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22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time [B]
August 29, 2021
Mark 7:1-23

The Pharisees came to scrutinize Jesus, and these were not just ordinary Galilean Pharisees who often debated with Jesus. They were the leading Jewish authority, and they came to pass judgment on Jesus: whether Jesus is an orthodox Jew or a false prophet. Yet, we may ask, who are these Pharisees who often collided with Jesus and His disciples? The pharisaic movement was one of the Jewish religious movements in first-century Palestine. Though not always in a good relationship, they were contemporaries with other groups like the Sadducees, Zealots, and Essenes. However, Pharisees were the most popular because many of their members were Jewish laypeople compared to other groups.

What is unique to the Pharisees? We need to understand first about the ceremonial purity in the Old Testament. The Law of Moses commanded those men and women who were entering the sacred place like the Temple to be ceremonially clean. If they were in contact with dead bodies, they became unclean and could not enter the holy ground. Thus, they were required to do ceremonial washing to clean this impurity. The purpose of this ceremonial purity is not about morality [what is right or wrong] but to train the Israelites to see and honor the sacred places as God’s dwellings.

The Pharisees were zealous for the Law, and they were responsible for bringing this ceremonial purity to the context of the Israelite household. They wanted to be ceremonially clean, not only in the Temple but also when they entered their houses, when they ate and drank, and even when they went to bed. The thing was that Moses never gave laws about this pharisaic thing. Thus, as a solution, the teachers or the rabbi came up with their set of rules and regulations. Eventually, these became the (pharisaic) traditions of the elders.

Going back to Jesus, we note that what the Pharisees from Jerusalem discovered was Jesus did not observe those traditions. They did not find any shred of evidence that Jesus violated the Law of Moses. Indeed, Jesus was fulfilling the Law. Jesus then criticized the Pharisees for being over-zealous on traditions to the expense of the Word of God. Jesus reminded the true essence of the Law, which is the formation of the heart. The laws and the traditions are good if they bring us closer to God. They become twisted when they chain us and keep us far from God. It would be useless if we are ceremonially clean, but our hearts are impure and sinful.

Jesus’ reminder to the Pharisees is always timely and proper to us. Do we keep our religion as mere collections of traditions, rituals, and customs that keep us from the Lord? Do we read the Word of God to help us understanding and loving the Lord better or simply to put up a show? Do we gather images, statues, and other religious articles just for collections, or do these help us honor God who perfects His creatures? Do we get involved in various services and ministries to feel good about it or serve our brothers and sisters in need?

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

21st Sunday in the Ordinary Time [B]
August 22, 2021
John 6:60-69

For the past five Sundays, we have listened to John chapter 6. Jesus introduced Himself as the bread of life, and His flesh and blood are authentic food for eternal life. Today’s Gospel serves as the summit of our journey through John 6, and the Gospel begins with the response of Jesus’ listeners, “It is a hard saying.”

Jesus’ teaching this time is hard saying because it runs contrary to the essential Jewish tenets. It shocked their Jewish faith. To offer His flesh as food, is as appalling as cannibalism. Presenting His blood as a real drink is even blasphemous because it directly hits God’s commandment against eating blood [Lev 17:10]. Yet, Jesus did not waver.

Jesus’ followers were facing a tough decision. They had seen Jesus performing miracles, healing the sick and feeding thousands. Many of them were expecting that Jesus would be the Messiah like King David. However, things did not go smoothly according to their plans. If they accepted Jesus as the Messiah, they had to take Jesus’ words and indeed eat His body and blood. Eventually, many could not accept Jesus’ tough teaching, and perhaps, they considered Him another lunatic or even possessed man.

Fortunately, not everyone deserted Jesus. Peter, representing the twelve disciples, said that they believed in Jesus’ words. Peter might not be different from the rest of the crowd who failed the grasp Jesus’ hard teachings. Yet, Peter accepted Jesus’ hard teachings because he accepted who Jesus is, the Holy One of God. It is impossible for Jesus, the Holy One of God, to tell a lie. What the divine Son of God said must be real and true, however mysterious it may be. This is Peter’s faith, and this should be our faith.

