Feastday: February 14

Cyril and Methodius must have often wondered, as we do today, how God could bring spiritual meaning out of worldly concerns. Every mission they went on, every struggle they fought was a result of political battles, not spiritual, and yet the political battles are forgotten and their work lives on in the Slavic peoples and their literature.

Tradition tells us that the brothers Methodius and Constantine (he did not take the name Cyril until just before his death) grew up in Thessalonica as sons of a prominent Christian family. Because many Slavic people settled in Thessalonica, it is assumed Constantine and Methodius were familiar with the Slavic language. Methodius, the older of the two brothers, became an important civil official who would have needed to know Slavonic. He grew tired of worldly affairs and retired to a monastery. Constantine became a scholar and a professor known as "the Philosopher" in Constantinople. In 860 Constantine and Methodius went as missionaries to what is today the Ukraine.

When the Byzantine emperor decided to honor a request for missionaries by the Moravian prince Rastislav, Methodius and Constantine were the natural choices; they knew the language, they were able administrators, and had already proven themselves successful missionaries.

But there was far more behind this request and the response than a desire for Christianity. Rastislav, like the rest of the Slav princes, was struggling for independence from German influence and invasion. Christian missionaries from the East, to replace missionaries from Germany, would help Rastislav consolidate power in his own country, especially if they spoke the Slavonic language.

Constantine and Methodius were dedicated to the ideal of expression in a people's native language. Throughout their lives they would battle against those who saw value only in Greek or Latin. Before they even left on their mission, tradition says, Constantine constructed a script for Slavonic -- a script that is known today as glagolithic. Glagolithic is considered by some as the precursor of cyrillic which named after him.

Arriving in 863 in Moravia, Constantine began translating the liturgy into Slavonic. In the East, it was a normal procedure to translate liturgy into the vernacular. As we know, in the West the custom was to use Greek and later Latin, until Vatican II. The German hierarchy, which had power over Moravia, used this difference to combat the brothers' influence. The German priests didn't like losing their control and knew that language has a great deal to do with independence.

So when Constantine and Methodius went to Rome to have the Slav priesthood candidates ordained (neither was a bishop at the time), they had to face the criticism the Germans had leveled against them. But if the Germans had motives that differed from spiritual concerns, so did the pope. He was concerned about the Eastern church gaining too much influence in the Slavic provinces. Helping Constantine and Methodius would give the Roman Catholic church more power in the area. So after speaking the brothers, the pope approved the use of Slavonic in services and ordained their pupils.

Constantine never returned to Moravia. He died in Rome after assuming the monastic robes and the name Cyril on February 14, 869. Legend tells us that his older brother was so griefstricken, and perhaps upset by the political turmoil, that he intended to withdraw to a monastery in Constantinople. Cyril's dying wish, however, was that Methodius return to the missionary work they had begun.

He couldn't return to Moravia because of political problems there, but another Slavic prince, Kocel, asked for him, having admired the brothers' work in translating so much text into Slavonic. Methodius was allowed by the pope to continue saying Mass and administering baptism in the Slavonic tongue. Methodius was finally consecrated bishop, once again because of politics -- Kocel knew that having a Slavonic bishop would destroy the power of the Salzburg hierarchy over his land. Methodius became bishop of Sirmium, an ancient see near Belgrade and given power over Serbo-Croatian, Slovene, and Moravian territory.

The German bishops accused him of infringing on their power and imprisoned him in a monastery. This lasted until Germany suffered military defeats in Moravia. At that time the pope intervened and Methodius returned to his diocese in triumph at the same time the Germans were forced to recognize Moravian independence. There was a loss involved -- to appease the Germans a little, the pope told Methodius he could no longer celebrate liturgy in the vernacular.

In 879 Methodius was summoned to Rome to answer German charges he had not obeyed this restriction. This worked against the Germans because it gave Methodius a chance to explain how important it was to celebrate the liturgy in the tongue people understood. Instead of condemning him, the pope gave him permission to use Slavonic in the Mass, in Scripture reading, and in the office. He also made him head of the hierarchy in Moravia.

