Lorna and Aldrin’s Box

My Father Did Many Things, But I Will Always Remember Him As…

The Dad Who Brought Me Out For Pizza

By Bo Sanchez

My Dad is gone.

My hero. My mentor. Gone.

An hour before he died, I gently brushed my hand on his grey hair. I looked at his tired face, his wrinkled hands, the tubes attached to his arm—and something in me told me his time was up. He wanted to go home. I prayed a blessing on him. An hour later, he quietly died in his sleep.

Friends, this should have happened eleven years ago…

God Gave Him A Long Extension

Eleven years ago, my father was fixing a light bulb in our garage. He stood on a bench, reached for it, and lost his balance. He came crashing down, the back of his head hitting the concrete floor. We rushed him to the hospital. Soon, he lost control of his limbs. I can still vividly recall that scene when my father, a strong man, was coming down the steps with my two sisters almost carrying him down. He couldn’t move his legs anymore. Through brain scans, the doctors saw three blood clots in his brain. Soon, they said, he would die because of them. They performed two brain surgeries on him. He stayed in the ICU for three months. We almost lost him to severe pneumonia.

But miracle of miracles, he slowly recovered from the grip of death…

God granted him a second life.

To Teach Us To Love More

That was eleven years ago—And how I enjoyed those eleven years!

Yes, he could no longer work or serve the church or community. He could no longer talk clearly. Just garbled words. His eyesight became very bad. And the emotional center in his brain was also damaged, so he became erratic and sometimes acted like a child. He was a mere shadow of who he was.

But for those eleven years, it was so easy to make him smile. All I had to do was bring him out to a cheap Japanese restaurant. He loved his sashimi in wasabe sauce. During this period in his life, eating out with his family was the only thing that made him happy.

For eleven years, I embraced him everytime we met—something I didn’t do before his accident. For eleven years, I always said, “I love you, Dad”. For eleven years, I was in charge of cutting his fingernails and toenails—something I loved to do (and would miss doing.)

I believe one of the reasons why God extended his life for eleven years more was so that we could learn how to love more. That was his last assignment from above.

And then it was time to say good-bye…

His Last Breath

Two weeks, Mom noticed he was getting weaker. She said that he had a hard time climbing the stairs to the Light of Jesus Community Prayer Room right beside his home—a place he frequented twice a day, morning and evening. (For the past 20 years, the Blessed Sacrament has been exposed there, 24 hours a day, and Dad and Mom were up there communing with God each day.)

Seven days ago, because of this growing weakness, he fell on his way up his bedroom, his forehead crashing on the wooden steps. A doctor from the community came to suture his deep wound—12 stitches in all. He went through two brain scans but doctors only saw an old blood clot from eleven years ago. Still, as each day progressed, we observed he was getting weaker.

Four days ago, he could hardly get up from his bed.

When we brought him to the hospital the two days ago, he slept most of the time.

And this morning, an hour after midnight, he breathed his last.

Dad was 88 years old.

Would You Follow A 13-Year Old Boy?

Oh, there are many things that I could say of my father.

For example, for 16 years, Dad served in the Light of Jesus Community as one of the Elders, until his accident forced him to resign.

And whatever group Dad joined, whether it was the Homeowners Association or the Parish Council, he’d always be chosen as the Treasurer. Because he looked so honest. And he truly was. Because of this, he also took care of the finances of our Community. He labored that every single centavo be accounted for. (I believe the reason why we remain strong to this day was because our finances have been above reproach—a legacy he leaves behind.)

More than all this, I believe he was one of the most humble men I knew.

Who among you would follow your 13-year-old boy?

Ever since I started preaching at 13, he sat at the audience listening to me preach. And when we founded Light of Jesus Community when I was but 14, he agreed that I become its Presiding Elder and he only one of its Elders. Though Dad was still the leader in the home, he followed my leadership in community. Dad was Assistant Vice President of San Miguel Corporation and held an MBA degree from the University of the Philippines. Why would he follow his little boy? But he did so because he believed that God anointed me to lead.

