We Can Still Align: The Antidote to Future Regrets

2^nd Sunday of Lent

Pls Read God’s Silent Message: Mk 9:2–10

Hello, MILLENIALS!

Have you heard some at your age, with these lines?

Sana pala, I didn’t give in that much, di sana ako na-broken hearted!

Sana pala, I didn’t keep secrets from my parents, na-guide sana ako!

Sana pala, di ako nagmadali, na-enjoy ko pa sana ang pagka-bata ko!

Sana pala, nakinig ako, di sana …

Guess what, would you know that your parents share the same sentiments with you?

Kung sana lang nasabihan namin sya, di sana sya nasasaktan ngayon!

Kung sana lang nalaman namin, di naman nya kailangang maramdamang mag-isa sya!

Kung sala lang di kami na-awkward na masabihang stage parents, we could have enjoyed TIMES TOGETHER!

Kung sana lang, nakinig sya at napakinggan namin sya, di sana…

Ang daming “sana”, ang daming time na parang nasayang na!

If dadating ka sa point na parang kulang na ‘yong time, saka mo lang masasabi sa sarili mo:

“Sayang, ‘di sana ako naghesitate na tingnan ang dapat kong makita,

di sana ako nagdalawang isip na sabihin ‘yong dapat kong sabihin;

naging humble sana akong ipakita at iparamdam na kailangan ko ng tulong;

kailangan kong maramdamang di ako nag-iisa.”

Millennials and “Me-linya” … come to think of it, “to each his own!” … sometimes, we just don’t realize and recognize that we both share the same sentiments towards each other in the so-called “generational gap.”

Madalas kesa minsan, we fail to make “both ends meet” kasi we are focused on our own emotions and expectations.

Today’s Gospel is reminding us to be spiritually awake and not miss God’s glory in action:

“The Lord Jesus not only wants us to see His glory - He wants to share this glory with us.

And Jesus shows us the way to the Father's glory: follow me - obey my words - take the path I have chosen for you and you will receive the blessings of my Father's kingdom - your name will be written in heaven.”

We would miss  God's glory and action if we wouldn’t strive to obey “as children” and submit to the path that God has chosen for us “as parents.” The Antidote to future regret is to align "as parents" and "as a child" NOW!   

Life is too short, we should maximize time, appreciating and enjoying “having each other” while we still have all the opportunity to “make things up with each other”. J #sunset

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Article Published in: The Feast San Lorenzo Bulletin. Issue #12. 25 February 2018. The Light of Jesus Family in San Lorenzo, Sta Rosa, Laguna. https://www.facebook.com/thefeastsanlorenzo/

Never to Feel Small Again!

THAT NIGHT!

photo credits: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com

When you have so much desire in your heart to give -- but you just can't because you don't have any! 

THIS MORNING as i awoke to this brand new day -- I lifted up to God this pain in my heart. 

I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THIS KIND OF FEELING AGAIN!

Never will this happen again -- ever! 

Never will I cry myself to sleep again -- feeling pained because i've felt SO LIMITED!

When i want so much to share but i don't have my own resources to give out. 

I may have all the immaterial things i could promise to give 

but sometimes, it's not all there is! 

Sometimes you also want tangible things to prove what you have "there within"! 

That boy who shared to thousand people his "five loaves and two fishes" 

I AM HIM with this desire that I have RIGHT NOW!

For now, i may just be giving LITTLE ...

but AS I TELL THIS TO MYSELF NOW while GOD is healing this pain,

GOD WILL WORK HIS MIRACLE!

He will bring me to MY BREAKTHROUGH of earning to share THAT MUCH!

That night will never happen again!

GOD Sent us "Two by Two"!

Our paths had to meet for reasons we may not understand; and then  "Two by Two" -- AS PARTNERS, God sent us TO FULFIL A MISSION and @ that, we need some alignments & compromise!

Gone should be the days when we "do things on our own, for our own"! Gone should be the days when all that we consider is our own feelings and disregard what & how others would feel because we assert the "SELF" that we are. Normal as it usually is, along the journey, we're bringing with us our BACK PACKS: fully loaded with reasons why we think, act & talk the way we do -- some are our strengths; but some are our weaknesses.  

