Why Do Mothers Cry?

New Year's Day
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Luke 2: 16-21: “Mary treasured all these things and reflected them in her heart.”



A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" She told him, "Because I'm a mother." "I don't understand" he said. His mom just hugged him and said, "And you will never understand it." The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why mother cry. Finally he made a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do mother cry so easily?" God said, "When I made mothers I made them very special. I made their shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave them inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from their children. I gave them a courage that allows them to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of their families through sickness and fatigue without complaining. I gave them the sensitivity to love their children under any and all circumstances, even when their children have hurt them deeply. And finally, I gave them tears to shed. This is theirs exclusively to use whenever it is needed" "You see my son," said God, "The beauty of your mother is not in the clothes she wears, or the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of your mother must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart … the place where love resides."

Today is New Year’s Day and yet in the liturgical calendar, we are also celebrating the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. What’s the relevance of Mary as we begin our new year? It dawned on me that in our Filipino tradition, we don’t leave our home without saying goodbye to our parents especially to our mother. We need their blessings and assurance. In my own case, my nanay will never let me go without giving me a bear hug every time I return to New Bilibid Prison or in Zamboanga. It was not just an ordinary hug but an assurance of her support, concern and love as I leave home. I can feel that it pains her every time I say goodbye especially now that she’s all alone in our home; but she knows that I need to go. Why do my nanay cry? I know she wants me to stay home but keeping me will betray her motherhood … letting go her children and allowing us, her children, to find our own destiny.

In our gospel for today, I am sure that Mary had a mother’s instinct that her son is not an ordinary child. From that moment when her seemingly well-planned family life with Joseph was spoiled by the angel’s announcement that she will be the Mother of the God up to this moment where the shepherds “made known the message that had been told them about this child Jesus,” Mary cannot help but be amazed in great awe! The fullness of God’s presence in that inconspicuous “heaven” in a manger was both unbelievable and overwhelming. In this undoubtedly incomprehensible moment where logic and human understanding fail, there is only one thing to do … TO LISTEN. Mary did and kept everything in her heart and reflected them in her heart.

I am sure that Mary had a hunch - her newly born child will give her deep joy but also deep pain and sorrow. I am sure Mary cried every time her son was not in her sight.

Some people say that crying is a sign of weakness. But for those who have experienced letting go (dreams, expectations, and life itself) for righteousness and justice sake, shedding tears is a sign of courage. The battle within us to painfully surrender our own will to the will of God is not easy. It is painful… and tears have to flow. To believe in God is to deny ourselves for the sake of higher values. To believe in God is to continue to feel that inner struggle of “Shall I trust God or myself?” Miguel de Unamuno even said, “Those who believe that they believe in God, but without passion in their hearts, without anguish in mind, without uncertainty, without doubt, without an element of despair even in their consolation, believe only in the God idea, not God Himself.”

Mary felt it. Mary knows her little baby she’s gazing will give her pain as Simeon prophesized, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many, and to be a sign that will be contradicted – and you yourself a sword will pierce – so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” But as a mother, she cannot betray the fullness of her motherhood – to let go of her Jesus, allow him to grow, and find his own destiny (dying on the cross to save us) - even if it will make her cry.

As we enter another year, in the midst of global economic meltdown, increasing poverty, unending arm struggle in Mindanao, family breakdown and personal struggles and uncertainties, we cannot help but seek for some signs of hope in the midst of darkness. We need a shining star to guide us and Mary is the one. She is the Morning Star. Today, we come to her for two reasons: First, we ask for her motherly intercession for guidance and protection for the year. Second, we need an inspiration to face the uncertainties and anxieties of the Year 2009. Like us, Mary’s life was full of contradictions, uncertainties, and doubt, yet she showed us how trust God. We hope that her life will inspire us to follow the same path of leaving our lives in God’s hands. It is consoling to trust our future to someone who holds the future.

In the midst of anxieties and uncertainties in this New Year, there is only one thing to do. Let’s learn from Mary.

Let’s LEARN to STOP and

LISTEN to what the events in our life are telling us,
LISTEN to what people around us are telling us, and most of all,
LISTEN to what God wants us to do.

LISTEN, keep everything in your HEART and REFLECT!

And one day, you will suddenly understand Mary, why do mothers cry, and why you should trust God.





- Fr. Willy M. Samson,SJ
St. Joseph Chapel,
South Greenheights Village, Muntinlupa

Ang Pasko ng Isang Magbabalot

“Balooot! Balooot!” ang malakas na sigaw ni Anton, “sana makarami ako ng benta ngayon nang maibili ko man lamang si Ana ng paborito niyang tsokolate, tinapay,at keso.” Bitbit niya ang kanyang panindang balot na kahahango pa lamang sa balutan. Alas diyes na. Lilimang balot pa lamang ang kanyang naibebenta.
Napatingin siya sa mga naggagandahang bahay na ngayo’y napapalamutian ng naglalakihang parol. Ang mga bintana’y naiilawan nang maliliwanag at makukulay na Christmas light. Malakas na tawanan, masisiglang awiting pamasko, sigaw ng mga batang bihis na bihis at naglalakad sa lansangan. Ito ang namamayani ngayong gabi, bisperas ng Pasko. May kanya- kanyang bitbit ang lahat, pagkain marahil para sa noche buena o di kaya nama’y mga regalo.

“Balooot! Balooot!” ang patuloy niyang sigaw ngunit ang kanyang tinig ay nalulunod ng kasiyahan sa paligid. Matumal ang benta ng balot kung Pasko. Ano nga ba ang balot sa harap ng hamon, keso de bola, kastanyas, at iba pang masasarap na pagkain? Ngunit walang alam na hanap-buhay si Anton kundi magtinda ng balot.

“Balooot! Balooot!” ang kanyang walang sawang sigaw habang naglalaro ang kanyang gunita. “Sayang,” ang kanyang bulalas sa sarili, “pitong taon na at wala pa rin kaming anak ni Ana.” Isang malalim na buntong-hininga ang kanyang pinawalan, “Kung hindi lamang nagkadiperensiya sa kanyang matres si Ana, sana mayroon na akong anak na reregaluhan ng mga damit at laruan ngayong Pasko. Sana mayroon nang sasalubong sa aking pag- uwi ngayong noche buena. Sana.”

Napatingin siya sa isang lalaking nakasalubong niya na may kalung-kalong na batang mahimbing na natutulog.”Buti pa siya… buti pa siya…,” ang bulong ni Anton.

“Balooot! Balooot!” ang patuloy na pagsigaw ni Anton. Minamalat na siya. Alas onse na. Lilimang balot pa rin ang kaniyang naibenta.

“ Ang tsokolate’t keso ni Ana?” ang kanyang bulalas sa sarili, “ Kaming dalawa na naman ba ang kakain nito? Sayang, wala kaming anak.” Pinakinggan niya ang paligid – tawanan ng mga bata ang kanyang naririnig na nanggagaling kung saan saan. Nasabi niya sa kanyang sarili, “Totoo. Ang Pasko ay para sa bata.”

Tumingin siya sa langit – madilim. Pinakiramdaman niya ang paligid – malamig. Tila nakikiramay ang mga ito sa kanyang nararamdaman. Parang ayaw na niyang umuwi sa kaniyang bahay. Ibig niyang magtanong sa Diyos. Nahabag siya sa sarili. Kay Ana. “ Mabuti pa sila… mabuti pa sila,” ang paulit-ulit niyang bulong.

Pagod na siya kasisigaw ng kanyang paninda. Nagsawa na siya. Naisipan niyang umuwi na lamang at mag-noche buena ng balut. Mabagal niyang tinahak ang makipot at mahabang eskinita patungo sa kaniyang bahay. Tahimik ang paligid. Madilim. Malamig.

Walang anu-ano’y isang tinig ng lalaki na nanggagaling sa isang barung – barong ang kaniyang narinig, “ Balot! Balot! Mayroon pa po ba?” Napatawa siya sa sarili. “ Balot, ngayong Pasko? Marahil tulad ko, wala rin siyang pambili ng tsokolate’t keso.” Lumapit si Anton sa bahay ng lalaki, tulad ng bahay niya, ito’y gawa sa pinagtagpi – tagping yerong segunda mano tila galing sa labi ng sunog.

