Let God In
Fr. Marinello Saguin
It was gray, dreary and cold. At least, it was just rain droplets, not rain showers. But this morning, the weariness from lack of sleep at dawn hours is visible in many folks’ faces, except this priest, Fr. Marinello Saguin, full of vigor and vitality.
He gave one of the best homilies in 8 days, come to think of it, 8 homilies out of 8 days are all good, just various degrees of spiritual depth, wisdom and correlations. As one priest ages, the more correlations he make.
As a young priest demonstrates, he is able to connect more with folks with his props, his vigorous speech and his innate joyfulness, that is Fr. Saguin.
This is his homily, 14 minutes long, yet felt so short.
We are celebrating 8th day of Simbang Gabi, reading these gospels, but why? To see the beauty of our faith, the heart and center of this season, Emmanuel is with us. It is a gift, a rich heritage that we inherited.
“Why are we waking up early? If Christmas, we think of vacation, no classes, bonus for shopping at Americana. But, the heart and center of this season is Christ, but is he?”, he inquired.
But is Christ really enough? If given dollars by godmom and godfather, will you reject it and say Christ is enough? Of course not, as we learned from our godparents.
It reminds him of Simon in second grade. Simon was the second smallest kid in class. He wanted to bully somebody but all were bigger than him. He found the youngest one, named Theodore. He did beat up Theodore and Theodore went to see Sister Agustine. Simon was given 100 standards to be written on the chalk board, “I will not beat up Theodore.”
Still, Simon did the offensive gesture a number of times, at least four, until it dawned on him to ask Sister Agustine, “I know I am going to hit Theodore again, I will do it again, I will be writing these 100 standards, so why do I keep on doing it,” he asked?
Sister Agustine responded, “Until you start loving Jesus more, until you start loving Jesus more than hitting Theodore, you will continue to do so.”
This is what we do, Fr. Saguin said, to experience the love of Jesus to experience the love of God and neighbor that penetrates the depths of our soul. You recall that from saintly and not so saintly people appears Jesus. Nothing is impossible with God. You recall Zechariah who can’t believe but had to get rid of his anxieties and fears and let God in. Just as Mary did, the handmaiden of the Lord, who opened herself up so God can come in.
He then called a volunteer, Efren Alabastro, who held the first can of campbell soup, a symbol of sins: anxieties, fears, judgemental, bitterness, resentments, and we carry the externals of life, we preoccupy ourselves with them, all 7 cans.
Then he challenged him to accept Baby Jesus wrapped in white blanket with both hands. He had to let go of the cans of soup to accept Jesus and not drop him. The parish applauded.
Until we start loving Jesus more, and see Him loving us back, then, that is the essence of Christmas!
PS. He received two applauses at the end of his homily and another one during acknowledgements.
I sense the appreciation of this community by the rounds of applauses they spontaneously give to the priest after homily. At times, they are not content with just one round of applause, they do another round. This was one of the best homilies I have heard as folks remember it and identify with what he said in very positive terms, to love Jesus more!!
Who is Fr. Marinello Ruel Saguin?
“Fr. Marinello Ruel Saguin was born and raised in Los Angeles, particularly the Silver Lake and Glendale areas, where his mother, brother and plenty of family members still reside. Growing up he attended St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Los Angeles. He attended St. Francis of Assisi Parish School and St. Francis High School in La Canada.
He heard the Lord’s voice calling to serve Him at an early age, beginning in second grade and decided to enter the college seminary for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles after high school. He studied at Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Oregon, discerning during his seminary college years for a more contemplative life. He entered the Discalced Carmelite Friars, Province of St. Joseph, and was with them for five years. During that time he was exposed to various apostolates of the province such as retreat work and parish ministry.
After further prayer and discernment, he decided to return to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to complete his priestly formation. He was assigned to Holy Name of Jesus Parish in South Los Angeles for a pastoral year and graduated from the theologate in May, 2014 and shortly after, headed to Mexico for an intensive Spanish immersion program. In preparation for his diaconate ordination in November 2014 he was assigned to another pastoral year, this time at St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Camarillo. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on May 30, 2015. He officially joined St. Margaret Mary on July 1, 2015.”