The criticism never went away, but it never stopped Methodius either. It is said that he translated almost all the Bible and the works of the Fathers of the Church into Slavonic before he died on April 6 in 884.

Within twenty years after his death, it would seem like all the work of Cyril and Methodius was destroyed. Magyar invasions devastated Moravia. And without the brothers to explain their position, use of the vernacular in liturgy was banned. But politics could never prevail over God's will. The disciples of Cyril and Methodius who were driven out of Moravia didn't hide in a locked room. The invasion and the ban gave them a chance to go to other Slavic countries. The brothers' work of spreading Christ's word and translating it into Slavonic continued and laid the foundation for Christianity in the region.

What began as a request guided by political concerns produced two of the greatest Christian missionaries, revered by both Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, and two of the fathers of Slavonic literary culture.

In Their Footsteps: Cyril and Methodius believed in the importance of celebrating liturgy in our own language, a privilege we have only had in last twenty years. If this change took place before your time, ask older Catholics about the differences that have taken place in their worship because of this change. If you were worshipping during the change, reflect on how celebrating in the vernacular has helped your worship and your spiritual life.

Prayer: Saints Cyril and Methodius, watch over all missionaries but especially those in Slavic countries. Help those that are in danger in the troubled areas. Watch over the people you dedicated your lives to. Amen

Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,


Attached you will find the agenda for the Spring 2014 Cursillo Regional Encounter which will be held at the Diocese of Fresno Pastoral Center (1536 N. Fresno Street, Fresno, CA  93703).  This is a wonderful opportunity to meet Cursillistas from California, Nevada, and Hawaii, hear inspiring talks, share useful ideas to deepen your spirituality and develop dynamic Christian communities, and to worship and thank God for His love and vibrant presence in our lives.  The cost is $55 for lodging and meals ($35 for meals only, if you choose alternative lodging).  Please complete and mail the attached registration form today to the appropriate addressee shown on the form for your Cursillo ethnic community. 

Cursillo Spring Regional Workshop – Region XI

Ryan Pastoral Center – Diocese of Fresno

April 11-13, 2014

Friday, April 11, 2014

 4:00pm – 5:30pm Regional Multicultural Secretariat meeting

 4:00pm – 6:00pm Registration

 5:30pm – 7:00pm Dinner

 7:00pm – 7:30pm Meditation

 7:30pm – 8:30pm Night Prayers, Exposition, Adoration and

Benediction

 8:30pm - 9:30 pm Ultreya

 

Saturday, April 12, 2014

 7:00am – 7:30am Morning Prayers and Sabatina

 7:30am – 8:30am Holy Mass

 8:30am – 10:00am Breakfast

10:00am – 11:00am Keynote Address: Cef Aguillon “Benefits of

Affiliation”

 (All language)

11:00am – 11:15am Break

11:15am – 11:45am Spiritual Exercise

 

12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch

 1:15pm – 4:45 pm Workshops: Breakout per language group

 5:00pm – 6:30pm Dinner

 6:30pm – 7:00pm Night Prayers & Benediction

 7:30pm - 9:45pm Fiesta

Sunday, April 13, 2014

 7:00am – 7:30am Morning Prayers

 7:30am – 8:30am Holy Mass/ Commissioning

 8:30am – 9:30am Breakfast

9:30am – 12:00 pm Diocesan Meetings per Language groups

 (See your Language Regional Coordinator for

Sunday Agenda)


If you prefer to download the agenda, please click on the file below:

Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,

Those who live in the San Francisco Bay Area are invited to a 4-day journey to God through prayer and reflection based on the first encyclical of our Pope Francis.  A Lenten Mission will be begin Monday, March 24 through Thursday, March 27, 2014 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at Saint Catherine of Siena Church located at 606 Mellus Street in Martinez, CA  94553.  Fr. Jose Arong, who has served as a Spiritual Director on many of our Cursillo Weekends, will present: “Living Our Faith In Light of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith).” For more information, please contact St. Catherine Parish Office at (925) 228-2230.  You can read this encyclical before the event by clicking on this link:  http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei_en.html.

