Semana Santa nin Paglaom

Giya sa Prayer-Meeting nin mga Saradít na Komunidad nin Pagtubód (SAKOP) para sa Semana Santa – Abril 13-19, 2025. Basahon an Evangelio gikan sa Lucas 22,14-23,56 (Domingo de Ramos - C).

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Sa pagpoón kan Semana Santa, binabasa an halawig na istorya kan Pasión kan satóng Kagurangnan Jesu Cristo, poón sa Huríng Pamanggi sagkod sa Saiyang pagkagadán sa cruz. Sa Evangelio ni San Lucas, an tema kan istorya kan Pasión iyó an pagigin daíng salà ni Cristo.

Si Cristo an daíng salang biktima. An Saiyang pagsakit pakisumarò sa mga nagtitios asín biktima nin inhustisya.

Makatolóng beses na sinambit ni Poncio Pilato na daí siyáng nákuang salà ki Jesús. Siring man si Herodes Antipas, an nagsolsol na mahâbas na nakapakò sa cruz, asín an centurion na náhilíng an pagkagadán Niyá. An mga tawong nakasaksi kan mga pangyayari sa Calvario—an ibá sainda kaiba pa nganì gayód sa mga nagkurahaw na ipakò Siyá sa cruz—nag-urulî na “tinutubtob an saindang daghan,” tandâ nin pagbasol sa saindang pagigin parte sa pagkagadán ni Jesús.

Sabi ni San Pablo sa 2 Corinto 5,21: “Siyá na mayong aram na kasâlan, ginibong kasâlan para satuyà, tanganing kitá magin kasuripotan nin Diós sa Saiya.” Iníng gracia nin kasuripotan (righteousness) asín ehemplo nin sacrificio ni Jesús iyó nanggad an kaipuhan nin katawohan na ngonian nasa “oras nin kapangyarihan nin kadikloman,” siring kan sinabi Niyá sa Lucas 22,53.

An Semana Santa ngonian na taón sinecelebrar ta sa panahón nin eleksyon asín pag-aresto kan International Criminal Court ki dating Presidente Duterte huli sa kadakul na ginaradán sa saiyang War on Drugs. Panahón iní nin kadakul na iriwal asín pagkabarangâ bakô saná nin huli sa pulitika kundî huli sa kadakul na nabiktima nin sistematikong kaputikan asín disinformación.

Mismong si Jesús biktima nin disinformación. An sentencia nin kagadánan na hinatol Saiya nakapatugmad sa disinformación. May mga nagsaksing-putik, may mga nagpakalat nin fake news, dapít Saiya tanganing idtong mga tawong nagkurahaw nin “Hosanna sa akì ni Davíd!” sa paglaóg Niyá sa Jerusalem, nagbarâgong-isip makalihis saná nin nagkapirang aldaw, asín pinilì si Barabás na tulisan kisa Saiya. Hanggang sa ngonian, dakulon pa man giraray an mas pigpipilì an mga Barabás sa satóng banwaan kisa ki Jesús.

Si Cristo oróg na maheherakón. An Saiyang pagkaherak iyó an satóng paglaom.

Sa gabós na pagsaksing-putik, saláng paghatol, pagtuyâ-tuyâ, asín pagpasakit Saiya, an simbag ni Jesús sa Lucas 22,34: “Amâ patawada sinda, ta daí ninda aram kun anó an ginigibo ninda.” Iní an enot sa mga huríng tataramon ni Jesús sa cruz bâgo Siyá mautsan. Maski naghihingagdan na Siyá, daí Siyá nawâran nin paglaom asín pagkaherak sa katawohan—sagkod sa Saiyang mga kaiwal, asín sa mga parakasalà sa gabós na panahón, patín sa satuyà ngonian.

An Saiyang pagkaherak iyó an satóng giya asín paglaom sa paghampang sa agyat nin pagkabarangà, kaputikan, asín karâtan sa satóng banwaan ngonian. Kayâ, daí pa nahalóy, kan nagpaluwás an satóng Obispo asín mga kapadean kan satóng diocesis kan Surat Pastoral na “Saróng Pangapodan sa Paglaom,” sarô sa mga pangapodan iyó na daí kitá mawâran nin paglaom.

“Padagos saná sa paggibo nin tamà maski daí pa nahíhilíng an bunga. Padagos sa pagsabot asín pagsabi nin katotoohan lalò na kun kadakul an nalilibongan huli sa disinformación, o napatubód nin kaputikan. Padagos sa pagkaherak asín pagpatawad sa atubang kan kadakul na nagpadaóg sa saindang takot asín dagit. Padagos na maghingowa asín magpagál, bakô para sa sadiri, kundî para sa mga daíng boses asín kakayahán, asín para sa mga masunod na kapag-arakian.”

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GIYA SA PAGHIRÁS SA SADÍT NA KOMUNIDAD O PAMILYA | Ihirás kun pàno nagtao saimo nin gracia asín paglaom an mga nakaaging Semana Santa sa saimong buhay, lalo na sa panahón nin kadipisilan.

