Opening Our Hearts For Jesus

Jesus was born in a manger - a trough where food for animals are placed. Not fit for the King of Kings.

Would it be the same then had people known that it was Jesus who would be born that evening? Definitely not. They would give the best room where Mother Mary could give birth to Our Lord.

But would it really make a difference?

Probably not. This is for the simple reason that the hearts of the people were selective. They would accept Jesus if it was made known who He was and expected to be born, yet refuse the very same Jesus whose identity was not to be revealed at that point.

Today, the poor would ask nor alms or food, yet they are driven away and worst, despised. People even blame the government for not doing anything. For not doing what? For not keeping them away from your sight? How dare you? What have you done anyway and by the way?

And even if you have something to give to the poor starving person, how much did you give that person? Is it enough to buy a decent food for the day? Of course, you can always rationalize that they are dummies for syndicates. Then, give them food instead of money. Give them clothes. Offer them what you would have given to Jesus, had Our Lord asked you the same.

Actually, we are not being required to do more than what we can. It is enough that we open our hearts to Jesus, welcome Him into our lives, and let His Love dwelling in us to do the rest.

Is that difficult? Pray for wisdom and understanding. Ever remember that each one of us are called upon to serve, all for the greater Honor and Glory of God.

Merry Christmas !

Gift of Faith

"We encounter moments where God seems absent, his silence weighs on our hearts and his will doesn't correspond to our own as we would like it to"

"But the more we open ourselves to God, we receive the gift of faith and put our trust in him completely, the more he empowers us with his presence to live every situation in peace assured by his loyalty and love."

- Pope Benedict XVI

Christian Joy

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:4-7

Saint or Sinner?

When a person wears or would don a costume, normally the character represented by the costume is acted out or internalized. This is a fact and more particularly true with and among children. During Halloween, parties are held with a so-called trick or treat hunt as the highlight. Kids would willingly act out the characters as they growl, stare, change voices and make themselves as fearsome as possible. They in effect would play out as evil creatures. People and parents find this funny, fun and cute.

As if it was not enough, there is now a growing number of households or houses where decorations range from spiderwebs, pumpkins (which is actually a representation of the devil), skulls (which is actually a desecration of the sacred remains of the dead), and lifesize images of the undead.

Worst, entrances in villages and subdivisions are also decorated with similar gory and evil images.

What for?

For fun? For keeping up with "pagan traditions"? For being considered as trendy or chic? Or because it is cool?

None of the reasons or any reason can really justify the practices of Halloween if you are a Catholic or a Christian or a person who believes in the Almighty God.

It is a form of idolatry, or some kind of seemingly "innocent" ritual where the evil forces are actually recognized in the wrong way and dangerous, manner.

Let's face it. You know it's wrong. You know its evil. No matter how one rationalizes or justifies his or her involvement, directly or indirectly, with the pagan practices, the fact would remain that there is nothing that could be gained from it, it has no moral or redeeming value and it is essentially "unCatholic".

Since All Saints Day is being celebrated on November, why not a gathering of children or even adults in saints' costumes. With games and activities that are focused on their holy lives, teachings and how they served God. Decorate homes and villages with angels, images of the saints, and where a procession of those holy images including relics are held. Children and everyone are made aware of the saints where feasts and solemnities are commemorated or celebrated on their birthdays. Most importantly, people must offer thanksgiving to God for the saints, attend Holy Masses and make the day holy.

Now try this -

List down 5 nasty things which an evil or Halloween character of your choice may have done and 5 deeds of your saint whose feast falls on your birthday may have done.

Are you proud of yourself or well, ashamed of what you do not know and what you know?

Powerful Words

"Peace I Leave You, My Peace I Give You".

These are among the most powerful words ever said on the face of the earth. It is our Lord Jesus Himself Who has blessed us with the peace which is so perfect, that we need not ask for anything else, and anything more in this world.

Thus, when we are blessed with the words - "The peace of the Lord be with you always" -

As a sincere and deep expression of our gratitude, we respond by devoutly saying from our humble heart -

... "And With Your Spirit."

Peace is not for us to keep for ourselves alone but it is certainly a blessing to be shared with others. It is intended for all to cherish and benefit from.

Signs of Peace

A smile. An embrace. A kiss. Shaking of hands. Bowing of heads. Flashing a victory sign. Waving of hands. Pleasant exchanges of words - "I love you", peace be with you, forgive me, "I am sorry", etc. All of these are signs of peace that we offer to each other. A good start for your life.

Message of Peace

When peace is offered or most importantly when Peace was given, the message is clear - joy and happiness, as well as spiritual and material contentment are wished or conveyed upon you. It is now up to you how you would receive it and truly make it happen to your life.

Of course, life is not perfect but you can work on it or strive for it. You may gain it and it will happen if you let God take charge of your life. In many ways and in many forms, you would be blessed and all you need to do is count those blessings. Soon you will realize that Peace has become part of your life.

Observance of All Saints Day

Today, November 1, is All Saints Day and tomorrow is All Souls Day. But today, we already remember the dead. Our loved ones who have gone ahead of us.

How do we remember them?

By praying. Going to Mass. Visiting cemeteries. Gathering as a family. Writing something in one's  personal journal. Or merely blogging.

The highest form of remembering is of course through the celebration of the Holy Mass. We remember them by praying and lifting them up to God.

As we observe this solemn day praying for the faithful departed, let us remember how they became instruments of God's will and let us asked for the grace to emulate them.

TRUST IN GOD

O Lord, my hearts is not proud
Nor do I haven arrogant eyes.
I am not engrossed in ambitious matters,
nor in things too great for me.

