Listen!!!

The book of Job is the story of a good man who suffers total disaster - he loses his children and property and afflicted with a repulsive disease. Although God loved Job, his faithful servant. He allowed Satan to test his faith. What if Job lost everything? Job was still faithful, but wants to prove to God that he was innocent, that he don't deserve such cruel punishment. His friends, Bildad, Zaphar, Eliphaz listened to his complaints and tried to explain Job's suffering. (Book of Job, GNT)

But a bystander named Elihu, a young man who was filled with the Spirit of God said to Job, 

"Why do you accuse God of never answering our complaints? Although God speaks again and again, no one pays attention to what He says" - Job 33:13-14

This was very striking for me, after reading the book of Job. I heard my own complaints, but was awed by the magnificence of God. Yes, who knows the mind of the Lord? It's too great for us. The speeches made by Elihu to Job shouts, listen!!(read through Speeches of Elihu Job 32-37). I myself, was quieted with my complaints...especially when God finally answered Job.

finally, let me share to you a beautiful prayer of humility from Job

I know, Lord, that you are all powerful; 

That you can do everything you want.

You ask how I dare question your wisdom

when I was so very ignorant.

I talked about things i did not understand,

about marvels too great for me to know.

You told me to listen while you spoke

and to try to answer your questions.

In the past I knew only what others had told me,

But now I have seen you with my own eyes.

So I am ashamed of all I have said

and repent in dust and ashes.

                                                     - Job 42:2-6

I still do complain to God like Job, at times. Or choose to listen what I only want to hear. or worse, don't listen at all on what He wants to tell me or what He wants me to do!

But as God loved me, He was patient and try to deliver messages through readings, reflections, through friends, the Mass and other people. Sometimes even gave unfortunate events, just to make us STOP and LISTEN. This made me soo grateful and loved by Him.

Be still my friend....pause and be silent. What was God's message to you today?..Listen. =)

God bless you!

be more inspired through this page like : http://www.facebook.com/IAmACatholicByHeart

FROM ONE FRIEND TO ANOTHER

I am sharing with you one of the beautiful prayers, we prayed about love and friendship. Before reading this...Assume yourself facing a special friend or you may think about your family, brothers or sisters, friends, more so those you find difficult. In the same way, you are facing Jesus.

I Thank God, I have you. God Bless you friend. I LOVE YOU.

  GOD IS LOVE - " We cannot love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love    others, whom we have seen." - 1 John 4:20

  FROM ONE FRIEND TO ANOTHER
                            
Friend, I don't know how to tell you,
How much I love you
And how much I need you.
I love you because I see you are happy
And because with Love, 
You listen to my words
and keep my lengthy secrets
I love you because, you approach me with respect,
You accept my silence or my outbursts,
You lift me when I fall
And encourage me in my dreams.
You are not scandalized by my sin
Nor condemn me for my limitations.

I need you brother, sister
To receive your advice,
To give what I have,
To share my faith, 
To tell you what I feel.
And to sing with you.

Thank you my friend,
For the transparency of your heart, 
and because through you, I can see
the serene, broad, happy, neat
great Big smile of God himself.

(taken from "My Brother and Sister", retreat for PLW Guides, 
January 11-13, 2013 at Holy Spirit Mission Retreat Center, Tagaytay)

POINT OF REFLECTION: ONLY THE HUMBLE CAN COME BEFORE GOD

According to St. Therese of Avila, one of the shortest and powerful prayer before God is 'Help'

'Suffering and trials are part of being a disciple of Christ. God never promised a life without burden. Because it's like a camel with no humps, is not a camel at all! 
- Thursday mass, EDSA Shrine (Matthew 11:25-30)

What is the Gospel according to me?

Point of reflection: We call ourselves Christian - Everyday, we are writing a new chapter of the Gospel, by the deeds that you do, words that you speak...What is the Gospel according to you?

Are we living the Gospel daily? - Mark 16:15-20, Solemnity of Ascencion of our Lord Jesus Christ, mass PICC Feast 

(aba,napaisip isip ng kailaliman...am I, am I not?)

I was struck by the message of the priest during the Eucharistic celebration. Those words spoke directly to me, and into my heart. 

In the gospel, our Lord Jesus Christ commanded His disciples, Go out to the world and tell the Good News. (Mark 16:15) This was the mission Christ has given to each person who exclaim, "I am Christian."

Let me share to you some reflections I had:

First, I am a Christian. 
Therefore, am I living the greatest commandment to love my neighbor as Jesus loved me? (John 15:12)

As I recount how I value others as myself, I begged for His infinite mercy and grace. I admit, I was a hypocrite at times (quick to judge or consider myself more righteous), talk about others, proud,felt fear, frustrated, impatient, and on and on for all those failures. But praise God, He does not focus on my sin but on how much He loved me. He focuses on is Love, because He is Love Himself.  Therefore, if I focus on how much He loved me....may I learn to love others more also, as Jesus loved.

