Our Call

For flesh and blood[d] has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.

13 When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi[a] he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist,[b] others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 [c]Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood[d] has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,[e] and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.[f] Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”-Matthew16:13-19

Today is the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. They have sacrificed much for the propagation of the Christian faith. As Jesus called these two men for the ministry, Jesus calls us too to continue the ministry in anyway we can - as priests, religious men and women, and as lay members. What can we do? What does God want us to do for others? How can we spread and share Christ?

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Hundred times more

You will receive a hundred times more.

28 Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel 30 who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. 31 But many that are first will be last, and [the] last will be first.”-Mark10:28-31

Peter was bold enough to say, “We have given up everything and followed you.” In other words, the disciples of Jesus left everything to follow Him, so what's in it for them? Will there be a reward? For me, one should not ask for a compensation or a reward just because a person sacrificed much for Jesus. The call of Jesus alone is already a privilege, a high recognition, a rare gem these days. In the Gospel, Jesus comforts His disciples and future disciples that their response to the call will never go unnoticed. One shouldn't worry about mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, lands, etc. left behind because Jesus generously gives many mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, lands, and so much more to all who answer His call.

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Can we remain true?

Who, then, can be saved?

17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good?[a] No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’” 20 He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” 21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
23 [b]Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to pass through [the] eye of [a] needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”-Mark10:17-27

There were specific accounts of the call of some of Jesus' disciples. We know how Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John, Matthew or Levi, and Paul. But in today's Gospel, a rich young man actually turned down the call of Jesus rather than giving up everything and following Him. The power of free will! The young man just lost mega big time! We are all predestined for something. We are born with a purpose or mission. We are set apart for something. As we grow, this purpose or mission becomes clear. God remains true to those whom He called for a purpose or mission. Once He called, it is forever and true. He is not the type that would reject and say, 'It was just a joke. Go home now.' But what about us? Are we true when we make a commitment to this purpose or mission? If God is serious in what He's offering to us, can we be serious, too, in accepting it?

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An Adventure

Dazzling white!

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. 4 Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. 5 [a]Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. 7 Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;[b] then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” 8 Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.-Mark9:2-10

If Peter, James and John were greatly awed by what they saw and heard, what was Jesus' feeling during that time? Was He joyful? Did He feel exalted? One thing is certain, He went down the mountain, along with the other disciples, continued the ministry, experienced the Passion, Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection. Moses, Elijah and Abraham also experienced much pain, sadness, trials, difficulties and tests, along with their joys, victories and God-given accomplishments. Perhaps they wondered, "Do I really have to do this?" or "Why must I undergo this difficulty when I can be happy living simply within my comfort zone?" But they continued with their respective mission and never lost their focus to God. Life is not just about living within our comfort zones. Sometimes the biggest adventure is out there, waiting for us. Sometimes we lose much of life because we chose to stay within our comfort zones. God is calling us for a great adventure, what will you say?

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The Big Yes

Somebody's calling you.

14 After John had been arrested,[a] Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

16 As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. 19 He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. 20 Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.-Mark1:14-20

The call is so mysterious. Indeed, why did Jesus choose common folks? Were there not an abundance of learned men during His time? Were not Pharisees, Sadducees, Elders, Scribes or "more deserving people" in abundance during Jesus' active ministry? God's ways are indeed not our ways. God's thoughts are not our thoughts. God has planned it all way ahead of time. God has already pre-destined men and women for a role they are to fill later on. The plan is there. The destined role is there. The stage is there. All that is missing is our Yes. Our "Yes" to God is not so difficult to give as exemplified by His disciples' response.

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And the Cost?

Follow Jesus!

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.-Mark1:14-20

"Come, follow me." When Jesus called His first disciples, it was clear that they immediately left their boats, nets, father and hired men behind. In short, they left everything for Jesus. However, following Jesus has a certain cost. No, you're not going to pay for it, rather, a follower/disciple of Jesus must "deny himself, take up his cross and follow Jesus." Easier said than done. To deny oneself means saying no to pleasures and desires of life. It means living like Jesus - seeped in poverty, servant of all, celibate, chaste, forgiving even to the unforgivable and so on. If necessary, to live without anything to lay one's head on. To take up one's cross means enduring joyfully the absence of many pleasures and desires of life. Isn't it painful to say no to our favorite food? Isn't it painful to deny one of an addiction? Isn't it painful to reconcile with a sworn enemy?

Isn't it painful to forgive one whom we vowed never to forgive? Denying oneself and carrying one's cross will free us of many baggages and chains in life, and will make us free to follow Jesus. Isn't it easier to walk without any bag to carry around?

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Yes or No?

My response to God's invitation is...

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.-Luke1:26-38

I remembered the responses of the Biblical figures who were selected by God for a mission. When Sarah heard that she would bear a son, she laughed and thought that the joke was on her. Moses came up with a lot of excuses. Jacob wrestled the angel. Gideon was afraid. Jeremiah made an excuse out of his youth. Mary responded with her wholehearted "Yes" to the plan of God. Peter acknowledged his sinfulness and unworthiness. Zacchaeus repented and returned the money to those whom he cheated. The thief acknowledged Jesus at the point of death. Paul embraced the new faith. So different are their responses. But how are we going to respond to the call of God? What if His invitation is not to our liking? What if the mission is bigger than life? Mary is inviting us to respond to God with a big "Yes." When God plucks us out for a mission, He intended it for us and us alone.