I have quited and stilled my soul
like a weaned child on its mother's lap;
like a contented child is my soul.
Hope in the Lord, O Israel, now and forever.

Faith Saves !

One cannot just ignore the fact that our faith in God, if sincerely allowed to freely come from the heart will surely save a person.

“KUKUNIN KA NA NI LORD”

On matters of faith, we really cannot allow ourselves to make it the subject of a joke. Humor, yes but only when the manner by which it is to be said would not be sacrilegious, disrespectful and a mockery. The intention is to send home a message that will be beneficial to the person and others.

We often hear “kukunin ka na ni Lord”. Obviously, the intention of the person is to make fun of the situation, and it is a joke wishing the death of another person. This is certainly objectionable, and though we may not be students of theology or higher learning about our faith, the point is that the name of the Lord is used in vain, and therefore, a sin.

From a positive and sincerely religious point of view of a devout faithful, it is a truth – a clear declaration of reality that we should keep in mind the fact that anytime, we may be called upon to leave this world.

If that happens, are we prepared? If we were told in a manner that would be in accord with the Catholic faith, that the Lord will already summon us to the other life, are we ready? What if we are not prepared and we would be caught by surprise? Does that mean, we don’t end up with eternal life?

Pray that you may be given the grace of repentance, and look forward immediately to the sacrament of reconciliation. Time is of the essence. Every moment counts. Act now before its too late.

POWER OF RESILIENCY

Getting lost on your way to an important event is among the freakiest moment in your life. That event could be a new job, contract, or perhaps even your wedding day. But there are are times when you get lost simply because something went wrong in your life. It could be a loan engulfing you with interest till you drown in an ocean of indebtedness. It could be you have been out of job for quite some time that you feel like a student again subsisting on parental love. It could be worst, like a flood submerging your rice filed, fire razing to ashes your store or warehouse, an earthquake shattering your house, an accident, an incident or a tragedy that breaks up your world and turns you down into pieces.

The tendency is to give up, feel burnt out, depressed, or embark on a hating spree. That would be the saddest episode in your life. Why? It's a useless act of unnecessarily giving up and carelessly omitting every chance to pick up the pieces and moving on - of being resilient.

Picking up the pieces. Moving on. Resiliency. How? Follow these simple steps:

Begin with a prayer.

Be ready with your pen and paper or a 3" x 5" index card.

1) Make a reality check. Here, you must stop blaming yourself or anyone else. Acknowledge that something went wrong and you must be able to identify and accept that it does exist or may have existed and has wrought injury or damage. You must also be able to make a list of these damages requiring solutions or concerns needed to be addressed.

2) After have made that fearless list, opposite each item, indicate the least the could happen if you don't do anything o resolve such problem or address such concern. Then indicate the worst situation that you may be dragged into if indeed you don't lift a finger or even if you did, something went wrong again.

3) Prioritize the items listed by putting on top, the most important and with the worst consequence.

4) Indicate specifically the immediate solutions you have in mind that will basically address the problem or concern. Example: "pay my debt", "talk to my friend", "return the book", "rebuild my house", etc.

5) Having in your list the solution, the next thing to do is jot down the steps on how you will do it, when do you intend to do and finish it, and with whom will you do it.

By this time you have a plan of action. All you must do is polish it, fill in the details. Then execute the plan.

End with a prayer of thanksgiving, always.

THE POWER OF REMORSE

Being in a state of remorse may be likened to a raw diamond - where at first the feel is rough and having a blurry appearance. It looks like an ordinary and dirty stone. But thereafter, the rough edges are shaped and smoothened to perfection, that it may later on shine and sparkle to become a best friend forever.

Therefore, when a person has committed a wrong, or may have hurt another, and regrets having done so, it is best that he must go through a process consisting of the following:

Begin with a prayer. Then -

First, there must be an acknowledgement of the wrong done and the realization of concomitant responsibility to repair the damage, either by restitution, explanation or other means of reparation.

Second, apologies have to be conveyed and forgiveness must be sought.

Third, sincere promise or commitment to change or cease from doing the wrong or any other again.

End with a prayer of thanksgiving.

Among the miracles that happen in life is that the impossible becomes possible for God work's in many wondrous ways. Amen.

THE POWER OF SINCERITY

There is nothing sweeter than a heart that beats with pure and honest intentions. It gives life to a relationship which will flourish in a prestine field of peace and harmony. A sincere person can see through the heart, mind and even the soul of another. It softens the heart, and paves a clear path to understanding and a lot of other positive possibilities. The shaking of hands, the embraces and smiles, hugging and open arms, and gift-giving are more precious than gold or the finest gems in this world, if made and given with sincerity. This is the power of sincerity.

THE POWER OF TRUTH

The redeeming value of truth is known to all as one which is sacred and honorable, for truth liberates a man from the bondage of dishonesty, lies and concealment of facts. Truth creates a firm and unshakeable foundation for the real meaning of life. It gives man a genuine opportunity to address his concerns and correctly approach every challenge that confronts him. Truth establishes a person's place in history. It could make or unmake a person. Either he is praised or condemned, emulated or hated, respected or ridiculed, ad infinitum - depending on what he has made of himself in his society or in this world. This is the power of truth.

A Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfill the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate ourselves and our families to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we recommend to You, all the people of our country and all the world.

Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use us as You wish to accomplish Your designs in the world.

O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and Queen of the World, rule over us, together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Our King. Save us from the spreading flood of modern paganism; kindle in our hearts and homes the love of purity, the practice of a virtuous life, an ardent zeal for souls, and a desire to pray the Rosary more faithfully.

We come with confidence to You, O Throne of Grace and Mother of Fair Love. Inflame us with the same Divine Fire which has inflamed Your own Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. Make our hearts and homes Your shrine, and through us, make the Heart of Jesus, together with your rule, triumph in every heart and home.

