OF FENCES AND BRIDGES: THE CARPENTER'S STORY

The said story was told during one of Fr. Sanjay’s Sunday homily. Though the Bible passage is different I just hope the lesson is universal enough to realize the importance of bridges not fences.

A TALE OF TWO BROTHERS

Two brothers had a long-time feud.  Ironically, they lived practically beside each other with the exception of their lands being divided by a river.

One day the older brother hired a carpenter to add tall fences so that to truly send off to his younger sibling that he has no intentions of ever reconciling with him.

With complete trust, the older brother left for a business trip and allowed the carpenter to work on the said fences.

OF BRIDGES NOT FENCES

A few days passed, the older brother went home and the sight of a bridge towards his brother’s land infuriated him.

As he angrily spoke to the carpenter, his younger brother came running towards them and embraced him telling him how sorry he was about their long-time fight.

With tears in his eyes, the younger brother knelt and asked for his older brother’s forgiveness.  The bridge, the younger brother told him, was the signal that his older brother was willing to take him and forgive him.

Moved by his younger brother’s gesture, the older brother hugged him back and was moved with tears and compassion and told his younger brother how he was sorry that he allowed pride to engulf him.

As the two brothers were reunited, the older brother realized the importance of the bridge that the carpenter built. 

As he was about to express his gratitude towards him, the said worker disappeared and at that moment both brothers realize that God had paved the way for them to reconcile.

FORGIVING HIS EARTHLY FATHER

St. Francis of Assisi may have been boxed and beaten by his own father Pietro di Bernardone, and what was worst was the public humiliation of bringing him in front of the Bishop’s tribunal and was accused as a thief.

But instead of retaliating and fighting back, St. Francis infused so much by the love of the Heavenly Father opted to extend his understanding, forgiveness and wisdom of the situation.

He accepted his fate, embracing it as to not to create any bitterness to create a fence to surround him against his father Pietro.

Though Pietro may not have accepted what his son has become after that, St. Francis’ generous and humble nature and example taught people the value of forgiveness despite being ostracized.

3 GODLY WAYS FOR A PROSPEROUS BUSINESS

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

 - Matthew 5: 44-45King James Bible

The following is another homily by Fr. Sanjay. I placed a different verse from the Gospel it was first based on.

A man went up to the Parish Priest as he had a dilemma.

He told the Parish Priest that his grocery and mini-department store business is growing but said he has now  a competitor who put up the same type of business and built his own grocery/department  store across the street.

The man said he had been God-fearing until now and has been active with the Church.  He is troubled and befuddled by the site of this unwanted threat to his business.

He wants God’s blessings without offending the Lord by the burgeoning bitterness in his heart.  He asked the priest how God could possibly help him to be a good business man without holding a grudge.

The Parish Priest provided him with 3 important ways for his business to prosper.

1.        Offer your prayers to God and ask Him to guide you in your endeavors.
2.     Pray for your competitor for him to have a prosperous business.
3.     Help other people through your business.

Upon hearing this, the businessman was in distraught.

He can do the first and third task but he is baffled with the 2^nd one. How can he pray for his competitor’s business to prosper when he himself needed the prayers.

The businessman thanked the priest and left with a heavy heart.

FIVE YEARS PASSED…

The Parish Priest was soon assigned to a different community but after five years, he was asked to visit his former parish and celebrate mass there.

The businessman who came to him for advice gladly approached him after the mass and invited him to come visit his store.

As the Parish Priest arrived, he saw the businessman’s grocery and department store towering with so many floors and teeming with customers.  He saw the neighboring competitor’s store across the street practical dwarfing in terms of clients and building façade.

He asked the Parish Priest that he took his advice, though at first with some hesitancy but told him that soon he learned to pray gladly for his competitor and share his blessings.

The parish priest that is one of the secrets of the universe, whatever you give out in good and loving heart comes back to you a hundred folds.

ST. FRANCIS WITH THE SULTAN AND THE FRANCISCAN ORDER

St. Francis may not technically became a famous knight and crusader during medieval times, but his own crusade of bringing to people, including the Papal Army’s enemies, the word of God’s bore so much fruit.

During the crusades in the Holy Land, only St. Francis was able to have an audience with the Sultan and left the Arab camp without a scratch.

The Sultan may not have converted for the sole reason both he and St. Francis may not come alive from the Muslim/Arab army encampment but St. Francis humility, generous spirit inspired and changed the Sultan in more ways than one. 

He is the only Christian that the Sultan trusted and admired and for that his safe passage in and out of the Muslim/Arab territory during the crusades, the successful audience and preaching of St. Francis in pagan territory is one of the best victories he won for God. 

