SOLEMNITY OF THE MOTHERHOOD OF MARY

REMOTE CONTROL NI MAMA

Sa panahon sa home visit, kaniadto sa seminarista pa ako, mouli ako sa balay aron sa pagbisita sa akong mga ginikanan. Kon didto ako sa balay, mahilig ako sa pagtan-aw sa cartoons nga salida sa usa ka estation sa telebesyon.natingala ako kay ang akong mama nagdali pag-adto sa sala diin ako nagtan-aw sa kingkoy ug unya iyang gikuha ang remote control sa tv ug gibalhin niya ang channel kay nagsugod naman diay usab ang drama series nga iyang gisundan. Tungod kay wala pa ako nahuman sa pagtan-aw ako usab nga gikuha ang remote control ug gibalik sa akong channel nga gitan-aw. Unya, gikuha napod niya ug gibalhin na usab sa laing channel kay nagsugod na lagi ang drama series. Nag-ilog mi sa remote control ug sa dihang iya na kining nakuha iyang gilabay sa salog ang maong remote control ug haskang pagkabuaka. Wala ako maka lihok kay nasuko naman diay ang akong mama.busa, milakaw ako ug nilaag, sa kasakit sa akong dughan mipalit ako ug beer aron mahubog aron mawala ang akong gibati. Ang nagbalikbalik sa akong panumduman mao kini: “nganong akong napasakitan ang akong mama sa simple lang nga butang. Nakahilak ako sa paghunahuna sa maong hitabo. Miuli ako sa balay gabii na ug mideretso sa akong kuarto.

Pagkaugma akong giduol ang akong mama ug akong giagbayan, wala nay pulong nga gikinahanglan. Nagbasol na ako.

Kamong mga babae, mutuo ba kamo nga kamo ang unang nagpakasala? Sumala pa sa Genesis si Eva ang unang babae maoy unang natintal sa pagpakasala. Iyang gikaon ang prutas didto sa harden diin gibawalan sila sa Dios. Pagkahuman niya ug kaon iyang gitintal ang iyang kauban nga si Adan.makaingon ako nga kamong mga babae ang unang nagpakasala, ang unang natintal sa Yawa. Apan kon ang babae mao ang unang nagpakasala, babae usab ang unang hinungdan nga naluwas kita sa sala. Kini gihimo ni Maria ang inahan sa atong Ginoo.

Karong adlawa atong gisaulog ang solemnidad  ni Maria isip inhan sa Dios. Mga igsoon dako kaayo ug kalambigitan si Maria sa lauwasan sa tawo. Tungod sa iyang pag-ingon ug “oo” ngadto sa Dios natawo kanato ang atong manunubos. Bisan pa sa hulga kaniadto kon magmabdos ka nga walay bana, wala igsapayan kini ni Maria. Misanong lang gihapon siya sa kabubut-on sa atong Ginoo, Tungod niini naluwas kitang tanan.

Babae ang unang nagpakasala, babae usab ang unang hinungdan nga naluwas kita sa sala.

Ang usa ka inahan balaan nga babae busa dili angayan nga pasakitan kon dili panggaon gayud. Hilabihan ang ilang pag-antos aron lamang kita mabuhi sa sakto gayud niining kalibutan. Busa niining pagsaulog nato sa kapistahan ni Maria ang Inahan sa Dios atong pamalandungan ang ato usab nga tagsatagsa ka inahan nga nag-antos alang kanato. . Hunahuna siya kay siya ang hinungdan naa ka dinhi karon. Sama ni Maria siya usab ang hinungdan nga natawhan kita ug manunubos busa angayan lamang nga atong siyang pasidunggan.

sa atong pagsugod sa bag-ong tuig atong iapil sa atong mga new years resolution ang kaimportate sa atong tagsa tagsa ka inahan ug ang atong pagpadayon sa pagdebosyon kang Maria.  Atong hinumduman nga Siya adunay dakong kalambigitan sa atong kaluwasan. Atong ipadayon kining maong debosyon tungod kay ato mang gusto nga maangkon ang kaluwasan nga atong gipaabot.

Tungod kay si Maria atua na sa langit, naglaum usab kita nga adunay motabang kanato nga inahan aron kita makasulod sa langit. Ang inahan mahigugmaon kaayo sa iyang mga anak ug dili gayod kita niya pasagdan tungod kay kita iya usab nga mga anak.

One fine day, the Lord God went out on patrol of heaven just to make sure that everything was running according to His will. Everything was fine, the hedges trimmed, the grass cut, the fountains clean, the shopping mall neat.