Amen.

--Venerable Pope Pius XII

Read more:http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/heart/Im_consecr.htm#ixzz1sJUOwpCy

CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Divine Mercy. Those who have followed the Divine Novena which ended yesterday, and thereafter go through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and receive the Holy Eucharist, coupled with an act of mercy and prayer for the intention of the Holy Father, would be receiving a plenary indulgence or complete remission of sins. 

Devotees are invited and truly encouraged to also pray the Chaplet, not only today but preferably everyday, as follows:

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.

2. Then on the Our Father Beads say the following:
Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

3. On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following:
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).

4. Conclude with (three times):
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

 

In 1933, God gave Sister Faustina a striking vision of His Mercy, 
Sister tells us:

"I saw a great light, with God the Father in the midst of it.
Between this light and the earth I saw Jesus nailed to the Cross 
and in such a way that God, wanting to look upon the earth, had to 
look through Our Lord's wounds and I understood that God blessed 
the earth for the sake of Jesus."

Of another vision on Sept. 13, 1935, she writes:

"I saw an Angel, the executor of God's wrath... about to strike
the earth...I began to beg God earnestly for the world with words 
which I heard interiorly. As I prayed in this way, I saw the
Angel's helplessness, and he could not carry out the just 
punishment...."

The following day an inner voice taught her to say this prayer on 
ordinary rosary beads:

"First say one 'Our Father', 'Hail Mary', and 'I believe'. Then on 
the large beads say the following words:

'Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity 
of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement 
for our sins and those of the whole world.'

On the smaller beads you are to say the following words:

'For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the 
whole world.'

In conclusion you are to say these words three times:

'Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us 
and on the whole world'.

Jesus said later to Sister Faustina:

"Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who 
says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests 
will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most
hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will 
receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to 
know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to 
those who trust in My Mercy...."

"....When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I 
will stand between My Father and the dying person not as the just 
judge but as the Merciful Savior".

Read more:http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/mercy/dmmap.htm#ixzz1s7p5HBcS

THE BLESSINGS OF EASTER

Happy Easter to All !

Family reunions. Reconciliations. Spiritual renewals. Conversions. You may also include egg hunting, text messages, social media, parties and gatherings as among the momentous events and changes happening at this time to many among us who celebrate Easter.

These are blessings, as we may want to perceive them to be. They make us busy for, say, at least an entire week.

Of course, we have every reason to be happy and be joyful about Easter. Christ is Risen. A promise has been fulfilled and the blessings of redemption are upon us.

But human as we are, we constantly aspire, well, truthfully, material blessings. We want to look at Easter as an ocassion when, like New Year's day, we can look forward to a new life, or a new episode in our lives. A situation where our problems begin to fade away or resolve by themselves. An opportunity for our concerns to be addressed compeletely. A time to launch a new business, new products, new services, and be opened up to new opportunities or prospects for wealth creation.

Why not? After all, we are humans. But more, importantly we are children of God. He is Our Father. The Giver. The Perfect Provider. Surely, as we seek, we shall find and as we ask, we shall receive. Do not forget to knock that it may be opened to us.

So let as persevere in prayer, do not let up but always be reminded to surrender everything to God, who in His Mercy and Generosity, we shall not be abandoned.

HAPPY EASTER !

Alleluia! Alleluia! We are filled with joy that Christ has Risen, and together we celebrate the Triumph of Our Lord Jesus over death. He has redeemed all of mankind, and truly He is Our Divine Savior. We have a God who is alive. We have Our Almighty Father, the Creator of the Heaven and the Earth Who provides for all and at all times. Glory and Praise to Our God. The Giver of Life. We adore the Risen Christ in Union with the Holy Spirit. Amen. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Mortality or Divinity

We really cannot doubt and must not even question the fact that Christ is divine. He is God. Never a mortal. But of course, we cannot deny the truth that the story of redemption or salvation is the culmination of all the mysteries of the Holy Rosary. This means that Christ in His humanity must die on the Holy Cross to save mankind. He took the role of becoming a mortal being who can experience physical and emotional pain and anguish including death itself.

Its Black Saturday and we are, by faith and tradition, in deep mourning because we know our Christ is dead. This moment has caused tremendous anxiety to those who believe in Jesus as the Savior and yet they saw Him die on the Holy Cross and was buried. So how can a dead man save them?

Well, the rest is history. Those who believed otherwise were proven wrong. Those who doubted were certainly embarrassed by their lack of faith but that did not . Those who believed through and through were in a way rewarded with a clearer conscience, purer soul perhaps and definitely a stronger faith.

What about you? Where do you classify yourself in the order of things?
Sent from my BlackBerry®

CONSECRATION

In all things, we pray that God may be glorified. We offer our mind, our heart and our work to God. We lift up tp him all our accomplishments and shortcomings, as well as our successes and failures. We give ourselves to him, and we entrust our soul to God and to Him alone, when the time comes for us to leave this world.

DUTY

Each is given a mission. Each has work to do. What matters is that we must accomplish our mission or work, do it well and finished it on time. In the end, you should be able to say - it is accomplished. It is done. It is consummated.

ABUNDANCE

Christ is the living water himself. So how can he be thristy? Again, he was saying it for us. There is abundance and satisfaction in Jesus but we will always long for more, if what we desire are temporal wealth and human satisfaction. One is abundant in respect, dignity, honor and spiritual blessings. Do not allow them to be taken away from you. Remember, you will never be thirsty as long as The Living Water - Our Lord Jesus is your Way, your Truth and your Life.

