Sunday Gospel Reflections

HOMILY: Solemnity of Pentecost

John 20: 19-23

5 June 2022

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

We have a beautiful church with many beautiful images. Some of them are still up on the choir loft.  Look around!  We see Jesus, Mama Mary, St. Joseph, San Roque, angels, etc. However, do you see representations of the Holy Spirit around? Sadly, even in other churches, there are usually very few. For many of us, the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity is undoubtedly the least understood member of the Triune God. Not only that, how many of us honestly invoke the Holy Spirit as much as we do the Father and the Son when we pray?

We sometimes refer to the Holy Spirit as the Holy Ghost. Spirits and Ghosts are what we do not see. I guess that is why there is no adequate likeness for the Holy Spirit, except the variety of symbols representing the Holy Spirit that we can gather from the Bible. Let me point out three of the more familiar scriptural symbols of the Holy Spirit. One of the most common symbols of the Holy Spirit is the “DOVE”. In the story of the Great Flood, it was a dove that signalled the end of their voyage. (Gen 8:8-12). It is an image of HOPE which we also associate with the Holy Spirit. We are told that when Jesus was baptized, the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove. To me this gives rise to an image of PEACE. The peace of knowing that the salvation has finally come to humanity. (Mt 3:16; Mk 1:10; Lk 3:22; Jn 1:32). 

Then, we have the “TONGUES OF FIRE OR A FLAME” as the other representation of the Holy Spirit we find in Luke’s Pentecost account. The passage recounts that when “tongues as of fire came to rest over the head of each of the disciples, they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4). Fire is an age-old symbol for God. We recall Moses speaking to God out of the bush which was on fire. (Exodus 3:2). In their wanderings in the desert, the Israelites were accompanied during the night by a pillar of fire. John the Baptist tells the crowds that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Luke 3:16). Jesus Himself said, “I have come to set the earth on fire” (Lk 12:49). Fire is a symbol of purification, just as gold is purified in fire. The Holy Spirit purifies us of anything that is unworthy in God’s eyes. It is a also a symbol of power. Fire is passion. Fire has the capacity to create and destroy. We see this in the disciples who are empowered to preach the gospel, do miracles in Jesus’ name, rebuke the evildoers and cast out demons.  Fire is also a source of light. It illuminates the darkness. The Holy Spirit is also a guide for us — helping us to discern God’s will for us. 

Lastly, one of the key symbols used to describe the presence of the Holy Spirit is “Wind” or “Breath”. We begin with the creation story. The wind represents the Holy Spirit’s share in the creation of the world (Gen 1:2). In today’s Gospel, the bestowal of the Holy Spirit is portrayed with Jesus’ breathing on His disciples and telling them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22) This is reminiscent of the creation of human beings in the Genesis story. (Gen 2:7) In doing so, Jesus gives them new life making of them a new creation. Let us note that one of the Hebrew words for “breath” (rûah) is translated as “spirit”. Hence, the spirit of God is also the breath of God. I have also read that in Greek, the word for “spirit” and “wind” is the same (pneuma). 

Breath is actually my favourite symbol for the Holy Spirit because it is something that exists constantly within us. Every so often we need an experience of the Holy Spirit to remind us of His presence. We may not see doves or fire frequently but we always breathe! A few months ago, there was a TikTok video made by an American girl about how every human breath — every inhale and exhale is essentially speaking the name of God, calling to Him. As you slowly draw breath through your mouth, you are actually making the sound YH and as you slowly exhale through your mouth, you make the sound WH. You can try it now. Both sounds put together is the Old Testament name of God — Yahweh. I like this imagery because it reminds me that it is God who breathes life in me. It is God who sustains me. And when times get difficult, the default mode of my body is still to call on the Lord as I breathe!  It also keeps me aware that my life is aided and guided by Him and ultimately lived for Him. It is by my life on earth, that I can glorify my Creator. I like to think that is why Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on His disciples at Pentecost, instead of simply laying His hands on them or holding them over their heads. 

Today, we celebrate Pentecost — the day the Lord bestowed the Holy Spirit on His disciples and essentially all of humankind who chooses to receive the Holy Spirit. We are told that the Old Testament was the time of God the Father’s manifestation to humanity, and the New Testament is the revelation of Jesus, God the Son, to the humankind. After the Ascension, it is deemed the time of the Holy Spirit. For the past 2000 years all up unto this very day, God still roams the earth through the Holy Spirit. We may not see Him and sometimes we miss His presence and intervention in our lives but it does not mean He is not there to guide us, to give us peace, to restore us, and to strengthen us. If He does all that for us when we are not mindful of Him, imagine what He can do for us if we invoke Him? How do we recognize that the Holy Spirit is working in us and through us? We know by the fruits borne of our thoughts, words and actions. In his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul lists the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23) Make it a habit to reflect at the end of the day, and see if your day’s existence has borne these fruits for yourself and others. You will be more sensitive to how the Holy Spirit enriches your life and you will find reason to be grateful. 

During His lifetime, Jesus’ presence was a comfort as well as a security for His followers.  Being with them physically had helped tremendously in dealing with their confusion and doubt as they try to learn the ways of the Lord. In the Farewell Discourse of Jesus in John’s gospel, He told His disciples that it was better for them that He should go back to the Father in heaven so that the Holy Spirit would come to them. (John 16:7) Through the Holy Spirit Jesus could very well be present — guiding, strengthening and loving His followers — even more intimately than being with them physically. We live in the Age of the Holy Spirit. We are blessed because Jesus can now be more intimately present to us through the Holy Spirit. This is indeed a gift but at the same time a tremendous challenge. As we mature as Christians, we are invited to discern at all times God’s presence within ourselves so that we can be directed by His saving power.

HOMILY: Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Luke 24:46-53

29 May 2022 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

My friend has two beautiful daughters. One of them is leaving in August to study abroad for a year or two. It is a happy yet sad occasion for their family because they treasure their daughters and are very protective of them.  Her daughter has barely left the country and they are already planning how often they can visit each other within the school year. Parting from loved ones is really one of the most difficult things. In death, there is a perception of a permanent separation that makes it all the more painful. However, when the separation is temporary — be it a few months, or even a few years, it becomes more bearable because we know we have a chance to see our loved one again. 

Today, we remember the Lord’s Ascension into heaven. It must have been a very painful experience for the disciples. They thought they had lost Him for good at the crucifixion, then imagine their shock and joy at His return to them during the Easter period!  Throughout the next 40 days before the Ascension, Jesus may not have been consistently in their presence, but we are told He appears to them and is able to spend much time with them, instructing them. How happy his followers must have been to be able to be with Him again. Then here comes His Ascension where He must leave them again to return to Heaven. (Aalis na naman siya. Magkakahiwalay na naman sila. Hindi na naman sila magkikita ng matagal-tagal.) How their hearts must have broken all over again. How fearful they must have been because their leader would be leaving them! (Paano na sila?)

