A Priest At All Time

Taken during the Blessing of the Chapel of Jesus,
the Bread of Life of the Eucharistic Formation House
when I was it's Rector and Formator.

"You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek" -Psalm 110:4

In some of the chapels where I usually celebrate the Sunday Holy Mass because they do not have a sacristy or a place where I can vest myself for the celebration, I usually wear the chasuble at the door of chapel.

One Sunday, as I am already vesting, a little boy was observing me. He approached me and asked:

"Are you going to change into a priest?"

I smiled and everybody who heard him smiled, too.

A very awakening experience.

I must be a priest every time and all the time, any where and every where!

Prayer:

Lord, forgive me for the times that I seem to be not living my priesthood. Amen.

Giving With Love

A plastic bottle full of coins donated by an old lady
for the Construction of  Padre Pio Parish in Sucat, Paranaque

"...God loves a cheerful giver." -2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV)

My spiritual director since when I was a young seminarian and a friend, Fr. Eric Salazar is again building a new church, The Padre Pio Parish in Sucat, Paranaque.

Helping him with the raising of funds, I always encourage people in places where I am invited to celebrate Holy Mass to help him in building the church.

One Sunday at the San Isidro Labrador Parish, his former Parish whom he finished and beautify, some weeks after the announcement I made, after the Holy Mass an old lady followed me in the parish office and handed me a plastic bottle full of coins. Se said, "Father, please give this to Fr. Eric for Padre Pio Church. This is all I have. But I want to be part of building the Church."

I thank her and said, "God bless the gift, especially the giver" which I always say to people who gives gifts to me with my hands making the sign of the Cross to the gift and to the giver.

I brought the plastic bottle in Sucat, and gave it to Fr. Eric, he was so happy, too and we shared the same feeling of gratefulness to that old lady.

I was moved to tears by her generosity. That is all she had, but she willingly gave for the building up of the Church.

I was challenged, to do something more and give all I have, my strength, my talents, my everything for the building up if the Kingdom of God.

Prayer:

Lord, bless that old lady for her generosity. Thank you for teaching us to give and sacrifice for the sake of Your Kingdom. Amen.

"Father"

Let us pray for our priests.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you..." -Jeremiah 1:5 (RSV Catholic Version)

Parents when having babies usually make plans for them. Some parents ask their children to take courses that they want instead of what their children want. I read the following from a friend's Facebook post and I am sharing this:

You thought he would be a cardiologist.

Now, he spends his time mending broken hearts.

Or maybe an engineer.

Now he spends his time building the Kingdom of God on earth.

You thought he would be a great dad.

Now thousands of people call him "father".

Let us remember this:

They have the most important job in the world, but they also have the most powerful enemy trying to destroy them from doing their work.

Sometimes, we don't realize how our priests play roles in our lives, and in our society.

Please helm them. Pray for them. Understand them.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving your Church priests who give themselves in the service. Guide, bless, encourage and save your priests. Amen.

A Brother's Care

Kuya Nonie Arzanan from His FB profile

"Let the charity of brotherhood abide in you." -Hebrews 13:1

Going back to my past, I remember people who in one way or another played important roles in my journey towards the realization of my vocation. Some played very big roles, some unnoticed, but in my mind and heart, even how little they seem to be, they will never be forgotten and I will always be grateful to them. And I want to dedicate this page to one of them. Kuya Nonie Arzanan, a kababayan (town mate) from Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija.

When I first came to Maria Assumpta, he was the first one who greeted me. Upon seeing that my room was almost bare, he went away and coming back he was bringing already a foam for my bed, curtains for my windows, a lampshade and some toiletries. He brought some of his extra things from his own room.

He let me feel welcomed and loved. The following day, an early morning serenade was rendered to us new comers and when I opened my door, it was he who was standing outside bringing a glass with lighted candle which he handed to me.

Those acts of Kuya Nonie made me feel more at home in the seminary. His kind words encouraged me to go on. Now, I am a priest and he played an important role in it.

I hope many of us can play roles in other's life. Not necessarily extraordinary.  Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, "Do ordinary things with great love."

Thank you Kuya Nonie!

(Note: Kuya refers to an elderly brother.)

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving me a brother who gave me so much encouragement in his own little way. Bless him and his loved ones. Amen.

