Let there be light!!!
The beauty of the fire is appreciated in the middle of the darkness.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Friday, June 16, 2006
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Where Was I?
Lenten Reflection
Lord, where was I when you were scourged at the pillar?
where was I when they crowned you with thorns?
where was I when you fell on your knees with the cross?
where was I when they ripped off your clothes and left you naked?
where was I when they nailed you to death?
where was I when not satisfied with seeing you on the cross
they plunged the spear at your side?
Lord... I was there... watching! I couldn't do anything!
so ashamed that you have to suffer because of me.
How could I just watch you in pain?
when I was weak you offered a hand.
when I was in pain, you hugged me and took off the pain.
when I was hungry and cold, you offered food and warmth
And in all those times I just said THANK YOU... and walked away.
Lord, teach me the ways to ease your pain.
Lord, show me how to heal Your own woundedness.
April 14, 2006 Good Friday
Holy Week Retreat 2006
Lord, where was I when you were scourged at the pillar?
where was I when they crowned you with thorns?
where was I when you fell on your knees with the cross?
where was I when they ripped off your clothes and left you naked?
where was I when they nailed you to death?
where was I when not satisfied with seeing you on the cross
they plunged the spear at your side?
Lord... I was there... watching! I couldn't do anything!
so ashamed that you have to suffer because of me.
How could I just watch you in pain?
when I was weak you offered a hand.
when I was in pain, you hugged me and took off the pain.
when I was hungry and cold, you offered food and warmth
And in all those times I just said THANK YOU... and walked away.
Lord, teach me the ways to ease your pain.
Lord, show me how to heal Your own woundedness.
April 14, 2006 Good Friday
Holy Week Retreat 2006
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Don't Break the Chain!
I don't know how, where and when this started. As far as I can remember, I started receiving chain letters when I was in grade four. Chain letters then were written in 1/4 sheet of intermediate paper. As usual, bad luck "awaits you" if you break the chain.
Today, chain letters have evolved with the technology. Today's generation don't get chain letters in 1/4 sheet of paper but through emails and cellular phones. These messages vary from a simple story with a "promise" and "bad luck" attached at the end, to pictures of Jesus or Mary, still with promises and bad lucks. The stories scare you sometimes.
When I was in college, our Theology teacher included an exam question that was related to chain letter. I think it was mid-term exam. The question is in the context of "what will you do if yoy received a chain letter". The sample chain message was also written in the exam. I answered it with all honesty! My answer? *shocks!* I wrote that I would try to comply the chain letter, i won't lose anything! yikes! My teacher's reaction? What do you expect! He was frustrated *sorry!* After talking about faith in class, he still got that answer from me. *Winks* my fault... perhaps, i wasn't listening... perhaps, it was really my "faith" then.
After more than ten years, I still get chain letters. But i just disregard them. I don't normally forward the message. If I do (if I like the story), it's always minus the "promise" at the end of the message.
Have you ever complied any of these chain letters? How many of the "beautiful promises" were realized? Did bad things happen after breaking the chain? If our faith in God is authentic, we'll realize the lies these chain letters bring. If good things happen, they are bound to happen not because of the chain letter. If bad things happen it's not a consequence of breaking the chain! Sometimes bad things really happen. For me, through these we are able to appreciate the blessings we have in life. It happens to help us see God's goodness.
Things happen with purpose. God loves us and He has plans for us. And no chain letters or messages, no matter how "hich-tech" the way it's sent, can break God's love for us.
So what will you do with this chain letter in your Inbox? Delete it or, well you'll get bad luck! You can't receive messages anymore because you're inbox is full! Hahahaha
Today, chain letters have evolved with the technology. Today's generation don't get chain letters in 1/4 sheet of paper but through emails and cellular phones. These messages vary from a simple story with a "promise" and "bad luck" attached at the end, to pictures of Jesus or Mary, still with promises and bad lucks. The stories scare you sometimes.