PASUNÓD-SUNÓD KAN WEEKLY SAKOP/FAMILY PRAYER-MEETING | Kumustahan/Pamiridbidan • Disposition to Prayer / Silence • Gathering Song • Opening Prayer • Gospel Reading • Reflection • Sharing • Scripture Response • Prayers of the People • Closing Prayer • (Spontaneous and Our Father) • Closing Song

An Kenosis kan Satong Kagurangnan

 

Giya sa Prayer-Meeting nin mga Saradít na Komunidad nin Pagtubód (SAKOP) para sa Semana Santa, Marzo 24-30, 2024. Basahon an Evangelio gikan sa Marcos 14,1 -15,47 (Domingo de Ramos - B).

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An Evangelio iyó an version ni San Marcos kan Pasión ni Jesu Cristo, poón sa pamanggi sa Betania hanggang sa Saiyang pagkagadán sa cruz asín paglubóng. Iní an istorya kan mga aldaw sa Semana Santa. Lalò na pag-abót kan Jueves Santo, satong icecelebrár an Misterio Pascual ni Jesu Cristo: an Saiyang pagsakit, pagkagadán, asín pagkabuhay-liwát.

Anó an pinakamensahe sato kan Semana Santa? Iyó na an satong Diós namoot na gayo sato asín ilinigtas kita sa kaoripnán nin kasâlan sa paagi kan sacrificio ni Cristo. Sabi sa Filipos 2,6-7: “Dawà yaon sa forma nin pagaka-Diós, daí Siya nagpahonà na makapantáy an Diós, na sasalomón, kundî nagpakadaí sa sadiri, inakò an pagka-oripon, nagín siring sa mga tawo”.  

Kenosis sa Griego an apód kainíng pagpakadaí sa sadiri, iníng labi-labing pagpakumbabâ na ginibo ni Jesús.

Sa istorya kan Pasión lalò na mahíhilíng ta an mga pagpakadaíng iní:  an pagpasaluib ni Judas, an pagnegár ni Pedro, an pagdurulág kan mga disipulos, an pagdakóp asín pagpasakit Saiya, an mga insulto asín pasupog, an pagpâsan kan cruz asín pagpakò Saiya, hanggang sa maubos an Saiyang buhay dumán sa cruz.

Sa ibóng na lado, kabaligtarán nin kenosis an pinahilíng kan Saiyang mga kaiwal asín parapasakit. Panò-panò sinda kan saindang sadiri. An saindang palusót para ipagadán si Jesús: para daá sa “ikakaligtas kan banwaan” (iní an argumento ni Caifas sa Juán 11,50); an pagkaráw asín pagpasakit ki Jesús kan mga soldados na Romano asín mga tawohan kan mga poón na padì; an saindang pag-ológ-olog mantang Siya naghihingagdan sa cruz.

An pangapodan sato sa Semana Santa iyó na makisumarò sa pagpakadaí ni Jesús sa Saiyang sadiri.

Linawon ta na sa hampang kan istruktura nin kasâlan sa sociedád, kan mga  violencia, korupsyon, asín abuso sa kapangyarihan, an pagpakadaí sa sadiri bakô an pag-akò na normal asín daí na mababàgo an mga iní. Kundî an pagtubód sa Diós na nagpapangyari kan Saiyang kabôtan sa paagi kan kapakumbabaan asín katanosan kan Saiyang mga sorogoón.

An babaeng nag-ulà nin mahál na olór sa payó ni Jesús huli sa pagkamoot Saiya, nagrerepresentar sa mga tawong nagmamàwot magpakadaí siring ki Jesús sa saindang sadiring paagi. An inagihan ni Pedro – poón sa saiyang kahambogan, sa pagnegár ki Jesús, sa pagtangis sa saiyang kasâlan, hanggang sa pag-akò giraray kan misyon na pamayohán an Simbahan na winalat ni Cristo – pangarogan siring man sa dalan nin kenosis.

Sa paghorop-horop niato kan Pasión ni Jesu Cristo, makisumarò kita sa Saiyang sacrificio, asín gibohon an satong sadiring mga kadificilan, paghingowa, asín pangaturogan sa buhay na satong atang sa Amâ na halè sa malinig na pusò asín boót. Daí lugód kita madagka sa dalan nin pagkamakasadiri asín kapangyarihan. Asín daí matakot na mag-agi sa pagsakit o kagadanan man kun para sa Kagurangnan asín sa Saiyang Kahadean.

Sabi ni San Pablo sa Roma 6,3-5: “Daí nindo naiintindihan na kita gabós na binonyagan ki Cristo Jesús, binonyagán sa Saiyang kagadanan? Kun siring, huli kan bonyag ilinubóng kita damay Saiya sa kagadanan, tanganing siring na binangon si Cristo halè sa mga gadán huli kan kamurawayan kan Amâ, kita man maglakáw sa kabâgohan nin buhay. Ta, kun nagi Niya kitang katubò sa kagadanan na siring kan Saiya, talagáng makakahirás man kita sa pagkabuhay-liwát.”

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GIYA SA PAGHIRÁS SA SADÍT NA KOMUNIDAD O PAMILYA | Sa panahon kan Semana Santa, anóng mga inaagihan tang pagsakit o kadificilan an boót tang iayon sa sacrificio na ginibo ni Jesu Cristo?