Second, the Gospel. How do I live the Gospel if I don't even manage to study more about the Gospel? 

            I was happy, during the mass..I was sitting with one of my favorite friend named Rem, short for Rem me Dios. Who's presence at that moment reminded me of the Bible - The Good News. I asked myself, "how well do I know about the Gospel?" 
I realized, for a while that i was taking my Bible for granted, even though she was with me everyday. She wants to show me more!

Third, is my time with God my PRIME priority? Do i nurture  my relationship with Him daily through Sacred Half Hour? (Sacred half hour is 30-minutes period meditating on God's Word and prayer. An intense moment with the Lord. Learn more about this on Prayer  and Life Workshops ) Do I value "me and my God" time?

Fourth, I am His disciple a friend of God. How much do I serve? Do I serve for our Father's glory or my glory?

 Do I seek every opportunity to speak about Him, about His love? 

Do I listen through inspired teachings through the priests during mass, Bro. Bo's talk at the Feast, inspirational books and songs, learning well from mentors and life experiences of my brothers and sisters?

Living everyday and in every situation, "What would Jesus do in my place?"

Fifth, I am a member of the Light of Jesus Community. Do I live as I should? Loving as God's beloved and God's powerful Champion. Blessed and sharing blessings to the world and every stranger? 

Lastly, the priest said. "Batiin mo ang katabi mo at sabihin. Kapatid, may mission ka!" Yes, the great Commission as the song goes "TAKE CHRIST TO THE WORLD, SHOW THAT WE ARE HIS BY THE WAY WE LIVE..." (this includes the special mission He planted in our hearts according to our skills for His greater glory.)

As one of the talks says, not everyone knows about the Love of Christ, much less read about the Bible and learn about the Good News of our salvation...we tell the world  by the way we live. When we begin to transform ourselves, we transform the world.

Let's pray. 

 Dear Lord, You called me by name to take part in this great Commission to tell the Good News of our Salvation....You loved me, simply because you Love me. 

I pray dear Father, that I commit myself to know more about you. Take time to get to know more of You through the Bible, life experiences, talks and participating in the Holy Mass.

 I thank you for all you've done. For saving me. May my soul always hunger and be thirsty of you, of your love...knowing that You are my Bread of Life. The Living Water who cleanses me and quenches this dryness in me. 

Holy Spirit, guide me, inspire me, strengthen me.  That as I continue to uphold the Light of Jesus to every soul I meet, every soul I serve. I am serving through Christ. Lord remind me that if I suffer. I don't suffer alone, because Christ is in me. 

May anything and everything every day be a dare (challenge) for me to be a Gospel and a Testimony. That Jesus lives forever in me, through me. Create in me a clean heart, Oh God. That my every intention would never be about my personal glory..But for your glory Father God. All through Christ our Lord with great joy. Amen.

This week, His love overflowed in me. I can't contain the joy inside me. His goodness overwhelmed me...

His Love was simply waiting for you. Right here, right now... He loves you too, How can you not love?

God bless us all! :)

Prayer Time - Prime time

I too am guilty of being busy..sometimes too busy to pray. Prayer should always be our everyday commitment.

Sharing you...

 MOMENTS:Prayer Time by Fr. Jerry Orbos

In today’s Gospel (Mk. 1, 29-39) we learn Jesus’ secret refuge:  “Rising very early before dawn, He left and went off to a deserted place, where He prayed.”  In the thick of grinding sparks and flashbulbs, Jesus did not miss candle glow moments with His Father. He knew how to retreat, recharge and renew in prayer.

* * *

Someone once said that Satan cannot make you sin, he will just make you very busy until you can no longer pray, and that, for him, is already a victory. Our biggest downfall is when we no longer take time nor make time to pray because we are too busy. Prayer time is prime time!

* * *

Jesus’ whole life was a constant letting go and letting God. He did not, so to say, sit on His laurel’s, nor did He bask in His fame and popularity. He moved on to other villages to do His mission.  And He moved out from the crowd and even from His disciples when it was time for Him to commune with His Father in prayer. Without prayer, we begin to move out from our true center.  Prayer makes us focused, brings us back to what is basic, and removes from us illusions and delusions.

* * *

Every night, many of us charge our cell phone batteries before we sleep.  If only we were as steadfast and conscientious in charging ourselves in prayer at the day’s end!  Also, many of us are so religious in taking our morning coffee and in getting our morning updates from the newspaper, radio or TV.  If only we were as religious in spending some time for prayer and meditation at the day’s beginning!

