Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Strength of the Word

"Evangelization is the carrying forth of the Good News to every sector of the human race so that by its strength it may enter into the hearts of men and renew the human race." (Pope Paul VI in Evangelii Nuntiandi)

The Word of God has its own strength.  This is the reason why despite cultural barriers or even with our inadequacies, the Word still penetrates into the heart of man.  What the Lord requires of us is to bearers of the Word both in speech and action.  The power of the Word is not dependent on how well we share it or how eloquent we are.  It lies on whether we share it at all. "As the Father sent me, so I send you (John 20:21)." When God' s Word is released, it is up to the Holy Spirit to touch and transform.  Let us remember that we are mere proclaimers but Jesus is the Savior.

When we encounter the Word in our time of prayer and Scripture, we put into our minds and hearts the power that is before us.  To take the Word for granted is like throwing away gold or refusing to grasp the hand of a person who will save us from drowning. God's Word is all powerful and strong for the Word is Christ Himself. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John1:14)." Let us then rely on the Word.  Let our day be anchored on it see how it's own strength changes our lives and the lives of other people.



Friday, January 27, 2012

I Believe in God

When a man courts a woman, he shows gestures of love and affection like sending flowers or expressing his love intentions, so that the woman may believe in him and accept his love.  When there is no belief, there will be no trust and love.

What God asks of us is to believe.  Believing is the response we give to God for His love for us through His death on the cross.  When we believe, the other essentials will follow.  We notice that The Apostles Creed starts off with, "I believe in God...".

We sometimes lose the essence of the Eucharist because along the way we are focused on the ritual rather than believing that truly the host is transformed into the body of Christ.  When we believe in the transubstantiation of the host, when we are convicted that it is truly Christ we are receiving, then the Holy Communion will surely be an experience that nourishes and transforms us.

Believing is the beginning of our faith.  We are touched and transformed by Christ because we believe that His love is real.  If our spiritual life is waning, we have to start believing again.  With conviction we say, "I believe in God..."

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Living Out Loud

I was inspired and amazed by a Praise Concert spearheaded by CFC Youth for Christ. It was called "Liveloud." It packed over 7,000 people in the Cuneta Astrodome. It featured original worship songs composed by the community members.  We were on our feet for almost two hours, singing, dancing, and worshipping God.  Even after the concert was over, people still wanted more and even lingered for a while in awe of God's greatness through the songs and sharing of young Christians. We were encouraged to boldly or loudly live out our faith and be on fire to bring others to God.


I am reflecting on the words "Live Loud."  For me it is a challenge of boldness in Christianity in today's age of materialism, apathy, and secularism.  One of those who are living loud in faith is a known Filipino American football player named Tim Tebow, wherein the term "Tebowing" was derived from his act of kneeling before God in the game.  He also wrote on his eyeblack area the verse John 3:16 where it gathered 90 million searches in Google that day he wore it.  Not to mention that he is one of the National Football League's best players today as a quarterback and he is using his influence and fame as a platform for evangelization.

Tebow is living his faith out loud. There are many who praise him for his religious boldness but many also criticize him for the same reason.

In Bishop Quevedo's talk in one of our teachings, he quoted a Vatican paper on New Evangelization about the "New Areopagus" or the "New Courtyard." The Sermon on the Areopagus was referred to the preaching that St. Paul did in Athens (Acts 17:16-34), wherein he gave his fullest speech as a missionary.  He talked boldly against idolatry and elaborated about the one Creator.  In today's modern age there are different  types of  Areopagus or Courtyards. These are the Areopagus of social communications, migration, economy, scientific and technological advancement, and the civil and political life.  Tebow definitely made an impact in the courtyard of social communications side through sports media.

We may not be a sports superstar like Tebow, but each of us have our own "Areopagus" as a venue to be a witness of God's greatness in our lives.  How are we using our influence to bring others closer to God?  What hinders us from Living Out Loud the faith that God wants us to spread in our workplaces and in our homes?  Let us go forth boldly. Let us remember that we evangelize because of the One who saves, Jesus Christ.

