Deuteronomy 20:1

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.

Pilo

Pilo never had a dull moment. He was the life of every party. He easily gets along with people and he was somebody who would always reach out to help others. Success had been easy for him. He was married to his calling and never found the chance to put up his own family.

Years passed by, he lived alone although once in a while a relative will drop by. He still goes to Church every Sunday until the time came when he had a stroke. Paralyzed and would hardly talked. His money could not do anything to bring back those happy memories. His friends were gone and probably they do not even remember him. Even those whom he have helped in the past were nowhere to be found.

Only God was by his side. His devotion to Mother Mary had given him the reason to understand what he was going through. He is confident that Our Lord Jesus will carry him at that time when he needs Christ the most.

He left this world at the age of 84 to have eternal life.

My friends, how many Pilo or Pilar does this world have? Do we care for them? Love your parents and tell them you love them while they are still in this world? Care for the elders. Give way to them. Make them happy now for they have done their part, shared themselves to make this world a better place.

What If ?

It was a day when he felt that the world was against him, and his head was spinning like crazy.

Rey was fresh from college when he applied for work. After 20 years of dedicated service, he was confident that this year, his promotion to an executive level position was already in the bag.

He day dreamed a lot by then and he knew he deserves the promotion. After all, he has wrestled his way up the ladder, bruising and killing other's hopes, and he was a person who doesn't really care as long as he gets what he wants. Everything worked as planned and now he is looking forward to his retirement and a fat paycheck.

That fateful day, he lost his job. There was no promotion, No separation pay. The company was bankrupt and it was gone.

He didn't know what to do. He has nothing except some savings, a new car still being amortized, and his house.

Upon arriving home, he broke the tragic news to his family. Rey was surprised. They embraced him instead and together they prayed. He cried. Never did he realized that he was away from home for quite some time. Yes, he was present with them but not living with them. Before, he was praying along with them but he was not communicating and relating himself to God. All the while, his mind was always wandering back to his work, his career, his perks, himself. He also realized that his ways were a bit temporal and uncaring. He has sinned and was sorry for it. Praying for forgiveness, he went on to thank God, and his family.

God blessed him with a family and showed him what love means and how to be resilient amidst such trials.

Your guess is as good as mine as to what happened to Rey.

Nothing is impossible with God. He is merciful, generous and loving.

Going to Heaven

One Sunday, a child asked his father. "Dad, why do we have to go to Mass?" The father answered, "If you want to go to heaven, you must really go to Mass."

He then went to his mother and asked the same question. His mother answered, "If you you to go to heaven, you must really go to Mass."

And so, they attended the Mass, and in his homily, the priest said, "If you want to go to heaven, you must really go to Mass."

After the Mass, the son then asked his parents, "Dad and Mom, can we all go to heaven now?"

There was silence for awhile. The parents went on to explain what "going to heaven" means. The child was happy to know everything.

Reflections :

The child believed his parents. It was an unconditional and absolute faith which the child has towards his father and mother. Such belief was reinforced and validated by the priest.

Let our faith in God be like that of the child. Unconditional and absolute. A faith nourished by the teachings of the Church and by our good deeds as Catholics.

Of course, it goes without saying that faith should focus on the Holy Eucharist, so that abundant blessings and graces will flow freely to the faithful.

Viva Hesus Nazareno !

Our Lord Jesus Christ is continuously being praised, honored, adored and glorified today on the occasion of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Millions and millions of devotees have flocked to Manila, participated in the celebration of the Holy Mass and courageously joined the procession to Quiapo Church.

One would wonder and ask - what is it in this devotion that makes people brave the ocean of human beings, all trying and hoping to be blessed, while others are participating in thanksgiving for prayers answered.

Millions can never be wrong when it comes to faith and prayers.

Viva Hesus Nazareno!

Veni Creator (Plenary Indulgence)

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
And in our souls take up your rest;
Come with your grace and heavenly aid
To fill the hearts which you have made.

O Comforter, to you we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
And sweet anointing from above.

You in your sevenfold gifts are known;
You, finger of God's hand we own;
You, promise of the Father, you
Who do the tongue with power imbue.

Kindle our senses from above,
And make our hearts o'erflow with love;
With patience firm and virtue high
The weakness of our flesh supply.

Far from us drive the foe we dread,
And grant us your peace instead;
So shall we not, with you for guide,
Turn from the path of life aside.

Oh, may your grace on us bestow
The Father and the Son to know;
And you, through endless times confessed,
Of both the eternal Spirit blest.

Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
With you, O holy Comforter,
Henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen.

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A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly recite the hymn Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest.
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A plenary indulgence is granted, if the hymn is recited publicly on the 1st of January and on the feast of Pentecost.