All through theses years, he was content in his role as my main supporter.

I remember one day, he pulled me aside and said, “Bo, you have a gift of proclaiming God’s Word. I don’t have that gift. I wish I had it. If I had it, I would preach everyday. Bo, you have that gift. Use it. Use it everyday.”

When I was young, I had crazy ideas. One day, I told the Community to surrender their attachments to God. So in one prayer meeting, people surrendered their jewellery, clothes, and TV sets to God. Dad gave up our sala set, the most beautiful furniture we had, sold it and gave the proceeds to the Community. Yes, no matter how crazy my ideas were, he supported me.

He Brought Me Out To Pizza

But if you were to ask me what I most remember Dad for, I will say, “He brought me out for pizza.”

Dad spent enormous time with me.

Each day, when I was a young boy, we’d jog together. He wasn’t a great jogger mind you. All he did was jog around his car a few times. After the jog, he’d sit down and I’d sit on his lap—and we’d read the paper together. Not the front page, or the business section, or the sports page—but the comics page. He’d read it for me and explain why it was funny. Every single day. As a boy, I remember looking forward to spending time with him each night.

And every Saturday afternoon, he’d say, “Bo, let’s go out”. We’d go for a pizza. A hotdog-on-a-stick. A bag of peanuts. An ice cream cone. We’d also go to a toy store, play with the toys together without buying a single thing. I didn’t mind. My hands may have been empty but my heart was filled with Dad’s love.

He knew I loved pizza.

So when Shakeys opened for the first time in the Philippines, he said he’d bring me there. The problem was that it opened in faraway Angeles, Pampangga. But to him, that was no problem at all. He drove me there just so that I could eat pizza.

It’s true. At the end of one’s life, you’re not remembered by your great achievements. The house you built. The job you had. The money you earned.

At the end of your life, you’ll be remembered by how you loved in small ways. Whether you brought your son for pizza or not.

My father did.

I remain your friend,

Bo Sanchez

PS. Here’s a letter I wrote to Dad.

Dad, I’ll miss you.

I’ll miss cutting your fingernails and toenails.

I’ll miss our hugs together.

Dad, thank you for loving me in the way only you could have done.

You supported me in my work as a Preacher and Leader. No matter how crazy my ideas were, you were there behind me. Thank you for believing in me so much.

Dad, thank you for spending time with me when I was a little boy.

Thank you for letting me sit on your lap, reading the Comics page for me each night. Thank you for bringing me to the toy store. Thank you for the hotdog. The ice cream cone. The pizza.

Hey, your back. The man before the accident. This time, perfected.

You can see beautifully again. All the colors, the beauty, the brightness.

You can talk clearly again—no longer the jumbled words you spoke for 11 years.

You can work again. (Do they need your accounting skills there?)

You can jog again.

Welcome back Dad.

I love you!

PS2. Dad was the one who inspired me to start preaching through media. (He was the one who told me to start Kerygma magazine.) If you want to know more about the ministry that Dad and I started, you can log onto www.kerygmafamily.com and be a member of the KerygmaFamily. When you join, you’ll be spiritually nourished each day!

PS3. Don’t miss a Sunday Blessing! Join the weekly FEAST every Sunday, 9am, at Valle Verde Country Club (Beside the ULTRA), Pasig, for Sunday Mass, lively worship, powerful preaching by Bo Sanchez, and prayers of blessing and healing. Go to where the blessings flow!

