Jesse nasabi niya na ito na siguro ang hinirang ng Diyos kasi magiting, malakas at gwapo siya. Pero hindi siya ang pinili ng Diyos, at hindi ni isa man sa pitong anak na dinala ni Jesse sa harap niya. Wala sa kanila ang pinili ng Diyos kasi iba ang batayan ng Diyos. Hindi panlabas ang tinitignan ng Diyos kundi ang puso. Ang napili ng Diyos ay ang pinakabunso na hindi nga pinahalagahan ng tatay niya, si David. Pinaiwan siya na mag-alaga ng mga tupan. Maliit pa siya at walang pakinabang. Siya ang napili ng Diyos.
Nananatili tayo sa kadiliman kung tayo ay nabubulagan ng ating kasalanan at nabubulagan ng ating mga biases o expectations. Upang makapunta tayo sa Liwanag, pag-aralan natin ang kalooban ng Diyos at ano ang kalugud-lugod sa kanya, hindi ang ating gusto o ang ating hilig. At kung makita na natin ang kagustuhan ng Diyos, mamuhay tayo ng nararapat sa mga taong naliwanagan na ang ibinubunga nitong pamumuhay ay mabuti, matuwid at totoo.
May isa pa tayong pananagutan kung makita na natin ang liwanag. Hindi lang sapat na mamuhay ayon sa liwanag kundi dapat din ilantad ang mga gawain ng kadiliman – ang masasama. Kailangan nating gawin ito ngayong panahon na maraming kasamaan ay nagagawa sa kadaliman at kasinungalingan. Ayaw ng mga tao, lalo na ng mga nasa poder, na maliwanagan sila ng katotohanan. Kaya ayaw ipasa ng mga congresista at mga senador natin ang batas na Freedom of Information na magbibigay ng karapatan sa sinumang mamamayan na humingi ng mga datos sa mga namamahala. Ayaw nila ng transparency kasi nagtatago sila sa kadiliman. Kaya ayaw ipaimbistiga sa international court ang mga gumawa ng Extra Judicial Killing sa Drug War noong nakaraang administrasyon. May sapat naman daw tayong batas, pero alam natin na malaki ang pagkukulang ng ating mga korte na magbigay ng katarungan sa mga naaapi. May sapat naman daw tayong batas pero nakakulong pa si Leila De Lima kahit wala siyang kasalanan. Nasaan iyong sapat na batas natin? Kung si Leila De Lima na isang kilalang tao, na isang dating senador, ay hindi nabibigyan ng katarungan, ano pa kaya ang mga maliliit na tao na basta basta na lang pinagbibintangan at ni re-red tag. Kung nasa liwanag tayo, liwanagan natin ang mga gawain ng kadiliman. Ilantad ang mga panlilinlang. Magsalita at manawagan tayo ng accountability!
Mga kapatid, nakakatakot ang liwanag. Pero si Jesus ang liwanag ng mundo. Binubuksan niya ang mata ng mga bulag. Inilalantad niya ang mga gawain ng kadiliman. Kaya sinasabi sa atin: “Gumising ka, ikaw na natutulog, magbangon ka mula sa mga patay, at liliwanagan ka ni Kristo.”
40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Fourth Sunday in Lent-A, 19 March 2023
1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 + Ephesians 5:8-14 + John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17,34-38
Photo by author, sunrise at Katmon Nature Sanctuary & Beach Resort, Bgy. Binulusan, Infanta, Quezon (04 March 2023)
We continue to journey with Jesus and his disciples towards Jerusalem for the fulfillment of his mission and like last Sunday, we take on a short stop-over today with him in the healing of a man born blind. It is another long story in these last three weeks of Lent that we hear from the gospel by St. John, filled with so many layers of meaning about our sense of sight or seeing which we often take for granted. Many of us are misled by the world’s insistence that to see is to believe when so often, we still fail to really see persons, things, and situations.
Experience has taught us that it is not enough for us to have eyes to be able to see, that after all, what Jesus has been teaching us is most true – believe and you shall see which is what our story of his healing of a man born blind is all about.
