Moments

The story is told about a dog that was good in math. “What is 1 x 1?”  it would be asked, and it would bark once. “What is  1 x 2?” It would bark twice. One night a drunk stopped at the dog’s cage and asked: “What is one million x one million?” It started barking, and according to the story, the poor dog is still barking up to now, so weak and tired, yet still barking.

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In today’s Gospel (Lk. 9, 11b-17), we hear about the multiplication of the loaves and fish by Jesus for the 5,000 men who ate and were satisfied. We must believe, and keep on believing, that miracles do happen. In our poverty, in our littleness and sinfulness, we must not give up because we have a powerful, a generous, and a loving God.

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Today is the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, the Feast of Corpus Christi. The Eucharist is the food for our spiritual nourishment which is to be multiplied and given to all. It is also a sign of oneness and unity, a communion with Christ and with one another that should overflow into loving service. The Eucharist is the source of our union and mission. The love of God and for the Eucharist should move us to become loving disciples and missionaries.

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The Eucharist should not just be a devotional or emotional experience. And so it is that there are people who are so Eucharistic, but end up still egoistic, unkind, and antagonistic. True devotion to the Eucharist is not so much about doing something for God as about really listening to God and allowing Him to do something through us.

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It was a privilege for me to concelebrate a thanksgiving Mass on the 60th wedding anniversary of Avelino and Carmen Teaño, both 92, who raised their nine children in a Marian and Eucharistic home. Hard and honest work and prayers are the key to their happy, peaceful, and meaningful home. One of the fruits of their union is Fr. Thad Teaño, SVD, who spent 16 years of his priestly life as a missionary in Mexico, and is now a formator at Christ the King Seminary. One with you in prayer and thanksgiving for being a living Eucharist in our midst.

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I am edified whenever I meet people who not only go to Mass regularly on Sundays but also go the “extra mile” on weekdays as well, whether for Mass or just for some moments before the Blessed Sacrament. It is in those moments of silence and adoration that they experience peace, comfort, and guidance.  Try it. It works. It is a source of true peace which the world cannot give, or take away.

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We congratulate architect Felino “Jun” Palafox, one of the “Heroes of Philanthropy” cited by Forbes Asia who share their material success with society. When we congratulated Jun, who was two years my senior at Christ the King Seminary, his response was: “Proud and grateful of my SVD formation and training in the core values that guide me through life.”  Yes, our Eucharistic values should guide us all through life. In other words, our love for the Eucharistic Lord should overflow to our love for our brothers and sisters.

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When we come before the Eucharist, we realize that there is someone greater than us—greater than our wealth and achievements, greater than our problems, our concerns, greater than our hopes and our plans. Here is a beautiful text message I want to share with you: “God’s plan is always best. Sometimes the process is painful and hard, but don’t forget that when God is silent He is doing something best for us. So stop worrying about useless things, useless problems, and useless heartaches.” Amen!

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Again, in the silence before the Eucharistic Lord, let us listen to God’s Word (Sirach 2:1, 2, 6), especially when we go through any forms of oppression, persecution or pain: “My son, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials… Do not be upset in times of adversity… Hold fast to the Lord and never separate yourself from Him… Accept all that happens to you and be patient when you are humbled… For as gold is tested in the fire, so are those acceptable to God tested in the crucible of humiliation… Trust the Lord, and He will help you.”

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On the Feast of Corpus Christi, please pray for us, your priests. We thank you for your prayers and support for us. We ask for forgiveness for our failures, mistakes, and weaknesses. And we on our part continue to ask the Lord to bless you and lead you toward paths that lead to true happiness and peace.

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On June 8, we as one nation will observe the simultaneous consecration of the Philippines to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in all churches and cathedrals all over our country. Eighty years ago our country was consecrated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Luneta Park on the occasion of the 33rd International Eucharistic Congress (1937). The 51st Eucharistic Congress will be held in Cebu in 2016. Mary leads us to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist leads us toward mission. Let us not lose sight of Mary, the Eucharist, and our mission as we journey on.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to be a living Eucharist, with a life filled with sacrifice and thanksgiving. Amen.