COMMITMENT

Christ was not actually abandoned by God. Abandoned is truly a strong and human word. The word were uttered in Jesus' humanity. He felt so alone. But the truth is God knows what Christ felt and was never forsaken. He was saying it for us. Time will come when we, too, will feel abandoned. Yet, in the end, the truth is that God has and will always be by our side, at all times.

LOVE

A mother by the side of Jesus and who has suffered too when Christ was crucified. The Blessed Mother has deeply expressed her Love, a Love that does not need any proof, a Love which manifests by itself, an effortless Love, a Love that endures, a Love which does not wait for anything in return. Do we offer the same Love?

ACCEPTANCE

". . . you shall be with me in Paradise".

A sinner accepts his faults and does something to rectify the wrongs or avoid near occasion of sins. A sinner acknowledges the goodness of the Lord and asks for forgiveness. He pleas for mercy and prays that Christ will bring him to heaven.

FORGIVENESS

This is the first word which Jesus wants us to learn - Forgiveness. In our world today, this is often heard but seldom done. Why? It is difficult to forgive when the pains and hurts are just too much. It is not easy to do when one is not even willing to forgive. Is it pride? Is it hatred? Is it vengeance? Is it envy? You are created in the image of God. That image forgives. You cannot be anyone else.

SEVEN LAST SAYINGS

Father forgive them, for they known not what they do.

Amen, I tell you shall be with me in paradise.

Woman behold you son. Son behold your Mother.

My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?


I thirst.





It is accomplished.

Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit.

WHAT IS GOING ON NOW?

Strange question. Going on with what? With whom? If one were to just read it, the question doesn't really make any sense. This is simply because there is no reference point which could serve as the basis by which one can start off answering the question. So now that this has been made clear, what's the point? Why belabor on something which has been clarified. Well, we go back to where were started off. Going on with what? With whom?

That is what life has been when one was born. The baby has actually no reference point. The parents? Of course not. The lives of each one is different from those of others. Not one instance can two or more lives be alike. Not even a conjoined twins. What about the world around the baby? Again, of course not. How can it be? The world when the baby was born will already be a different world the moment that baby becomes an adult. That is why, the process of learning never ends.

You. Yes, you. What have you learned today?

THE DIVINE MERCY NOVENA STARTS TODAY - GOOD FRIDAY

Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday.  He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said: 

 

"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy." 

 

In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:

"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls." 

 

The different souls prayed for on each day of the novena are:

DAY 1 (Good Friday)  - All mankind, especially sinners

DAY  2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious

DAY 3 (Easter Sunday)  - All devout and faithful souls

DAY 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him

DAY  5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren

DAY  6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children

DAY  7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy

DAY  8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory; 

DAY  9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm.

During the Solemn Novena leading to Divine Mercy Sunday,
the Chaplet of Divine Mercy should be offered each day for the
day's intentions.

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/mercy/novena.htm#ixzz1rDaGxFtu

BARABBAS THE CRIMINAL

"What is truth?" Pilate asked. Then he want out again to the people and told them, "He is not guilty of any crime. But you have a custom of asking me to release someone from prison each year at Passover. So if you want me to, I'll release the King of the Jews." But they shouted back, "No! not this man, but Barabbas!" - John 18:38-40

There was an "election" and the people, actually the mob, chosed a criminal rather than Jesus. Here, the majority wasn't right. Does this situation sounds familiar to you at the present time?

THE TWELVE APOSTLES

Who exactly are the twelve apostles? They are: Simon Peter, James, John, Andrew, and Philip. They are fishermen, and ambitious. Then the tax collector, Matthew. Bartholomew, known for his honesty. Thomas for his courage. And also, James, Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot. Finally, Judas Iscariot, the devil who betrayed Jesus.

Fourteenth Station

JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

My Lord Jesus Christ you human and divine. Indeed, human as you have willed yourself to be, that in itself is humility in your divinity. And who are we then not to learn humility which is the beginning of humanity. As you are laid in the tomb, it can be said that IT IS ACCOMPLISHED. Yes, God's will has been done. Amen.

Thirteenth Station

JESUS IS LAID IN THE ARMS OF HIS BLESSED MOTHER

Lord Jesus, as when everyone, except for a few, has expressed fear, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are not afraid to stand up for you. They took you down from the Holy Cross and laid you in the loving arms of your Blessed Mother. But why the Blessed Mother. The cause of the downfall of humanity was Eve, who was responsible for the temptation of Adam to eat the forbidden fruit. When Christ died on the Holy Cross, it was the triumph that has been longed for. And the Blessed Mother, being the new Eve would offer such victory to the Heavenly Father. Amen.

Twelfth Station

JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

My Lord and My Savior, My Christ and My Redeemer, My Jesus, you have died on the cross because of the many sins and transgressions we have committed against you. With 5,745 wounds which you have sustained, with the cross weighing about 300 pounds on your shoulder alone, with the thousands steps you took on your way up to Calvary, with the crown of thorns, lashes, blows and kicks, falls and the weight of the cross on your body, and finally the nails on your hands and feet, as well as the lance that pierced your body, WHO AMONG US HAS THE COURAGE TO STEP FORWARD AND TAKE YOUR PLACE? We are truly and deeply humbled prostrated on the ground, as we asked for your mercy and forgiveness. All in your Most Holy Name, Amen.