“Buti na lamang at nagdaan po kayo rito. Naghahanap po ng balot ang asawa ko.” Ang sabi ng lalaki, “Pasok po kayo. “ Nagtatakang pumasok si Anton sa maliit na bahay.


Bumungad sa kanya ang isang babaeng nakahiga at yakap –yakap ang isang malusog na sanggol. Kapapanganak lamang ng sanggol. Pawisan ang babae at tila pagod na pagod, samantalang mahimbing na natutulog naman ang sanggol. Mabilis na lumapit ang lalaki, hinalikan sa pisngi ang kanyang bagong anak at marahang tumabi sa babae. Napatitig siya sa kanyang nakita. Namalik – mata. Nakita niyang bigla: Jose. Maria. Hesus. Maya – maya, napansin niyang iniaabot na niya sa babae ang basket ng balot. Isang ngiti ang biglang sumilay sa mukha ng babae nang makita ang balot.

“Regalo ko sa inyo ngayong Pasko,” ang sabi ni Anton, “maaari ko bang mahawakan at mahalikan man lamang ang inyong anak?” Nagkatinginan ang mag-asawa at tumango pagkatapos. Sabik na sabik na kinalong ni Anton ang sanggol at marahang hinagkan ito. Hinaplos-haplos niya ang maselang kutis. Niyakap. Damang-dama ni Anton ang init ng sanggol. Buhay na buhay ito. At pagkatapos, marahan niyang ibinalik ang sanggol sa kanyang inang may pagtataka sa ikinilos ni Anton. Nakabibinging katahimikan ang naghari sa maliit na barong – barong.

“ Si Ana! Oo nga pala, si Ana ko!” ang biglang naibulalas ni Anton, “ Alas dose na pala!” Mabilis na nagpaaalam si Anton at nagdudumaling lumisan. Hindi na niya kinuha ang basket ng balot. Hindi na niya narinig ang lalaking tigib na nagpasalamat.

Mabilis niyang tinahak ang madilim na landas pauwi. Napatingin siyang muli sa langit. Madilim pa rin. Ngunit ngayon lamang niya napansin ang napakaraming bituing kumukutitap at nagbibigay liwanag sa kalangitan.

Malamig pa rin ang simoy ng hangin.Ngunit nadarama pa rin niya ang init ng ngiti ng babae, at ang init ng katawan ng sanggol na dumampi sa kanya.

Narinig pa rin niya ang tawanan ng mga bata. Ngunit naalala niya ngayon si Ana. Tiyak na naghihintay at nag-aalala na ito. Hindi niya maintindihan ang nararamdaman, kakaibang kasiyahan ang namamayani sa kanyang puso.

Naibulalas niya sa kanyang sarili: “salamat Jose. Salamat Maria. Salamat Hesus.” Pasko na.





- ni Fr. Willy M. Samson,SJ
Ateneo de Zamboanga University

Homily for the Wedding of Anna Leah and Ronald Dayupay

One Sunday, Pedro visited his grandparents. His lolo was delighted to see his favorite grandchild. In his excitement, lolo shouted, “Honey! Honnneeyy, your favorite apo is here!” Pedro smiled, “Lolo, you are very sweet, at the age of 80, you still call lola honey!” His lolo smiles and winks at him, “Ssssss…hush! Keep quiet. I’m calling her honey because I already forgot your lola’s name.”

We may be laughing or smiling now. But there is a pinch of reality in the story. Some marriages are on the rocks because couples who promised to hold each other’s hand and be faithful to each other “till death do us part” have forgotten their wedding promise. If there is a global economic meltdown, there is also the crisis of “marriage or family meltdown.”

In your chosen gospel for today, Ronald and Leah, the Lord is exhorting you to remember the following words: REMAIN IN MY LOVE (John 15:9-13). It is also one way of saying, REMAIN IN EACH OTHERS’ LOVE. When a new couple is married, sometimes we have so much expectation from each other. But be aware that love will have a different color and expression after the wedding. Your marriage will be tested to its limit, but if you genuinely love each other and you have accepted one another, your marriage will stand and survive the test of time.

Today, as we witness this celebration of love unfolding in our midst. Ronald and Leah, allow me to walk you through this “walk to married life.” Don’t forget our gospel for today: REMAIN IN GOD’S LOVE… REMAIN IN EACH OTHER’S LOVE. Too much expectation from each other can be blinding. Do not be blinded by the Korean and Pinoy tele-novela love stories, where all love stories should end in “kissing and ringing of bells and they live happily after.” The End.

In marriage, real love story begins when your own “movie-like” love story ends. For you Ronald and Leah, we know that fate brought you together in. As far as I recall, it was during the height of the epidemic SARS when Ronald went home from Taiwan and met Leah again since college. As Ronald would put it, “when I saw her, I felt the “magic feeling” towards Leah that I cannot explain. After that everything went so fast. Now both of you are here. Ready to tie the knot. THE END. Nope, it is not the end but the beginning of something more real and profound – two unique souls becoming one.

All feet on the ground, Ronald and Leah. You need to sustain that “magic” in a different but more profound way. Face the reality, so that you will not be disappointed. Marriage life is like having a cell phone… sometimes you don’t have enough load, sometimes you don’t have enough money or resources. Sometimes it seems there’s “no signal,” then move and do something, find your signal and communicate. Sometimes its low bat … then time to recharge your marriage by returning to your wedding day promise you are doing today - for better or for worst, till death do us part.

The beauty of married life is in journeying together. It is in your journey you will experience different moments of falling in love, falling out love and choosing to love. Married life is a roller coaster ride, it has ups and downs, but do not be afraid, just open your eyes because God is journeying with you. This is the promise and blessing of the sacrament of matrimony.

If Stephen Covey has “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” allow me to share my own “Seven Habits of Highly Happy Marriage” It’s a way of life on how to REMAIN IN EACH OTHER’S LOVE. The Seven Habits of a Happy Marriage are: to see, to listen, to touch, to chat, to pray, to walk, and to live.

To see – Learn to see each other by understanding each other in the eyes of love. Try to see the “You and I” in each other … that from now on, in married life, you are forever united and cannot be separated. You are one flesh.

To listen – Learn to humbly listen to one another. There are still so much to learn from each other. To listen is to know and to know is to understand. Conflicts of ideas may still arise but listen and you will survive any trials of your married life.

To touch – Be sensitive enough to each other and spend time together. Anything you can feel, you can heal. Learn to be sensitive to the needs of each other and you will heal and forgive each other. Console each other when crisis comes and celebrate each other’s joy in times of victories.

To chat – Learn to share stories to one another, even the mundane and boring stories. Ronal and Leah, listen to one another. The problem with married couples now is they don’t know how to listen to each other’s stories. There are lots of “us” to know in the ordinary stories of life.

To pray – Learn to pray together. What you decide in prayer together will determine the quality of your family life. Remember to consult God. If there is a third party allowed in married life, it is HIM. Remember that old sayings, the family that prays together stays together.

To walk – Always walk and work together. After this wedding ceremony, everything you do is a “family project.” It is no longer Tindahan ni Kuya but Tindahan ni Kuya at Ate. There’s no “I” in married life but always “us” and “we.”

To live – Enjoy married life. It is not just raising a family. It is still you Ronald and Leah. It is unfortunate that many couples forgot their friendship when already married. They are so caught up in raising their children. Once in a while find time to do things you love to do together. Food tripping and window shopping in SM. Attend Mass together in this church. Visit your parents together . Eat custard cake together. Clean the KIA car together. Dream of going to US together. Do things you enjoy doing together even if you have already kids. Your friendship is too beautiful to forget after today’s ceremony. After all, your friendship is the foundation of your married life.

Learn to choose to love and fall in love everyday. Say YES to each other everyday. And before you know it, years from now, your children will embrace and thank you for giving them a wonderful family.

It is true that not all marriages are made in heaven. But with your constant and unwavering love and by remembering to see, to listen, to touch, to chat, to pray, to walk, and to live together daily, you will make your marriage and your home, a piece of heaven here on earth.


- Fr. Willy M. Samson,SJ
Our Lady of Assumption Church – Davao City
December 20, 2008

Santa Claus, Manny Pacquiao, and Jesus

3rd Sunday of Advent
John 1: 6-8, 19-28 “He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might
believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to
testify to the light.”