Many aspects of our life and faith remain big question marks for us. We may not be able to understand the reality of the Trinity. We may still scratch our heads every time a priest speaks about the two natures of Christ. We may still feel dizzy every time a preacher explains about the transubstantiation. Yet, despite these hard sayings, we believe.

If we can have faith in Jesus despite the hard saying, we can have the same faith also despite hard lives. If we can say Yes to Jesus in the Eucharist, we shall be able to say Yes to Jesus in our lives, however, broken and disfigured it may be. This time of Pandemic, we often ask why God allows this terrible time and suffering. If we do not have the Eucharistic faith, we can easily fall into despair. Yet, we trust that God is in control with true faith, and He has a great plan for us. We might not understand the meaning of the suffering we endure, but we know it will make sense someday.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

The Solemnity of the Assumption [B]
August 15, 2021
Luke 1:39-56

Together with my mother, Blessed Virgin Mary are the women in my life. I knew her very early in my life, and my devotion has continued to grow since then. When I moved to the Philippines for my Dominican formation, I witnessed the lively and vibrant devotion of the Filipinos toward our Lady. Yet, at the same time, I experienced the ferocious assault against her. How come people who call themselves followers of Jesus dare to attack His mother? For me, it was unthinkable! Usually, the usual accusations are, “Why pray to Mary? Why honor her so much as if she is a god?” It is clear for us Catholics that Mary deserves incredible honor because of her role in the mystery of salvation, but it is also clear that she is a human.

In the beginning, I was more than eager to defend her, yet as I brought this in prayer, I ask our Lady, what would she do to those who attack and mock her? She answered, “I continue to pray and love them. They are also my children.” Her answer was an eye-opener, and I began to enter their shoes to seek the reason behind their hatred toward Mary. One of the reasons I discovered is that for them, faith is basically “about Jesus and I.” Jesus is my personal savior and Lord, and He alone is enough. Mary and other saints are obstacles, the Church and the sacraments are not needed, and the traditions are unnecessary burdens. It is faith alone at its purest.
I do agree that faith needs to be pure but not simplistic and individualistic. I believe in Jesus as my personal savior, but He also calls us into a communion of saints. If we survey the Bible, God calls people in the context of a family: Adam and Eve, Noah and his family, Abraham and Sarah, Israel and his children, Moses together with Aaron and Mariam, and David with his family. The keyword ‘testament’ or ‘covenant’ that unites the entire Bible means a solemn oath to build a family. Jesus Himself called the twelve disciples to be the father figures in His kingdom, His family of God.

If God calls us into a family, we are not alone in this journey toward Jesus. We have our brothers and sisters in heaven who are cheering for us and helping us in ways we could never imagine. We also have brothers and sisters here on earth, and it is our responsibility to support and guide them in this journey. The dogma of the Assumption tells us that we are not just earthly realities but belong to a heavenly family, and what is more edifying is that we have a good mother in heaven.

As Mary anticipated the couple’s needs in Cana before they even noticed, Mary intercedes for us even before we realize. As Mary faithfully followed her Son on earth, Mary loyally accompanies us in our earthly journey. As Mary firmly stood before the cross of her Son, Mary also stands beside us in these trials of life.

Our Blessed Mother, pray for us!

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

The Solemnity of St. Dominic de Guzman
August 8, 2021
Mat 28:16-20

Today, the Dominican family is celebrating the solemnity of St. Dominic de Guzman, the founder and father of the Order of Preachers. Thus, allow me share this reflection on St. Dominic. This year’s celebration is extraordinary because we also commemorate the 800th anniversary of Dominic’s death. We call it dies Natalis, the day of birth. It is the birthday of the saint in heaven. Indeed, it has been 800 years since the death of St. Dominic, and the Order he founded is growing vital and ever young.

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The Order of Preachers may not be the biggest congregation in the Catholic Church [we have only around six thousand brothers], but indeed, we continue to be blessed with vocations. In Indonesia alone, we have a good number of young brothers in the formation. In the Philippines, the formation house is packed with brothers.