PASUNOD-SUNOD KAN WEEKLY SAKOP/FAMILY PRAYER-MEETING | Kumustahan/Pamiridbidan • Disposition to Prayer / Silence • Gathering Song • Opening Prayer • Gospel Reading • Reflection • Sharing • Scripture Response • Prayers of the Faithful • Closing Prayer (Spontaneous and Our Father) • Closing Song

An Pasión ni Jesu Cristo

 

Giya sa Prayer-Meeting nin mga Saradít na Komunidad nin Pagtubód (SAKOP) para sa Semana Santa (Abril 2-8, 2023). Basahon an Evangelio gikan sa Mateo 26,14–27,66 (Domingo de Ramos).

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An halabang babasahon sa evangelio iyo an istorya kan Pasión kan satong Kagurangnán Jesu Cristo susog ki San Mateo. Iní nagsasabi na naglaóg na kita sa Semana Santa, an pinakabanál na mga aldaw sa satong Simbahan.

An Semana Santa ngonian na taón halos nakabalík na sa dating sitwasyon bàgo an pandemia kan COVID-19. Hinalè na an mga dating pinagbabawal, asín nakabalík na an mga pagtiripon asín mga prusisyon. Alagad namamatean pa man giraray kan banwaan an epekto kan pandemia lalò na sa ekonomiya asín sa mga nawàran nin buhay sa pamilya asín mga pag-iriba.

Sa panahón nin pagbangon asín mga panibàgong agyat sa buhay, an Semana Santa nagpapagirumdóm sato kun ano an pinakamahalagá: an pagkamoot nin Diós sa sato na pinahilíng oróg na sa pagdusay nin buhay ni Jesús para matubós kita sa kasâlan. Sabi sa Juan 3,16: “Huli ta námoot na gayo an Diós sa kinâban kayâ itinaó Niya an Saiyang bogtong na Aki, tanganing an siisay man na magtubód Saiya daí magadán kundî magkamít nin buhay na daíng kataposan”.

Si Cristo nakikisumarò sa satong mga kadiklomán. Sa paaging ini pinapamatè nin Diós an Saiyang pagkamoot sa sato gabós na nakakamatè nin kanya-kanyang mga kadiklomán. Halimbawà idtong mga nagmumundò sa pagkagadán nin mga mahal sa buhay, asín an kadakul na nagtitios nin huli sa korupsyón asín kapabayaán kan mga nasa kapangyarihan. Sa enot na bungkaras pa saná kan evangelio, yaon tulos an pagtraidór ni Judas, na sinundan kan violencia kan pagdakóp ki Jesús, an pagnegár Saiya ni Pedro, an kapaabáw-abawan nin mga pamayó kan Simbahan asín banwaan, an mga pasakit na inagihan Niya hanggang sa kagadanan sa cruz. An gabós na iní inakò ni Jesús para sato, pakisumarò Niya sa inaagihan nin lambang sarô sato.

Si Cristo hiníhirás sato an Saiyang kamurawayan.  An apód kainí sa Hebreo kabod, sa Griego doxa, na an boot sabihon: an kapangyarihan nin Diós na nagbabàgo sa buhay nin mga tawo asín lawóg nin kinâban. Iní an kamurawayan na pinahayag ni Jesús sa gabós na tawo kan simbagón Niya nin kaimbodán, katótoohan, asín pagkamoot an gabós na fuerza nin kasâlan asín kakurihan na pinamatè Saiya. Naghonà an mga kaiwal ni Jesús na matatapos ninda Siya sa paagi kan cruz. Idto palán an Saiyang Pasión asín pagkagadán mapasiring sa pagkabuhay-liwát asín kapangganahán sa kasâlan asín kagadanan. An kamurawayan na iní an Saiyang panugâ sa satong mga naglalakbay sa Saiyang dalan. Sabi nin San Pablo sa Roma 8,17: “Kun kita nagsakit kaiba Niya, kita man papamurawayon sa kaibahan Niya”.

Kayâ sa pagcelebrár ta kan Semana Santa, makisumarò kita ki Cristo tanganing makahirás sa Saiyang kamurawayan sa paagi nin mga minasunod:

1.     Magdolot kita Saiya nin pusong nagsosolsol asín nagmamàwot na magbâgo nin buhay. Magkumpisál kita kan satong mga kasâlan sa sacramento nin Reconciliación.

2.     Magtipon kita bilang pamilya asín magsabáy kita sa komunidad nin pagtubód sa mga gawè nin debosyon sa Semana Santa sa satong parokya.

3.     Magmangnó sa kapwang oróg na nangangaipo. An daí nagasto sa pag-ayuno, gibohon na pang-ayuda.

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GIYA SA PAGHIRÁS SA SADÍT NA KOMUNIDAD O PAMILYA • Ihirás kun ano an mga ginigibo kan saindong pamilya pag Semana Santa tanganing mapabanal an mga aldaw na ini.

PASUNÓD-SUNÓD KAN WEEKLY SAKOP/FAMILY PRAYER-MEETING • Kumustahan/Pamiridbidan • Disposition to Prayer / Silence • Gathering Song • Opening Prayer • Gospel Reading • Reflection • Sharing • Prayers of the Faithful • Closing Prayer (Spontaneous and Our Father) • Closing Song

A Catechesis on Good Friday

The Power of Christ's Blood

From the Catecheses by St. John Chrysostom , bishop
(Cat. 3, 13-19; SC 50, 174-177)

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If we wish to understand the power of Christ’s blood, we should go back to the ancient account of its prefiguration in Egypt. Sacrifice a lamb without blemish, commanded Moses, and sprinkle its blood on your doors. If we were to ask him what he meant, and how the blood of an irrational beast could possibly save men endowed with reason, his answer would be that the saving power lies not in the blood itself but in the fact that it is a sign of the Lord’s blood. In those days, when the destroying angel saw the blood on the doors he did not dare to enter, so much less will the devil approach now when he sees, not that figurative blood on the doors, but the true blood on the lips of believers, the doors of the temple of Christ.

