AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM

Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest
Lk 14:25-33

The whole Church honors today the soldier-turned-priest who gave the world one of her greatest gifts: Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatius was born in Loyola, Spain, in the year 1491. He was a soldier before he was converted by God. After conversion, he studied theology in Paris, France. Eventually, he attracted several men by his holiness and wisdom, and founded the Society of Jesus – or fondly called “Jesuits” – in Rome. The members of the Society dedicate themselves in giving greater glory to God through the maximized and proper use of their individual charisms that they place at the service of the Church and in total obedience to the pope. Ignatius returned to our heavenly home in the year 1556, with the mission to the newly discovered Philippine islands in both his mind and heart.

Today, the Society that Ignatius founded serves the Philippine Church in many valuable ways: as missionary priests or brothers, first and foremost, but also as musicians, constitutionalists, professors, physicists, mathematicians, doctors, mass media men, engineers, architects, artists, and many others. The same Society of priests and brothers continue to give the Church in the Philippines outstanding pastors who are either Jesuit themselves or are Jesuit-trained. Among them are clergy from the San Jose Seminary, an interdiocesan seminary run by the Society of Jesus for the formation of Filipino priests. Following are some of the illustrious sons of San Jose: Gaudencio Cardinal B. Rosales (Archbishop of Manila), Bp. Antonio Luis Tagle (Diocese of Imus, Cavite), Bp. Angel Lagdameo (Archdioces of Jaro and currently President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines or CBCP), Bp. Paciano Aniceto (Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga and Head of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life), Bp. Pablo David (Auxiliary of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga), Bp. Honesto Ongtioko (Diocese of Cubao) and Bp. Teodoro Bacani (Bishop-emeritus of Novaliches and constitutionalist). Among her priests are Fr. Anton Pascual (Minister of Social Services and Development and Director of Caritas Manila), Msgr. Clem Ignacio (President of TV Maria and Rector of the Basilica of the Black Nazarene) Msgr. Jerome Reyes (Rector of the Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz where the first Filipino canonized saint, Lorenzo Ruiz, was baptized and worked as a parish secretary), and still hundreds. But two are closest to San Jose Manggagawa Parish where I am presently assigned as Pastor: Msgr. Antero Sarmiento (its first Pastor) and my self. I was ordained to the priesthood in 1995, after formation under the Jesuits of San Jose Seminary.

But the Society of Jesus is a tremendous gift not only to the Philippine Church but also the Philippine nation in general. Through its schools and universities – foremost of which is the Ateneo de Manila University – the Jesuits develop present and future leaders in and for Philippine society. Many of those who curve the destiny of the Philippines are alumni and alumnae of any of the Jesuit schools.

Indeed, St. Ignatius of Loyola was God’s gift to the world in general and to the Philippines in particular. While he died with the mission to the Philippines in his mind and heart, without actually setting foot on its shores, he had somehow reached the Philippines through the priceless contribution of the religious order he founded.

As the gospel prescribed for his memorial today is proclaimed, we are reminded of three essences of Ignatian spirituality: radical discipleship, regular discernment, and complete generosity.
Radical discipleship means leaving everything behind for Jesus Christ. This is a requisite to carrying our cross and following the Lord Jesus. How can we really carry the cross we are supposed to carry when we are already carrying too much because we refuse to let go and leave everything behind? How can we follow Jesus when our hearts are not free because of inordinate attachments? The spiritual exercises, which St. Ignatius authored and popularized (just when recollections and retreats were not common yet), reaches its climax in the “Prayer of Oblation” which begins with the words “Take and receive, O Lord, my liberty, my memory, my entire will” and ends with the words “Only Thy grace, Thy love on me bestow. These may me rich; all else will I forego.” Radical discipleship flows from radical oblation that flows from radical obedience.