I cannot help but smile when the picture of laughing Old Santa Claus welcomes me at the door of the sacristy in Ateneo de Zamboanga chapel. I know that Christmas is just around the bend! Santa Claus is a very prominent character in our Christmas tradition. I have nothing against Santa, for when I was child, Santa brought thrills and joy when Christmas day comes as I eagerly look forward for his gift under the Christmas tree. Now I know Santa is not real, but he symbolizes joy to me. “He was not the light, but he testified to the light.”

I cannot help but smile again when I recall the last victory of the underdog Manny Pacquiao against the heavily favoured Oscar De la Hoya. The whole nation stopped to watch the Pacquiao and cheered for his victory. At that moment, we are proud to be a Filipino. His victory gave joy to the Filipino people. But we know that Manny is not the saviour of our country, but his victory inspires many to persevere and not to lose hope. “He was not the light, but he testified to the light.”

As we move closer to Christmas season, we ask ourselves, where can get that real JOY. Santa Claus and Manny Paquiao can make us happy but not to last for a lifetime. We need more than that. We need real happiness that comes from within us, a joy that comes not from “having things or winning.” We need JOY that will never fade away and will always remain with us.

Rejoice! It’s Gaudete Sunday, a Sunday that exhorts us to rejoice. The lighting of the rose candle reminds us that this is the time of great expectation for we have found the real source of fade-proof JOY – that is JESUS.

In our gospel for today, the priests and the Levites came to John to ask him if he is the Christ, or Elijah, or the Prophet who is to come. John responded that he was none of these. He was the one who is preparing the way for the Lord. They were not sincerely seeking the Messiah – the source of real JOY.

But we are. We are looking for His presence in our lives. We are looking for that JOY that will last for a lifetime. We are looking for his presence in our midst and within us right now. We are looking for Him to heal us, our families and our country. We are grateful to Pacquiao for giving us a little smile in our seemingly hopeless nation. Our “Santa Clauses” may make us jump for the giving us top of the line laptop and other expensive gifts. But the happiness will eventually fade away. What we need is a Joy that will never last. And Jesus is the only one who can give such Joy.

Unfortunately, in our gospel today, John disappointingly said, “There is one among you whom you do not recognize…” We failed to recognize that Jesus is always with us. We are distracted with so many things of lesser value. The lights, smell, taste, and sounds of secular and materialistic Christmas celebration may distract us from seeing the Savior who is always with us. Thus, we lost the JOY!

Our beautiful Filipino Christmas tradition should inspire us to go the Manger Scene. They should lead us to the newly born baby Jesus – our Saviour. Let us not be tempted and be blinded by the beauty of the gift wrappings that we never dare to look what’s inside the box. “There is one among you whom you do not recognize.”

This Christmas Season, let’s remind one another of the Incarnate God who are in our midst – the source of real JOY. We are Christians. Be proud and say, “Merry Christmas”. Don’t just say, “Season’s greetings,” or even “Happy Holidays.” Say “Merry Christmas.” Our greetings should be a statement of our faith – a reminder of the forgotten God. Christmas is the celebration of the greatest birth to ever take place, God becoming man in Jesus Christ. We have a good reason to celebrate and rejoice!

Many of us have already received their Christmas bonuses. Many of us are trooping now to the malls, seeking for something to fill their needs this Christmas. Children are looking for toys; young adults are looking for gifts that express love; my Nanay is thinking of food to fill our table for Noche Buena ; I do need to find a gift for my monita for our Christmas party; the Jesuits are asked to bring five gallons of ice cream for the clergy and religious Christmas party. These are all good. This is how we celebrate Christmas and we love them.

But what is it that we really need? What is it that we are really seeking? Something that will last and stay when Christmas is over.

The late Pope John Paul II said, “It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness. He is waiting for you when nothing else ever satisfies you. He is the beauty to which you are so attracted. It is He who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise. It is He that urges you to shed the masks of a false life. It is He who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs up in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be grounded down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.”

Our world will be different when we allow Jesus to control our lives. Our whole values and priorities changes because we found the Messiah – the real treasure and the source of real JOY. Finding Jesus is finding our everything… and finding Him is finding ourselves. And that’s worth REJOICING!


Santa comes but once a year. Jesus is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...Jesus supplies all your needs.
Santa lets you sit on his lap ...Jesus lets you rest in His Arms.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...JESUS has a heart full of love.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...JESUS became our gift and died on the tree, for you and me.

Pacquiao, in the midst of his victory as the new “pound for pound king” humbly bowed to the real KING when he said in one interview, “When you pray, do not just tell God your problem. Tell your problem, you have a great God.”

We need to remember, WHO the real KING is.
JESUS is still the reason for the season.



- Fr.Willy M. Samson,SJ
Zamboanga Catedral
December 14, 2008

Joystick

2nd Sunday of Advent
Mark 1: 1-8 “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”



A basketball in my hands is worth about 100 pesos
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Andre Agassi's hands is worth millions.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away an angry dog.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.

The lame, the blind, the crippled, the dumb and many other sick people
In my hands might find comfort.
But the lame, the blind, the crippled, the dumb and other sick people
In Jesus’ hand will find total healing and consolation.
It depends whose hand they are in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Most of our sins come from our desire to control everything around us - people, environment, events, and most of all the will of God. In our desire to control everything, we put everything in our hands. Pain and frustration come when we failed to control people, events, and fate. God wants us to let go of our compulsion to control, leave the joystick in God’s hand and He will take care of us.

Our advent readings for today remind us to prepare the way for the coming of our Savior Jesus - the Son of God who put his whole life in his Father’s hands and found fulfillment in following the will of God. Jesus knows that life’s fulfillment and meaning depends on whose hand it’s in. He knows it is good to leave everything into the hands of somebody who holds the future.

Unfortunately, we don’t want to put our total trust in God’s hands. We find God slow in answering our prayers. Sometimes we don’t want his way of handling things. We don’t want to wait. Waiting for us may mean delays, uncertainties and labor in different queue of life for a long time. Waiting gives us pain and makes us impatience. We want an instant solution, instant answer, and instant success. Thus, to put our life in God’s hand and allow him to take control of our life’s joystick becomes difficult for us. Trusting God becomes our lifelong struggle and I realize that most of my sins come from my desire to control everything including God.

Advent is a time to STOP and joyfully surrender to God our life’s joystick. Allow God’s hands to show us the way, the truth and the life. When we allow the Lord to run our lives, our waiting becomes a joyful anticipation that something wonderful is about to unfold in our lives. A certain excitement builds up within us and we find ourselves looking forward to something new and life-giving. We need to have an open mind for this kind of waiting - a willingness to accept whatever happens or whoever enters our world. We need a big bag of patience and faith here. Although sometimes, when it seems that God’s answer seems nowhere in sight, we complain that God seems oblivious to our needs. But in our Second Reading, Peter gave us an assurance to let go and let God, “the Lord is not being slow to carry out his promises”. On the contrary, “He is being patient with you all, wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to change his ways.” ( 2 Peter 3:9).

We may end up of frustrated, sad and hopeless when we place everything in our hands. Fear not. Look at Jesus, Mary, and Joseph who placed their trust in God’s hands - that full trust they rendered to God allowed Him to fully use them. They became His channels of grace and turned their lives into a miracle.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Our happiness and fulfillment depend on whose hands we place our trust.
In this advent season, why not totally trust God and see the difference? Remember, when you jump in faith, God will do two possible things … He will either catch you or give you wings to fly.




-Fr. Willy M. Samson, SJ
Western Mindanao Medical Center
December 7, 2008

Backdoor Strategy

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 22: 34-40 “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”


A little boy was standing before a shoe store, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold. A lady approached the young boy and said, “Why are you here?” The boy replied, “I ask God to give me a pair of shoes.” The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get a pair of shoes for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel. Then she lovingly helped the boy wear the new shoes. As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked her. ‘Are you God’s wife?’ She smiled and said, “Why did you say that?” The boy smiled and said, “Because you answered my prayer.”

In our gospel for today, when a scholar of the law came to Jesus asking what’s the greatest commandment, it was not to trap Jesus, but to find comfort from the burdened of following 613 Jewish laws (365 are prohibitions and 248 were actions to be done). It was already difficult for them to remember and teach 613 laws, how much more to follow them to the letter as imposed by the Pharisees. Jesus knew their burden. “They are heavy yokes that oppress and weary the people” (Matthew 11:28). And so Jesus replied by quoting a verse from the Book of Deuteronomy, “You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5). Every Jews knows the verse by heart for they say it twice in their morning and evening prayers.

