THE ROAD TO CHRISTMAS

I have always admired the cobblestones along the historic streets in Europe. I recently encountered these beautiful pathways again. Every stone reminded me of those who built these roads, carefully landscaping and placing each unique stone in its rightful place for the whole path to be perfect. Imagine, because of them, so many important people in world history have walked on these cobblestones. So many of their stories can be told by these streets.

As I continued to walk, I thought: How strong and resilient these roads must be to last for centuries (even longer) for all generations to enjoy! Thanks mostly to those who first laid down each stone, these streets have withstood the test of time.

I guess the road to Christmas is the same. If Christ is coming - the most important figure in our history - shouldn't we better prepare the road for Him? A road as strong as these cobblestone paths. Nothing flamboyant, only good old simple walkways that stay strong and intact through the years.

To pave the road for Christmas, it is key to recognize the gifts we have received and will give along the way. The most recent gift we have received is the elevation of Archbishop Chito Tagle to Cardinal by the Holy Father. During the consistory, an air of national pride, honor, as well as a humbling sense of gratitude, was felt within the sacred walls of St. Peter's Basilica. 

Yet as Cardinal Tagle said, it is a big responsibility to carry; a responsibility shared by each and everyone of us. We thank God for the gift of having such a wise, wholistic and heartstrong man like him to represent us Filipinos in the Church.

The road to Christmas cannot be traveled without looking back to the image of the "Belen". We have been so accustomed to the romanticized image of the Belen as "cute" or "colorful" or "nice" that we sometimes forget its grim history. To be upfront, the true Belen wasn't nearly cute or nice and happy.

The road to Bethlehem that Joseph and Mary took is most difficult for a poor man and his young, pregnant wife. To give birth in an animal's manger is unimaginable! Inhuman! Mary must have been so cold, hungry, scared and uncomfortable just like any human. Joseph must have also felt fear for his wife and child Jesus, trying to man up and rise above the pressure of providing for and taking care of his family in such stringent conditions.

Christ, as God the Son, allowed for Himself to be born in such a lowly manner, to humble himself and give not just a part of Him but His whole being for humanity. Their sacrifices should never be forgotten. As we look at the Christmas Belen, let us always remember the example each of these "characters" has shown.

Like the composition of unique cobblestones on historic streets, the road to Christmas is not as smooth and as easy as we'd like it to be. It is the road less traveled, chosen only by those who pave it with the true gift of God's love. 

If this road could talk, it is our fervent wish they could speak of stories of compassion, kindness and love in the spirit of the Christmas season. Stories and virtues - good deeds - that are strongly founded and resilient enough to withstand the test of time.

Let us walk in the ways of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as we journey through the road to Christmas.

A HAPPY, HEARTSTRONG CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Rev. Fr. Vic. Y. Apacible

 

TRUTH IN ADVERTISING: 11TH SACRED HEART PROMISE

"TRUTH IN ADVERTISING"

Advertising is everywhere. 

Labels on different products we buy.

Commercials on TV.

Billboards along the roads.

Pop up ads on our cellphones and computers.

Today's article is not about advertising. 
It's about "truth in advertising", 

According to PROMISE NO. 11: 

"THOSE WHO SHALL PROMOTE THIS DEVOTION SHALL HAVE THEIR NAMES WRITTEN IN MY HEART."

What better "Truth" to advertise than the Truth of all truths? The Sacred Heart devotion is nothing but God's love. This is basic to our faith. We are all created to share this basic truth of His Love to all. God's love is the Good News we are all called to share.

Promoting the spirituality to the Sacred Heart (Pope Benedict XVI would rather call it "spirituality" than devotion) is like every advertiser's dream: to promote something that is real and sincere; Something that fully benefits the recipient (the "consumers" of His Divine Love); Something that does not promise false hopes and unwarranted claims; And something that doesn't cost much in return - JUST LOVE.

The best part of it is the value it imparts by saying " . . . (they) shall have their names written in my heart." In the midst of the growing issue today about public officials putting their names (and faces) on signages for government projects - more infamously known for the recent Anti- Epal Bill - Jesus proclaims, "There is nothing more important than having your name etched in my Heart."  What is truly most essential is that He knows and acknowledges our efforts in "the project" of promoting His Sacred Heart and spreading His love.

WHAT COULD BE MORE REWARDING THAN THAT?

In fact, by doing so, He even gifts us with bountiful blessings - not just in one aspect, but in all areas of our lives.

Today let us reflect on how we can be the Lord's best "advertisers of Truth". Let us promote His Sacred Heart in our homes, in our communities, at work and in our country to become better human beings worthy of His love, graces and merits.

On October 16, the Feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, we are inviting representatives of Sacred Heart parishes, congregations, communities, schools and other promoters of the spirituality for our first Sacred Heart conference. Please pray for this gathering that truly those entrusted to spread this devotion may do it faithfully, lovingly and passionately.

Let us continue to experience God's love as we join the Holy Father in ushering in the Year of Faith and New Evangelization this October. Let us also celebrate the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod, who passionately experienced and shared His love to the point of martyrdom.

As children of God, Christ's Heart beats in us and invites us to follow Him. There is no better way than to spend our days making all our Hearts like His.

Rev. Fr. Vic Y. Apacible

Parish Priest / Rector

       

GOOD FRIDAY: DEATH THAT GIVES LIFE TO THE WORLD

"IT IS FINISHED!"

As we meditate on the sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus, we realize all the destructive power of sin and Jesus’ immense love for sinful mankind.

Sin wounds, kills, destroys! Sin does all these to us. It did all these to Jesus though he never committed even the slightest sin. Love, instead, heals, gives life, and builds up. But love may cost a lot. It cost Jesus his dear life which he offered with supreme freedom and generosity so that all human beings might be freed from the devastation of sin.

Let us participate in this commemoration of the Lord’s Passion with hearts full of repentant and grateful love for him, and with the sincere determination to avoid sin at all costs. That will be the clearest sign of our sincerest appreciation for Christ’s boundless love.

THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
ACCORDING TO JOHN

All –Glory to you, Lord!

N1 –Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered. Judas, his betrayer, also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas got a band of soldiers and guards from the chief priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them,

Jesus –Whom are you looking for?

N2 –(They answered him,)

C –Jesus the Nazarene.

Jesus –I AM.

N2 –(He said to them.) Judas his betrayer was also with them. When he said to them, “I AM,” they turned away and fell to the ground. So He again asked them,

Jesus –Whom are you looking for?

N2 –(They said,)

C –Jesus the Nazarene.

N2 –(Jesus answered,)

Jesus –I told you that I AM. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.

N2 –This was to fulfill what he had said, “I have not lost any of those you gave me.”

N1 –Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter,

Jesus –Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?

N1 –So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus, bound him, and brought him to Annas first. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die rather than the people.

N2 –Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Now the other disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered the courtyard of the high priest with Jesus. But Peter stood at the gate outside. So the other disciple, the acquaintance of the high priest, went out and spoke to the gatekeeper and brought Peter in. Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter,

C –You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?

Pt –I am not.

N1 –(He said.) Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire that they had made, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. Peter was also standing there keeping warm. The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his doctrine. Jesus answered him,

Jesus –I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue or in the temple area where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing. Why ask me? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. They know what I said.

N2–When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said,

C –Is this the way you answer the high priest?

N2 –(Jesus answered him,)

Jesus –If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why
do you strike me?

N1 –Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Simon Peter was standing near a charcoal fire, keeping warm. And they said to him,

C –You are not one of his disciples, are you?

N1 –(He denied it and said,)

Pt –I am not!

N1 –One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the one whose ear Peter had cut
off, said,

C –Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?

N1 –Again, Peter denied it. And immediately the cock crowed. Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium. It was morning. And they themselves did not enter the praetorium, in order not to be defiled so that they could eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and said,

P –What charge do you bring against this man?

N2 –(They answered and said to him,)

C –If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.

N2 –(At this, Pilate said to them,)

P –Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.

C –We do not have the right to execute anyone,

N1 – The Jews answered him in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled that he said indicating the kind of death he would die. So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him,

P –Are you the King of the Jews?

N1 – (Jesus answered,)

Jesus –Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?

N1 –(Pilate answered,)

P –I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?

