Homily: 5th Sunday, Year C

February 7, 2010


The gospel this Sunday narrates to us the calling of the first disciples. Jesus said to Peter, Andrew, James and John: ‘Do not be afraid; from now on, it is people you will be catching.’ Then, they left everything and followed him. The gospel tells us that Jesus needs identical copies; he needs followers.

Majority of the Filipinos are Catholic. But we wonder, why is there no such thing as a Catholic vote? When I say Catholic vote, I do not mean a vote dictated by the Pope or by the ecclesiastical hierarchy. It is not a vote similar to the Iglesia ni Kristo vote. No! What I mean is a vote that reflects the ideals of the Catholic faith. An evangelized vote. A vote fashioned by the Word of God.

Indeed, majority of Filipinos are Catholic. When we were kids, we had no choice. Our parents brought us to the church and had us baptized as Catholics. However, it is one thing to be baptized; it is another thing to be evangelized. This is where we fail. We may be Catholics by name, but our hearts remain to be pagan. Our political leaders are Catholics. But why is it that our country is one of the most corrupt countries in the world? The Archbishop calls our government oligarchic, that is, the rule of the few. Others call our government a kleptocracy, that is, the rule of the thieves! Yes, we are Catholics by name; but gentiles by heart.

Who influences our thoughts everyday? When we buy soap or shampoo, what criteria do we follow? Why Tide and not Ariel? Why Pantene and not Rejoice? According to psychologists, most of our thought processes are not rational but irrational. Our choices are governed by our fetishes and our obsessions. Our thoughts are controlled by what we see and hear. Here lies the power of advertisements, of the media. When we elect the leaders of our country, with high probability, our choice will be governed by the same power, the power of advertisements, of the media. How many of those that we see and hear are really true?

It is sad that many Catholics are “evangelized” by the flawed editorials of radio personalities. The listeners’ opinion are in fact fashioned and controlled by false information, perverted opinions, and paid judgments. Many Catholics are at the mercy of their propaganda.

Jesus is calling all of us not to be disciples of the media but to be His disciples. He is asking us to follow him, to follow his footsteps, to be like him. He wants us not only to do good, but to be good. The Holy Spirit who lives in us, transforms our lives until we become like Jesus, or copies of Jesus.

Jesus’ invitation offers three simple directions: “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.”

What is to deny one’s self? He is not telling us to leave our responsibilities. In fact, he wants us to take responsibility at all times. Rather, he wants us to abandon our selfish dreams, dreams that will not benefit our country, our society, our families. They are our fetishes, our obsessions.

Jesus calls us to take up our cross. Many of us have reduced the significance of the cross to a 24K ornament we wear around our neck. Ironically, terrorists in several films are shown to be wearing crosses. The Lord did not tell us to wear it, but to carry it. And carrying it demands commitment.

“Follow me,” Jesus said. When Lindberg flew the Atlantic , he drew a line on his map that he called the point of no return. After he crossed that point, he knew there was no turning back. This is how we are going to follow our Lord. We must cross the point of no return.

The Lord is calling each of us to be like him. A disciple is molded by his master. If we want to be real Catholics, we need to listen more often to our Master. Conversion does not take place in certificates, but in our hearts. If we want to change our society, we must cast votes evangelized by Jesus and not by the media.



Cover of His Three Books

2/3/10

Posted by New PARADIGM! at 1:37 AM
Homily: 5th Sunday, Year C

February 7, 2010


The gospel this Sunday narrates to us the calling of the first disciples. Jesus said to Peter, Andrew, James and John: ‘Do not be afraid; from now on, it is people you will be catching.’ Then, they left everything and followed him. The gospel tells us that Jesus needs identical copies; he needs followers.

Majority of the Filipinos are Catholic. But we wonder, why is there no such thing as a Catholic vote? When I say Catholic vote, I do not mean a vote dictated by the Pope or by the ecclesiastical hierarchy. It is not a vote similar to the Iglesia ni Kristo vote. No! What I mean is a vote that reflects the ideals of the Catholic faith. An evangelized vote. A vote fashioned by the Word of God.

Indeed, majority of Filipinos are Catholic. When we were kids, we had no choice. Our parents brought us to the church and had us baptized as Catholics. However, it is one thing to be baptized; it is another thing to be evangelized. This is where we fail. We may be Catholics by name, but our hearts remain to be pagan. Our political leaders are Catholics. But why is it that our country is one of the most corrupt countries in the world? The Archbishop calls our government oligarchic, that is, the rule of the few. Others call our government a kleptocracy, that is, the rule of the thieves! Yes, we are Catholics by name; but gentiles by heart.

Who influences our thoughts everyday? When we buy soap or shampoo, what criteria do we follow? Why Tide and not Ariel? Why Pantene and not Rejoice? According to psychologists, most of our thought processes are not rational but irrational. Our choices are governed by our fetishes and our obsessions. Our thoughts are controlled by what we see and hear. Here lies the power of advertisements, of the media. When we elect the leaders of our country, with high probability, our choice will be governed by the same power, the power of advertisements, of the media. How many of those that we see and hear are really true?

It is sad that many Catholics are “evangelized” by the flawed editorials of radio personalities. The listeners’ opinion are in fact fashioned and controlled by false information, perverted opinions, and paid judgments. Many Catholics are at the mercy of their propaganda.

Jesus is calling all of us not to be disciples of the media but to be His disciples. He is asking us to follow him, to follow his footsteps, to be like him. He wants us not only to do good, but to be good. The Holy Spirit who lives in us, transforms our lives until we become like Jesus, or copies of Jesus.

Jesus’ invitation offers three simple directions: “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.”

What is to deny one’s self? He is not telling us to leave our responsibilities. In fact, he wants us to take responsibility at all times. Rather, he wants us to abandon our selfish dreams, dreams that will not benefit our country, our society, our families. They are our fetishes, our obsessions.

Jesus calls us to take up our cross. Many of us have reduced the significance of the cross to a 24K ornament we wear around our neck. Ironically, terrorists in several films are shown to be wearing crosses. The Lord did not tell us to wear it, but to carry it. And carrying it demands commitment.

“Follow me,” Jesus said. When Lindberg flew the Atlantic , he drew a line on his map that he called the point of no return. After he crossed that point, he knew there was no turning back. This is how we are going to follow our Lord. We must cross the point of no return.

The Lord is calling each of us to be like him. A disciple is molded by his master. If we want to be real Catholics, we need to listen more often to our Master. Conversion does not take place in certificates, but in our hearts. If we want to change our society, we must cast votes evangelized by Jesus and not by the media.



Cover of His Three Books