Is Retreat an act of Surrender?

What does it mean to take a RETREAT?

Perhaps, many of us would associate the word "RETREAT" with wars and troops. And maybe, we would think that a retreat is an act of surrender. But actually the reason why troops take a retreat is for them to think of a better plan. They take a retreat to step back, stay away from the situation (for a moment) and think of a strategy, a better plan, or reflect from their wrong moves.

This is the whole point of this blog. To take a moment with oneself, to think, to reflect of the things that are happening in ones life and learn from it.

Let's take a short retreat.

Dr. Faustus and Mephistopheles of Today

One of my assignments back in my World Literature class in college was to read about Dr. Faustus by Goethe. It was one of those assignments, I would say, which took much of my time considering that reading was never a hobby.

The story was about Dr. Faustus, who wa in search for the true essence of life, God, and The Devil named Mephistopheles. A deal was made between God and Mephistopheles: The latter may receive Dr. Faustus’ soul only if Dr. Faustus stops his search for meaning, quest for knowledge and understanding. In other words, the Devil must satisfy Dr. Faustus that he (Faustus) will not desire for anything on earth. The devil had to lure Dr. Faustus with anything. However, it showed that Dr. Faustus’ desires levelled up (craving for more) as one desire was realized. In the end, God won the game.

Don’t we have the Dr. Faustus in us? We seek for many things in this world: knowledge, wealth, fame. We don’t seem to get THAT satisfaction we desire for in life. No matter how much we have, we always wish and strive to get much more, much better. “I got a cellphone but I wished I have the newest model”. I got two, but it would be better if I had three. Simple. We have so many of these “simple” desires that if we sum it all, it would define our values and attitudes. And maybe, it will define the way we live. Our lives are defined by the number of cellphones we have, the model of car we own, the cost of the house we lived in, the projects we have accomplished, the positions we have handled. And for many of us, we fear the loss of any of these. We become slaves of our own possessions. We’re like the rich young man in the Gospel (Mark 10:17-22).

It is not a sin to own things. It is alright to possess things as long as these things do not draw us away from the Truth that our hearts desire not for things here on earth that are temporary but for God’s Love and the Kingdom that is eternal. The reason why we never get to fill our hunger for anything is because this is not what our hearts truly long for. Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. To follow Him, we should learn to let go of the things that may stop us from seeing the Way and finding the Truth.

We’re like Dr. Faustus, tempted by Mephistopheles, but let us remember and be fully aware that whatever Mephistoheles has for us will never truly and fully satisfy us. Let us continue to search for that true peace and happiness not in the material possessions but in Christ, who helps us find the way to the Kingdom.

Miracle and Magic

Miracle -- a wonderful happening; something marvelous.

Magic -- pretended or supposedly art of using secret charms; of mysterious influence; the are or skill of creating illusions.

John 6: 1-15 " Jesus Feeds Five Thousand"

¹³So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets.

As a child, i had my own interpretation, imagination of what happened that day. I would always imagine Jesus performing magic --- Avarakadavra! and the 5 barley loaves turned to thousands of loaves!I imagined Jesus snapping His fingers and the thousands of loaves appeared before the crowd. But as I grew older and grew more matured in faith, I realized the meaning of these verses. Through the help of homilies and readings, I have seen a deeper meaning of the multiplication of the bread. I have also learned that miracles are not magic. This is a miracle.

When Jesus gave thanks and distributed the bread to those close to Him, the others who had their own loaves shared to those near them. The act of kindness and love Jesus showed spread off and everybody present there showed the same. That's the miracle -- from being self-centered to others-centered, from being selfish to selfless through sharing.

That miracle which happened thousands of years ago didn't die there. Up to this day, we can still see and experience that same miracle in our life. When there seemed to be no way out, you'll find a hand helping you get through. What happened to Guinsaugon, Leyte was terrible. People became homeless, worse, lost family members. Going back to normal life seemed impossible, especially the basic needs of the people. But, miracle came... people without names, and names without faces started sharing. Workers came rushing to help find family members down with the muds whether alive or dead. The act of sharing in itself is a miracle. The time spent by those people who where physically present is a miracle.

John 6:1-15 was the Gospel reading last sunday, July 30, 2006. It was also the inaguaration day of the new High School Campus in Tumaga. Exactly a year ago, many people felt that it's only a vision to put up a school in Tumaga. But what stands in the middle of that vast land is the High School building. When the names of the benefactors were read, it made me go back the Gospel reading. People shared. It's that same miracle which happened thousands of years ago.

Let there be light!!!

The beauty of the fire is appreciated in the middle of the darkness.

A life founded on strong faith still stands after every storm. It continues to witness and experience the grandeur of God's creation with pride and confidence.

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

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