This feast brings to mind the mission of teacher and pastor conferred by Christ on Peter, and continued in an unbroken line down to the present Pope. We celebrate the unity of the Church, founded upon the Apostle, and renew our assent to the Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff, extended both to truths which are solemnly defined ex cathedra, and to all the acts of the ordinary Magisterium.

The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter at Rome has been celebrated from the early days of the Christian era on 18 January, in commemoration of the day when Saint Peter held his first service in Rome. The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter at Antioch, commemorating his foundation of the See of Antioch, has also been long celebrated at Rome, on 22 February. At each place a chair (cathedra) was venerated which the Apostle had used while presiding at Mass. One of the chairs is referred to about 600 by an Abbot Johannes who had been commissioned by Pope Gregory the Great to collect in oil from the lamps which burned at the graves of the Roman martyrs. — New Catholic Dictionary

Stational Church

Chair of St. Peter
Since early times, the Roman Church has had a special commemoration of the primatial authority of St. Peter. As witness one of the most renowned of the Apostolic Fathers, the Roman See has always held a peculiar place in the affection and obedience of orthodox believers because of its "presiding in love" and service over all the Churches of God.

"We shall find in the Gospel that Jesus Christ, willing to begin the mystery of unity in His Church, among all His disciples chose twelve; but that, willing to consummate the mystery of unity in the same Church, among the twelve He chose one. He called His disciples, said the Gospel; here are all; and among them He chose twelve. Here is the first separation, and the Apostles chosen. And these are the names of the twelve Apostles: the first, Simon, who is called Peter. [Mt. 10, 1-2] Here, in a second separation, St. Peter is set at the head, and called for that reason by the name of Peter, 'which Jesus Christ,' says St. Mark, 'had given him,' in order to prepare, as you will see, the work which He was proposing to raise all His building on that stone.

"All this is yet but a beginning of the mystery of unity. Jesus Christ, in beginning it, still spoke to many: Go, preach; I send you [see Mt. 28, 19]. Now, when He would put the last hand to the mystery of unity, He speaks no longer to many: He marks out Peter personally, and by the new name which He has given him. It is One who speaks to one: Jesus Christ the Son of God to Simon son of Jonas; Jesus Christ, who is the true Stone, strong of Himself, to Simon, who is only the stone by the strength which Jesus Christ imparts to him. It is to him that Christ speaks, and in speaking acts on him, and stamps upon him His own immovableness. And I, He says, say to you, you are Peter; and, He adds, upon this rock I will build my Church, and, He concludes, the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [Mt. 16, 18] To prepare him for that honor Jesus Christ, who knows that faith in Himself is the foundation of His Church, inspires Peter with a faith worthy to be the foundation of that admirable building. You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. [Mt. 16, 16] By that bold preaching of the faith he draws to himself the inviolable promise which makes him the foundation of the Church.

"It was, then, clearly the design of Jesus Christ to put first in one alone, what afterwards He meant to put in several; but the sequence does not reverse the beginning, nor the first lose his place. That first word, Whatsoever you shall bind, said to one alone, has already ranged under his power each one of those to whom shall be said, Whatsoever you shall remit; for the promises of Jesus Christ, as well as His gift, are without repentance; and what is once given indefinitely and universally is irrevocable. Besides, that power given to several carries its restriction in its division, while power given to one alone, and over all, and without exception, carries with it plenitude, and, not having to be divided with any other, it has no bounds save those which its terms convey."

Excerpted from The See of St. Peter, Jacques Bossuet.