As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” – which means Sent. So he went and washed, came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is,” but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said “I am.” They brought the one once blind to the Pharisee.
John 9: 1, 6-9, 13
Photo from freebibleimages.org
Like last Sunday, let us just focus at the beginning of this long, beautiful story with many details still relevant to our own time like the apostles asking Jesus who’s to be blamed for the man being born blind, himself or his parents? Jesus clearly tells us how we must stop our blaming game and start believing and trusting God who makes himself visible even in unfortunate circumstances.
In the story of Jesus with the Samaritan woman, St. John revealed to us how God would come to our lives at “noontime” when we are hot or in the heat of our worldly pursuits including sins; in this healing of the man born blind, we are shown how God through Jesus comes to us right in our most sorry plight in life, when we are in darkness. See how so disadvantaged is that man born blind who not only had no sight but practically a nobody as he had nothing in life, begging for food and money in order to live.
And that is when Jesus Christ comes to us, when we are nothing and practically down in the dumps.
Photo from freebibleimages.org
And here the story gets better. In the original Greek text, we find that “he was blind from his genesis” which has double meaning of both birth and creation. In using the term genesis, St. John is telling us that Jesus is not someone who had come to bring back the world to its original set up before the Fall of our first parents by destroying earth.
Jesus came not to destroy earth and us to start anew but to restore us to our original status of blessedness by being like us so we could be like him. Here in this instance, Jesus created a new beginning for the man when he touched the man’s eyes with mud and having him wash in the waters of Siloam which mean the “Sent One”. We are reminded how Adam the first man was formed from the dust of the earth as Ash Wednesday would always tell us at the start of Lent.
In Genesis, after forming man from dust, God breathed on Adam and he became alive.
Photo from freebibleimages.org
In today’s gospel, Jesus spat on the mud and “smeared the clay on his eyes” to show the process of new creation. Spitting is Jesus infusing himself on the mud or earth that was put on the eyes of the man born blind. He then instructed the man to “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam – which means Sent” (Jn.9:7), a complete reference to him too as the Christ or the Messiah long awaited.
Clearly in this scene we find the sign of water like last Sunday, an image of the Sacrament of Baptism where we are all re-created into new persons in Jesus Christ who is himself the water who cleanses us of our sins and impurities, re-creating us into new persons with unlimited possibilities and chances in life because of our union with God.
The healing of the man born blind was his salvation, his being saved through his union with God in Jesus Christ.
The man born blind represents us all who need cleansing by Jesus Christ. Everyday, Jesus comes to us in our lowest points in life, when we are so sick and weak, when we are losing all hopes and inspiration in life, when we are lost and defeated, when we are deep into sin. Jesus gives us himself as our saving gift.
But it is just the beginning.
See how the man born blind did not have his sight right away with Jesus putting mud on his eyes; it happened after obeying the Lord’s instruction to wash himself in Siloam. We have to cooperate with Jesus Christ like the man born blind.
Recall how Jesus reminded Peter on Holy Thursday of the need for him to wash his feet in order to have “inheritance with me” (Jn.13:8). We have been washed and cleansed by Jesus in our Baptism which is perfected in our celebration of the Holy Eucharist he established on Holy Thursday. The more we immerse ourselves in Jesus in the Eucharist, the more we are cleansed, the more we have faith in him, enabling us to see clearer not just have sights of things before us but its meanings in the light of Christ.
We need to go back to Jesus in the Eucharist to be washed clean, especially our eyes to be able to see clearly.
How funny if you have entirely read this story of how the people could not believe with their eyes what they saw after the man born blind was healed by Jesus. They could not agree among themselves they have to consult their authorities, the Pharisees to verify if he was really the man born blind who was healed; but, when summoned the Pharisees questioned the man, they too refused to believe him, even insulted him. The worst part of the story was when the parents of the man born blind were called to verify if he was really their son who was born blind and now can see. Unfortunately, the parents refused to vouch for him, insisting they ask him personally for he was old enough to speak.