The Lord stopped by to listen to the choir of angels sing and they were in great form. Then, on one side of the street he encountered people who had no business in heaven. Some of them should have been serving a long sentence in purgatory; and others would have made it to heaven only with an extraordinary appeal. So, the Lord confronted Peter about this mess.

“What is going on here? Have you been negligent again with your duties at the gate?”

“No, my Lord, I try to keep watch all the time,” Peter defended himself.

“Then, why are there illegal aliens inside?” asked the Lord.

And Peter said, “I did not let them in. But what can I do. They went to the back door and your Mother opened the kitchen door and allowed them in.”

(The story is from an unknown author)

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

GIVE TIME TO YOUR FAMILY

This story is not mine; I encountered this story from one of my readings. The story goes like this:

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, “I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.”

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. “What’s wrong, are you well?” she asked.

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. “I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,” I responded. “Just the two of us.” She thought about it for a moment, and then said, “I would like that very much.”

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel’s. “I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed, “she said, as she got into the car. “They can’t wait to hear about our meeting.”

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. “It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,” she said. “Then it’s time that you relax and let me return the favor,” I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation – nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other’s life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, “I’ll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.” I agreed.

“How was your dinner date?” asked my wife when I got home. “Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,” I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn’t have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: “I paid this bill in advance. I wasn’t sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates – one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.”

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: “I LOVE YOU” and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till “some other time.”(Stephen)

Today,  we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Joseph and Mary. In this occasion, we are encouraged to give time to our family. Don’t be bothered by the busy days that you have. The most important in life right now is to show to your family how much you love them. This can only be possible, if we give them our time.

In this modern world, there are many obstructions that will persuade you to ignore some family members. However, don’t allow those temptations to be the source of conflict to one another.

As we celebrate this Christmas season, I want you to remember that our families are the most treasured people in the world. There are no other people that would understand us in time of problems and difficulties, only our mother and father. For the parents, only the children can ease our pains and problems that we experience. Give them more time, more time than your works, more time than your friends.

My dear brothers and sisters, give more time to your family.

4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B

YES TO GOD!

Have you been invited to join church choirs? Did you say YES or NO?

Have you been invited to be part of the catechists in your Parish/Chapel? Did you say YES or NO?

Have you been invited to take part of the ministry of the young people in your parish/chapel? Did you say YES or NO?

Have you been invited to participate in the sessions of your BEC or Selda? Did you say YES or NO?

Have you been invited to attend a prayer meeting? Did you say YES or NO?

Mary was invited by God to be part of the salvation History and she said YES!

Today we celebrate the 4^th Sunday of advent. The gospel tells us about the well known story of annunciation. Mary was told by an angel that she will bear a child by the power of the Holy Spirit. Without hesitation Mary said yes to the invitation of God. When Mary agreed that the child Jesus will be born on her, Mary started the salvation of all people.  We have Jesus in our midst because Mary said YES to God. Without her yes, salvation is not possible because Jesus will not suppose to be born. YES, Mary changed the course of salvation history forever. God becomes one of us. God is present among us.

Today, we are excited to await the coming of the birth of Jesus. We are about to enter into the season, where we celebrate the joy of his coming. Before we will feel this joyous celebration, let us consider the presence of Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Mary has been presented to us, to be our model, model in everything that we will do. Let us follow her example of faith and holiness, of humility and simplicity, of obedience and surrender to the will of God.

Since, Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of his only begotten Son. God has also chosen all of us for something special. Maybe he has chosen you to be a good mother to your children, to be a good father to your kids, to be a good son/daughter to your parents. Let us reflect on this invitation, do we say YES to the invitation of God? Saying YES may mean: “I play my role as a good model to my own family”.  What has been our response to God's choice of us? Consequently, like Mary, we are challenged to use our freedom and respond with our yes to God's call.

Do you have an invitation right now to glorify and develop our relationship with God? If you have received an invitation from your friends and love ones, then said YES To God.

Let us all say, YES to God! And Yes to my family!

Happy 4^th Sunday of Advent!

3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR B

SHINE JESUS SHINE

Karong adlawa nagdala ako ug mga gamit para sa akong homily. Aduna akoy flashlight ug samin aron maipakita nako ang akong buot ipasabot sa akong ipaambit kaninyo. Akong gunitan ang samin sa akong atubangan ug unya akong pagunitan ang flashlight nga naka-on sa usa kaninyo. Kon ang suga sa flashlight itumong dinhi kanako, inyong mabantayan nga ang kahayag sa flashlight mo reflect diha kaninyo. Hinumduman ninyo nga dili ako ang kahayag, ako lang gipa reflect ang kahayag diha kaninyo pinaagi sa mirror.  

