Jesus Christ: The Judaeo-Christian Influence

Jesus of Nazareth was a Jew and his God was the God of the Hebrew Scriptures. He grew up in Galilee and the religious tradition in which he was educated was that of Judaism. That is why it is inevitable for us not to acknowledge the Jews because Jesus himself was a Jew. We are not to make troubles with the Jews because whether we accept it or not, Jesus himself was a Jew. As I was reading the “pastoral orientation” part I agree with St. John Paul’s idea which is to go hand in hand with the Jews for a better humanity not by promoting division against each other rather than chaos. Thereby, we are to recognize that the God whom we worship and pray is the God of the Jewish religious tradition.

In the course of reading the suggested paragraphs, I came to realize that Christians and Jews are but one, thus we don’t need for a more complicated understanding of where we want to be which results to a greater division. I mean here, ‘’no more anti-christians, no more anti-jewish”. This is all what I want as a reaction, we are all love by God whom we are worshipping and praying to. Thus, we are but equal in his eyes! This community of ours whether Christian or Jewish tradition came into being through the experience of God and that these experiences were preserved in stories. When these stories came to be written down each new generation interprets the written stories in the light of its own situation and its own experiences that is why today Christians and Jews are not so closely related with each other even though we are worshipping the same God because of our varied interpretations. However, God continues to be present with each generation whether Christian or Jew.  The content and character of my faith comes to me in various ways from this community (Christian Community) from its Scriptures; from the way these Scriptures have been understood, interpreted, preached and discussed through the centuries from the past practices of prayer and devotion I have learned. That is why the “celebration of the Passover Meal” reminded me of how our celebration of the Holy Eucharist came in, which is very Jewish in its culture. I acknowledge the Jews simply by guiding as how we are to live a life of faith by means of visible signs to an invisible reality. I have learned through this course in which I am very thankful, the public worship which was handed down to us by the Jews in which we can never have our present without our past. I have found in this Judaeo-Christian community to be one which, despite its inevitable human weakness, nevertheless, in general promotes LIFE, HOPE and JOY!

POPE FRANCIS: Sharing Christ's Love, Peace, Joy, Mercy and Compassion to the Filipino People

“all I have is yours and all you have is mine. . . I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so they may be one like us.”-John 17:10-1

            Jesus’ whole being is perpetual seeing of the Father. Jesus’ life and works are an uninterrupted contemplation of His Father.

            The coming of the Holy Father Francis to our native land is a great privilege for us all. He is going to be with us to bring Christ in us. Our lives as a Filipino citizen is destined to become like the life of Jesus especially as Catholics. Pope Francis’ visit here is to bring and unite us to the house of God and to lead us into the intimacy of God’s divine life. The pope will come here so that we may be led to the full truth of the divine life. Truth here does not mean an idea, concept or doctrine, but rather the true relationship with God in communion with the faithful especially the excluded and marginalized citizens. To be led into the truth is to be led into the same relationship that Jesus has with the Father. Together as we all get excited with his visit let us not also forget the true message of Pope Francis upon coming here.

            Filipinos are known to be religious, and as we enter into this spiritual life we are precisely the ones who were sent into the world to continue and fulfil the work that Jesus began. Indeed, living a spiritual life requires a change of heart, a conversion. Such conversion may be marked by a sudden inner change, or it can take place through a long, quiet process of transformation. But it always involves an inner oneness with all the Filipinos. We realize that we are in the center and that from there all that is and all that takes place can be seen and understood as part of the mystery of God’s life with us, so let us not lose hope with our country. Our conflicts and pains, our tasks and promises, our families and friends, our activities and projects, our hopes and aspirations no longer appear to us as a fatiguing variety of things which we can barely keep together, but rather as affirmations and revelations of the new life in us with our pope. Together with our Holy Father, we’ll journey!

            Pope Francis comes here to bring the message of Christ, to share Christ’s joy in the Philippines to the full. He comes here to be one with him in the call for conversion to truth, for God’s word is the ultimate Truth. God has consecrated the life of Pope Francis to lead us to truth, oneness, charity, hope and love. Poverty, pain, struggle, anguish, agony and even inner darkness may continue to be a part of our experience. They may even be God’s way of purifying us. But life is no longer boring, resentful, depressing or lonely because we have come to know that everything that happens is part of our way to the house of the Father. So I say, his visit is a one-of-a-kind event here in our country, let’s cherish and treasure it!