Recently, it has been my privilege to celebrate the many accomplishments of another very challenging school year with some school communities, particularly St. Pedro Poveda College where I serve as school chaplain.  It was a time to celebrate all of the hard work both teachers and students alike have put into making sure that learning was facilitated. Of course, the students were sad to be going their separate ways and be parting from their friends of many years, but they are happy that their hard work in school is paying off and they look forward to making new friends and having new experiences in the next level of education. Highlighting the offering of all these graces at the baccalaureate mass and the graduation ceremony helps everyone to remember what has been achieved and what they ought to be grateful for. The “graduation ceremony” is also referred to as ‘commencement exercises’ which I actually prefer, because the term, in itself, implies a ‘new phase’ or ‘a beginning’ or ‘a period of transition.’ It is not seen as ‘the end of a phase’ or a ‘departure from a certain level at school’.  It rather entails a start of new pursuits for future opportunities. (Papunta pa lang tayo sa exciting part!)

For the disciples, the Ascension marks their entering into a new phase without Jesus. Just as in any parting of friends and loved ones, the final hugs and kisses, and the final words to each other are the most important and the most memorable. In Luke’s account, in the Acts of the Apostles, the very last words of Jesus to His disciples are “you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) He makes it clear that He wants all His disciples to carry on the work He had begun. As Jesus leaves, He gives all His followers a very important mission — to be, in His physical absence, a loving and redemptive presence in the world. This mission is something we inherit from the disciples because we choose to follow in their footsteps as followers of Jesus Christ.  We too must be witnesses for our contemporaries in the world. 

Another important element between the parting of friends and loved ones is the parting gift. Jesus does not leave His friends empty handed. He tells them they have to go back to Jerusalem. That is where they will receive His parting gift.  There, they would have to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit who would strengthen them as they commence their participation in Jesus’ saving mission. That is what we celebrate at Pentecost. The power of his Holy Spirit poured onto us through our baptism, completed in our confirmation, compels us to be His “witnesses” in this world.  (It is to be noted that the Greek word Luke uses here is “martures”.) In other words, we are called to be His “martyrs” – giving witness in the world by being persons of faith and also action, even at the cost of our own life. The task is not easy so we rely on the gifts of the spirit to empower us for the mission. 

As Jesus disappears from their sight, the disciples continue to gaze upwards into the sky. All that transpire is still an overwhelming experience that must have stirred up so many mixed emotions. They are fearful, sad, yet joyful and hopeful. It is then those two men wearing white clothes stand beside them and say: “Men of Galilee, what are you doing looking at the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”  (Acts 1:11) That is the assurance they need to realise that the separation, though it will be lengthy is not going to be permanent.  There will be a reunion. To go a step further, we can presume that this is also a foretelling of the reunion of Jesus with the world in His second coming. (Mula sa langit, bababa siyang muli at tatapak uli sa lupa ng kamundohan.) Either way, Jesus is reunited with humanity that He loves so much that He became one of us, and sacrificed His life for us that we may have a chance to be with Him for all eternity.  (Hindi ba’t napakagandang manatili sa presensiya ng nagmamahal sa iyo ng lubos at ng walang kundisyon? Sana asahan natin at asamin natin yun — ang hindi na mawalay magpakailanman sa Diyos.)

On this day of the Ascension of our Lord, we are being introduced to a time of transition in our discipleship to a life of mission. As in any transition we experience in life, times of transition are often difficult.  But Jesus assures us to soldier on because the Holy Spirit, will guide us to fulfil our mission in life. As disciples of Jesus, we cannot simply keep looking for Him in the sky. Rather, our mission is to be Jesus in this world. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter (cum-forte, with strength) to move powerfully in us every day of our lives as we strive to be authentic witnesses of our Christian faith!

HOMILY: Sixth Sunday of Easter

John 14:23-29

22 May 2022

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA 

“Masa” ka ba?  Tipong masandal lang, tulog agad? I have a friend who falls asleep so easily, waiting for hours is no bother to him. He finds a comfortable spot, leans his back and he is out like a light. Hindi siya namamahay pag may out of town at hindi siya nakakatulog sa sarili niyang kama. He has missed his stop a few times when riding the bus because he has happily transported himself to dreamland. Someone once asked him, “Bro, di ka ba natatakot pagnakakatulog ka na mag-isa ka lang tapos public place? Baka manakawan ka habang tulog ka! His answer surprised us. Sabi niya, “Malaki ang tiwala ko sa Panginoon na hindi Niya ako pababayaan. Hindi ako natatakot kahit ano ang mangyari, panatag akong nariyan lamang ang Diyos sa aking tabi. 

In the gospel passage from John, Jesus who is preparing to leave encourages His disciples by saying: “Do not let your hearts be troubled [nor] afraid.” He promises them that He will continue to be present in their midst. He does not leave them empty-handed though. He leaves them a farewell gift: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”  

Shalom, the gift of peace! The biblical concept of peace is derived from the Hebrew concept of peace, which is “shalom”. The Hebrew concept of “shalom” goes beyond the common understanding of peace, which is the cessation of hostilities. Rather, “shalom” is understood to mean “wholeness, completeness, soundness, health, safety and prosperity, carrying with it the implication of permanence.” The peace Christ offers is not the absence of strife or contention in fact the one who promises it is the One who Himself had to face humiliation and crucifixion. This peace is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (The Advocate) dwelling within us who guides, accompanies and empowers us to rise above all of life’s adversities. And because we have received the Holy Spirit, it is possible for us not to be “troubled nor afraid.”  

Maraming natatakot sa kahihinatnan ng Pilipinas. Sa ngayon andiyan ang panganib ng bagong variants ng COVID, monkeypox, pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain at gasolina, etc… Siyempre sa kakatapos na eleksyon, nag-aalala ang mga tao kung ang mga nanalo ay tutupad sa kanilang pangako at gagampanan nila ng husto ang kanilang tungkulin.  Sa buong kamunduhan, madami na ang apektado ng giyera sa Russia at Ukraine. Pero pinaaalalahananan tayo ni Hesus na habang tayo ay nananatili si Kanya, wala tayong dapat ikabahala. 