N1–(Jesus answered,)

Jesus –My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.

N1– (So Pilate said to him,)

P –Then you are a king?

N1– (Jesus answered,)
Jesus –You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.

N1 – (Pilate said to him,)

P –What is truth?

N2– When he had said this, he again went out to the Jews and said to them,

P –I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?

N2 – (They cried out again,)

C –Not this one but Barabbas!

N1 – Now Barabbas was a revolutionary. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. The soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head; they clothed him in a purple cloak,
and came to him and said,

C –Hail, King of the Jews!

N1 – And they struck him repeatedly. Once more Pilate went out and said to them,

P –Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.

N2 – So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And Pilate said to them,

P –Behold the man!N2 – When the chief priests and the guards saw him, they cried out,

C –Crucify him, crucify him!

N2 –(Pilate said to them,)

P –Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.

N2 – (The Jews answered,)

C –We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

N1 – When Pilate heard this statement, he became even more afraid, and went back into the praetorium and said to Jesus,

P –Where are you from?

N1 – Jesus did not answer him. So Pilate said to him,

P – Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?

N1– (Jesus answered him,)

Jesus –You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.

N2– Consequently, Pilate tried to release Jesus; but the Jews cried out,

C –If you release him, you are not a friend of Caesar! Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.

N2– When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and seated him on the judge’s bench in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha. It was preparation day for the Passover, and it was about noon. And he said to the Jews,

P –Behold your king!

N2– (They cried out,)

C –Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!

N2– (Pilate said to them,)

P –Shall I crucify your king?

N2– (The chief priests answered,)

C –We have no king but Caesar!

N1– Then Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle.

N2– Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate,

C –Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’

N2– (Pilate answered,)

P –What I have written, I have written.

N1– When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. So they said to one another,

C –Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be,

N1– in order that the passage of Scripture might be fulfilled that says: “They divided my
garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots.” This is what the soldiers did.

N2– Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother,

Jesus –Woman, behold, your son!

N2– Then he said to the disciple,

Jesus –Behold, your mother!

N2– And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

N1– After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said,

Jesus –I thirst.

N1–There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and raised it to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,

Jesus –It is finished!

N1– And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
(Pause. All kneel down in silence for a while.)

N2– Since it was Preparation Day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and that they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

N1– An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe.

N2– For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled: “Not a bone of it will be broken.” And again another passage says: “They will look upon him whom they have pierced.”

N1–After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body.

N2–Nicodemus, the one who had first come to Jesus at night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.

N1– Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish Preparation Day, for the tomb was close by.

OUR FAMILY, GOD'S FAMILY

"FOR MY EYES HAVE SEEN YOUR SALVATION"

PRESENTATION OF JESUS AT THE TEMPLE

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple.

And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted – and you yourself a sword will pierce – so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Many families in our society are a wreck. They exist only in the records of the parish or of the municipal hall and in the memories of years long gone by. Where there used to be kindness and trust, there now reign bitterness and betrayal. Where sharing and love flourished, there is now selfishness or even hatred. Most situations of these broken homes have reached a point of no return, with children born of “illegal” partners, and unfaithfulness having become a way of life.

How will these parents raise their children as Christians? What families will these children be able to form? . . .

All this is the result of a crisis of values, a crisis of faith. And a world full of malice and selfishness has easily shattered what was already so feeble inside. Our families need to rediscover the necessity and power of Christian values like love, dedication, respect, faithfulness, forgiveness, purity, faith, prayer . . . Only if these and similar values are treasured will a family be able to weather the inevitable storms of life.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is, for all our Filipino families, the wonderful model they should try to imitate. Only then will the whole Christian community in the Philippines experience that wonderful revival that we all need so badly, and which can only be rooted in the Gospel values exemplified in the Holy Family of Nazareth.

That family was not just exceptional because of the unique way in which Jesus was conceived, and because He was the Son of God. That family was also an ordinary family. Its members knew what it means to “live by the sweat of one’s brow.” They knew the bitter taste of poverty, rejection, persecution, anxiety, exile . . . They endured it all, trusting only in the Lord and always doing their best. This makes them the object not only of our admiration, but also of our imitation.