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control (2 Tim 1:7).

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Our "To-Love-List"

Father Andrew Recepcion mentioned in our recollection, "Many missionaries today overwhelmed by the immensity of the work in the mission field have become enslaved by to-do-lists and goals to achieve according to a mission plan to the detriment of a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus."


Does our to-do-list run our lives or does Christ still run it? We have to get back on prayer and build that relationship with our Lord.  At the end of the day, we do get our instructions from Him.  This is a "Martha and Mary" lesson where the Lord commended Mary more for doing what is more important.


"You grow in belief by believing (St. Augustine)."

How do we increase our faith? Is it by increasing the length of our prayer time?  Spending time with someone can indeed build a relationship. But how much trust is in that relationship? You can spend a whole day in prayer, yet not being able to fully trust everything to God.  Believing is trusting, and so our faith grows. When you are with someone you trust and believe, your time together will never be enough because you have your whole lives to share. When with God in prayer we are lost in time, for in Him we trust and believe and have our whole lives to share.

When immersed in a love-trust relationship with God, our to-do-list becomes our "to-love-list." Do all your works in love (1 Cor. 16:14). Our burdens become light, for we do things out of love for Christ.  We have to find Christ in the menial acts that we do:  In washing the dishes, in arranging paper, in texting people to remind them, in commuting, and more. This is finding God's grace in the ordinary.

A personal and intimate relationship with Jesus is what we need to achieve.  The rest of things we do will just be expressions of our love for Him.  Now, get your pen and paper and start jotting your "to-love-list."


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Becoming A Person of Love

We had a powerful recollection by Fr. Andrew Recepcion and he mentioned, "Love is not what you do, it's who you are."  We can do many good things in this world, and yet if we are not transformed to be a person of love, then for us it would have been all in vain.

Some questions we can ask ourselves:
Are we patient? Are we kind? Are we not jealous? Do we keep a record of wrongs? Are we not pompous? Do we rejoice over wrongdoing? Is our temper quick to rise? These are some questions based on the guidelines about love in 1 Corinthians 13, written by St. Paul.

Becoming a person of love is the evidence of a life surrendered to God.  We allow God to take control of our lives, making us love, for God is love.  Like Mother Teresa or the Pope, people cannot help but be transformed with their presence for God flows through them, love flows through them and into our lives.

Fr. Andrew also said, "No person should pass your way in vain."  This was particularly striking. It was a challenge that every man or woman we encounter should have felt the love of Christ through us. It would be in vain if we left no impact because we lack love.  For Christ's love compels us...(2 Cor 5:14).

A friend of mine, a fellow missionary described to me a person that impacted him while on the way to the recollection.  He said, "I saw an old lady all filled with sweat on her face and was carrying the image of the Sto. Nino with difficulty, but I could not fail to notice that despite her situation her face was full of joy."  This lady, without saying anything inspired my friend.

Let us then take the challenge today to make Christ felt in every person we encounter, and not let the opportunities go in vain. It may be the taxi driver, the waiter, your co-worker, or the person nearest you as you read this.  For Christ's love compels us...(2 Cor 5:14).

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Fan Into Flame

Once baptized in the Holy Spirit, we have been set on fire to do the mission of Jesus. We were granted the gifts of the Holy Spirit that will enable us to do as the apostles did.  But in trying times when the flame seemed to have died down, the fire is not actually dead.   In this stage we are like ember, still glowing with much potential for fire.  Just like grilling barbecue over charcoal, we fan the flame so the meat will be cooked.  We need the Holy Spirit to Fan Into Flame, the power that is within us.  We ask the Spirit to blow upon us and enflame us once more.    Let the Spirit revive us and turn us from ember to razing fire to do His will on earth.


Saturday, January 14, 2012

What to Ask from God

At mass today, the priest said, "Ask from God what only He can provide."

There are many things in life that cannot be bought and cannot be earned. A house we can buy, but peace in the house only God can provide. Excellent school grades or a job promotion we can earn, but fulfillment and contentment only God can provide.  We can raise our children the best we can, but only God can truly make them holy.