As I mentioned earlier, this same peace is the farewell gift of Jesus to His disciples just before they would experience the painful reality of His passion and death. This gift of peace is not a simple well-wish. This peace is a blessing that includes all the benefits of the risen life that all His followers will receive in Him. This gift of peace is Jesus’ promise of His “presence.” Note that this  same Jewish greeting and farewell is also how Jesus greets His disciples each time he appears to them after the Resurrection. Jesus offers His disciples an inner sense of security borne out of a conviction that God is with them and in them. This gift of peace is something which not even the threat of death can take away from them. The truth is that many of these witnesses were martyred, subjected to terrible suffering and a brutal death for the faith. It is an assurance from Jesus that He is simply there; He is present in the stresses and strains of daily life. Such is the power of the Lord’s resurrection. The peace Jesus bestows is a peace He has won by overcoming sin and death. It is proof that Jesus is greater than evil at work in the world. It is a peace in which we can rest even while in the throes of life’s struggles. 

Our future is unknown, and that may be unsettling, but we are assured by Jesus’ abiding presence among us through the Holy Spirit. If we open ourselves and allow ourselves to truly experience God’s presence, then our hearts can be nourished by the gift of peace – His peace – that only Jesus can offer. Brothers and sisters, let us walk in the peace of Christ. Let this gift of peace be with us always! Let the peace of Christ encourage us… strengthen and empower us to persevere through all of life’s uncertainties.

HOMILY: Fifth Sunday of Easter

John 13:31-35

15 May 2022

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

There was a little boy who desperately wanted to own a puppy. When their neighbour’s dog gave birth, the boy’s parents allowed him to select a puppy as his birthday present. The little boy was so thrilled when he saw the litter of six baby Shih Tzus playing in their pen. He observed them for a while and picked up each and every one, inspecting them closely. He finally picked up the runt of the litter, smiled and confidently declared that it was the one he wanted. His parents encouraged him to select another from among the chubbier and more energetic puppies but he would not be dissuaded. When they asked why he wanted the smallest and weakest one, he hugged the puppy closer to his heart and said it was the one who needed his love and care the most.

Today’s gospel reading from John is a short one. The scene happened during Passover after Jesus had washed the feet of His disciples and had had His Last Supper with them. The passage clearly emphasises the singular message of Jesus to His disciples before they must be separated. It says that as He declares He will be with them only a little while longer, He gives them a “new commandment”. “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” (John 13:34) For someone who knew His death is approaching, this last lesson was a vital one for His disciples and crucial to impart. Ang huling habilin ng isang taong mamamatay ay kadalasan ang pinakaimportanteng bagay na nais niyang maibahagi sa kanyang iiwanang mahal sa buhay.

If we look back on Jesus’ life, everything He said and did, boils down to LOVE. Does it not baffle you why Jesus refers to this as a “NEW” commandment? Remember that in Jesus’ time, the Jews lived by the 10 commandments given by God to Moses and they all generally began with “Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not”. They were a list of objective rules that the Israelites had to comply with to please the Lord as part of their covenantal relationship with Him. When Jesus came along, He summarised the 10 commandments of God into two simple, and very relatable commandments — Love of God and Love of neighbour. In today’s gospel, He introduces an aspect of loving that renders it a “New” commandment — “… as I have loved you”. That phrase changes everything altogether!

As Christians, our task of loving is more difficult. It is more demanding because it is patterned after the way Jesus loves each one of us; and how the Father loves each one of us through Jesus. We are asked to love perfectly as God loves and in Jesus, we find a model of how it is to love as God does. Jesus teaches a very radical kind of love.  He asks us to love those whom society rejects as outcasts. He asks us to be loving enough to forgive sinners. One of the more difficult ones is to love EVEN our enemies. Ultimately, we have to love even if it means we have to make sacrifices. It may even mean giving up of the self; a laying down of one’s life! We recall what Jesus says in John’s gospel: “[There is] no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) This is what Jesus did when He took up the cross and took on the punishment for our sins so that we may have the chance to be united to God the Father. Thus, when we love we must be willing to put the good of the people we love before our own wants; before our own needs. To emphasise this self-giving aspect involved in loving, St. Augustine famously said, “Love has hands to help others. It has feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of others.”

This means we have to be all-embracing, open and inclusive in our loving. “Love one another!” (John 13:34) Jesus did not say: “Love your fellow Jews or your fellow Christians only!” As followers of Christ, we have always understood this call as an invitation to reach out and to be less discriminating about the people we help or the people who benefit from our understanding and forgiveness. We are asked to give love to others even to those whom we think are seemingly undeserving of it — to those who are different from us, with different values, ideologies, habits, cultures and preferences. We are to extend ourselves. We are to selflessly offer our hearts especially to those who need love the most. God loves us despite our sinfulness and propensity to keep falling into sin. John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”  We hardly deserve the sacrifice God makes for us because after all, we are just His creatures. Yet, that is how much God has loved us in Jesus. That is how we are expected to love.  It is, as the gospel says, how people will know we belong to Jesus and that we are His followers. 

I remember a mother telling me about one of her children who was perceived as a total disappointment by her husband. Apparently, the husband wanted his only son to be a businessman like himself. The son however, had set his heart on a completely different career. This angered his father who began to treat him unkindly. In the father’s old age, he got sick and needed special care and attention. To the mother’s amazement, it was the son who took on the responsibility of selflessly taking care of his father. She shared how she was very much moved and impressed by her son’s behaviour. There was not an ounce of bitterness, rancour, and resentment on the part of the rejected son. After all the hurt he had suffered from his dad’s ill-treatment, she never expected her son to afford his father such gentle care. This is a self-giving and forgiving love. This is How Jesus loves. This is how God loves. We live in such an imperfect world in need of God’s perfect love.  If we look around, we will find many opportunities for us to love others as Jesus loves each one of us. 

Our loving should take after the way Jesus loves us; and how the Father loves us in Jesus. Let us learn thereby to love as Jesus loves for it is through it that we can be recognised as His disciples.

HOMILY: Good Shepherd Sunday

John 10:27-30

8 May 2022

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

One of the last musicals I saw before returning to the Philippines in the late 2019 was Hamilton. I made sure to watch it in its West End production with Rachel Anne Go playing Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton. During the intermission, I overheard two British ladies seated in front of me praise Rachelle Ann Go for her excellent performance in the show. One of them said, she sings very well because she is a Filipina. Filipinos generally sing very well.” Her friend jokingly asked her: “What do these people eat?” I was tempted to respond… “Rice!” I was flattered to hear them attribute the gift of musicality to our nationality. There is always a place for music or singing in the Filipino way of life. It is so much a part of our culture that we do not only enjoy singing contests and karaoke, but we do it rather well.  Our ears are trained to listen sensitively to the right melody so we do not sing off key.

