Oblation

Have we Filipinos responded effectively to the call to holiness, and to the mission to bring others to the same holiness?

Reflection for the 5th Sunday of Lent (Cycle B)

If we are yearning to sincerely know and intimately understand the Christ of our faith, it may not easily come through the formulation of abstract conceptualizations, the preaching of doctrine and rules of worship, or the use of intelligent and creative words and arguments.

The best and the least among us will more easily know him through the unconditional and compassionate giving of himself, an exemplary oblation for the upliftment of the forsaken as well as for the renewal of the transgressor.

If not through a direct instruction, others will also have the opportunity to know Christ better through the concerted efforts of those who have learned and committed to unconditionally and compassionately give themselves in humility and obedience, for the total healing of an embittered world.




The witness we bear and give in being “another Christ” to them, is the most effective instrument anyone can use in evangelization, perhaps even more efficacious than instruction itself. There is no better way to teach “selfless love” than “to love selflessly.”

And God will never forget those who have committed — and who will persevere to being committed — to such service for his kingdom. Our willingness to completely offer ourselves in an enduring self-sacrifice for the least of the brethren, will be gifted by the assurance of his divine love and perpetual succor.

The vibrant and continuing life of the kingdom of God is therefore sustained paradoxically by the many courageous decisions, by the numerous individual sacrifices we make daily for our neighbor in need.

- Newsletter -

Such deeds may be seemingly trivial or insignificant; yet if done habitually, small offerings of oneself — inspired by a principled charity and mutual responsibility — will as they say, make our embittered world “a better place to live in.”

Our true happiness lies in the “giving of life,” not in the “taking from life.” Our true happiness — and the glorification of the Spirit who is the Source of life — lies in the exceptional action of the giving up of one’s life in order to triumph over the many unjust occasions when we have taken from the lives of the “ordinary and unwanted poor.”

So, at the very core of our Christian profession is the loving imitation of the self-giving of the Christ who gave himself totally for our sake — there is perhaps no more accurate way to describe what a Christian is and must do.

We must be committed to give love, to share the gifts of our time, talents and treasures, and to dedicate ourselves to the task of becoming “lights” in the darkness of doubt, despair and death.

Indeed, we are all called to become like our Master, oblates for a stricken humanity. We are all called to love a world that is constantly refusing to give back; and to be a symbol of the love that it seeks to keep for itself.

We are all called to “destroy ourselves” in the hope of its glorious rebirth, in which the power of the Spirit will ultimately prevail, and the arrogance of our human race will ultimately be reformed and transformed.

This is the essence of holiness: to live a life not for oneself alone, but for God above all, and in the service of others. It is a life not without pain and suffering, but also not without the happiness of a meaningful life; it inevitably carries with it the holy joy in anticipation of divine love from the Spirit.

The Paschal Mystery of the Christ — the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus — is our perfect model of this life of holiness. We are all called to follow his life of oblation.

As we celebrate this year the fifth centenary of Philippine Christianity, let us reflect: Have we Filipinos responded effectively to this call to holiness, and to the mission to bring others to the same holiness? As the only predominantly Christian country in Asia, have we been good models of Christian charity and solidarity; or are our values already corrupted by the relentless pursuit of quick prosperity, and unrestrained power and prestige?

Father, I may be blinded by my own pride in my numerous achievements; envy for what I still do not have; avarice for a social stature that would make me untouchable; hatred for all those who dare oppose me; lust for getting what I want from those I can exploit; gluttony for all the pleasures I can indulge in before I die; and sloth in searching for the true meaning of life.

I am in total darkness, confused on where life should lead me, afraid of where death will find me. Let your holy face shine upon me and may your light shine through me to those just as confused and afraid, especially to those whom I have sinned against. Hold me now in your tight embrace and lead me to you, where I truly belong!

This is what I truly am and will be — a small, forgettable wisp of existence in your infinite reality. But to you my Beloved, I surrender my smallness so that others may praise your greatness forever!

Amen.

Brother Jess Matias is a professed brother of the Secular Franciscan Order. He serves as minister of the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Fraternity at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mandaluyong City, coordinator of the Padre Pio Prayer Groups of the Capuchins in the Philippines and prison counselor and catechist for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

The views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of LiCAS.news.

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