There was a one hour interview on CNBC with Warren Buffet, the second richest man who has donated $31 billion to charity. Here are some very interesting aspects of his life:

1. He bought his first share at age 11 and he now regrets that he started too late!
2. He bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering newspapers.
3. He still lives in the same small 3-bedroom house in mid-town Omaha, that he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does not have a wall or a fence.
4. He drives his own car everywhere and does not have a driver or security people around him.
5. He never travels by private jet, although he owns the world’s largest private jet company.
6. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 63 companies. He writes only one letter each year to the CEOs of these companies, giving them goals for the year. He never holds meetings or calls them on a regular basis. He has given his CEO’s only two rules.
Rule number 1: do not lose any of your share holder’s money.
Rule number 2: Do not forget rule number 1.
7. He does not socialize with the high society crowd. His past time after he gets home is to make himself some pop corn and watch Television.
8. Bill Gates, the world’s richest man met him for the first time only 5 years ago. Bill Gates did not think he had anything in common with Warren Buffet. So he had scheduled his meeting only for half hour. But when Gates met him, the meeting lasted for ten hours and Bill Gates became a devotee of Warren Buffet.
9. Warren Buffet does not carry a cell phone, nor has a computer on  his desk.

His advice to young people: "Stay away from credit cards and invest in yourself and
Remember:
A. Money doesn’t create man but it is the man who created money.
B. Live your life as simple as you are.
C. Don’t do what others say, just listen them, but do what you feel  good.
D. Don’t go on brand name; just wear those things in which u feel  comfortable.
E. Don’t waste your money on unnecessary things; just spend on them  who really in need rather.
F. After all it’s your life then why give chance to others to rule our  life."

 

Someone I Hate, Someone I Like, Some People I Admire

Someone I Hate

Last Sunday, I got the chance to watched on t.v. , the promotional tour of the cast of Ouija. It was held in SM Batangas.I was just surprise on how proud Judy Ann Santos told her point of view about "live in". She said "Di ko sinasabing mag-live in kayo but on the practical side, maiiwasan nyo ang gastos ng annulment" Very disgusting… Annulment? Live in? For a youth icon like her, that statement is a No-no!!! From that moment Judy Ann Santos like Regine Velasquez is banned from out television…

Someone I Like

Top on my list among the local singers and actresses is Leah Salonga. I like her relaxing voice(I hate birit). She is not just a good performer but a Fuilipina who is "nasa ayos". Another favorite of mine is Iza calzado who is also in the cast of Ouija.Whenever I want Aldrin to laugh, I will comment something about me and Iza, like "Tingnan mo Aldrin, kamukhang kamukha ko si Iza Calzado(while combing my hair in front of the mirror)". In the same promotional tour, I saw Iza’s simplicity and humility. She will be doing a hollywood movie. She told her story about the auditions and ended up her story by saying "Itatayo ko ang bandera ng Pilipinas sa hollywood". She is an angel!!

Some People I admire

The most important news I’ve ever heard these past few days is the success of our high school students in a Math competition in Hong Kong. It’s a world wide competition and among the competitors are students from U.S., Australia and other 1st world countries. And guess what? The Filipino youth dominated the contest…they got the most awads and ofcourse the first prize. A student from Philippine Science High School got a perfect score. The local schools who were chosen to participate came from Philippine Schience High School and St. Jude Catholic School. Indeed, education equalize the rich and the poor. Congratulations to these matematicians!!! Di nila kaya yan kahit mayayaman sila…sisiw!!!

Do you believe that in ourlives, we will meet a person who will really make a difference?…it could be the greatest love of your life, the bestest(term barrowed from LouieO. and Martin N.) friend you’d ever had, the best buddy in the office or simply a person who rings a bell.

Just this lunch time I witnessed how two persons(a man and woman, both americans) can truly love each other in the highest level it can be. Upon seeing the video, a testimony of their love and friendship, I felt tears flowing down my eyes…my… I don’t know what to say…

Sure, each of us experience the POWER OF LOVE in one way or another. That matters and I felt shattered…

Hackers stole information from the Department of Transportation and several U.S. corporations by seducing employees with fake job listings on ads and e-mail, a computer security firm said on Monday.

The list of victims included several companies known for providing security services to government agencies.

They include consulting firm Booz Allen, computer services company Unisys, computer maker Hewlett-Packard and satellite network provider Hughes Network Systems, a unit of Hughes Communications, said Mel Morris, chief executive of British Internet security provider Prevx.

Hewlett-Packard declined comment, while officials with other companies couldn’t be reached for comment. A Department of Transportation spokeswoman said the agency couldn’t find any indication of a security breach.

Malicious programs were able to pass sophisticated security systems undetected because that software hadn’t been instructed that they were dangerous. Hackers targeted only a limited group of personal computers, which kept traffic down and allowed them to stay under the radar of security police who tend to identify threats when activity reaches a certain level.

"What is most worrying is that this particular sample of malware wasn’t recognized by existing antivirus software. It was able to slip through enterprise defenses," said Yankee Group security analyst Andrew Jaquith, who learned of the breach from Morris.

It was not clear whether the hackers used information stolen from the personal computers, Morris said.

Internet security firms began to release patches to fight the malicious software on Monday night.

Trend Micro, for example, has sent its customers software that prevents the malicious software from being installed on computers. It also blocks browsers from going to Web sites that the company has identified as being infected with the dangerous programs, said company spokesman Mike Haro.

"This is a serious threat. It shows how sophisticated hackers have become," Haro said.

A piece of software, NTOS.exe, probes the PC for confidential data, then sends it to a Web site hosted on Yahoo. That site’s owner is likely unaware that it is being used by hackers, Morris said.

That Web site hosts data that had been stolen from more than 1,000 PCs and encrypted before it was posted on the site, according to Morris.

He said that he believes the hackers have set up several "sister" Web sites that are collecting similar data from other squadrons of malicious software.

Officials with Yahoo weren’t available for comment.

Morris said that he had downloaded the data from the Web site and decrypted it at the request of investigators from the FBI’s Law Enforcement Online, or LEO, program, who were looking into the matter.

An FBI spokesman declined comment, saying it is agency policy to neither confirm nor deny whether an investigation is ongoing.

Bo is an active catholic leader who knows his faith, read on to one of his blog…a great article from a great man…

“At The Exact Time I Was Complaining, God Was At Work…”

           Let me tell you a fascinating story.
           Lizette shared this beautiful story to me this morning and I just knew in my heart that I had to share it to you.
          Nick and Lizette are my great friends. Lizette is helping me in Catholic Filipino Academy, where we help parents teach their kids at home. (In case you’re interested in our work, visit http://www.catholicfilipinoacademy.com/) Her husband Nick got a job offer in Canada and has applied for a work permit. (Yes, in a few months, I’ll be losing Lizette from my team as she’ll be joining her husband in Toronto.)
         This is what happened. Nick went through the required medical exams for his work permit. After a few days, the doctor called up to tell him that he discovered a mass in Nick’s x-rays. Very much alarmed, he asked Nick to go through a CT scan. “It could be a possible aortic aneurysm which would require immediate surgery,” the doctor told him. 
          Nick however wasn’t disturbed. “Doc, that mass that you saw may just be my 3^rd  kidney.” It was a harmless condition his doctor in Manila discovered many years ago. He learned that it occurs to one in two million people.
          Still, the doctor asked him to go through a CT scan.
          But here was Nick’s problem: The CT scan costs $1,100. Being in Canada without a work permit yet, he was basically broke.
           And when Lizette heard the news, she was totally distraught. She complained to God. “Lord, why are you doing this to us? How are we going to pay for this?” she cried out to God in despair.
           But at the exact time she was complaining, God was orchestrating His beautiful work. At that time, Nick was attending a Men’s Retreat in Canada. With him were thirty-two men, leaders from five different prayer groups of migrant Canadians of mixed nationalities—Latinos, Indians and Filipinos.
           Deep inside, Nick felt a nudge from God, telling him, “My son, share your problem to your small group leader”. Obviously, Nick was feeling ashamed because the last thing he wanted to do was to be a burden to people he hardly knew. He also feared rejection and embarrassment. Again he felt the Lord saying, “Trust these men…they are sons of mine. They will care for you.” Unsure if it was the Lord who was speaking, he kept his problem to himself while asking the Lord to give him a sign.
           But after one of the sessions, the audience was broken up into small groups. And the “small group discussion starter” flashed on the screen floored Nick completely. It said, “If you need $1000, who are your friends who would help you?”
           The words hit Nick like a bolt of lighting from Heaven. Yes, God wanted him to share! At that point, Nick began to cry as he felt God was his “small group leader” telling him, “Don’t worry, I will take care of your needs.”
           So Nick shared his story to his small group of guys. And immediately, the small group leader told him, “Share it to the whole group.” Again, he felt so ashamed, but the leader insisted, and so he shared.
           The response was spontaneous. A basket was passed and the men dropped in $10, $20, $50… One man gave $200. And one group of men gave $750.
            On that day, $1,500 was collected for Nick, much more than what he needed.
            Nick was so overwhelmed by the love of the men around him. And by the love of God through them. God used Nick’s problem to turn 32 strangers into brothers that are sincerely willing to love and help each other.
            One man in that group even told Nick, “In case the doctor finds out you need surgery, please tell me. I’m a banker. I’ll guarantee your loan.”
            Back home in Manila, his wife Lizette heard the good news, and began to cry again. This time, tears of joy… and shame. “Bo, I was so ashamed,” she told me, “Because at the precise moment that I was complaining, God was already meeting our needs.”
             Today, Nick already had his CT scan, and true enough, the questionable mass was his third kidney. As I write this piece, his medical results are now being processed at the immigration office and very soon, Nick will receive his work permit.
             I know Nick and his abilities. Aside from an IT job already waiting for him, he’s also forming a medical tourism business. I know Nick will prosper in no time.
             But the humbling experience of being on the “receiving” end will forever be etched in his heart. And very soon, Nick will find himself in the “giving” end also, helping those who will be in the same situation he was in.
             I know. Many years ago, when I was poorer than a rat, I remember receiving money from generous people. “Here’s for your transpo,” someone would slip P100 in my pocket. Another person would shake my hand with an envelope, saying, “This isn’t for your ministry, Bo. This is for you—for whatever you need.” I open the envelope and see P10,000. I still cry as I remember these stories of love.
             Today, God has blessed me with “sidelines” that provide for my personal needs. And yes, I’m on the “giving” end of the stick now. And what joy it is to share blessings.
              I told Lizette that God doesn’t mind our complaining. There’s nothing to be ashamed about.
              He loves us, all of us—with our tears, our worries, and our doubts included.
              And all our imperfections won’t stop Him from blessing us.
              Behind the scenes, He orchestrates His beautiful work in us.
                            I remain your friend,
             

              Bo Sanchez

PS. So far, I’ve mailed out hundreds of autographed copies of my latest book, 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich. This is my big “Thank You” gift to all those who give a monthly pledge to support our ministries. Friend, I want to mail you one too. Help me share God’s love to as many people as possible. Be a member of our virtual community by logging onto http://www.kerygmafamily.com/ and receive a ton of spiritual blessings. (I also mail to my faithful partners Kerygma magazine each month!) Join the fun of serving God with me. Don’t delay your blessings! Log on now at http://www.kerygmfamily.com/

In Catholic faith, we have didache(similar to daily bread), an index of a whole year gospel reading( daily 1st reading, 2nd reading, gospel reading), kerygma(catholic magazine), a lot of books and reading materials about our faith.  A few days ago, while  waiting for a lab result, I went to a nearby bookstore and came accross Bo’s writing ability. His books are mostly inspirational and practical…

Sunday, July 15, 2007
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Deuteronomy 30:10-14

The word is very near to you
Moses said to the people, "You shall turn to Yahweh, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul, and observe his commandments and norms, in a word, everything written in this book of the Law.

"These commandments that I give you today are neither too high nor too far for you. They are not in heaven that you should say: ‘Who will go up to heaven to get these commandments that we may hear them and put them into practice.’ Neither are they at the other side of the sea for you to say: ‘Who will cross to the other side and bring them to us, that we may hear them and put them into practice.’

"On the contrary, my word is very near you; it is already in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can put it into practice."

2nd Reading: Colossians 1:15-20

All things were created through him and for him
Christ Jesus is the image of the unseen God,
and for all creation he is the firstborn,
for in him all things were created,
in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible:
thrones, rulers, authorities, powers…
All was made through him and for him.
He is before all
and all things hold together in him.
And he is the head of the body, that is the Church,
for he is the first, the first raised from the dead
that he may be the first in everything,
for God was pleased to let fullness dwell in him.
Through him God willed to reconcile
all things to himself, and through him,
through his blood shed on the cross,
God establishes peace, on earth as in heaven.

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

Who is my neighbor?
A teacher of the Law came and began putting Jesus to the test. And he said, "Master, what shall I do to receive eternal life?" Jesus replied, "What is written in the Scripture? How do you understand it?" The man answered, "It is written: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus replied, "What a good answer! Do this and you shall live."

The man wanted to keep up appearances, so he replied, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus then said, "There was a man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. It happened that a priest was going along that road and saw the man, but passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite saw the man and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, too, was going that way, and when he came upon the man, he was moved with compassion. He went over to him and treated his wounds with oil and wine and wrapped them with bandages. Then he put him on his own mount and brought him to an inn where he took care of him.

"The next day he had to set off, but he gave two silver coins to the innkeeper and told him: ‘Take care of him and whatever you spend on him, I will repay when I come back.’"

Jesus then asked, "Which of these three, do you think, made himself neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The teacher of the Law answered, "The one who had mercy on him." And Jesus said, "Go then and do the same."

Commentary
Moses pleads with the people to heed God’s voice and keep his commandments/law, and return with all their heart and soul. He tells them that God’s command, his Word, is so close to them, in their mouths and hearts—all they have to do is carry it out. This Word in its fullness we know to be Christ Jesus, the image of the invisible God, This Jesus has reconciled both heaven and earth, and all of us to God. We now live in peace that has been shared with us through the cross of Christ—Jesus’ obedience in the face of violence and hate.

Jesus is approached by a lawyer and is asked, "What shall I do to receive eternal life?" The man should know the answer to his own question. Is he mocking Jesus? He repeats the law but when he is told to obey it, he wants specifics—who is my neighbor? He wants the bottom line, the least he has to do to have eternal life. Jesus tells the story of a Samaritan, hated by the Jews, who acts towards a Jew with tenderness and devotion that goes beyond anything required (considering that he is supposed to be an enemy). Jesus takes the Samaritan and tells the Jew to imitate him—for he reveals the goodness of God so clearly. This is eternal life: to live with such love and care towards one’s enemies because of pity like God has pity on us. Who are our enemies and are we tending to them in this way as commanded?

Monday, July 16, 2007
15th Week in Ordinary Time
Our Lady of Mount Carmel

1st Reading: Ex 1:8-14, 22
Gospel: Matthew 10:34—11:1

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not think that I have come to establish peace on earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father and daughter against her mother; a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Each one will have as enemies those of one’s own family.

"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take up his cross and come after me is not worthy of me. One who wants to benefit from his life will lose it; one who loses his life for my sake will find it.

"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me. The one who welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive the reward of a prophet; the one who welcomes a just man because he is a just man will receive the reward of a just man. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, because he is a disciple of mine, I assure you, he will not go unrewarded."

When Jesus had finished giving his twelve disciples these instructions, he went on from there to teach and to proclaim his message in their towns.

Commentary
After several generations have passed, a new king in Egypt has come to rule. He knows nothing of Joseph and is afraid of the numbers of Hebrews. He enslaves them, oppresses them, puts them to hard labor to build his cities. Life is bitter for them and then he decrees the death of all the boys born to the Hebrews, to stave off their descendants who are rising in power by sheer force of numbers. The girls can live—for they are slaves and concubines, and they can bear children to strengthen the race of the Egyptians. Exodus begins in such misery as the stepping-stone to freedom.