When I was in college, our Theology teacher included an exam question that was related to chain letter. I think it was mid-term exam. The question is in the context of "what will you do if yoy received a chain letter". The sample chain message was also written in the exam. I answered it with all honesty! My answer? *shocks!* I wrote that I would try to comply the chain letter, i won't lose anything! yikes! My teacher's reaction? What do you expect! He was frustrated *sorry!* After talking about faith in class, he still got that answer from me. *Winks* my fault... perhaps, i wasn't listening... perhaps, it was really my "faith" then.
After more than ten years, I still get chain letters. But i just disregard them. I don't normally forward the message. If I do (if I like the story), it's always minus the "promise" at the end of the message.
Have you ever complied any of these chain letters? How many of the "beautiful promises" were realized? Did bad things happen after breaking the chain? If our faith in God is authentic, we'll realize the lies these chain letters bring. If good things happen, they are bound to happen not because of the chain letter. If bad things happen it's not a consequence of breaking the chain! Sometimes bad things really happen. For me, through these we are able to appreciate the blessings we have in life. It happens to help us see God's goodness.
Things happen with purpose. God loves us and He has plans for us. And no chain letters or messages, no matter how "hich-tech" the way it's sent, can break God's love for us.
So what will you do with this chain letter in your Inbox? Delete it or, well you'll get bad luck! You can't receive messages anymore because you're inbox is full! Hahahaha
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Vision, Passion, Caring Spirit
This morning, we had our yearly institutional recollection. This year's theme talks about the First Companions of the Society of Jesus. We recall the gifts of the first three companions -- Ignatius, Xavier, and Faber.
The recollection reminds us once again of our mission as individuals in this world. We have our own role. There is so much to do! We have to realize that whatever we do, wherever we are, we are part of God's divine plan. God is not physically here. He cannot physically lend a hand. But through us, God is able to help, God gives comfort to the lowly. We are God's hands to help the others, His heart to feel for others, God's ears to listen and take action, to touch and be felt. It's through us the Jesus' mission in this world lives on.
One doesn't have to be a priest, a pastor, or a nun. One doesn't have to be always present in all religious activities to help fulfill God's plan. In one's own home, workplace, grocery store, while waiting for a ride, one can be God's servant. And it is in this perception that we do things right, we do things better.
This is the vision that St. Ignatius shares with us today.
Francis Xavier, on the other hand, shares with us his passion for helping people. In this time of our life, many things have happened that would sometimes make us say "NO" or would bring a feel of hopelessness. We have gone through a lot of crises in our lives. But you see, we still stand up, take one step forward, one at a time. We always have this HOPE is us.
Have you ever wondered why at the end of the day, exhausted from work, tired of so many things, some people still manage to smile and say, "Hey, it's okey!"? Despite the difficulties in going through the day, we still look forward for tomorrow, for another day. This is because our hearts belong here... whatever we do, our heart is there. We love what we do that even in the most lowly moment, we still choose to stay and continue. Being able to do, to help and be part of this work is our joy. That is passion.
The last gift talks about caring spirit. We have heard this several times, millions of times! We can only teach kindness of the heart and caring spirit when we ourselves do care and show kindness. This is what Faber taught us. Many of us don't know Faber... his works were not made known, unlike that of Ignatius and Xavier. Why? For me, it's because, doing God's work doesn't have to be known all the time. Doesn't have to be big, doesn't have to make a big bang.. it can be simple things. Simple things with great impact. Simple touch, a cup of coffee, libre pasahe :) a simple hello and thank you. This is true caring.
The recollection reminds us once again of our mission as individuals in this world. We have our own role. There is so much to do! We have to realize that whatever we do, wherever we are, we are part of God's divine plan. God is not physically here. He cannot physically lend a hand. But through us, God is able to help, God gives comfort to the lowly. We are God's hands to help the others, His heart to feel for others, God's ears to listen and take action, to touch and be felt. It's through us the Jesus' mission in this world lives on.
One doesn't have to be a priest, a pastor, or a nun. One doesn't have to be always present in all religious activities to help fulfill God's plan. In one's own home, workplace, grocery store, while waiting for a ride, one can be God's servant. And it is in this perception that we do things right, we do things better.
This is the vision that St. Ignatius shares with us today.
Francis Xavier, on the other hand, shares with us his passion for helping people. In this time of our life, many things have happened that would sometimes make us say "NO" or would bring a feel of hopelessness. We have gone through a lot of crises in our lives. But you see, we still stand up, take one step forward, one at a time. We always have this HOPE is us.