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Who made them few?

Pray for more laborers for the harvest is rich and abundant!

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and illness.-Matthew9:35-10:1

The harvest is indeed rich and abundant but the laborers are few and still diminishing in number as years go by. So many clergy and religious boast of the number of seminarians and aspirants/candidates they had or seen before. Now, the number is so few and sometimes none at all. "Many are called but few are chosen," some would argue. But for me, when God calls, it is a serious matter and He doesn't joke. Once called, it is forever but it is up to the receiver of the call whether to say "yes" or "no." To say "No" is the very reason why few are chosen. God is not fickle. He doesn't call for nothing and He doesn't call only to dump the person in the end.

Many seminary and religious formation houses stress perfection, that is, a candidate must be Christ-like in everything - thought, word and action. However, because of a candidate's past, imperfections and character flaws, one commits blunders, errors, moments of stupidity and sometimes sin. And because of that, some would judge or question the formation of the candidate. Welcome to the lost voice of Understanding!

Who are we to judge if Jesus Himself never questioned nor sent home His disciples despite knowing that they would abandon Him during His Passion and Crucifixion? Who are we to judge or reject candidates if Peter and Judas Iscariot were not even rejected or sent away by Jesus despite knowing their denial and betrayal later on? Sometimes understanding is what is needed more over perfection. However, pure understanding alone is not healthy as well. Sometimes, it is good to ask, "Who makes the number of laborers few? Us - humans - or God?"

Image courtesy: artist, stained glass from Moulins Cathedral

He who calls

The cost of being Jesus' disciple.

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.-Luke14:25-33

To be Jesus' disciple meant renunciation of all attachments including loved ones, loving Jesus more and above all else, denying oneself and carrying his/her 'cross.' And, for me, it seems the path a disciple walks on to is a narrow path. Easier said than done. But let us bear in mind that Jesus is the One calling, and we are only responding.

If Jesus is the One calling, then He knows exactly our capacity, strengths and weaknesses. He wouldn't call us into something which we cannot handle. Aware of the existence of our frailties, Jesus knows that there is strength in each and every one of us. But how come many cannot survive it? For me, it is because we choose to handle things our way, we choose to face everything alone, we silence Jesus' instruction if it is contrary to what we want. In other words, the moment we focus and listen to ourselves more and more, the more we push Jesus away. And as we push Him away, a gap increases separating us from Him. The strength and power to survive everything rests in the shoulders of He who called us. Yes, for as long as Jesus is in our very existence, nothing will harm us. For as long as Jesus is in the very center of our lives, we have nothing to fear. We can face everything, we can be better individuals, we can survive any tests because Jesus is the One helping us. Perhaps, He is even the One solving everything for us.

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Mission and Purpose

Our mission and purpose may lie somewhere.

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.-Luke6:12-16

As I read and reflected, a part of me wondered what kind of men (and women) the other disciples - who were not chosen - are like. We know the composition of the 12 - fishermen, tax collector, zealot, a traitor and others. But what about the other disciples?

Why are they not chosen? Are there lettered men (and women)? Are there synagogue officials? Is there a Pharisee that secretly followed Jesus? One thing is certain, Jesus spent the night in deep prayer before making an important decision. As I reflected, grace has been given to me to realize that the 12 apostles were predestined long before they were born to be in Jesus' intimate circle of believers. It does not mean that the other followers and disciples were bad that's why they were not chosen. It is most likely that their capabilities, skills, talents and gifts are much utilized if they are not in the inner circle. It's like they glorify and help in Jesus' ministry more if they are not in the inner circle. Notice that for every town, there are always persons who are more religious than the rest. For every religious persons, there will always be those who are set apart to be a priest, religious brother or sister. For every priest, there will always be those who are still set apart to be bishops. For every bishops, there will always be those who are still set apart to be a cardinal.

And for every cardinal, there will always be one who will be a pope later on. Yes, we all have a mission. We all have a purpose. And it lies somewhere in our hearts waiting to be known. The Gospel reading is not just about the 12 who were chosen and not just about praying before making an important decision, but also Jesus' way of reminding us of our mission and purpose alongside with Him.

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Super rich harvest

The harvest is much more plentiful!

10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’-Luke10:1-9

Jesus is the Lord of the Harvest, the Master of Vocations. He chooses people for the Religious and Clergy, for Single-Blessedness or for Married Life. Sometimes we wonder why others are single, why others are married, why others enter the religious life or clergy. Such is life! We are brought by the Holy Spirit to where we should be.

Mysterious still is the way He chose His disciples and followers. A fisherman? A zealot? A tax collector? Loud and bold brothers? A prostitute? A would-be betrayer? A persecutor and murderer? Not really the cream of the crop, but that's the way of Jesus - mysterious, hidden, passive, full of surprises. Notice that during His passion and at the final moment of His life, He never rejected anybody nor condemned them. If so, who are we also to condemn or reject anybody just because of their background or sinfulness? Is their limit to our capacity to forgive?

Photo by: unknown artist and kaptainmyke (Cream of the Crop Vintage)