For the Jews, “to love God” means to offer Him sacrifices and prayers. For the Pharisees, it means strictly observance of Sabbath rules and worshipping God in the temple -. at the expense of ignoring the needs of people. And for us, we sometimes express our love to God by attending the Sunday Mass, praying the rosary, attending the novena in Baclaran and Quiapo, a pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes, praising God in the weekly prayer meeting, attending the Quiapo and Antipolo midnight processions and other liturgical celebrations. They are important part of our Christian tradition but these are not enough.

Loving God by doing these things alone will not make us a “true blooded Christians.” We need to show to our God that our love for Him is not just a skin deep. We need to do something more tangible and liberating as we recall God’s word: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” (Matthew 12:7). And so Jesus gave us the second but equally important commandment by quoting a verse from Book of Leviticus: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18). We see that neither of these two commands is original to Jesus. But then neither is the placing of them both together unique to Jesus. In certain Jewish writings they are placed side-by-side in a sort of parallelism. Thus, loving God and loving others are intrinsically connected. They are inseparable. But for the Jews, when we think of neighbours, it means a fellow Jews and not a stranger. But Jesus widens the definition of neighbours to include everyone including our enemies (Matthew 5:44). John in his first letter even remarked, “Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. (1 John 4:20)

In the good old days when iPod and internet are not yet invented, for a gentleman, to court a lady is to court her parents as well. If a gentleman can get the approval of the lady’s parent, he can easily get the sweet “yes” of the lady. That’s backdoor strategy and it works: fetch water, cut fire woods, chocolates for the grandchildren and win their hearts. A friend of mine won the heart of a beautiful young widow by playing and spending time with her son. Backdoor strategy! An Atenean student who fell in love to a varsity player suddenly finds interest in reading a sports magazine and starts thinking of becoming a varsity player too in the hope that her crush will notice her. Enter into the heart of your beloved by loving what’s in his/her heart. That’s backdoor strategy!

The same thing is true for God. If we really love God and wants to please Him, we should love the people He loves (including his enemies). When Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God, he cannot help but to reveal what’s inside his heart: the poor, the sick, the neglected, the marginalized and the sinners. Thus, he said, “You shall love your neighbour.” Love the poor and Jesus will be extremely happy. Backdoor strategy! But to make this loving of others more true and sincere, Jesus added “love your neighbour as yourself.” For the way we love ourselves is a good norm to love others. That’s a tough act to follow and Jesus recognized it, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

To love God and to love our neighbour looks like a very simple concept. Jesus however shows how challenging this is. His love of the Father led him to reach out to the outcast, tax collectors, lepers, prostitutes, and others. For Jesus there is no distinction between these two commandments. One naturally flows from the other. Love is not love unless it is free and spontaneous.

What Jesus proposes are not just commandments or rules to follow but a whole approach to life and to our relationship with others. It is His way of life. Jesus identifies himself with those in most need of love and compassion. We should also naturally identify ourselves with Jesus’ way of life. It is also our way of life … and our Christian identity.

A visitor to the New Bilibid Prison Hospital watched a young volunteer dressing an infected bed sores of a dying prisoner. The visitor was horrified by the bed sores but admired the volunteer who seemed not affected by the bad smell of the sores as he was cleaning the wound. “I wouldn’t do that for a thousand pesos.” said the visitor. “Neither would I,” said the volunteer, “but I am doing it for God.”




Fr.Willy M. Samson, SJ
Fort Pilar Shrine
October 26, 2008

A Piece of Heaven

Homily for the Wedding of Marissa Gallego and Jobert Delos Reyes
John 15:9-13

One Sunday, Pedro visited his grandparents. His lolo was delighted to see his favorite grandchild. In his excitement, lolo shouted, “Honey! Honnneeyy, your favorite apo is here!” Pedro smiled, “Lolo, you are very sweet, at the age of 80, you still call lola honey!” His lolo smiles and winks at him, “Ssssss…hush! Keep quiet. I’m calling her honey because I already forgot your lola’s name.”

We may be laughing or smiling now. But there is a pinch of reality in the story. Some marriages are on the rocks because couples who promised to hold each other’s hand and be faithful to each other “till death do us part” have forgotten their wedding promise. If there is a global economic meltdown, there is also the crisis of “marriage or family meltdown.”

In your chosen gospel for today, Jobert and Marissa, the Lord is exhorting you to remember the following words: REMAIN IN MY LOVE (John 15:9-13). It is also one way of saying, REMAIN IN EACH OTHERS’ LOVE. When a new couple is married, sometimes we have so much expectation from each other. But be aware that love will have a different color and expression after the wedding. Your marriage will be tested to its limit, but if you genuinely love each other and you have accepted one another, your marriage will stand and survive the test of time.

Today, as we witness this celebration of love unfolding in our midst. Jobert and Marissa, allow me to walk you through this “walk to married life” and spare you from possible marriage or family meltdown. Don’t forget our gospel for today: REMAIN IN GOD’S LOVE… REMAIN IN EACH OTHER’S LOVE. Too much expectation from each other can be blinding. Do not be blinded by the Korean and Pinoy tele-novela love stories, where all love stories should end in “kissing and ringing of bells and they live happily after.” The End.

In marriage, real love story begins when your own “movie-like” love story ends. For you Joebert and Marissa, we know that fate brought you together in Yubengco Mall through the courtesy of SMART’s “Text a Friend Promo.” Smart’s job is done.
When Joebert said, "Will you marry me?" last April. Everything falls into place. Marissa said yes and everything went so fast. Now both of you are here. Ready to tie the knot. THE END. Nope, it is not the end but the beginning of something more real and profound – two unique souls becoming one.

All feet on the ground, Joebert and Marissa. The Smart Love Promo is now over. You need to do your own promotion now ….Promote your married life now. Face the reality, so that you will not be disappointed. Marriage life is like having a cell phone… sometimes you don’t have enough load, sometimes you don’t have enough money or resources. Sometimes it seems there’s “no signal,” then move and do something, find your signal and communicate. Sometimes its low bat … then time to recharge your marriage … returning to your wedding day promise today … for better or for worst, till death do us part. More unfolding of self to behold and to enjoy as you walk together and build your own family. The beauty of married life is in journeying together. It is in your journey you will experience different moments of falling in love, falling out love and choosing to love. Married is a roller coaster ride, it has ups and downs, but do not be afraid, just open your eyes because God is journeying with you. This is the promise and blessing of the sacrament of matrimony.
Your journey together as married couple may not always be “a walk in the cloud.” There are lots of challenges in married life and in raising a family. But God is journeying with you, like the Emmaus disciples, you will also say, “Where not our hearts burning while we walk together?” – burning of hearts means falling in love everyday! To fall in love everyday and to choose to love is the secret of a happy and lasting marriage.

If Stephen Covey has “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” allow me to share my own “Seven Habits of Highly Happy Marriage” It’s a way of life on how to REMAIN IN EACH OTHER’S LOVE and avoid marriage meltdown. The Seven Habits of a Happy Marriage are: to see, to listen, to touch, to chat, to pray, to walk, and to live.

To see – Learn to see each other by understanding each other in the eyes of love. Try to see the “You and I” each other … that from now on, in married life, you are forever united and cannot be separated. You are one flesh.

To listen – Learn to humbly listen to one another. There are still so much to learn from each other. To listen is to know and to know is to understand. Conflicts of ideas may still arise but listen and you will survive any trials of your married life.

To touch – Be sensitive enough to each other and spend time together. Anything you can feel, you can heal. Learn to be sensitive to the needs of each other and you will heal and forgive each other. Console each other when crisis comes and celebrate each other’s joy in times of victories.

To chat – Learn to share stories to one another, even the mundane and boring stories. Marissa, listen to Joebert how he plants and harvests vegetables. Joebert, listen to Marissa how to run after and trap stray cats in Ateneo campus for Biology students’ use. The problem with married couples now is they don’t know how to listen to each other’s stories. There are lots of “us” to know in the ordinary stories of life.