Have you ever wondered why at the end of the day, exhausted from work, tired of so many things, some people still manage to smile and say, "Hey, it's okey!"? Despite the difficulties in going through the day, we still look forward for tomorrow, for another day. This is because our hearts belong here... whatever we do, our heart is there. We love what we do that even in the most lowly moment, we still choose to stay and continue. Being able to do, to help and be part of this work is our joy. That is passion.
The last gift talks about caring spirit. We have heard this several times, millions of times! We can only teach kindness of the heart and caring spirit when we ourselves do care and show kindness. This is what Faber taught us. Many of us don't know Faber... his works were not made known, unlike that of Ignatius and Xavier. Why? For me, it's because, doing God's work doesn't have to be known all the time. Doesn't have to be big, doesn't have to make a big bang.. it can be simple things. Simple things with great impact. Simple touch, a cup of coffee, libre pasahe :) a simple hello and thank you. This is true caring.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
"God intervened"
One of the questions I don't fail to hear from people who ask about my past relationship is "why? what went wrong?". Of course, previous to that, they'd ask me if I have a boyfriend. And my answer is obviously "No, I don't". And question goes on...until you hear the "Oh, what happened? Why did you break up?". I found it difficult to answer before. But now, I have found a better way of answering "God intervened" :)
It's not a joke. And I don't think it's bad to say that He really intervened. Whenever I am in a relationship, I always pray for my partner, for our relationship. I do pray for the good of the relationship. When things go wrong, I do pray, too. The answers I got were hard and painful, but as time goes on, I understand. I always learn to accept the fate but at the same time, hopeful.
In our life, God intervened a number of times. It's not only about relationships, it could be in work, in the family, with friends.
I remember an incident way back in High School. I was on my way to school. I would just take a walk from our place to my school. After I reached the intersection of the road and turned to the main street, I heard a crash behind me. Finding out what it was, I saw a tricycle, turned up-side-down. The driver stood up, not hurt.
Looking at the situation, and trying to make a replay in slow motion, I missed or the tricyle missed me for 4-5 steps. What if I was not in a hurry for school? What if I walked relaxly? Did that hit me? I saw God's hands intervening in that scene. He made me walked faster, because if He didn't, I would have been hit by the tricycle.
God's way of intervening comes in different forms. They come as a situation that changes our decision, a comforting friend, a stranger's help, a sudden changed of weather, a missed ride...
I can tell you more stories of God's intervention, but that would mean I won't take lunch today, dinner tonight.. and you'd read this entry till monday morning :)
Anyway, what's your story? In what way did God intervened?
When things happen, try to listen and try to see beyond what your eyes can. You might see God's hands in action.
It's not a joke. And I don't think it's bad to say that He really intervened. Whenever I am in a relationship, I always pray for my partner, for our relationship. I do pray for the good of the relationship. When things go wrong, I do pray, too. The answers I got were hard and painful, but as time goes on, I understand. I always learn to accept the fate but at the same time, hopeful.
In our life, God intervened a number of times. It's not only about relationships, it could be in work, in the family, with friends.
I remember an incident way back in High School. I was on my way to school. I would just take a walk from our place to my school. After I reached the intersection of the road and turned to the main street, I heard a crash behind me. Finding out what it was, I saw a tricycle, turned up-side-down. The driver stood up, not hurt.
Looking at the situation, and trying to make a replay in slow motion, I missed or the tricyle missed me for 4-5 steps. What if I was not in a hurry for school? What if I walked relaxly? Did that hit me? I saw God's hands intervening in that scene. He made me walked faster, because if He didn't, I would have been hit by the tricycle.
God's way of intervening comes in different forms. They come as a situation that changes our decision, a comforting friend, a stranger's help, a sudden changed of weather, a missed ride...
I can tell you more stories of God's intervention, but that would mean I won't take lunch today, dinner tonight.. and you'd read this entry till monday morning :)
Anyway, what's your story? In what way did God intervened?
When things happen, try to listen and try to see beyond what your eyes can. You might see God's hands in action.
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