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18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time [C]

August 4, 2019

Luke 12:13-21

We were all born without bringing anything with us, and for sure, when we die, we will bring nothing with us. Job once said, “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” (Job 1:21). However, as we grow up and old, we begin to acquire things and possessions. Some are given, but some we earn it. As we are accumulating, we start attaching ourselves to these material belongings. Some of us are obsessed with collecting bags, shoes, and clothes, some others with more expensive things like electronic devices and cars. We believe these are ours, and we can own them until the Kingdom comes.

This kind of attachment is rooted in a bigger and more sinister vice: greed. St. Thomas Aquinas defines greed or avarice as “an inordinate desire for wealth or money.” To desire for richness and possession is not evil itself because, in essence, money and belongings are a means to achieve higher goals in life. However, the problem arises when we are confusing between means and the end. Greed enters the picture when we make money as our goal and no longer a means. We begin to measure our happiness and meaningfulness of our lives in terms of wealth. When we place wealth as our yardstick of happiness, all other problems start flooding our lives. When we do not have enough money, we become anxious, but when we have more than enough money, we are also anxious about how to hoard them. We think that the more we have, the happier we become, but the truth is, the more we acquire, the more we feel lacking. An ancient Roman proverb once said that desire for wealth is like drinking seawater; the more you drink, the thirstier you get.

What sickening about this vice is that it brings other sins along. St. Thomas mentions treachery, corruption, fraud, anxiety, insensibility to mercy, and even violence as the daughters of greed. Movie Slumdog Millionaire (2008) tells us a story of Salim and Jamal Malik who are victims of this injustice and greed. After the killing of their mother because of religious hatred in slam area in India, they were forced to stay in a sanitary landfill. Then, they were adopted by ‘professional beggars’ syndicate. One particular scene that reveals the gruesome manifestation of greed is one little boy with a sweet voice, Arwind, was blinded. Jamal later remarks, “Blind singers earn double.” The worst part of the movie is that the movie is not totally fiction, but many events are true to life.

So how are we going to cure this vice? If greed makes us turn means as goal, our response should return the right order: to make wealth as our means to achieve higher goals. If we are blessed with a lot of money, we praise the Lord and use this money to praise the Lord even more. If we do not have enough money, we are called to have more faith in God’s providence.  It is the time to use our worldly possession to make “heavenly investment” that no thief can reach, nor moth destroy (Lk. 12:33)

Fr. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Fifteenth Sunday of the Ordinary Time [C]

July 14, 2019

Luke 10:25-27

The journey from Jericho to Jerusalem was notoriously dangerous. The path was narrow, steep, filled by sudden turnings. The road became the favorite spot for the robbers to ambush any unguarded traveler. Some criminals were often violent, not only they took everything from the victims, but they would beat them mercilessly. Up to early twentieth century, some tourists and pilgrims were caught off guard when they passed this path, as their cars were ambushed and robbed. The brigands would swiftly escape before the police came.

When the teacher of the Law asks Jesus, “who is our neighbor whom we shall love?” Jesus offers him three models to imitate. They are a priest, a Levite and a Samaritan. The priest and the Levite are a privileged social class in ancient Jewish society. They are consecrated to serve in the Temple of Jerusalem. The priests who are the descendants of Aaron, are to accept sacrifice from the people and offer the sacrifice to the Lord at the altar. Meanwhile the Levites are assigned to take care of the temple, to do other liturgical services and assist the priests. Both the priest and the Levite represent a group of people who are dedicating themselves to the Lord, the Law and the Temple, who love their religion dearly. Meanwhile the Samaritan represents what the Jews hate. The pure Jews look down the Samaritans because they are products of intermarriage between unorthodox Jews and other pagan nations as well as idolaters who worship God plus other smaller gods.

By religious standard, the priest and the Levite outrank the Samaritan, but Jesus drops the nuclear bomb as He makes the Samaritan as the hero of the story. We may ask why the priest and Levite refuse to help? One reason is that the priest needs to be away from any blood or dead body, otherwise he would be impure for seven days and he will not be able to serve the Temple [see Num 19:11]. The Levi seems to do little better as he goes nearer to the victim, but he decided not to help perhaps because he is afraid that the guy just serves a decoy to ambush him. Here comes the Samaritan who helps without hesitation. Not only coming to his rescue, the Samaritan makes sure that the victim will be healed and recover, though he must spend his own resources.

Placing ourselves in the shoes of the Samaritan man, we know that his decision to help the victim is daring and even reckless. What if it was just a set-up for ambush? What if he runs out of money? What if the victim would never thank him and even hate him even more? Yet, this is what to love our neighbor means. To love someone is to show mercy and to show mercy means to give beyond what is due.