If you desire further proof of the power of this blood, remember where it came from, how it ran down from the cross, flowing from the Master’s side. The gospel records that when Christ was dead, but still hung on the cross, a soldier came and pierced his side with a lance and immediately there poured out water and blood. Now the water was a symbol of baptism and the blood of the holy eucharist. The soldier pierced the Lord’s side, he breached the wall of the sacred temple, and I have found the treasure and made it my own. So also with the lamb: the Jews sacrificed the victim and I have been saved by it.

There flowed from his side water and blood. Beloved, do not pass over this mystery without thought; it has yet another hidden meaning, which I will explain to you. I said that water and blood symbolized baptism and the holy eucharist. From these two sacraments the Church is born: from baptism, the cleansing water that gives rebirth and renewal through the Holy Spirit, and from the holy eucharist. Since the symbols of baptism and the eucharist flowed from his side, it was from his side that Christ fashioned the Church, as he had fashioned Eve from the side of Adam. Moses gives a hint of this when he tells the story of the first man and makes him exclaim: Bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh! As God then took a rib from Adam`s side to fashion a woman, so Christ has given us blood and water from his side to fashion the Church. God took the rib when Adam was in a deep sleep, and in the same way Christ gave us the blood and water after his own death.

Do you understand, then, how Christ has united his bride to himself and what food he gives us all to eat? By one and the same food we are both brought into being and nourished. As a woman nourishes her child with her own blood and milk, so does Christ unceasingly nourish with his own blood those to whom he himself has given life.

  

Ama Patawada Sinda ta Dai Ninda Aram an Saingang Ginigibo

Giya sa Prayer-Meeting nin mga Saradit na Komunidad nin Pagtubod (SAKOP) para sa Semana Santa – Abril 10-16, 2022. Basahon an Evangelio gikan sa Lucas 22,14-23,56 (Domingo de Ramos - C).

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Sa pagpoon kan Semana Santa, binabasa an halawig na istorya kan Pasion kan satong Kagurangnan Jesu Cristo, magpoon sa Huring Pamanggi hanggang sa Saiyang pagkagadan sa cruz. Sa Evangelio ni San Lucas, an tema kan istorya kan Pasion iyo an pagka-inocente ni Cristo.

Si Cristo an Daíng Salang Biktima. Makatolong beses na sinambit ni Poncio Pilato na dai siyang nakuang salà ki Jesus. Siring man si Herodes Antipas, an nagsolsol na mahâbas na nakapako man sa cruz, asin an centurion na nahiling an Saiyang kagadanan. An mga tawong nakasaksi kan mga pangyayari sa Calvario – tibaad dakul pa nganì sainda kaiba sa mga nagkurahaw na ipakò Siya sa cruz – binanggit na nag-urulî na “tinutumbok an saindang daghan”, tandâ nin pagbasol sa saindang pagigin parte sa pagkagadán ni Cristo.

Sabi ni San Pablo sa 2 Corinto 5,21: “Dai lamang nin kasâlan si Cristo, alagad huli sato idinamay Siya nin Dios sa satong mga pagkakasalà, tanganing sa satong pakisumarò Saiya, magkaigwa kita kan katanosan nin Dios.” Ining gracia nin katanosan asin ehemplo nin sacrificio ni Cristo iyo nanggad an kaipuhan nin katawohan na nag-aagi sa sinabi Niya sa Lucas 22,53, na “oras kan kapangyarihan kan kadikloman”.

An Semana Santa ngonian na taon sinecelebrar niato sa contexto kan panahon nin eleksyon. Panahon ini nin kadakul na iriwal asin pagkabarangâ bako saná nin huli sa pulitika kundi nin huli sa kadakul na nabiktima nin sistematikong kaputikan asin disinformacion.

Mismong si Cristo biktima nin disinformacion. May mga nagsaksing-putik, nagpakalat nin fake news, manungod Saiya tanganing idtong mga tawong nagkurahaw nin “Hosanna sa aki ni David!” sa paglaog Niya sa Jerusalem, nagbaràgong-isip makalihis saná nin nagkapirang aldaw, asin pinilì si Barabas na tulisan kisa Saiya, dangan nagkurahaw pa na “Ipakò Siya sa cruz!”

Si Cristo an Orog na Maheherakon. Kayà maninigong paghorop-horopan an enot sa mga huring tataramon ni Cristo sa cruz bàgo Siya mautsan: “Ama patawada sinda, ta dai ninda aram an saindang ginigibo” (Lucas 22, 34). Boot sabihon, minsan nakapakò asin naghihingagdan na Siya, dai pa man giraray Siya nawàran nin paglaom asin pagkaherak sa katawohan – sa Saiyang mga kaiwal, sa mga parakasalà sa gabos na panahon, patin sa satong mga sadiri ngonian.