Let us review our supplications to the Lord.  Let us ask for the everlasting. May His graces be upon us.  

Friday, January 13, 2012

Growing Spiritually

A priest explained in his homily, "If you know it is sin, and you still deliberately commit it, then you have not gone beyond Grade 1 in your spirituality." The challenge was strong and even shocking, but true.  How can we grow in our spirituality if we lack the discipline and self control to resist temptation?

God is a forgiving god and He loves us immensely. He will always forgive our sins. But I think we should not abuse His kindness, for if we do, it will be to our detriment. We reflect on the Act of Contrition:

O my God,
I am heartily sorry for
having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins,
because I dread the loss of heaven,
and the pains of hell;
but most of all because
they offend Thee, my God,
Who are all good and
deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve,
with the help of Thy grace,
to confess my sins,
to do penance,
and to amend my life.
Amen.

I have a long way to go Oh Lord, give me strength to overcome. Help me to amend my life so I may glorify you  in my thoughts and deeds. Allow me to grow in knowing You and loving You. Amen.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Brick Laying

While most of the things we do are urgent, the realization of its vision will need our patience.  We do our works stone by stone, brick by brick, until it stands strong.  Most of us are involved in a cause, an organization, or a prayer group. Many of these groups have their own vision and mission.  What is important is that we know that the little or big things we do today contribute to building towards it.  For some the pace is fast, for others slow. But as long as we know that we are "brick laying" to build the vision.  Some results will happen in our lifetime, the others in the next generation.  The bigger the vision, the greater the patience.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Your Servant is Listening

When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the LORD came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, "Samuel, Samuel!"
Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:10)



When the Lord first revealed Himself to Samuel the prophet, Samuel did not recognize His voice and thought it was Eli calling Him.  Eli advised Samuel that it was the Lord calling. So, on the third time, Samuel recognized the Lord and said, "Speak, for your  servant is listening."


Here are some of my reflections:


1. We need a mentor.  Eli was Samuel's mentor and helped him in recognizing the voice of the Lord.  In our spiritual journey, when we do not seem to hear the Lord, the Lord has sends us people to help us hear Him.  That person may be a priest in your area, your prayer group leader, your parents, or a friend.


2. We need to obey. Samuel could have dismissed Eli's advise for visions and revelations were uncommon during Samuel's time.  But He followed Eli's advice and he recognized the Lord.  Obedience  requires discipline, commitment, and humility.  Most often, obedience does not require us to fully understand a situation, but to trust.  When we are given a new service assignment by our leaders, we do not fully understand yet why we were chosen or if ever we will succeed.  Often we only realize the wisdom when we have obeyed and proceeded with the service.


3. We need have a posture of servant.  The word servant had a deeper impact in the Ancient times.  It meant that you have no freedom and that you have been bought to do your master's bidding. So when Samuel said, "Speak for your servant is listening," he had the posture of being fully disposed of whatever the Lord wants Him to do.  Often, we are choosy. We complain and grumble.  The posture of a servant is humble and submissive.  It is through humble hearts where the Lord speaks loud and clear. 


Today let us listen to our Lord and do his bidding.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Unleash Your Great Potential

"...I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10)."


A good friend shared to me a visual. She told me that what if she died and the words engraved on her tomb stone said, "She had great potential."

I imagined this myself and I realized that truly I still have more to give. I still have great potential.  But what are the things that hinder us from embracing our full potential? How can we unleash this great potential of ours? I can think of three.

1. Dream big.  In all we do, whether business, school, or service, we are only limited by the size of our dreams.  If you think your dream is big, God's dream for you is a hundred times bigger.  Dreaming big honors God because we are making the best out of life. There is nothing impossible with God.

2. Desire.  If you have the passion, then great things will happen. John Maxwell said, "A person with passion will always surpass a person with skill."  What is it that drives us to wake up in the morning?  What is our heart's desire. Does our desire honor God?  Be passionate and see how your day turns to your favor.

