God's Word and Daily Life

By Mel Jasmin

Pentecost originally was a Jewish feast that occurred 50 days after the Passover celebration and commemorated the giving of the law to Moses and the Israelites on Mt. Sinai.

On the Pentecost following Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and those gathered with them, bringing fulfillment to this feast by bringing the new law in the Spirit, which is written on our hearts. The descent of the Holy Spirit is depicted using Old Testament imagery. The “strong driving wind” and “tongues as of fire” are reminiscent of the encounters with God on Mt. Sinai by Moses (see Exodus 19) and Elijah (see 1 Kings 19). The presence of the Holy Spirit manifested itself miraculously through “different tongues.” As the context reveals, this indicates that the Apostles were supernaturally able to speak in many languages and be understood by the diverse crowd.

This evidences the Holy Spirit’s role in bringing unity to the people of God. Sin separates but the Spirit unites. The fact that the diverse crowd, representing many nations and languages, could understand each other served as a reversal of what happened at the Tower of Babel back in Genesis 11.

At Pentecost, due to grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, people who would have been separated by language and nationality were brought together. This unity is a characteristic of the Church. Pentecost traditionally marks the beginning of the Church and reminds us that the Church is meant for all peoples. In fact, the word “Catholic” means “universal,” indicating that it crosses societal, ethnic, and linguistic barriers. In the Church, we all speak the same “language” because we profess the same faith, despite our many differences.

By Mel Jasmin

On May 29, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Here in the Philippines, we also celebrate Catholic Communication’s Sunday.

Just before His ascension, Jesus commanded His disciples to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” This statement is called the Great Commission, which is also recorded in Matthew 28:18-20. His exhortation applies to us today just as much as it did to the original disciples. Jesus calls us to spread the gospel to everyone. In fact, at the end of every Mass we are sent out to bring Jesus to the world. Recall one version of the dismissal at Mass: “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord” or, another more common version, “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” Yet, we can’t give away what we don’t have. What then is “the gospel” that we are to proclaim? The word “gospel” means “good news.” What is the good news? Simply put, it is Jesus Himself. Jesus is God in the flesh. God became man in order to bring about salvation from sin. All that Jesus did and taught was good news. But even more so, the death and resurrection of Jesus are the center of the gospel. Without Jesus’ death and resurrection the rest would be meaningless. He died to take all our sins to the grave and He rose to bring us new life and prove victorious over sin and death. As a result, we can have salvation from our sins and communion with God. Now that is good news and it’s worth sharing! Who will you share it with this week? Are we enablers of fake news? Do we communicate in the Catholic way?

By Mel Jasmin

On May 21, the whole Church celebrates the feast of Saint Christopher Magallanes and his companions.

Like the Jesuit Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Saint Christopher and his 24 companion martyrs lived under a very anti-Catholic government in Mexico, one determined to weaken the Catholic faith of its people. Churches, schools, and seminaries were closed; foreign clergy were expelled. Christopher established a clandestine seminary at Totatiche, Jalisco. He and the other priests were forced to minister secretly to Catholics during the presidency of Plutarco Calles.

Every martyr realizes how to avoid execution, but refuses to pay the high price of doing so. A clear conscience was more valuable than a long life. We may be tempted to compromise our faith while telling ourselves that we are simply being realistic, dealing with situations as we find them. Is survival really the ultimate value? Do our concrete, daily choices reflect our deepest values, the ones that allow us to “tick” the way we do? Anyone can imagine situations in which being a follower of Jesus is easier than the present situation. Saints remind us that our daily choices, especially in adverse circumstances, form the pattern of our lives.

We hope there would be as many brave believers who are willing to offer their life of love and faith to Christ. Saint Christopher Magallanes and companions, pray for us!

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

The results of the national and local elections are practically known...

Some rejoice, others are desperate. Others wonder, are afraid of violence, many are waiting to know what happens next...

What does Jesus tell us? “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Do not confuse with everything. Take time to reflect, pray, ask for the discernment of the Spirit and above all listen to the poor, the little ones, those who suffer. Put them at the heart of your life and commitment.

Roll up your sleeves, don't wait for six years to act, re-read Pope Francis' encyclicals and try, with others, to implement his teachings. Become Jesus’ disciples and follow him. Become a better person and a better citizen.

Today's Gospel is enlightening once again. Let's take the time to read it and meditate on it.

“I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.

And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.

Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.” (John 12:44-50)

By Father Bernard Holzer, aa

 “Let us again turn to our Blessed Mother and ask her intercession to help us vote what God desires for us,” is a part of the letter signed by Cardinal Jose Advincula, Archbishop of Manila.

With the bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Manila, he urged Catholics to unite spiritually to pray the rosary for next month’s elections.