An Saiyang pagkaherak nagsasaksi sa tunay na kapangyarihan. Kaya sa presenteng panahon sa satong banwaan, an pagkaherak ni Cristo an satong giya sa paghampang sa agyat nin pagkabarangà asin kaputikan.

An Saiyang pagkaherak nagsasabi sato na an kapwang nasasalà nin huli sa influencia nin fake news asin disinformation, bako niatong kaiwal. “Hindi sila kalaban kundi kasama sa ating ipinaglalaban.” Sabi nganì ni Bishop Pablo Virgilio David sa saiyang homilía sa dai pa nahaloy na Solidarity Mass for the Moral Choice: “We have no other enemy in this world than the prince of lies, Satan. He is the only one the Church has taught us to reject, ever since our baptism.”

An Semana Santa mabiyayang panahon nin paghorop-horop sa satong conciencia kan dakulang pagkaherak asin pagkamoot nin Dios sa paagi ni Cristo, asin kan satong mga sadiring kakundian na minasikwal Saiya asin sa kapwa.  Magsolsol kita sa satong mga kasâlan  asin magbàgong-buhay tanganing makamtan an kapanoan kan gracia kan Saiyang Pagkabuhay-liwat.

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GIYA SA PAGHIRAS SA SADIT NA KOMUNIDAD • Ihiras kun pàno nagin mabiyaya asin makahulugan an mga nakaaging Semana Santa sa saimong buhay, lalo na sa panahon nin crisis asin pandemia.

PASUNOD-SUNOD KAN WEEKLY SAKOP PRAYER-MEETING • Kumustahan/Pamiridbidan • Disposition to Prayer / Silence • Gathering Song • Opening Prayer • Gospel Reading • Reflection • Sharing • Scripture Response • Closing Prayer (Spontaneous and Our Father) • Closing Song kami.

 

An Pasion ni Jesu Cristong Kagurangnan

Giya sa Prayer-Meeting nin mga Saradit na Komunidad nin Pagtubod (SAKOP) para sa SEMANA SANTA, Marso 28 - Abril 3, 2021. Basahon an Evangelio gikan sa Marcos 14,1 -15,47 (Domingo nin Pasion).

An evangelio iyo an version ni San Marcos kan Pasion ni Jesu Cristo, poon sa pamanggi sa Betania hanggang sa Saiyang pagkagadan sa cruz asin paglubong. Ini an istorya kan mga aldaw sa Semana Santa. Lalo na sa paglaog ta sa Jueves Santo, satong icecelebrar an Misterio Pascual ni Jesu Cristo: an Saiyang pagsakit, pagkagadan, asin pagkabuhay-liwat.

Ano an pinakamensahe sato kan Semana Santa? Iyo na an satong Dios namoot na gayo sato asin ilinigtas kita sa kaoripnan nin kasàlan sa paagi kan sacrificio ni Cristo. Sabi sa Filipos 2,6-7: “Diosnon an kamugtakan ni Cristo, alagad dai niya ipinagpadayaw an Saiyang pagkapantay sa Dios; kundi nagpakadai Siya sa sadiri, nagin siring sa oripon, nagin siring sa tawo.”

Kenosis sa Griego an apod kaining pagpakadai sa sadiri, ining labi-labing pagpakumbaba na ginibo ni Cristo. Sa istorya kan Pasion lalo na, mahihiling ta an mga pagpakadaing ini:  an pagpasaluib ni Judas, an pagnegar ni Pedro, an pagdurulag kan mga disipulos, an  pagdakop asin pagpasakit Saiya, an mga insulto asin pasupog, an pagpasan nin cruz asin pagpako Saiya, hanggang sa maubos an Saiyang buhay duman sa cruz.

Sa ibong na lado, kabaligtaran nin kenosis an pinahiling kan Saiyang mga kaiwal asin parapasakit. Panò-panò sinda kan saindang sadiri: an saindang palusot para ipagadan si Jesus para sa “ikakaligtas kan banwaan” (ini an argumento ni Caifas sa Juan 11,50); an pagkaraw asin pagpasakit ki Jesus kan mga soldados na Romano asin mga tauhan kan mga poon na padi; an saindang pag-olog-olog mantang Siya naghihingagdan sa cruz.

An pangapodan sato sa Semana Santa iyo na makisumaro sa pagpakadai ni Jesus sa Saiyang sadiri. Linawon ta na sa panahon nin pandemia asin sa hampang kan kadakul na violencia, korupsyon, asin abuso sa kapangyarihan, an pagpakadai sa sadiri bako an pag-ako na normal asin dai na mababago an mga ini. Kundi an pagtubod sa Dios na nagpapangyari kan Saiyang kabôtan sa paagi kan kapakumbabaan asin katanosan kan Saiyang mga surogoon.

An babaeng nag-ula nin mahal na olor sa payo ni Jesus huli sa pagkamoot Saiya, nagrerepresentar sa mga tawong nagmamawot magpakadai siring ki Jesus sa saindang sadiring paagi. An inagihan ni Pedro – poon sa saiyang kahambogan, sa pagnegar ki Jesus, sa pagtangis sa saiyang kasàlan, hanggang sa pag-ako giraray kan misyon na pamayohan an Simbahan na winalat ni Cristo – iyo an satong pangarogan sa dalan nin kenosis.