One of the memorable works Mother Teresa did in Calcutta was to establish a home for the dying. One day, she walked pass a hospital and saw a woman who terribly sick. The mother rushed her to the hospital. Yet, the person in the hospital refused her, saying, “there is no room for her in the hospital!” Mother Teresa stayed outside of the hospital, embracing the dying lady till she breathed her last. Since then, the saint promised that she would make sure that the dying would die with dignity. In the early days of this hospice, Mother Teresa was ridiculed and criticized, yet she and her sisters persevered because they knew that for those who were dying, this may be the last act of mercy they received before they passed away.

If we expect something big in return, it is not love, it is investment. If we just want to be appreciated after doing good, it is not love, it is a showoff. If we do not want to get hurt, it is not love, it is comfort zone. Love is tough, mercy is heroic.

Deacon Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Thirteenth Sunday of the Ordinary Time [C]

June 30, 2019

Luke 9:51-62

Today we listen to one of the most demanding and perhaps harsh Jesus’ teachings. For those who follow Him, He demands total allegiance, and He shall become no less than their top priority in life. In both Jewish and Christian tradition, to honor our parents is one of the highest commandments. In fact, it is not a mere honoring, but it is to glorify [Hebrew word used is “kabad”] our parents. But, when a man asks Jesus to bury his father, Jesus tells him, “Let the dead bury the dead.” To one who requests to say goodbye to his family, Jesus says, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” Very harsh. Is this truly Jesus whose heart is moved with pity towards the poor people?  Is Jesus no longer observing the Ten Commandments?

We may uncover the reason at the beginning of the Gospel reading. Jesus knows the time has come for Him to go to Jerusalem, and He has set His face toward this city that will persecute, torture, and kill Him. The way of the cross has begun, and for those who wish to follow Him, it is no longer time to be amused by His miracles or to be inspired by His preaching. They who desire to follow Jesus, shall also carry their cross with Jesus, and to walk with Jesus to His Calvary, one cannot but surrender their lives to Jesus and make Jesus’s mission as their utmost concern.

However, we need to clarify also Jesus’ remarks that may sound too harsh. When Jesus says, “Let the dead bury the dead,” most probably the parent of that man is still very much alive, and he wishes to follow Jesus after his parent passes away. A subtle excuse not to follow Jesus. When Jesus says, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God,” Jesus is alluding to the story of Elijah who called Elisha to follow him [1 Kgs 19:19-21]. When a prophet calls, the one summoned must respond immediately. Otherwise, the opportunity is gone for good. Jesus also points to the story of Lot’s wife. When the city of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God, the angel instructed Lot and his family to run and not to look back, and yet, his wife looked back. She became the pillar of salt [Gen 19:26]. Someone cannot effectively follow God’s words and new life in Christ if he always looks back and attaches himself to the past. Jewish farmers also know well the irony that when one plows the soil and keeps looking back at the result, he will just ruin the entire field. It is when one is focused and determined in his goal and decision, he will get the best result.

There is a story of an angel who appears to John. The angel said, “John, God calls you to serve Him.” John said, “Not now, I am still 18, and I want to focus on my study.” Then, the angel came again after some years. John said, “Not now, I am just 30, and I have my career.” Then, the angel appeared again after some year. John said, “Not now. I am just 40, and I have my family.” Then, the angel returned for the last time when John was 70. John said, “Now, I am ready to answer God’s calling.” The angel responded, “Yes, God calls you, but not to serve Him, but to see Him!”

A Christian who has a lot of excuses for Jesus is not a real Christian. It is only when we follow Him with determination, walk on His way of the cross without excuse, make Him as our top priority, we can humbly say that we are His disciples.

Deacon Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

June 23, 2019

Luke 9:11-17

Today the Church is celebrating the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. In many countries like Indonesia, today is the best time for the children who are already prepared to receive their first Holy Communion. I still recall the day I partook of the sacred host and the holy wine. Many of us were around 10 years old, old enough to recognize the presence of Christ in the Eucharist and we were dressed in white. I was wearing long-sleeved white shirt with a tie and black pants. When the priest dipped the white bread into the chalice of wine and said, “the body and blood of Christ”, I said “Amen.” It was my first time to savor the sweetness of wine, and of course, alcoholic beverage!

At that moment, I just knew the reception of sacred host is necessary to complete the Eucharist, and I was aware I was receiving a blessing, but I never truly comprehend the profound meaning of the great mystery. For me, it was just enough that I attend the mass and consume the consecrated host. It has become a routine and tradition, from Sunday to Sunday, to from month to month, from year to year. Till we become parents and we also bring our children for their first communion. And when somebody asks us, “why do you bring your children to the first communion?”, our answer may be like, “Well, we want our kids to be like us. It is just a family tradition.” The answer is simple, but too simple that it draws more questions: why bread and wine? Why Body and Blood of Jesus? Why does it have to be eaten?