Fr. Apu Mateo: A Friend and Inspiration

With Fr. Apu Mateo in his second visit
to me, I asked him to be with me in
celebrating the Holy Mass at Cittadela
in Las Pinas. Taken with MBG members.
Photo courtesy of Sis. Tess Cayabyab

"When you do good deeds, don't try to show off...When you give to the poor, don't blow a loud horn..." -Matthew 6:1,2 (CEV)

Fr. Apolinard Victor Narcise Mateo whom we fondly called Fr. Apu is a young priest from the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao.

He came from the seminary where I finished my Philosophy, the Christ the King Mission Seminary under the Society of Divine Word (SVD) in Quezon City. We've been together at Eucharistic Center both as seminarians, he in Philosphy and I, taking my Theology at Maryhill School of Theology also in Quezon City.

After my ordination in May of 2007, a year later I was assigned as Rector and Formator of the Seminarians for Northern Luzon Dioceses studying in Manila and residing at the Eucharistic Formation House in Quezon City. Fr. Apu was one of those seminarians.

I saw in him good leadership qualities and I really saw in him love and compassion for the poor. When ordained priest in 2011, he started thinking on how to repay those generous people who helped him finished his studies. According to him, one of his benefactors told him to help others instead of repaying him. He then started helping poor but deserving youth go to school with his monthly allowance as a priest.

He go asking friends to help him that made her mother commented "Why make yourself like a beggar begging for something?" In which he told his mother, "Ma, for me this is not begging. This is my mission, to be the voice of these young people. To be an instrument of teaching people to be generous."

I must admit, I admire this young fellow for doing this, he called his program "Genple"  which stands for "Generous People". He once said, "they are not my scholars, they are scholars of those generous people giving their trust and extending their helping hands."

What an inspiration to people like me to be more generous. Taking not his own honor but giving honor and acknowledgment to whom it is due.

Fr. Apu, I am proud of you! Those who are interested in helping Fr. Apu in his work for the poor can contact him at +639175655002

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving you people a priest like Fr. Apu. Encourage him and give him strength. Amen.

Boljak!

With my Bishop, the Most Rev. Camilo D. Gregorio,
taken during the Renewal of Ordination Promises
at the Chrism Mass 2013 at Basco Cathedral, Batanes

"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." -Proverbs 3: 11-12 (NIV)

I am not perfect. I have my shortcomings. I have my share of failures in my life and my ministry as a priest.

I must admit for many times I have been given "boljak" letters by my bishop. But those letters made me learn. Those letters made me realize many things.

My bishop loves us his priests and he does not want us "to throw to the swine the precious pearl" we have--our priesthood. So, every time we received "boljaks" from him, be it personal or through letters, I saw it as a manifestation of his paternal love for me.

I thank my bishop for loving us and correcting us. I thank my bishop for teaching and guiding us. I just wanted him to know how thankful I am for having him as my bishop.

(Note: Boljak is a street-coined-word meaning admonition.)

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving me a bishop like mine. Continue give him the wisdom in guiding us his priests. Amen.

A Letter to A Friend, A Brother and An Inspiration

Kuya Caesar Battling with sickness. Let us pray for him.

"GIve thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." -1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)

Ever Dearest Kuya Caezar,

Glory to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament!

I have decided to write this letter for you so that the world may know who you really are.

I just want to thank this opportunity of thanking you for being a big brother to me which never stop when we part our ways in the seminary. You graduated, I transferred. Even after those happy days in Maria Assumpta, you still let me feel until now that I am your "Little Tetet". Remember that name you gave me? Do you still remember where did you get that name? It was when you saw me wearing always my favorite jersey with the name of my section in Vincentian Catholic Academy "St. Therese" and when you saw me catering to the needs of those beggars coming to oue seminary, you told me that I am the male version of Mother Teresa. So, since then you lovingly called me "Tetet".

Your vocation is an inspiration to me, that though you were never given the chance, you still serve the Good Lord in all capacity you can. You're great. You've inspired me kuya.

Your love for the Blessed Mother led me to a greater devotion to her. I cling on her in my vocation journey. I consecrated my priestly life to her, and I learned it from you.

