Every Ash Wednesday we start the holy season of Lent, that is, a 40 day period of preparation for the Paschal Mystery of Christ. Paschal Mystery refers to his passion, death, resurrection and glorification which wrought our salvation. Why Ash Wednesday? Because we reminded of our origin, that is, we were created by God through the "dust". "Remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return."

In order for us to understand the meaning of the Gospel account, it is imperative that we have to understand the context where Jesus is coming from, most especially in the mind of the writer, the evangelist Matthew. Matthew would like to present to his audience, that is, his community that his Gospel is the "the Gospel of fulfillment." Jesus is the Son of God who fulfills the Law and the Prophets. So, for Matthew, the whole of Matthew chapter 5-8 is considered to be the summary of the teachings of Jesus, which begins with the Beatitudes.

Fr. Guido and I are living together at the parish rectory for more than a month. We cook our food together especially breakfast, eat our meals together, not to mention, and pray together. We are one small community...partners in doing God's work. I must admit that Fr. Guido is a better cook than me. In cooking, we often use salt and pepper. We know that salt is an important ingredient in cooking for it adds flavor.

The Beatitudes (Mt 5:1-12) serve as the foundation or the basis of all the teachings of Jesus. He now acts as the "New Moses" who teaches not only his disciples, but also the crowds (all people) who gather around him. Christ's profound wisdom is contained in the beatitudes. It is considered to be the road map for people who search for happiness and fulfillment in life. It is likewise considered to be the "Magna Carta" of Christianity.

What is the significance of January 15? This date is memorable to me. Why? I rather keep you in suspense. Nevertheless, there are certain historical events which we would never forget. Like December 7, 1941 the day when the Japanese bombed and attacked Pearl Harbor. September 11, 2001, the collapse of the Twin towers that cost the lives of more than 2000 Americans.

Last Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. According to St. Matthew, when John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to him for Baptism, he vehemently objected by saying: "I should be baptized by you, yet you come to me!" (Mt. 3:14) Jesus replied to him: "Give in for now. We must do this if we would fulfill all of God's demands." (Mt. 3:15)

In my previous homily, I said that Jesus manifested himself in three ways, namely: He manifests himself to the Gentiles (pagans) by the guidance of the star. This was the feast that we celebrated last Sunday. He manifests himself when he was baptized by John at the river Jordan, the feast that we celebrate today. And he manifests himself when he changes the water into wine at Cana, in Galilee.

In the Philippines, we are used to drinking a three-in-one coffee, that is, coffee, creamer and sugar all in one sachet. Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany or manifestation of the Lord. Christ manifests himself in three ways, namely: He manifests himself to the Magi (the pagans); he manifests himself when he was baptized by John the Baptist at the river Jordan, and he manifests himself when he performed his first sign at Cana.