Feastday: February 14
Patron of Love, Young People, Happy Marriages
Died: 269

Click Here for St. Valentine Prayer's Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who, with St. Marius and his family, assisted the martyrs in the persecution under Claudius II. He was apprehended, and sent by the emperor to the prefect of Rome, who, on finding all his promises to make him renounce his faith ineffectual, commanded him to be beaten with clubs, and afterwards, to be beheaded, which was executed on February 14, about the year 270. Pope Julius I is said to have built a church near Ponte Mole to his memory, which for a long time gave name to the gate now called Porta del Popolo, formerly, Porta Valetini. The greatest part of his relics are now in the church of St. Praxedes. His name is celebrated as that of an illustrious martyr in the sacramentary of St. Gregory, the Roman Missal of Thomasius, in the calendar of F. Fronto and that of Allatius, in Bede, Usuard, Ado, Notker and all other martyrologies on this day. To abolish the heathens lewd superstitious custom of boys drawing the names of girls, in honor of their goddess Februata Juno, on the fifteenth of this month, several zealous pastors substituted the names of saints in billets given on this day.

The Origin of St. Valentine The origin of St. Valentine, and how many St. Valentines there were, remains a mystery. One opinion is that he was a Roman martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Other historians hold that St. Valentine was a temple priest jailed for defiance during the reign of Claudius. Whoever he was, Valentine really existed because archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of his martyrdom.

The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in a The Nuremberg Chronicle, a great illustrated book printed in 1493. [Additional evidence that Valentine was a real person: archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine.] Alongside a woodcut portrait of him, text states that Valentinus was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius the Goth [Claudius II]. Since he was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome [when helping them was considered a crime], Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner -- until Valentinus made a strategic error: he tried to convert the Emperor -- whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't do it, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate [circa 269].

Saints are not supposed to rest in peace; they're expected to keep busy: to perform miracles, to intercede. Being in jail or dead is no excuse for non-performance of the supernatural. One legend says, while awaiting his execution, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. Another legend says, on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine."

St. Valentine was a Priest, martyred in 269 at Rome and was buried on the Flaminian Way. He is the Patron Saint of affianced couples, bee keepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travellers, young people. He is represented in pictures with birds and roses.

Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,

Deacon Bobby Peregrino, Spiritual Advisor for the Sacramento Filipino Cursillo Movement, has kindly shared his homily for last Sunday’s Mass.  It is titled, “Being Salt of the Earth and Light of the World and People will Know We are Christians by Our Love”.  You can find the audio link and the full text of his homily below this email.  De Colores!                                                                                                                  

Deacon Ben Agustin


===========================================================================

Homily on “Being Salt of the Earth and Light of the World and People will Know We are Christians by Our Love” based on the Gospel reading (Mt. 5:13-16) for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time:

 Click on the link below to listen to the audio of the homily:

http://stcatherinevallejo.org/wp/2014/02/10/homily-on-being-salt-of-the-earth-and-light-of-the-world/

 Here’s the text:

Jesus used the metaphors – salt, light, city set on a mountain - to describe the Church - relative to her mission in the world.  They all are for the sake of others.  When we speak of Church – We – ARE the Church - the People of God –and the Gospel message is for each one of us – not only addressed to the clergies or religious or the person next to you.

 “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt is not eaten for its own sake but salt is put into meat – to preserve it, to spice it up, to make it taste better.

 Actually - Salt cannot lose its saltiness.  Sodium chloride, salt, is a chemical compound.  Salt is not a complex composition like wine, which can become bitter.  Salt is not an organic compound like meat or cheese or bread, which can spoil or rot.  Salt is salt, pure and simple.

 So – what does Jesus really mean by the phrase, “but if the salt has lost its saltiness, it is useless, and worthy of being thrown out - to be trampled by - underfoot.” - which is a warning to us.

 Jesus is actually referring to the salt losing its usefulness – How? – We fail to live as the salt of the earth when we prefer to stay in the safety of the salt shaker – so to speak – just staying in our comfort zone and safe world - rather than fulfilling our destiny out in the world… which is to be the seasoning to those who face a bland existence; to serve as a preservative like the salt to keep the world from going bad… to preserve what is right and good and true.