Ah, There was a funny incident, It was my first wednesday in the seminary, usually we pray the Rosary by group or alone in the seminary grounds, I saw you walking alone, holding you big-beaded Rosary, I run towards you and kissed you hand asking for your blessing because I thought you were one of our format ors, and you told me the truth. Hehe. You never lived as pressumptous as others said about you. Well, never mind them.

I knew it, your life was as challenging as everyone can imagine but I knew it, you never gave up your faith to God. You never left Him. You continue loving and serving Him.

The last time I met you was when I was the rector and formator of the seminarians in Quezon City, vividly I can recall your request "Tetet, wherever you are, please come when my time comes". Kuya, life indeed is a mystery, now that you are experiencing the pain of that sickness, I can say that you are indeed blessed. Yes, blessed and chosen because you are given the chance to join Jesus in His suffering on the Cross. Kuya, I asked you to offer those sufferings for us poor sinners, for me most specially that the Good Lord may sustain me in my vocation.

Kuya, I am praying for you. I love you and God bless you. To write everything here will never be enough to thank you and to tell the world what kind of person you are. Kuya, thank you for being a big brother not just in size but in reality. Thank you for being a true and best friend to many of us. Thank you for the inspiration. We love you.

Your Little Tetet,

Zenki with much affection to you

Taxi Driver: My Teacher

From the FB page Get A Taxi

"Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" 
-2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)

One evening I need to meet a priest-friend from the province. I need to take a cab (taxi) that will bring me to the place where we agreed to meet one another.

There were many taxi cabs who do not want to take me to the place. I prayed to the Lord to send me someone.

Answered prayer! Wow, right in front of me is a taxi cab, I asked the driver first if it is ok for him to bring me to the place for it's really quite far from where I am staying.

At first he was so hesitant, giving me many alibis. But I insisted. He took me for the ride.

While on our way, I started conversing with him, asking him questions. I learned he is in his forty, with three children but the second child is very sick. Deep within my heart, I am planning to give him more. I asked him to pray to God to help him with his problems.

Upon arriving at the location, I gave him the total amount he needed for his boundary telling him that God loves him and his family. He said "Sir, I will just wait for you and bring you home again".

"No, you don't need to", I said. "Just go around for you to get some passengers, so that you can earn more tonight", I added.

A priest-friend handed me a check payable to cash with not so big amount. I went out of the place, and here comes the taxi driver whom I thought left already. Yes, he waited for me. He insisted to bring me back home.

On our way home, I asked him why he needed to do it for me, as I gave him without asking him anything in return, I told him that I just wanted to help his son suffering from hepa meningitis (I do not know if I heard it right, It's a medical term anyway). Telling him that It is the Lord who is so good to him that He let him stop at me and at that moment made me needed a cab. It was the Lord who arranged everything.

I was surprised with his answer:

"Sir, I knew it is the Lord. I was driving already the whole day, but I got only some passengers, most of them were so inconsiderate asking me to bring to far places but never gave me anything, and here you come, you don't even know me, and you help me. If it is not the Lord, It is impossible. You must love God, Sir and you are showing it by being compassionate to people. I learned from you Sir, because I believe in God, I must also take care of you. It is already evening and you have no one with you. So I will bring you home."

Wow, what an experience. Love begets love. Respect begets respect. Service begets service.

The taxi driver taught me to be always thankful. And being truly thankful can only be expressed through loving service.

Before I went out of the taxi, I handed him the check. "Use this for the medicine of your boy. God loves you so much!"

What a wonderful experience of seeing God and experiencing his love. His inexpressible gifts of persons and learnings!


Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the opportunity of serving you. Thank you for the great opportunity of meeting simple people in whom I have much to learn. Bless the taxi driver whom I forgot to get the name and his family. Heal his son. Amen.

Bodegera Ng Diyos

The heart that loves gives. Photo from FB page of Stewardship

"But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth..." -Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)

I had a lady friend who despite we just knew each other for quite a short time is very much supportive already of all my works and apostolate.

Whenever I asked her to give some help she is always ready to extend her helping hands. She never hesitated. Actually I was so touched when she told me that she is trusting me. I thank the Lord for her trust.

One day, I sent him an SMS (text message) thanking her for everything, for all the support and trust but most especially for really giving for the ministry without counting anything in return, she just asked me to always remember her in my prayers which I am faithfully doing.

