THE BIRTH OF JOHN

THE BIRTH OF JOHN

(Lk. 1:57-66)
Advent C
December 23, 2009

Maayong Gabie sa tanan!

• Na a koy duha ka trivia mahitungod kang John the Baptist. Una, sa kadaghang mga santos sa simbahan the church never ever celebrated the birthday of the saints. We celebrate the day they died because we believe that’s when they entered God’s Kingdom. But except for two, for Mary and John the Baptist. Pangkaduha, dili karun ang bday ni John. The birth of John the Baptist is celebrated on June 24th. You might ask? How did we know his bday? wala mana sa libro, wala pud sa bibliya. And they didn’t have 24th at the time of John the Baptist.

• Well, it’s the same with Jesus. At the winter solstice when the days get the shortest of the year and the year is the darkest. In the darkness of the year, we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Then everyday after that, there is more and more and more light. The days get longer, until six months later, the summer solstice. And we put the birth of John the Baptist there. Because john the Baptist said, “he must increase, I must decrease.” So we celebrate near the longest day of the year when there is lots of light and then we notice everyday after, the days get shorter after the birth of John the Baptist. A reminder that we are moving toward the darkness and the need for Jesus. Mao ni and duha ka trivia bahin sa iya…interesting no?

• The name Jonh means “God is Gracious”. And God himself gave the name John at it was revealed to his father Zachary in a vision (Lk. 1:13).

• Nay usa ka philosopher nga si Jean Paul Satre…ingon niya…that people come into the world without purpose for their lives. He was wrong! Because in the birth of John the Baptist God already has a purpose for his children before they come into this world, and so the challenge of life is for them to discover this purpose and to be faithful to its demands. Kitang tanan diri nga nagsimba karun ug katong wala pud diri nay purpose sa kinabuhi. We are made for a reason. Ang uban nakita na nila unsay ilang purpose sa kinabuhi u gang uban pud wala pakita. Para saw ala pa nakakita challenge yourself to find it because that is the only thing you will be happy for the rest of your life.

• Christ was born with a purpose…to save us and not to destroy us…and our purpose also is to praise and worship God. ang atong ebanghelyo karun naghagit kanato nga kita pud unta mahimong mga John the Baptist karung panahuna. Kita unta ang instrument nga makaila sila kang Kristo. A reminder that the task of making Christ known has been passed on to us. He became a “light to the nations”, and so must we…HOW? By showing loyalty to a friend, forgiveness to your enemy, service to your boss, good example to your child, honor to your father, gratitude and devotion to your mother, love and faithfulness to your spouse, respect yourself, charity to all men, and your LIFE to God!

• Before I will end my sharing. I have a story to tell about this great Filipino. He is one of good examples of follower of John the Baptist. He makes Jesus and Mary well known to the world. I consider him a great evangelizer of our Catholic faith. He is Manny Pacquiao…during his speech on his bday he said, “Would you like to know where I get my strength and power? He said, God told me “just trust me, I will not leave you, I will not abandon you!” this was why in every fight he fought, he would kneel and pray in his corner to seek Divine Guidance…win or lose, I will pray at the corner to thank God for all the blessings. And he asked the audience…”what about you, did you count your blessings (win or lose)? Remember to thank God for all He has done…and he will give you your needs…

• Kita? Naa bat ay pagsalaig sa Ginoo nga dili kita niya biyaan? Do we seek Divine guidance before we begin the day? Faithful bat a gihapon sa atong pag-ampo bisag nagkalisod nata sa atong kinabuhi? O may rata moampo pag hayahay ang kahimtang. Be the light of our nations my brothers and sister…hinaut pa unta!

GARBAGE TRUCK


How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly she can get back her focus on what's important.

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here's what happened. I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car’s back end by just inches!

The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did.

So this was it: The "Law of the Garbage Truck.” I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people a work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, "I'm not going to do anymore." I began to see garbage trucks.