More victories came for this simple man who began with utmost poverty, who practically had nothing wholly gave his heart to others, enemies and friends alike.  It is no wonder, that until now, the Franciscan order which he established and started with 11 men with him being the 12^th, like disciples of the Christ in this new era, the Altus Christus Franciscan family grew in number both in the religious order and in the laity.

Today, the Franciscan order is the biggest religious order in the country.

GENEROSITY ABOUND

Loving your enemies is something really hard to do but not impossible. What you give out into the world comes back to you a hundred fold.

If forgiveness and love is sent into the world especially to your enemy, you may rest assure your rewards are far better than you expect.

FALSE, FIRST IMPRESSIONS AND BASELESS, ESTABLISHED PERCEPTIONS

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 

 - Luke 18 1-11, King James Bible

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13But go ye and learn whatthat meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 

 - Matthew 9: 10-13, King James Bible

The following is based from a good homily again by Fr. Sanjay, OFM. Cap. The Bible verse isn’t from the Gospel of the week but I deemed it appropriate for this entry.

A head doctor of a remote hospital was given a chance to decide on whom to give the special and scarce formula for an incurable disease.

He was given four candidates – a politician, a social worker, a father and movie star.

If you were the doctor, on the on-set to whom you should give this coveted formula?

RASH DECISIONS

When this homily was given, Fr. Sanjay threw the question to us. Some of those he asked gravitated to the preliminary decision of giving it to the father and the social worker.

But then, Fr. Sanjay introduced another character that may affect our choice of recipient.

THE ASSISTANT DOCTOR’S SUGGESTION

Before we truly decide, that is if we were in the Head doctor’s shoes, the assistant doctor has an important suggestion that we might like to take in.

We need to investigate the actual lives of these people.

HIDDEN STORIES

The politician is a man who goes out of his way to make sure he provides his constituents the best aid there is in terms of providing projects to help the senior citizens, educational aid for students.

For the social worker, she is known to collate the donation money for projects of her foundation and though she does her job, she is seen with so many high-tech gadgets, ultra-fashionable clothes after every project is done. Rumor has it she gets part of the donation funds and puts it inside her pocket.

The father of four children is known to physically abused his children, drink every night, and makes his own children work for him despite that they are all minors.

The movie star is flighty yes, but she is known to have join the fight for many causes and have done her own philanthropic projects.

After hearing this, who do you think the doctor believe is worth saving.

ST. FRANCIS BEFORE THE POPE

There were attempts of St. Francis to talk to Pope Innocent III. Perhaps the heads of the Church then belittle the “Il Poverello” and his Lesser brothers with their impoverished looks.

But after the Pope dreamt of a collapsing Church and realize that the poor man who was trying to keep the Church intact was St. Francis, his eminence recognize St. Francis as the very thing that the Church needs in a time where God’s family is tarnished by Glory and Gold.

Pope Innocent III did not only allow the young impoverish man to have an audience with him but also believe and have faith in this young man who is beyond the usual gentlemen seen during the middle ages.

NEVER JUDGE A BOOK

In life, we are surrounded by decisions. Sometimes first impressions or worst established perceptions have often clouded our judgment in making choices.

After all, a very old saying goes: “Never judge a book by its cover” because you never know who they really are until you truly make an effort to know them.

INSPIRED BY JOYCE: HOW TO HANDLE SUFFERING

41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  

-Luke 22: 41-43 (King James Bible)

Aside from change, suffering will always be part of one’s personal history. Whether suffering would make us a better or bitter person, it’s really up to us how we deal with it.  We know that suffering will come to us one way or another, but how do we conquer and be triumphant in the end, let God through Joyce Meyer show us the way.

This one is based from one of Fr. Sanjay OFM. CAP. homily but my disclaimer is I used a different passage for this.

A LITTLE GIRL NAMED JOYCE

Joyce was like any young girl innocent and filled with dreams, until one day her life was shattered when she was physically and sexually abused by her own father. Everyday she was afraid when her father would arrive, expecting the worse.

Soon she ran away from all of it.

She grew-up and fell in love. Believing that he would take care of her, they got married but soon this man left her.

Devastated and lost, Joyce prayed her heart and soul to Jesus Christ, open her wounds for Him to heal. In time, God healed her. The more she cling to God, enriched her life with God’s word, life didn’t all got better but became a blessed one.

Now Joyce spreads the Word of God unceasingly with her different ministries. She wrote books, known as one of the most respected people in the media industry and to the world – her name is Joyce Meyer.

HANDLING SUFFERING

Typically, as per Fr. Sanjay’s homily, people would handle in three different ways.  We get angry, we get depressed or we become afraid and run away from it in different ways.