Jesus warns his disciples that he is not here to bring peace, contentment, and harmony in families. No, he is here to bring a sword—the double-edged sword of the truth of the Word of God. And it will tear families, marriages, children, and parents apart. But this is part of the cross of Christ. Our life lies not only in our families, but more specifically in the stranger, the one in need, the beggar who asks, the drink of cool water we give to the lowly, and in the welcome we give to all, especially the prophet. Do we live our Christian life and discipleship outside our family circle or do we use harmony in our family to avoid obeying the call to care for the poorest among us and to welcome the prophet, the stranger, and the outcast?

Tuesday, July 17, 2007
15th Week in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Ex 2:1-15
Gospel: Matthew 11:20-24

Jesus began to denounce the cities in which he had performed most of his miracles, because the people there did not change their ways, "Alas for you Chorazin and Bethsaida! If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I assure you, for Tyre and Sidon it will be more bearable on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? You will be thrown down to the place of the dead! For if the miracles which were performed in you had taken place in Sodom, it would still be there today! But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

Commentary
A child is born, and hidden for three months, then his sister puts him in a basket and floats him down river for the Pharaoh’s daughter to find. As the child is found, the sister makes sure that the child’s own mother becomes the wet nurse of the baby. He is Moses—drawn from the waters. Moses grows up and sees the slavery of his own people and witnesses one of the Egyptians striking a slave. He reacts in anger and kills him and buries him in the sand. He then tries to stop two of his own people from fighting and they reject him, revealing that they know that he has killed an Egyptian. Moses flees from Egypt and he settles in the land of Midian. This is a short rendering of the birth of the liberator and the lawgiver of Israel who will fulfill the promises of God.

Jesus goes from town to town, preaching repentance, change, transformation of life. And some do not listen at all. He reproaches them for refusing to obey his words. Today, if Jesus visited our town/city would we hear reproaches for refusing to be converted, after having been given so much?

Wednesday, July 18, 2007
15th Week in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Ex 3:1-6, 9-12
Gospel: Matthew 11:25-27

On one occasion Jesus said, "Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I praise you, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to simple people. Yes, Father, this is what pleased you. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

Commentary
Moses, a shepherd tending the sheep, sees a burning bush. The bush burns but is not consumed. As he draws closer to it, God calls out to him. God reveals himself to him, and Moses is afraid. But God tells him that he has heard the cry of the Israelites in their oppression and that it is Moses whom he is sending to lead them out. Moses is told in his insecurity and fear that God will be with him and that one day all the people will worship on this mountain. God is the God of creation and life, the God of the promises to Moses and the Israelites, the God of freedom, of pity, and human dignity. Moses is sent to set the people free.

Jesus prays to his Father and reveals that only the least, the poorest, those without power on earth (like the children during his time) are the only ones who know God’s ways. Only Jesus knows our Father, and Jesus chooses to reveal him to us. All that we know of God the Father is the gracious gift of the Word, the Son. Do we pray for this knowledge and wisdom?

Thursday, July 19, 2007
15th Week in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Ex 3:13-20
Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus spoke thus, "Come to me, all you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is good and my burden is light."

Commentary
Moses asks God’s name. It is "I AM" who sends me to you. This is the God of the past, the present, and the future. This is the God who sends and cares about people and their dignity and life. This is the God who is personal and wants a people for himself. This is the God of all that is. This is the God of all the nations, Egypt included, even if they do not know him. Moses is to go to the elders of the Hebrews and ask for three days in the desert so that they may worship their God: "I AM." Moses is told that Egypt will resist and they will know God by power/might and force and will let the people go. This is our ancient history, the foundation of freedom, and the beginning of being made into the people of God.