Is Virtual Community Real Community?

           

       During the advent of the online world, distinctions between a real and a virtual community had emerged. However, only those people who are concerned with the distinction are the people who knew what social media is all about, nonetheless, they don’t care. They are so much concerned about what is real and what is not. In one of the past days, as I read an article about virtual and physical world it was not any more concerned about what is real and what is not rather they were much concerned with how online activities help develop communities and that what makes it real. Believing that virtual community is real can make things more possible by way of giving solutions to problem which are not solved by real communities, the Church for example. Building communities by way of online networking can really create communities but my question is, can we really have the complete encounter with those people whom we met in the internet? Do we really have the glance of their whole being? I don’t agree with the article inasmuch as virtual world can’t compare to a physical world. Why? It is because in a physical world “PHYSICAL PRESENCE” is a GIFT!

            Physical presence can make us complete in a sense that when we see physically the person whom we consider as our inmost friend we gain confidence and we feel comfortable. During meetings and informal gatherings it is quite very soothing to be in companion with our circle of members while looking at their faces. Although there are really some unresolved problems in the physical world which the virtual world can offer solutions, still physical presence makes our experience complete. Just as what the Father did to His son who came down from heaven and was incarnated to be in union with us. Jesus came down from heaven to share with our humanity. The more we see the physical presence of a person the more we get to know him and the more we get ignited with him. It is a mystery that whenever we are in front or in contact with a person physically we feel something complete and satisfied. Unlike in a virtual world it is like just something that we can see, hear and talk to. For me, touching lives of others is only possible when we touch their hands physically. In other words, touching people, changing lives.

            Haven’t you come to think that what if one day our internet connections will all be lost and we have nothing to do with such? All things here on earth are just finite, that is why I come up with a question like that. Now, if things are finite it is but close to the possibility that online world will vanish. Who knows in the future, with the abuses and all the misuse of the internet it might happen. And if really time will come that our connections will be lost, how will we do with our virtual communities? Can it still survive? Without electricity? Can we still depend on such? I think, it is still debatable but my point is that, I can accept that virtual world can’t be as real as the physical world. Virtual world is a real world, however, it is a world which is digital and ephemeral.

A Simple Encounter with GOD

It was a fine Sunday morning when we went to Bohol District Jail for our weekly apostolate. On that day the Holy Spirit had given me the chance to talk to one of the inmates there. A man of long hair, with a long beard called my attention and invited me to sit on the corridor and we started talking. In the course of our conversation he said that he was frustrated and disappointed for his case was open delayed and worst may even be denied. He was in the jail for almost 15 solid years, neither granted a bail nor pardoned. He even confessed that he was regularly attending the Sunday mass inside the prison and even sincerely prayed the Holy Rosary as much as he could. He often visit the chapel as well where he spares his private prayers. Yet he questioned God, why isn’t it that he was not pardoned while others even just served the jail for just a shorter period of time were granted. Isn’t it unfair? Such were questions of a thirsty man who thirsts for God’s mercy and compassion.

encountering God in the Eucharist. . .
 

With a confused mind, I answered with the grace of the Spirit, I said; ‘’ I don’t believe that God will not grant our prayers, it is because He has 3 options for us: YES, NOT RIGHT NOW AND I HAVE SOMETHING BETTER FOR YOU. JUST BE PATIENT’’. I simply added, ‘’ disappointments and frustrations are just God’s ways of saying I got something better for you my son’’. Don’t be totally worried about everything that is going around you because if you really trust His Divine Providence, it is HIS job! Not ours. Then we both walked together to the chapel for the mass was about to start.

The Advent of NEO-SCHOLASTICISM

              Although I was raised by a religious family in Bohol still it was very inevitable that I have in my mind some modern secular world-view especially during my high school years in which I was equipped with a lot of assumptions from among the body of sciences while having insufficient background about God and religion. This secular world-view reflects the methods of empirical science and on the one hand rejects the notion of God. Modern science, especially, do not see any need to affirm the existence of God because of the so called theory of evolution. In fact, at that time the young mind of mine was put into dilemma. Until such time I reached in college and there “scholasticism” aided me in seeing the world in another way.

            Scholasticism helps me in my faith by way of presenting to me another way of seeing the world. Although it is in this way of thought that the evolutionary theory is taken for granted, however it firmly affirms the existence of God. Indeed, it is in this way of thought that we have to acknowledge our Creator and Great designer inasmuch as scholasticism sees God as an essential part of reality that without Him no reality at all. Scholasticism cures away my questions on God’s existence by giving and presenting the proofs for His divine existence. It also shows what it is to be human accordingly by the guide of the scriptures. Scholasticism really showed me that human experiences when honestly and carefully observed pondered and reflected at, it will really invite us beyond in recognizing the existence of a Personal Being who is the source of all. And with the grace of the Holy Spirit I was able to pursue my spirituality more firmly and mature enough to pray for the world and not just for my own.

a man is at his best when he prays!

       As a seminarian through the help of scholastic philosophy, I acknowledge that these events in our vast universe though we cannot embrace the whole of reality still I have a grasp that these experiences are part of our journey with God. The healthy skepticism I had in my high school years had now turned into a stepping stone for a deep faith in God and become a good man because scholasticism had played a great role in my life. More profoundly, without which (scholasticism), I may not be what I am today: a man who earnestly prays, respects the dignity and right of others, love my neighbors and one who acknowledges the presence of a loving God through showing a good example.  

On ST. AUGUSTINE'S Leadership

“Great leaders don’t grouse, they act!” - Chris Lowney, why he leads the way he leads.

St. Augustine

You have often learned that all our hope is in Christ and that he is our true glory and our salvation. You are members of the flock of the Good Shepherd, who watches over Israel and nourishes his people. Yet there are shepherds who want to have the title of shepherd without wanting to fulfill a pastor’s duties; let us then recall what God says to his shepherds through the prophet. You must listen attentively; I must listen with fear and trembling.

The word of the Lord came to me and said: Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel and speak to the shepherds of Israel. We just heard this reading a moment ago, my brothers, and I have decided to speak to you on this passage. The Lord will help me to speak the truth if I do not speak on my own authority. For if I speak on my own authority, I will be a shepherd nourishing myself and not the sheep. However, if my words are the Lord’s, then he is nourishing you no matter who speaks. Thus says the Lord God: Shepherds of Israel, who have been nourishing only themselves! Should not the shepherds nourish the sheep? In other words, true shepherds take care of their sheep, not themselves. This is the principle reason why God condemns those shepherds: they took care of themselves rather than their sheep. Who are they who nourish themselves? They are the shepherds the Apostle described when he said: They all seek what is theirs and not what is Christ’s.

I must distinguish carefully between two aspects of the role the lord has given me, a role that demands a rigorous accountability, a role based on the Lord’s greatness rather than on my own merit. The first aspect is that I am a Christian; the second, that I am a leader. I am a Christian for my own sake, whereas I am a leader for your sake; the fact that I am a Christian is to my own advantage, but I am a leader for your advantage.

Many persons come to God as Christians but not as leaders. Perhaps they travel by an easier road and are less hindered since they bear a lighter burden. In addition to the fact that I am a Christian and must give God an account of my life, I as a leader must give him an account of my stewardship as well. (from his book, CONFESSIONS)

            Augustine, being a great leader to his flock I can really appreciate the discipline he had for his constituents within the household. At the same house and table together with him the clergy were regularly fed and clothed at the common expense. That no one might informally utter a word and thus fall into blame, he preached to the people in the church and instructed the members of his own household that no one should utter an oath—not even at the table. The faults of omission and commission of which, in spite of this rule, his brethren were guilty, he duly and properly censured or tolerated them as far as was fitting and necessary; in such cases particularly teaching that no one should incline his heart to evil words or to make excuses in sins. And when anyone offered his gift at the altar and there remembered that his brother had aught against him, he should leave his offering at the altar and go to be reconciled to his brother and then come and offer his gift at the altar. But if he had anything against his brother, he should rebuke him in secret, and if he heard him he had gained his brother, but if not, he should take with him one or two others. If he held them also in contempt he should be brought before the Church. This also he added, that if a brother offend and ask forgiveness, not seven times, but seventy times seven times, the offence should be forgiven him, even as each one daily asks of the Lord that his own sins be forgiven. If given the chance to be with him for even just a short period of time I would be glad because I can myself as a very passionate man inasmuch as my boss is so passionate as well. I will probably lean many things from him that is very useful with this formation I have today. I maybe acquire the possible ideal character of a seminarian as his follower. Such is just one way on how he manifests his leadership as a bishop. 