Relationships matter! It could never be true that "lone nomads" never yearned to have somebody by their side! We may not be aware, but let's be more ALERT of such "pretences" -- for more often than not, we may just be too proud to make amends but the truth of the matter is that: we're actually in unspeakable need of acceptance and concern and approval and praises and commendations and the likes -- all of which would actually give us that sense of belongingness and worth as a person. Well, this is normal & there's nothing to be ashamed of -- BUT, we may tend to become egocentric if we would yearn to receive these favours "at the expense of", or "in disregard of" the other people's equal needs like ours. 

Family is the most important relationship we should STRIVE TO WORK FOR!

Sometimes, a Husband may not understand why his wife would actually get mad at him when out of his anger, he already forgot to be considerate in his actuations toward their kids. In the same way, Kids may not be able to fully grasp or may resist the many things parents want them to understand.  Sometimes too, parents may not perceive the intended meaning of where their kids are coming from with the reactions that they give. WHILE MANY TIMES AMIDST ALL THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS, a Wife and a Mother at the same time could only absorb and tolerate and manage that much.  Without everybody being sensible enough, some hearts could STRIVE TO MEND  -- but yearning for an answer: HOW LONG WOULD IT LAST ... WOULD WE EVER 

"Two by two" makes us PARENTS! 

It will never be easy! -- it actually never is!

Individually, we both have our own PASTS. our own USED-TO-BEs. our own EXPERIENCES 

Use those Rocks!

Pls Read God’s Silent Message: John 20:19-31

Have you been @ your rock bottom lately?

Have you committed some mistakes despite the many warnings na binigay sayo to save you from further pain? And has that been the reason why you keep on finding some other ways para sa iba ka maghanap ng comfort; -- or has that been your reason for you to be aloof of the one who kept on giving you some guidance & reminders, yet you doubted?

Dear friend, we have our freewill to lift our own-self from our rock-bottom! We can discern God’s voice “kung saan at ano” ang dapat nating i-persevere in our everyday life! We should also decide WHAT TO QUIT kasi if we won’t, we are surely dragging our life to a much deeper “bottom”!

https://trendingprof47.wordpress.com/2015/04/11/use-those-rocks/

Do you "Make Tents"?

Hi Friends, it's 2nd Sunday of Lent, may we strive to make some little preparations for our Spiritual Growth 

Pls Consider God’s Silent Message: Mark 9:2-10 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9:2-10

Sabi nila, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!”

But come to think of it … TRUE BEAUTY is not actually something that we see 
– but “that thing that WE FEEL”! – it should be right there “in the heart” of an imperfect person who allowed him/herself to be held up for “a radiant makeover” 

– not for long period of hours in front of a mirror 
– but in life’s training grounds!  

Yet, not many of us are willing to go through such metamorphosis because we are more often apprehensive & pertified by “what we think we know”, yet no longer aware that we’re already being anxious with what we want to believe in.

When we don’t understand what’s going on in our life … when we struggle on things & we’re not comfortable with what’s happening … when we’re confused & we don’t know what to say; much that we actually don’t want to explore outside of our comfort zones … we’d rather “make tents”!

“Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!

Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.”

When we secure ourselves in-ward & hide-away; when we don’t respond in a loving & wise manner; when we tend to be self-centered & protect ourselves with pride; when we misinterpret good intentions & doesn’t want to “listen” … it could’ve made us feel good that we’ve already built our tents -- BUT it doesn’t maximize our experience “being here”! 

Dear Bros & Sis, God wants us to be BEAUTIFUL and He hopes that today, we could be inspired by His Transfiguration while He intends to make us realize how cool He is for giving us our family to whom He entrusted our complete “change of heart” so that such beauty will not only attract some beholders but will “affect” God’s legacy through us :)  #sunset

God's GPS is Within You!

Featured Gospel for Reflection: Matthew6:24-34

Usapang “Lost and found” – para BALANCE J!

