Love One Another

Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13)

How do we make the call to love one another REAL in our lives? Before our loved ones pass away, it is important to take the time to speak to them, tell them we love them, that we will be okay, and give them time to tell us what’s in their heart. 

In the same way, before Jesus was crucified, what He did and said was very important. He washed each of His disciples’ feet and said, "Do you understand what I have done for you? Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you...Now that you know these things, YOU WILL BE BLESSED if you do them."

And then, after a little while he said, "A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love."

Why a new commandment, when the Jews were already instructed to "love thy neighbor as thyself?" (Leviticus 19:18) Is it not because we are to love as Jesus loves, not as we love ourselves? Many of us do not know how to love ourselves. We can be over critical. We want to change the way we look, the way we speak, the way we act, the way we perform our work. We get frustrated with ourselves. We usually think that what we are, what we are capable of, is never enough. We do not accept ourselves unconditionally. I know there are some people who even hate themselves! 

That's why Jesus says, "Look at me. Look at the way I love you. Look at my commitment to you. It does not depend on how you look, your achievements, your worthiness. I accept you for who you are. Even if you fail again and again. Even if you see yourselves as thin or fat, or white or dark, or timid, or dumb. I love you. I died for you. I want to help you to grow, to mature, to use all your gifts, not only for My glory, but because that is how I can bless you."

The first step to loving others, is to know God's love for us. He loves us unconditionally, eternally!

Faith Matters

“... and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.” Acts 11:26

There have been many plagues and epidemics that have ravaged the human race throughout history. Seven million people have died from the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak as of last year. The Antonine plague in A.D. 165-180 may have killed over 5 million people in the Roman Empire and decimated their army. In A.D. 541-542, the bubonic plague killed almost 10% of the world’s population and marked the start of the decline of the Byzantine empire. Then there was the infamous Black Death in 1346-1353, seven years of devastation that changed the course of European history. Bodies were buried in mass graves. An estimated 500 million  people died from the Spanish Flu from 1918-1920. Some communities almost became extinct. And the list goes on. 

But wherever there is pain and trials, there the Christians go bravely. In one French account of a plague, it is written, “The nuns in one hospital, having no fear of death, tended the sick with sweetness and humility. New nuns replaced those who had died, until most had died. Many times renewed by death, they now rest In peace with Christ.” This selfless nursing tradition developed in the early years of Christianity. In his book, “The Triumph of Christianity”, sociologist and historian Rodney Stark makes the powerful case that the main reason why Christianity flourished while Roman paganism dwindled in the 1st to 4th centuries was because of the care Christians gave toward those who were sick and suffering. While well known Roman healers like the classical physician Galen fled the city of Rome for their country estates, benevolent Christians stayed and ministered to the sick and dying. 

Rodney Stark wrote, “What went on during the epidemics was only an intensification of what went on every day among Christians… Indeed, the impact of Christian mercy was so evident that in the fourth century when the emperor Julian attempted to restore paganism, he exhorted the pagan priesthood to compete with the Christian charities. In a letter to the high priest of Galatia, Julian urged the distribution of grain and wine to the poor, noting that “the impious Galileans [Christians], in addition to their own, support ours, [and] it is shameful that our poor should be wanting our aid.” But there was little or no response to Julian’s proposals because there were no doctrines and no traditional practices for the pagan priest to build upon…. Christians believed in life everlasting. At most, pagans believed in an unattractive existence in the underworld. Thus, for Galen to have remained in Rome to treat the afflicted during the first great plague would have required far greater bravery than was needed by Christian deacons and presbyters to do so. Faith mattered.”

Yes, faith matters, today more than ever. As Christians we are called to be loving, generous and merciful, like Christ. The COVID pandemic may be over, but what Mother Teresa said when she was alive still holds true. “The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty -- it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There's a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.”

This is not only a problem for the West. Many of our young people experience anxiety and depression, and our country’s suicide rate is estimated at 5.4 deaths per 100,000 people. About 12.5 million of our countrymen experience mental health issues. We ourselves may not be equipped to deal with these serious challenges but we can surely pray in faith, encourage one another, and give generously, of our time and resources, as much as we are able, to those in need.

Giving Thanks!

“Then will I go in to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy;

Then I will give thanks upon the harp, O God, my God!” Psalm 43:4

It is easy to give thanks and praise to God when everything is all going well. It is more challenging when we feel everything is caving in on us. 

