Don Bosco Philippines South Province

Homily on the 6th Sunday in O.T., 16 February 2025, Maryville Subd., Talamban

Do you know that there is a certain plant that is so unique and wonderful? The more you try to kill it the more it multiplies by itself and flourishes. It is commonly called Kataka-taka. What is even more amazing is that this particular plant has therapeutic properties. Its leaves can heal various ailments, such as boils, wounds, infections, and asthma. But what really astonishes us is that the more you try to kill this plant by plucking out its leaves, tearing them into pieces and scattering them all around the garden, the more it will multiply by itself and flourish. I have witnessed it myself in our garden in Don Bosco Lawaan, when I plucked out a leaf and just left it on the surface of the soil. Some days later I saw it again and noticed that the leaf has grown roots and new buds have started to sprout. Isn’t that incredible? I guess it’s one of the most amazing paradoxes of nature.

Brothers and sisters, we continue to walk with Jesus following the footsteps of St Luke. And in the gospel passage we just heard today, Luke presents to us eight paradoxical teachings of Jesus. This morning when I googled the word paradox I found more than 18 million results in the internet. The first of it offers a definition of a paradox: A paradox is a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true. But among the many other titles of paradox that appeared on my screen, what really caught my attention was this: Thirteen Paradoxes You Can Use To Improve Your Life Today. Allow me to read just a few of them.

1. The Paradox of Choice: More options can lead to less satisfaction; sometimes, less is more.
2. The Happiness Paradox: Pursuing happiness directly can lead to unhappiness; focus on meaningful activities instead.
3. The Success Paradox: Success often comes from failure; the more failure you have, the more successful you become. embrace setbacks as learning opportunities.
4. The Control Paradox: The more you try to control everything, the less control you actually have; learn to let go.
5. The Knowledge Paradox: The more you know, the more you realize you don’t know; stay humble and always curious.
6. The Connection Paradox: The more connected we are digitally, the more isolated we can feel; prioritize real-life relationships.
7. The Change Paradox: Change is constant, yet we resist it; embrace change as a part of life. These paradoxes can help you challenge your perceptions and redefine your approach to personal growth. (Source: Thirteen Paradoxes You Can Use To Improve Your Life Today – Search)

Today Jesus presents to us eight of his paradoxical teachings as recorded by St Luke (Lk 6:17, 20-26). They are more often called beatitudes quite similar to the list presented by St Matthew in his gospel. The difference however is that St Luke presents only four “blessed are you” statements and the rest were “woe to you” statements.

These are the paradoxes of our Christian life because they are seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statements but when investigated or explained prove to be well founded and true. The first four statements tell us who among the millions of people in this world are truly blessed, in contrast with those considered by the world to be unfortunate, cursed and rejected.

For Jesus, our good Lord and wise Teacher, the truly blessed persons are the poor, the hungry, the weeping, and the hated. But it does not seem to be quite automatic. He did not say “Blessed are all who are poor, all who are hungry, etc…” We have to keep in mind that Jesus was addressing himself to his disciples, those who had been following him. So I guess these four beatitudes are not applicable to all who are poor, hungry, weeping and hated. What Jesus considers to be truly blessed are only those who have Jesus in their hearts, despite being poor, hungry, weeping or hated by others. Why? It is because Jesus is the ultimate blessing we can ever have in this world and our greatest reward in the next life. He is the inexhaustible source and giver of all blessings. Even today’s Responsorial Psalm expresses this very clearly “Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.”

Now, the last four statements of Jesus have almost the same meaning but they are simply expressed in the exact opposite (also called antithetical statements). “Woe to you who are rich, well-fed, laughing, and well-spoken of.” According to worldly standards these people are the only ones who are happy. But for Jesus these could be the most miserable of all persons, if the Lord God is never found at the center of their lives. One’s possessions, pleasures, power and popularity (also called the 4Ps) could be one man’s greatest misfortune and most tragic downfall if these are not used according to God’s will and for the building up of his heavenly Kingdom. What Jesus wants to say is that if you are truly his disciple and you find yourself gifted with riches, lavished with food and other material blessings, then you should start learning how to be selfless in giving and sharing. Then and only then will you truly be counted among the blessed.

Years ago a certain Tom Stevenson re-echoed some of these paradoxes, and I guess he got it right He said “The pursuit of happiness makes you unhappy.” The happiness that the world offers is fleeting, and it comes from everything outside of you and quickly fades away. We are meant more than just to be happy. Above all we are called to be holy and blessed and to live life meaningfully according to God’s wonderful plan. And this we can achieve only if we strive to put Christ at the center of our hearts. This is why many counselors would say that true happiness is an inside job.

Allow me to conclude with a personal experience. When I was still in the seminary back in college, we used to have our six-day retreat during summer. In one of those retreats I found myself one day meditating in our private cemetery located at the back of our chapel. I don’t quite remember what I was trying to contemplate, but I remember vividly what caught my attention. It was the green Bermuda grass. I started wondering why in the height of a very hot and dry summer it has remained ever green while everything else around has already withered and turned brown dry. Then I noticed a few meters away from me a sprinkler that kept watering the Bermuda grass almost the whole day. What I saw made me realize something important about our interior life.

There are times when we find ourselves spiritually dry, or seemingly dead. Perhaps it is because we have failed to open the spiritual sprinkler of our life who is no other than Christ. A personal encounter with Christ through prayer and the sacraments is really what we need. He alone can keep us spiritually vibrant and fruitful. The first reading of today strongly supports this (Jer 17:5-8). The prophet Jeremiah said “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters, that stretches out its roots to the stream: it fears not the heat when it comes; its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit” (Jer 17:7-8)

I would like, therefore, to grab this opportunity to invite and to encourage each family here present to include in your schedule a specific time for family prayer. Aside for that, each one individually should have his/her own personal prayer time everyday; a special time which can be called “my ME time with the Lord.” If you can’t find a quiet place at home, then, go and visit a nearby church or chapel. You may come and visit our chapel in Don Bosco or you may want to jog or bike your way up to Tabor Hill to spend time with Jesus before the Bl. Sacrament at the OAD Chapel.

Finally, I am glad to let you know that a group of you have already been joining our community once a month during our Monday Holy Hour. And starting next month we are cordially extending this invitation to you Maryville Homeowners especially to the young people who want to spend some quiet time with the Lord. Please join us in our Holy Hour from 6:30 – 7:30 pm every first Monday of the month, staring March 3.

May this Eucharistic celebration inspire us and empower us to persevere in following Jesus, God’s ultimate blessing personified. He is the only true and lasting joy of our hearts. GiGsss!

8. The Freedom Paradox: Too much freedom can lead to anxiety; set boundaries to find peace.
9. The Time Paradox: The more you try to save time, the less time you seem to have; focus on being present.
10. The Effort Paradox: Sometimes, the harder you try, the less you achieve; allow things to unfold naturally.
11. The Vulnerability Paradox: Being vulnerable can make you stronger; openness fosters deeper connections.
12. The Simplicity Paradox: Simplifying your life can lead to greater complexity in understanding what truly matters.
13. The Growth Paradox: Growth often comes from discomfort; seek challenges to foster personal development.

Disclaimer: This section of the website is a personal creative writing of the author and does not necessarily reflect the official views, opinion, or policies of the Salesians of Don Bosco – Philippines South Province. For concerns on the content, style, and grammar of this piece, please contact us.