To pray – Learn to pray together. What you decide in prayer together will determine the quality of your family life. Remember to consult God. If there is a third party allowed in married life, it is HIM. Remember that old sayings, the family that prays together stays together.

To walk – Always walk and work together. After this wedding ceremony, everything you do is a “family project.” There’s no “I” in married life but always “us” and “we.”

To live – Enjoy married life. It is not just raising a family. It is still you Joebert and Marissa. It is unfortunate that many couples forgot their friendship when already married. They are so caught up in raising their children. Once in a while find time to do things you love to do together. Watch movie together in Mindpro or attend Mass at Ateneo together. Go to the Cawa-cawa at sunset and eat balut. Swim to Bolong beach together. Do things you enjoy doing together even if you have already kids. Your friendship is too beautiful to forget after today’s ceremony. After all, your friendship is the foundation of your married life.

Learn to choose to love and fall in love everyday. Remain in each other’s love and in God’s love. Say YES to each other everyday. And before you know it, years from now, your children will come and embrace you, thanking you both for giving them a loving parents and a wonderful family.

It is true that not all marriages are made in heaven. But with your constant and unwavering love and by remembering to see, to listen, to touch, to chat, to pray, to walk, and to live together daily, you will make your marriage and your home, a piece of heaven here on earth.


- Fr. Willy M. Samson,SJ
Our Lady of Perpetual Parish – Guiwan,, Zamboanga City
October 18, 2008

Paluwagan

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 22:15-21 “Give to God what is due to God”


One day Pedro prayed, “God, I need money, promise, I will give you 50%.” And God replied, “You will find a wild horse outside this church. Sell it.” True to his promise, God sent a wild horse to the church. He also surprised Pedro by giving him a chicken. Pedro was delighted by God’s generosity and went to the market to sell the animals. A farmer came and asked how much is the horse. “It’s only 30 Pesos,” Pedro replied, “but you can’t get the horse without buying the chicken as well.” The farmer replied, “How much is the chicken?” “It’s P10,000.” The farmer exclaimed, “That’s ridiculous!” But he still bought the chicken because he wanted the horse so much. Pedro returned to the church, “Lord, as I have promised, 50% of the horse’s price will go to you. I sold the horse at P30. Here’s P15 for you.” And he smiled, “By the way Lord, I will keep the P10,000 I earned from selling the chicken, anyway we don’t have an agreement with it.” And Pedro left the church with a naughty smile.

Today's gospel is about ingratitude. The Pharisees, having heard Jesus about God's compassionate and reconciling love, remained closed to the good news. They saw Jesus as a threat to their authority and social status. So they planned to trap Jesus with the issue of paying taxes. If Jesus answered taxes shouldn't be paid to Caesar, then the Romans could arrest Him. If he said that the taxes should be paid, then he would be denounced by the Jews. It’s was a win-win situation for the Pharisees. But Jesus wisely avoided their trap and laid down a rule of thumb that has served well every since.

Jesus asked for a coin and said, “Whose image is this?” They replied, “Caesar’s.” At that Jesus said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is due to Caesar.” (Matthew 22:21).

The usual interpretation of this verse is - one must give what is due to all. That’s justice and fairness. Give what is due to the State, to your family, to your prayer group, to your company and to your friends! No one is an island. All of us are part of a society, a community, a family or a parish. We are intrinsically connected to one another because we are social beings. Thus, we have the obligation to give or return what is due to one another, including paying our BIR annual income tax, annual membership fees, and even our village or condominium’s annual dues.

But there is a deeper meaning in our gospel today. Jesus did not just affirm our duty to contribute to the common good. He adds something more profound and liberating “Give back to God what is due to God.”

Give back to God what? Just as the coin has to be returned to Caesar because it bears his image, so we must also return to God anything that bears his image or “mark of ownership.” Recalling the story of creation, it was explicitly stated that we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). We are God’s property! Therefore, we need to return to God everything that we possess including ourselves.

Unfortunately, sometimes we forget that all people bear God’s mark; therefore God is the sole owner of all of us. We can’t claim anything as ours, including ourselves. Even the whole creation is God’s because He created everything. We can’t say, “I can do what I want with myself,” or “This is my forest, I can cut all the trees here.” We don’t have the right to exploit, oppress, or abuse anybody or anything. It is fair enough that anything “stolen from God” or “not being returned to God” must be given back to God.

Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, a drug addict has no right to abuse his body and a prostitute cannot sell her body. We are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Therefore, an employer cannot exploit his workers or a husband cannot physically and verbally abuse his wife. The earth is the footstool of God (Isaiah 66:1). Therefore, we cannot just throw our garbage in the river, cut trees indiscriminately, and kill endangered animals. A woman has no right to abort an unwanted baby… for it is the Kingdom of Heaven belongs (Matthew 19:14). Open your eyes. Be responsible. Respect and preserve God’s property. Give to God what is due to Him.

On the other hand, giving to God what is due to God is not only in the area of preserving, respecting and protecting people and the whole creation. In gratitude, we also are expected to share our God-given talents, time, and treasure to others. Be generous enough to spend some of your time in personal prayer and community liturgy, listen to people, reserve your Sunday for your family, do some corporal works of mercy, or be involved in any meaningful apostolate. Be a joyful giver. Donate something from what you have and not from your excess. Be a volunteer and share your talents. Find opportunities to serve or create one! Let’s faithfully give to God what is due to Him. God has given us time, treasure and talent. They are free gift. It is easy to share when we realized that everything is a gift from God.

Our gospel reminds me of the paluwagan (credit system by pooling money where members take turn in bringing home the accumulated amount every week or month). The funny thing with paluwagan is we are consistent and on time in giving our contribution only until we receive our sahod (take home money). After receiving our sahod, we become forgetful, lazy or late in giving our contribution. We need to be reminded that our daily or weekly contribution is not an option but an obligation. We have enjoyed and used others’ money in the paluwagan system. It is just right and fair to return the same privilege by faithfully giving our contribution until everybody received their sahod.

We are also in a paluwagan system with God. God is so gracious that He agrees to be the last to receive the “sahod.” God gave us gifts – time, talent, and treasure - for us to enjoy life. But after benefiting from all these gifts, it is just right and fair to return the favor when God’s turn to collect comes. This is our way of showing our gratitude to God. We need to give back to God what is due to Him. It is not an option but an obligation.

In 2002, a strong typhoon flooded the Bicol region. The Jesuit Scholastics spearheaded “Operation Bicol” to gather donations from Manila. Food in bulks and cartons from big companies and rich villages came quickly. The lobby of Loyola House of Studies became an instant bodega. While my brother Jesuits were busy receiving those donations in big boxes, an old woman came to me and handed one small plastic bag of food. She said, “Kaunting tulong po.” It was a bag of two instant noodles and 3 sardines. I know its nothing compared to the bulk and boxes of donations coming in. But I know it’s big in the eyes of God. It’s widow’s mite (Mark 12:38-44). The old woman knew her responsibility: Give what is due to others and to God.

God is always good to us. His grace overflows … why keep it when you can share it!


Fr. Willy M. Samson, SJ
October 19, 2008
Sacred Heart Chapel
Ateneo de Zamboanga University

Maybe next time ...

28th Sunday in the Ordinary Time
Matthew 22:1-14 “My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding
garment?”


Today, we celebrate the "Fiesta Pilar", in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pilar Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Zaragosa. We expect invitations for lunch and dinner today. Yet some of us will turn down these invitations for many reasons; and we have prepared conventional excuses such as: “I’m sorry, I need to finish some work in our office. Maybe next time…” or “I’m sorry I need to attend to some pressing business matters. Maybe next time.” But the funny thing is...we are always curious of what food they served and who came to the party. Then we regret for not coming and console ourselves with the words, “Maybe next time.” But it is already a lost opportunity. Sayang.

Our gospel today is like that. The parable is about a king who invited his guest for the wedding of his son but all of them ignored the invitation. The invited guests in the story were not interested to attend the wedding. They preferred to work in their farms and businesses rather than going to the wedding and enjoy the prepared sumptuous banquet. They were so engrossed with their personal and worldly concern that they become deaf to God’s invitation to celebrate life with him. The invited guests are not bad or immoral people. Like us, they are just too busy with so many things in life that they forgot the Giver of all gifts – God.

We are too busy with so many things of this world that we forget our own spiritual life and God’s invitation to a life in the spirit. William Barclay even said, “The tragedy of life is that it is so often the second bests which shut out the bests, that it is things which are good in themselves which shut out the things that are supreme. A man can be so busy making a living that he fails to make a life; he can be so busy with the administration and organization of life that he forgets life itself.”

There is nothing wrong giving time and effort to our material and worldly concern like earning more money. We need money to pay our electric, telephone, and other bills. There is nothing wrong working hard to get what we want in life like acquiring a beautiful house, good food, vacation, good education for our children, and other concern. They are also God’s blessings. But sometimes, we tend to forget the giver of all these gifts. We forget that God’s invitation to be with Him is far more important than any other things in this world. To be attached to people or to anything is normal and accepted, but it becomes unhealthy when we lost our desire to seek God and His kingdom. They become our inordinate attachments.

The image of the king punishing those who ignored the wedding invitation should not blind us to see the real message - not so much of the punishment but the guests’ lost opportunity to experience the joy of the banquet God prepared for them. The first reading and the gospel illustrate vividly what the guests missed in the feast: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready.” (Matthew 22: 4)… “The Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.” (Isaiah 25:6).

Then the story continues. The king sent out his servants, not to the houses of wealthy and respectable people, but to the ordinary, neglected, and outcast people. And they happily came to attend the wedding. But when the king entered the hall to greet them, he immediately noticed one who did not dress appropriately to the occasion. The king asked, “My friend how is it that you came here without a wedding garment?” But the man was reduced to silence. He could not use his work and business concerns as valid reasons. And the king cast him into darkness.

What made the king furious was the man’s laziness to wear the proper garment. It was a direct insult to the king and his kingdom. We may think that the king is not kind enough to forgive the poor guy since he cannot afford to a wedding garment. But in the biblical time, wedding garments were available in the anterooms of the reception halls, much in the same way that dinner suits are available in some restaurants in the United States for those who inadvertently come without coat and tie. Therefore, the poor man has no excuse for not dressing up properly. I guess what made the king burst into anger was the poor man’s laziness to dress up! Dressing up properly is one way of giving respect to the king and to the wedding feast.

In our present context, the wedding feast represents the life of holiness and the life in the Spirit God is offering. This life in the Spirit is being offered to everybody without any exception. It is a grace offered to all as a free gift from God. But this grace is not just a free gift to be taken for granted. It is also a responsibility. If God called us to a new life with Him, we must be clothed with holiness and a new way of living according to the precepts of God. The door of the kingdom of God is open to everybody, but it is not open for the sinners to come and remain sinners, but to remove the cloth of sinfulness and wear the cloth of holiness which is the appropriate garment for the feast.

Everyday, God is inviting us to commune with Him in prayer, in community prayer meetings, family meals and in the Eucharist. Yet we find ourselves saying “NO” for many reasons. We failed to see that each of our “Not at the moment, I am busy. Maybe next time” is a lost opportunity to enjoy God’s presence and love. It is not His lost but ours.

I am amused to people who immediately raises his or her hand to an invitation to eat or to go somewhere. We jokingly called them “kaladkarin,” but I am sure they are enjoying life. I wish to be a “kaladkarin” when God is the one inviting.

When God invites us, we should eagerly respond positively. “Maybe next time” is not an option. For we may run out of time and find ourselves uninvited anymore. Sayang.




Fr.Willy M. Samson,S.J.
Zamboanga Catedral
October 12, 2008

My Life as God’s Vineyard

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 21:33-43


One day the student said to himself, “I will make sure that my master will make a mistake. He brought a small bird in his hand and said, “Master, is the bird in my hand, dead or alive?” If the master will say it’s alive, the student will simply squeeze the bird to death. If the master will say its dead, the student will simply release the bird. But the master simply said, “The answer is in your hand.”

In our gospel today, one may ask how come that the tenants killed all the servants sent by the landowner including his son? What compelled him to do so? The reason is because the tenants have no produce to give to the landowner. The best way to escape from their responsibility is by killing all the servants of the landowner. The parable is a direct and blatant condemnation of Jesus against the Pharisees. Jesus told the Pharisees that God gave them the vineyard of God. They were trusted to do something for the kingdom of God but they did not bear fruit. The servants sent by landowner were the prophets of the Old Testament, but the Pharisees did not listen to the prophets. They even killed them. Jesus was the son in the parable. He was sent by God the Father, unfortunately, the Pharisees and the scribes did not listen to Jesus and even killed him.

It seems that our gospel is also challenging us to evaluate our own life. God also trusted us with our own vineyard and the name of our vineyard is OUR LIFE! We may even include our family, our work, school, or even our community as our vineyards. The question being posted to us is, “If the Lord sends his servants to us now, do we have fruits or produce to show?” Can we proudly welcome the arrival of God’s servants and tell them that we have something to show or to give to our God … the owner of our Life? Can we say that we are doing something for our family? For our school? For our work? For our country? We don’t know the reason why the tenants failed to produce fruits from the vineyard - maybe because of laziness, or irresponsibility and other reasons.

Our gospel reveals two important characteristics of God. First, God trusted us so much even to the point of leaving his vineyard to our care. He trusts us so much with our life, with our family and with our community, in the hope that we will do something productive and creative. Second, God is so patient and forgiving. It is surprising that the landowner did not react violently against the tenants after all his servants were killed. He even sent another batch to his vineyard but only to be killed. Finally he sent his son to convince the tenants to give their share of the produce. We do have a very patient and forgiving God - a God who continues to give us another chance to change and produce fruits. But it is good to note also that God’s mercy has limits. In the end, the justice of God will prevail especially for those who have no intentions of changing their lives, “Therefore I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produce its fruits.”

But how do we produce bountiful fruits in our vineyards? In our lives? The second reading says something about it: “ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Put into practice what you have learned and received from me.” (Phil 4:8-9).

It is unfortunate that sometimes we blame God or we blame other people to the miseries and misfortunes in our life, in our family, or in our community. We should blame ourselves and not God. When we come to the Lord and ask him, “Lord, will my life or my family be miserable in the future?” The Lord will simply say, “The answer is in your hands… not mine.”

A Tribute to Mylyne … An Ayala Alabang Hospice Cancer Patient

As the chaplain priest of Ayala Alabang Hospice care, I have seen many of our patients died fighting cancer in our care. I do feel their struggle and pain. I feel sorry about their fate but most of the time I am not too emotionally affected. But with Mylyne, I must admit that my relationship with her went beyond patient-priest relationship. We became friends journeying in the storm of life. When she questions the will of God, I somehow questions also why such good people like her should suffer great pain. She was like anyone of us, who can feel pain, who can doubt God’s love, and who can question God’s love in the midst of pain and meaninglessness of life. But Mylyne did survive the storm with her head up high because she prevailed with her God in his heart.

The battle of Mylyne against cancer was not an easy one. It was a long painful bout but she took everything in a stride with God. Yes, cancer took her earthly life but not her spirit. She remained joyful and faithful to God throughout the past two years. She was very human like anyone of us who once in a while questions the will of God. But what made her admirable was her ability to trust the will of the Lord like Mary when she said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your will.” Mylyne was so in touch with her limitations and weaknesses yet she was also in touch with God in her heart telling her always to hold on and fight cancer with faith. I did hear her questioning God’s mysterious ways but I did not hear her blaming God, but like Mary, she simply allowed the will of God to unfold in her life.

When I first saw her after her death, I must admit that what I saw was an angel’s face. She was so at peace… sleeping like a child in her mother’s arms. Telling me silently, “Father Willy, I am home.” Not a single trace of pain. Not a single trace of cancer’s victory against her. It was a victory against cancer. It was God’s victory in the middle of the storm. I do read a lot about Jesus’ transfiguration but when I saw Mylyne’s face during the wake, it dawned on me that God gifted her with her own transfiguration.

Now, when I remember Mylyne, I don’t remember her anymore of cancer’s victory against her. Every time I remember her, it inspires me to trust God the way she trusted God. It inspires me to hold on to Jesus in the middle of my own storm in my life. Mylyne was indeed a child of God and God is very please with her. Cancer my have won against her body but she died healing all of us. I guess this is the irony of the cross. Mylene did embrace and carried her cross well.