Sa paghorop-horop niato kan Pasion ni Jesu Cristo, makisumaro kita sa Saiyang sacrificio, asin gibohon an satong sadiring mga kadificilan, paghingowa, asin pangaturogan sa buhay na satong atang sa Ama na hale sa malinig na puso asin boot. Dai lugod kita madagka sa dalan nin pagkamakasadiri asin kapangyarihan. Asin dai matakot na mag-agi sa pagsakit o kagadanan man kun para sa Kagurangnan asin sa Saiyang Kahadean.

Sabi ni San Pablo sa Roma 6,3-5: “Dai nindo aram na kitang mga binonyagan ki Cristo Jesus, binonyagan man sa Saiyang kagadanan? Kaya kita ilinobong kita kaiba ni Cristo sa paagi kan bonyag sa kagadanan, tanganing arog Saiya, na binuhay-liwat kan kapangyarihan kan Ama, kita man puedeng magkaigwa nin bagong buhay. Huli ta kun nakisumaro kita ki Cristo sa Saiyang kagadanan, siring man makikisumaro kita sa Saiyang pagkabuhay-liwat.”

GIYA SA PAGHIRAS SA SADIT NA KOMUNIDAD O FAMILIA • Sa panahon nin Semana Santa asin pandemia, anong mga pagsakit o kadificilan niato an boot tang iayon sa sacrificio na ginibo ni Jesu Cristo?

PASUNOD-SUNOD KAN WEEKLY SAKOP/FAMILY PRAYER-MEETING • Kumustahan/Pamiridbidan • Disposition to Prayer / Silence • Gathering Song • Opening Prayer • Gospel Reading • Reflection • Sharing • Scripture Response • Closing Prayer (Spontaneous and Our Father) • Closing Song

 

An Dios Namoot na Gayo sa Kinaban

 

Giya sa Prayer-Meeting nin mga Saradit na Komunidad nin Pagtubod (SAKOP) para sa semana kan Marso 14-20, 2021. Basahon an Evangelio gikan sa Juan 3,14-21 (Ikaapat na Domingo nin Cuaresma).

Sa evangelio, sa istoryahan ni Jesu Cristo asin ni Nicodemo, sarong Fariseo asin poon nin banwaan, pigpaliwanag ni Jesus an misteryo nin Dios na namoot sa sato. Nin huli ta namotan kita nin Dios, an satong paghorop-horop sa pagsakit asin pagkagadan ni Cristo sa Cuaresma, aram niato na dai matatapos sa trahedya kundi sa panggana, sa kamurawayan kan pagkabuhay-liwat, asin sa satong kaligtasan.

Kaya an Ikaapat na Domingo nin Cuaresma inaapod na Domingo de Laetare (boot sabihon “mag-ogma”) nin huli ta an pagsakit asin kamunduan minaagi sana, alagad an kaogmahan asin pagkamoot nin Dios magdadanay sagkod pa man. Ano an pinaliwanag ni Cristo sa misteryo kan pagkamoot nin Dios?

An pagkamoot nin Dios maimbod asin dai nagsusuko sato. Para sa mga naghohona na nin huli sa saindang kasalan, dai na nin pag-asa, ini an simbag nin Cristo: sabi sa Juan 3,16, “An Dios namoot na gayo sa kinaban, kaya tinao Niya an Saiyang bogtong na Aki, tanganing an nagtutubod Saiya dai mawara, kundi magkamit nin buhay na daing kasagkoran”. Siring man sa Efeso 2,4-5: “An Dios mayaman sa pagkaherak nin huli sa kaniguan na gayong pagkamoot Niya sato; an kan kita gadan huli kan satong mga kasalan, binuhay Niya kita ki Cristo.”

Kaya kun kita haloy na panahon nang narayo sa Kagurangnan, dai nakapagsimba ni makapangadie lamang; kun an satong buhay naraot nin kasalan o nahulog sa addiction sa bisyo; girumdumon na may Dios na dai nag-oontok sa pagkamoot sato.

An satong kaligtasan itinao nin Dios ki Cristo. Para sa mga naghohona man na an saindang katanosan tama na para sa Kahadean nin langit, pinapagirumdom na sa paagi sana ni Cristo makakamtan an kaligtasan. Sa Juan 3,14, si Jesus nagsabi ki Nicodemo: “Duman sa lantad an halas initaas ni Moises; siring man an Aki nin Tawo iitaas, tanganing an gabos na nagtutubod Saiya, magkaigwa nin buhay na daing kasagkoran.

An pigtutukoy ni Jesus na halas iyo an bronzeng halas sa libro nin mga Numero 21,6-9, na pinagibo nin Dios ki Moises tanganing iitaas sa tukon asin an mga Israelita na nakahiling kaini nabulong asin dai nagkagaradan. An mensahe iyo na ining mga Israelitang nagrebelde sa Dios dai man kayang iligtas an saindang sadiri kundi an Dios an nagapadara kan saindang kaligtasan. Siring man, daing siisay – gurano man katanos, kadunong, o kabanal – an kayang palaogon an sadiri sa langit, kundi an gracia nin Dios an nagligtas sato. Sa Juan 14,6, sinabi ni Cristo na Siya “an dalan, an katotoohan, an buhay”.