What it is to be truly FREE in the seminary?

            

             Our responsible freedom here in the seminary is a gift from God. Because of this gift we can choose to heed God’s call to be truly happy by following Jesus Christ in our everyday living here in the community. Through the Holy Spirit, who strengthens me to do what is good, our freedom is perfected, bearing fruit in our loving service to God and our neighbour. St. Paul speaks of this in his letter to the Corinthians: “where the Spirit of the Lord, there is freedom” (2cor 3:17).

              In my moral living here in the seminary since June I can say that we are persons (the seminarians) called to true freedom. In His goodness, God created us free human persons, set apart from the rest of creation, yet charged with responsibility over it. Thence, we are created in the image of God who freely chose to share His goodness with us, thus, we are called to do good. I realize that we become fully ourselves only through grace, freely chosen acts that express pour dignity as created, saved and strengthened beings by the Triune God. Indeed, our freedom is at the heart of our human becoming. In the seminary, since my college years I really appreciated that in growing in authentic freedom we are to follow Christ, who empowers us through the Holy Spirit in becoming truly free. I also reflected that with my experiences with people and the rules in the seminary there I understood what it means to be truly be free.

I realize, however, that growing in freedom means so much more than having more options. Being truly free here in the seminary also means growing in my capacity to ACT RESPONSIBLY. Now that I can do more things, I am much expected to put my capacity to good use. This I mean choosing the best in me inside the seminary what I know is good. To specify some, doing my daily household chores here in the seminary though many thought it as just a simple thing to do yet it has a great impact on my part as a free seminarian. Acting responsibly may mean not littering, not lying, not wasting time on the computer or cell phone and not using illegal drugs. By experience, we know that acting responsibly upholds our genuine personal responsible freedom and the true freedom of our families and circle of friends.

 As I grow in my understanding of responsible freedom or simply freedom, I also grow in an awareness of my duty to protect my freedom here in my community (the seminary). Freedom then, is something immeasurable in the scientific sense.no machine can assess the degree of freedom of an individual person or of the community. The good thing is that are our own freedom meters, who can use reason to understand what Christ life and teachings says about what it means to be truly free. Freedom is something we experience as persons- in our capacity to choose, in our individual choices and in the person we become through our choices.

 In growing up, we naturally gain more experience and more responsibilities, and because of this, some people thought that their freedom is ought to be limitless. They feel that they should be able to do whatever they want even if it destroys the true freedom of others. Thus, all forms of restraint- rules and obligations, commitments, norms or standards and accepted ways of doing things- are taken as limitations on freedom. What they desire most is to have the freedom to do as they please. One example of this idea of absolute freedom is the clamour of some people for the absolute right over their lives and bodies, especially the right to commit abortion and euthanasia. This manifestation of the culture of death, is rooted in the basic error that sees God, the living Tradition of the Catholic Church and everything that guides all persons toward authentic freedom as a hindrance to absolute freedom to do whatever one wants. Imagine some claiming the freedom to murder, to rape, steal, and lie as their right.

The Ten Commandments do not only prohibit, but more importantly, express what we should do to be truly free: worship God and always respect the life, marriage, property and honor of all persons. These moral obligations are essential in our life as a community; without them, the only norm would be brute force, or having things “my way”. True freedom, therefore, is not our capacity to do anything we WANT, but our capacity to do what we ought as persons-in-community. In short, true freedom is ‘’doing GOOD’’. Through God’s sanctifying grace, we grow more and more in the likeness of Christ.