Alin ang mas okey lang mawala sayo … bagay o tao?

Ows, sabi mo “tao”? … maniwala ako sayo?!

Eh bakit, mas umiyak ka pa nong nawala ang ipad mo … kesa nong itanong sayo kung okey lang na “wala na sila” sa buhay mo?

Pinanindigan mo pa, ni-“UNfriend” mo pa sila sa FB and umaalis at dumadating ka sa bahay na mistulang “wala kang nakikita”?

Naandyan pa naman sila … nagpapaalala, naninita, nagagalit , napupunuan ng pasensya pero sumusubaybay pa rin, pa-sikretong tinitingnan kung okey ka lang sa mga panahong sinasabi mong ‘wag kang pakialaman.

Mabilis kang nagagalit kapag sinasabi sa’yo ang mga dapat mong i-improve at mga dapat ‘di mo na ginagawa; kaya naman sa mundo mo, halos ayaw mong naandon sila. Para-paraan lang para “walain mo sila” sa buhay mo.

kung yong isang bagay na nawawala, hinahanap natin,

how much more na hindi hahanapin kung “IKAW” ang nawawala!?!

THIS IS HOW IMPORTANT YOU ARE!

Sobrang “mas mahalaga ka” kesa sa mga material things which you are mostly worried about.

Today, God have one great message for you!

He may have allowed you to retrieve that “lost thing” – but more significantly, mabuti na lang,  those people na pilit mong “winawala” in your life, they have this in their heart:

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.”

PRAYER GREATLY WORKS! The “striving part” is up to us … but with our humility to “hand things up to God”, the rest will follow.

for in today’s gospel, God is fulfilling a promise:

“Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.

Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

Walang nawawala na hindi nakikita!

Credits to "Find My iPhone" Application & Google Maps

… if and only if … we will  increase our wisdom to receive that  “gift of balance” – that is, kung nawala ka man at napunta sa mundo ng iba, God can always “locate” you wherever you are kasi “deep within you, God has implanted His GPS” kaya wala kang kawala – all you need to do is “surrender” in deep humility that you are willing to undo some mistakes!

Stop worrying … GOD LOVES YOU “that MUCH” kaya He has given you people who will never give up on you! #sunset

You can also visit My Other Blog

Starting Over Again!

Please read FEATURED GOSPEL: Matthew 5:38-48.

Minsan ‘di natin napapansin, ang “bitter” natin!

We don’t want to let go of the past kasi “doon”, may ginawa tayong hindi natin dapat ginawa.

May “pinanghihinayangan” tayo na until this very moment ay may mga natitirang tanong sa puso natin.

--mga tanong na nagpapahirap sa kalooban natin kaya pinipilit nating i-“fit-in” sa isip natin ang lahat ng “what if” sa mga ‘di natin nagawa pero dapat sana ay ginawa natin.

Kaya naman, it’s our tendency to believe that we can “start over again” with whatever there was in the past kasi this time, “gusto nating bumawi”!

It’s “what we believe in” that makes us determined to keep on working things out! Not only our eyes, but our heart is gazed on  that goal to be “at our best” this time. – kahit na dumating pa sa point na nasasaktan na tayo at nakakasakit na din tayo ng iba. 

In today’s gospel, Jesus laid down another “reward”:

₄₄”But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,₄₅that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.₄₆For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? … ₄₈So be perfect,^* just as your heavenly Father is perfect. ”

If we will not realize na tayo yong “enemy at persecutor na ‘yon sa sarili natin”, we will keep on reading through … even memorizing the lines and memories that should already be “deleted” in our system which hinder us from really “moving on” with the best memories instead.  We cause our own heart aches, we keep on allowing our “holding back” trends, to the point that we want to find ways to “un-love” so as to finally move-on. 

Such a nice “twist” … “starting over again” with a love that’s beautiful and new!

“PSP” … “past is past” – never be BITTER about it! – kasi, without that one part of our history, we will never be BETTER today.

