Do I?

It is always a JOY to be of service

First of all, I want to make a confession. On his election to the papacy, I said I'm still for Pope Benedict. But maybe, somehow, the Holy Spirit is indeed at work. Now I'm beginning to see the light and wisdom on his pontificate.

Now I understand what Pope Francis wants every time he calls for Christians to be missionaries. The Church as the Body of Christ should not be confined in the pillars of the worship building but should extend its participation in homes, on the streets, in the market, and in the whole structure of society. We believers should go out of our comfort zones to reach out in order to effectively proclaim the Gospel message. We are reminded of the great Pentecost account when the apostles went out of their room in hiding and courageously spoke of the resurrection. Pope Francis wants a Church which literally journeys and is authentically on a pilgrimage towards the Holy City of God. He wants Church that permeates within the daily life experiences of man.

The key element for a fruitful mission is joy. His Apostolic Exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium" deals extensively in this Christian joy which must envelope both the mission and the missionary. But it is more than mere joy. It is a MISSIONARY JOY (21). This exhortation is the response from the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization convoked on October 2013. His opening words clearly gives the whole structure and point of his exhortation:

"THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus." (1)

It brings us back to the call of the disciples towards the resurrection encounter; the encounter with Jesus, true God and true man, who reveals His victory. This is the heart of the Gospel message to which the apostle Paul also exemplifies: "if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain" (cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-20). This is the joy that sprang from within and out of the hearts of the women who saw the empty tomb and immediately went to announce what they have seen.

During these times we think of missionary work as reserved for the religious. We easily equate it with going to remote places, to indigenous people, to the natives, and those who do not know Christ. But that is only one aspect of the larger scheme of missionary work to which every Christian, by virtue of their baptism, should take part. It is more than defending the existence of God or explaining the faith, but on how we are able to show what we believe in. Put words into action. It is wonderful to recalls how many of the Gentiles and the Romans admired the early believers- they were living in love. It was not through reading or preaching (in many instances) but more on the witnessing of these Christians that many were converted and added to their group.

The world is in need of active witnesses- those who are ready to stand up and live their identity as Christians, followers of Christ. The world is in need of pastors who are willing to be among their flock. In the words of Pope Francis, those who would "smell like sheep" and be one with their community. The world is in need not of superficial leaders as if separated from them but one who is able to relate and experience their own living. The world is in need of more men and women committed to works of charity. These people who have the desire to do apostolic works out of their love from their brothers and sisters and not for selfish motives. The world is in need of young people ready to be signs of contradictions in an industry mired by individuality, consumerism, and indifference.

"Many places are experiencing a dearth of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. This is often due to the lack of contagious apostolic fervour in communities which results in a cooling of enthusiasm and attractiveness. Wherever there is life, fervous and a desire to bring Christ to others, genuine vocations will arise." (107)

It is also noteworthy that Pope Francis has special affection to the poor and need. This should also be out attitude. The Church is of and for the poor. We should not forget this for in their eyes are the mirrors of reality. They reflect the poverty of the manger, of the Lord's life, and the suffering He endured. The Church's poverty is a sign of her need and dependence on the Lord's sustenance. They should not be left out in this journey. They are a significant part, whether objects of evangelization or agents of this proclamation.

 "Our faith in Christ, who became poor, and was always close to the poor and the outcast, is the basic of our concern for the integral development of society's most neglected members. Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society... The old question always returns: 'How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods, and sees a brother and sister in need and yet refuses to help?' (1 Jn 3:17)." (186,187)

Service for the Lord is not a duty. It is more than an obligation. It entails a commitment. There is freedom. The joy of proclaiming the Gospel should not be a burden but rather a pure spirit of zeal and courageousness. It is borne out of love. The more joy we carry, the lighter our journey would be. It will always be a joy in the service of God and others.

It is only fitting that this exhortation was released on the occasion of the closing of the Year of Faith previously declared by his predecessor, Benedict XVI. It was a grace-filled year and moment to reflect and recall our faith. Now, it is time to go out and live it.

Finally, Rome Sweet Home!

I'm done reading ROME SWEET HOME: Our Journey to Catholicism by Dr. Scott and Kimberly Hahn. Finally I had that drive to read the book.

It was in high school way back 2002 when I was first introduced to Dr. Hahn's theological works. I was given a book entitled Hail, Holy Queen which was one of his best works on the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was left untouched on my desk for some years until I read it. I thought it was very good and since then got fond of reading more of his works. The last one I read was Consuming the Word in 2013, the 15th book authored by him which I have.

My godfather, together with many friends in the Catholic apologetics, recommended I read Rome Sweet Home. The only copy I found was a newsprint from a local bookstore. I was not enticed to read it. I scanned a few pages, took a glimpse at the pictures, then placed it back on shelf. I felt it was boring. After reading many of his works defending the Catholic teaching, it seemed that his conversion story were mere reiterations of the more detailed experiences Dr. Scott Hahn recounts on his other books.

Why just now? My grandmother gave me a copy as a New Year's present. Upon receiving it, I said to myself, "Wow, thanks but I have a copy already." But this one is a new print and it looks cool. I started reading it and in three days, voila! I'm done. Congratulations to me.

Well I hope I'm back to my regular reading habit of finishing at least a book a week. What struck me most in their conversion story is not the process but the realization that many Catholics take for granted the faith they have, the faith we have. How many of us Catholics really know the core of our beliefs? It is not only a matter of believing and dogmatizing the Church and God as if they are mere theological characters but real, real, existing beings that should be known by heart. It is not just knowing Jesus but really getting to His very person and encountering Him. It is not only lining for communion or receiving the sacraments as if ordinary rituals but seeing the meanings behind these symbols and acts of faith. Maybe that is my it is called, the "core", it is the heart (from the Latin cor).