As her friend and as a priest, I accompanied her in her struggle by listening to her confessions. But as I look back, she also accompanied me and taught me how to trust the Lord with all my being. Cancer snatched one of my “human angels” away from me but not the wonderful memories of Mylene. I will surely treasure these memories… forever grateful to the Lord that He blessed me with Mylyne’s friendship … it was a short friendship … but her memories will last for a lifetime … until we meet in heaven.

Mylyne … please do pray for us



- Fr. Willy M. Samson,SJ
Ateneo de Zamboanga

Go for Gold!

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 16:21-27 “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.”


Beijing Olympics ended last Sunday with a big bang at the Bird’s Nest. It was participated by 204 countries and a total of 10,500 athletes competed in 302 events in 28 sports. The Games saw 43 new world records and 132 new Olympic records set. A record 87 countries won medals during the Games. Chinese hauled 51 gold medals and a total of 100 medals. USA brought home 110 medals, 36 of them are gold. American swimmer Michael Phelps broke the records with 8 gold.

Aside from China, Asians did well in Beijing. South Korea and Japan ranked 8th and 11th in the overall medal count with a haul of 31 and 25 medals respectively. What was sad was the performance of the Philippines compared to Southeast Asian neighbours. Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and even Vietnam had some medals to be proud of. Our 15 athletes went home bringing nothing for our country. After 84 years of joining the Olympics, the Philippines remained gold less.

Why winning the gold so hard for us? Expect Olympic “who to blame” game this week. Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago started rolling the ball, “The poor performance of our athletes in the Olympics is not due to bad genetics but the government’s lack of concern for the development of a comprehensive program in the area of sports. Olympics should not only be enjoyed but also taken seriously.”
In our gospel today, Jesus started revealing the secret of his glory which is far from the mind of the disciples when he said that “he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Matthew 16:21) It was totally opposite to the common idea of a “winner” and so Peter rebuked him and said, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” Peter failed to see the value of suffering and sacrifice. He wanted a “quick fix” and “easy road” to victory and glory.

Victory cannot be won by taking the shortcuts. Victories or “gold” in life are the fruits of faithful carrying of our cross - those boring, uneventful and unnoticed daily routines and struggles in life. We see Phelps in his glorious moment of receiving the gold medal eight times, but we did not see him spending hours and days in a swimming pool for four years after winning gold in Athens 2004 Olympics. I am sure he will be back soon to the pool to prepare for the London 2012 Olympics. Chinese gymnasts underwent years and years of training in preparation for Beijing Olympics. No to shortcuts. Be faithful to your daily training. No to junk food. Be passionate. Winning an Olympic gold is not a matter of luck and genetics; it is a matter of perseverance, passion and sacrifice.

Seven-time Tour de France champion and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong wrote, “I’ve read that I flew up the hills and mountains of France. But you don’t fly up a hill. You struggle slowly and painfully... and maybe, if you work very hard, you get to the top ahead of everybody else.” That’s how to win gold.

When Jesus scolded Peter with the words, “Get behind me, Satan!” It is not that Jesus called Peter a Satan. Rather through his intervention Peter continues the Satan’s intervention, to find a short cut to the mission of Jesus, namely to be unfaithful to the will of the Father to save the world by suffering and dying on the cross. Jesus wants victory over sin and our salvation, but not via shortcuts. An Olympian runner may win the gold via abuse of performance enhancing drug; he may grab the gold and gain admiration from the crowd but not from himself and God. Without pain there is no real glory.

Temptation is basically the devil’s offering of an easy shortcut – an easy road to glory with no blocks, no detours and no traffic. But life is not like that – it has its own challenges, detours, and delays; and that’s the only way to victory.

Five years ago, a friend of mine who owns a big bakery in Manila employed his youngest son as a working student. The son assisted the chief baker and prepared the dough. At first, the son resented the idea of working in their own bakery. He found it humiliating and a waste of time. Now he understands the value of hard work when his father made him the new manager of the bakery.

We admire students topping the bar exams, but God knows how much they denied themselves of many things just to spend more time to study. We envy our neighbour harvesting mangoes from their backyard; they planted trees many years ago while we did not. We feel hopeless that peace in Mindanao still eludes us. But did we exert extra effort to do something for peace? We complained a lot in our family but we don’t do anything. We are observers and not doers. We love to harvest but we don’t want to plant. We want gold but we don’t work hard for it.

Dr. Michael DeBakey, the pioneering heart surgeon who performed more than 60,000 cardiovascular procedures, trained more than 1,000 surgeons, received 50 honorary degrees and died at 99 years old said, “When you think of life as a living, active process, I don’t think it’s a pleasurable activity unless you have some challenge in that life – no matter what it is, I think, in a way, that is the philosophy of life.”

Peter, in his desire to protect Jesus from the suffering and dying on cross, failed to see that Jesus’ road to glory will be in doing menial things: washing the feet of others, wiping the tears of the lonely, visiting the sinners, consoling the abandoned, being with the poor and ultimately, dying on the cross!

Today’s Gospel calls us to walk the same difficult road with Jesus. ““Whoever wishes to come after me he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24). To win life’s gold, Jesus ask us to dedicate our lives in serving and loving others, even if involves rejection, pain and self-denial.
St. Paul even exhorts us to run and win the race: “Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable garland, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

A prisoner in Bilibid once told me, “Ngayon ko lang naunawaan na mas mabuting pakainin ko ang pamilya ko ng tuyo o sardinas na galing sa aking pawis, kaysa sa pakainin ko sila ng lechon na galing naman sa masamang gawain.”

No too shortcuts. Deny yourself and carry your cross. Just do it!

That’s how to win gold.







Fr.Willy M. Samson,SJ
Ateneo de Zamboanga
August 31, 2008

A Surprise Quiz

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 16:13-20 “But who do you say that I am?”


One of the things I hated most when I was in high school was a surprise quiz. I was a crammer student. I studied my notes a day before the quiz, but I still got high grades because I was good in memorizing things in my younger years.

In our gospel for today, we see Jesus giving a surprise quiz for the disciples. And they were caught flat footed and unprepared. Two surprised questions were given.

The first question was an objective question: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they answered immediately with gusto: “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” It was a give away question. Everybody had an answer. It was just a recall of what they hear everyday about Jesus.

The second question was a tough one. It separated the “a serious student” to “not so serious students.” It was a question that only those who seeks to know Jesus could answer: “Who do you say I am?” Suddenly everybody became dumbfounded and surprised. The question was not a “head question” but a “heart question.”
It was Simon who saved the rest of the disciples from failing the surprised quiz. “You are Christ, the Son of the living God.” Good answer! I can easily imagine a smiling Jesus.

Students who study their notes regularly are always ready for a surprise quiz. In their desire to know and discover more of their subjects, they spend more time in the library and in the internet. They seek knowledge on their own and learn from it. Peter answered the second question with confidence because he learned many things about Jesus by watching, listening, and feeling Jesus. He was with Jesus always. It was his personal encounter with Jesus that led him to answer correctly and convincingly, “You are the son of the living God.”

In the midst of the MoA-AD controversy and the war in Mindanao, we suddenly find ourselves into another surprise quiz. The same questions are asked: “What do people say about the Muslims?” Unfortunately, the answers are not very encouraging: “I hate Moros…They cannot be trusted…They just want war.” Such negative answers were triggered by the MILF recent attacks in North Cotabato and Lanao de Sur and the killing of innocent civilians indiscriminately. The emotions are high and we are living in fear, anger and frustrations. We should condemn the aristocracies of MILF. But we should also be aware of some clear distinctions to avoid inflammatory remarks and hasty generalization. MILF are Muslims, but not all Muslims are MILF. Condemn the MILF violence but not our brothers and sisters Muslim in general who want peace in Mindanao.

The second questions may stop us from judging the Muslims: “But what do you say about them?” Mixed feelings may surface because of our some “not so good experience” with some of them. But set aside our biases and prejudices, and allow our hearts to see, listen and feel, we realize that they are our brothers and sisters. They are like us, who dream of peace and normal life for their families. They are like us who feel hopelessness, fear and confusion in this never-ending cycle of violence.