I was moved to tears by her very simple and humble reply:

"Father, pareho lang po tayo ng adhikain. Lahat po yan galing sa Kanya. Ipinadaan lang po sa akin. Bodegera lang po ako ng Diyos :)"

What a humble and faithful steward of God she is. I am inspired by her to do more and give more myself for the service.

[Note: Bodegera from the root word bogeda, a place where goods are being stored. Bodegera (female) Bodegero (male) is a person in-charge of those goods.]

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving me this friend, you know her, she doesn't want her name to be mentioned for she always want to be anonymous. I ask you Lord to always bless her and keep her and her family from sickness and danger. Thank you also for challenging me to give more and do something more through her. Amen.

The Blessing In Tears

from FB page of Teardrops and Pain Loneliness and Sadness

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes..." -Revelation 21:4

I was brought up with a belief that men should not cry. But Albert Smith said:

"Tears are the safety valve of the heart when too much pressure is laid on it."

My realization:

Our eyes need to be washed by our tears once in a while so that we see life more clearly.

Prayer:

Lord, help me see the beauty of life. Amen.

Count Your Heartbeat

from the fb page of Sa Puso Ng Taong MAHAL ko :">

"He will love you, bless you and multiply you."       
 -Deuteronomy 7:13


I once went to an isolated place with no one accompanied me. I just wanted to be alone. There I tried to be silent, meditated and pray.

I was looking for answers to many questions bothering me. I am trying to count God's blessings to me.



While in deep prayer and solitude,  I almost heard my heartbeat. Then I realized a very simple truth.

Sometimes the only blessing we need to sound is our heartbeat...a blessing for daily existence. Isn't?

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the blessings. Amen.

Embrace Trials and Be Blessed!

The Pearls of Great Price. Credit to: www.CathayGems.com

"Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds." -James 1:2 (NIV)

It was a bright sunny day. Oysters were very happy and enjoying the wonderful day. But there was one oyster who was just alone by himself. He felt great pain in his body.

The other oysters seeing him alone called him to play with them.

The lonely oyster begged off because of the intense pain he is feeling in his body. He was in agony. He envied the other oysters, there were full of life and they were joyfully playing.

The lonely oyster was in deep pain. He felt a great weight over his body. He was crying. He just stayed in his little place.

His pain had swollen. He felt the swollen pain so hard and solid. But when the bright sunlight  shone on him, a spark was see. From his body radiated a dazzling light.

The other oysters who were then playing around noticed it. They became curious. Seeing the lonely oyster made them amused. They gathered around him to see and know where the dazzling light came from.

Behold, they saw a huge pearl!

Remember this; we may be in pain right now, but the tears, those pains, the swollenness are in the process of becoming a pearl.

Trials can be a source of blessings if we will learn to embrace them.

Prayer:

Lord, give me strength to embrace those pains and trials in my life. Bless me, O Lord. Amen.

Trying Hard

Trying Hard to live a Holy Life. Photo taken by Fr.Brigido Casas.

"Whatever you do, work heartily..." -Colossians 3:23 (ESV)

I read from a CD case cover of the Album of Frs. Jeffrey Quintela and Rock Berdos both from the Diocese of Antipolo the following:

Trying Hard...Have we ever pondered and truly reflected on these words? To try hard is to exert effort to make better, if not to perfect something. Be it a craft, a skill, a talent or even human trait.

To try hard takes too much perseverance and determination in order to achieve perfection.

To try hard means to give your best shot for a change.

Although, the words sometimes solicit a negative reaction but in reality we are all trying hard in everything we do. We do not try hard to change for the worst. Right? 

Instead we try hard to change for the better, if not the best that we can be.

Don't we all try hard to be good to others and to be closer to God?

There's nothing wrong in trying hard.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to try harder this time. Amen.

Slippers

Photo taken by Mr. Opal Bala. Ramp going to the
Eucharistic Adoration Chapel of Basco Cathedral,
Batanes, Philippines

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 
                  -2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

Slippers are worn not just to protect our feet but to bring us to places where bare-footed people couldn't go.

Most of the time, God play the role of slippers.

He carries us no matter how rough the earth we walk on.

May we enjoy our walk with God always!

He promised us:

"You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall posses." -Deuteronomy 5:33 (ESV)

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for carrying me in the walk of life. Amen.

Have You Asked Him?

The Father reaches to us.
Photo from Christian Fathers and Husbands Fanpage.