When suffering comes are way there are two basic steps to handle it.

STEP 1: To go to God, pray and give your problems to Him.

STEP 2: To cling to God, and he will give you strength and courage to face your problem.

That's what Joyce did and that's what Jesus did as well.

IN FRONT OF THE BISHOP

Francesco Bernardo was brought in front of Bishop Guido by his own Father, Pietro Bernardone, who accused him of stealing from him. Despite the possibility of being ostracized, Francesco clung to God’s love, believe and follow what the Father in Heaven wanted him to do.

Despite adversity, Francesco held on to God and His word for the rest of his life as he spread God’s word against all odds. There were times he did not understand why things happened but he continued to be God’s instrument of peace and love.

God will never take away your problem and suffering but He gives you strength to handle and overcome them.

BEST GIFT FOR CHRIST: TEARS FOR HEAVEN

“Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”  - Luke 7:44

God was looking for the best gift to give Christ on his birthday. He sends three of his Archangels Gabriel, Michael and Raphael to look for the best possible gift that Christ would love.

Another of Fr. Sanjay’s  OFM. CAP.,  homily.  I would like to share this wonderful story as it is a beautiful allegory.

JESUS CHRIST’S birthday is up and coming, and the Lord, God the Father, has a dilemma, He doesn’t know the best gift to give His beloved Son. To aid God with his predicament, God asks his three Archangels – Gabriel, Michael and Raphael to look for the best gift for Christ.

Archangel Michael went first. Knowing Christ is the Good Shepherd, he looks for a newly born sheep and went back to heaven to present his gift.

Archangel Raphael went next and knew that children are close to the Savior’s heart that he took a newly born child to give to Jesus.

Archangel Gabriel had the hardest time looking for a gift as the other Archangel Michael and Raphael had presented two of the best gifts Christ would surely love.  So Archangel Gabriel went to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes hoping to bring a righteous person before Christ.

As he went there he was troubled because he was having difficulty making his choice because everyone was righteous, so Archangel Gabriel kept walking around the shrine until he heard someone cry from one of the confession room. 

Archangel Gabriel went inside the confession room and saw a repentant sinner crying and asking forgiveness for his sins. Moved by these tears, Archangel Gabriel cupped his hands and caught those tears and brought them to heaven.

All three Archangels presented their gifts before God and waited for Christ to arrive.

In a long way, Christ saw all three gifts from afar. As he saw Archangel Gabriel’s gift, he immediately rush to him and took the tears of the repentant sinner.

THE SUBASIO EXPERIENCE

It has been a year since the event of Spoleto happened wherein God asked Francesco Bernardone  to go back to Assisi and there await what God wants him to do next.  The young Bernardone received silence and more silence during that year-long hiatus and he became restless.

To fight his anxiety, he went to Mt. Subasio. There he would vent all his frustrations and during these long hours alone, he asked God to let God showing His sinful heart or He will break, and God told him break.

He told Francesco that not because He wants the young man to suffer, but for Francesco to realize that his sinful, face his sins, repent and go back to God.

In our lives we reach our breaking point.  There are times this is due to our pride of thinking we can do things alone and decide to do things that even if it’s against what is good. But God and Christ always love a repentant heart more so for those who humbled themselves. His arms are always open for us for the simple He loves us.

This Holy Week, we have to remember about Christ love for us that  it was for our sins that He died for us. He never hated us for sinning, He went to the world to bring us back to the light.

HOW TO CORRECT THE CHILDREN (AND PEOPLE) THE RIGHT WAY, THE JESUS WAY

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." - John 15:12

Have you ever been inspired by your teacher. Just like most of us, my first teacher was my mom and my dad but there were also others who encouraged me too along the way.  In life when trials come, we get to meet more and more people who will aid us in our life. This is an ode to them.

One of the most rewarding but difficult task in life is to correct children (and even adults). Now that I'm a teacher as well, I get to understand more how to deal with kids (and people) - by following Christ as pointed out by Fr. Sanjay today.

This blog entry is once again based from his homily today, though I took a different scripture passage which is more apt.

THREE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS OF DISCIPLINING KIDS


1st Scenario Catherine's ordeal:
Catherine is an atheist and practically hates the Church and Catholicism. Why? When she was young, she missed one mass because she was tempted to join a group of girls who egged her not to go to Church. After an hour, she returned home only to be punished by her dad. Her dad asked her to stay at the street, do the sign of the cross by licking the pavement. Since then, she refused to be acquainted with Christianity.