 We lose our saltiness – so to speak – our distinctiveness as Sons and Daughters of God – when we simply blend in with the world… when we look and sound and act as everybody else…  So - Who needs us then?  What good are we for - then?

 Jesus did not command us: “You ought to be the salt of the earth, should act like salt, or pretend we were salt, or attempt to be salt.”  He said, “YOU ARE the salt of the earth.” – Referring to our identity – who we are - Meaning - We already have what we need to make a difference in the world… by virtue of our baptism in Christ.

 Our very being is Sacramental (signs/instruments) of God’s love, grace and mercy as the Body of Christ.

 “You ARE the light of the world.” Light is not threatened by darkness.  There is no measure of darkness that can swallow up light.  Darkness cannot quench light.  In fact, the greater the darkness, the greater the power of a single source of light to show the way.  “You are the light of the world,” Jesus said.  So do not fear the darkness.  Go conquer it.

 You are a City set on a Mountain… A city set up on a mountain helps guide the ship in its navigation … helps show the way to travelers…  The Church is meant to be visible so people can see how to guide their lives by it.  Literally – we can say – St. Catherine of Siena Parish Church is a Church set up on a hill.  So – is our parish, are our parishioners, is our community - a guiding light for people who live in darkness where hatred and violence and hopelessness dwell?

 Jesus calls His followers to make a difference in their world as a witness to the character and will of God.

 It has been said: “All that is necessary for evil to triumph in the world is for good people to do nothing.” (Edmund Burke).  Doing nothing is a sin of omission.  It is a deadly sin.  We contribute to the cause of evil by our evil deeds, and also by not doing the good deeds we ought to do. 

Pope Francis said: "I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security."

 What good is the light of the lamp under a bushel basket.  It only lightens up the inside of the basket…  “You are the light of the world,” the Lord says. “Your light must shine before others so they can see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”  We have a responsibility to others. 

 We heard in the first reading from Isaiah: “Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own.”  Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,” Our light should shine by caring for those who need us.

 When we perform charitable actions, we are beacons of the Light of Christ that has come into the world.  We have a responsibility to let others see this light of Christ, and through this light find their way out of darkness and despair and into the way of love and fulfillment, the way of holiness.

 Meaning – the reason why we help others in not just for sake of helping others - not just for the poor to have their physical and worldly needs met – but the ultimate goal is that by helping those in need -  out of darkness and despair – they, too, will find their way to love – to holiness – and Encounter Christ… so they can love God.

 This is the underlying reason and passion that drove Mother Teresa to help the poorest of the poor so that eventually they can love God… Christ is thirsty for the love of the poor.

 It is not enough that the followers of Jesus are the salt of the earth.  Jesus wants us to get out of the salt shaker into the flavorless world!

 Later, in that same Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (7:21) Jesus calls us - not to be just identified with Him, but to follow Him. He went where people were hungry and poor, lonely and hopeless. He retreated to quiet places to be alone with God. He refused worldly power and wealth. He loved his enemies. Every day he took up a cross of self-sacrificing love. He calls us to follow him.

 In the Gospel of Mark 3:31-35 - Jesus said: “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’

 The name “Christian” is not enough. Today maybe more people than ever before call themselves Christian but there are not nearly as many, however, who day by day follow in the way of Jesus Christ.

 There are not many whose lives are like salt, seasoning the world for others, - - - or like light, bringing illumination to all the dark places of the world. Do you know people like this? When we encounter such people, they don’t have to tell us they are Christians. We know who they are. When we ourselves decide to take seriously the invitation to follow Jesus, we will not need to identify ourselves to the world. “They will know we are Christians by our love.”