That chance na makapagsimula na wala nang natitirang tanong sa puso natin,

that enough “time” hanggang sa mapatawad natin ang sarili with whatever mistake/s …

… these would be the “best gifts” we could ever give to ourselves. 

Let us increase our worship while we strive to “grow up” in our relationships – “this is loving in a different way”! 

Start it Over Again from within! #sunset

These, We Should Not Resist!

Please read, FEATURED GOSPEL: MT 5:13-16.

“Ang hindi naaalala ng isip, hindi nakakalimutan ng puso.”

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzWvUKgwO4W2eUE0azBzVFowRHc/edit

They are already professionals; yet, they still remember as a child!

They smiled upon recalling the good; yet, they cried upon hearing those lines which hit the soft spot in their heart.

...this was how my TCP [Teaching Certificate Program] Students reacted when in one of our lessons,  I asked them to read one story: “Nang Mawala ang Tinig ni Darna” in my intention to make them recall their “values formation”as far as they can remember way back childhood days. 

When asked to share, may mga pinagdaanan na kung bibigyan lang ng isa pang pagkakataon ay hindi na nila gugustuhing daanan ulit kasi yon yong mga panahon na wala silang choice kundi tanggapin na lang na may mga magulang na hindi napagtagumpayang i-“preserve” ang pamilya na dapat sana ay panggalingan ng mabuting paggabay. 

Pero mabuti na lang, ang pilit kinakalimutan ng isip, sadyang naaalala ng puso…

kasi despite the pain, God has planted LOVE deep within us which makes us see “the other side” of the story and makes us find “alternative harmony” para patuloy na pagsumikapang hindi tuluyang masira ang dapat sana ay “buong pamilya”.  Nakikita ng pusong may pagmamahal ang mga bagay na dapat matutunan kahit na hindi ito direct na itinuro;  kasi God has also deposited that “conviction” within us that “we can always find light” no matter how dark situations have caused…because in today’s gospel, Jesus said:  

“You are the salt of the earth.
You are the light of the world…”

Literally, when Jesus told these allegory during the early first century Palestine, salt was significantly used to preserve meat and season food.  Same is true even until now, although with some sorts of modifications. Ultimately, THEN & NOW, God is always certain in His declaration that: “YOU ARE”! …

…the “SALT OF THE EARTH” na ang ibig sabihin ay:

[1]  dapat napre-“preserve natin ang ganda ng pagkatao natin” kasi “we are created in the image & likeness of God”;

[2] sana we could sustain our purity and be our own “driving force” against the temptations that lead us to sin;

[3]  dapat sana we could “intensify” our relationships with ourself, with one another & most specially with God;

…the “LIGHT OF THE WORLD” na maaaring:

[1]  magpaalala sa mga nakakalimot ng malalim na kahulugan ng “tunay na kagandahan” ng pagkatao;

[2]  magbigay-pag-asa na si God, laging may nakahandang “opportunity” for those who humble themselves in asking for forgiveness when they’ve messed up;

[3] maging “source of strength & inspiration” kapag ang iba ay pinanghihinaan nang magpatuloy at tapusin ang kanilang laban in this so-called life. 

Kung kaya lang sana nating i-increase ang pakiramdam na “INTRINSIC” naman sa atin ang mga values na ito, wala sanang mga anak na maghahanap ng nawawalang magulang, wala sanang mga tatay na sumasakabilang-BAhay; wala sanang mga anak na “may sariling mundo”, wala sanang pamilya na magsu-suffer ng effect ng ginawa ng kung sino mang kulang sa malasakit … at higit sa lahat, wala sanang part ng buhay natin ang gusto na nating kalimutan.

Good that you took the time to read this!

I fervently hope, you could find some courage to make humble reflections 

to accept these gifts

– kasi sa totoong buhay, this is what will make us a WORTHY PERSON :)

#sunset

A Life-time for a Certain Promise?!

“A Life-time for a Certain Promise?!”

by: Gail S. Montero                  

Please read Luke 2:29-32.

How long should it take for us to believe

that a certain promise will still be fulfilled?

That day: December 31, 2013 @ Josephine’s Restaurant in Tagaytay, in an unexpected moment -- God sent an angel that made me recall “a promise” …

– that one which “no voice” told me back then,

yet I believed in my heart that it will be fulfilled – maybe “when I grow up” ! J

I was just a kid then when God first comforted me “not with an answer” to the truth that I should know.  It has been 30 years at this point  --  ang tagal na din pala!  I’m already raising my own kids now … but somewhere in my heart, “I’m counting…STILL on that GUARANTEE!”.

“Promises are made to be broken!” … that’s what they normally say!

Kasi along the way,

-- bigla na lang, nagbabago ang tao: either the promise-giver or the receiver;

-- dumadating ang mga pagsubok na hindi napagtatagumpayan;

-- nagkakaroon ng mga pagkakataon na nagiging magka-iba ng landas na tinatahak. 

Or, worse than expected,

-- NAKAKALIMOT na magsumikap na ibigay ang BEST sa magparehong pagkatao

   sa kalagitnaan ng mahihirap na mga pagkakataon.

-- kung hindi man ang isa sa kanila, neither of the promise-giver nor the receiver are able to courageously  JUMP over the TEST OF TIME kaya naman, tuluyan nang natatapos ang  relationship na inasahan sanang mag-grow!

Ilan kaya sa atin ang pwedeng maging katulad ni Simeon in today’s gospel?

-- an upright and devout OLD MAN who received and blessed Jesus when Mary and Joseph presented him at the temple.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

It had to take him “a life time” before God finally rewarded his hope:

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,

just as you promised;

because my eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared for all the nations to see…”

Hindi madali ang umasa na isang umaga naandyan na ang sagot “to the truth that you should know”.  Lalong hindi madali na magpakabuti tayo at gawing “deserving” ang sarili natin sa kalagitnaan ng mga panahong nahihirapan tayo at halos we are at the summit of giving-up.

Pero sige lang, let us give ourselves that extra effort to keep on JUMPING even higher than we normally can -- kasi God is surely preparing us to that day when HE would REWARD us with the FULFILMENT of HIS PROMISE!

Afterall, our attitude while waiting would matter most! “Payback” to God that gift of gratitude and patience without worrying – then it could be the best that we would have in our futureJ. #sunset

On the Rebound...This May be the Magic

Please read: John 1:29-34

“Non-Champions may know how to persevere,

but you can’t just persevere in all things.

Because in some areas,

the wisest thing to do is to actually GIVE UP.” 

– Bo Sanchez

May mga pagkakataon na ayaw mo nang magpatalo kasi mukhang “one-man win” na lang palagi ang peg, and you were made to feel insulted mostly -- even below the belt.

-- mga pagkakataon na minsan ka nang nanahimik dahil inasahan mong may makukunsensya sa hindi mo pakikipag-brasuhan; pero mas lalong naramdaman ng opponent na 

sya ang “wagi” at ikaw, “asar-talo”!

 At that point na halos naibigay mo na lahat hanggang sa “respect” na lang ang ipinaki-usap mong itira sayo at pag namamayani na ang galit sa pagkatao mo, LET GO! 

– Gail Montero

Much is true … “Going through life is just like coursing through a “basketball court”!

There are really instances when it’s more sensible to “give-up and just let go” than to put-up a BAD FIGHT!

When set-backs attack and when we’re on the losing-end, “CATCH BALL- OFF BACKBOARD” MOVE lang ang katapat nyan … REBOUND in short! -- but we’ve got to be more cautious with our STRATEGies the next time we’re ready to SPRING BACK!

Minsan, kapag nakaka-stress na, mabuti pang daanin mo na lang sa kanta:

          D               G                  D               G

         Take me to your heart,    Show me where to start ...

         C#m               F#m     Bm              A                Em

         Got to believe in magic,  Tell me how two people find each other

         C                     

         In a world that's full of strangers; . . . 

Pero oo nga noh, at some point, we no longer get to enjoy the  “court of life” kasi, parang “strangers” na halos tayo sa mga kasama natin --  dahil may mga ilang bagay na nakakalimutan na natin:

When was the last time  na tumingin ka sa mga mata ng kasama mo while dribbling the ball to the same direction kasi magka-team kayo?