Like in the movie "The Sixth Sense," the little boy said, "I see Dead People." Well, now "I see Garbage Trucks." I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.

One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best.

Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about. The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day. What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by? Here's my bet. You'll be happier. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so.. Love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't.

 

SALUBONG


Introduction
The researchers choose this topic, which is one of the most popular Philippine Religious Traditions in this generation, in order to emphasize the importance of Salubong in the life and faith of the Filipino people. This topic is very connected to the growing faith of the Roman Catholic Christians. This will also give life to the New Testament witness to the resurrection of Jesus-Christ. It is a commemoration of the personal encounter of Mary with the risen Christ, and also to his apostles. This personal encounter with the risen Lord, as Catholics commemorated every year during Easter Sunday (Easter procession), is also of great help by means of personal assessing of ones’ value of faith. Salubong is not literally written in the bible but this will be a mean for the individuals to connect themselves to the New Testament encounter of Jesus’ resurrection. Hence, the Church nurtures the faith of the people through Traditions and tradition.

What is Salubong or Encuentro?
One of the Easter practices unique to the Philippines and other countries influenced by the Spaniards is the celebration of the "salubong". The word refers to the act of meeting someone who is arriving. As the word connotes, the celebration is a reenactment of the first meeting of Christ and his mother, Mary.

This is not written in the Bible, but our natural affinity to our mothers tell us that if there is someone to whom Christ will show himself first after his resurrection, it must be to his mother who loved him so much.

Salubong is when Jesus and Mary meet for the first time. In the Philippines, it is usually done in 3 am or 4 am in the morning. The females and males are separated. The males going with Jesus and females go with Mary. As Jesus and Mary go closer they sing Alleluia. After that they give you the first mass of Easter then you can either go home to celebrate or usually there will be a big celebration.

In the Philippines we have developed a beautiful Easter procession which is called “Salubong or Encuentro”. The Encuentro is a kind of an audio-visual aid which dramatizes the meeting of the risen Lord with His mother Mary. It makes visible how Mary’s deep sorrow is changed into great joy, seeing her Son alive. Although such an encounter between the risen Christ and His mother is nowhere reported in the Gospels, it can rightly be presumed that Mary was among the first witnesses of the resurrection.

Etymology

Salubong is incorporated in the celebration of the Easter Sunday as far as the Philippine context is concern. We already defined from the above descriptions about the meaning of Salubong basing from what we observed in Easter processions here in our country. In this research, it is very important to note the Etymological meaning of the term “Easter” in order for us to be guided.

The word “Easter” is probably derived from Estre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring. The German word Ostern has the same derivation, but most other languages follow the Greek term used by the early Christians: pascha, from the Hebrew pesach (Passover). In Latin, Easter is Festa Paschalia (plural because it is a seven-day feast), which became the basis for the French Paques, the Italian Pasqua, and the Spanish Pascua. It is also related to the Scottish Pask, the Dutch Paschen, the Danish Paaske, and the Swedish Pask.

Obscurity of its Origin

The researchers find some difficulty in searching for the exact origin of the Salubong or Encuentro. However, they use the book of Bernhard Raas, SVD as their source in knowing the origin of salubong or Encuentro.

It is a precious heritage we have received in the Encuentro. The great multitude of the people attending this procession early Sunday morning proves that it has become a part of Filipino culture and is deeply appreciated by the people. Where the Encuentro has its origin is not sure. Also the Indios in Guatemala observe the tradition of the Encuentro, but there it is done on Good Friday and it presents Jesus on His way to Golgotha, meeting His mother Mary and Veronica. The Filipino version of the Encuentro came probably from Spain and via Latin America it reached the Philippines.

Involved Rituals

Allow us to present to you about the story we get from the Kwaresma at Semana Santa 2008 Archive.