Eleventh Station

JESUS IS NAILED ON THE CROSS

Lord Jesus, My Savior, this is the time when you know who are with you and those who are not. Many among us and in our own lives - we do encounter problems, serious enough, as to drive away people from us. During happy times, they are near. During trying times, they are nowhere to be seen or heard. A little prayer may suffice, yet we do not know if they are really praying for us. We are also guilty of the same weakness ourselves. There are those whom we should be helping out but we did not extend our hands to them. Is it our of fear? Just like when you were being nailed on the cross, there may be those who followed you but on account of fear that they too may be nailed on the cross, have chosen to keep silent about they presence and what they feel about what was being done to you. Or is it just because we are indifferent to the plight of others, just like when we continue committing sins unmindful of your goodness, greatness and generosity. Teach us then Lord to be humble and be sincere in our ways so that when the time comes for us to help other people, we would not hesitate to do so, not because of as a mere obligation but more on the fact that we love you so much Lord. Amen.

Tenth Station

JESUS CLOTHES ARE TAKEN AWAY

My Lord Jesus, have mercy on us! Being stripped of your clothes is certainly deplorable. It is not only humiliating but it has added insult to injury. The soldiers are ruthless. They are gamblers which placed at stake your clothes on a winner take all basis. Terrible indeed. Many people today are stripped of what remains in them by those who have taken advantage of the weaknesses of such people. We pray that those who fall victims to these people would be able to recover and stand up, as always, for what is true and what is necessary. Amen.

Ninth Station

JESUS FALLS A THIRD TIME

Oh Lord Jesus Christ, the cross is obviously heavier now than the first time you had to carry it. I can only imagine the world today so much of a burden to you and yet, you continue to bring us to the road of salvation, you keep on carrying the cross, without let up. You have been obedient to the Almighty Father and had pleased Him so much by not giving up. As for us, we are easily discouraged by failures, and we tend to stop trying, or cease from even trying to try. We should not be prevented, by ourselves, from pursuing something which is noble and even Divine. We should not lose hope. We must constantly pray and ask for guidance, in order that - if ever we fall for the third or nth time – we may continue to move and fight for the many battles in our lives. Amen.

Eight Station

JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

Oh Lord Jesus Christ, I am truly and deeply humbled by Your sincere act of giving encouragement to the women of Jerusalem, and in effect to all the people around You. This is despite the hardships that you have been going through at that time. The women and the people who believes in your goodness, mercy and the truth as the Messiah, have been given a very important message – to weep for themselves and their children. It is out of love that this message was clearly given to all, including us, at this time and age. There will be trials, but that would not mean that we must lose hope. Christ has assured us that while this world will continue to be arrogant and ungrateful, He will be with us, or those who will truly believe in Him. Amen.

Seventh Station

JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

My Lord, My Jesus and Savior. You are extremely exhausted already. The cross is heavier and more difficult to carry. The pain is just so intense. The soldiers are cruel. The crowd, even more mean and ferocious. The weight of the cross was just too much to bear. You fell for the second time.

But the reasons, no matter how valid they may be, and would justify that your giving up, did not deter you from getting up and continue carrying the cross on your way to calvary.

Teach us Lord to do the same. As we fall, many times actually, help us to stand up once again and move on to our life’s journey. We know that without you, we are nothing. Without you, we cannot do anything. Be our strength. Amen.

Sixth Station

VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

Oh my Lord Jesus, it was just a piece of cloth wiped on your face of Jesus, with blood and sweat dripping. Through such very small way, you are pleased. Veronica knows it is the only thing that she can do if only to ease up your sufferings and pains.

What about each one of us? Do we give our share to ease up the burden of Christ? Do we offer ourselves for him? Do we work and do things to help others who are in need?

There have been many times that we have thought of giving ourselves a break, or demanding some space for ourselves. We feel that we deserve better, or we need to have some more of what we already have, never contented of anything. We always think of ourselves and forget the fact that we must also think of others. Yet, we still have the gull to ask a lot of things through our prayers. Is this the right attitude? Is this the life that we lead and live? Well, it is time. Time to change. Time to be what you want you to be. Like Veronica, we need to have the humility of meeting you personally and in our own little way, do something that will ease up your agony, sufferings, sacrifices, among others. In doing so, we do not expect any reward but at the same time, we will not refuse the blessings that will come our way, and in everything and in anything, we shall always thanks and praise God for his overflowing generosity. Amen.

Fifth Station

JESUS IS HELPED TO CARRY THE CROSS

My Lord Jesus Christ, I know that you do not need any help but amidst the humiliation that you have suffered from the hands of your persecutors, you have been humble enough to allow, a reluctant Simon of Cyrene to carry your cross. You have shown to us Lord that indeed “no man is an island”. That we live, not only for ourselves, but for our family and the people of God. That we have a responsibility to help others and to make sure that those who are in need are provided with what is necessary and which we can give as God has allowed us to. I have pleaded many times for help and you have not abandoned me. In many ways, you have answered my prayers. There were many times that I never realized that you have given me so many blessings and I was not even grateful. I can actually help carry the cross by heeding the call for me to serve God and in everything that I do, I must see to it that He is glorified and praised. Amen.

Fourth Station

JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER

My Lord Jesus, you were all alone by yourself, as you continue to suffer from the weight of the cross, the thousands of wounds inflicted upon you, and as blood flows down from your body and from your head. For sure, you were already grasping for your breath, dehydrated from lack of water, famished for not having taken anything for the day since you were taken forcibly at the Garden of Gethsemane. This is a terrible situation and ordinary humans will certainly not be able to endure and survive these hardships, sufferings, and agony. Yet, here comes the Blessed Mother, who have shown herself to you, if only to assure you that she is by your side, together with the Father in Heaven. Though you don’t need any assurance, our Blessed Mother has done what her bleeding and crying heart has told her to do – to be a mother, to care, to love, and as much as she wanted to but cannot, to suffer for you, her son, to take your place. How many among us would be willing to do what the Blessed Mother has done? In our world, at the present time, we seldom see people who would be willing to share what they have, or at the least, just to be honest, just be to good, just to be fair, just to be the man created in the image of God. We thank the Blessed Mother for being there with you as she is now for us. Amen.