There are times in our lives that we could be left alone standing for Jesus Christ for what is true, what is right, what is just, and what is good because it is only us who could see everything clearly like that man born blind after his healing. That is why, it is not enough to have sights only but also insight to see the meaning of things happening at present, as well as hindsight to see the meaning of the past and foresight to find its meaning in the future. We need faith in God in order to see beyond the surface and superficial, to see the deeper meaning of persons and events like what God told Samuel in anointing Jesse’s youngest son David to be Israel’s new king.
But the Lord said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
To see things and events including persons, of finding Jesus working in the present moment (insight), in the past (hindsight) and the future (foresight) requires a lot of courage too to stand for Christ and his values of truth and justice, mercy and love, life and persons like that man born blind and later healed. Here we find American writer Helen Keller’s words ringing so truly, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” Visionaries are people who dream with eyes wide opened, those who dare to see beyond because of their deep faith and conviction in their beliefs or whatever they held as true. Very much like our saints too who gave their lives for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Beginning this Sunday, let us heed St. Paul’s call for us to “Live as children of light”(Eph. 5:8) by following the light of Jesus Christ. Let us leave our blindness and darkness as well as shortsightedness by seeing to it we “Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness” (Eph. 5:11). Amen.Enjoy a blessed and insightful week ahead, everyone!
Photo by author, early morning rains at Katmon Nature Sanctuary & Beach Resort, Bgy. Binulusan, Infanta, Quezon (04 March 2023)
40 Days since the passing of a dear friend, Ryan B. Angeles, it is only now that I found the strength to write this tribute. I guess the pain of losing a very dear friend and confidant was something that I had to deal with before I could muster the courage to write about as my way letting go of the grief that I felt when he had to go and be with the company of our heavenly Father.
Ryan just recently passed away due to his battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of cancer which affected his lungs and heart. And though he was so brave in fighting to recover from this disease the physical burden was too much for him to handle; and so, he finally said goodbye to his beloved family and friends last January 20 at the Lung Center of the Philippines.
Ryan was such an endeared friend not just because he would bring laughter in whatever situation or circumstance that would come before him due to his “wit” and “infectious laugh” but also in his capacity to listen. Whenever I would have tough decisions to make either with my personal or professional life, Ryan would always be there to listen and to guide me through the process of discernment — and with this guy, I have learned that solutions even to the most complex of problems is the simplicity of a problem-solving approach … “itahimik mo lang ang puso mo, at upuan mo lang yan ng 10 minutes, malulutas mo yan” is what he would always say.
Until his last breath all he would utter is, “dahil marami kayong umaasa na gagaling ako, lalaban ako!” — this was his mantra against Cancer; and this was his personal ideology as well. He will always fight for the people he loved. As a family man, his life evolved caring for his mother Cita, siblings (Rosette, Randy and Ruth) and pamangkins (Pia, Ice, Calix, Kio, Primo, et. al.); whose concrete manifestation was him striving to build their modest home at Pandi, Bulacan from all his earnings here in Manila and from his work as an OFW in Saudi Arabia.
Though he was an excellent graphic designer (to which before he died he creatively designed the layout of CBCP’s Coffee Table Book on the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines and the Coffee Table Book of Radio Veritas’ for its 50th Year Anniversary) and could have been paid hefty in the Philippines, he still left to be an OFW as means for him to share in the experience of his mother who was also an OFW in Hong Kong — “Gusto kong maramdaman ang nararamdaman ng Nanay ko para mas makibahagi ako sa buhay nya at para mas mabigyan ko ng kahulugan sa sarili kong buhay ang paghihirap nya”. By the way, all my Christmas Posters since the day we met were designed by Ryan, so if you one of them we have him to thank for it,
Another notable act he did days before his death was that he still managed to finish the five gifts we discussed he would do. Though, he was in no obligation to do so because of this health condition, we were discussing sometime in October to give some items (the scented candles and perfumes he was producing and selling as means of raising funds for his chemo therapy) to some people who was helping him in his medical treatment; and so, I was surprised to see in my bedroom the five gifts he prepared when he visited me with his mother last December. That’s the kind of person he is — he will never leave a work unfinished. Yes, despite being afflicted with Cancer he still edited the CBCP Coffee Table Book with all his remaining strength until it last launched last September 28, 2022 (Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, first Filipino Saint).