This Good Shepherd Sunday, we are told that Jesus is the shepherd and His sheep are those who hear His voice, recognise it and follow it. Since we are not really very familiar with sheep in our culture, except that they consider them to be absolutely adorable creatures, I did some research. To think of these woolly animals as being always obedient to the shepherd, would be a mistake! I read that sheep can be silly, hard-headed creatures, always doing what they want and often heading off in the wrong direction, getting themselves into trouble. They do, however, recognise the voice of the one who cares for them. It is important for the sheep to be familiar with the voice of their master. So, the shepherd has to always be on the alert. He cannot simply sit on a rock amusing himself or taking a nap in the shade of a tree. If one gets lost, the shepherd climbs mountains and hills looking for it, calling out its name. And whether the lost sheep has fallen into a pit or is trapped in a bush of thorns, it will bleat as soon as it hears the voice of its master so the shepherd can go and rescue it. Thus, every sheep in the flock needs to be familiar with the voice of its master so each one can call on the Good Shepherd for help when even a single one of them is in danger with wolves, thieves, and all forms of danger. 

In like manner, Jesus as a “Good Shepherd” is kept well occupied by our failings, our stubbornness, our poor choices but like any capable shepherd, He recognises and can identify every last member of His flock and call them by name! He knows each and every one of us — our unique characteristics that make us beautiful, our tendencies for good and evil, our usual failings and favourite sins… and He is there for us each time we fall or lose our way.  He calls to each of us, reminding us in our day-to-day life to be close to Him. If we call out to Him in prayer, we can be assured that He is always listening and He responds to us in the best time possible. 

Now, learning by heart the voice of Jesus takes time. We have to always listen attentively because there are many voices and noises out there that demand our attention. It is only through a sincere and heartfelt listening — it is only through a meaningful repetition, a meaningful exposure that we become accustomed to our Shepherd’s voice. This is the only voice that we must listen to, heed and follow faithfully and wholeheartedly. This familiarity with the voice of the master is a result of the shepherd and the sheep constantly being together and becoming acquainted with each other.  We have to nurture our relationship with Jesus so we become sensitive to the sound of His voice speaking to us.

Sadly, we lose our way because we can no longer tell if we are still hearing the voice of Jesus or if we have allowed other voices to lead us farther from Him — these are the voices that tempt us to think only of ourselves, to take what is not ours, to harm other human beings, to be greedy, to enrich ourselves at the expense of others and the environment, to be inconsiderate and play deaf to the misery of those around us. We allow ourselves to be deceived by these lies because the voices that call out to us are sweet and enticing and we do not like to follow the voice of Jesus that tells us to follow Him on the straight and narrow path, to love our enemies, and especially to pick up our cross and follow Him. When the going gets tough, we would rather go away. When the road gets rough, we want to give up and take the easy way out. That is how we find ourselves in trouble. That is when we realise we have wandered so far from Jesus. The funny thing is, this is also the time we tend to blame Him and accuse Him of abandoning us. Then we say our prayers and we call out to Him in anger and frustration…. yet He listens and responds because He loves us. Sometimes, we still do not hear Him calling us back to the fold. So, He uses the voices of those we listen to the most — inspirational speakers and authors, popular influencers, counsellors, priests, nuns, teachers, friends, and family…. most especially our mothers….

Today is Mother’s Day and I will not let the chance pass to greet all you moms here at mass and those of you watching the livestream. Moms are a blessing. They are the reason you and I are here on this earth. I have had the fortune of having two moms. My birth Nanay and my adoptive Mama. Despite the irregularity of my family situation, I can say that I felt loved by both of them when they were both living. One lovingly raised me and taught me life skills and values that led me to be the person I am now. And the other gave life to me and gave me the chance to forgive her and love her back unconditionally.  My relationship with either of them was far from perfect but I often recognise the voice of Jesus in their voices when they greet me with warmth, when they converse with me about life, and when they would give me encouragement and advice when I am burdened with problems. I hope that you have also felt the love of your moms, or at least mother figures who have looked out for you and comforted you and who guide you on the right path. May our mothers, grandmothers and mother figures have a heart like that of Mama Mary who is the best model of motherhood. We can always count on Mama Mary to lead us to her Son, the Good Shepherd, and help us to hear His voice amidst the noise in our life. 

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, we are all invited to choose to become closer to Jesus that we may recognise His voice and hear Him calling us out of darkness into light, moving us out of the pit into the heights and beckoning us to greener pastures where He awaits us with open arms. And as we prepare to choose our next leaders, may we listen to the voice of Jesus and be guided to choose leaders after His own heart who will offer their lives in service of our brothers and sisters in need. May we always have the courage and humility to eagerly respond to His call.

HOMILY: Third Sunday of Easter

John 21:1-19

1 May 2022 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

By now you know how much of a K-Drama fan I am. It should not surprise you that I will begin this homily with a beautiful quote from the K-Drama, Twenty-Five Twenty-One: “Don’t ever forget how you earned a new opportunity. Whenever you’re having a hard time, remind yourself how difficult it was to start.” – Fencing Coach Yang. It got me thinking and I realized, it’s true. Opportunities arise because we desire to better ourselves and our life, and so opt to do something differently or to take risks in order for that change to happen. Often times, it takes a long time and much sacrifice and we need to be strong and persevering. Am I right? 

In John’s Gospel, we hear how the disciples reverted back to their old life of fishing even though Jesus had already appeared to them a few times while they were in hiding, fearing for themselves. Apparently, those visits from the risen Christ were not enough to fully convince them that they were to continue the mission in their Master’s absence. They probably still felt confused, afraid and abandoned because Jesus was no longer physically with them all the time to lead them, guide them, console them and enlighten them. We read about Peter and the other disciples fishing again. But strangely enough, although they are expert fishermen, they caught absolutely nothing! In their frustration they took the advice of a stranger and were shocked to have filled their nets with 153 large fish. It was only then that they recognize the Lord. Peter jumps into the water and the rest follow in the boat to eagerly meet the Lord. 

Let us first recognize that the symbolism in the gospel is very rich. Scholars say that 153 fish was symbolic of the 153 species of fish in the world so in a sense their catch was representative of ALL fish. Remember that Jesus had called them out of being fishermen to be FISHERS of MEN, so this catch was a message that if they stick to the Lord’s plan, their mission will take them to all peoples and they will be able to convert people from every race and nationality. Secondly, Jesus cooks fish and bread — the same food He multiplied for the hungry 5000.  This is meant to help His disciples recognize Him and confirm His identity. Lastly, we keep an eye on Peter. He does not recognize Jesus until the beloved disciple mentions this. Only then does he react. He jumps in the water lightly clad and wades ashore to meet Jesus who is cooking on a charcoal fire. Peter is lightly clad to represent his feeling of shame and nakedness before the Lord who knew that Peter would deny Him 3 times even before it happened. The charcoal fire must have also been a painful memory of the charcoal fire in the courtyard where Peter stood to warm himself when He denied that He was among Jesus’ disciples. And yet we know in the story that Peter had nothing to fear.  After Jesus asks Peter three times: “Do you love me?” (John 21:15), all is forgiven and Jesus even entrusts Him with the leadership and care for His flock. This encounter emphasizes how lovingly the Lord pursued his frightened disciples to call them back to the mission. He was giving them back the opportunity. He was giving them another chance. 