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." -1 John 5:14 (ESV)

There was a very young boy who was trying to move his little bed. His father was just watching him. The small boy could not move his bed even a little. He tried everything and they were no use.

The father asked the little boy, "Have you tried everything my dear?"

"Yes, daddy" the boy answered positively.

The father asked him again, "Have you exhausted all your means?"

"Daddy, I tried everything and used all my efforts, but I really can't move it."

The father responded, "My son, you have not yet tried everything. You should have asked me to help you."

In life, most of the time we thought we have done everything, we have tried all the possible ways, but we forgot to ask God to help us. We are forgetting Him. He should have the first one we should approach to. Unfortunately, he became our last resort in many cases. The worst, to most of us, we really forget him.

We call upon him now and he will never forsake us. He will never abandon us. He will for sure help us.

Try prayer, it works!


Prayer:

Lord, I am sorry for forgetting you always. May I always be reminded that you are just there waiting for me to ask your help. Help me, Lord, help me. Amen.

Filipino Crabs

We must avoid crab mentality.

"Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up..." -1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

A man who is selling crabs stopped and talk to a lady vendor in a market. He left his big basket full of crabs just along the street.

A foreigner-tourist saw it and approach the man saying:

"Hey, why you just left your crabs over there. They might go up the basket and went away."

The man, not worrying about his crabs answered back:

"Oh, thank you sir for the concern. But don't worry about them. They are Filipino Crabs!"

We might find the story so shameful among us filipinos, but it is somehow true. Most of us are like crabs, when we see others going up, we tried our best to bring them down again. Let us then avoid crab mentality.

Live the mentality of Christ, "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." -Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)


Prayer:

Lord, may I be happy when others grow and succeed. Amen.

Inscribe It

At Basco, Batanes, Philippines. Photo taken by Sem. James Andrew Castillo

"Love...it keeps no record of wrongs." -1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV)

There were best of friends who agreed to go to a beach for a swim. While walking along the shore, they had a heated discussion. At one point his best friend hit him in the face. He did not retaliate. He just kept quiet and wrote on the sand, "My best friend hit me in the face." And they continued walking in silence.

Upon reaching their destination, they went on swimming. A sudden, huge wave swept him and he was drowning. Immediately his best friend came to save him. While resting on the rocks along the shore, he inscribed on the rock, "My best friend saved me from drowning."

Puzzled?

When someone does you wrong, you must be ready to forgive and forget. So the boy wrote it on the sand where waves can easily erase it. 

But when someone does you good, we must always remember them and place them in our hearts. So the boy inscribed it on the rocks so that it will be forever.

Prayer:

Lord, help me forgive and forget. Help me remember the good things people are doing to me. Amen.

Earthen Vessel

The best wine is kept in earthen vessels.

"When pride comes, then comes dishonor. But with the humble is wisdom." -Proverbs 11:2 (NASB)

There is a wise counselor to a king of a certain kingdom. He was fair, just and kind in his judgment. He was also good-looking. The daughter of the king, the princess was so jealous of him. The king listened to him more than her.

The princess wanted to humiliate the counselor and discredit him to the king. So one day, she sarcastically questioned him, "Tell me, why did God in his great wisdom put all the intelligence in you, you're just a plain and ordinary man?"

He asked her in response, "Where does your father the king store up his fine wine?"

"In earthen vessels" the princess replied.

The counselor said, "Why just in earthen wares? Even the poor and the peasants place their wine in an earthen ware. They are just plain and ordinary. Why not keep them in gold or silver cups and vessels? I wonder why not."

Then, he left her. The princess immediately called the chief steward and went to the wine cellar. She ordered that wine must be pour out of the earthen vessels into vessels of gold and silver.

After sometime the king hosted a banquet. He invited all his royal court. He ordered to serve his best wine. And when they sipped the wine, it tasted sour and stale. The King because of shame was so furious. He called the chief steward and asked to explain everything at the pain of death.

The chief steward revealed that the princess, her daughter ordered him to put wine from earthen vessels into vessels of gold and silver. The princess was publicly reprimanded.

She then went in haste to the counselor and told him, "You made me a fool! You have tricked me! You put me into shame!" The counselor answered her, "No, I did not trick you. I just taught you a lesson."