Regular discernment means reading the signs of the times and responding – not reacting – to what they tell us. Just as the tower-builder in the gospel today, Christian disciples must be men and women who are trained in the art of discernment which involves sitting down and, as the gospel today puts it, “counting the cost”. St. Ignatius of Loyola showed that discernment is not only for the wise and the learned. Discernment is for every authentic follower of Jesus, requiring the heart even as it needs the mind. Daily discernment may take the form of examination of conscience, which Jesuits now call “examination of consciousness”. The whole Ignatian spirituality may be said to rest greatly on its understanding, teaching, and practice of discernment.

Complete generosity – as a response to God’s unconditional love – is one of the great themes of Ignatian spirituality. The spiritual exercises mention earlier ends with the Prayer for Generosity: “Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve You as I should, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to head the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and ask not for reward, save that of knowing that I do Your most holy will.” Jesus from us nothing less than all of us. “…none of you,” Jesus concludes the gospel today, “can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.” Ignatian spirituality, however, looks at these possessions as not exclusively financial possessions but anything and everything that one owns. For nothing should be our aspiration and life-long project except the greater glory of God. Thus, the Jesuits emphasize striving for the magis, with their motto Ad majorem Dei gloriam (“For the greater glory of God”).

Radical discipleship, regular discernment, and complete generosity – these among others, all anchored on authentic prayer life, characterized the spirituality that St. Ignatius exemplified and taught the world. They continue to give both the Church and the world men and women – priests and lay people – outstanding in their fields. They likewise raise to the altar countless disciples of Jesus: St. Francis Xavier (Patron of the Missions), St. Robert Belarmine (renowned cardinal during the Reformation years), and our very own Pedro Calungsod (a young Cebuano teenager who worked and was martyred in the Jesuit mission in Guam).

Recently, another Filipino Jesuit seminarian, Richie Fernando, assigned in an Asian missionary territory, offered the supreme sacrifice of Christian charity. While he was teaching a group of children, a man ran amuck and threw a grenade to their direction. One handicapped child could not run for cover. Richie did the seemingly impossible but made possible by Christlike charity: he ran toward the child and embraced him to shield him from the sharpnels. Richie died instantly, literally giving his life for others. He is a modern martyr. He is a Jesuit, a son of Ignatius of Loyola. Richie and those like him are the best commentary on Ignatius’ gift to the world.

We thank God for the giving us Ignatius of Loyola. We pray to have a great share of his spirituality. We resolve to do all things ad majorem Dei gloriam.

GOLDEN TONGUE

Memorial of St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Lk 6:43-45

We celebrate today the hallowed memory of St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop and doctor of the Church. He was born in the 5th century and became bishop of Ravenna in Italy. After an exemplary life of holiness and service to the Church, Peter Chrysologus went to his eternal reward around the year 460. To date, the Church has in her safekeeping 170 of his eloquent and blessed homilies.

Outstanding for his apostolic zeal, preaching and writings, he was called “Chrysologus”, commonly translated as “golden-tongued”. It is intriguing though because the word “logos” in “Chrysologus” does not mean “tongue” in Greek but “word”.

However, it moves me to reflect on three questions. What significance is it to have words for a man who has no tongue? But, more importantly, what value has a tongue, if the man who owns it does not use it? And, most importantly, what worth does a tongue have for a man who knows not how to use it?

Having a tongue is different from using it. There are some people who, while having a tongue, do not maximize its use. They use their tongues only for survival, the most basic of which is to taste food so that their appetite may increase and they may experience eating – which is indispensable for survival – a pleasing human activity.

Using tongue is one thing, knowing how to use it is another. Tongue is not only for tasting food. It is also a requisite to communication, expressing the self to another. It greatly aids in articulating ideas that words convey. To be understood well, the tongue must be employed properly and within the right context.

Having a tongue, using it, and using it properly are basic requirements for the logos to be planted, as it were, in its hearer, and bear fruit. A golden word, a chrysologus, should never be wasted due to the absence of tongue, the failure to use it, and the improper use of it.

There is no other word more golden than Jesus Christ. He is the Word of God, eternal, creative, omnipotent, salvific, loving, and incarnate. Jesus – the ultimate chrysologus – must be proclaimed, announced, and explained by golden tongues.