This God "I AM" says to us, "Come to me you who are burdened." The yoke we bear is the cross of Christ, the yoke of community that works together for the kingdom of God on earth and the yoke of joy that is given to us to refresh us and help us as we journey to fullness of life that is the freedom of the children of God.

Friday, July 20, 2007
15th Week in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Ex 11:10—12:14
Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

It happened that Jesus walked through the wheat fields on a Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and began to pick some heads of wheat and crush them to eat the grain. When the Pharisees noticed this, they said to Jesus, "Look at your disciples; they are doing what is prohibited on the Sabbath!"

Jesus answered, "Have you not read what David did when he and his men were hungry? He went into the house of God, and they ate the bread offered to God, although neither he nor his men had the right to eat it, but only the priests. And have you not read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath rest, yet they are not guilty? I tell you, there is greater than the Temple here. If you really knew the meaning of the words: It is mercy I want, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent. Besides, the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

Commentary
Egypt does not want to let the slaves go. Moses and Aaron teach the people the ritual of Passover, with each family or group sharing a lamb and taking its blood to smear their doorposts with its blood. At night, they are to stand and eat the lamb with bitter herbs and unleavened bread, because they are to leave in haste once the angel of death passes over them, striking every first born of Egypt. And finally Pharaoh will let them go. This is the memorial of Passover—the central liturgy of the Jewish people—the promise of fullness of life in Jerusalem.

Jesus’ own life, death, and resurrection brings to reality the Passover ritual and experience for all peoples through Easter/baptism and Eucharist. Jesus lives this mystery of the Passover and the Sabbath deeply and it is for the freedom and liberation of all peoples. David took the bread from the sanctuary to feed his men and Jesus will take his life and his body to feed his hungry people. What God wants, and has ever wanted, is freedom for all, mercy for all, and life for all. These words of the Son of Man will be a part of what sets in motion Jesus’ own Passover and our being saved from death, sin, and slavery.

Saturday, July 21, 2007
15th Week in Ordinary Time
Lawrence of Brindisi

1st Reading: Ex 12:37-42
Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21

The Pharisees went out and made plans to get rid of him. As Jesus was aware of the plot, he went away from that place. Many people followed him and he cured all who were sick. Then he gave them strict orders not to make him known. In this way Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled:

"Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, and with whom I am pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him and he will announce my judgment to the nations.
He will not argue or shout, nor will his voice be heard in the streets.
The bruised reed he will not crush, nor snuff out the smoldering wick.
He will persist until justice is made victorious and in him all the nations will put their hope."

Commentary
Finally the Israelites are allowed to leave Egypt after sojourning there for 430 years. The night of vigil is the Passover and the Lord leads them out of slavery, fear, and bondage. On the journey into the desert they will be formed into a people, and then God will bring them to the land promised to their ancestors. Egypt is any place of bondage and the Israelites are to hold this vigil throughout every generation. It is their reason for living, it is their hope and their meaning in the world.

Groups within Judaism seek to destroy Jesus and yet he continues what he was born to do: preach the Word, set people free, and bring justice to the nations. He does not cry out and contend but he is careful that the bruised reed is not crushed and the smoldering wick not quenched. This is our God of life, our God of no violence, our God of compassion, our God sent to us—Beloved Son who is our hope and our Passover and our peace.

We, as Jesus’ disciples must learn that we are cared for that way and that our Father tends to us every moment. Nothing happens without God’s witness and God holds our worth precious.

Next time na lang, ayaw yatang gumana…the songs of Raymond Lauchengco

1) God is good all the time

     Basta…Talaga…

2) P.R.E.

   Maraming Salamat…

3) Sycamore Wednesday Mass

   I will surely miss…nakakalungkot…Thank you for the many years of uplifting my spirit and in answering my uncertainties.

4) Sa lahat ng mga plastic

   Salamat at di ko na kayo makikita Happy ako…

5) To the pickpockets

    Maghanap na kayo ng bagong trabaho.

*800 na, Good Morning!!!