Marso 23, 2008. Maagang-maagang gumising ang marami upang makilahok at masaksihan ang Salubong ngayong Linggo ng Pagkabuhay. Ika-4:30 nu ay nagtipon ang mga parokyano sa mga Parokya ng Bancaan, San Roque at Naic. May kani-kanyang seremonya para sa salubong ang bawat parokya ng bayan.

Sa Bancaan, nagtipon ang mga kasama sa karo ng Maria Resureccion sa Bucana Coop. habang sa Labac Bridge naman ang sa karo ng Hesus Resureccion. Naganap ang salubong sa simbahan ng Bancaan.

Sa San Roque naman, nagtipon ang mga kasama ng Maria Resureccion sa Calubcob habang sa Gugo naman nagmula ang mga sumama sa imahe ng Hesus Resureccion. Sa simbahan din naganap ang salubong ng dalawang imahe.

Sa kabayanan, muling inilabas ang mga karo ng San Pedro, San Juan, Sta. Veronica, Maria Magdalena at Salome para sa prusisyon. Ang mga debotong babae ay nagprusisyon kasama ang mga santong nabanggit patungo sa tahanan ng Pamilya Papa sa Zamora upang sunduin ang imahe ng Maria Resureccion. Binaybay nila ang Capt. C. Nazareno, pa-Evangelista at lumagos sa Zamora. Ang mga lalaking deboto naman ay nagprusisyon kasama ang imahe ng Hesus Resureccion. Binaybay nila ang Capt. C. Nazareno, pa-Rizal at humantong pabalik sa liwasan.

Pasado ika-5nu nang magsalubong ang imahe ng Hesus Resureccion at Maria Resurrecion sa mismong plaza. Inihimpil naman ang karo ng ibang santo sa mataas na bahagi ng Poblete--Capt. C. Nazareno.

Bahagi ng seremonya ang pagtula ng isang batang lalaki. Sumasali't sa tula ang pag-awit ng mga batang sila ring nagsi-awit ng Hosana noong Linggo ng Palaspas. Inawit nila ang Alleluia at Regina. Tampok ang dalagang anghel na siyang nanguna sa pag-awit ng Regina. Mula sa likod, dahan-dahang lumakad hanggang sa rampang idinugtong sa entablado ang dalagang anghel. Matapos ang mga pag-awit, inalis na ng dalagang anghel ang itim na belong nakalukob sa imahe ng Maria at pinalitan ito ng puting tela.

Ayon naman sa mga pagsambit sa tula, nagpakawala ng mga kalapating puti, at nagpalipad din ng mga lobo kung saan nakatali ang koronang tinik at mga pako (yari sa styro). May mga lobo rin kung saan nakatali ang belong itim (iba sa belong inalis subalit kumakatawan din sa belong yaon). Bukod pa ang maraming lobong puti at asul na pinalipad din.

Matapos ang seremonya sa plaza, tumugtog ng mga musikong pang-karakol ang banda. Pasayaw na dinala ang mga karo ng Maria at Hesus papasok sa simbahan. Marami sa mga debotong pumuno sa plaza ay napaindak sa karakol. Bukod dito, may mga batang babae rin na sadyang bahagi ng seremonya upang magsayaw sa gitna ng plaza.

Pagdating sa simbahan, bandang ika-6nu, idinaos ang unang misa. Nasundan ang misa pagsapit ng ika-8nu, at isa pang misa pagsapit ng ika-6ng.

Sa ganito, nagwakas ang Semana Santa o Mahal na Araw sa Naic.


Religious Significance of Salubong or Encuentro
In this research, it is very important to note the significance of Salubong in the life of the Filipino people. As we have mentioned earlier, Salubong is very important as Filipino people who nurture their faith to Jesus Christ, the One who is resurrected from the dead. Filipino Catholics believe that the resurrection of Jesus is the culmination of His Paschal Mystery, and through that event he defeats the power of darkness which is death. The researchers believe that what matters most of all these things is faith. The personal encounters of Mary and the apostles with the risen Lord are made present in the Easter procession, and in that event we personally encounter Jesus in our faith.