Eon Von Vikander as Ryan is popularly called in Facebook is also known for his great fashion aesthetics. As he is an exceptional sewer too, he would sew and graphically design his own clothing apparels. From his signature glasses, shirts, slippers and caps his motto was FASHION with PASSION. Till, his dying days you would never see him sacrifice what he wears vis-à-vis the appearance of looking sick … “May sakit ka nga, magmumukha ka pang maysakit. Mas nakaka depress yon,” was what he would normally tell me; and that is why, even when he was sick his FB posts would always be that fashionable and smiling face that would make you love him even more.
The death of someone you love is the hardest thing in the world to deal with. It’s a kind of pain that you feel all over your body. It’s suffering of the worst kind. Then the real and true suffering begins when you realize that you have to start living without that person you love. But I too recall the words of Mitch Albom in his novel, Tuesdays with Morrie: “Death does not end a relationship, it transforms it”. Ryan will always remain in the hearts of all those he has touched; and his passing brings our relationship from the physical to the metaphysical — from the temporal to the spiritual or transcendental. And, every time we cry for him, it’s a way of honoring who Ryan is in our life and what we have lost. To my dear friend Ryan, I part with this poem:
Kapanalig, unti unti ng bumabalik ang sigla ng air transport industry sa ating bayan. Matapos ang malalim na pagkalugi noong kahitikan ng pandemya, mas marami na ang nagbibiyahe ngayon sa loob ng bayan, pati na rin patungo sa abroad. Dumarami na rin ang mga turista. Handa ba ang air transport industry natin sa revenge travel plans mga mamamayan?
Ang air transport industry, kapanalig, ay napakahalagang bahagi ng transport sector ng ating bayan. Hindi lamang tao ang tina-transport nito, kundi mga kargamento o cargo at produkto na kailangan sa supply chain ng iba’t ibang sektor at industriya sa buong mundo. Malaki ang ambag nito sa pagdaloy ng lokal at global na ekonomiya. Sakop ng air transport industry ang mga airlines, airports, at mga kaugnay na negosyo at ahensya. Sa kasalukuyan, mayroon tayong mga 90 national airports. Walo dito ay international airports. 42 sa mga airports na ito ay nasa Luzon.
Ayon sa isang pag-aaral ng Philippine Institute for Development Studies, marami pang hamon na dapat harapin ang mga airports ng ating bayan. Pangunahin na dito ay ang capacity, technical capability, quality, at institutional environment. Makikita natin kapanalig, na kapag peak season, at minsan kahit hindi pa nga, congested o masikip na ang ating mga airports, lalo na ang Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Noong 2019, umabot ng 50 million ang pasaherong gumamit ng NAIA habang 35 million lamang ang kapasidad nito. Buti na lamang at may airport na sa Clark, nagkaroon na ng opsyon ang mga tao.
Ayon pa rin sa pag-aaral, ang congestion ay nangyayari hindi lamang sa mga airports, pati na rin sa mga runway. Ito ay dahil sa layout nito pati na rin sa dami ng flights dito kada core operational hours. Kailangan nang limitahan ang flights kada oras para maiwasan ang pagsisikip.
Marami rin sa mga provincial airports ng ating bansa ang kulang sa teknikal na kapabilidad, gaya ng night-rating facilities. May mga isyu rin tayo sa air traffic management pati na kakulangan sa radar. Kumpara rin sa ating mga karatig bansa, medyo naluma ang ating mga airports. Pati nga mga koneksyon sa iba’t ibang pang transport sectors, kulang talaga sa ating airports. Sa ibang bansa, hindi lamang pasundo o taxi ang opsyon ng mga nagbibiyahe. Malapit sa tren, bus, at iba pang mode of transportation ang kanilang mga airports. Pag nagbiyahe sa loob ng ating bayan, gumastos ka na nga ng malaki sa ticket, gagastos ka pa ng malaki sa ground transport. Marami pang pagkakataon, sobrang taas ang bayad sa mga taxi.