God indeed places wisdom into plain and ordinary creatures, to the humble. Wisdom, like wine, is kept in humble earthen vessels.

Prayer:

Lord, make me humble. Thank you for the wisdom. Amen.

Teacher of Love

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"...let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." -1 John 3:18 (NLT)

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta when visited Venezuela went to thank a family who had given the Missionaries of Charity a lamb.

When she came to the house of the family, she found out that the couple had a badly crippled child.

Mother Teresa asked the mother what is the name of the little boy.

"What do you call him at home?" she asked.

The mother of the crippled boy replied:

"We call him 'teacher of love' because he keeps on teaching us how to love every moment of our lives. Everything we do for him is our love for God in action."

Indeed, we need to love our brothers and sisters if we really love God.


Prayer:

Lord, help us to love others as we love you. Amen.

Sr. Margaret Wong: Tireless Handmaid of the Eucharistic Lord

Sr. Margaret Wong in her one of Eucharistic Evangelization Talks in
Basco, Batanes, Philippines.

"She opens her heart to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. " -Proverbs 31:20 (ESV)

I first met Sor Margaret Wong during my first Healing Rally in Macau, she heads the Eucharistic Oblates for the Vulnerable based in Hong Kong and founded by the good Cardinal Joseph Zen. They have Adoration and Formation Centre in Macau where I am celebrating daily Holy Masses whenever I visit Macau.

Sor Margaret is very inspiring with her works for the needy and for the sick. Her works among the disable is incomparable. She is also traveling doing Eucharistic Evangelization, encouraging people to adore Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. She also works among the spiritually poor.

She was very instrumental in building the first ever 24-Hour Eucharistic Adoration Chapel in Basco, Batanes. She supported it with much prayers and financially, too.

She is my spiritual mother and sister, my partner in my ministry. She helped me a lot finding benefactors for my projects and supported me with her prayers.

Sor Margaret Wong, an inspiration and a friend. She is indeed a true handmaid of Jesus, our Eucharistic Lord and King.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving the Church Sor Margaret Wong, bless her and keep her always in your loving arms. May she continue to inspire many with her works and words. Amen.

THINK Before You Speak!

Featured Photo: Fr. Zenki talking with Lidwina Lei, one of the faithful daily
attendees of Holy Mass in Pio-Theres Formation Centre in Macau.
Ms. Lidwina Lei is one of the Chinese friends of Fr. Zenki in Macau.

"The lips of the righteous nourish many..." - Proverbs 10:21

I used to speak what I feel on the spot which sometimes I just realized lately that I somehow hurt some people about it. Realizing them made me feel uncomfortable so I used to make up by saying sorry.

I am sharing a very good way of saying things. Just THINK before we speak! THINK is a way, be sure that when you speak, your words will be:

True - Just tell the truth and be honest.

Helpful - When saying things to people be sure that it will be beneficial and helpful to them.

Inspiring - Be sure they will be inspired to change what is wrong or to go on with what is good.

Necessary - Be sure that it will be necessary or needed to be known at the moment.

Kind - Be kind. Used kind words when speaking to people.

So, THINK before we speak! The Bible is very clear; "The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom...The lips of the righteous know what is fitting." -Proverbs 10:31-32

Prayer:

Lord, help me to always THINK before I speak to people, that my words will lead them to You. Amen.

Shaky Bridge

Thumbs Up to God!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways than your ways..." -Isaiah 55:8-9 (NASB)


Sharing a story I read:

A man was walking on an old shaky bridge. He prayed for help and saw God on the other side of the bridge.

He asked God to come near him and help him cross, but God didn't come.

The man got angry and with great difficulty, he crossed the shaky bridge to confront God.

To his surprise when he reached the other side, he saw God holding the broken old bridge.

When we pray, we thought God never hear us. We asked Him for something and when did not receive, we thought God is not listening to us.

Remember this, God's ways are better and even more amazing than ours. When we pray, we let His will be done. Trust Him and you will realized God is actually giving you the best you that you never expected.

God is good all the time and all the time God is good!


Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for not leaving me. Thank you for being always there for me. Amen.

Have A Vision

Giving catechesis among children in Basco Parish, teaching them to
envision whom they wanted to be in the future to be of great service
to the Church and the community.
 