The Holy Week and Town Fiesta processions tend to become either sincere dramatic enterprises, opportunities for the fulfillment of a vow, or competitive displays. Community solidarity is promoted, but it is by appeal and support, straining action and silent or vocal encouragement, by participants on the one hand, and sidelines on the other. This solidarity between those who march and those who watch is clearly expressed in the lighted candle held on the sidelines, or placed in the windows of homes on the route of the procession.


Salubong or Encuentro as Biblical Catechesis
The researchers mentioned from the above description that the encounter between the risen Christ and His mother Mary is nowhere reported in the Gospels, but they believe (researchers) that Salubong or Encuentro can be a biblical catechesis to interpret the various encounters.

By making use of biblical texts to illustrate and interpret the various encounters it would turn into a biblical catechesis. The scheme of such a “revised Encuentro” would like this:

Station The risen Lord meets His mother the same as now and singing of
“Queen of heaven, rejoice” Station He appears to Peter John 21, 15-17 can be read, and a
song that people can participate
Station He appears to Mary Magdalene The Easter Sequence may be sung
(and afterwards during the mass
Omitted)
Reading of Jn 20, 14-18
Station He appears to the 500 Reading of 1 Cor 15-16 and
Invitation to meet Him now in the
Eucharist.

Salubong or Encuentro as “tradition”
Salubong becomes a Philippine tradition in the context of the whole Catholic Church in the Philippines. It becomes a habit in the faith in which being practiced by all Filipino Catholics everywhere. It is an inherited tradition accepted by the collective mind of the Church. The love and faith of the Filipino Catholics make a Salubong or Encuentro as an inherited tradition still alive. To prove the traditional nature of Salubong or Encuentro, the researchers use the criterion of Sensus Fidei.

Sensus Fidei looks to the present sensitivity found in the whole body of believers. The Holy Spirit guides their instinctive discernment in matters of faith. Sensus Fidei involves the Holy Spirit. This criterion ultimately looks to the Spirit’s impact on the collective mind of the whole Church. It directs us to examine the faith and practice of the whole Church.

The criterion Sensus Fidei looks to the practice of the individual in the present context. It looks to the present collective sensitivity of the whole Church. Salubong is one of the many traditions which can be qualified in this criterion. Meaning, Salubong or Encuentro is qualified in terms of present collective faith, and that is being practiced by all Filipino Roman Catholics under their discernment in the Holy Spirit. It is also very important to include in this study that under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the faith of the Church is being nurtured. The researchers agree that Salubong or Encuentro is very important, and that as far as observation is concern most of the Filipino Catholics join in solidarity with the others during this event. This inherited tradition cannot be taken away in the hearts of the Filipino Catholics. For them, this tradition became part of their life as members of the Body of Christ. The researchers challenge all Filipino Catholics to become active and participative in this tradition of encountering Jesus in a most personal way of expressing faith. Hence, they believe that in participating Filipino Catholics will be able to see the importance of this tradition in the life and faith of the Church.

Assessment and Recommendations

Group Assessment
Salubong has become part of the tradition of the Filipino Catholic Church. It strengthens the faith of the Filipino believers of Jesus as the Son of God who has risen from the dead. It nurtures the individual’s faith and form one to become mature in witnessing to the Gospel values of Christ. Filipino Catholics become the living witnesses of the New Testament resurrection of Jesus Christ. They experience Christ in a most personal way of encountering. The researchers believe that Salubong or Encuentro becomes the instrument of recognizing Him in a most faithful way manner. They mention “faithful way manner” because it involves faith of the individual, and that faith is expressed in many ways particularly in the tradition of Easter procession. Hence, Salubong or Encuentro will lead us towards knowing the meaning of being a Catholic Christian, and their one will be able to appreciate (because he experiences Jesus personally) his own faith in the context of this particular tradition.