2nd Scenario Vincent's plight
Vincent had everything in life. He asked for the latest technical gadget, his parents would easily give in to his wishes. When he destroys it the following day, after receiving it, his parents simply dismiss it and gets him another one. When Vincent asked for a motorbike, as always, his parents would provide him such luxury. And as soon as he gets his new toy, he immediately brandishes in the streets without paying attention to rules or speed. The parents simply accept his actions because they think he is simply young and free to do what he likes. No sooner then expected, Vincent died of a motorbike accident.

3rd Scenario John's father
John's father was summoned by the school principal to be informed of his son's truancy. John had not been going to school for almost a month. (In the hindsight: the reason for John's absences is due to the fact that his teacher severely punishes him by asking him to kneel outside the classroom for minor offenses)

Instead of severely punishing John, John's father had his son sit down across him, look him in the eye and said:
"John, my son, I was called by your principal today because of your almost a month long absence."

John's father then continues, "I'm not much disappointed about your absences, what I'm really hurt the most is that why you didn't tell me. I was hurt that I had to find out from another person what has happened. Had you come up to me, we could've find ways to see what we can do about it.

"It also hurts me," John's father pressed on with utmost sincerity and tears in his eyes, "to see you not go to school when I know you are a talented and smart person. I feel sad because I know you have sot much potential and your ruining it for not going to school."

This has changed John a great deal. Inspired and encouraged by the incident, John not only graduated from College but has been top of his class ever since and now works as one of the top honchos in an I.T. company.

TEACH LIKE JESUS


While one is never too old to be young, children are not the only ones that has to keep on learning and being corrected? But how do you correct a person?

Just like Jesus embrace that person 10x and correct him once. Appreciate, encourage and fill the person with positive notions before you dealt with their areas of opportunities.

FRANCESCO AS A TEACHER


Just like St. Francis of Assisi, when some of the lesser brothers doesn't wish to follow the life of celibacy, St. Francis never condemned them, in fact told them that God blesses every vocation whether it be religious, single blessedness or married life. Such openness and understanding led to the third Franciscan Order - the lay people - they follow Christ through the example of St. Francis of Assisi.

GOLDEN RULE IMPROVED


Treat others as you treat yourselves, correct them as you would correct yourself - but Christ provides a more compassionate - love, treat and correct the way He did - full of understanding and hope.

THE FOUR FACES OF FEAR: FOUR BOYS AND A LION

"And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"  - Matthew 14: 31

When your life gets discombobulated, and fear sets in who do you call? Definitely not the ghostbusters!

Have you ever come face to face with your own fear? I'm sure you have, all of us had at least more than once in our life. There's nothing wrong if you fear something, it's a normal and natural reaction. What's wrong is when you forget that there's always THAT SOMEONE who will  be with you in those trying and fearful times. Once again this is one of Fr. Sanjay's Sunday homilies which I would like to share to the world.

FOUR BOYS AND A LION

There were four boys who were brought to the nearby community zoo. Four boy who had the privilege to be presented in front of the King of the Beast - the lion.

 Four boys, one beast. How did they fare?

The first boy immediately ran away.

The second boy froze and couldn't move and needed to be taken to the zoo clinic to check.

The third boy, clung to his mother, stayed and said. "Mom I'm afraid of the lion but I'm fascinated by it as well. Please stay with me, give me strength as I look at it."

The fourth boy bragged as he stayed and tried to spit on the lion and said "I'm not afraid of you?"

Of all the four boys, who do you think handled the situation well?



If the lion represents the thing you fear the most, are you like the first boy who ran away? The second boy who simply froze and just waited for someone else to rescue you? Perhaps the braggart fourth who even spit on the lion, but deep inside is scared to death or do you think the third boy is the best and bravest of all?

The third one is the best one because he acknowledged his fear, he stayed there but most of all he was not afraid to ask his mother's help (by holding her hand).

THE NOT-SO BRAVE ST. FRANCIS

In times of fear and doubt, we have to learn to hold on to God's hand and never doubt.

Just like St. Francis of Assisi who had so many things that were troubling him, there was a time that he had to "retreat to the mountains of La Verna, Italy to ask God for help.

During that time he continuously fear what's happening with the Order of the Lesser Brothers as the group is being divided into two factions. There was also the fear of losing his sight as he was slowly getting blind and it really didn't help that the devil kept tempting St. Francis while the latter is fasting and seeking God in Mt. La Verna. And yet despite all these fears and problems, the Seraphic Father held on to his faith, prayed earnestly and never once succumbed to the devil's proposals.

When you're afraid don't let the clouds of doubt envelop you and cover your view. Breathe in and out and clasp your hand  in prayer and surely Someone is ready to reach out. You just only have to believe and have faith in God to be there.