The bishops also encouraged the electorate to vote for the candidates who will promote the common good, especially the poor and marginalized.

They also called for prayers for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that they may accomplish their mission to conduct an efficient, fair and honest election.

It’s important to pray, but also to take time to read the programs of the candidates, to know the candidates and their supporters and to discern with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Going to vote is to choose life, truth, justice and peace. It’s a way to worship the Lord and to honor Him! Be a disciple of Jesus and of his Beatitudes!

By Mel Jasmin

 “It is the Lord!” This is the episcopal motto of former Manila archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle- Dominus est! It is the Lord!

This declaration made by the disciples was an experience of Easter joy. This is their story with the Risen One. God fills us when we are empty, when we are hungry, when we are in need. The empty tomb experience of the disciples points to us that we become witnesses of the Risen One because God filled us with His Spirit of Joy, Peace and Love. Those who recognize the Risen One are the ones who experienced His loving presence (enough food, security, being forgiven and loved, etc.). Jesus Christ taught us to give selflessly (His passion and death) and we learn how to receive graciously (that is, we acknowledge that we can only do so much and the rest, we rely on God). What is your experience of Easter joy?

The disciples, as fishermen, were real professionals. They knew what they were doing when it came to fish. That was why they went out at night: experience has taught them this was the most productive time. But on this occasion, they fished with a singular lack of success. When morning came, their nets were as empty as when they'd begun. We can imagine their feelings: tired, frustrated, tetchy, baffled, hungry.

We, too, think that we are professionals and we know what we are doing. But many times, we encounter things beyond our expectations. And deep inside we know, it is not because of our own doing. It is the Lord’s!

By Mel Jasmin

On April 24, the church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday.

In Divine Mercy in My Soul: Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, Jesus revealed to Saint Faustina a nine-day novena that He desired be prayed in preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday.  The novena was to begin on Good Friday and be prayed each day of the Triduum and of Easter Week in preparation for the glorious Feast of Mercy which was to take place on the Eighth Day of Easter (The Sunday after Easter Day) (See Diary #1209-1230).

During this novena that Jesus Himself revealed to Saint Faustina, He asks that each day be dedicated to prayers for a different grouping of people.  The novena below comes from these private revelations of Saint Faustina as recorded in her Diary of Divine Mercy.

I desire that during these nine days you bring souls to the fount of My mercy, that they may draw there from strength and refreshment and whatever graces they need in the hardships of life and, especially, at the hour of death. On each day, you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls, and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy, and I will bring all these souls into the house of My Father. You will do this in this life and in the next. I will deny nothing to any soul whom you will bring to the fount of My mercy. On each day, you will beg My Father, on the strength of My bitter Passion, for graces for these souls.

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

We are in the Holy Week!

Do we follow Jesus in his journey today?

There are so many people who are crucified today… Are we like the crowd who cried out: “Crucify him!”

Cardinal Jose Advincula, reflecting on the Gospel of Palm Sunday, lamented that many people prefer money, power and fame over their faith, truth and justice. According to him, “it is sad to admit that it seems that the shout of people against Jesus is louder than those who accept him”.

Before the Mass, the Cardinal led the blessing and unveiling of the “Homeless Jesus” statue installed at the patio of the cathedral. The sculpture by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz illustrates Jesus as a person in need, alternately sick, hungry, naked, a stranger or without a shelter.

Jesus Christ is crucified again! Let us open our eyes and our hearts!

To rise up with him is to show love and concern for the poor and the homeless!

By Father Bernard Holzer, aa

During his Apostolic Journey to Malta, on April 2 and 3, Pope Francis asked us to continue to pray for peace.

« There is the wind coming from the east, which often blows at dawn, which is why Homer called it “Eurus” (Odyssey, V, 349.423). Yet from the east of Europe, from the land of sunrise, the dark shadows of war have now spread. We had thought that invasions of other countries, savage street fighting and atomic threats were grim memories of a distant past. However, the icy winds of war, which bring only death, destruction and hatred in their wake, have swept down powerfully upon the lives of many people and affected us all. Once again, some potentate, sadly caught up in anachronistic claims of nationalist interests, is provoking and fomenting conflicts, whereas ordinary people sense the need to build a future that, will either shared, or not be at all. Now in the night of the war that is fallen upon humanity, please, let us not allow the dream of peace to fade!”

“May the Lord accompany you, and Our Lady keep you. Let us now pray to her for peace, as we think of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in war-torn Ukraine, which continues to be bombarded in the sacrilegious war. May we be tireless in praying and in offering assistance to those who suffer.”

Let us pray with Pope Francis asking the Lord for forgiveness and peace, with a prayer written by an Italian Bishop: