Journal # 2: The Parable of the Elder Brother

YOU are the younger brother.
JESUS, is your elder brother who gave up his life and left a trail of light for us so that we may find our way back home.

Even now, your father is waiting for you.

Thanks to Jesus, our Elder Brother, wherever we find ourselves in this world, there will always be light because Jesus, our Elder Brother, has been there.

Thanks to Him, our Elder Brother, God's first born, no place is so far or so dark that it falls beyond the love of God. Its time to go home. [1]

Points of Reflection:

• Go back to the story of the Parable of the Elder Brother. What struck you most in the story? What did you feel after hearing the story?
• Now, look into your own life, how is your relationship with your Elder Brother, Jesus? Had there been times when you somehow felt you are in the shoes of the younger brother? Bring this into prayer.
• How about your family? How's your relationship to your parents? To your siblings being an elder or younger brother/sister? The Elder Brother gave a perfect example how we must relate and show our love to our families. Are you willing enough to follow his example? If not what prevents you? Perhaps you may want to spend some time reflecting over these points in personal prayer.
• It is helpful to keep track of our prayer experiences by keeping a prayer journal. Note down all your feelings, significant movements, and the image of God you met after the prayer period.

"Wherever I go, I will leave a lighted candle. So even if I don't find him, he will know I've been there. Should he get lost, he will find a trail of light that can lead him back home."

- Elder Brother

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[1] Go, Johnny C., SJ, The Parable of the Elder Brother, Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc., 2006.

Be Not Afraid!

22 June 2008 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jer 20, 10-13; Psalm 69; Rom 5, 12-15; Matthew 10, 26-33

Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.Even all the hairs of your head are counted.So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.

It seems to me that the contemporary world of today is in dire need of security, which brings us anxiety and restlessness within. Perhaps for the seniors, some of you are worrying and anxious, if you'll be able to be pass the UPCAT or ACET or to even graduate this year. We are constantly anxious of what the future holds, so that most of you may agree and most self-help gurus will tell us: plan and take charge of your life!

The Sunday Gospel this week invites us to trust God, because He knows what we need for He made us in His own hands and because we mean so much to Him. Did He not say that He even have our hairs counted and we are far more worthy that gazillion sparrows! Mother Theresa once asked if she prays for clarity said, that it was the last thing she ask ---because she just wanted to put all her trust and faith to God. Wow.

Dear friends, today we too are invited to take courage and trust in His words of consolation. Like Blessed Mother Theresa, when we are being tossed and buffeted by the harsh winds of life; when we feel lacking of security and do not know where to go or when we do not recognize Him working in our lives, let us take comfort in His words, “Be not afraid!”