When was the last time na inintindi mo ang ibig sabihin ng mga galaw nya para alam mo kung kailan nya kailangan ng back-up at support mo?

When was the last time na sinalag mo ang atake ng kalaban para di sya tuluyang masaktan?

When was the last time na ni-recognize mo ang effort nyang mag-assist sayo habang pareho nyong pinagsusumikapang maka-goal?

& when was the last time na may nasabi kang maganda tungkol sa kanya kasi na-appreciate mo ang role na ginagampanan nya sa team nyo?

This was exactly how John the Baptist “teamed-up with Jesus” in today’s gospel. It hasn’t been easy & he really had to take it upon himself to EDIFY Jesus & proclaim that Jesus is the “lamb of God” -- because even him, did not know where to start; but his willingness to “understand God’s heart” made him finally persistent in doing God’s will.

Ang i-give up ang hangaring di-matalo 

kahit na pwedeng maraming masaktan,  

ang  i-let go ang galit sa puso natin  at

ang pagsumikapang i-prove 

that we have God within us

sa mga kasama natin sa ating “life court” 

bilang isang team

kahit na to the point na 

may mga bagay na kailangan nating i-sacrifice

just for the sake of  “putting up a good fight 

until we finish the game”

-- this may be the “magic” 

which we’ve got to believe-in!  #sunset

The Wise Road ” in 2014

Featured Jan 5, 2014 Gospel: Matthew 2:1-11

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

“It’s time to STOP!”– Pope Francis

Hehe, we have just started the year, “STOP” agad?

As in, “agad-agad?”

But WAIT, today’s Gospel is telling us that THIS IS “actually” the best way to START THINGS RIGHT in 2014 J.

Inspired by a letter from a man who lamented on the “so many tragedies and wars in the world”  Pope Francis emphasized these exact lines in VATICAN CITY (AP),  St. Peter’s Square, January 1, 2014 when he layed out his hopes for the “just-begun year”. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com]:

"What is happening in the heart of man? What is happening in the heart of humanity?"

"It's time to stop!"

Photo Credit to: https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT0wT9IYez6u8ycU6RsLl0KRJAMBrL95vR1IzH7mCP_IO2OLjSK

"We are all children of one heavenly father,

we belong to the same human family and we share a common destiny."

"This brings a responsibility for each to work

so that the world becomes a community of brothers

who respect each other, accept each other in one's diversity, and takes care of one another."

"I, too, believe that it will be good for us to stop ourselves

in this path of violence and search for peace."

"The gospel of brotherhood speak to every conscience and knock down the walls

that impede enemies from recognizing that they are brothers."

True as it always is, OLD HABITS ARE HARD TO BREAK!

The guiltier we are, the harder our “stone heart” becomes.

Kung ano ang mas madali, ‘yon na lang ang mas pinipiling gawin;

Iwas-iwas to the max sa mga bagay na mahirap nang baguhin.

There is no easy way to the Road Less Travelled!

But once we set our goal to FIND THAT STAR as the Three Magis did, we would surely no longer want to go back to our old ways – the old road which lead us off track.   

It is most difficult to STOP if we wouldn’t identify which button to press!

It would best help if we will humbly attempt to “Reflect on the Heart of God”: “Dum in Cor Dei” [Latin translation] now and again – for God’s deep message is always in Silence.    

Friend, however our 2013 has been, God must been preparing us for better things this 2014.

The best point to START is to strive for our “epiphany” – when we eventually realize that we’ve got to reconcile with God’s heart so that we could “carry out” our responsibility both to ourselves & to our “brothers” despite some discrepancies. J 

Novus Annus everyone, God will be with us year through! #sunset

Thanks to these posts: 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com: 
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT0wT9IYez6u8ycU6RsLl0KRJAMBrL95vR1IzH7mCP_IO2OLjSK

Dum in “Cor Dei”: Reflecting on The Heart of God, Strive for Reconciliations in 2014