* * On a personal note, I always begin and end my day with prayer. The first moments after I wake up are spent on my knees in prayer. The last moments before I sleep are also spent on my knees in prayer. When we kneel, we know who we are, and we know who God is. When we bend our knees, everything falls into place.

* * *

Let me share with you my favorite prayer:  “Jesus, I trust in you. Mama Mary, I love you!”  Say this prayer with so much trust and with so much love, and you will experience peace.  It is such a simple, but an assuring prayer.

* * *

Rurick Santos, brother Fr. RJ Santos, SVD, our Filipino missionary working in Japan, texted me last Jan. 30, 2012, how he whispered the prayer “Jesus, I trust in you. Mama Mary, I love you” into the ears of his brother Regnault who was unconscious due to multiple stroke and heart attack.  He held his hand and just kept repeating the prayer. Lo and behold, the next day, Regnault was conscious. He was even singing.  And he will be discharged from the hospital this week.  Yes, prayer is powerful!

* * *

When I was younger, I thought I could “fix” things, and get things done with sheer wisdom or hard work.  Older now, and hopefully wiser, I know that there are a lot of things I can’t fix, so I just say to the Lord: “Help! I can’t fix it.  Please fix it for me. Amen.”

* * *

February 11 is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.  It is also the World Day for the Sick.  We express our solidarity, and we offer our prayer for those who need physical, emotional and even spiritual healing. We pray also for those who are involved in the care and support of the physically, emotionally and spiritually sick.

* * *

Those who go through any form of sickness or illness experience God in a very real way.  Moments of sickness are moments of tremendous grace. Yes, in everything that happens in our lives, there is a reason.  And there is a mission.*

“My suffering is my offering.”  May those who go through any form of suffering find meaning and comfort in the thought that they can suffer vicariously for others, i.e., their sufferings can become a source of tremendous blessings for others.

* * *

Remember the cartoon character Popeye?  Remember how he becomes strong whenever he eats his spinach?  Remember his song?  “I’m strong to the finish, ‘cause I eat my spinach, I’m Popeye the sailor man!”  Let Popeye remind us that we need prayer to keep us strong, and we can defeat whatever “Brutus” that comes our way if we know how to pray.

* * *

Please be reminded that when you get too busy and it seems that everyone is looking for you, don’t forget that the Lord is also looking for you!  Something is wrong, something will go wrong if you become too busy and you put God on the side and at the periphery.

* * *

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, remind me to make prayer time prime time of my life.  Amen.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/22423/prayer-time

STRANGERS - Ulan, Salamat at dinalaw mo kami

Quezon Ave -- Habang ako ay nag aabang ng FX na masasakyan papuntang SM North, nagsimula ang patak patak na ulan...

Ang mga taong-kalye natutulog sa isang abandonadong gusali ay masayang ginising ng ulan

Tinawag nya ang iba pa nyang kaibigan sa kabilang stall, 

....sa nakapark na kariton

....sa mga nanglilimos sa daan

....mga nakaabang

....at mga anak na nagsisimula ng magtanggal ng damit upang maligo sa ulan.

Masaya silang pumagitna sa kalye, pasayaw sayaw at napapasigaw sa ulan.

Pakanta kanta habang nagsasabon ng sarili, nagbabanlaw sa daan.

Di alintana ang mga jeepney, malalaking bus at iba pang sasakyang matulin.

Oo nga naman, anu ang dapat ikatakot...anak sila at ina nila ang kalye.

At tiwala silang walang sinumang naghahangad na sila'y sagasaan.

Andito ako, sa isang tabi at nakikisilong..

kasama ng iba pang nag aabang, naaaliw na lamang sa aming napagmamasdan.

Maya maya pa, si ate..naglabas na ng pansahod 

at nagsimulang magkusot ng mga dapat labhan.

Sinasamantala ang dami ng tubig dulot ng malakas na buhos ng ulan.

Narinig ko ang aking katabi, 

"Anu ba yan, lakas na naman ang ulan..baha na naman

,basang basa na tayo dito. wala pa rin tayong masakyan."

Napangiti ako kasi halos kalahating oras na nga ang paghihintay ko,

Di ko magawang magreklamo, dahil natuon naman ang pansin ko,

sa mga taong masaya sa tanaw ko.

Bumulong ulit ang aking katabi, "hay,kawawa naman sila anu?"

Tahimik ulit akong sumagot ng ngiti,

Mas naaawa ako sa aming mga sarili kasi di magawang maglaro sa kalye,

at magpakabasa sa ulan.gaya ng ginagawa nila.

dahil siguro...tanggap nila ang kanilang kapalaran.

At sa ilang linggo ko ng pag aabang dito, di ko ni minsan narinig at kanilang ipinabatid na

"Ale, kaawaan mo kami."

