Maundy Thursday Reflections

Holy Week is a time when we are called upon to open our hearts to God - with the hope that we will do so even after Lent. The Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and thereafter His Resurrection should be a wake up call for all of us to look at ourselves and realize that we are all sinners. That the agony, pains and sufferings of Christ are but the consequences of our sins, our transgressions, our indifference, our failures and our pride, arrogance, selfishness, greed etc.

So, it is incumbent upon us now to do what is right, what is good and what is Holy. This means we need to live a prayerful life, obeying the Commandments and following God's will.

Life in this world is short and temporary, deceitful and cunning, and dangerous. That is why we cannot be complacent. We need to be vigilant against all forms of temptations and snares of the Devil.

Thus, we must call upon the Blessed Mother to pray for us, to guide us and cover is with her mantle of protection.

God is with us. He is great and merciful. Have faith and let's put on the Armor of God.

Christ never abandoned us. So let us not leave Him at the Garden. Let us join Him in prayers every moment of our lives.

Spiritual Combat: Weapons for Your Arsenal | The Catholic Gentleman

https://www.catholicgentleman.net/2015/11/spiritual-combat-weapons-for-your-arsenal/

Blessed Mother, Untier of Knots

Octave of Easter

The term Octave of Easter may refer either to the eight-day period (Octave) in Eastertide that starts onEaster Sunday and runs until the Sunday following Easter, inclusive; or it may refer only to that Sunday after Easter, the Octave Day of Easter (often known as Low Sunday, particularly in the Anglican Communion). That Sunday is also known historically as St. Thomas Sunday (especially among Eastern Christians), Quasimodo Sunday and Quasimodogeniti. Since 1970 Low Sunday has been officially known as the Second Sunday of Easter (referring to the Easter season) in the Roman Catholic Church. On 30 April 2000, it was also designated as Divine Mercy Sunday by Pope John Paul II.

Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octave_of_Easter

CLOSEST TO GOD

We heard it before and we often hear it repeatedly from different
people - "I was closest to God when I had this . . . problem". Why? If
you were in the shoes of that person, you would most probably agree
that you are already in a situation where - either you have come to a
point of that you seem to be alone in your struggle or simply you are
encountering difficulties and the fear of being unable to cope with
your woes have prompted you to cling on to God.

But come to think of it, why is it not the same when a person is at
the peak of his wealth and success? Oh yes, that person may still be
religious but is he as closely connected with God during his trying
times, now that he is blessed with what he desired for.

Think of those moments when you merely thank God for the blessings.
Having done so, there is that feeling of "compliance" in your relation
with God. Such being the case, you went on to attend to your temporal
cares and for the meanwhile, your spiritual nourishment was shelved
until you find a need for it again.

Do not anticipate God's mercy by doing what is wrong and neglecting
Him in your life even for a single moment.

Do what is right and pleasing to Him. Follow God's will and love Him
more than ever. Be confident in declaring, even to yourself, that you
are closest to God every moment in your life.

Lent

Lent is such a refreshing episode in the life of every faithful. It is
an assurance that we are all children of God and as such, we have a
Father who would always look after us. He gives protection, guidance,
graces and blessings. What more can we ask for when He gave Jesus to
us in order that we may be redeemed from the quagmire of sins? What
more can we seek for when the Holy Spirit is upon us in order that we
may receive the Divine Gifts? Why do we have to knock when He never
closed the doors of Heaven for those who have chosen to be close to
Him?

Yet a loving and merciful God as He will forever be, still Jesus told
us "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock,
and it will be opened to you." Why?

Human as we are, we are not perfect. It is once more an assurance that
God is with us. It is a way of saying "come and get it" whatever God
has prepared for each one of us. All we need is faith – a firm belief
that God will always be present in our midst and that He will lead us
through in this life.

Divine Mercy & Indulgence

A plenary indulgence (the forgiveness of all temporal punishment resulting from sins that have already been confessed) is granted on the Feast of Divine Mercy if to all the faithful who go to Confession, receive Holy Communion, pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, and "in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. 'Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!')."

A partial indulgence (the remission of some temporal punishment from sin) is granted to the faithful "who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation."

The Holy Rosary

"The Holy Rosary: the joys, the sorrows, and the glories of the life of Our Lady weave a crown of praises, repeated ceaselessly by the angels and the saints in Heaven - and by those who love our Mother here on earth. Pratise this holy devotion every day, and spread it." (#621, The Forge, St. Escriva)

Open Your Hearts

Jesus was born in a manger - a trough where food for animals are placed. Not fit for the 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? At least for the person who appeared to be seemingly "generous".

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 for 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 them? What have they done anyway and by the way?

And even if they have something to give to the poor starving person, how much did they give that person? Is it enough to buy a decent food for the day? Of course, one 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 could. 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.

Maligayang Pasko!

Sa araw na ito - 25 Disyembre - ating ginugunita at ipinagdiriwang ang pagsilang sa ating Panginoong Hesukristo. Sa pamamagitan ng Banal na Misa, panalangin, pagkakawang gawa, pagreregalo, pagsasalu-salo, pagbisita sa mga may sakit, naglilingkod sa simbahan, pagdarasal sa mga Banal na kaluluwa, at iba pang gawaing maka-Diyos na magmumula sa puso, naibabahagi natin ang tunay na diwa ng pasko. Wika nga kahit hindi araw ng pasko, tayo ay manatiling nagbibigayan. Ating isinasabuhay ang pagdating ng ating Panginoon sa tuwinang tayo ay gumaganap ng mga gawaing maka-Diyos. Dahil dito tama lamang na ang bawat araw ay gawing pasko.

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RESILIENCE Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

@caloycaliwara: God is loving and merciful. He keeps us strong and truly alive. #binhingmustasa


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Be Prepared

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.” Lk 12:35-38


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Location:P. Burgos,Caloocan City,Philippines

Do Not Brag About Yourself, Let Others Praise You - Proverbs 27:2

Your character will speak for you. What you are now and what you have done will reflect on who you really are. You may have made promises which you have broken. You may have led others to believe that you will do great things. Yet, if this are not turned into actions, sincere ones, then you are nothing. You do not deserve to be praised. You can brag. Yes. But that's is all yours to feel and see, but not to cherish throughout your life. So. Be on the safe side. Leave impressions on other people. Not to yourself.






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Location:Commonwealth Avenue,Quezon City,Philippines

Saint Michael the Archangel

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.

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.

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.

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.


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Location:Quezon City,Philippines

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.


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Location:Dona Julia Vargas Ave.,Mandaluyong City,Philippines

Faith

@caloycaliwara: If you have faith, why doubt? Believe firmly then, without reservation.


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