3. Discipline.  Stephen Covey would describe discipline as something that will get vision and passion to actual realization.  Discipline is our Physical Quotient.  If we look closer, we can derive the word disciple from discipline.  Discipline is our weapon against laziness.

Dreaming big, having desire, and discipline will unleash our God-given potential. Seize the day! Live the best life! 

The glory of God is man fully alive! (St. Irenaeus)

Monday, January 9, 2012

Forever Grateful

We have one life to live
Oh Lord teach us to give
Your graces we receive
For in You we believe

Our prayers we lift on high
Oh Lord do hear our cry
Oh God You are all Love
Provider from up Above

To our hearts You speak
Give us the peace we seek
We long to see Your face
To be with You all our days

May we not forget
From birth 'til our death
All the goodness You showed
And The blessings bestowed

You are our Creator
Our God and our Father
We are forever grateful
May we always be faithful




Sunday, January 8, 2012

To Live is Christ


 In Cairo, Egypt, we visited the the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.  They are sights to behold. They were built around 2550 B.C. The pyramids were tombs of King Khufu (grandfather), Khafre (son), and Menkaure (grandson). The Greeks called them Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinos respectively. The three smaller pyramids were tombs for the queens. What's interesting to note is that not until the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889, the Great Pyramid of Khufu was the tallest monument on earth. So for 4300 years, the largest building on earth was a tomb.

This month alone I visited 3 wakes of the relatives of good friends.  Truly, they were greatly loved by the people around them. They are were not buried in Pyramids like the Kings and Queens of Ancient Egypt, but the people that loved them honored their memory and considered them great in their hearts.  They prayed for them to rest peace for eternity with our Lord Jesus.

In a span of 6 years, there have also been many deaths in my family. My father passed away two years ago. My mother-in-law just last year, and my father-in-law in 2006.  We continue to pray for their souls.

We all know that death is a certainty.  It all comes to our lives and in the lives of our loved ones.  It makes us reflect on how we are living our lives.  How are we spending this day that God has given us?  What are our plans in the next 10 years, considering that life is short?  These are my reflections:

1. Live a life of purpose.  God our Creator has designed each of us to fulfill His purpose.  This purpose will bring us meaningful living.  We look upon ourselves and ask, "What has God gifted me to help build His Kingdom on earth?"

2. Invest in Love. Love as much as you can. Love is the only thing that lasts and it is far reaching.  In eulogies, we do not hear of people reporting the net worth of assets a person has, instead people express the amount of love the person has impacted in their lives. Love can be felt from generation to generation. Build a legacy of love for your family, friends, and society. Invest in love.

3. Find Happiness in God. In our journey for purpose and love, we are motivated by happiness. Some misinterpret happiness by indulging in the temporary (vices, money, material wealth, physical beauty etc.).  The prodigal son learned this the hard way. In the end, he realized that happiness could be found again by being back with his father.  Although many of us know that real happiness is to be with God, we tend to become lost in the world. Let us find our way back to our Father for He has prepared a feast for us.

4. Expect Great Things to Happen.  We can be paralyzed by fear and worries.  The Lord wants us to live in the abundance of His blessings. Yet, our mind-set or "heart-set" is that of scarcity and negativity. When we are willing to carry His Cross, we are opening a world of abundance. The Lord does not want us to run away from our crosses.  It will be these crosses that will lead us to successful living. When we become stronger, wiser, and more faithful through our crosses, then will abundance flow in our lives.

Let us be inspired by St. Paul's exhortation. His conviction was this, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)." A life of purpose, love, happiness, and greatness can only be lived with Christ. And in the end, we hope for the grace to gain a life of eternity in heaven.  It doesn't matter if we are buried in a simple coffin or in a great pyramid, what matters is if that we have lived with Christ at the center of our lives.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Dare To Trust

To trust is not as simple as it sounds. Trusting is an act of faith.  It involves risk.  But in exchange of the risk we take in trusting others, there is a heightened sense of empowerment for the entrusted.  Jesus exemplified this when he said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father (John 14:12)."


