Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
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Sunday, September 29, 2013
Meaningful Life, Pleasing God
Have you ever thought of pleasing God, at least during this present life? How? When? What did you do? Who benefited? But for how long? Did it change your life? What about now, are you still in that "pleasing God mode"?
Precisely.
There have been many times that you and anyone else, are in that mode. That's good and as much as possible, think of ways and moments when you can sustain it. Of course, these will be situations in-between that could intervene and disrupt your spiritual communion with God, either while working, enjoying your family time, reading a book or just alone by yourself.
So they say, these interruptions are normal. Really? Since when? Do you consider vices, excessive vanities and greed as parts of one's life? But then, during which time, what do you do? Are you enjoying that moment? In which case, it is obvious that you have renege in your promise or commitment to please God.
Then you start all over again.
What do you do when it's going to pain? You get hold of umbrella. What do you do if you need to sign something? You look for a pen. What do you do if you are hungry? You get some food and eat.
What about when you are tempted?
How do you please God? So that you can go on and deserve enjoying a meaningful life.
Pray.
It's free, its easy, and can be done at any time, any place and any situation.
Of course, prayer has to be coupled with works. With positive action.
Precisely.
There have been many times that you and anyone else, are in that mode. That's good and as much as possible, think of ways and moments when you can sustain it. Of course, these will be situations in-between that could intervene and disrupt your spiritual communion with God, either while working, enjoying your family time, reading a book or just alone by yourself.
So they say, these interruptions are normal. Really? Since when? Do you consider vices, excessive vanities and greed as parts of one's life? But then, during which time, what do you do? Are you enjoying that moment? In which case, it is obvious that you have renege in your promise or commitment to please God.
Then you start all over again.
What do you do when it's going to pain? You get hold of umbrella. What do you do if you need to sign something? You look for a pen. What do you do if you are hungry? You get some food and eat.
What about when you are tempted?
How do you please God? So that you can go on and deserve enjoying a meaningful life.
Pray.
It's free, its easy, and can be done at any time, any place and any situation.
Of course, prayer has to be coupled with works. With positive action.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Man Proposes, God Decides
Let's face it. When one prays for something, more often than not, we want it right away without having contemplated on what to do with it once we get what we want.
For instance, one may pray for a government position. But have you ever thought that it might be a source of temptation, a means to commit graft and corruption, and that it is a pure commitment to public service, and not a way to enrich oneself?
Would you 100% be committed all throughout to such pure and genuine public service? Will you turn down any offer of bribery? Are you sure you can do justice to every man?
What about your wish for promotion? Same banana. Will you come clean all throughout? Are you sure you have not trampled on somebody's rights?
Therefore, when one prays, he is making a proposal. If that proposal has flaws, do not expect approval right away. Make sure your proposal will be for your own good too.
God decides favorably if what is asked will be for one's own good and salvation.
For instance, one may pray for a government position. But have you ever thought that it might be a source of temptation, a means to commit graft and corruption, and that it is a pure commitment to public service, and not a way to enrich oneself?
Would you 100% be committed all throughout to such pure and genuine public service? Will you turn down any offer of bribery? Are you sure you can do justice to every man?
What about your wish for promotion? Same banana. Will you come clean all throughout? Are you sure you have not trampled on somebody's rights?
Therefore, when one prays, he is making a proposal. If that proposal has flaws, do not expect approval right away. Make sure your proposal will be for your own good too.
God decides favorably if what is asked will be for one's own good and salvation.
Doing God's Will
"Act on this word. If all you do is listen to it, you are deceiving yourselves" (Jas 1:22).
Many times in our lives, we tend to ignore our role as God's children. How is that? We fall not once, twice or thrice, but again, many times over. When that happens, we are not hearing His Word, we are acting on His Word, we are not following His Will, and instead, we are failing and deceiving ourselves. Remember, we have everything to lose in this situation.
We are called upon to have faith, and this will entailing, not only the act of believing but also the duty to work on it. We live and make our faith works. It is not a matter of merely kneeling down and asking for the mercy of God, but it is also important that when we ask for something, like passing an exam or being promoted at work, we must review for the exam or perform well in our present job, so that in the end, we will truly deserve what we asked for. But we need to go beyond than merely asking, we have to make a commitment to do good and be good in whatever we may set out to do after getting what we want.
In that way, we do God's Will. Not ours. Not anyone else.
- Posted from my iPad
Many times in our lives, we tend to ignore our role as God's children. How is that? We fall not once, twice or thrice, but again, many times over. When that happens, we are not hearing His Word, we are acting on His Word, we are not following His Will, and instead, we are failing and deceiving ourselves. Remember, we have everything to lose in this situation.
We are called upon to have faith, and this will entailing, not only the act of believing but also the duty to work on it. We live and make our faith works. It is not a matter of merely kneeling down and asking for the mercy of God, but it is also important that when we ask for something, like passing an exam or being promoted at work, we must review for the exam or perform well in our present job, so that in the end, we will truly deserve what we asked for. But we need to go beyond than merely asking, we have to make a commitment to do good and be good in whatever we may set out to do after getting what we want.