We are very much like the disciples ourselves when we are easily discouraged by all the challenges of life.  When things don’t go as planned, we think, God is not listening to our prayers or God does not care about us or God does not love us and sometimes we convince ourselves that God is cruel to us. We forget all the times God had helped us and has been good to us. We stop counting our blessings and count all our frustrations and failings instead. So, we stop praying. We stop trying to live honestly, resort to unethical shortcuts, we lie, we cheat, we steal and become inconsiderate of others. We even delight in having duped others or put one over them (naisahan ang kapwa) to our advantage. How very quickly do we find ourselves returning to our former life and its patterns when we experience even just the slightest failure in our tracks. How very quickly we let go of our faith in Jesus. How quickly we allow the fire of enthusiasm to be extinguished. I know this because I hear this a lot in confession. And sometimes, I am also tempted to lose heart when things don’t go the way I prayed they would. 

It is not only in spiritual aspects that this rings true. Even in our day-to-day life, we observe this. These days we all speak of the elections. I notice how the older generation is more cynical. Many have let go of their dreams for capable leaders with integrity and an administration that is decent and effective. They are so frustrated by the failure of past leaders to keep their campaign promises of eradicating corruption, of leading the nation to progress, of addressing poverty, joblessness and hunger, of raising salaries and of providing better healthcare and education. (May iba pang nagsasabi, sinungaling ang lahat ng pulitikong nangangako ng pagbabago. Pare-pareho lang silang nagiging corrupt pagnahalal na sila. They no longer believe it when candidates claim they will do better. Parang sinukuan na nila ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas. Wala na silang natatanaw na pag-asa. Bumabalik sila sa pagkiling at pag-endorso ng mga trapo, yung sikat at yung namimigay ng pera. Nakakalungkot. Dapat nga bumoto ang mga mas nakatatanda para sa kapakanan ng kabataan at kinabukasan ng Pilipinas. Ano ba ang gusto nating ipamanang bansa sa ating mga anak at apo? Bilang magulang masisikmura ba nating  maghandog sa ating mga mahal na anak at apo ng isang bansang binasura at napariwara ng kanyang mga lider?)  This election is our chance to choose better.  We should not forget the errors of the past but let us also not lose hope for the future of the Philippines. (Abot-kamay natin ang pagkakataong ito para sa pagbabago, wag na sana nating pakawalan.  Wag na tayong bumalik sa dati na nagdulot lang sa atin ng kasiraan at limpak-limpak na pagkakautang.) We have come a long way. We have fought hard and sacrificed much to savour the freedoms we have. I am not just talking of the past 60 years, but of all those in the history of our country who dreamed of a better home for future generations. Let us not waste it. 

Let us take inspiration from the First Reading that shows us the changes that occurred in the disciples, especially Peter when He took the opportunity to continue serving the Lord. In the passage from the Acts of the Apostles, we see that Peter did not waste the chance Jesus had given him.  The fearful Peter who denied Jesus three times was gone, replaced by a Peter who proclaimed the truth of the resurrection and spoke boldly of the new life to be found in Jesus’ name. It was the experience of the Risen Jesus that inspired Peter to speak with boldness and to defy the strict orders of the Sanhedrin to stop teaching in Jesus’ name. “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:9) The disciples even rejoiced that they were able to “suffer dishonour for the sake of the name.” (Acts 5:41) Like them, we too have been filled with the Spirit of Jesus not to be discouraged by our failures, our shortcomings, our sinfulness. The Spirit compels us to continue trying, to staying the course of discipleship.  In this spirit, I want to appeal to the youth.  Your vote will play a huge role in deciding the next set of Philippine leaders on May 9. Your vote comprises more than half of the 65.7 million voters in the country. As our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal famously said: “The youth are the hope of our motherland.” (Ang mag kabataan ang siyang pagasa ng ating Inang Bayan.”. Huwag kayong magpaimpluwensiya sa mga taong tila nawalan na ng pag-asa para sa ikabubuti natin.) Do not lose hope and your idealism. It is too early for you to be cynical and indifferent.  Pray for guidance. Let the Lord lead you to legitimate leaders. Cast your vote wisely. This is your mission for the nation today. 

We often need renewal so we do not lose our sense of mission and our ability to recognise the Lord in our everyday plans and endeavours.  Remember how we were first called.  Pray that we be re-newed, re-vived, and re-animated in our faith by the triumphant Jesus who is stronger, more powerful than all that threaten to destroy us. Like Peter, we are invited to wade through the water and swim towards the One who fills our empty nets and grants us second chances.

HOMILY: Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

John 20:19-31

24 April 2022

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

Over the past few years, I’ve grown to become a K-Drama fan. Madami na din akong napanood lalo na nung mga lock down.   May mga favorite na din akong artista — sina Song Ye Jin and Song Hye Kyo.  The two of them, like many Korean K-Drama stars, seemingly have perfect features. Anyone can readily describe them as “flawless, whiter than white actors/actresses”!  Pre-pandemic, dinarayo talaga ang South Korea para sa cosmetics and skin care products. It is dubbed as the epicentre of beauty.  

However, the pandemic changed the perspective of beauty in South Korea.  Beauty simply had a different face. Their medical frontliners started posting pictures of their faces with lesions, bruises, scars and other deep marks across their foreheads, cheeks and noses caused by wearing protective gears for many hours. When asked about how they felt about these marks, the medical frontliners in Keimyung University Daegu Dongsan Hospital responded that instead of being intimidated and embarrassed by such wounds, they wear them like badges of honour in the raging battle. 

In today’s gospel passage from John, we see the Risen Jesus appearing to the Apostles and showing His wounded hands and side to them. I recall Cardinal Chito Tagle in his homily during the mass at the Easter Recollection he gave in 2018 asking: “How come the Risen Lord, the triumphant Lord, did not erase the signs of His death? If I were Jesus, triumphant, I would remove all signs, all memories, of my defeat, my shame and humiliation. But that is not the way of Jesus.” The sacred wounds of Jesus as we refer to them are seen rather as “marks” of sacrificial love, of mercy and compassion, of healing and redemption. We recall Isaiah’s prophetic words: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) 

Also in today’s Gospel, Jesus does not only show His wounded hands and side but He also invites Thomas to touch His wounds. Directly addressing Thomas, Jesus tells him: “Put your finger here and see my hands and bring your hand and put it into my side.”  (John 20:27) When Jesus asks Thomas to touch His side, He was allowing him to verify and ascertain that it was He — that He was who He said He was — the very same Jesus whom he lived and ate with, journeyed with and who loved them. As people, we always tend to look for something tangible and palpable. It is not enough to see or be told about something. To be able to touch and feel something with our own hands, guarantees something is REAL. It gives a better understanding.  Touch sometimes communicates what words can’t — a mother’s comforting embrace, a father’s reassuring pat on your back, a friend’s empathic squeeze of your hand/arm, or a caress on the cheek of a lover.  The invitation to touch His wounds is extended to all of us today. To feel the nail marks is for us to recognise the truth that He lived, suffered and died for us. 