Third Station

JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

My Lord and My God, My Savior , My Redeemer, Oh Lord Jesus. Forgive me. I mean it. From the very bottom of my heart. Had it not been for me, you would not have fallen from the sheer weight of that heavy cross that bears my sins. I don’t think I could even last carrying the cross before a first fall, but because you are My Lord, you have made sure that I would be able to carry my own cross. I now know why I was able to – because you were carrying me and my cross. Well, the bottomline is that I must carry on with whatever good things I may have started in my life and with my life. I should not be giving up and I ought to realize that there will always be a first time, and that first time must never discourage me to carry on. There may be obstacles, frustrations, disappointments, discouragement or whatever damn-if-you-do situations, but I must always bear in mind and in my heart that Jesus will always be with me, and I can truly feel His Holy Presence, unworthy as I am, for He loves me, and He wants me to succeed ! Amen.

Second Station

JESUS CARRIES THE CROSS

Oh My Lord Jesus Christ, how heavy indeed is the cross which you have been made to carry on your shoulders. That cross is actually this world ! The sins of men ! The transgressions and ungratefulness of humanity ! And to think that all these continue up to this day as you bear them, every moment, on your shoulders. Yet, and yes, yet, many among us would not even want to carry the little crosses that come our way. We always want to be within our respective comfort level. What a shame?! What really is that cross that I have always been to told to carry? Is it the same cross that you carried all the way up to the Calvary, to your death? Uh Oh. I think, not even a bit or fragment of that cross could be carried by me. Not even a breath that comes out of it. The cross of my life refers to myself, my iniquities, my sins, my forgetfulness, my carelessness, my lack of faith, and being a Christian and yet, I refuse to face each and every of these bits (or even one or two) of my own cross. Maybe because, I am afraid of problems; or I do not even try to carry my cross because of my fear of failure, that I may not be able to bring it up to my own Calvary. Well, wake up, you will not be nailed if you carry your cross. That cross, your cross, is actually a millionth fragment of the tiniest dust found in Jesus’ cross, and all you need to do is do your part in not being an additional burden for Christ. Be a solution, not a problem. Amen.

First Station

JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

Oh Lord Jesus, you have been a victim of the cruelty of man. Pontius Pilate was not only indecisive, he was also a coward. He allowed himself to be pressured by a mob. He could not take responsibility and would not own what he did on that day when you were condemned to death. He made actually a fun of himself. You were alone. Some would want to stand up for you but there was not much strength in terms of numbers. The majority was not right when you were condemned. They were moved by evil motives and evil designs. As I read and listen to news reports nowadays, the injustices and atrocities have not ceased. Many have been condemned and only to find out later that the person was innocent of the crime charged. Many have experienced death by way of curtailment of their freedom to live as human beings. Poverty, hunger, human trafficking, drug and substance abuse, violence against women and children, among other and similar crimes and offenses. The victims are virtually condemned to death since in the end – how they wished they were dead, how they wished they were not born, how they wished that the world would end. Perhaps. Well, actually my own weaknesses, my own sinfulness have condemned you to death. But there is still time and as I walked through with you and contemplate on the stations of the cross, I am truly thankful to you Lord Jesus for this opportunity, as I pray for those victims, who, like what you have gone through when you were condemned to death, are now suffering and languishing in their present state of life. I lift them up to you and may they be blessed with your generosity and goodness. Amen.

THE KING'S TRIUMPH

King of the Jews, a title given to Jesus not so much to honor Him but more so to ridicule Him. For how can He be the King of the Jews when they have not even recognized Him to be one. In fact after His triumphant and glorious entry to Jerusalem, He was to be mocked at, despised and made fun of. As to why they were doing it, they may not even know it. The Pharisees were of course filled with envy and fear. Yes, fear that they will lose their hold on the people, and that would mean, losing the perks and comforts for their privileged role as so-called religious leaders of their time. Ah, indeed, they are all hypocrites, sycophants, bootlickers and evil men.

Today, as in the past since that triumphant entry of Christ, history keeps on repeating itself. We praise Him, we glorify and adore Him. We pray and invoke His mercy. Yet, we continue to do what people during Christ's agonizing trek to calvary has done. Shame on us!

Christ is King of the Heaven and the Earth. He deserves more than just palm leaves and a joyous welcome. He deserves the best though unworthy we may be. He is Our Lord and Our King. The King of All !

Palm / Passion Sunday

Palm/Passion Sunday

Sunday, April 01, 2012

Obedience Till Death

Mk 11:1-10 and Mk 15:1-39

An elderly lady visited the grave of her departed husband. Her attention was caught by the sight of a man who was kneeling at a nearby grave, obviously overwhelmed with grief. She could overhear him repeatedly saying between sobs, "Why did you have to die? Why did you have to die?" The lady approached him and said, "Sir, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies. Forgive me for asking, but how are you related to the departed? Is she your wife? Your child? Your mother?” The man took a moment to wipe his tears and to compose himself. Then he replied, "This is the grave of the first husband of my wife."

This Sunday, we begin the celebration of Holy Week. We call this Palm Sunday. But more accurately, this is called Passion Sunday. That is why our Gospel is the long narrative of the Passion of the Lord. Today we join Jesus as he begins his passion and sufferings, which will end up in his death on the cross. This is in obedience to the will of the heavenly Father for the salvation of sinful humanity.

Jesus is both true God and true man. As God, he must have known and accepted without question the plan of the heavenly Father. But as man, his human nature would be in turmoil and repeatedly asking the Father: “Why do I have to die? Why do I have to die?”