In that way, we do God's Will. Not ours. Not anyone else.
- Posted from my iPad
Location:Quezon City,Philippines
Monday, September 23, 2013
St. Pio of Peitrelcina
Among the recent-day saints venerated by millions, St. Pio ( or Padre Pio, as some would prefer it that way) stands out in many ways. I am not saying that there is a competition here. What I am pointing out is that, through all these years, St. Pio has become a "household" topic. When one is in trouble, ask for his intercession. Somebody is sick, for for his prayers and healing. Isn't it God has given him the grace to heal the sick even when he was still alive. Problems. Ah, ask Padre Pio and he will help you find a way.
In other words, through St. Pio, we have all the more recognized, realized and felt the love of God, the mercy of God and the power of God. We become closer to the Church, and thus, we are so sure of ourselves and our faith. That is, we are weak without God, and with God All things are possible.
After having watched in video the life of St. Pio, and having read some of his writings, I can say truthfully, that here is a man whose faith is just so firm and unshakeable that no one can even imagine St. Pio turning his back away from the faith, from God.
He is candid, frank and direct to the point. I never met him. I never talked to him. I never so him personally. I have never been to San Giovanni Redondo. But, why is it that he is so near me and my family. He seems to be watching over us.
I am sure that God has given all of us the grace to believe. In doing so, we get to have an experience that only faith can bring and make it happen.
Let us pray then for continued guidance and may the devotion to St. Pio increase all the more.
Among the recent-day saints venerated by millions, St. Pio ( or Padre Pio, as some would prefer it that way) stands out in many ways. I am not saying that there is a competition here. What I am pointing out is that, through all these years, St. Pio has become a "household" topic. When one is in trouble, ask for his intercession. Somebody is sick, for for his prayers and healing. Isn't it God has given him the grace to heal the sick even when he was still alive. Problems. Ah, ask Padre Pio and he will help you find a way.
In other words, through St. Pio, we have all the more recognized, realized and felt the love of God, the mercy of God and the power of God. We become closer to the Church, and thus, we are so sure of ourselves and our faith. That is, we are weak without God, and with God All things are possible.
After having watched in video the life of St. Pio, and having read some of his writings, I can say truthfully, that here is a man whose faith is just so firm and unshakeable that no one can even imagine St. Pio turning his back away from the faith, from God.
He is candid, frank and direct to the point. I never met him. I never talked to him. I never so him personally. I have never been to San Giovanni Redondo. But, why is it that he is so near me and my family. He seems to be watching over us.
I am sure that God has given all of us the grace to believe. In doing so, we get to have an experience that only faith can bring and make it happen.
Let us pray then for continued guidance and may the devotion to St. Pio increase all the more.
- Posted from my iPad
In other words, through St. Pio, we have all the more recognized, realized and felt the love of God, the mercy of God and the power of God. We become closer to the Church, and thus, we are so sure of ourselves and our faith. That is, we are weak without God, and with God All things are possible.
After having watched in video the life of St. Pio, and having read some of his writings, I can say truthfully, that here is a man whose faith is just so firm and unshakeable that no one can even imagine St. Pio turning his back away from the faith, from God.
He is candid, frank and direct to the point. I never met him. I never talked to him. I never so him personally. I have never been to San Giovanni Redondo. But, why is it that he is so near me and my family. He seems to be watching over us.
I am sure that God has given all of us the grace to believe. In doing so, we get to have an experience that only faith can bring and make it happen.
Let us pray then for continued guidance and may the devotion to St. Pio increase all the more.
Among the recent-day saints venerated by millions, St. Pio ( or Padre Pio, as some would prefer it that way) stands out in many ways. I am not saying that there is a competition here. What I am pointing out is that, through all these years, St. Pio has become a "household" topic. When one is in trouble, ask for his intercession. Somebody is sick, for for his prayers and healing. Isn't it God has given him the grace to heal the sick even when he was still alive. Problems. Ah, ask Padre Pio and he will help you find a way.
In other words, through St. Pio, we have all the more recognized, realized and felt the love of God, the mercy of God and the power of God. We become closer to the Church, and thus, we are so sure of ourselves and our faith. That is, we are weak without God, and with God All things are possible.
After having watched in video the life of St. Pio, and having read some of his writings, I can say truthfully, that here is a man whose faith is just so firm and unshakeable that no one can even imagine St. Pio turning his back away from the faith, from God.
He is candid, frank and direct to the point. I never met him. I never talked to him. I never so him personally. I have never been to San Giovanni Redondo. But, why is it that he is so near me and my family. He seems to be watching over us.
I am sure that God has given all of us the grace to believe. In doing so, we get to have an experience that only faith can bring and make it happen.
Let us pray then for continued guidance and may the devotion to St. Pio increase all the more.
- Posted from my iPad
Location:Dona Julia Vargas Ave.,Mandaluyong City,Philippines