If we look closely at the resurrection narrative, we see that it does not tell us whether Thomas actually touched the wounds of Jesus. What we find thereafter is Thomas’ faith exclamation: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28) — which according to Bible commentators is a profession of faith that outshines all others in the four Gospels. Furthermore, it is to be noted that these are the very words used to refer to the true God in the Old Testament. What is clear is that Thomas is convinced of the presence of the Risen Christ in their midst and in turn is asked to be that presence of the Risen Christ to others. I think the story leaves a little to our imagination so that we are left to decide how we choose to respond to the invitation. 

This invitation to Thomas to touch His wounded hands and side is extended to all of us. How do we touch the wounds of Christ? As a community of believers, we, touch the wounds of Jesus when we are able to embrace our own suffering; when we come face to face with trials and difficulty; when we find ourselves in painful situations and when we touch the wounds of our brothers and sisters who are also suffering. We have been through a lot in the past few years. We have lived in fear of getting sick, we have lost loved ones to COVID, we have lost jobs, we have had mental health concerns, etc. These days we are worried of  the rising prices of commodities, the division we have as a people because of our political colours and leanings, the outcome of the elections, the future of our nation, and the effect of the current war in Russia and Ukraine.  These are situations wherein we desire healing — situations that leave us with emotional, and even physical scars. Is it not true that when we are most troubled and in need, this is when we call out to the Lord the most in prayer?  This is when we are likely to encounter Jesus.  Firstly, because we actively seek Him, and secondly, because Jesus is closest to us when we are suffering with Him. These moments in our life, are the moments that will allow us to say Jesus is real, and that He is truly with us. 

Jesus is no longer physically present with us, but we have to realise that all hope is not lost. Jesus Himself acknowledges, that to touch is not the be all and end all. He talks about believers beyond His time on earth — you and me, and those who will live after us — that those who have not touched nor seen Him yet believe, are blessed. And what is it that bridges the divide between believing something is real and not being able to touch? It is faith and the love we have in our hearts. We have that hope that someday we will be able to touch Jesus when we meet Him one day in the company of all our loved ones in Heaven.  For now, we look forward to a total end to this pandemic and a brighter future for the country, that we may freely and safely embrace our loved ones around us. 

HOMILY: Easter Sunday

John 20:1-9

17 April 2022

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

One of my favourite movies in the 90’s is the comedy-drama film, Forrest Gump based on the 1986 novel of the same title. “Run, Forrest, Run!” All throughout the story, the lead character Forrest Gump overcomes his life adversity by simply running. As a little boy he wore leg braces but at a pivotal moment of his young life, the braces came off and he learned, not just to walk without them, but to run! All throughout his life, people who influenced him and made an impact in his life motivated him to run. When he was bullied in school and stoned by his peers, his only friend in school — Jenny, prompted him to run. As an adult he was drafted into the Vietnam war and he saved people’s lives by carrying them and running to safety. In the course of the story, Forrest recounts what his Mama used to tell him… “My Mama always said, you’ve got to put the past behind, before you can move on.” 

In the Easter narrative from John’s Gospel, there is also some running involved among the main characters of the Easter story. We are told that “Very early and still dark, Mary came to the tomb, upon seeing the tomb empty, she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciples… Peter and the other disciple also ran together, the other ran faster…” (John 20:1-3) Three persons. All running, motivated differently.  Mary runs because she is fearful. She was afraid that someone had stolen the body of Jesus. We, too, tend to run when we are afraid. We run away from things that will cause us anxiety, grief, sadness, and negativity. Mahilig tayong umiwas. Nagpapakaduwag tayo. Magpapakalulon sa Netflix, sa video games, sa shopping, sa bisyo o kaya mangingibang bayan… lahat ng ito ay tanda ng pagtakas sa ating realidad ng buhay.  O minsan, gaya ni Mary, tumatakbo tayo sa taong agad na makakatulong o makapagbibigay ng kalutasan sa mga problema natin. 

The other disciple, who outruns Peter is unnamed but since he is referred to as “the one Jesus loved” we can safely assume this is John.  Why is he able to run faster?  Because unlike Peter, he did not have any guilt weighing him down. Throughout Jesus’ three-year ministry, Jesus has few disappointments in John. Sa katunayan, siya ay kinagiliwan ni Hesus. Sa pinakamasakit na kabanata ng buhay ni Kristo, hindi Siya iniwan ni Juan. John accompanied Jesus into the high priest’s chambers for his trial and even stood at the foot of the cross, in a show of loyalty, love, and support for his Master.  Panatag ang loob ng Panginoon kay Juan, kaya’t noong malapit na Siyang mamatay, inihabilin Niya kay Juan ang kanyang mahal na ina. I think that John, at his very core, did not doubt Jesus. He runs to see for himself the proof of Jesus’ declaration that He would rise from the dead. He runs in the hope that He will see his friend alive! He races and beats Peter to the tomb, and becomes the first believer in the resurrected Christ. Hindi ba, ganun naman tayo? We tend to run towards the persons we love so dearly whom we are excited to be with after not having seen them for a long time.

Conversely, we would not want to run towards people whom we have hurt or to whom we have done something wrong, am I right? Hindi ba’t pinagtataguan natin ang mga inutangan natin na di natin mabayaran? Ako, nung bata ako, nabasag ko yung vase ng terror teacher namin. Hindi talaga ako nagpakita sa kanya. I think this is why John was able to outrun Peter. Peter had some hesitation. Paano kung andun nga si Hesus na buhay? Paano niya ito mahaharap sa kabila ng kasalanan niya kay Kristo?  He was painfully aware that he had denied Jesus not once, not twice, but three times!  Ang masaklap, alam ni Hesus na ginawa niya iyon. Di na bale kung nagkakasala tayong walang nakakaalam, hindi ba? Pwede pa tayong magpatay malisya. Malas lang ni Pedro na bago pa nya nagawa ang pagtatatwa, alam na ni Hesus na mangyayari! Kaya doble pa ang kahihiyan niya kay Kristo. Throughout Jesus’ ordeal, Peter could only manage to go as far as the courtyard. And after he denied Jesus, he abandoned his friend and disappeared in shame. 

