"What would Jesus want ME to do?"

There was a popular phrase in the the 1990’s and printed in some t-shirts. It is a question that seems to be very simple, and direct to the point. Even for some, probably capturing the whole essence of how one is going to live his Christianity. The phrase is in a question form which goes like this: “What would Jesus do?” Ano ang gagawain kaya ni Jesus? Implying that in a concrete situation, if we ask this question, we are actually doing the will of God in our life. It further implies that if we answer this question, and commit ourselves to acting upon the answer we have found, we can truly change and even transform the world as Jesus would want us to do.

“What would Jesus do?” or rather, since we are His disciples, and His apostles, and we are only His followers obeying His commands and living His Life and Words, a better question would be: “What would Jesus want ME to do?” It is a question that can be answered concretely; it manifests how we are in following Jesus, in becoming His true followers.

We all want to live comfortably, secure in our future. Walang problema. But would Jesus want me to tell a lie, so that I will continue to support a life of ease, comfort? Will Jesus want me to turn my back to a child begging for alms because I presume the child is being used by a syndicate and being exploited by them? Would Jesus want me to forgive a person who has hurt me and my family? What would Jesus want us to do with the many extra possessions we all have?

What would Jesus want met to do amidst the lying, the injustice and poverty caused by corruption in our government? What would Jesus want me to do when people who stand for truth are being jailed, and the thieves and liars, who steal money from the people are the ones out of jail, going where they please, and doing what they want? Will Jesus expect me to be angry? to be outrage? To be courageous and to make a stand for people who are crying for justice?

Truly answering and acting on the answer will not be without cost. Discipleship is costly. Apostleship is costly. Doing what Jesus wants me to do is costly. It can cost you your friends. It can cost you profits for you business. It can cost you your job. It can cost you your freedom, as Jun Lozada is now experiencing.

But it has its rewards which no money, and no power and no position can buy. IT can give us Jesus Christ, and with Him, serenity, peace. And eternal life.

I ask each one of you here present. Even for a week. I ask you while you are at home with your family, or at work. Or enjoying yourselves with your friends. Or just alone by yourself. When faced with a situation that would split your heart and your spirit, ask: What would Jesus want ME to do?

A homily given during the "Misa de Gracia" of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, Manaoag, Pangasinan on 7 May 2009.

Danny’s Miracle

Today, the Parish celebrated the Feast of the Divine Mercy. The activities were celebrated in the afternoon: confessions, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction, Mass and blessing of the Divine Mercy images and the procession.

I saw Sis. Lourdes hurrying towards me at the sacristy after the mass. She was clutching an image of the Divine Mercy. She was with Sis. Teresing of Brgy. Bigbiga. A woman and a man who I did not recognize were with them.

Sis. Lourdes was all smiles as she approached me.

“Kumusta?” I asked her. I wanted to follow up our mass schedule in their barangay. But before I could do so, she was already saying something. Unceasingly. Sis. Lourdes was usually reserved and quiet.

“Father, malagip yo ni Danny?” she asked me.

Of course, I remember Danny. I administered to him the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick last February (2009). Did Danny pass away already?

“Wen,” I told her, waiting for her to say that Danny had passed away.

She then pointed at the man who was standing beside her.

“Ni Danny datoy!” She said.

This is Danny?

I could not believe my eyes. Danny was smiling at me. The woman who was with her, probably her mother, was crying. “Naimbagen ni Danny!” she cried.

Then to remind me, Danny brought out the stampita I gave him when I last visited him two months ago. He had it laminated.

“Gapu ti Divine Mercy, Father!” he told me. It is because of the Divine Mercy!

God’s mercy is unfathomable, gushing forth and covering the whole world! We need only to ask for God’s Mercy. And in asking, put our complete trust in Him!

Danny asked for God’s Mercy! The Lord manifested to him His Mercy!

“Awan ti imposible ti Divine Mercy,” Sis. Lourdes reminded me. True, there is nothing impossible with God’s Mercy!

I cried out, “Unbelievable!”

It is not “unbelievable” anymore! In putting his trust in God’s Mercy, Danny’s miracle is a living sign that with God, everything is possible! It is expected! It is believable!

Danny’s miracle!  With Sis. Lourdes (3rd from left) and Sis. Teresing (4th from left)

Diary of St. Faustina. Divine Mercy in My Soul, n. 113

And again, I would like to say three words to the soul that is determined to strive for sanctity and to derive fruit; that is to say, benefit from confession.

First word-complete sincerity and openness. Even the holiest and wisest confessor cannot forcibly pour into the soul what he desires if it is not sincere and open. An insincere, secretive soul risks great dangers in the spiritual life, and even the Lord Jesus Himself does not give Himself to such a soul on a higher level, because He knows it would derive no benefit from these special graces.

Second word-humility. A soul does not benefit as it should from the sacrament of confession if it is not humble. Pride keeps it in darkness. The soul neither knows how, nor is it willing, to probe with precision the depths of its own misery. It puts on a mask and avoids everything that might bring it recovery.

Third word-obedience. A disobedient soul will win no victory, even if the Lord Jesus himself, in person, were to hear its confession. The most experienced confessor will be of no help whatsoever to such a soul. The disobedient soul exposes itself to great misfortunes; it will make no progress toward perfection, nor will it succeed in the spiritual life. God lavishes His graces most generously upon the soul, but it must be an obedient soul. (Divine Mercy in My Soul, 113)

Sincerity. Openness. Humility. Obedience.
Virtues for those who strive for sanctity.

Panmutektekan: Third Sunday of Lent (B)

For the reflection on the Third Sunday of Lent (B), click on the above link. The reflection is in Pangasinan.

To see the other reflections and homily directory in Pangasinan, please visit this link.

Panmutektekan: Second Sunday of Lent (B)

For the reflection on the Second Sunday of Lent (B), click on the above link. The reflection is in Pangasinan.

To see the other reflections and homily directory in Pangasinan, please visit this link.