In the Gospels, there were many attempts by the scribes and Pharisees to apprehend and even to kill Jesus. But he would always be able to elude them. The reason is simply because his “hour has not yet come”. Later on, he would just keep away from the crowd so that he would not expose himself to the authorities. But this Sunday, we see Jesus not anymore hiding or avoiding the people. He boldly exposes himself to the crowd and openly enters the city of Jerusalem. He knows that it is in Jerusalem that he will die. But he enters the city amid all the cheers of the people holding palm branches in their hands: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

His “hour” has already come. It is the hour when he has to offer his life as sacrifice on the cross. This is also “the hour for the Son of Man to be glorified” (Jn 12;23). His hour of sacrifice is at the same time his hour of glory, for it is when he will be able to accomplish his mission and completely fulfill the will of the heavenly Father.

Surely, obeying God’s will is not that easy and simple. Jesus himself struggled with it. His human nature must have rebelled against the thought of dying: “Why do I have to die?” In fact, even towards the end, at the Garden of Gethsemane, he pleaded, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me.” Notwithstanding all these, his sheer desire to obey the will of the Father took over his whole being: “Yet not what I will but what you will be done” (Mk 14:36). He knew all along that it is the main purpose of his life in this world. This he already expressed at an early age of twelve, when he told his parents at the Temple, “Did you not know I must be about my Father’s business?” (Lk 2:49).

As Christians, doing the Father’s will is our business. It is the only guarantee of having complete relationship with Jesus: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Mt. 12:50). It is the only way to our glory as God’s children. Unfortunately, for many of us, this is not the case. We insist on our own will, even against the will of God.

This is one thing we have to seriously reflect on. We profess to be followers of Jesus, but do we really follow him? Or we readily abandon him when things do not happen according to our plan? Take for example our celebration of Holy Week. This Sunday our churches are filled with people. Well, perhaps it is due to the palms. But come Holy Thursday and Good Friday, this multitude is nowhere to be seen. They will reappear at dawn on Easter Sunday when they expect another “added attraction” with the traditional “salubong” or “encuentro”. When we think we do not get something, we abandon Jesus right away. This explains why many Catholics are also into superstitions, feng shui, faith healers and horoscopes. This is why we have lots of Catholics who constantly live in immorality, corruption and perversion.

Jesus enters Jerusalem to fulfill the will of the Father, even though he knows that it means his own death. But he does not really mind because he knows that both life and death lead to the same glory – as long as they are in fulfillment of the will of God.

Let us, then, not be afraid to obey the will of God. It is the only way to remain pleasing in His sight. In his message to St. Faustina, Jesus said, “My daughter, know that you give Me greater glory by a single act of obedience than by long prayers and mortifications” (Divine Mercy in my Soul, 894). And according to St. John of the Cross, it is the best penance we can do in order to unite ourselves with the sacrifice of Jesus: “Obedience is a penance of reason, and, on that account, a sacrifice more acceptable than all corporal penances and mortifications.”

In moments when we feel our cross becomes heavier, may we take courage and strength from the words of Pope Benedict XVI: ‎"The Cross often frightens us because it seems to be a denial of life. In fact, the opposite is true! It is God’s “yes” to mankind, the supreme expression of his love".  

Fr. Mike Lagrimas

Sta. Lucia Church

JP Rizal Street, Bgy. Sta. Lucia

Novaliches, Quezon City 1117

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Act of Contrition

O my God, my Redeemer, behold me here at Thy feet. From the bottom of my heart I am sorry for all my sins, because by them I have offended Thee, Who art infinitely good. I will die rather than offend thee again.

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

(Follow the Stations, and allow yourself to be blessed as you accompany Our Lord.)

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.

CHARITY

Charity is at the heart of the Church's social doctrine. Every responsibility and every commitment spelt out by that doctrine is derived from charity which, according to the teaching of Jesus, is the synthesis of the entire Law (cf. Mt 22:36- 40). It gives real substance to the personal relationship with God and with neighbour; it is the principle not only of micro-relationships (with friends, with family members or within small groups) but also of macro-relationships (social, economic and political ones). For the Church, instructed by the Gospel, charity is everything because, as Saint John teaches (cf. 1 Jn 4:8, 16) and as I recalled in my first Encyclical Letter, “God is love” : everything has its origin in God's love, everything is shaped by it, everything is directed towards it. Love is God's greatest gift to humanity, it is his promise and our hope. (CARITAS IN VERITATE)

DEATH

We fear any talk of death. We do not find it pleasant and we do consider any discussion about it as morbid if not some kind of a sign that will lead us to our life's end on earth.

Yes, we are afraid of death. The mere thought of death makes us worry or uneasy. We think of our unpreparedness in facing death. We languish in the four corners of our minds. We do not know what is in the afterlife.

In other words, we know that death is certain to happen but what is uncertain is what will happen to us after death.

Our dead bodies will be mere cadavers, which will rot and decay through time as worms swarm, crawl and feast on our flesh and organs until none remains but our bones. Oh yes, there is cremation where our bodies will be burned until only ashes remain.

Meanwhile, our love ones, our families will miss us as they grieved with tears and in deep sorrow. People will condole and sympathize. But after the lapse of certain period, they will get over with the mourning and life must go on. We shall be in their memories but for others we will merely be somebody who lived in the past until even our images are forgotten.

Others are clever or narcissistic enough to make sure they are remembered if not idolized as if they created the earth where they once moved around. The will insure that schools, roads, hospitals, parks, monuments, buildings and other structures or even laws and days are named after them.