Of course, our tongues are not literally golden. They are made of flesh. Our tongues, however, become golden when we strive to become more and more like the golden Word we preach: Jesus Christ.

When I was a kid, one of my favorite stories was about King Midas who turns everything he touches into gold. King Midas is certainly a fictional character, but not Jesus. What Jesus touches should truly become golden. Has He not touched our hearts? But are our hearts really golden? Do our tongues not profess Him? But are our tongues golden?

With the intercession of St. Peter Chrysologus, we pray today for the gift of being transformed by the logos Theou or the Word of God. A word so precious as Jesus deserves nothing less than a “golden heart” that expresses itself through a “golden tongue”.

IF AND BUT

Memorial of St. Martha
Jn 11:19-27

Two words always go together : if and but. If I lose this game, I would treat you to a movie, but I will win. If you do not study well, you would fail the course, but you study well. If they refuse to obey, they would be arrested, but they will obey. If it rains, we would not go, but it will not. For every if, there is a but.

Martha, too, had her ifs and buts, two of which the gospels tell us. One was in the kitchen, another by the tomb. In the kitchen, while Jesus was their guest, Martha complained that she had to do all the work while Mary, her sister, sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him. If Mary helped her, perhaps Martha thought, Jesus could be served a warm meal faster. The Lord, however, taught her that it was not for a quick and warm meal that He visited them, but for their presence. Martha’s if recognized the but about Jesus’ coming to them. In the gospel today, by her brother’s tomb, Martha’s if is more explicit and dramatic: “Lord, “ she said, “if You had been here my brother would never have died.” However, she must have learned her lesson, she herself supplied the but: “but I know that, even now,” she continues, “whatever You ask of God, He will grant You.” Martha complained about the Lord’s absence but she also professed faith in Him.

Many times in life, we also have our ifs and buts. Unfortunately, many of us get stuck with their ifs and spent the rest of their lives in regret. But for those who move on to their buts, are blest. The “if people” are losers, while the “but people” are winners. Just as it was with Martha, the choice is always ours. We can stay with our ifs and wallow in the misery that regretting, murmuring, and complaining naturally give or we can move on with our buts and draw strength from hoping, praying, and struggling.

Sometimes, too much depends on our choice. If Martha confined herself with her regret and complain over the absence of Jesus when Lazarus, her brother, died, she would have not recognized the presence of Jesus now. If all that Martha had was her litany of ifs, Lazarus would not have been raised by Jesus. Clearly, we must remember that the choice we make to live with our ifs and buts affect not only our lives but the lives of those around us, starting with people we love.

While it is very important to realize our ifs in life, it is equally important to know what are buts are. Our ifs situates us, giving context to our buts, but our buts spurs us on, providing reason to our faith, hope, and love.

Martha is a saint not because of her if, but because of her but. That is always true with any saint. If they had surrendered and given up on themselves because of their weaknesses – great and small – they would have never become saints, but they did not. If God had given up on them and refused them His mercy, they would have never become saints, but God did not. You and I can also become saints if only we answer God’s call to holiness. But do we?

For every if there is a but. All have their ifs in life, but some have no buts. Tell me your ifs, and I’ll tell you my buts.

GROWING AND GROWING

Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time
Mt 13:31-35

I have an adopted son: Pipo. Each time I watch him from some distance, I cannot help but be amazed at how much and how fast he has grown after seven years. When Pipo was brought to me, he was only less than two weeks old and weighed only 1.8 kilos. Now, he weighs almost 30 kilos. Seven years ago, he was undernourished. Today, he is overweight. He has indeed grown.

The gospel today also talks about the mystery of growing. The first parable clearly tells us that, in itself, the kingdom of God grows. The second says something even more: the kingdom of God makes what it touches grow too.

Growth is a clear sign of life. Anything without life does not grow. Pipo is alive; thus, he grows. The kingdom of God, too, has a life of its own. It likewise grows.