An kaligtasan naghahagad kan satong pagbagong-buhay.  Sa mga naghohona man na an pag-ako ki Cristo basang sana asin dai naghahagad nin pagbago kan sadiri, pinapagirumdom na Siya duminatong bilang ilaw na minapara sa kadikloman nin kasalan. Sabi sa Juan 3,20: “An siisay man na naggigibo nin maraot naoongis sa ilaw. Dai siya minadulok sa liwanag tanganing dai mailawan an saiyang maraot na gibo.”

Sa mga nagtutubod alagad dai pa sinisikwal an kasalan, may patanid si Cristo sa Mateo 7,21: “Bako gabos na nagkukurahaw nin ‘Kagurangnan, Kagurangnan!’, makakalaog sa Kahadean nin langit kundi idtong nag-ootob kan kabotan kan sakong Ama sa langit.” Asin sa 1 Juan 3,23 sinabi: “An tugon Niya iyo ini, magtubod kita sa Saiyang Aki si Jesu Cristo, asin magkaminoroot-mootan kita, siring sa pinagboot sato ni Cristo”.

GIYA SA PAGHIRAS SA SADIT NA KOMUNIDAD O FAMILIA • Maghiras nin experiencia kun pa’no namatean an pagkamoot asin pagkaherak nin Kagurangnan?

PASUNOD-SUNOD KAN WEEKLY SAKOP/FAMILY PRAYER-MEETING • Kumustahan/Pamiridbidan • Disposition to Prayer / Silence • Gathering Song • Opening Prayer • Gospel Reading • Reflection • Sharing • Scripture Response • Closing Prayer (Spontaneous and Our Father) • Closing Song

An Ancient Homily on Holy Saturday

The Lord descends into the abode of the dead

From the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday

Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated.

For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

Ang Pasyon ayon kay Joey Velasco

Hapag ng Pag-asa

Lingkod

Thy Will Be Done

The Need for Enduring Hope

A Palm Sunday Reflection for the Alay Kapwa National Campaign 2011
"Kapwa at Kalikasan, Pananagutan Nating Lahat"
Lenten Action-Evangelization Program of the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action - Justice and Peace



As we enter the holiest of our liturgical seasons, the story of our Lord’s passion from the Gospel of Matthew is read. This passion narrative begins with the scene that was the turning point in Jesus’ public ministry: not His triumphal entry to Jerusalem but the betrayal of Judas.

1. Betrayal

“One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over” (Mt 26,14-15).

In a way, our government’s record of pursuing national development, harnessing our natural resources and protecting the environment has been somewhat taken straight from the Gospels’ passion narratives. Time and again, we have seen hopes dashed and best efforts undone when state officials and institutions betray the people’s trust. The words of Judas ring true till today: “What are you willing to give me to hand it over to you?”

Case in point: Rapu-Rapu island in the Bicol region. The island’s long history of mining has been a history filled with corruption and callousness, greed and neglect, and a disregard both to people’s lives and the environment. The Japanese army mined the island during World War II. The Hixbar Mining Company took over from the Japanese and left it in the 1970s with three of four rivers contaminated and an extensive tract of land barren and useless. Toronto Ventures Inc. came in the 1980s and operated without the mandated public hearings and consultations. Lafayette Philippines Inc. entered the picture in 1999.

From the start, majority of the island’s residents were against the latest mining project. The Diocese of Legazpi has issued a pastoral letter condemning the move. Civil society staged protest actions. A senate inquiry was made. A few small victories were won by opponents of the mining project, but in the end Lafayette still had its way. It proceeded with its operations.

In vain, the people turned to their elected officials and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for help. In the end they would realize that it was actually the government that invited mining companies to come to their island without their knowing it. They would realize the DENR is the government’s lead mining salesman. It is the DENR that identifies sites as suitable for mining. It is the DENR that advertises those sites for mining investors, conveniently downgrading environmental harm. It is the DENR that grants MPSAs without consulting local residents and ECCs even without social acceptability. It is the same department that admits it cannot sufficiently monitor production and operation of mining companies; and connives with mining officials to cover-up incidents of mishaps and fish kills. When a company like Lafayette fails, the DENR scurries to look for other investors to “save” the project. And should the people seek legal action, it is the DENR who would first receive their complaints and judge its merits before any court could hear their case.

Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do

First Word: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.” (Lk 23,23)

The seven last words of Jesus start on the theme of forgiveness. He is crucified on the cross, severely bruised and in terrible pain, mocked and shamed by his tormentors, and the first words ascribed to him are “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do”.

These are words that do not fail to inspire and perplex. Even in the worst of suffering, Jesus still preached and embodied the Father’s mercy. The magnanimity of His expression is made more manifest if we reflect upon our own responses to situations of unjust suffering. Would we be so similarly instantaneous, Christ-like in our dispensing of forgiveness? Or would we view such response as an expression of giving-up too early, of resignation to the futility of our quest for justice?

I remember Rapu-Rapu and the sufferings of its people. The Diocese of Legazpi and many concerned groups and individuals, fought alongside them in resisting the large-scale mining operations of Lafayette on their island since 1999. Nowadays the mining operations project themselves as RRMI and RRPI. I remember the series of fish kills in 2005, 2006, and 2007. The fish kill in 2006 happened within the period of a DENR mandated test-run. I remember the arrogance and callousness of many government and mining company officials. I remember the suffering of the people – the dwindling fish catch, hunger, harassment, health problems, uncertain future, and the pain of hearing hard facts twisted and their sentiments misrepresented on national media.

