Monday, August 17, 2015

Sent as Sheep among Wolves



PRAISED BE JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH!           

2 weeks ago, the Supreme Court of the United States declared the recognition of same sex marriages in all the 50 states. This declaration was lauded by so many people all over the world as the liberation and victory of “love”. Although in the Philippines, we are beyond the jurisdiction of the US Supreme Court, many people are of the opinion that it will simply be a matter of time when same sex marriage will be recognized here. The prophecy of Our Lady of La Sallete in 1846 is being fulfilled: “All the civil governments will have one and the same plan, which will be to abolish and do away with every religious principle, to make way for materialism, atheism, spiritualism, and vice of all kinds…for disorder and love for carnal pleasures will be spread all over the earth.” (Our Lady of La Sallete, 1846)

In the first reading, God sent the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, “rebels who have rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have rebelled against me to this very day. Hard of face and obstinate of heart are they to whom I am sending you.” (Susuguin kita sa bansang suwail. Pagkat mula sa kanilang ninuno, naghihimagsik na sila sa akin hanggang ngayon. Matigas ang kanilang ulo at walang pitagan.) Isn’t this an appropriate description of our present society which dares to redefine reality in order to suit our love for carnal pleasures? What we have today is an outright rebellion against God. And Christians who stand by the Gospel are labelled as narrow-minded bigots (panatiko). We are simply told that no one has the right to say that they know what God said. However, to say such is to deny the existence of Divine Revelation. We cannot deny the fact that God spoke to us through prophets and through his Son Jesus Christ.

Sa bayang matigas ang ulo, patuloy na sinusugo ng Diyos ang kanyang mga propeta: “Kaya puntahan mo sila at sabihin mong ito ang pinasasabi ng Panginoong Diyos. Sa makinig sila o sa hindi – pagkat matigas ang kanilang ulo – malalaman nilang may isang propeta sa gitna nila.” In spite of the stubbornness of the world, the Lord continues to send us: “Behold I send you like sheep among wolves.” (Mat. 10:16) the Lord does this because he does not give up on the world. He continues to call us to conversion, even despite the stubbornness of our hearts. Christians are supposed to be prophets who prophesy by walking against trends, by swimming against the tide. We bear a message that opposes the logic of the world. Thus, we expect opposition to the Gospel we are sent to preach.

Although being sent like sheep among wolves is frightening, the Lord assures us: “Ang tulong ko’y sapat sa lahat ng pangangailangan mo; lalong nahahayag ang aking kapangyarihan kung ikaw ay mahina.” The Lord arms us nothing but the cross and St. Anthony of Padua told us: “Christians must lean on the cross just as travelers lean on a staff as they begin a long journey.” We are sustained by that Cross. That is why we should say together with St. Paul: “Buong galak na ipinagmamapuri ko ang aking kahinaan upang palakasin ako ng kapangyarihan ni Kristo. Dahil kay Kristo, walang halaga sa akin kung ako’y mahina, kutyain, pahirapan, usigin, at magtiis. Sapagkat kung kailan ako’y mahina, saka naman ako malakas.”


Jesus, I trust in you. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

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