Making others grow, however, is more than a sign of life. It is a proof of maturity. Once the child has grown and matured, he learns to take care of others, to nurture the life of another individual, to give and not only to receive. The kingdom of God, likewise, has taken its roots and borne fruits when he who belongs to it becomes an agent of that kingdom in making others grow.

It is amazing to see someone or something grow. But it is always more a cause of wonder and thanksgiving to witness someone or something make another being or reality grow.

The kingdom of God is like a seed planted in our hearts. Watch it grow. Let it grow. But, remember, it is meant to do more than that. It should also make others grow. If the kingdom of God in our hearts truly makes others grow, then certainly it has not remained a seed only. It is not only alive in us. It has matured, making itself, through us, alive in others as well.

When this year started, I noticed something new in my dear Pipo. He started asking for pets for him to take care of. First, a dog. Then, a fish. Then, some hamster. Am amused because sometimes he also wants an elephant and a horse for pets. But, still, am amazed at him because his nurturing side is starting to manifest itself and develop. Now, he does not only want to be cared for; he also wants to care for others, too. I am grateful that Pipo is not only growing; now, he also wants to help others grow. He is on the right path to maturity. I continue to watch my dear Pipo grow, and as I help him grow, I feel the kingdom of God growing and growing.

MAHIRAP PA SA DAGA

Ikalabimpitong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

MAHIRAP PA SA DAGA
Mt 13: 44-52

Kilala ba ninyo si Dr. Faust? Alam ng halos buong mundo ang kuwento tungkol sa kanya. Ayon sa kuwento, si Dr. Faust ay isang dalubhasa noong edad medya. Isang gabi raw, sa kalaliman ng kadiliman, nakipagtipan siya sa diyablo. Kapalit ng habambuhay na kapangyarihan, katanyagan, at kayamanan, hiningi sa kanya ng diyablo ang kanyang kaluluwa. Sumang-ayon si Dr. Faust; nakamit niya ang lahat ng mga makamundong karangyaan sa loob ng ilang taon ngunit nabihag naman ng diyablo ang kanyang kaluluwa magpawalang-hanggan.

Tanyag sa buong mundo ang kuwentong ito ni Dr. Faust at ang kanyang pakikipagkasunduan sa diyablo dahil ang kanyang kuwento at nakapangingilabot na kasunduan ay may sinasabing tutoo tungkol sa buhay nating lahat. Ang pagpiling ginawa ni Dr. Faust ay laging nakatitig sa atin. Sa buhay na ito, dapat tayong magpasya kung ano nga ba ang talagang higit na matimbang sa atin: ilang taon ng kaligayahang dala ng kayamanang material o walang-hanggang kaligayahang bunga ng kayamanang makalangit. Bata pa tayo, hinubog na tayong piliin lagi ang pangwalang-hanggang kaligayahan, ngunit ang trahedya ng buhay ay ito: marami pa rin sa atin ang katulad ni Dr. Faust, ipagpapalit ang lahat makamtan lamang ang iniaalok ng mundong ito.

Tingnan mo nga ang katabi mo. Mukha ba siyang mayaman? Minsan mukha lang mayaman pero hindi naman talaga. Maayos at malinis kasi sila sa katawan. Minsan naman saksakan na pala ng yaman pero napakasimple lang. Ang iba sa kanila kasi ay talaga namang mababa ang loob, hindi pinangangalandakan ang kayamanan. Pero ang iba naman, talagang hindi lang maayos at malinis sa katawan kaya mukhang gusgusin kahit maykaya sa buhay. At meron din namang sila mismo ay nakasisilaw sa kayamanan, tadtad kasi ng alahas. Meron ngang iba riyan, magsisimba lang nakasuot pa ng mga brilyanteng singsing, parang may kadenang ginto sa leeg, sinlaki ng pinggan ang hikaw, at sinkapal ng kutson ng kama ang make-up sa mukha. Akala mo sasagala; ‘yun pala magsisimba.