Why is the reason behind this growth? Indeed, there are many overlapping reasons, yet may I highlight one of those: the prayer of St. Dominic himself. At his deathbed, St. Dominic promised his brothers, “Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life.” [his words are powerful that they are quoted in CCC 956]

His prayers have been proved effective. The Order has been through thick and thin of the world and Church’s history, and it is not always glorious. The Order also shares some painful past and memories. There are times that the Order seemed to collapse under its weight or split into smaller and quarreling factions. Yet, the Order can overcome those. I do believe that the reason cannot be explained by purely human strength. It is God’s mercy and Dominic’s great love for his brothers and sisters.

What is impressive is that St. Dominic is not alone. He is also joined by other Dominican saints, like St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Martin de Porres, St. Catharine of Siena, and countless Dominicans who have entered heaven. Every day, the prayers are getting stronger and louder as more holy people join their chorus.

The Order of Preachers is a family and community, and what is marvelous is that the members are not limited to those who are here on earth but those in heaven. Our brothers and sisters in heaven are doing even more amazing things for us. I am maybe alone here preaching, but my heavenly family members are supporting and cheering for me. I am perhaps alone in my study time, but the Dominican saints are at the forefront in guiding me. The letter of Hebrews speaks of the cloud of heavenly witness surrounding us [Heb 12:1], and I know some of them. We may be small, but our strength is not only here on earth. The more excellent works are done in heaven for the sake of the Order and the salvation of souls.

Many of us may not be a member of Dominican Order, but we are part of a larger family of God, the Church. We have one Father in heaven, and there is no other greatest joy for a father to see his children helping and loving one another. As we help and love our brothers and sisters here on earth, we shall not forget to give thanks to our brothers and sisters in heaven who constantly love and support us till we meet them in heaven.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time [B]
August 1, 2021
John 6:24-35

The people were looking for Jesus because they wanted to eat the bread more. They wished that their stomach would be filled. Jesus reminded them that they should not seek food that perishes but for food that endures eternal life. Unfortunately, people failed to understand. They thought it was like Old Testament’s manna constantly given to the Israelites in the wilderness for forty years. There would be bread for every day for the rest of their lives.

Going back to the Old Testament, we listen to the story of the Israelites who complained because they were hungry. However, just a few hours before, they just witnessed how God parted the red sea and destroyed the mighty Egyptian force through Moses. They knew well how God brought the Egyptians to their knees. Yet, when their stomachs were empty, they forgot all of this and demanded the return to the land of slavery. They even accused God of plotting their death in the wilderness. When it comes to survival instinct, the Israelites were too eager to embrace slavery rather than stay loyal to the God of freedom.

Jesus reminds us that there is more to life than filling our stomachs. Indeed, it is essential to eat and nourish our bodies, but even this physical food is also coming from God’s providence. Often, we are too preoccupied to look for earthly bread in its various forms, successful careers, political influence, fame, and wealth. We seek these things to the point that we are willing to go back to the slavery of sin and abandon the God of freedom.

This time of the pandemic, we might find ourselves in the position of the Israelites. Some of us are hungry because we are just losing our economic stability. Some of us are battling sickness. Some of us are losing our beloved family members. Some of us cannot do what we used to love to do. Some of us cannot go to the Church and do our services. In these dire needs, we are facing the temptation to complain against the Lord. We may get disappointed and angry with the Lord. We are more ready to abandon the Lord. We easily forget the mighty deeds the Lord has wrought in our lives. Like our ancestors, the Israelites, we are absorbed in our sufferings and blaming God for our misfortunes. We forget our God who allows this suffering is the God who controls the forces of nature.

Let us learn from the saints. Ignatius of Loyola is one of the excellent examples. He used to be a man who hungered for worldly glory. He put his life in the line to prove his gallantry in the siege of Pamplona. Yet, when his legs were severely wounded and permanently limped, his ambitions were scattered. Yet, at the same time, he read the lives of Christ and the saints, and he realized that the greater glory that the world could ever offer. The true path of grandeur is to work for the greater glory of God. He left everything and worked for the food that will not perish. Eventually, he ended up as a saint.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP