HALT before you Act

 First Sunday of Lent

06 March 2022

 

First Reading: DT 26:4-10

Responsorial Psalm: PS 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15

Second Reading: ROM 10:8-13

Gospel: LK 4:1-13

 

Reflection

By: Jose Paulo M. Gonzales

 

Have you ever had a hard time when in only an instant, you utter some words you can ever get back? When we are visibly typing a paper we have been working to finish and we see a friend approach us with a glass of coffee placed insecurely in hand, there could be a jolt on us to say, "Don't come any nearer, you'd spill that coffee on my laptop!" The instant surge of energy could make it just as easy to deliver the rest of the piece: "You are always like this. How many times do I have to tell you not to do this over and over again?!" In our mind, we are only being reasonable. The friend has really spilled coffee on our laptop at least two times last month, and it is not at all bad to tell others what to avoid doing; but we soon wonder why our friend has been noticeably coming over less frequently. Days turn to months until we do not see them coming over anymore. There was nothing else that happened before or after the encounter that we could trace to this change in behavior, so we reckon, it must have been our sharp admonition that made our friend wary of being with us again. This exchange can happen in different forms at varying levels in many places: in school, in the workplace, or even at our dining tables.

There is great temptation to let others know what wrong things they do, and a greater temptation to hold back when what we are to deliver would make a lasting impact. When we are at the receiving end, it could take just as much energy to snap back, regardless of whether we are guilty of the charge or not. As it is, temptation can be tricky to deal with. It only needs to find a host in our agitation to be properly put into damaging action.

The story of Christ's temptation gives us something comparable. The temptation Jesus weathered could have been so compelling to let Him give in. After all, He was hungry. Forty days – a month and ten days over – is not a short time to abstain from eating. If we could only remember how much we become irate after a day with no proper meal, not even cheat-eats in between, we would understand how convincing the devil could have been. The hungry Jesus could have been mentally tired on top of this; imagine – over a month's worth of deep reflection. Furthermore, with a sudden entity making entry, with charges that could have made Jesus restate His place as the Son of God, it was all the more impressive how Jesus held His own and not let the devil's leading dictate His demeanor. The devil knew scripture, but more so did He –fully, and in proper context.

As troubled creatures we truly are, we are not deprived of the chance to be led to a better moral stature. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus, made human, was like us in many things: "tempted in every way, just as we are – yet He did not sin."  Jesus gives us a stellar Example of how to properly deal with temptation. He knows our human weaknesses – the gaps we have between who we are and what we strive to become – and how would He not know any better? The first part of the same verse would say: "we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses." In this, we have confidence that we can come to a Father who states primarily how we should conduct ourselves in a context with others, but nevertheless understands the failings that bar us from its perfect delivery. We can make our earnest efforts to be exemplary Christians to each other, and in prayer and genuine intiimate confession with the Lord, recount candidly what it is that hinders us from properly handling temptation. The forgiveness and the providence of the Father could make us better Christians in each progression so we can make "perfection" more a stage of refinement instead of a constant state by which our accomplishment, though worldly impossible, would leave us no room anymore to grow. Furthermore, this constant state is so far from human character that in each failed attempt, it could discourage us into despondency – the dispirited feeling not to perform any good anymore because we just can't... we just can't be "perfect" in this world. The relationship we have with temptation, particularly the negativity so readily ascribed to it would be attenuated by the teachings of the Church that say: it is not temptation itself that makes us sin, but our conscious decisions to succumb to it. May we come to Jesus in hopes that we can handle temptation better and become better Christians to each other as we refine ourselves always in His instruction and help, even to the people outside of our faith. After all, as the first reading for today would point out "there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon Him" (Deuteronomy 26:4-10).

As a last note, a contemporary tool we have learned from our training, courtesy of the Emmaus Center for Psycho-spiritual Formation, could help us better hold our tongues before dealing others a fatal blow. We should halt when we are HALT (hungry, angry, lusting, or tired). When any of these feelings makes us sensitive to even slight disturbances, it is best to first acknowledge that we are in such state so we can distance ourselves from damaging others or maneuver the negative energy into a positive or non-damaging expression. In the end, it is not so bad to tell others where we could change, and there is only so much coffee our laptops could take but always deliver in a tone, spirit, message, and degree that we, ourselves, would appreciate; in a space and time that would not devalue anyone's dignity. The potentiality to maintain friendship in good faith outweighs the vindication to always keep right but let others fall way, but should there be prompting to put our foot down in a situation and properly admonish, always discern if there is need to confront and to what extent, and maintain instruction from the right loving and humble Spirit of God, so that if others misunderstand us no matter our positive delivery, we can ascertain that we come from the right place. On our part, this is sternly not an invitation to militantly keep right in areas that necessitate to aggression, as a scrupulous mind can do that more than a truly moral and spiritual disposition. This is only consolation in times when we must rebuke others and they unattributed our positive intentions. Overall, it is harmony with the Christian spirit to commune with all, and to strengthen conviction when there is need: in standing with the Lord, in standing for truth, and in standing for the values of a higher level than withstanding a norm that disadvantages the last, the least, and the lost. In discerning everything, it is the Lord who knows. It is Him we must ask always for proper direction.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being our good Father and for all the graces You give us. Please still our hearts in moments of temptation and make iron of our wills to overcome them; but in moments when we cannot withstand them still, we would like to request You forgive us and reconcile us to You again, that in each time You admit us back into Your love, we would be energized in living Christlike lives again. These we ask in Jesus' Most Holy Name, Amen.

 

Changed for Love

2nd Sunday of Lent  25 February 2018

First reading: Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18 After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. The angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, “By myself I have sworn, says the Lord: Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.”      Second reading:  Romans 8:31-34 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Gospel: Mark 9:2-10 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.

Reflection
by Carlo Alexis Malaluan

The scriptures point out to the Transfiguration of our Lord. Peter, James and John experience the Transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus took these three men up to the top of a mountain. When they arrived there, Jesus was transfigured before them. 

The gospel today highlights two important things: change and love.

In the gospel, first, we can see how the Lord “changed” in appearance.  His clothing became dazzling white and then Elijah and Moses appeared and began conversing with Him. This proves that Jesus is not only truly human but also truly divine. Second, we can see the “change” among the disciples. They might have doubts about Jesus, there might be some uncertainties about their faith in Him but this blessed encounter “changed” not only their views but their hearts forever. They have been filled with great awe. They will not see Jesus the way they have seen Him before. Their faith is reinstated, their trust is strengthened.

The second point is that the gospel speaks of love. The Father announced to the disciples, This is my beloved Son! We are all the time God’s favoured ones – it’s ourselves that miss out on it. We live in the big wide world of God’s love, and Jesus on Tabor was allowing Himself be loved in the radiant light of God, shining even in the cloud. Together we are loved. Light is caught from one to the other.

This leaves us a challenge. We are the light of Tabor mountain for each other. All are loved. The one I like and don’t like! We must change the way we look at others. May we remind ourselves that we do not need to see a “shining light” to see Jesus in others. The poverty, the misery, the bitterness of sufferings must not hinder our eyes from seeing the Lord. Secondly, we cannot let love die. We are loved by God as the Father loved Jesus. We are also called to love the unlovely, the lonely, the suffering. The gospel foresees the upcoming death of our Lord. The radiant body of Christ was hammered and killed later by ourselves. But the love killed at Calvary rose again. Love cannot die. We must continue to love the way Jesus loved us.

We must change the way we see others. We must love others as the Father loves Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of Your love. Allow me to change myself that I can bring the change You want me to bring. Allow me to love you  that I can love Jesus in my brothers each day more. Amen.

Choose Me

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Sept 28
First reading                                        Ezekiel 18:25-28
The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows: ‘You object, “What the Lord does is unjust.” Listen, you House of Israel: is what I do unjust? Is it not what you do that is unjust? When the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he himself has committed. When the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. He has chosen to renounce all his previous sins; he shall certainly live; he shall not die.’

Psalm                                                Psalm 24:4-9

Second reading                               Philippians 2:1-11

If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we
have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and 
united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing 
which would make me completely happy. There must be no competition among you, no 
conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better 
than yourself, So that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other 
people’s interests instead. In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus:

His state was divine,
yet he did not cling
to his equality with God
but emptied himself
to assume the condition of a slave,
and became as men are;
and being as all men are,
he was humbler yet,
even to accepting death,
death on a cross.
But God raised him high
and gave him the name
which is above all other names
so that all beings in the heavens,
on earth and in the underworld,
should bend the knee at the name of Jesus
and that every tongue should acclaim
Jesus Christ as Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

  

Avoid anything in your everyday lives that would be unworthy of the gospel of Christ.

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Gospel                                          Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.’

Reflection

By Theresa Ballo

What would you rather choose, to be right than happy or to be happy than right?

This question was posed in one of my meetings with my Care Group (a weekly support group). Without a blink I answered, being right than happy. It was never easy making that choice. I guess it was just how I was raised. It resulted to a number of disadvantages and advantages, to rock bottom nights and silver linings. However, there were instances too in life when decisions have to be made right away. In which, most of the time, I made careless mistakes. More so, when I chose not to mind the consequences of my actions and guilt creeps in afterwards, I feel shame when talking to God or even receiving Jesus in Holy Communion.