Ang maganda kay Pedro, tinuloy pa rin Niya ang pagtakbo papunta sa pinaglibingan kay Kristo. Inspite of himself, his embarassment, his fear and his hesitation, he ran to the tomb in the hope of finding Jesus. Alam naman natin na mabigat sa kalooban kung may daladala kang guilt, di ba? Kaya sa tingin ko, sabik na rin siyang mapagaan ang loob niya sa paghingi ng tawad kay Hesus.  Sana ganoon din tayo. Don’t let your sins and your mistakes keep you from moving forward in life. Sabi nga nung mama ni Forrest Gump, “Put the past behind…” The death and resurrection of Jesus are the very things that empower us to put our ugly, sinful past behind us. Jesus welcomes the penitent with open arms and gives us a future of renewed life in Him. We just have to find the courage to own up to our mistakes, run to Jesus and seek His forgiveness and allow the Risen Lord to lead us forward. 

One last thing, before we end. Did you notice that in the gospel, the three characters are not only running around but they are doing so in the dark? The setting of the story is that it was “very early and still dark” (John 20:1) Who runs in the dark?  Patatakbukhin mo ba ang anak mo sa dilim? Di ba kahit sino, takot madapa kasi di mo nakikita ang dinaraanan mo?  In his Easter sermon, a priest answered this question saying, “[Those who run in the dark are] people who have spent time with Jesus Christ. [These are] people with hope.” Ang taong umaasa kay Kristo ay may buong pagtitiwala sa Kanya. Hindi ba’t pagbuong- buo ang tiwala mo sa isang tao, susundin mo siya kasi alam mong di ka niya kailanman ipapahamak? These three characters had such a profound experience of Jesus that the faith Jesus sparked in their hearts was enough to light their way. 

This Easter, let us be like Peter. Despite all our failings and sinfulness, let us seek out the One who loves us unto our weakness. We are called to run towards the Truth who knows us through and through, and embraces us in our frailty. We race head on in faith and hope despite the darkness around us knowing that it is Jesus whom we will find at our destination. Trust in the Risen Lord, and run!

HOMILY: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Luke 23:1-49

10 April 2022

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

Sino ba sa atin ang mahilig mag-online shopping? Very convenient nga naman siya. We can even get some products cheaper online than if we buy them at the department store, after all, sometimes, they use the same supplier.  Kinakailangan lang mag-iingat tayo. Kilatisin ng husto ang produkto at tumingin sa reviews bago bumili sa isang seller. We might end up with something we do not want. There are buyers who end up with miniature or “doll size” items instead of full-size ones. Sometimes the colours appear different from what is in the pictures. Other times, we think we are buying the whole package but they were just selling a small part of it. It gets really frustrating and disappointing when we get what we were not expecting, di ba? 

Jesus was not the Messiah the Jewish people expected. It made it very difficult for them to accept the truth of His identity. When we look closely at Luke’s passion narrative, we sense that Jesus is trying to turn His accusers, His listeners and even His disciples away from their own expectations and notion of the Messiah. They had the wrong idea about who the Messiah ought to be. It kept them from seeing that Jesus was the Saviour and the Son of God. Recall the varying impressions provided by the people about the identity of Jesus — “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Luke 9:18) Then Jesus poses this question to His disciples. “But who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:20) Speaking on behalf of the others, Peter leads them all into a profession of faith. Peter confesses, “The Christ of God.” (Luke 9:20) Jesus acknowledges that it is God the Father who has revealed that to Peter.  On his own, Peter may not have realized it as well.  Nonetheless, Peter did not completely grasp the concept of Jesus’ mission as the Messiah. He was not able to accept the prospect of Jesus passion and death such that Jesus eventually reprimands him for it. We also take the example of Judas. What kind of Messiah was Judas expecting?  For Judas and the rest of the disciples, as Jews, they would have expected the Messiah to be a royal military figure who would wage a battle and save Israel from its oppressors to restore it to greatness. They were not expecting a spiritual figure who showed compassion, patiently taught crowds, and lived a life of humility.  We could surmise then that Jesus’ message of loving one’s enemies, concern for the poor and so forth was deemed nonsense to Judas and for those who see the Messiah differently. One commentary I have read even suggests that “Judas’ act of betrayal can even be deduced as an attempt to trigger Jesus. If He so wanted, Jesus could have saved Himself by rallying the people behind Him and so fulfill their expectations of the Messiah at the soonest possible time.” 

What Jesus was making them realise is that what they really want for themselves is upon them but perhaps in a different way from what they expected. He was the Messiah. He was in their midst. He was going to save them. Sadly, they did not see it.  Look at how Jesus further shatters their notion of the Messiah as He forgives while dying on the cross those who have caused Him great suffering and a painful death. As St. Paul points out in his Letter to the Philippians, “Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8)

It is a terrible feeling to have one’s expectations raised only to be let down.  In the recent weeks, I have been following the interviews and speeches of the different candidates vying for the national posts. I pay close attention to how each one of them would respond to the questions randomly thrown at them by journalists. I could tell right away who are those who would be more collaborative (or not) in their approach of governance. I love those candidates who use the word “we” rather than “I”; those who say, “We will do this and that…” rather than “I would do this and that…” That, to me, is practical truth because no one person can do everything, especially run a country. No one person can force the entire nation to submit and conform to a plan. People have to want to support the plan. People have to see the benefit of cooperating such that they volunteer their efforts and skills. That is why I support leaders who inspire people to do good, to be helpful, to be active in society, to be compassionate, to think of the good of the nation and not just themselves. I do not believe in politicians who make promises they cannot keep. If you believe in empty promises, you will end up disappointed and frustrated. 

Jesus is very much a leader. He is Rabbi, Saviour, and King to us all. Just as He was misunderstood when He lived on earth, people today have their own misguided expectations of Jesus Christ that prevent them from seeing the truth about Him. Some of us expect Him to be a genie who grants wishes. Pray ka ng pray na yumaman ka pero pag hirap ka pa rin, sisisihin mo ang Diyos, kesyo walang malasakit sa iyo o di nakikinig sa dasal mo. Kung ganoon ang expectation mo, mabibigo ka talaga kasi hindi naman genie ang Diyos na sumusunod sa bawat utos mo at kahilingan. Meron naman umaasa na ang Diyos na lubos na nagmamahal ay hindi kailanman hahayaang may masamang mangyari kahit ano pa ang gawin nila. Mali din naman iyon. Kung ikaw ay magpakatamad, magpariwara, manghamak ng iba, hindi nalalayong mailagay mo ang iyong sarili sa kapahamakan. Hindi ka dapat magtampo sa Diyos. He never desired you to be in such terrible circumstances. Rather, it is by your own actions that you found yourself in a predicament. 

Sayang kung di natin lubos na kilalanin ang tunay na katauhan ni Kristo at ang kaugnayan nya sa buhay natin. Jesus is our Saviour and He loves us so much that He gave His life for us. This is the story we recount in today’s gospel narrative. In every age and season, Jesus desires to be in a close personal relationship with each member of humanity — with each of us. He helps and guides us in ways we may not understand or recognise because He wants what is best for us.  