Kapanalig, dapat tutukan ng ating bayan ang pagsasaayos ng air transport industry ng bansa, gaya din ng pagtutok nito sa modernization plan ng mga jeepneys. Dapat integrated at komprehensibo ang pag-atake sa transport industry ng bayan, at hindi piecemeal o pache-pache. Sabi nga ng Mater et Magistra, kung saan nagkukulang ang estado, nagkakagulo. Kung nais natin mas maayos na airports, kailangan pang pag-igihan pa ng ating gobyerno ang pangangalaga nito.
Homily for Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent, 17 Mar 2023, Mk 12:28-34
Did you notice the answer? What was the question? “Teacher, which is the FIRST of all the commandments”? I think what the scribe meant by THE FIRST was, “the most important”, or “the greatest”, or “the very heart of all the commandments”. He was expecting Jesus to answer like a good Jew.
When a Jew begins to enter teenage life, at 13, he is expected to answer this question by parrotting what they call the GREAT COMMANDMENT, which comes from Deut. 6:4-5., which says,
“HEAR, O Israel! The LORD is your God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
But Jesus surprises him by adding a second answer; he says, “The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. He is quoting it from Leviticus 19:18.
The man reacts with excitement to Jesus’ additional answer; he expresses his approval by practically repeating the two lines given by Jesus, and even includes a commentary that comes from Jeremiah. He says these TWO LOVES are worth more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices that people can possibly offer in their temple. Jeremiah once stood in the temple and declared that all their temple sacrifices and pious practices were worthless if, at the same time, they oppressed the migrants, the orphans, and the widows, if they continued to shed innocent blood, steal, murder, bear false witness and worship other gods. (Jer 7:3-15)
Why is Jesus adding the second, if the first would have been enough to answer the question of the scribe? Well, because Jesus’ intention was not just to answer the scribe but to challenge him. Take note what Jesus said to him in the end: “YOU ARE NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” It sounds like a compliment but it is actually a challenge.
Remember that song that says, “SO CLOSE, SO CLOSE AND YET SO FAR?” You are “not far” means you are close, but you are not necessarily there yet. Imagine a hungry dog that is just one foot away from his food, but he cannot reach it because he is on leash and his leash is tied to a post? What a torture that must be! The man answered with understanding, but for Jesus understanding is not enough. Even the devil understands a lot of things about God and even quotes the Scriptures. It is one thing to know what is right and another thing to actually do it. Jesus as it were is saying, you are not far because you know and understand; but you are not there yet until you actually do it.
In St. Luke’s version of basically the same conversation about the greatest commandment (Lk 10:25-37), Jesus returns the question to the man who posed it. And the man answers his own question by quoting the two commandments, without referring to a first or a second. Namely, “To love God wholeheartedly and one’s neighbor as oneself.” In reply, Jesus said, “You have answered correctly, JUST DO IT.” That’s where the challenge is for him, because he would try to justify himself by asking the famous question, WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?, which got the famous answer, the PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN.
St. John says it more sharply in his first epistle, 1 Jn 4:20. He says, “Anyone who says he loves God but hates his neighbor is a liar.” Then he asks, “How can you say you love God whom you do not see but do not love your neighbor whom you see?”
Now I know why Judaism prohibits the making of images of their invisible God. Why? Because God has already made the best image of himself—the human being. The late Cardinal Sin once referred to the TWO LOVES as the two lines that make up the cross: the vertical referring to LOVE OF GOD, and the HORIZONTAL, referring to LOVE OF NEIGHBOR AS ONESELF. We cannot experience the redeeming effect of the Cross of Christ until our TWO LOVES have begun to intersect with each other and become ONE LOVE, namely the LOVE OF CHRIST.