Aside from change, making a choice is also one of the constant realities in life.  The Gospel for today, talks about these two beautiful words, change and choice. Jesus tells a story of two imperfect sons to show the way of God’s kingdom. The “rebellious” son told his father that he would not work for him. Yet afterwards, changed his mind and did what the father commanded him. The “good” son said he would work for his father, but didn't carry through. Now, is one of them a good son? A choice was made in the story, a change of heart from sinfulness to righteousness and from righteousness to sinfulness. Jesus gives us a clear reminder, good intentions are not enough. Likewise, promises don’t count unless they are performed.

Thus repentance matters, the first reading mentioned that when someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of his iniquity that he must die. But if he turns away from wickedness and do what is right and just, he shall be saved. The road to holiness is a continuing process. God doesn't want it to end to low note when you have received Him already in the first place. That after a couple of misfortunes, drowned themselves to bottomless pit, feels unworthy and turned their back to God’s grace. Better are the worst sinners, represented in the Gospel by tax collectors and prostitutes, who after acknowledging their sinfulness and receiving Jesus as savior, resolve to live new and transform to become witnesses.

Salvation is a daily walk with God. Actions always speak louder than words. It is with God where we can find the greatest treasure in humanity – peace, joy and life with Him in His kingdom. Receive the bountiful grace He offers. Choose to live by the truth, choose Jesus, and you will be happy.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,

Open my heart to receive You in my life. Change my toxic thoughts that I may only desire those that are pleasing to You. Give me courage so I can respect and choose to follow Your will and  empower my spirit with joy and perseverance to carry it out wholeheartedly. For all that has been Lord and for all that will be, I thank you Lord. Amen.

Transformation and Sacrifice

First Reading: Baruch 5:1-9

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever:

Wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God's worship. Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children Gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God.

Led away on foot by their enemies they left you: but God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones. For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, And that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God. The forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God's command; For God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

Second Reading: Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11

Praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Gospel: Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,  the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. He went throughout (the) whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"

Reflection
By Nats Vibiesca

As a student of educational management program, the art of transformational leadership is a common discussion in our classroom. Transformation is simply translated to “changing for the better”. On the other hand, leadership is like the North Star in the sky. It is located directly above the North Pole that stays at a fixed point, unlike other stars, change position during the night. The North Star is the sailors’ point of reference when they navigate the sea. Thus, following this star would mean life and death for sailors. Good thing GPS technology was developed to guide sailors of this generation.

Likewise, St. John the Baptist is our North Star leading us to Jesus and proclaims His coming. But the requirement before meeting Jesus is for us to be transformed. We need to change to become better. In fact, we have to keep changing if we want to stay alive. Otherwise, we become fossilized. But changing is often difficult.

Transformation is easy in fairy tales, just like in some of the stories that I have written. People become animated animals and vice-versa. There’s no mystery attached to transformation in fairy tales. Unlike in the challenge of St. John, transformation involves self-sacrifice. Only if I pay the price of sacrifices will keep me abreast of change. It will never be true change if it doesn’t cost me anything.

In our generation, the term sacrifice is kept away as far as possible from our consciousness. We often yell: Yes to comfort! No to sacrifice! The term sacrifice consists of two words: the first is “sacrum” or holy and the other is “facere” or to make. The term sacrifice means therefore to “make holy”. Our daily sacrifices like waiting on line to pay the bills, waiting for a jeepney or being delayed by traffic, bad moments during school or work are all “making holy” as our sacrifice for change.

May this second Sunday of Advent transform our lives through sacrifices and to become better Christians as we welcome Jesus, the Word of God.

Prayer

Lord, it’s hard to make sacrifices for change but I trust You that I will overcome the pain attached to each sacrifice. No matter how I suffer, I know that You will strengthen me and I thank You for Your comfort. Amen.

The Witness

“ He who is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. ”

First Reading: Isa. 61:1-2, 10-11

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, To announce a year of favor from the LORD and a day of vindication by our God, to comfort all who mourn;

I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; For he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, So will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.

Res. Psalms: Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54

Second Reading: 1^st Thess. 5:16-24

Rejoice always.

Pray without ceasing.

In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not despise prophetic utterances.

Test everything; retain what is good.

Refrain from every kind of evil.

May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.

Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites (to him) to ask him, "Who are you?" he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, "I am not the Messiah." So they asked him, "What are you then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." So they said to him, "Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?"