"A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul" -Proverbs 13:19 (ESV)

In classroom, when teaching my college students and even in my catechetical classes among children I always tell them to set goals, to dream dreams, to envision themselves whom they wanted to be in the future.

I teach young people life planning. I always do it because I still remember a very short story about a blind man talking to God.

The blind man asked God:

"Can there be anything worse than losing one's eyesight?"

God replied:

"Yes, and it is losing one's vision!"

Do we get it? Don't lose your vision in life.


Prayer:

Lord, help me to reach my goal and may it be for your greater glory. Amen.

Mama's Boy

I am my Mama's boy.

"...behold, your son!...behold, your mother!" -John19:26-27

I remember my first involvement to the Block Rosary in my homeplace in Carmen, Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija. I was jus a little boy then when I joined the members of the Kilusang Katoliko Ng Carmen (KKC) in bringing the image of Our Lady of Fatima to different household encouraging families to pray the Holy Rosary. Since then I started my devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I was ten when I consecrated my life to her and ask her to take care of me and lead me to the Heart of Jesus because I want to serve Him.

The Blessed Mother never failed me, I was ordained a priest in May 7, 2007 at her Shrine in Ermita, Manila under her title Nuestra Senora de Guia. On that day I consecrated my priestly life to her.

She is faithful and never left me. I always feel her maternal protection and love. Everything I do in my priestly ministry I always ask her to accompany me. I am indeed my Mama's boy.


Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving Your Mother to be my Mother, too. Amen.

All My Life

The Most Sacred Eucharistic Heart of Jesus
loving us forever.

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." - 1 John 3:16 (NIV)

"All my life, 
Without a doubt I give you all my life.
Now and forever 'till the day I die,
You and I will share."

This is the song I sung to the person whom I love so much. To the person whom I gave everything, my trust, my love and my respect. To the person whom I invested so much emotions and money of course for dating and gift, hehe. To the person whom I was expecting will be singing the same song for me.
But I was wrong. I was hurt. I was betrayed.


"All my life,
Without a doubt  give you all my life.
Now and forever 'till the day I die,
You and I will share."

I realized that this is the same song God is singing for me. Yes, He loves me so much. He loves me more than I am expecting for. He proved His love by dying for me. He is faithful 'til the end. He loves me even I am unworthy. He trusts me even I failed Him for so many times. He look after me even if I was the one who turned my back on Him. He run after me, even if I was the one who went far from Him. His love is true and everlasting.

"All my life,
Without a doubt I give you all my life.
Now and forever 'til the day I die,
You and I will share."

Now, this song I sing for God. And I want to continue singing this for Him. I am trying my best to be faithful to Him. I am trying everything to love Him more and more everyday. I know, I am not that perfect but I am trying.


Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the song of love. Thank you for singing me this song of love heard from your Holy Cross in Calvary. I love you, too Lord. Amen.

Be Simple, Don't Complicate Life!

Ice cream makes me simply happy.

"How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?" -Proverbs 1:22 (ESV)


When I was a teenager I used to make life complicated. I like to complicate things too much.

But when getting some age and wisdom, I learned to make things simple. And I want to share it with people:

Are we missing someone? Call them.

Do we want to meet people? Then invite them.

Want to be understood? Explain.


Have some questions needing answers? Ask.

We do't like things? Say it.

Do we like it? State it.

Do we love someone? Then prove it!

Do we want something? Ask for it in the best possible way to get a Yes.

Let's be simple and happy because life is always too short for regrets. Live happy. Live simply!



Prayer:

Lord, thank you for this uncomplicated life I have right now. Thank you for the virtue of simplicity. Amen.

Upon Waking Up

Upon waking up, after I say my Daily Consecration Prayer, I used to read
 newspapers for me to be updated on what is need to be prayed for on the day.
Newspapers help me know the present situations that I should be praying for.

"Awake, O sleeper, and arise..., and Christ will shine on you." -Ephesians 5:14 ESV

I realized that for so long, I have been experiencing a miracle every day of my life. Yes, waking up daily is indeed a great Miracle.

I mean, there's a big possibility for us to stay asleep forever. But imagine God beside our bed, tapping our shoulder, saying:

"Hey, My child, wake up! Let's face another day together."

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for staying with me always. Thank you for being with me everyday of my life. Amen.

Staying Spiritually Fit and Healthy

Morning exercise with the Altar Boys in Light House, Basco, Batanes
 which we did from time to time when I was still its Parish Priest.

"Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." -1 Timothy 4:8 (New Living Translation)

When still the Parish Priest of Basco in Batanes, from time to time after the 5 o'clock in the morning Holy Mass I do some physical exercises with a group of altar boys. 

Sometime we jog towards Naidi Hill where the Basco Light House is located then do some physical exercises or we just simply play basketball. It made me physically healthy and fit.

But I also need to keep myself spiritually healthy and fit. 

I am sharing what I am doing to stay fit and healthy spiritually:

Stretch our patience. 

Bend in humility with our knees in prayer.

Exhale hatred and anger.

Inhale love and laughter.

Wiggle away temptations.

Twist away from suspicions.

Bend backward, hold it a second.

Look up to the heavens in praise.
Then jog our way to the Lord.

Let us have a nourished physical and spiritual lifestyle!


Prayer:

Lord, thank you for nourishing us physically and spiritually. May we live a spiritually fit and healthy lifestyle to glorify you and reach our goal, your heavenly Kingdom. Amen.

Butterflies Teach Us

Butterflies like flowers.

"For to me, to live is Christ; and to die is gain." -Philippians 1:21 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

I had visited many Butterfly Gardens in many different places I visited and they always captures my heart. Their beautiful colors put me in awe. They are amazing. I visit Butterfly Gardens because I missed my childhood seeing a lot of butterflies just within our home garden in Nueva Ecija. Now, they are gone. I seldom see butterflies whenever I come home.

In one of my visits to a Butterfly Garden in Bohol, I learned that butterflies just live only 14 days. 

Yes, a butterfly has only 14 days to live, but still it flies joyfully and capturing many hearts like mine.

Friends, each moment in life is precious, let us use it to glorify God. Remember that it's not how long we live, but it's how we live it.

Only life lived for Christ and in Christ will have its eternal value. Let's keep it within our hearts and learn from the butterflies!

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for my life, may I use it to glorify you and capture hearts to be led in you. Amen.

Bishop Jose Lai Hung-seng, DD: A Man of Humility and Simplicity

With Bishop Jose Lai of Macau in his Residence.

With the Most Rev. Dr. Jose Lai Hung-seng, DD, Bishop of Macau
in one of my private audiences with him. 

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" -1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)

I first met the good Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Macau when I was still a seminarian in 2004. Since then every time I am in Macau he is the first in my list to be visited. We always have a private conversations and they are really inspirational.

Bishop Jose Lai Hung-seng for me is a man of few words, words that come from his heart. words that he really meant. Bishop Lai (as he is popularly known) is a man of simplicity and of humility.

He is very accommodating and fatherly. His words and his actions remind me of what I should be as a priest of the Lord.

Bishop Lai is one of my inspirations in my ministry. Thank you very much Bishop for the love and the trust. Thank you for always giving me your blessings and affections as your son and friend. 

May God bless you more and your ministry among the clergy, religious and the catholic faithful in Macau. Continue to inspire us and lead us closer to Jesus, the Eternal High Priest.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving me a friend, a father, a counsellor, a mentor, an inspiration in the person of Bishop Jose Lai. Please keep him in your heart always and protect him. Amen.

Little Things Great

My first painting using pencil under the instruction of Ms. Ming Ong
of Kathang Kamay in Quezon City.

"Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" -1 Corinthians 1:20

For me to do something more, I asked Teacher Ming Ong of Kathang Kamay to gave me a one on one painting class in her residence in Quezon City. By the way thanks to her husband who was so supportive, too of my works. What a wonderful couple with their beautiful baby.

During my first day of class with Teacher Ming, she gave me backgrounds on the basics of painting and the different techniques. 

She also said that there are different sizes of brushes to be used in painting and she took a small, I think the smallest of all brushes and said that it is very much important to finish a wonderful work of art. It is to be used to show the fullest details of the painting.

I remember Blessed Andre Bessette once said: "It is with the smallest brushes that artists paint the most beautiful pictures."

Let us not look at our littleness. Let us not look at our limitations. We focus on the grace of God.

Remember that God does the most through the little!

We ca also do great things in many little ways!

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for choosing me though I am little in the eyes of the world. Use me, Lord. With you I can accomplish great things. Amen.