The same is said in one of General Patton's quotations:

 Once in Sicily, I told a general who was somewhat reluctant to attack that i had perfect confidence in him. To show it, I went home.
Never tell people what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. (General George S. Patton)


Imagine. God entrusts us fully to continue the work He started. He even went home to His Father.  Whether at home or at work, how do we build trust with the people God gave us under our leadership?


T - Train with them
To give someone such a big responsibility without preparation or adequate training is like letting your friend pilot an airplane without going to flying school. It's bound to crash. With the training comes the discipline and expectation. With this you are positioning them to be trustworthy.


R - Respect their gifts
Each of us are endowed with talents.  By acknowledging a person's strength and matching it to the right task will help build up confidence.  By respecting their God-given gifts, they will do better than expected.

U - Understand their situation
Genuine empathy will help them realize that you care.  As John Maxwell says, "They don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."  To doubt the validity of their reasons for being absent or failing to deliver is an indicator of a weak foundation of mutual trust.

S - Space to grow
Give them room to initiate and innovate. If you are there to meddle at every step of the way, they won't feel that they have achieved something.  Without creative space, there is no true empowerment.  A smaller tree cannot grow under the shade of a bigger tree.  Trees are planted at a distance from each other so they can have sufficient sunlight and water.


T - Time for bonding
The more time you spend with the people you trust or hope to trust, the deeper will be the foundations of trust.  Time is also about attention.  It makes the other person feel important and listened to. Trust is built over time. Recall a person you trust.  Your cherished memory of this person will most likely be your times of bonding.


More than 2,000 years after Christ's death, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, Christianity continues to grow because the He entrusted to us His mission to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... (Matthew 28:19)."  He also said, "As the Father sent me so I send you (John 20:21)."


Jesus trusted His apostles like no other.  Although some of them betrayed Him, His love for them remained unchanged. Let us dare to trust like Jesus trusts.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Are We Idiots Or Are We Wise?

I just saw an Indian movie called "3 idiots."  They were called as such because they always challenged the norm, specially that of the teaching and learning methods in their engineering school.  Due to the protagonist's "against the tide" influence, they would always get into all sorts of trouble specially with their school director. And so, most often they would be called idiots because of their mischiefs and radical views.  At the end, they all followed their hearts and became fulfilled in the road they took in following their passion. They were the wise ones after all.

Technically, an idiot is a term used for someone who does not have the mental capicity over the age of a 3 year old. It pertains to a foolish person. I am reminded of what the Bible says about man's wisdom compared to God's foolishness.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength (1 Cor. 1:25).

This means that no matter what kind of invention, discovery, or theory man has achieved over the centuries, God's foolishness is still wiser.  But where can God's wisdom be found? Little do we realize that we have been gifted such, His Word, the Bible.

You may be an intellectual or someone this world calls a genius.  You may have read tons of pages and mastered your field and have several Phd degrees. Yet, have you been wise enough to study the source of true wisdom?  Just relate this to the amount of time spent you read on other books as compared to the time you take in understanding the Bible.

To be an idiot in God's eyes would not be to take His advice through his Spirit inspired Holy Bible.  I recall many days when I failed to consult Scripture.  I thought I was wise enough and strong enough, that I did not bother with His wisdom. Oh how I miserably failed!

But following God's wisdom goes "against the tide." We'll get in trouble. We'll be called idiots.  Try being pro-life and others will tell you that you're crazy not to use a condom, and you're trying too hard to go natural. Try not to be corrupt in the workplace, and you'll be branded "hindi marunong makisama or mahirap kausap (not easy to get along with or hard to deal with)." Try staying pure before marriage and you'll be teased as if being virgin is a curse.

Let us choose to be wise in the eyes of God and be willing "idiots" in the eyes of men for the sake of Christ and His righteousness. In the end, the rewards in heaven will surpass even our own imaginations.  Then will we realize that we weren't idiots after all.