Of course in fairness to those others who passed away and has done great things to change the lives of people and make lives better, they deserve to be honored and remembered in many ways and forms. It could be in a manner that truly structures are named after them or simply their birth and death anniversaries are commemorated, among others.

Our faith teaches us to accept that when we leave this world, we leave our material wealth behind. Our souls are separated from our bodies. That separation alone is already a manifestation that we cannot bring anything to the next world.

If it were otherwise, meaning, the bringing of material wealth in the afterlife, then that afterlife will be very boring and no different from what this world has provided or did not give. In which case, the question would be asked - why die if the afterlife would still be the same with the present life. What happens to eternal life?

Our faith has assured us that there is an afterlife. Depending on how a person has lived the present life, one may obtain the merits of eternal life - a life full of joy and happiness in the presence of God and in a paradise called Heaven, or one may fall into the abyss of eternal damnation - a miserable place of wailing, gnashing, and intense pain called Hell.

During Lent, others regard it as an occasion to be reminded of the passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. A history of pain, suffering, bribery, betrayal, injustice and violent death or mob rule - murder.

We must however not forget and be fully aware of the real meaning and message of Lent - that God gave His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross to save us from the slavery of sins.

How do make the most out of Lent then in order that when death comes we are prepared to meet our God?
Sent from my BlackBerry®

LENT

What does Lent really mean to you? Is it a season of obligations? Is it a period to go on a vacation? Is it a time for general housecleaning? Or is it just another series of events and holidays which do not really have anything significant to you?

Do not live in the past at such period before Christ was born! You are missing a lot if you do. Worst, you may not have the luxury of your remaining time on earth to really benefit from the blessings, graces and benefits of Lent if you continue to ignore it or treat it as if you are merely passing through something routine and ordinary in your life.

Cheer up and be glad that you have life and that you are living and breathing and moving, so on and so forth.

Ti's a season of spiritual renewal and reconciliation. This is the time to conduct a personal reality check. A period to really and truly praise, honor and glorify our Almighty God as well as to thank him for having been and will always be a loving Father, great and merciful.

We show it through an internal declaration of our faith as we pray and go through the sacred exercise of fasting, abstinence and mortification. Of course, we must not only be doing spiritual exercises for ourselves but we do so for the Holy Souls in purgatory. We should live holy lives as we go through life where every moment is a prayer.
Sent from my BlackBerry®

ASH WEDNESDAY

Today is marked as a moment to begin thinking about our true nature - human beings or mortals who will soon be ending life's short journey here on earth - and the realization or at least a renewal of such realization that God is great, good, powerful, merciful and truly Divine. Thus, as human beings we were formed from dust and to dust shall we return. That is very humbling and so indeed that we must not boast of anything more than what our true nature is. Otherwise, like the fallen angels, pride and greed would permeate the soul. Being Ash Wednesday, we are being encouraged to heed the call for repentance and reconciliation, as well as to do further acts of cleansing the soul like abstinence, fasting and mortification. Throug these graces shall we obtain the merits of heaven and eternal life. For everything that is good in us will follow. Again, and remember, the time is now.
Sent from my BlackBerry®

THE EPIPHANY - IT'S ABOUT US

Why did Jesus come into this world? And in a very humiliating and embarassing circumstances? With threats and so much uncertainties around him? Is it not that He is the Messiah? Can He not just say, "okay, that's it, all of you are saved!"

There are things that cannot be understood by man. Things which are known as mysteries. That is why, there is some form of disclaimer in the Bible that we, human beings, should not lean on our own understanding; for God's ways are not ours.

However, yes, however . . . God has provided a solution to this problem and He only needs us to have a strong faith in Him and no other. He came into this world not to embarrass himself and neither to humiliate himself, but instead, it was a way of being humble notwithstanding the power He wields. He came even at a time when there were so much insecurities among the rulers of this world that their hold to power is threatened by the coming a The Messiah. It was greed in its weirdest form. Indeed, He is the Messiah and He has accomplished His mission with infinitely and absolutely incomparable flying colors. He has to die to our sins in order to make us realize that there is God "who cares for us" and who is willing to go to the extent of sacrificing His only Son if only that we may be saved.

Hence, having celebrated the Epiphany, we have celebrated the realization that Jesus is The Messiah that even the kings and rulers of His time, with the temporal powers at their disposal could not stop His coming from happening; that even the noblemen, the Magis  would vow down and give respect and honor to The Messiah. We have celebrated the fact that His coming is all because of and is about us and no other. It is not for Him to be worshipped, but it is for us to be saved.

1000 Hail Marys

The devotion of the Thousand Hail Mary’s dates back to our Saint Catherine of Bologna, “The Saint”…”our Saint”.  It was she, the first to recite the 1,000 “Hail Mary’s on Christmas Eve. It began back in 1445.  With the permission of her superior the saint had spent the night praying and meditating on the Mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God.  She was in the midst of reciting the “Hail Mary” a thousand times in honor of our Virgin Mother when Mary appeared to her and placed the infant Jesus in her arms.  As she herself expressed it: It was just a moment…the space of only a fifth part of the hour.” (about, 12 minutes)  In gratitude for the gift she had received from Our Lady, Saint Catherine was inspired to prepare a pious devotion: a minuscule Joyful Mystery Rosary. Viewing this devotion as the legacy of “The Saint”, and in remembrance of that great wonder, her spiritual daughters at the monastery of Corpus Domini began celebrating that holy night.  Today, “our Saint’s” sisters still repeat the thousand “Hail Mary’s”, using a cord of 1,000 beads.  It was made in the year 1590, the year of Catherine’s beatification.  It is a devotion that is presented to all the faithful.Source : Please visit http://scobp.org/2009/12/02/parish-life-devotion-of-1000-hail-marys/