Tingnan mo ulit ang katabi mo. Huwag kang mahiya kasi kanina ka pa rin niya tinitingnan, at nakangiti siya. Ano kaya ang iniisip niya tungkol sa iyo? Baka ito: “Hmmm, mukhang mayaman itong katabi ko ha. Kaibiganin ko nga para may mautangan ako.” O kaya, baka ito: “Aba, ang yaman nitong katabi ko. Ang kapal ng make-up. Mabentahan nga ng memorial plan.” O baka ito pa: “Ang yaman talaga nitong katabi ko. Naninilaw sa ginto. Baka may hepa. Makalayo nga, baka mahawa pa ako.” Hindi mo ba napapansin ‘yang katabi mo, kanina ang lapit-lapit niya sa iyo, di ba? Parang lumalayo siya.

Hayaan mo muna siyang malayo sa iyo ngayon kasi ang talagang dapat mong tingnan ay ang sarili mo at hindi ang iba. Ikaw, mayaman ka ba? Mayaman ka sa ano? Saan galing ang kayamanan mo? Ano nga bang uri ang yaman mo?

Ito ba ay tingang yaman? Ito ang yamang nakasabit sa iyo kaya madali at palaging napapansin. Hindi ba ganyan ang tinga. Nakasabit sa ngalangala. Pero mas karaniwan, nakasingit sa pagitan ng mga ngipin. Tinga ba ang yaman mo? Pinangangalandakan mo ba ito para mapansin at hangaan ka ng iba? Ingat ka, kasi higit na madalas, kaysa paghanga, inggit ang nararamdaman ng marami sa iyo. Ang tingang yamang iyan, puwede pang maging mitsa ng buhay mo. At pagmagkagayon, luluha ka at hindi lang sa tinga kundi pati sa muta yayaman ka.

Ito ba ay tigang yaman? Ito ang yamang nakatutuyo ng buhay. Nakakatawa, hindi ba? Noong panahon nila lolo at lola, ang mga tao raw ay nagtatrabaho para mabuhay. Ngayon, nabubuhay ang tao para na lang magtrabaho. Dati, ang tawag sa taong masipag kung magtrabaho ay kayod-kabayo. Ngayon, ang taong wala nang inatupag kundi trabaho, pati sariling kalusugan ay napababayaan, madaling magmukhang kabayo. Kaya nga siguro, isa ito sa dahilan kung bakit naimbento ang tinatawag nating early retirement, kasi 40 años pa lang – hindi sa serbisyo kundi sa edad – pagod na pagod na, tigang na tigang na, sa kakakayod-kabayo. Natigang na sila ng yamang inaakala nilang makakamit nila sa pamamagitan lamang ng katatrabaho. Natigang na rin siguro ang kanilang relasyon sa kanilang asawa, mga anak, mga kamag-anak, mga kaibigan, mga kaparokya, at mga kapitbahay. Sa tutoo lang, hindi lahat ng kayod-kabayo sa pagtatrabaho ay yumayaman, marami sa kanila, inaatake sa puso.

Ito ba ay tagong yaman? Ito ang yamang nakakubli. Itinatago ito hindi dahil humble ang nagmamay-ari nito. Dalawa ang posibleng dahilan kung bakit ito nakatago. Ang isang posibleng dahilan kung bakit itinatago ang yamang ito ay kasi baka nakaw na yaman kaya nga, sa Ingles, ang tawag dito ay hidden wealth. Ang isa pang dahilan kung bakit itinatago ang yamang ito ay kasi baka mangutang ka pa. o kaya baka kupitan mo pa o hingin mo pa o nakawin mo pa. Mahirap talagang matiyak kung bakit ang yamang ito ay tago kasi pilit ngang itinatago. Pero tanungin mo kung may tunay na kapanatagan ang may ganitong uri ng yaman at hindi ka nila agad masasagot. Paano ka nila masasagot agad e laging naka-lock ang makakapal na gates nila. Matataas ang pader na may bubog pa sa tuktok at kamera sa magkabilang dulo. Ang sasagot agad sa iyo, kundi security guard nila ay ang mga aso. Ang galing, ano? Sobrang epektib ng yamang ito, hindi lang ang yaman ang nakatago. Pati ang mayaman nagtatago.