How can we think God is good if He allows us to undergo so much pain? My 95 year old aunt died in the hospital a few days ago. We just brought her for pneumonia in one of her lungs but it quickly progressed to sepsis. She had to undergo many tests, and she was unhappy about all the tubes and the BiPap oxygen concentrator. The last straw was when the doctor wanted to insert a nasogastric tube through her nose to feed her. She just refused it even if the doctor said she absolutely needed it to get better. 

I personally think all of life is a journey with God asking us along the way, “Do you trust me?", “Do you believe what I said to you in the letter I wrote to you, the Bible?", “Do you follow my instructions which are ALL for your good?"

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERY situation, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will GUARD your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."Philippians 4:4-7

This is what God says we should do if we want His peace! Easy to do? No!!!

It goes against every natural law, but God's ways are different from ours, His economies are different, His thinking is different! BUT He made us, He loves us and He gave us our instruction manual. If we want to live the way He intended us to, we need to read it and follow it. 

I am sure my auntie Cora is with the Lord already. She is in a much better place after a life of loving the Lord, trusting Him and thanking Him for His goodness! 

My Sheep Hear My Voice

“My sheep hear my voice...” John 10:27

Sometimes it is difficult to hear the voice of God. The world clamors for our attention every day. One of my constant memos to myself is “Word before the world”. That means that before before I open my phone, before I answer the hundred and one things calling me, I go before God, thank Him, read and ponder His word, and just be with Him. I am not always successful. 

But God is always waiting. The Lord said that He is the good shepherd, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” On the 4th Sunday of Easter, the Catholic Church celebrates Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus is our Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep. Although a lamb is lovable and cuddly, it is not exactly a compliment to be compared to sheep! Sheep are quite dumb, short sighted, stubborn, and defenseless. They gather in groups and really need someone to guide them because they can't take care of themselves. They move all together in a herd. In 2006, 400 sheep fell into a 15 meter deep ravine and died because of this instinct.

When I read this passage, I always remember my husband Luigi’s story of his encounter with sheep. He asked a shepherd if he could feed his sheep. The shepherd said, "That's my problem. Even my son can't feed them. They only recognize my voice!" True enough, when Luigi tried, the sheep did not come. He would approach them and the sheep would move away. Then when the shepherd called, they came right away!

Sheep who know a good master's voice and follow him, will be taken care of. But sheep who follow the wrong voice can end up in a ravine!!!!

Lord, may I know Your voice and follow You. I hold on to Your promise that no one can take me out of Your hand.

Why are You Persecuting Me?

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Acts 9:4

What must Saul have been feeling when Jesus burst into his reality? Saul was so sure he was doing God’s will. He watched as Stephen was stoned to death. He was zealous in rounding up the new followers of Christ, bringing them to Jerusalem in chains and throwing them in jail. But God did not allow him to continue. On the road to Damascus, a brilliant light flashed from the sky and he fell to the ground. “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 

“Who are you, Sir?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting!”

 

I wonder how many times Saint Paul told his conversion story, and to how many people? It was certainly dramatic, and did not need any embellishing. How many people were spellbound and turned to God because of listening to him? What marked him as a man that God wanted on His side? Perhaps it was his passion and bravery. Whatever he did, he did with conviction. God doesn't want us to be lukewarm, sitting on the fence, waiting to see which side will win. I am sure if he was alive today, Saint Paul would not be intimidated by trolls. 

Saul never saw Jesus, never touched Him, never knew Him. Yet Jesus accused, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Jesus was the man Saul arrested, had chained and scourged. Jesus was the woman Saul had dragged into prison. Jesus is the maid we talk harshly to. Jesus is the beggar we ignore. Jesus is the employee we vent our anger on. Jesus is the Christian persecuted in China we do not even pray for. Jesus is the baby in the womb with no voice we do not fight for. Jesus is the hungry child in Payatas we do not feed.

 

Lord, how many times have I, like Saint Paul, persecuted You? Open my eyes, like You opened Saul's, and make me see what I can do for You and Your people. 

How Can I?

“Do you really grasp what you are reading?" "How can I," the man replied,"unless someone explains it to me?" Acts 8:30-31

Philip was one of the seven men, along with Stephen, who were chosen to distribute bread to the widows and the community. Like Stephen, it was important to him, not only to give bread, but also the bread of life. In this chapter of Acts, he is instructed by an angel to go to the desert. There he meets an Ethiopian eunuch, a treasurer of the Queen of that country. This man was reading Isaiah and Philip asked him if he understood.

 "How can I unless someone explains it to me?" the man answered. Philip then took the opportunity to tell him about Jesus. “Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this Scripture passage, he proclaimed Jesus to him,“ we read from the same passage of scripture. How blessed this Ethiopian man was that God sent someone to teach him! 