Feastday: February 10
Died: 543

St. Scholastica, sister of St. Benedict, consecrated her life to God from her earliest youth. After her brother went to Monte Cassino, where he established his famous monastery, she took up her abode in the neighborhood at Plombariola, where she founded and governed a monastery of nuns, about five miles from that of St. Benedict, who, it appears, also directed his sister and her nuns. She visited her brother once a year, and as she was not allowed to enter his monastery, he went in company with some of his brethren to meet her at a house some distance away. These visits were spent in conferring together on spiritual matters. On one occasion they had passed the time as usual in prayer and pious conversation and in the evening they sat down to take their reflection. St. Scholastica begged her brother to remain until the next day. St. Benedict refused to spend the night outside his monastery. She had recourse to prayer and a furious thunderstorm burst so that neither St. Benedict nor any of his companions could return home. They spent the night in spiritual conferences. The next morning they parted to meet no more on earth. Three days later St. Scholastica died, and her holy brother beheld her soul in a vision as it ascended into heaven. He sent his brethren to bring her body to his monastery and laid it in the tomb he had prepared for himself. She died about the year 543, and St. Benedict followed her soon after. Her feast day is February 10th.

From: Mariz Garcia
Date:02/07/2014 11:58 PM (GMT-08:00)
Subject: CURSILLO RITES AND FINAL TRIBUTE TO Mommy Adela Echiverri Hello family and friends, brothers and sisters in Christ,

Please join us in giving our final tribute to our loving and joyful matriarch, Mommy Adela Echiverri

as we "bid her adieu" and pray for her eternal peaceful rest....

on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at the Memory Chapel, Forest Lawn, Covina Hills

with Visitation at 5pm

       ROSARY at 6 pm

       Visitation/Eulogies 6:30 pm

       NOVENA FOR THE DEAD 7:30 pm

       Visitation/Eulogies 8:00 pm

       CURSILLO RITES 8:25 pm.....

              [Mariz and Nanay Fe on the keyboard]

All musicians and songbirds are welcome to fill the air with songs, just drop in

and make the best offering.

If you are unable to make time on that day, the other scheduled services are as follows:

Tuesday, Feb. 11th  10 am to 4 pm - Visitation

                                 5 pm to 9 pm - Vigil Prayers

Wednesday, Feb. 12th  10 am to 4 pm  - Visitation

                                    5 pm tp 9 pm  -  Vigil Prayers

Thursday, Feb. 13th  10 am to 4 pm  - Visitation

                                6pm to 9 pm  -  Vigil Prayers

Friday, Feb. 14th  10 am Memorial Mass at Sacred Heart, Rancho Cucamonga

Interment at a later date in the Philippines.

Our condolences and prayers to the families of Sis. Letty Sabiniano [National Cursillo Secretariat-Filipino Group]

and Rene Echiverri  -  VP I of KAPAMILYA FILIPINO MINISTRY of Sacred Heart, RC.....

...beloved children of Mommy Adela and dedicated servant leaders in our faith families.

Salamat po....DE COLORES!

Sis. Mariz Garcia

Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,

Deacon Donnie Geaga, from the San Bernardino Filipino Cursillo Movement, has kindly shared his homily for today’s Mass.  It is entitled, “Christ Shining Through Our Good Deeds”, and you may read it at the end of this email.  Thank you, Deacon Donnie, for sharing your preaching with us.


Homily on “Christ’s Light Shining Through Our Good Deeds”

Is 58:7-10  1 Cr 2:1-5  Mt 5:13-16  Cyc A  5th Sun in OT  2/09/2014

I      Introduction          Have you had a chance to look at yourself in the mirror lately?  If you did, what did you see?  For some of us, we see the image of a good and kind-hearted person.  For others, the image of a good, young and maturing person who is ready to assert oneself and make a large imprint in the environment.  Still others, the image of a good and matured person who still has some battles to conquer and wars to win in the world.  And for the rest of us perhaps, the image of a person who sits back and marvels at the good we have accomplished and wonders what could have been done or can still be done on what we have failed to do.  Whatever the case, we console ourselves first with the good that we see in ourselves and after more intense looking and thinking, we start to see the other side of our physical appearance – the inner self. 