Biblical Basis
Salubong is a widespread tradition in the Philippines. The Biblical basis of this tradition is implicit. It is not written whether Mary really met her son Jesus. It is a logical proposition that it is obvious that if Jesus appeared to the other biblical personalities, it is contradictory that He never appeared to His Mother. Honestly speaking no one can rely on this proposition as biblical basis of this tradition. But, it is very surprising why this tradition flourished.

Magisterial Basis

The surprising spread of this cult urged the Magisterium to speak about it. As what is observed before that many people were interested in salubong rather the Eucharistic Celebration. The CBCP responded in 1971 by instructing that Salubong should be incorporated in the mass. The salubong takes the penitential part of the mass. This aims to bring people to love the Eucharist. To accommodate the salubong or to have its place in the liturgy in 1993 the CBCP approved some changes in the Dawn Mass during Easter Sunday. In place of the empty tomb of John as the gospel now it is Luke 27-28: the praise of Mary and all those who hear the Word of God and keep it. All prayers have now a Marian note.

Risen Lord
The tradition really founded on the Risen Lord. It is a festive as well as sacrificial commemoration in resurrection of Jesus. The foundation of this tradition is to make known the glorious resurrection of the Lord. The risen Lord directs the apostles to teach the Good news to the farthest bounds of the world. Salubong is a living Gospel that portrays how Jesus overcomes death by his victoriously rising from the dead.

Apostolicity
There is no known citation of the Church Fathers of this tradition. There is no written record from antiquity that this tradition is exhorted. Looking back on its history, it is said that salubong was developed during the onset of evangelization. It is used by the by the missionaries as an aid for catechesis. As we all know majority of the non-believers are illiterate therefore there is a need for an aid in order for them to understand the resurrection. They found salubong as an excellent tool for these.

Sensus Fidelium
It is precisely in this criterion that this salubong reach to this level of popularity. There is no clear biblical text that supports this tradition yet it make sense to the faithful. They fully believe on the benefits they will received in Salubong. The faith of the believing community causes this tradition to continue up to this moment. The sad thing here in there is some faithful are very fanatic. They believe that the flowers used in the salubong can cause good luck. So they panic in order to get some of these flowers. This is misleading because they are only limited to signs and they do not transcend – to the reality of that signs which is Christ Jesus.

The Vincentian Cannon
This tradition is widespread in the Philippines. Basing at Vincentian Cannon we can consider Salubong as true tradition. All churches in the Philippines celebrate this tradition in the same manner and almost in the same time. This believed by almost all Catholic in the Philippines so by this it can be consider as true tradition.

The Creed
One of the articles of faith is the resurrection. In salubong the resurrection is the center of this. This tradition affirms the proposition of our creed so therefore salubong is not far from the teaching of the Catholic Church.

Recommendations
Salubong is very much relevant to Catholic faith. It has no solid biblical foundation yet its point to the very reality to the life of Christ. It heralds the mystery of the Risen Lord and as a form of Catechesis it follows the mandate of Christ in the Ascension, “Go therefore and make disciples of men.” It cannot be viewed in terms of apostolicity because this tradition develops in the advent of missionary’s evangelization. But, despite of some canonical discrepancy the faithful are drawn towards this tradition. It is the faith that makes it prosper.

The group unanimously approved this practice must be observed. However, there should be modification to this practice. The appearances of Jesus in the Bible should be included. For example His appearance to Mary Magdalene (Jn 20:14-18), the appearance to Peter (Jn 21:15-17) and the appearance to 500 persons as what is read in 1 Cor 15:6. This modification leads salubong to further biblical authenticity. The Eucharistic prayer should not have a Marian Note. It is observed that salubong has Marian character. This is misleading because many would think that we are exhorting Mary than Jesus. It is somewhat contradictory that we are rejoicing to the resurrection of Christ yet our prayers in the liturgy have a Marian touch. The following are the Presidential prayers of the Dawn Mass of Easter Sunday.