Back then, it took a movement of the Spirit for someone to know about Christ. The Holy Spirit directed Philip to go to the desert. The Spirit told him to catch up with the man's carriage. After the encounter the Spirit snatched Philip away and the eunuch saw him no more!

But today, there is so much opportunity to read the Scriptures, to understand it, to know more. I love listening to preaching on YouTube, and reading teaching from books. I can search about almost any topic about the word of God and like the eunuch, find living water in the desert!

Amazing Martyrs

“Saul was going everywhere to devastate the church." Acts 8:3

Chapter 8 of the Book of Acts begins with a lot of drama: "A great wave of persecution began that day (after Stephen was stoned). sweeping over the church in Jerusalem." Only the drama was very real, just as it is in the Middle East were people are being martyred, in China where the underground church flourishes in secret, in India, in Africa. 

Francis Chan tells of when he visited China, and visited an underground training place for young missionaries, aged 18-25 years old. He asked them to tell him stories. One young girl said that once she had to hide from government officials and she was so happy she was skinny, because she had to squeeze in between two boards. She could hear them looking around and she prayed hard her back pack would not be seen.  Another guy told him that there were 14 of them, and 3 govt. officials, and they just ran while they were being shot at.  They were puzzled that he was so hungry for their stories. 

"Why do you want us to tell you stories?" they asked. "Because you're all amazing!" he answered.  "Why are we amazing? Jesus said if we follow Him, we will be persecuted. Isn't it like that in your country?"  

And Francis Chan told them that where he comes from, people choose their church on the basis of how the songs are sung, or if there's parking, or if they like the people going there.  And while he was saying these things, the kids were laughing hysterically!

Yes, persecution and martyrdom are happening in many places of the globe today, just as it did in Jesus' time. This does not make sense to us. But Jesus did warn that "..if they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...because they do not know Him who sent Me."  These martyrs willing to shed their blood for Jesus know Him, know their Father in a very real way.  Because of them, many Sauls are becoming Pauls!

Saint Stephen

As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”; and when he said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:58-59)

Saint Stephen was the first martyr of the Catholic faith. His story is short but very dramatic. When the Church was growing, there were some complaints that some widows were not getting their share of food. It was decided that the disciples would preach the Word, and seven men would be chosen to take care of food distribution. One of these men was Stephen. In Acts 6:8, Stephen is said to have performed "amazing miracles and signs". You would think more would have been written about this, but it is just one line, as if this was quite ordinary among the disciples of Jesus.

Apparently Stephen did not merely distribute bread to the members of the Church, or he would not have gotten himself into a whole lot of trouble. Jews from all over would debate with him, and he would be able to defend the faith with wisdom. Some men lied about what he said, and he was brought before the Sanhedrin. In John chapter 6, Jesus told the crowds to "NOT work for perishable food but for food that will last unto eternal life." Stephen made sure to follow what Jesus said. Even before the Sanhedrin, he spoke with conviction, filled with the Holy Spirit, about God's plan through the ages. This infuriated the Jewish leaders and they dragged Stephen out of the city and stoned him. This does not happen today. But are we brave enough to stand up for truth, even if we will get stoned with criticism or censure? Are we willing to spread God's Word in a skeptical world, in the middle of a group of friends who would ridicule us, perhaps? Do we speak up for social justice, for people who are persecuted? Our world is becoming darker and it will get darker still if we do not make our voices heard and shine a light on the works of the enemy. “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" (Edmund Burke) 

Food that Perishes

"Do not work for food that perishes but work for food that endures to eternal life." John 6:27

“Peter, do you love me?" Jesus asked in Gospel of John, Chapter 21. This was after Peter denied him three times. You would think that Jesus would give up on this ungrateful, cowardly, faithless man, but no! Jesus gave him a BIG job, sooo BIG! Jesus asked Peter to love His church!

This gives me a lot of HOPE! It makes me feel that Jesus would still ask me, “Patsy, do you love me?", even after I deny Him in so many small and big ways! Like choosing to read a David Baldacci thriller instead of Scripture or preferring to watch countless art videos instead of fixing my messy room (which is tantamount to fixing my messy life!!!)

One morning in 2013, while my mom and I were talking after mass, there was a man who approached us. He said he was hungry. So we sent our driver off with him with some money to buy food. When the man smiled, for a very split second, like 1/4 of a second, I caught a glimpse of Jesus and I teared up.

What if I hadn't given money to buy food? How many times have I not taken the trouble to think of a way to feed someone? “Do not work for food that perishes but work for food that endures to eternal life." John 6:27

Do You Love Me?

