A Grace-filled Eucharistic Event

I am now on my way to Manila. My phone buzzed with a message from Fr. Mel Racelis, SDB who I texted earlier. He replied to my goodbyes and thank you's. It was a fitting reminder. "Hope you can integrate all your experiences in the IEC into your life."

The 51st International Eucharist Congress just wrapped up yesterday. It was a unique stop in the global Catholic event. Held in Cebu, it was colored by island festivities that's unique to the tropic Philippine culture. Besides, it came a few days after the Sinulog. There was much praying, reflecting, dancing, and sharing.

The endless flow of activities and dignitaries in and out of the newly built IEC Pavilion could leave one disoriented. We often lose our connection with reality whenever we climb our Mount Tabor. Going down the mountain needs some re-orientation and a reminder to bring what was given from above to the ordinary below.

It could take me days to fully digest all the grace-filled experiences that happened to me. From dignitaries and prelates that Divine Providence had allowed me access to, to the wisdom-filled and awe-inspiring talks and catechesis given by the speakers, and to the simple slices of moments during the congress where time stops to invite you to fully absorb the ordinary miracle happening before your eyes.

If we have to pause our theological studies for two weeks, it was to give way to a more in-depth appreciation of the great mystery of the Eucharist in the Church and the way Christ makes himself present to each and everyone of us.

Assumption: An Act of Faith

Good morning, fathers and brothers.

A guest once visited a Salesian house. She came down the car and surveying the house before her, sighed as a sign of relief after hours of travelling. Not wanting to carry her heavy baggage to her room, and besides no priest was present to meet and greet her, she called out to the old man working and bent over the flower bed in the garden. The old man who was in working clothes kindly obliged to carry her heavy bags up the flight of stairs and guided the woman to her room.

“What’s your name again, kuya?”, asked the woman.

“I’m Fr. Sami Ghouri, the rector of this house.”

We could imagine the woman, blushing and ashamed of herself. All too often, our Salesians are unassuming and hardworking, sometimes you cannot really tell who is one when we are at work. We love to dirty our hands at work. The woman for her part, was just assuming he was the gardener.

Dear, fathers and brothers, I stand before you this morning wondering why we have to “Assume” that our Blessed Mother is taken up to heaven. Why can’t be so sure? Why the lack of certainty? In this first day of the Triduum in honor the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother, when she was assumed body and soul into heaven, let me share my following reflections.

First and foremost, I would say that the Assumption is the most logical way we can imagine that the Blessed Mother would be treated by her Son after her earthly life. If Reverend Jacinto Gusmao were to be ordained this morning, we would expect his mother to sit in the front seat crying her eyes out because of pride and unbelief that her son has finally become a priest. Brothers, the assumption is not just a logical consequence but a natural expression of filial love that the Son could give to His mother.

I love to watch Crime Scene Investigation or CSI because it is exciting to see characters trying to solve mysteries and crime problems. If they were present immediately after the event of the Assumption, I think they would conclude that Mary would never have died – there is no dead body to act as evidence. If they were also to collect all the supposedly Marian relics today, I think there would be more body parts and personal effects for them to examine for a lifetime. The Assumption, and this is my second point, is not a scientific finding nor a philosophical assent. Rather, it is an act of faith both on the Christian community and of our Blessed Mother. Without evidence, the apostles and the first Christians submitted themselves to their faith. Without knowing the plan, the Blessed Mother allowed herself to be taken by God.

So I end this reflection, with a challenge for you and me. We all know the Dogma of the Assumption and no one here is excited to hear it read again. But does our knowledge of such a mystery lead us to an assent and ascent of faith? Is our devotion to our Blessed Mother a natural expression of love, from sons to a mother? Do we have a faith that firmly believes that we have a mother in heaven who was assumed into heaven because she has faith and because of her faith? Will our faith assume us into heaven, too?

As we move closer to the Feast of the Assumption, we continue to entrust ourselves to our blessed mother. Mary Immaculate, Assumed into heaven, pray for us.

We Become What We Worship

I was watching the first of Rev. Fr. Robert Barron's (now bishop-elect) series on Catholicism when one statement struck me. It struck me because it was something new to my ears but at the same time felt like it has been there all along: we become what we worship.

Like everyone else, I have had my share of questioning my faith and my religion. Why do we pray? Why go to mass? Why is God necessary to my life? In these six words I received a summarized answer.

The concept is basically Jewish and a mentality of ancient Israel. To detail it's background here would take more research and exposition. It's quite simple: for ancient Israel, there was only one God, YHWH and they are His people. This is their covenant with God. This covenant is not some static agreement. It is a relationship. But it is also not an ordinary relationship.

The beauty of the relationship between Israel and God is that the moment it was established it was already lopsided. Here is a people, obscure and weak, insignificant and powerless, but all the same gathered together before God because He wants to be with them. Even in the Old Testament writings, the theme of God wanting to be with His people is already very strong.

The worship that God asked from His people, mind you, goes beyond our concept of prayer and rituals. Worship for God is that man remain in His presence and is aware of God's intimate advances in his life. The Ten Commandments and the numerous laws in the Torah were but guidelines to this. And the prophets were quick to point out that this worship is not confined to sacrifices and offerings but a holistic and all-encompassing movement of man towards God. Here is the undertones of the great triad of faith, morals, and liturgy.

What we know about worship then is but a fragment of the worship that God demands from us. We think that going to church weekly on Sundays is enough to fulfill our Christian duties. Far from truth! The worship that God demands is a worship of being. That in who we are - how we think, feel, and love - we are united with Him and in His Being. God loves us so much He wants us to be always in Communion with Him in all that we are.

And here, I end with the great Sacrifice of the Mass where Jesus becomes food and drink for us. Jesus takes a step further in God's act of stooping down to embrace man. He embraces humanity not just spiritually but also physically. Jesus' sacramental presence in the consecrated bread and wine, that is His Body and Blood, is the most corporeal way He is present and consumed by man. Biologically, take in Jesus and His Divine Life whenever we receive communion.

In all these developments of God's relationship with man, from the ancient covenant with Israel to the definitive revelation of Christ, there is that God who call man to communion with Him. He calls him and sets him apart and teaches him how to stay with Him. This is true worship: that man should stay, commune, and in the process become as he was meant to be from the beginning - become like God.