Light, Spark And Glow!

"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
-Psalm 119:105

"You are the light of the world." -Matthew 5:14 (ESV)

One early morning I received this SMS (text message) from a dear friend:

"Each of us is a light that shines with the rest. Sometimes we twinkle alone.
But when you feel like you are about to loose your own spark, I am here to share my glow."

What a wonderful message I received, and this I am forwarding to all, today!

Remember this friends, "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." -Ephesians 119:105

Prayer:

Lord, help me to glow and be able to share my light to others. Amen.

The Barber's Story

"Come near to God and he will come near to you." -James 4:8 (NIV)

In a barber shop, the barber and his client were discussing something. The barber said, "I think there is something with your religion. Look around and see, there are so may hungry and poor people. There are crimes everywhere. And there is no peace. People are fighting and only thinking of themselves." And the barber continued to list all his negative observations about Catholicism. The client just listened.

Then the client invited the barber to look across the street and observe those who were passing by. He said, "I think there is something terribly wrong with all the barbers." The barber asked why. His client replied, "See that young man?, he has very long hair. That one has dirty hair. Oh, you see? the hair of that person is not well kept. So there is something wrong with the barbers."

The barber reasoned, "No, there is nothing wrong with us barbers. The problem is that those people do not come to us. If they will come to me and have a haircut, I will surely do something good for them and for their hair."

And his client affirmed, "that is exactly the point. If all the people come to Jesus, listen to him and follow him, then there will never be something wrong."

To all, I would like us to remember Jesus' invitation: "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28 (ESV). Yes, we come to Jesus!

Prayer:

Lord, you are the source of all that is good. Teach us to come to You always. Amen.

Empty Hands

Do God's works of Mercy and Love using our hands.

"You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." - James 2:24 (ESV)

I heard one of my friend-priests sharing a story of a certain woman who had a dream. In her dream she died and she was face to face with St. Peter. She told St. Peter that she ought to be admitted to heaven.

St. Peter asked why he should let her enter heaven. The woman said that she was a faithful daily mass goer in her parish, she prayed everyday. She was faithful daughter of the church. The she showed her hands to him saying, "I have not done anything. You see, my hands are clean."

St. Peter examining the hands of the woman agreed that they were indeed clean. But he added, "Yes, your hands are clean, but they are also empty."

Sin of omission, the good things that we can do but we never did is a sin that will bring us to hell. Our faith must be manifested with our service to people. Our love of God must be manifested with the love of neighbor. Do not be empty handed. It is okey that our hands are dirty doing God's work of mercy!

Prayer:

Lord, I am sorry for the times I neglected doing good. Use my hands, make them dirty by doing acts of kindness to people. Amen.

True Love, True Friendship

Mark known to many as Onlok is a friend and a partner in all (charities and gimmiks).
we tried to be understanding to each one and even make "sabayan" in style and others.
Taken in one of our travels to Nueva Ecija while having lunch together.

"A friend loves at all times..." - Proverbs 17:17

One evening while sorting out photos taken with Mark Anthony N. Tayo whom I considered my best friend and partner in all I do, both in my personal and public (ministerial) life. I remember this story which I wanted to dedicate to him. 

There was an accident. A boy was in danger of death. He lost a great amount of blood. Blood transfusion was very badly needed. They asked for blood donors. Among the blood donors was a young boy. He freely volunteered and offered his blood.

The blood transfusion was done and it was successful. The young blood donor asked the doctor, "Will he live?" The doctor answered him positively. The doctor asked the boy, "You are young. What made you decide to give your blood? Were you not afraid? The Young boy answered, "I was not. I gave my blood because I love him. He is my friend."

To Mark, this I will do for our friendship. 

To all, I hope we learn to love, respect and give importance to your friends and for the friendship. God bless!

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the gift of friends. Thank you for your own friendship with us. Amen.

God Is With Us

Canned goods with short messages of hope were included to

relief packs distributed among the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda

(Haiyan) in the Philippines.

"Now behold, God is with us..."      - 2 Chronicles 13:12 (NASB)

In November 2013, the Philippines was visited by the most powerful typhoon ever recorded specifically in the Visayas that left many homeless and lost the lives of many relatives. This also led many people in exodus from their province devastated by the typhoon to their relatives in the Metropolis of Luzon.

Many asked questions like, "Will God attend and listen to their needs? Is God really alive?"

When the tragic news reached the whole country and abroad, different nations came to be of help. The Church asked leaders and mobilized the people together with Church's organizations to help and assist the victims.

Medicines, foods, clothing came pouring in. Monetary and material assistance both came from different personalities. Small and big efforts from different groups and walks of life came into the rescue.

Meeting some survivors, asking them the same questions "Do you think God is attending to your needs and listening to your prayers in this time of devastation?"  "Do you think God is alive?" "Where do you think God was when tragedy struck your place?" "Where do you think God is at this very moment?"

I was touched by their answer, that I wasn't able to notice my tears flowing towards my cheeks already. Their answers that made me cry: "God truly listens. He knows everything and intervenes. He cares about us and for us. God is alive and He is very much visible in those people who shared, came, and helped us in our needs."

Yes, God's loving presence will be alive and felt through our generosity and willingness to be of help and service to our brothers and sisters especially those who are in need.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for letting us feel your loving presence, your concern, your loving care in especially in times of difficulties. Thank you for touching the hearts of many and sending them to help us. Bless them, Lord in Your abundance of grace and mercy. Amen.

Family, The Most Beautiful Thing In the World

Our Family Pictures

"Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied faith and is worse than an unbeliever." -1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV)

There was a painter who wanted to make a masterpiece. He thought of painting the most wonderful object in the world. 

One day, he met a soldier and asked him about the most beautiful object in the world. The soldier answered; "It is peace. If there is peace, there will be order and harmony. No more wars, no more armed conflicts." The painter though to himself how he could paint peace.

While walking, the painter saw a couple and asked them the same question. "It is love", the couple replied. They continued, "with love you can do everything. You can give and you can forgive." "But how can I paint love?" the painter asked himself.

On a Sunday, after the Church service, he asked the priest what for him the most beautiful object in the whole world. The priest said "It is faith. Faith makes you move forward, go on, and be strong against all difficulties in life." But still the painter was not sure how to paint faith.

On a very tiring day, he went home and as he entered his house he was greeted with love and respect by his parents and brothers and sisters. And from their faces and gestures he saw peace, love and faithfulness. He said to himself. "I will paint a family. The family is the most beautiful thing in the whole world."

Indeed, we tend to look for the most beautiful thing in life, but realize that it is our family, yes our very own family is the most beautiful thing in our life.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for my family. Keep us together for always. Keep us in peace. keep us united. Make us all live in love and faithful to one another. Bless broken families, too, Lord that despite separation, they may still feel your loving presence and care. Amen.