“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” John 21:15, 16, 17

I am reminded of the song in the movie, Fiddler on the Roof, “Do You Love Me?” 

Tevye: Do you love me?

Golde: Do I what?

Tevye: Do you love me?

Golde: Do I love you?

With our daughters getting married and this trouble in the town,

You're upset. You want out. Go inside. Go lie down. Maybe it's indigestion.

Tevye: Golde, I'm asking you a question. Do you love me?

Golde: You're a fool!

Tevye: I know. But do you love me?

Golde: Do I love you?

For twenty-five years, I've washed your clothes, Cooked your meals, cleaned your house, Given you children, milked the cow.

After twenty-five years, why talk about love right now?

Tevye: The first time I met you was on our wedding day. I was scared.

Golde: I was shy.

Tevye: I was nervous.

Golde: So was I.

Tevye: But my father and my father said we'd learn to love each other.

So, now I'm asking, Golde...

Tevye: Do you love me?

Golde: I'm your wife!

Tevye: I know. But do you love me?

Golde: Do I love him?

For twenty-five years, I've lived with him,

Fought with him, starved with him.

For twenty-five years, my bed is his.

If that's not love, what is?

Tevye: Then you love me?

Golde: I suppose I do.

Tevye: And I suppose I love you, too.

Together: It doesn't change a thing, but even so, After twenty-five years, it's nice to know! 

If at the end of my life, Jesus asks, “Do you love me, Patsy?” I can answer, “For all these years, I’ve tried to get to know You, I’ve spoken with You, pleaded with You, strained my ears to hear Your voice, studied Your Word, used my gifts to spread Your Word, if that’s not love, what is?” 

Jesus will ask in His still, small voice that strikes at my heart, “Did you take care of my sheep?” 

Christianity Victorious

"If this endeavor or activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourself fighting against God." Acts 5:38-39

What Jesus started in 30 AD is still going strong today. There are approximately 2.4 billion Christians worldwide. That’s about 31.6% of the global population. It is the largest religion globally, with the three largest groups being the Catholic Church, Protestantism, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Compare that to 1.8 billion Muslims, (more than 25% of the world population), 1.2 billion Hindus, and 535 million Buddhists.

However, just as in Jesus' time, there are forces trying to destroy Christians and Christianity in the world today. Churches are being burned, priests imprisoned, believers beheaded. In the Western world, there seems to be a backlash. Believers who have long been silenced are holding rallies to declare UK a Christian nation. And Justin Brierley, a popular podcaster wrote a book, “The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again”.  There seems to be a new wave of faith and relevance of Christianity. 

What was said by a Pharisee in the Sanhedrin holds true today: “If this endeavor or activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourself fighting against God." (Acts 5:38-39)

We can undoubtedly say that the Church has survived persecution, abuse, scandals, even indifference. The seat of St. Peter is vacant now, but soon, another successor will take his place as Pope. He will be able to look over the Coliseum in Rome where the blood of Christians were absorbed by the sand on the arena floor. Ironically, Christianity is victorious over the once mighty Roman Empire and Emperor Nero who arrested, tortured, crucified, burned alive and fed to the wild animals the followers of Christ. 

Called to Peace

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one Body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Peace can be very elusive if we allow the anxieties and worries of the world to reign in our hearts and minds. But we are called to peace, as it says in Colossians 3:15. Instead of anxiety, we should let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. Easier said than done? 

When my mom was diagnosed with tongue cancer, she would sometimes be very restless and anxious. But I noticed that when I read to her from the Bible, or she would listen to preachers on YouTube, she would calm down and God’s peace would envelope and strengthen her. All her life, she turned to God and His Word. She read through the Bible from Genesis to the Book of Revelation many, many times. I can say my mom was dedicated to the Lord and who found her strength in Him.

I think many of us today have feelings of uneasiness and foreboding about the future. We have concerns about our children. We have apprehensions about the leadership of our country and the coming elections. If it is not that, then we stress about our work, conflicts in relationships, finances or health concerns. Just yesterday my cousin was voicing her disquiet about where the world was headed. She lives in Australia and even she was worried about China’s intentions about her country! But we are instructed to cast our cares, all our anxieties, on God for He cares for us in a very real way. (1 Peter 5:7)

My particular favorite promise is found in Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” We are in the 2nd week of Easter and we are called to rejoice. And what is the promise connected to rejoicing? “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

May we imitate Saint Teresa of Jesus, who wrote, “Nada te turbe”, “Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, everything passes, God does not change, He who has God lacks  nothing.”