We also face these two questions every time we relate with one another and encounter people whom we don’t really know like the poor, the oppressed, and the prejudiced sectors of our community and society. The comments, opinions, and judgment we hear about others may help us to know each other, but this is not enough to know them fully. To know and understand them is to immerse ourselves in their world, feel them and have a taste of their life: To feel and to taste (sentir y gustar). The more we know and understand people, the more it becomes difficult for us to judge them.
Now I understand why Jesus is not condemning us in spite of our weaknesses and sinfulness. He knows us more than anybody knows. He can see something good in us. And He continues to forgive and trust us in the hope that someday we will discover our own goodness.

When Peter answered the second question correctly, he was praised and rewarded by Jesus: “Blessed are you Simon. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church… I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven…”
Anyone of us who understand and learn by “sentir y gustar” will be like Peter. Like a rock, we are well grounded. We cannot be easily swayed and influenced by our emotions and bad remarks coming from other people. Our own experience of each other grounds us to continually hope and trust each other. Such hope and trust will give us the key to understand each other and dare to risk again..

When Peter got the right answer to the surprise quiz – that Jesus was the Christ, Jesus strictly ordered his disciples to keep it secret. He wants us to discover the answer by ourselves. To genuinely know Him by heart is to engage ourselves in prayer. It is only in prayer that we can “feel and taste” Jesus.



Fr.Willy M. Samson,SJ
Ateneo de Zamboanga
August 24, 2008

The Wall

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 15: 21-28 “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from
the table of their masters.”


In the middle of the MoA-AD (Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain) controversy, a friend of mine suddenly blurted out, “Only a dead Muslim is a good Muslim.” But when he saw my violent reaction in my face, he immediately said, “I am sorry Father for being uncharitable and judgmental. I know I am not supposed to say those words. It’s just that I feel so helpless with our present situation. I don’t know what to do. I just want peace in Mindanao.”

We cannot deny that all of us feel so helpless in our fragile situation today. We do want peace in Mindanao but it continues to elude us for more than 35 years. The planned signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Muslim’s Ancestral Domain was an attempt to permanently bring peace in Mindanao. But when the signing was stopped by the Supreme Court, the supposedly “seed of peace” suddenly became “seed of division and resentment.” Emotions flared up again when an arm conflict erupted in North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. Some of our unspoken resentment and hidden frustrations against the Muslims surfaces again. Biases, prejudices, and mistrust are in the air again, which should not be the case. Forwarding cell phone text messages circulating around against the Muslims will not help us. Let’s make it clear to all. The MoA-AD brouhaha is not a religious issue but a political issue. We do recognize the right of our Muslim brothers and sisters to claim their ancestral land. But we need cooler heads and “peace-loving” panelists on both sides - GRP and MILF, to return to the table and revised the MoA under the scrutiny of everybody and under the ambit of our Constitution.

I do understand why some Christians are openly expressing their disgust and disappointment against the Muslims. They do have their own “not so good” experience living with our brother and sister Muslims. But giving up and hastily judging them in general is not fair to them also. In fact, they too have their own biases, mistrust and “not so good” experience with us Christians.

We do say we are for peace, but it means to continue trusting our Muslim brothers and sisters. In the midst of this very fragile situation, let’s avoid uncharitable words against them and avoid forwarding biased negative text messages. We don’t want to create an atmosphere and culture of hate against one another. Peace cannot be achieved as long as we have this “we are better than them” and “they are like that” attitude.

The need for honesty is important. And so we acknowledge the fact that people do have biases, prejudices and mistrust because of our experiences of betrayal, violence and discrimination. But this are man’s work and not of God. For our God is a God of love who desires to draw all people to Himself. He is a God who seeks to remove all biases, prejudices and mistrust that brings divisions to all people. Our reading from Isaiah shows us that Yahweh welcomes the Gentiles in his holy temple: “The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to him, loving the name of the LORD, and becoming his servant.” (Isaiah 56:6). The Koran also says the same message: “It may be that Allah will grant love (friendship) between you and those whom you (now) hold as enemies. For Allah has power over all things and Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful.” (Koran 60:7)

Our gospel today shows the bias of the disciples against the Non-Jewish Canaanite woman begging for the healing of her daughter. They said, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” (Matthew 15:23) Jesus’ seemingly cold reply to her, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel… and it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs,” (Matthew 15:24,26) were just to test her faith, but in the end, Jesus healed her daughter. Jesus clearly has a heart to those who were not Jewish. The salvation Jesus is offering is for all. The love of God is not exclusive to some “chosen people” but being offered to all. It is an all-embracing love. Jesus is a picture of God who wants to save all. He had no biases against anybody. He healed his enemies, dined with public sinners, touched the lepers, talked to the prostitutes, and spent more time with the marginalized, oppressed, and neglected. If Jesus has a bias, it is his bias to love everybody.

But we do have our own biases and prejudices to other people. We look down on people who don’t think and behave like us. We treat people differently according to their status in the society. We don’t trust an ex-inmate. We don’t mingle with people of lesser intelligence than us. We have all our ears listening to Mayor Lobregat or to Piolo Pascual; but the “kwentos” (stories) of our unschooled “katulong” (house helper) falls in our deaf ears.

What are the walls we have built to keep others out from our life? What are our fears that keep us from welcoming people who are different from us? What are our biases and prejudices that stops us from loving others?

Jesus is challenging us to go beyond these walls of fear, biases and exclusivity – by learning to trust and love one another. It is to realize that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ; that we are all Filipinos alike. It is only love that can move us beyond those walls that separate us from our marginalized and neglected brothers and sisters. We can only live in peace and in security when we learn to forgive and accept each other as God’s precious gift; and to see that there is unity in our diversity. Let us not forget the words of St. Paul, the disciples of the Gentiles, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” (Eph 4:32).

A student asked his master, “How can I know, if it is already dawn? Is it when I can say that this tree is a mango tree and that one is an acacia tree?” The master said “No.” The student asked again, “Is it when I can recognize a cat from a dog in a distance?” The master replied, “No.” “Is it when I can say that the man coming is a Muslim or a Christian? The master replied, “No.” “Then how can I know if it is already dawn?” And the master smiled, “It is when you see the man coming and you said to yourself, that’s my brother. Then it is already dawn.”




- Fr.Willy M. Samson, SJ
Ateneo de Zamboanga

Peace for Peace

Temptation in the wilderness

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit through the wilderness, being tempted there by the devil for forty days. During that time he ate nothing and at the end he was hungry. Then the devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to turn into a loaf. But Jesus replied, ‘Scripture says: Man does not live on bread alone.’ (Luke 4:1-4)


We are once again caught in the middle of another challenge with regard to our desire to find a permanent peace here in Mindanao. The recent protest against the signing of MoA on Bangsamoro Juridical Entity rocks and challenges the effort of everybody here in Mindanao in our peace effort. We are not against the idea of giving rights to our Muslim brothers and sisters of their ancestral domain. It is their right and privilege as Filipinos. In general, what the people is protesting against the signing of MoA is the failure of the government panel to fully consult all those who will be affected stakeholders of the MoA, including Zamboanga City. We want transparency. But let’s make it clear, we are against the process the MoA was formulated. Part of attaining genuine peace is to fully consult all stakeholders that will be affected by the signing of the MoA.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, we pray to the Lord for mutual trust, openness and understanding. We hope that through our prayer today, we may be able to attain the peace that eludes us for decades already. As we go through our own desert experience these days, we pray that all of us may not lose our focus and be tempted to give up to our dream of lasting peace in Mindanao. Our disunity with regard to BJE is not a religious issue but a political one. It is not Christians against Muslims, and so we pray today that our focus may not be lost … We want peace in Mindanao. And so today, we recommit ourselves today for peace. We pray that the war in Northern Cotabato to stop and possible arm struggle. We pray that the GRP-MILF peace panel may persevere and to listen to all stakeholders and come up with a better MoA generally acceptable to all Filipinos – Muslims and Christians alike and consistent to the spirit of justice, fairness, and respect. We pray that all of us may desist from spreading unnecessary destructive comments against one another for it is against peace. We are all brothers and sisters, Muslims and Christians alike. We are all Filipinos hoping and dreaming for peace. We don’t live on bread alone, but we live on peace with one another. Peace is more than food for us. It is our dream.

And so today, we pray together, as one family and community. We want to tell Zamboanga, Mindanao and the rest of our country that we are for unity and not for division. We are for solidarity and not for alienation. We are for peace.