Wednesday, January 4, 2012

The Voice of Christ into the World

One of my son's favorite tablet applications is the "Talking Tom Cat." For the unfamiliar, it's an app wherein "Tom the cat," listens to what you have to say, then in his own chipmunk-like voice, echoes or mimics the exact words you have just said. Kids have a belly laugh from this app!
I am reminded about the voice of one calling in the desert, the one who is unfit to unstrap the sandals of Jesus, John the baptist.


"I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
'Make straight the way of the Lord,'
as Isaiah the prophet said." (John 1: 22-23)


John is just but an echo of Christ. Like us, we are Christ's echo into the world. We do our best to follow Christ by "mimicking" His words and actions.  But we do not claim the glory or recognition for our own. Only Christ's is the credit and attention.

How are we to become the Voice of Christ into the world?

1. Let our actions do the talking. Witnessing is the best way to be the voice of Christ. "Preach the Gospel always, if necessary use words (St. Francis of Assisi)." This quote from St. Francis interjects the value of preaching through action. We can ask oursleves, "What have I done today that Christ would have done?" or "What will I do today as if Christ Himself will do?"

2. Study and use scripture. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. Many will ridicule us because of being a witness of Christ and being His voice in the workplace or school. The Word of God will strengthen us and make us firm. And when used at an opportune time, specially when someone comes to us for counsel, the Word is very powerful in convicting someone to know, love, and accept Christ. Jesus himself used scripture from the old testament to either rebuke or encourage.

3. Prepare the way for the Lord. We invite others to know Christ in a more concrete way. We encourage them to go to Mass, or for Confession, or bring them to join Community life. The "voice" is meant to lead the blind.  Our world is laid with crooked paths that lead to a life of emptiness and sin. God's voice through us will help others find the way to Jesus.

Unlike the Talking Tom Cat of which echoes our voice in a smaller voice. God's voice through us is a voice that will change our family, society, and the world.  Let the Lord's Voice echo to the ends of the earth!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

The Meaning of New Year's Resolution

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind had conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor 2:9."


It's a brand new year, and it's once again time for our New Year's resolution.  But what does it really mean?

According to Macmillan's Dictionary, New Year's resolution means "a decision that you make on the first day of the year about the things that you intend to do or stop doing during that year."

Let me dissect this definition. 

A Decision... 
a resolution is first and foremost a decision. When we decide, say, to lose weight, this will be regardless later on whether we will feel like it or not.  Once you decide, you have to stick to it or else nothing significant is going to happen.  You can tell this decision to a friend or your spouse so you can be accountable to someone and to have a person that reminds you of your commitment.

 ...Made on the first day of the year...
This would mean that during the holiday break, you might have done some soul searching or deep thinking that lead you to that resolution. So on the first day, the resolutions would have been already processed or best, prayed for. The first day is significant because it symbolizes a new hope. There is a strong sense of renewal on the first day.  But of course, some of us may not have read this post on January 1st, so choose your first day whether it be the first day of work or school.

...About things you intend to do... What are the things that you need to continue? What are the new things that you are willing to start? You can start to list about ten things that excite you. It may be a passion you wish to pursue or a basic skill that you always put off (like swimming or driving).  Maybe you want to set your financial goals for the year. It can also be an opportunity to start to write your life dreams, and how you intend to start pursuing it starting this year. Top on the list can be to have a more faithful time of prayer, 'cause all the rest will successfully flow from this.  

...or things you intend to stop doing...  
Now this part is serious. There are things that we habitually do that hinder our growth:  a favorite sin, vices that kill our body (smoking, drinking, food with much cholesterol), impatience, laziness, and procrastination, among other things. By God's grace we can stop these. We need the Holy Spirit, a supernatural strength, to overcome our human weakness. We can start through repentance, having faith, forgiving, and the process of healing and strengthening will follow.  

...during that year. 
It's time bound! It's for the specific year. This means you have to carefully plan and decide on the things you can accomplish this year.  In fact, you should be able to schedule it, take a leave for it, and mark it on your planner.  If you are a good planner when it comes to your work or in your studies, you should also be the same when it comes to your personal and family life.

With God, we can do it! 2012 here we come!

"For nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37)."



 
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