This Palm Sunday, let us be reminded to place our trust in Jesus. No expectations. Just complete trust. Let us allow God to surprise us, resting assured that as our Father, He loves us unconditionally and as our Leader, He never makes a promise He does not keep.

HOMILY: Fifth Sunday of Lent

John 8:1-11

3 April 2022

F. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

I know of this woman in her late fifties who got her first smart phone in the late 2019. Over the pandemic, she struggled to learn how to use it. She managed to join messenger chat groups and navigate her FB account on her phone browser. Dati, na-access lang niya ang FB niya pag nakikigamit siya ng computer ng kapatid niya. Ngayong madalas na siyang nakakapag-FB, namamangha sya sa mga posts na nababasa niya at pinaniniwalaan niya ang LAHAT ng ito. Hindi pa buo sa isip niya ang konsepto ng fake news. The worst part is she loves to SHARE and pass around what she finds interesting even if the information is not true. Dahil mas bata siya, tiwala ang mga lola friends niya na matalino siya at mulat sa mga kaganapan.  Kaya kahit anong ipasa nyang basura at kasinungalingan, pinaniniwalaan ito ng mga lola. Hangga’t walang nagpapatunay na mali siya, pinaninindigan pa niya at ipinaglalaban ang mga “shine-share”o “pino-post” niya. Nakakatawang, nakakaawang, nakakainis…

May kaibigan o kakilala ka bang ganyan? I’m sure. Naglipana ang Marites (Mare ito ang latest), Marietta (Mare, ito pa), Marisol (Mareng nanunulsol), Marissa (Mare, isa pa), Maricon (Mare, confirmed), Marichu (Mareng echusera), etc.  Pasintabi sa mga kapangalan ng mga ito. Hindi rin totoo na pawang babae lang ang ganyan. May mga lalaki din na nuknukan ng tsismoso. Yan ang realidad sa ating lipunan. Isn’t it true that we allow ourselves to be misled by gossip, lies and half-truths? We have to be very careful about what we believe in social media especially during this election period where trolls are paid to spread disinformation and to engage people into fighting and arguing online. They love to sensationalize things to suit their agenda. It is nothing new though, because as we hear in today’s gospel, it also happened in Jesus’ time!

In today’s Gospel passage, a group of scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in the very act of adultery. Hoping to get Him to react in a way that would entrap him. They wanted Jesus to contradict His teachings and try to get Him to publicly disregard the Jewish laws. I recall one of my professors saying that “If she was caught in the very act of adultery, why did they not bring in her partner as well?” That’s a genuinely valid question. Both were guilty of the act and under the Jewish law both of them are supposed to be stoned. So, why was it only the woman who was brought in to be judged? Anyway, as the story progresses, we are told that instead of passing judgement on the woman, Jesus “bent down and wrote on the ground with His finger”. Many have speculated on this gesture of Jesus. Though it is not important what Jesus wrote on the ground, a Bible commentator sheds light on this well-known gesture. This very act of Jesus calls to mind Jeremiah’s denunciation of Israel’s infidelities and refusal to repent (Jer. 17:13). “O Lord, all who forsake You shall be put to shame; those who turn away from You shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water.” In this sense, Jesus is trying to make them realise that nothing much had changed among them since Jeremiah’s time. They have been quick to pass judgment on others and yet they themselves have been unfaithful to God. Hence, Jesus challenges them: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

In the Bible, Israel herself has been found to be in adulterous relationships with the foreign gods. Hosea is the prophet who speaks quite vividly of the covenant infidelity of the Israelites to the One True God. Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, the prophet also highlights God’s faithful response to the covenant He had made with His people by showing them mercy. Similarly in the gospel account, instead of sending the adulterous woman to death, Jesus sends her to life. Jesus gives her a new lease on life. But take note also that although Jesus does not condemn her, neither does He exonerate her. Jesus exhorts her to sin no more. 

The Gospel passage teaches us to be most mindful in arriving at conclusions and in making judgments. Sometimes, we are given information that normally we consider “nakakasakit ng ulo” or “nakakataas ng BP”. Before we react, it is best to take a breath and take a step back to assess whether it is true and if we are looking at the complete picture. These days there is so much fake news, spliced videos and altered photos, that we can no longer accept things at face value. The woman I mentioned in the beginning used to believe every video on social media and Viber until someone taught her about deepfakes and video splicing. However, she has yet to learn the difference between a legitimate video from a credible source and the heavily biased “fan-made spliced or narrated videos”. Apps like Photoshop can manipulate photographs, while MyHeritage can animate a still photograph, Reface and Zao can create deepfakes wherein the user can make super believeable fake videos of anyone saying whatever the user wants them to say.   These can be dangerous especially at this time when some in the government has undertaken the malicious blacklisting of anti-administration individuals. Nakakatakot kung magawan ka ng fake video tapos na redtag ka. Sana, maging mapanuri din ang ilang mga awtoridad bago sila mag-redtag. 

Sometimes, we cannot help make rash judgments about people and situations. We tend to overreact or make hasty conclusions without making an effort to fact check or learn the whole story. For instance, I saw this post many years ago with a prompt not to be quick in judging others. Pinakita sa post ang larawan ng isang napakabatang buntis sa kalsada. Karamihan ng nakakita sa picture, naisip na maaga siyang lumandi pero kung mabasa mo ang kwento niya, masaklap ang kapalaran niya dahil ipinagbubuntis niya ang bunga ng panggagahasa sa kanya. Marami pang example kung saan tayo ay mabilis na nagiging mapanghusga gaya ng lalaking tinaguriang nating “baduy” na working student pala at walang pambili ng bagong damit, o yung estudyanteng pinagkakamalang “bulakbol” dahil laging absent, yun pala wala lang siyang pambaon at pamasahe. O kaya yung tindera sa palengke na binarat-barat mo para sa isang kilong gulay at sinabihan mong madamot, samantalang dose kilometro pala ang nilalakad papuntang palengke para makatipid sa pamasahe at may maiuwi pang kita sa panghapunan ng pamilya. 

We live in unusual times where we have access to a wealth of information online and the speed of communication has improved tremendously. If we are not careful, we can be agents of spreading lies and destroyers of innocent people’s reputations. Sometimes we arrogantly believe we know enough or that we are always right. The truth is, we have no right to judge others because most of the time we do not have the complete story. Let us learn to suspend our judgment before we can verify the circumstances surrounding the issue. We should be more like Christ who stands for the truth and who is welcoming and accepting of people regardless of their flaws and mistakes in life. He scrutinizes the heart, more than anything and reacts always with understanding and compassion.