We often forget to realize that this sacred host and wine are the entire Jesus Christ Himself, with all humanity and divinity. Thus, God offers Himself to be eaten. Why eating God? The answers lie on the pages of our Old Testament. Firstly, we recall that our first parents fell because of the act of eating. Now, in the Eucharist, God uses the same act of eating to restore men and women into grace. Secondly, in the middle of the garden of Eden, there were two trees, the forbidden tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life [Gen 2:9]. Unfortunately, our first parents chose to eat the fruits from the forbidden tree. Thus, to restore humanity to grace, now God offers us the fruits from the tree of life, the tree of the cross of Christ. Thirdly, we remember the first Passover was about the story of how God liberated Hebrew people from the slavery of Egypt. The Passover began with the slaughter of the lamb, and its blood was sprinkled on the doors of the Israelite house so that their firstborns would be saved from death. Yet, the slaughter and the sprinkling of blood were not the summit of Passover. The Hebrew people had to consume the lamb as to complete their first Passover [Exo 12:8]. Now, Jesus the Lamb of God, has been sacrificed on the cross, yet it is not the end. Like the Hebrew Passover, we need to consume the Lamb of God to complete our New Passover, the Eucharist.

There are so much themes and aspects we may ponder on the Eucharist, and particularly today, the Church reminds us that the Eucharist, especially the reception of the Holy Communion is not just our Sunday routine, a family tradition. It is of the essential plan of God for our salvation, so that we may have heaven, our Communion with God, the Holy Trinity.

Deacon Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

5th Sunday of Easter

May 19, 2019

John 13:31-33a, 34-35

At the Last Supper, after Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, He gives them a new commandment: “love one another as I have loved you”. If there is one single, most beautiful line in the Gospel of John or even in the entire Bible, this would be one of the strongest candidates. However, why does Jesus give us a new commandment?

To understand what Jesus does in the Last Supper, we need to go back to the Old Testament, particularly when the Lord God gave His commandments. After the Lord God delivered Israel from the slavery of Egypt, He made a covenant with them through the mediation of Moses. They shall be God’s people and the Lord shall be their God. This was the fundamental step in the life of Israel because God formed them as the People of God. This was an unprecedented privilege and grace, but with great privilege comes the great responsibility. God wanted them to live as the People of God and not as the other nations that surrounded them. Thus, the Lord gave them the Law that would separate them from other peoples who worshiped false gods, and the most fundamental among these laws are the Ten Commandments. If they stubbornly failed to observe the Law and lived as if like the Gentiles, they would be cut off from the People of God.

At the Last Supper, Jesus does the same as His Father in the desert. He forms His disciples, His family, His Church by giving them a New Law, the Law of Love. Only when the disciples keep the New Law, they will be different from the rest of nations, and they may call themselves as the followers of Jesus. At first, we may perceive that Jesus’ new law is easier done than the Ten Commandment. Yet, when we go deeper to the meaning of love understood by Jesus, it is actually the opposite. Jesus’ Law is much more difficult and tougher to do. Why?

In Greek of the New Testament, there are several words for love. “Eros” is the love between husband and wife. “Philia” is love among friends. None of these two Jesus used to describe His love. It is “agape”. While eros and philia are love based on emotion, agape is love rooted in free will. It is the love of action. That is why Jesus is able to teach us to love our enemies. Jesus does not say we should like our enemies because it is naturally impossible, but we can still do good to our enemies despite the hatred and anger.

But, this agape is not just any agape, it is agape of Jesus. For Him, there is no greater love than one who lays down his life for his friends. Agape of Jesus is sacrificial. It is Jesus’ cross as well as His glory. Only when we love to the point of sacrifice, we may say that we have kept Jesus’ commandment.

Muelmar “Toto” Magallanes was a young Filipino who worked as a construction worker. In 2009, monstrous tropical storm Ondoy battered Metro Manila and caused an instant flood in many areas. When his area was flooded, Toto first brought to safety his family. Yet, he did not stop there. He decided to rescue others who were still trapped by the mighty water. Braving the strong current, he saved more than 30 people. He was already exhausted when he realized a mother and her baby were still in danger. He made his last rescue attempt and brought the mother and her baby to the higher ground. Yet, losing his strength, he was swept by the current. He was lifeless the following day. “He gave his life for my baby,” Menchie Penalosa, the child’s mother, told Agence France-Presse. “I will never forget his sacrifice.”

This is the new commandment of Jesus and only by keeping His Commandment, we can become His authentic disciples.

Deacon Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP