The Word God Spells

Matthew 5: 38-42
2 Cor 6:1-10 / Ps 98

Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
(Matthew 5:42)

Whenever one comes to borrow
We should never refuse to lend;
Who knows where you’ll be tomorrow?
Be glad you’re in the giving end.

In the continuation of His sermon on the mount, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you for your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Reflection

Our Lord’s message of charity and mercy is a recurring theme in all of the four Gospel books. It is because He is the embodiment of the word “Love” itself. In fact, love is the common thread that binds all of Holy Scriptures.

Love means never having to take revenge on your enemies. “When someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.” (Mt.5:39) It also means going beyond the call of duty in order to serve perfectly. “Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.” (Mt.5:41) And hardest of all for many of us, love also means never refusing anyone who comes to beg for money. “Do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

But what does one do when a friend or even just a casual acquaintance comes to ‘borrow’ money for his needs, and the visits become a regular habit (spaced just long enough to give you time to earn or save)? An old friend from boyhood days — let’s call him Bong — surprised me with an unexpected “courtesy call” with his wife one Monday morning. Ashen-skinned and looking much older than his age, he told me that his kidneys were no longer functioning, and he needed to take dialysis sessions twice a week at the regional hospital. Jobless and bereft of any financial options, he and his wife had been going around, visiting friends and acquaintances, and shame-facedly begging for monetary help to pay for his dialysis sessions. “Pakapalan na lang ito ng mukha, Mong.” A little voice inside seemed to whisper, “Love means never having to say ‘I’m sorry…’” so I pulled out my checkbook. His wife started to cry with gratitude and self-pity as Bong shook my hand profusely. Just to console them, I said without thinking, “As long as there is life, whatever the cost, no matter the shame, keep on fighting, Bong. Never give up. God is on your side.”

Sure enough, barely a month later, Bong was back, but this time his wife was not with him. “She is ashamed to come,” he said honestly. For some reason, I didn’t give him the full amount he needed, but he said it was still a big help. Later, I regretted not having “gone the extra mile” for him, and feared that he might just give up because of utter shame. I decided to include Bong in my prayers. A few months passed, and I started to wonder whether Bong was still alive. Didn’t Christ give His everything when I needed to be saved? And didn’t He say, “From those to whom much is given, much is expected”? I still have much to learn about faith and love.

Lord, why do we still hold back when we could have given more? Every act of charity is an opportunity that we must perform wholeheartedly for Your love. Amen.

John 15:18-21
Acts 16:1-10 / Ps 100

. . . because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.
(John 15:19)

In ignorance, hatred will thrive,
But not where the Word of God prevails;
Love is alive when all men strive
To spread His Word whate’r it entails.

Jesus told his disciples:“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know Him Who sent me.” (Jn.15:18-21)

Reflection

In the previous verses of Chapter 15 of this Gospel, Jesus talked about love, joy and friendship. Then, quite abruptly, Jesus turned the subject to hatred and the world’s persecution. Thus, from the very start, our Lord impressed upon His apostles that love, joy and friendship (towards all) would characterize His Church. But at the same time, He prophesied to them that the unenlightened world would go against the truth of His kingdom, sowing intrigues and hatred against His followers. These enemies of the Church are those who reject the Word of God, and are therefore ignorant about God and His teachings (“… they do not know Him Who sent Me”).

This hatred against Christianity has remained in the land of our Lord’s birth up to the present time. The war waged by the Jews in the Gaza and West Bank is not just against the Palestinian Muslims, but also against the Palestinian Christians. It has persisted as well in many countries all over the world. Over 200 million Christians are living under the threat of persecution in China, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, North Korea, Pakistan, Iran, Libya, Turkey, Burma and Ethiopia. Most Islamic nations seem to have adopted a fanatical, militant doctrine against all infidels (Christians).

Hatred against Christianity has also taken other forms: in literature and cinema, “The Da Vinci Code”; in media, where religious issues are hardly ever mentioned, unless a scandal is uncovered; in schools, where prayers are discouraged, or outright banned; and in the businessworld, where religion is mocked in the pursuit of mammon. What are we doing about it? Are we going to allow this world to be de-Christianized, or are we going to work harder to proclaim the Word of God in our families and workplaces? Remember, Jesus said, “You do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you.”

We implore You, dear God to increase the spirit of Your love in our land, so that hatred & distrust may disappear, and swords finally beaten into plowshares. Amen.

John 12: 1-11
Isa 42:1-7 / Ps 27:1-3,13-14

You will always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.
(John 12:8)

Darkness and light, sunshine and rain,
Life’s a journey of joy and sorrow;
Laugh away tears, bear with the pain:
There will always be hope tomorrow.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Lazarus’ house in Bethany, where a dinner was given in His honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. Mary took out a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus said. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of Him but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in Him. (John 12: 1-11)

Reflection

On the way to fulfilling His destiny in Jerusalem, Jesus decided to spend His precious last moments with the friends He loved most: Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary. They prepared a feast for Him and His apostles. Martha personally attended to His meal, and Mary brought out the most expensive ointment to annoint Him as Messiah and King. But in the midst of love and merriment, there will always be a fly in the ointment: Judas and the chief priests. If the three siblings represented love, true fellowship, caring and the reincarnated life, Judas and the religious leaders represented greed, hypocrisy, envy, hatred and death.

Today’s Gospel is a scene of stark contrasts, displaying the best and the worst in men. Mary’s act of genuine love for Jesus elicited a response of false charity for the poor from Judas. The fragrance of the perfume filled the air, but so did the vile odor of envy and hatred from the chief priests, who plotted the death of Jesus and Lazarus. The irony is not lost on us that in the midst of the festivities, in the presence of the person He brought back to life, Jesus would predict His own death by saying, “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.”

The culmination of Lent brings us face to face with the reality that life here on earth will always be a dichotomy. As sure as night follows day, and vice versa, after the joys and merriment comes the inevitability of parting and sorrow. Love is present, but hatred lurks not far behind. If we have the light of truth, it is almost certain that there is also a shadow of hypocrisy. And as we enter the seeming darkness of the passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can only thank God for the hope that these will also bring forth His victorious Resurrection, and our promised salvation.

Help us, Father God, to prepare ourselves in commemorating the passion and death of Your Beloved Son, as befits His faithful followers, in penance and mortification, and in genuine love for “the poor who will always be with us.” Amen.