There are also other aspects which make the Holy Family of Nazareth a “model family.” It was a GOD-CENTERED FAMILY. God was their absolute priority, their number one. They lived in His presence, in total trust and availability.

That family was also inimitable in the loving attitude of its members toward one another. “Clothed with heartfelt mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, love and patience” (Col 3:12) in their daily lives, they practised all the virtues which St. Paul urges all Christian families to treasure and live.

Jesus’ family was characterized by sincere, selfless LOVE. This is what makes the Holy Family of Nazareth, the model and inspiration of all times and nations.

Every family should have a proper priority of values, deep respect for the aged, tenderness for the children. It should be one in plan and action, all under God, the Father of all.

This is the family we all should dream of and endeavor to make a reality with the help of God’s grace. Then will our families also become "Holy Families".


Euchalette, 28 December 2008
WORD AND LIFE PUBLICATIONS
MCPO Box 1820, Makati City 1258, Philippines

THE CHURCH AS GOD'S TEMPLE OF WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP OF LOVE

MY FATHER'S HOUSE IS A HOUSE OF PRAYER

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there.

He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves, He said, "Take these out of here, and stop making My Father's House a marketplace." His Disciples recalled the Words of Scripture, "Zeal for Your House will consume me."

At this the Jews said to Him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years and you will raise it up in three days?" But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His Body. Therefore, when He was raised from the dead, His Disciples remembered that He had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken. (Jn 2:13-22)

It is our sacred duty to worship God, and to worship Him not only in our heart, but also externally and in union with others, for we are made of soul and body and are social beings. This is one of the reasons why places of worship exist.

Places of worship have been and are constructed for the practical purpose of creating a “prayerful ambiance” that encourages and enables the faithful to pray better. They inspire the faithful to seek and establish an intimate communion with the Deity through that thoughtful array of decorations, lamps, candles, flowers, incense, statues, music; which vary from religion to religion and from place to place.

For us Christians our churches are not just buildings that enable us to pray better. Many of them are also expressions of our gratitude to God for certain special favors we have received from Him. Some recall historical events in the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, such as his birth or death, or different episodes in his life. This is the case of many churches in the Holy Land.

Other churches are meant to honor Mary Most Holy and other saints; others commemorate certain apparitions and miracles. Still others recall the martyrdom of brave believers, from the very beginning of the Christian era to our own time. Most of the ancient churches are eloquent witnesses to the faith of our ancestors. As such, they are also an encouragement and a challenge for us to be worthy of them.

And since churches and other places of worship are directly related to God, it is just spontaneous and perfectly understandable that those who plan and build them should try to make them as worthy of God as they can. This is the area where devotion and art forge a “Holy Alliance,” the result of which are majestic constructions, statues, paintings and other forms of artistic creation which form the object of admiration of millions of people. This is where artistic creativity and religious fervor merge into one and bring about the realization of structures that are monuments not only to a deep religious faith but also to the versatility and aesthetic dimension of human genius.

But this is also an aspect of these religious buildings and works of art that may lead to exaggerations, and even aberrations. Some of these places of worship may become also manifestations of, and monuments to, human pride. Some may even create false assurances about God’s special favor that is too closely linked to, and almost totally identified with, the material building or objects themselves.

This happened to the Jews in reference to their Temple in Jerusalem – something against which prophets like Jeremiah raised their voices. This can still happen to us Christians who may be tempted to forget that the most important and precious asset of the Church is not its sacred buildings (no matter how artistic and majestic they may look), but people, especially those in need. The essence of Christianity is neither institutions nor buildings but LOVE – a love patterned after the teaching and example of Jesus Christ.

This is something we should reflect on very seriously, especially when certain church leaders or devotees are tempted to compete with worldly institutions in terms of material constructions and artifacts, including religious buildings and various forms of artistic creations.

We should never forget that at the end of our life and at the end of time, we will be judged by Jesus Christ. At that moment, what will determine our eternal happiness or unhappiness will be neither the number nor the splendor of the places/objects of worship we have created, but the acts of charity and justice toward our neighbor that we have performed (or failed to perform) in our earthly life.


EUCHALETTE 9 November 2008
Word and Life Publications
MCPO Box 1820, Makati City 1258, Philippines