Should the residents of Rapu-Rapu, and we who help them, also have to be so willing and ready to dispense forgiveness as Jesus did? How would such act benefit our cause? Forgiveness seems so out of touch with our situation. Or is it really? There is an admittedly strange attractive power, a sense of liberation even, when a victim utters Jesus' line.

To forgive doesn’t necessarily mean to give-up. To forgive may also mean to let go, or more precisely, to let God. To forgive is to acknowledge that though we seek justice and resist oppression, we can still go beyond our human claims and dispositions and seek affinity with the divine. To forgive is to trust that the power and providence of God is greater than the evil that resides in the hearts of those who do us harm.

To say that they do not know what they do does not mean being co-opted to our oppressors’ web of lies or dismissing their acts as mere human failings. For indeed they are still responsible for their actions. It is an acknowledgment rather that, despite their skills in manipulating truth and handling morally dubious negotiations, they are still practically ignorant of the great power of God working in all things. In short, it is an acknowledgment that there is hope for them still.

Am I just fooling myself when I say this? Am I in a state of wishful thinking? Let me tell you what is clear and present to me about the current mining situation in our country. It is the DENR that identifies sites as suitable for mining; and advertises those sites for mining investors, conveniently downgrading environmental harm. It is the DENR that grants MPSAs without consulting local residents, and ECCs even without social acceptability. It is the same DENR that admits it cannot sufficiently monitor the operation of mining companies; and then connives with mining officials to cover-up incidents of mishaps and fish kills. When a company like Lafayette fails, it is the DENR that scurries to look for other investors in order to “save” the project. And should we seek legal action, it is the DENR who will first receive our complaints and judge their merits.

Could we actually dream of receiving a fair hearing from the current DENR? Maybe not yet in the present nor in the near future, but I am still filled with hope that the situation can and will change for the better. Otherwise, the options left would either be indeed giving-up, or going over less enlightened paths.

Lastly, “Forgive them for they do not know what they do” are words spoken by Jesus to victims and their advocates as well. It is a gentle reminder that even as we fight for justice we cannot lose the best parts of our humanity. It is a solemn promise that just as Jesus Christ transcended hate and injustice, and then triumphed over sin and death, so we too will find our victory in the end.

domingo de ramos & the politics of personality

today is palm sunday, the whole catholic church celebrates the start of the holy week: blessing of palm fronds, mark's passion narrative as gospel, red vestments. also very heavy traffic on nlex and slex as regular city folks start their twice, or so,-a-year pilgrimages to their home provinces.

this early morning's blessing of the palms, recalling Jesus' 'triumphal' (over what?) entry to jerusalem, evoked some thoughts on the cult and politics of personality. add to it the rather amusing fact that in this semana santa, not only do we have a "domingo de ramos" but a "sabado de gloria" as well. the 1997 cbcp exhortation on phil politics identifies the 'politics of personality', among other things, as the bane of this country's political culture. too much dependence on individuals of either strength, or celebrity, or notoriety, or all of the above.

come to think of it, Jesus was such a personality himself. and the people were already proclaiming him king, a rightful heir to the house of david. whether or not they were the same crowd, but shouting a markedly different slogan, on john's passion narrative this good friday is another matter.

a strong, charismatic cult figure. peoples at all times and places have been drawn to such figures, accepting their almost-natural leadership, taking on their words as gospel truths. even the current troubles of phil politics have been reduced to a question of personalities.

after the (rhetorical?) question: "did gloria lie, cheat and steal and so is better off stepping down from office?", the next most natural and, to some extent, harder question to answer is: "and who do you propose should take her place". personalities. it seems now this political gordian knot could be simply and swiftly (although apparently there is nothing simple nor swift about this process) be loosened by presenting a charismatic and winnable figure, an icon that would symbolize all the supposedly noble aspirations of the various/divided (take your pick) opposition. someone like cory aquino in 1986. personalities.

a leading cleric puts it succinctly: the question of what happens next, i.e., among other things, who would replace her is itself, a moral question. and for as long as no barabbas is presented the pretender queen of the pinoys will remain queen -- okay now, that was bad metaphor -- and she will railroad chacha, continue to suppress protest actions, threaten the press, and proceed to lie, cheat, steal, not only by her lonesome but with and through her minions as well, and with less impunity than ever.

it is ironic that a system, such as the parliamentary system, that supposedly favors strong parties, party identity and stands -- and, therefore, political maturity -- is widely perceived as a tool and a ruse to prop up the most unpopular, sleaziest, personality-oriented administration in the history of this nation. and the perceived solution to this crisis: a strong and winnable opposition candidate in a snap poll that would be driven by the same manic politics of personalities and party allegiance-switches. and when that candidate (whoever s/he is) wins, then we could all start working for political maturity again.

let us pray that this holy week may be a good time for repentance and conversion for all filipinos, especially our leaders from all sides. hope springs eternal, after all, we are celebrating an epic story that includes a tortured thief availing of salvation right before death's door.

have a holy holy week.