Reminds me of the story of a teacher with 6-year olds in her class.  One day, she had asked them, “What is the color of an apple?  One of the girls immediately raised her hand and said, “Teacher, apples are red.” “Yes, Nancy, you are right.  Then young Robert counters, “Apples are also sometimes green or yellow, Teacher.”  “Good answers”, the teacher replies.  Then little Nichole in the far corner joined in, “Teacher, I know the answer too - apples are white”.  A bit surprised the teacher asked, “Apples are either red, green or yellow or shades of them.  Now Nichole, where do you find apples that are white?”   “In the inside” was the straight and simple answer.  What a profound statement coming from a 6-year old.  She not only sees the outside of an apple but more particularly, the inside. 

Similarly, we go by what we see outside in a person but God sees and looks more on the inside – on the heart, especially the condition of the heart.  Jesus tells us, “It is where your heart is that your treasure lies.”

II    Christ’s Light in our Hearts          And the heart is where God dwells, for He is our most coveted treasure.  For our hearts belong to God and our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit comprising the mystical body of Christ.  When God is present in our hearts, it almost becomes second nature for us to keep on thanking God for the many gifts he has bestowed on us.  Since they are gifts from God, they are meant to be shared like sharing food with the hungry, giving a drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked and sheltering of the homeless, among other things.

These were basically the same teachings that the Lord exhorts us to do to make a difference in the life of others as contained in the first reading from the prophet Isaiah.  It is when we do all these good works, that “… your light shall break forth like the dawn and your wound shall quickly be healed, your vindication shall go before you and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”  Is 58:8  Isaiah continues, If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech, if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted, then light shall rise for you in the darkness and the gloom shall become for you like midday”.  Surprisingly, these words are still applicable to our present time. As the colloquial phrase goes, “talk is cheap, what we need is action!”  We cannot just look at ourselves in the mirror, sit back, relax, watch in the background and not do anything while the world around us is crumbling to pieces.  The greatest tragedy occurs when good men do nothing in the midst of oppression, destruction and demoralization.

Jesus teaches us that to be true followers of his, we are to always strive for personal sanctification.  But in order to be holy, we must go about the task of bringing others to be part of the One who is holy.  In the words of St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, “Charity must not remain hidden in the bottom of our hearts; nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  Your love must be seen, not so people may give you honor and glory but so that they may see your good works and give praise to your Father in heaven”.

 

III    We are the Salt and Light to the World       The proclamation of Jesus Christ is not really heard by the world through theological arguments or through spiritual writings.  Rather, the world will come to know Christ by the outward signs of our faith - how we live our faith in our everyday, ordinary existence. So that when they see us, they will reflect and ask why do we do such works when there is no fame or fortune involved? Or why do they serve when it comes at the cost of their own personal wealth and health and even at times at the loss of their lives? If we are truly engaged in living our faith, the love that the world will witness to is the love that Christ personified- the beauty that will eventually bring them to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christian life consists of doing good for others in the way, the truth and the life of Jesus Christ.  But what if our salt goes flat or our light is hidden from sight?  What if we become timid and complacent because of our fear of being ostracized by society or of how people may react to our public display of our faith and beliefs?

The threat of relinquishing our religious freedom is looming because of the dictates of society and some government leaders.  They are telling us to keep our faith to ourselves and that the practice of faith or religion is a private matter.  In other words, people of faith are not supposed to make a difference in society; that we are only allowed our freedom of religion within the confines of our churches and Sunday worship.  Hence to live out our beliefs beyond the church and in the public eye, is taboo.

IV    Conclusion          So brothers and sisters, will any of these incursions deter us from living our faith in public?  Can we still evangelize and spread God’s Word in a hostile environment?  With God’s grace and blessings, we absolutely can.  Like salt and the light, the flavor and brightness we give to society must be strong, evident and purposeful, not bland, dull nor inconspicuous.  But we do it as Christ did, with humility, love and friendship.  And we do all these not to seek self-glorification but do so all for God’s honor and glory.  Amen.

Deacon Donnie Geaga     St. Peter & St. Paul Church, Alta Loma      Diocese of San Bernardino