parishworks! 1Vol. 7 No. 52 March 31, 2012

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From Hosannas to Crucifixion: The Palm Sunday Paradoxby: Russel Matthew Patolot

Isn’t it funny that we have a tendency to be “plastic”? No, not the kind that you place your groceries in, nor is it the term used to describe our various food containers at home. It is when we become so indignant toward a person but cannot or will not afford to blatantly express our ire, we act and relate with that person differently than we normally would any other who doesn’t get on our nerves most of the time. It escalates to the point wherein we say something to that person today and that will take on a whole new meaning tomorrow. We are prone to say “I love you” today and “I hate you” the next.

This is the paradox of our human condition. We are too easily swayed by illusions of wealth, power, and instant gratification that we even sell our own souls just to feed our uncontrollable and ever-hungry appetite for the things of the world. At some point, we would even trample on values and principles we were raised with in order to gain something invaluable and fleeting.

In today’s liturgy, we have two gospel readings. The first is read during the rite of blessing of the palms before the celebration of the Mass begins. This reading refers to the joyous welcome of the children of Israel, waving their palm branches in the air and laying their clothes on the road just to greet Jesus as He enters the city of Jerusalem. Their cries of “Hosanna” resound and resonate as we would also be wont to sing in today’s liturgical celebration.

The second gospel reading is that of the account of the Passion and Death of Our Lord. The first paradox strikingly occurs at this point. The mood suddenly shifts from the joyful and Messianic fanfare that the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem heralds to the experience of sorrow

Ang KampanaryoBy: Claire Padilla

Last March 24, 2012 was the Lakbay Dalangin of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, one of its Lenten Activities. A Visita Iglesia comprising of churches of Rizal and Laguna. The group visited old churches , each one has its own history, some built way back during the Spanish occupation, yet these churches have kept their original structure and look. A meaningful and educational experience especially to the ones who have not yet gone this route.

We visited seven churches all in all, not minding the excruciating heat of the sun, alighting from our designated buses to the churches where we prayed and read the fourteen stations. We read two stations for each church that we visit.

What caught my attention were the ancient bells adorning the top of some of these old churches which we call the “Kampanaryo”. These bells reminded me of so many things during my childhood, when we heard these bells at 6pm, we ran home for our evening prayer

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From Hosannas to crucifixion...from page 1

Ang Kamanaryo...from page 1

over the sufferings of the Suffering Servant who is now “like a lamb being led to the slaughter.” (Isaiah 53:7)

In the traditional dramatic reading of the Passion account, we hear the cries of the people – not anymore those of blissful hosannas, but the bloodcurdling mob-like shouts of a people about to engage themselves in a full-blown riot: “Crucify him!” (Saint Mark 15:3) Here, the second paradox makes itself so powerfully evident. Imagine, from the crowd’s open profession of Christ, they suddenly revile, insult and demean Him, even to the point of asking for His death on the cross.

Personally, I cannot understand the fact that after their public acclamation of Christ as their King–Messiah on Sunday, they suddenly seem to have a mass amnesia that they suddenly turn on Him and shun Him, making Him an object of their curses and hateful language on Friday. It is as if they went together and staged a mass protest against a man who did nothing but kindness and goodness to them – healing their sick, driving out demons, preaching the Good News and so on. And this is how they repay Him.

How many times have we become like the bloodthirsty crowd? We profess that we are Christians, followers of Jesus, but how many of us live a lifestyle

that is totally opposite to what the Gospel teaches? We call him as our Lord and Savior, but we go through everyday as if He doesn’t exist – maybe every Sunday, but not everyday. Are we supposed to leave the Good News only in church?

To be a Christian is a fulltime responsibility. We ought not to be schizophrenic – separating who we are and what we do on Sundays and assuming another personality on weekdays.

Are we to repeat what the crowd did? Are we to clamor again for the crucifixion of Christ by our actions? Saint Francis of Assisi admonishes us that it is we who crucify Him – and continue to do so when we delight in our vices and sins.

Pilate asks us, “Shall I crucify your king?” (Saint John 19:15)

Jesus is waiting for our response.

As we begin the celebration commemorating the events leading to our redemption, let us renew our commitment and resolution to follow Jesus even to His Good Friday, so that we may be partakers in His glorious Easter Sunday.

Have a meaningful Holy Week!

or “Orasyon” (Angelus). Rings of bells have different meanings - for daily masses, for time, for fiestas, and bells for the dead which we call “Agunyas” (funeral dirge). And when the bell rings a loud and continuous tone, we know its danger- either fire, strong typhoon or whatever disaster that will hit our place.

Looking up the church extending my gaze to the

Kampanaryo with its bells, old memories keep lingering in my mind. Really, church bells has a soft spot in my heart.

I will end this page by thanking those kind hearted people who helped the Greeters to experience this unforgettable pilgrimage. Thank you!!! From the bottom of our hearts, you know who you are, God bless you!

parishworks! 3

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To Become Like Him(2nd day of Recollection)By: Susan Amoroso

Lent is a special time for listening to God. Our first parents, Adam and Eve committed the first transgression, called the original sin in the garden of Eden because they did not listen to God. They heard Him, yes. But they did not listen to Him. Secondly, God’s intention is for all mankind to share in His life forever and be like Him. Thirdly, that God established an order and objective morality which is true and can never be subjective or relative. Fourth, Lent is about God’s enormous love for us and His asking us to be saved through His Son Jesus Christ. These are the main points embodied in the Lenten message of Rev. Fr. Robert Tico, also known as the singing priest.

Reverend Fr. Tico , speaking during the Lenten Recollection sponsored by the St. Andrew the Apostle Parish (SAAP)last Tuesday, March 20, 2012 emphasized listening to God with the heart is obeying God with fullness of faith and love.

The Lenten message of the singing priest was espoused with his soulful rendition of religious songs in between the talk . He sang LIWANAG NG AMING PUSO with lyrics by no other than Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle and music by Fr. Eduardo Hontiveros, S.J. He also sang YOU ARE MINE by David Haas.

According to him, contrary to common presumption of many, the sin of Adam and Even was not their wanting to become like God, for ~ becoming like God is God’s plan for us.” Adam and Eve sinned because they wanted to take the place of God and subject everything according to their own wishes and whims.

Father Tico said:

He intended right from day one of creation that humankind would come to share in His life. In fact, already in Genesis 1:27, this truth is already established: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” There is the divine imprint in every human soul, even without it (mankind) wanting to be like God.

Further, in 1 John 3:2 it is written, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we shall late be has yet come to light. But we know that when it comes to light, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” And in the third Eucharistic Prayer, the priest declares,

“ On that day, we shall see You, our God, as You are. We shall become like You and praise You through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thus , it is very clear that wanting to become like God is not a sin, it never was for our first parents and it never will be for all eternity. Rather becoming like Him is, in fact, God’s plan for all humankind, you and I included. The sin of our first parents was that they wanted to take God’s place and subject everything to their rule.

From the very beginning God, who is the God of order , so ordered that in matters of good and evil-the realm of morality-we hung on to him. Morality is His exclusive terrain. What is good and evil depends on Him, not on us. Morality can not be relative. Objective morality is true and is determined by God alone, thus should be upheld by all His creatures

Stealing in all its forms is evil. Killing, be it the self or another, be it foe or worse, a friend , is always evil. Lying in whatever color we categorize it is evil. Euthanasia and abortion are intrinsically evil. Artificial contraception, because it tampers with the natural law of procreation, and the rape of Mother Nature are evil in themselves. These and other moral values, whose voice we call `conscience’ , constantly guiding us – to do good and abhor evil- are non-negotiable. We did not author them. We should not alter them. When it comes to

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Matthew LizaresParish Works StaffMagda Gana, Emilio Medina, Russel Matthew Patolot, Karen Ann Phoa, Angelina PoeBulletin Board EditorEJ Carlos, Harley Dave PunzalanPowerpoint CoordinatorEllie Medina,Ging Santos SAAP Facebook AdminRochelle Pineda

ContributorClaire Padilla

Spiritual AdvisorRev. Msgr. Dennis Odiver

PublisherSt. Andrew the Apostle ParishN. Garcia St. cor. Kalayaan Ave.Bel-Air II, Makati CityPhones: (632) 890-1796 / 890-1743 media@saaparish.com

Parish Works is the official weekly newsletter of Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish.

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1. As soon as morning came, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ H A D E S N N I R held a council.

2. A man called _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S A B A B R A B was released instead of Jesus the Nazorean.

3. Pilate asked, “Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?” They all shouted, “ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ R I Y C F C U him.”

4. After having Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified. The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ M O R A T E P U R I, and assembled the whole cohort.

5. They pressed into service a passerby, Simon, a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ R A I N N E C Y, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry the cross.

Answer key: 1) Sanhedrin; 2) Barabbas; 3) Crucify; 4) Praetorium; 5) Cyrenian

April 1, 2012 –

Palm Sumday of the Lord’s Passion

Gospel: Mark 15:1-39

Announcements

1. Let us support Alay Kapwa. A second collection will be done in all Sundays of Lent to raise funds for the Philippine Church relief programs for victims of calamities and disasters, both natural and man-made.

THANK YOU for supporting ALAY KAPWA.Second Collections for: 03/04/12 P20,902.8503/11/12 P36,801.00, 03/18/12 P27,953.50

2. The Parish Youth Ministry invites you to the staging of “SENAKULO” on Holy Tuesday, April 3 at 7:30 in the evening here at our parish church.

3. Please come for the Seven Last Words of Jesus on Good Friday at 12:00 noon. Reflections will be done by Rev. Fr. Vicente G. Cajilig, OP.

4. Holy Week will be from April 1 to 8. Please be guided of the activities through our parish flyers, bulletin boards and tarpaulins.

5. Sponsorship forms for Paeskwela ni San Andres are now available at the Parish Office.

By: Karen Ann Phoa

what is morally good and evil we look up to God whose creatures we are and yet made us stewards of His creation. We obey Him.”

The singing Priest’s message inspires us to come into the light which is Jesus. God’s love for us is the only way out of the darkness that we imprison ourselves in by our sinful lifestyle. He said it is impossible for the light to lie. Under the light red is red, blue is blue, white cannot be black, and black is impossible to be white. We, as God’s children are not meant for darkness. We are destined for the light. No one hides a masterpiece in the dark. Let us be witnesses in word but most of all in deed. As St. Francis would tell his friars, ``GO and preach the good news, talk if necessary.’’ It is not enough to believe and to trust God, we must go forth to help others experience Him (GOD) in their lives.

He said Lent is going into the wilderness with Jesus, we need to leave our comfort zones so that we may answer questions whose consequences are not only grave but eternal as well. As the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to test Jesus’ resolve even as He began His mission, so are we lead by the same Spirit into the wilderness to renew our faith and rekindle our missionary zeal.

To become like Him...from page 3