It feels different now when we reflect on the message of this Sunday’s gospel, the Transfiguration of the Lord. This is so because it details more of what Fr. Larry has been reiterating to us ever since, the life ahead of us.

Just two weeks after his passing, it feels encouraging that one of his homilies narrates the state of dying full of hope in the beauty that was manifested in the transfiguration of the Lord.

In his very lively and inspiring way, the deeper meaning of the Transfiguration of Jesus gave us new hope in the life that we all are about to experience after we die. I can still remember that whenever he asks churchgoers, “Sino ang gustong mapunta sa langit?” everybody would raise their hands. The irony of it is when he would say right after “… now na!” (Laughs) And everybody would laugh as they immediately put their hands down. But for sure, the essence of his homily penetrates deeply in our hearts, sabi nga “tagos sa puso,” realizing that we, caught by our immediate reactions, are not ready to die yet.

Because I have only a few of his recorded homilies, I would only be sharing the thought of the one he delivered last 24th of February 2014 about TRANSFIGURATION. The translated version was through the courtesy of a friend who managed to compile some of his Sunday gospel homilies several years ago. Below is the outline of Fr. Larry’s message:

The transfiguration of Jesus reveals to us the true nature of Him – his majesty, his Lordship; and gives us a preview of what is yet to be, not only his appearance in heaven but the hope of glory that lies ahead of us. It gives us assurance that our faith is not in vain, and that no matter what happens, we should live not in fear. God also tells us to listen – listen to the teachings of our Lord Jesus, so that we may fulfil God’s plan for us: to be with Him is the ultimate perfection of our life.

No one is spared from suffering, because suffering is allowed by God to perfect us. Small sufferings prepare us for bigger sufferings. Remember each blessing – big or small. In times of sufferings and trials, draw strength by recalling God’s biggest blessing – the miracle in our life that will remind us of God’s loving kindness and mercy.

Suffering becomes a sacrifice when we accept it with a child’s heart – trusting God like a child trusting his father, no questions asked – and with gladness, offer it back to the Lord.

“Ano ba ang sakripisyo? Alam nyo kasi, ang paghihirap, kapag tinatanggap nyo ng buong puso, iyan ay nagiging sakripisyo. Pero kapag ang paghihirap ay dinala nyo ng may bigat sa loob nyo at panay ang reklamo nyo, ang paghihirap ay hindi nagiging sakripisyo. Iyan ay nagiging pagdurusa lang!”

In his every homily, he never failed to remind us to thank the Lord for the gift of life, to be mindful of our death, to prepare for it and while doing so, laugh every now and then. Quoting again what he said in his last homily:

“..Yun lang magising kayo bukas ng umaga ay isang napakalaking biyaya. Ako, lagi kong sinasabi sa Panginoon, pagkagising ko sa umaga, haharap ako sa harap ng bintana, nakaharap ako sa tore, … tumitingin ako sa krus, sabi ko, Lord, dalawang beses na kong naatake sa puso, may diabetes ako, ang hina ko ngayon, paos ako pero buhay pa ako. Maraming salamat po… Nakakakain ako ng normal. Alam nyo kung ano ulam ko ngayon pagdating ko? Tokwa’t baboy na may tawsi… Kaya sabi ko mamadaliin ko ang misa. (Laughs) Masarap ulam namin ngayon sa kumbento, at pritong plapla. Thank the Lord, hindi dahil sa mga kamalasan. Pasalamatan ninyo ang Panginoon sa mga blessing. Sapagkat napakarami niya hong blessing.

LISTEN: Fr Larry’s last Sunday Homily (Lourdes Chapel Feb 4, 2018)

Audio Player