Many of us know the bible, what it is, but not what it contains. We know the books of the bible but we do not know what they really want to tell us. We just often read them as a literary work or as an ordinary book of texts but not opening it in order to open our hearts and minds to a divine reality. Does it really need to be a foreigner to explain things to natives? This question struck me in the reading of their conversion story. Sometimes, if not too often, it needs someone from the outside to show us what our culture is (sociologically speaking). The Catholic faith is so rich in doctrine, in tradition, in scripture, in God's ways, but we do not usually see these because we've grown too lax or too comfortable with what we have. "Oh we're Catholic and we know that the Church holds the truth." but when faced with the question, "Then what truths does you Church teach?" We don't have an answer.

A good way to jumpstart the year 2014. Pope Francis calls for a Church that is active. The Year of Faith that challenged every Catholic to restudy and relearn the core of faith has been fruitful. Now the pontiff is challenging us to go further more, evangelize today. After this, next reading in line is his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium.

5 star for Dr. Scott and Kimberly Hahn's ROME SWEET HOME.

Pope Francis greets the Filipino people: Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS

POPE FRANCIS

TO THE PHILIPPINE CONFERENCE ON THE NEW EVANGELIZATION

18 October 2013

University of Sto. Toman

Manila, Philippines

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ,

I greet all of you with the peace and joy of our Lord. The first Philippine Conference on the New Evangelization is our offering to the Year of Faith. For this I thank all of you: brother Bishops, the priests, religious men and women, seminarians, and the lay faithful who organize and are participating in the conference. I am happy to learn that you came to Manila from different parts of the Philippines and Asia. The Holy Spirit is actively at work in you.

The Church of Christ is alive. Through this conference, I hope you would experience again the loving presence of Jesus in your lives, that you would love the Church more and that you would share the Gospel to other people with humility and joy. Don’t get tired of bringing the mercy of the Father to the poor, the sick, the abandoned the young people and the family. Let Jesus speak now in the world of politics, business, arts, science, technology and social media. Let the Holy Spirit renew the creation and bring forth justice and peace in the Philippines and in the great continent of Asia that is close to my heart.

Please pray for me. I need it. I promise to pray for you especially to our Mother, the blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the New Evangelization.

Mabuhay ang Filipinas! Mabuhay ang Asia! Pagpalain kayo ng Diyos.

God bless you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

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audio file in the Vatican Radio: http://media01.radiovaticana.va/audiomp3/00395512.MP3

Chief Pastor admonishes co-shepherds

Pope Francis addresses 120 new bishops on September 19 urging them to be more pastoral than living a "princely" lifestyle.

A cold, selfish reality: A Throwaway Culture

What has become of this world?

It has grown cold and selfish.

It has become too individualistic that it lost its sense of solidarity; what is left of man is an exultation of his own self blind and deaf from the needs and efforts of others. The world has taught him to live by his own, to do whatever he wants, and to enjoy the world as if everything, even life itself, are in his disposal. He has become the master of himself to the point of enslaving his humanity.

Man has created a worldview of indifference. From "No man is an island" he shifts to an object of solitude. Man becomes his own island. He separated himself from the bond of the mainland, from the solidarity of a community life. How many of us would think that the beggar on the church door is a part of the worshiping community? Home many of us would dare to let in a homeless into our dinner table? How many of us would really care about the misfortunes of others that we watch on television news or hear in radio reports; have we grown too comfortable in our seats just sitting back and feeling relaxed?

We are challenged to us our gifts in building the Kingdom of God. The first reading taken from Ezra (1:1-6) shows how King Cyrus, who inspired by the Lord, ordered the construction of the temple in Jerusalem: "All their neighbors gave them help in every way, with silver, gold, goods, and cattle, and with many precious gifts besides all their free-will offerings." They knew how to give. They knew how to offer help. They knew what it meant to be a community one in faith. They knew how everything they had came from God and how it is only fitting that these be returned and used for His glory.

Our talents, skills, strength, power, and resources are all but from the Lord. We are called to do the same - to use all these for His Kingdom. Blessings are not given to us to flaunt and be proud off. What we have are not to glorify our own abilities and to raise ourselves above others. Jesus in the Gospel (Lk 8:16-18) admonishes us to be light to every one. We should not hinder ourselves from doing what we can for the benefit of the community. We are a part of it. How stern does the Lord tells us, "To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away." When we are rich in whatever, these riches must be offered in order to continually build up the Kingdom. We must share the same light to those who have less that the fire burning in their hearts would inflame more.

Would you go off your pew and turn to the beggar and greet him or her with the sign of peace?
Would you be kind enough to offer a loaf to hungry child in the street after you have fed yourself in communion?
Would you dare defend one hopeless and innocent baby from the brutality of the world?
But the gravest question is not always easily answerable with a yes or no, but one asked with a HOW.

What has become of this world? Pope Francis remarks that this world has become a "throwaway culture." Everything is disposable. Everything is temporary. He noted in his inaugural homily that "Everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it." This shows only that we are a part of a whole that should take care of one another and not only of ourselves. It is touching that he adds as he left Brazil during the World Youth Day: "Show by your life, that it is worth giving your time and talents in order to attain high ideals, it is worth recognizing the dignity of each human person, and it is worth taking risks for Christ and the Gospel."