September 13, 2012
Thursday
St. John Chrysostom, Bishop, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)
by Rev. Fr. Agapito "Aga" Tarog (Immaculate Conception Parish, Las Pinas)
Afternoon Mass at Megamall, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord
27 "But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. 31 And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. 32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 37 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
HOMILY
The first reading talks about Moses' law that prohibits the eating of meat, which are offered to idols. But for St. Paul, these so-called idols are non-existent. There is only one God. Therefore, if these idols are non-existent, then logically the meat being referred to is offered to no one. But so as not give offense, he would rather not eat meat.
Why did St. Paul do this? It is because Jesus Christ tells us not judge. Because one who judges, automatically uses a criteria for judging. Ang criteria for judging na ginagamit ng mas maalam ay yong kanyang kaalaman, as opposed to the person who has less knowledge. So hindi pareho ang criteria na ginagamit. Gumagamit tayo ng di parehong panukatan. Kaya sinasabi ni St. Paul, when you judge, you are committing a sin for judging a person who does not share your criteria.
As an example, how do you treat a toddler - isang batang malikot, makulit. And then all of a sudden natabig niya ang pinakamamahal mong paso. Nabasag 'yong paso. How would you treat the toddler? Hahampasin mo ba siya ng latigo? Hahagupitin mo ba siya? Yes or no? Who says hahampusin ninyo ang bata ? Wala. Why? Because the toddler knows less. Wala siyang kaalam-alam. So it is not reasonable for us to impose our criteria on somebody who does not share our criteria. When we judge, we fall into sin.
It is correct to teach a person who has less knowledge. But the question is - how do we teach that person, who is considered weak and fragile? The moment that we come on strong in correcting people who are considered weak and fragile and sensitive, there is a great possibility na sa halip na matulungan natin ang tao in his weakness and fragility, baka lalo pa tayong maka-cause ng kanyang pagkasira, as they may take offense from us.
This is the reason why St. Paul decided not to eat the meat - so as not to offend the other party, to whom the blood of Jesus has also been poured. That is why he says, "Knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up."
Now how do we teach the ignorant? Ang linaw po ng ebanghelyo. Sabi ni Kristo, "love your enemies". Minsan ang mga enemies ay kulang sa pagmamahal. And therefore, the best way to teach them is to let them feel loved. Ipadama natin ang pagmamahal nang maramdaman nila ang difference between their state and the one who gives them love. Do good to those who hate you. The people who hate, have less good. Therefore Christ is trying to tell us - do not hate the ones who hate you, dahil ang ibibigay mo ay ganoon din - mayroon na sila noon eh. Ibigay mo sa kanila 'yong wala sila - pag-ibig at kabutihan. Bless those who curse. The Christian should opt to fill them up with blessings so that as they are filled up with blessings, they will know what it means to bless, rather than to curse.
In the end, God is telling us - let us be careful in judging one another, because we do not necessarily share the same standard or sets of values. Let us build up others, rather than destroy them - and the most effective way is to give love. And a complete application of that love is a sincere and conviction-filled practice and witnessing of our faith or what we believe - so that this becomes a channel for the other one to be filled with what they lack. Let us put our faith in action - so that those who have less may be able to follow the good, for the glory of God.
St. John Chrysostom – Pray for us
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