Aduna kitay angay nga hinumduman niini nga demonstration:

1.      Kinahanglan nga ang flashlight permente nga naka “on” o gasiga. Kay kon ang flashlight dili maka on dili gayud kini makahatag sa iyang kahayag.

2.      Kinahanglan nga dili ako motalikod sa flashlight kinahanglan nga naka atubang ako permanente niini. Kay kon motalikod ako dili na mo reflect ang light.

3.      Kinahanglan nga walay makababag between the light and the mirror kay kon naay makababag mapugngan ang iyang light.

Our gospel today, tells us that, "There was a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light: he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." Kinsa man kining kahayag nga giingon sa atong ebanghelyo karong adlawa? Walay lain mao ang Ginoong Hesus. Si Kristo ang tinuod nga kahayag. Atong hinumduman kanunay nga dili kita ang kahayag kon dili si Hesus mismo. Usa lamang kita ka samin, mirror nga nagpareflect sa kahayag ni Kristo.

Mga igsoon, atong hinumduman kanunay nga kinahanglan kanunay kitang naka “ON” aron ang kahayag ni kristo kanunay modan-ag ngadto sa uban. Christ does not turn off his on light. He is always unto us every time of our life.

Isip usa ka tig padan-ag sa kahayag, we must not turn away from the light so that we can always reflect the light of Christ. Ayaw talikdi ang Dios kay siya wala man motalikod kanato. Kon kita kanunay naga-atubang sa kahayag nga mao si Kristo, sigurado ako nga kita usab makapadan-ag sa iyang kahayag.

Sa katapusan, kinahanglan nga dili nato pasagdan ang uban nga maoy hinungdan nga mababagan ang kahayag nga atong gi-atubang. Ko naay mobabag kaninyo, give him/her the mirror so that he/she can reflect the light of Christ. Ang akong bout ipasabot nga tabangan nato siya aron mamahimo usab nga tigpadan-ag sa kahayag ni Kristo. We will keep Jesus shine to other people and  we will make ourselves mirrors that will reflect the light of Christ.

Shine Jesus shine.

2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT B

ROAD TO LIFE

Gikan dinhi sa atong lugar sa maramag paingon didto sa Cagayan de Oro daghan ka ug Makita nga “road construction”, “road under repair” tungo niini dugay kaayo kang makaabot sa imong padulngan. Daghan ang mga tawo nga sapoton labi na ang mga driver ug kadtong mga nagdali. Apan kon atong sabton pag-ayo, ang pag ayo sa atong kadalanan alang lang gihapon sa atong kaluwasan. Kini gihimo aron walay madisgrasya diha sa pagbiyahe, aron walay daghang makalas nga kinabuhi. It is for the purpose of saving our own lives.

Ang atong ebanghelyo karong adlawa nagpahinumdom kanato sa pag andam sa dalan sa Ginoo. Unsa man kini nga dalan? This is what we called the road to life. The road to life is no other than the road to Jesus Christ. Ug gihagit kita karong adlawa sa pag-andam niining maong dalan sa kinabuhi.

Unsa may atong buhaton aron maandam nato ang dalan sa kinabuhi nga mao ang dalan ni Kristo? Una, Sumala pa sa unang pagbasa karon: “abonohi ang tanang walog; pataga ang tanang bukid,… ang mga gansalgansalon hapsaya”. Daghan ang mga walog sa atong kinabuhi, gani usahay mao kini ang hinungdan nga mawad-an kita sa pagsalig sa Dios. Apan miingon siya abonuhi: repair it! Don’t be afraid about it! Face it! Aron makapadayon ka sa imong panaw sa dalan sa kinabuhi, ayoha ang imong dalan.  Usahay makaingon usab ikaw sa imong kinabuhi: kakapoy naba sa akong pagtungas sa bukid, Lord”. Or makaingon ka grabe naman gyod kamaot ning akong dalan, Lord, gansalgansalon naman kaayo’. APAN ANG Dios magaingon kanimo: “Ayaw pag-undang, padayon bisan nianang tanan nimo nga nasinati”. Ang Dios nahibalo kon unsa ang imong makab-ot kon dili kita moundang sa pagpaningkamot.

Ang ikaduha natong buhaton mao ang giingon sa atong ikaduhang pagbasa karon, ang pagpuyo ug balaan nga kinabuhi.  Ang pagpuyo sa usa ka balaan nga kinabuhi mao ang paglikay sa pagpakasala tungod kay ang pagpakasala makawala man sa pagkabalaan. If you avoid sin, you can easily become holy. If you live a holy life then you can follow the road to life, the road of Jesus Christ.

My dear friends follow the road to life, the road of Jesus Christ.