CHECKLIST FOR 2007 by Glenn Jaboneta
PART II
Second, SIMPLICITY. St. Luke 18: 15-17 is saying “They brought children to Jesus to have him touch them; but then the disciples rebuked these people. So Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the children come to me and don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly, I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”
If you are a father, your children can teach you the same lesson. They are your guides to the kingdom of God. It is a kingdom for children. We need also to analyze and evaluate how we treat them because maybe at the end we are the ones making their lives complex.
The simplicity of life as lived by a child.
Here are the guide questions.
Is my heart only for God?
Am I transparent, sincere in my dealings with others?
Do I seek the truth or do I sometimes hide the truth so that my real nature will not be known?
When I was in the seminary there was this song, “Hiding inside Myself” which I liked. From my point of view now I was hiding inside myself because I was hiding from pain, from rejection. I had fear of being tagged as homosexual. I was then maybe hiding and would love the term effeminate than homosexual. There were a lot of acceptance with effeminacy and a lot of rejection from homosexuality. I tried and did well in the practice of celibacy and chastity. (LIAR!) But it was true. Since I was out of formation the real essence of celibacy and chastity were challenged. I had my days. But above all I am very thankful that in my shell I was able to come out wonderfully but painful. But pain will always be part of the process. There is still that fear of rejection even at this moment, but the unconditional love of people around me particularly with whom I encountered true friendships are assurances enough that in life to be hurt means growth.
We now reflect on the virtue of MEEKNESS. Part of the gospel of St. Matthew is saying, “Come to me, all of you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me that I am GENTLE and HUMBLE of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is good and my burden light.” (Mt. 11: 25-30)
A short life of St. Vincent de Paul by Luigi Mezzadri, C.M. translated by Thomas Davitt, C.M. is revealing on meekness as lived by Vincent. It is saying, “He also learnt the lesson of gentleness, a virtue which does not come naturally to him. When he saw this virtue in Francis de Sales he could not help reflecting: “How good you must be, my God, if Francis de Sales, your creature, is so gentle and lovable.”
There is still a term which rings in my mind as I recalled back experiences in VHS. Are you familiar with the term “BUGA?” Binugahan ako…Binugahan ko siya…Translated it would mean that is being mean, arrogant. The person is simply mataray without basis at all. There are some people who are mataray, but with timing and logical. I feel the opposite of this reality was the struggle of Vincent and St. Francis de Sales showed him the way to meekness.
We too are invited to encounter God as a gentle God. I am certain we shall draw more people to God through our gentleness. I remember a line in the Liturgy of the Hours which says, “Turn our hearts of stone, into natural hearts.” Maybe, this is gentleness.
The guide questions for us to ponder.
Am I gentle in my dealings with others or am I aggressive and offensive?
Am I approachable or do I shut the door of my heart to others?
Am I truly compassionate, able to suffer with others?
If you are a father, your children can teach you the same lesson. They are your guides to the kingdom of God. It is a kingdom for children. We need also to analyze and evaluate how we treat them because maybe at the end we are the ones making their lives complex.
The simplicity of life as lived by a child.
Here are the guide questions.
Is my heart only for God?
Am I transparent, sincere in my dealings with others?
Do I seek the truth or do I sometimes hide the truth so that my real nature will not be known?
When I was in the seminary there was this song, “Hiding inside Myself” which I liked. From my point of view now I was hiding inside myself because I was hiding from pain, from rejection. I had fear of being tagged as homosexual. I was then maybe hiding and would love the term effeminate than homosexual. There were a lot of acceptance with effeminacy and a lot of rejection from homosexuality. I tried and did well in the practice of celibacy and chastity. (LIAR!) But it was true. Since I was out of formation the real essence of celibacy and chastity were challenged. I had my days. But above all I am very thankful that in my shell I was able to come out wonderfully but painful. But pain will always be part of the process. There is still that fear of rejection even at this moment, but the unconditional love of people around me particularly with whom I encountered true friendships are assurances enough that in life to be hurt means growth.
We now reflect on the virtue of MEEKNESS. Part of the gospel of St. Matthew is saying, “Come to me, all of you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me that I am GENTLE and HUMBLE of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is good and my burden light.” (Mt. 11: 25-30)
A short life of St. Vincent de Paul by Luigi Mezzadri, C.M. translated by Thomas Davitt, C.M. is revealing on meekness as lived by Vincent. It is saying, “He also learnt the lesson of gentleness, a virtue which does not come naturally to him. When he saw this virtue in Francis de Sales he could not help reflecting: “How good you must be, my God, if Francis de Sales, your creature, is so gentle and lovable.”
There is still a term which rings in my mind as I recalled back experiences in VHS. Are you familiar with the term “BUGA?” Binugahan ako…Binugahan ko siya…Translated it would mean that is being mean, arrogant. The person is simply mataray without basis at all. There are some people who are mataray, but with timing and logical. I feel the opposite of this reality was the struggle of Vincent and St. Francis de Sales showed him the way to meekness.
We too are invited to encounter God as a gentle God. I am certain we shall draw more people to God through our gentleness. I remember a line in the Liturgy of the Hours which says, “Turn our hearts of stone, into natural hearts.” Maybe, this is gentleness.
The guide questions for us to ponder.
Am I gentle in my dealings with others or am I aggressive and offensive?
Am I approachable or do I shut the door of my heart to others?
Am I truly compassionate, able to suffer with others?
posted by magnuslex @ 6:08 AM
<< Home