Ito ba ay tansong yaman? Ito ang pekeng yaman. Akala mo brilyante, puwet lang pala ng baso. Akala mo perlas, batong-buhay lang pala. Akala mo bata pa, nagpabanat lang pala. Akala mo nagpa-hairdye, ibinabad lang pala ang buhok sa agua oxinada. Akala mo pilak, stainless steel lang pala. Akala mo ginto, tanso lang pala. Kahit peke, basta’t makapagyabang lang, makaporma lang, okey na. Ang masakit nito, maraming napapahamak sa maling akala. Ayun, akala ng holdaper tutuong mayaman kaya hinoldap. Pero may mas malalim pang mga katanungan. Tutoo bang kayamanan ang salapi? Bakit nakabibili ito ng gamot pero hindi ng kalusugan? Tutoo bang kayamanan ang kapangyarihan? Bakit nakapagpapasunod ito pero hindi nakapagpapaibig? Tutoo bang kayamanan ang katanyagan? Bakit ang sikat noon, laos na ngayon? Tutoo bang kayamanan ang karunungan? Bakit ulyanin ka na? Tutoo bang kayamanan ang kagandahan? Bakit marami ka nang peleges sa mukha? Tutoo bang kayamanan ang mga materyal na bagay? Bakit nauubos, naluluma, at nasisira sila? Tutoo bang kayamanan ang kalakasan? Bakit ngayon kailangan mo pang uminom ng Centrum kasi you want to be complete? Hindi ka pa ba complete?

O ito ba ang tanging yaman? Ito ang kayamanang walang kupas at walang hanggan. Ito ang kayamanang hindi maibibigay at hindi mananakaw ninuman. Ito ang kayamanang maaaring makamit ninumang handang ipagpalit ang lahat mapasakanya lamang. At ipagpalit man niya ang lahat makamit lamang ang kayamanang ito, waging-wagi siya, hindi siya talo. Ang kayamanang ito ay si Jesukristo, ang dapat na maging tanging yaman ng buhay ko at buhay ninyo. Handa mo bang ipagpalit ang lahat para sa Kanya? Handa ka bang isakripisyo ang lahat para sa Kanya? Handa ka bang ialay ang lahat, pati na ang sariling buhay, para sa kanya? Handa ka bang “magpagkatanga” para sa Kanya? At handa ka bang gawin ang lahat ng ito nang bukal sa loob mo at, tulad ng lalaki sa ebanghelyo na nakatagpo ng kayamanang nakabaon sa bukid, may tunay na kaligayahan? Kung hindi, maaaring mukha ka ngang mayaman pero, sa tutoo lang, mahirap ka pa sa daga.

Tama na ang pagkukunwari, tansong yaman ang kayamanan mo. Tama na ang pagkukubli, tagong yaman ang kayamanan mo. Tama na ang kabaliwan, tigang yaman ang kayamanan mo. Tama na ang pagyayabang, tingang yaman ang kayamanan mo. Hanggang kailan ka magkukunwari? Hanggang saan ka magkukubli? Hanggang paano ka magpapakabaliw? Hanggang kanino ka magyayabang? Kay Jesus, hindi mo kailangang magkunwari, magkubli, magpakabaliw, at magyabang. Mahal na mahal ka Niya nang higit sa iyong inaakala. Siya ang kayamanang nagmamahal at hindi lamang minamahal. Siya ang iyong tanging yaman. Daga ka man kung ituring ng mundong ito, maharlika ka sa kaharian ng langit. At ngayon pa lang, maaari ka nang makabilang sa kahariang iyon kung si Jesus nga ang pipiliin mong yaman ng buhay mo. Hindi ito suwerte; biyaya ito. Hindi ito kapalaran; gaya ni Dr. Faust, pasya mo ito.

Anong pasya mo?