He said: "I am 'the voice of one crying out in the desert, "Make straight the way of the Lord,"' as Isaiah the prophet said. Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Reflection:

By Pietro Albano

If Facebook were around during John the Baptist’s time, his followers would probably have created a fan page for him.  It may feature all his talks a la Archbishop Chito Tagle’s show, the number of likes per talk, and comments as well.

Yet, it is also possible for some people to create a page denouncing John’s preaching and way of life.  King Herod, Herodias, the Pharisees, etc. would be at the forefront of such a page.

John, as we read in the Gospel, denied that he was the Christ, nor was he Elijah or any of the prophets.  The first few lines of the Gospel tells us his role: the witness. Nowadays, a witness is such a high commodity because in that person rests the truth and from that truth justice and redemption are brought about. The witness per se is not the truth, but someone who has seen the truth. 

As in the days of John, there are people who will be uneasy with the truth and would do everything for that truth to remain hidden by getting rid of the witness.  John’s life did not have a happy ending – cunningly, Herodias managed to have him beheaded when her daughter danced before an elated and boastful Herod.

Like John, other witnesses to the truth have given their lives in order for that truth to prevail. The likes of Archbishop Oscar Romero and Fr. Fausto Tentorio ring a bell. 

Pope Paul VI once said that the world doesn't need teachers, but witnesses. The same pontiff told that if people listen to teachers it is because they are witnesses.

We too are called to be witnesses in our own little way. It won't be an easy task. Others, though unable to kill us, would misunderstand us, ostracize us or stab us at the back. Let's pray that we'll be that new John the Baptist proclaiming through our lives that the Lord is coming and that "every heart [should] prepare Him room".

Prayer 

Father, may we remain humble and take concerned people's words of encouragement and constructive criticism on board so we can be transformed into a people pleasing to You, a people whose lives would testify for You at all times. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Tags: Advent, change, John the Baptist, witnessing

Terror

“ I have baptized you with water; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

First Reading Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins. A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; The rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley.

Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all mankind shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings; Cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God!

Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

Res. Psalm: Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

Second Reading Peter 3:8-14

But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard "delay," but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.

Since everything is to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought (you) to be, conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire. But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth  in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.

Gospel: Mark:1:1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ (the Son of God). As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:  "Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” John (the) Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Reflection
by Pietro S. Albano

If John the Baptist were a teacher, he would be labelled as ‘terror’. His lessons, though straightforward, would lack the antics often employed by his colleagues. Student may hate him or worse, lose heart of him for being ‘masungit’ (snappy) and ‘mahigpit’ (strict). Strangely, in the Gospel, we are told that people in droves come to him, to listen to his preaching, and be baptized. 

Indeed, we too could possess a similar prodding to listen attentively to our terror teachers/priests/counsellors in spite of their brutal frankness. In the long run, we develop some sort of ‘discipleship’ with them in spite of our differences. Why is this the case?

Perhaps it could be that, somehow and somewhere we come to realize how weak we are and would therefore need ‘someone’ to address those gaps in our life. Oftentimes, our failures shouldn’t be babied, but treated like adults. And this is where the likes of John come to fore: probing our inner selves, challenging our comfort zones and the status quo, rebuking us for our sins, ignorance, and slothfulness.

I suddenly recalled my driving examiner in the UK. Some people told me how grumpy and frank he was when administering the test. I have prayed hard that he won’t be my examiner, but when I took the test I was horrified to see him introducing himself as such. I told myself “Now’s not the right time to panic or be afraid. Concentrate!” He gave instructions quite fast. But I just kept focused and asked him for clarification every now and then. He would repeat the instructions, but he sounded irritable. Part of the test was to do a manoeuvre by reversing around the corner. It took me awhile to complete this as there were cars moving on both directions. He was growing impatient and was telling me “You’re not making any progress here” a few times. I took those remarks as challenges and finished the manoeuvre without hitting the kerb (whew!). When we returned to the test centre, he asked me to relax as he made some notes. And then he told me “I am pleased that you have passed.”

Indeed, not all ‘terror people’ will pull you down. The outside features may be cold or rugged (as in John’s case), but deep inside is that burning and authentic desire to whip us into shape.

Let’s take to heart the message these people would like to impart to us if we want to be better persons. Above all, let’s take heed of John’s exhortation as we get ready for the Lord’s Birth this Christmas.

Prayer:

Loving Father, You have sent us prophets, teachers, ministers, and leaders to form us into the people that is pleasing to You. In the fullness of time, You sent Your only Son to save us. Cleanse us from all that would hinder Him from coming into our lives. In His Name we pray. Amen.