At mapalad silang di kinakaawaan ang kalagayan nila.

Bagkos pinapahalagahan ang bawat biyaya

Kahit konting limos....

Kahit ang malakas na buhos ng ulan, bagyo na nga sa iilan.

Mapapalad ang mga taong, sa unos nagpapakabasa.  

Di nawawalan ng pag-asa.

Sa Diyos nagtitiwala.

Naghihintay ng pagpapala.

Unos man ay may nakaakibat na biyaya.

=)

STRANGERS on a TAXI RIDE

This week is our CG's Stranger Series... 

I would like to share to you series of experiences, reflections, learnings I had with Strangers...

1st, Let me share to you a short story about judging others and judging strangers

This happened two years ago when I was on my way to the airport going Iloilo for my grandmother's funeral.

Since I travel often, I could estimate the time I need to travel from office to the airport, traffic included. My goal is not to be too early, but not late...just be on the perfect time for my flight. Because, I hate waiting sitting,sleeping at the airport for an hour or so, especially during a working day unproductive.

I still finished one lab analysis before leaving for the airport. It was 3:00pm when I time out, my scheduled flight is 5:30pm Philippine Airlines.  Kuya Ruel, my officemate offered to get a taxi for me straight to NAIA terminal 2. But I replied, "No. Its best to ride the MRT. Get a taxi at Taft Station, or even ride a bus from there. Twenty (20) minutes MRT ride and 10-15 minutes on my way to the airport " since the trip was also unexpected and out of budget.

 I had a jeepney ride going MRT- North Station. I arrived at the station almost 3:30pm (traffic at North Ave. waiting time included). Alas, the lady guard holding a megaphone announces that MRT TEMPORARILY CLOSED.  I couldnt believe it and I'm in a rush! EDSA is so crowded, it would take  at least one and a half hour to get Taft. I had no choice but to ride a taxi. And everyone was rushing toward a taxi. And worse, it started to rain. 

On the shed, a batch of guys...in their teens are waiting for taxi also. I felt uncomfortable towards them because based on their appearance, parang mga adik, out of school youth, mga loko loko. REALLY NOT TRUSTWORTHY. Pero ilang taxi na ang dumaan, No taxi driver would agree to a P300 airport ride, they want P400 up, and they said the traffic could go worse. I might miss my flight. Oh my, what an unfortunate event!

They hailed a taxi and said that they're heading Guadalupe area.  I gathered up my courage, left my pride and asked if I could share a taxi with them. They agreed. I talked to the taxi driver, im in a hurry. He was kind enough and looked for ways to avoid traffic or at least find a less traffic area. Oh, they cared for me but I feel I still couldn't trust them. 

 I left aside my 'what ifs' prayed silently and started humming...

 'God Will make a way...when there seems to be no way....

He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me' 

and started trusting through that song. 

As I have learned from Bro. Bo's talk about the power of Words, I transmitted to each of my companion, 'Mabuti kang tao (you're a good person.)' till I felt peace and started to join their conversation. I even slept along the way because of the traffic. I woke up, we are almost at Guadalupe area. The driver dropped them off, they paid and even told the driver to send me off safely to the airport and hoped I make it still on time.  I thanked them and whispered words of blessings for them in my heart. 

The driver told me on the way to the airport, 'Ma'am, di ba kayo natakot? Mukhang mga loko mga yun a. At mabuti din, di kayo pinagbayad. Ang swerte nyo.' I smiled and told him, ' Malakas kasi ako kay Lord, I know He will make a way. At saka, basta maniwala ka na mabuti silang tao. Mabuti talaga sila.'  Recalling the insights from Bro. Bo about "What you focuses on, GROWS. If you focus on the goodness of a person, it shows. If you focus on how bad he/she is, he/she surely is based on perspective." 

I also learned  through their conversation that the guys are actually on their way to their training school. 

 I arrived 5:00pm at the airport. The taxi meter read, P120.  I gave the driver, P200 and my supposed to be simple pasalubong for my family. Knowing that it was not even enough to show him how grateful I was for his kindness. The airport staff greeted me and told me not to worry, they know about the traffic situation and the flight was delayed due to heavy rainfall in Iloilo. 

While waiting, I recounted the experience and the many blessings I had on my way to the airport. I felt ashamed of my thoughts on how I judged them based on their appearances. There's an old saying that goes. 'Don't judge the book, by its cover'

Not all strangers are bad. If they are, at least not totally. I learned from the experience to think of good thoughts and blessings for a stranger when tempted to judge them or thinking about negative thoughts. Of course, never make them uncomfortable through our actions and thoughts. Who knows, they are actually good samaritan of modern times. =)