Meet Richie: The First One to The Rescue

Richie Carlo Co Serrano, my emotional rescuer

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" -Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I have met him for quite a long time already. He is the son of Ate Minda, the Parish Secretary of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Marcelo Green, Paranaque City.

I first met him during the first Sunday I celebrated Holy Mass in UPS IV also in the same City. After the Holy Mass he approached me and thank me for my homily. That was it!

Despite his being so appreciative of my homilies, I thought he was "suplado" and that's it again!

But just recently, when I was having some emotional burdens, upon him seeing my status post on facebook, he immediately sent me a private message asking me if I am alright. That was the start of a good conversation with him. I could say that during that time he was the first person who rescued me from the emotional crisis I was in. Those exchanges of messages through facebook and text messages helped me a lot in reflecting on things that were happening then. His words were so awakening. His questions made me realized things.

Friendship was opened. He became my support as I was seeking answers to some of the questions in my mind. He became my confidant and I was able to trust him with many things in my life, the burdens I was experiencing. Through him and his advices I was able to regain myself. Thank you Richie Carlo Co Serrano for being such a nice and understanding person, who came first during that moment. God bless you and your family!


Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the gift of friends. Bless him and the works of his hands. Amen.

Santa Maria Josefa de Corazon de Jesus

A reproduction of the Saint's original photo.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1

We Catholics ask Saints for special prayers. Yes, they are our friends in heaven. But life in human friendly relationship, we have the best among those friends whom we introduce as our best friend.

I want you to know who among from the Saints is my "Best friend". I was introduced to her in 2000 by Sor Ana Maria Arteche, od the Servants of Jesus of Charity who later became my Spiritual Mother. She was then Blessed and now a Saint. Her name is Santa Maria Josefa del Corazon de Jesus.

This is her short biography:

She was born in Vitoria, Spain on September 7th, 1842. From her earliest years she received a good Christian education, which became the solid foundation of the spiritual edifice she was to build later.

 She founded the Institute of the Servants of Jesus of Charity (Siervas de Jesus dela Caridad) which she began to work on July 25th, 1871.

 From the Heart of Jesus, her main devotion, she received the kindness and love to care for the sick in their homes, hospitals, clinics and sanitariums: to care for the old in residences, the children in nurseries and the needy at dispensaries. This specific ends were broadened to include all charitable works.

 By her death on March 20th, 1912 she had founded 42 houses.

 She was declared Venerable on September 7, 1989, Beatified on September 27, 1992 and Canonized on October 1, 2000 by the late Pope John Paul II.

Let us pray the Prayer to Obtain Special Favors through her intercession:

We bless You, O Lord, because You have chosen Saint Maria Josefa del Corazon de Jesus to make known Your Merciful Love in the world of pain.

Grant us the grace which through her intercession we ask of You (mention your petitions) and may her example help us to feel the kindness and love of Your Divine Heart, towards the sick, the old and the young. Amen.

Heart of Jesus, health of the sick, have mercy on us. (Three times)

(With Ecclesiastical Approval)

Prayer: 

Lord, thank you for giving us Saints to be our friends and to be our model of living the Gospel virtues. Amen.

Fr. Nilo Lardizabal, OP: Preacher and Missionary

Fr. Nilo Lardizabal, OP

"For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" -1 Corinthians 9:16

A brother, a friend, a companion to my journey especially when I experienced one of the darkest moments in my life as a young priest. He was there as I remembered his words, "My heart goes out to you. Do not be afraid."

Here, i would like you to meet, one of the greatest preacher I have ever met. He preaches from the heart. He preaches with passion. His preachings were rooted in his experiences of the love of God.

People flock to him not just because of his good looks, his looks is like that of Matteo Guidicelli (hehe, Padre, my apology, but people told me this!) but because of his nice homilies and inspiring talks. 

I am prod because I have met a priest like him in my lifetime. He is an inspiration to me to preach not just by words but through my actions. Padre Nilo, kaibigan, kapatid...thank you very much. God bless you and your works for HIM, our Divine Master!

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the gift of the priesthood of Fr. Nilo not just to the Dominican Order but to the Church in general. Guide him, strengthen him and give him the needed graces as he preach the Gospel to all nations. Amen.

Pater Ivo: Priest in the Web World

Fr. Ivo Acebedo Velasquez

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” –Matthew 28:19

I am dedicating this page for a friend and a priest whom I look up to. He is Fr. Ivo Acebedo Velasquez of the Archdiocese of Palo in Leyte. We called each other "Pater", Latin for Father.

You will never believe me, we have never meet yet in person. There were sometimes that we tried but unfortunately time does not permit it to happen.

Anyway, we just knew each other through facebook and by following his posts and becoming inspired by his thoughts being shared in the web world.

He is a priest seen not just in the Church pulpit but he used the internet preaching the Gospel of Jesus and teaching the doctrines of the Church.

He was featured as one of the 101 Catholic Priests you should follow on Google not just because of his good looks but because of his inspiring blogs.

Pater Ivo really responded to the call of Jesus to preach the Gospel. Congratulations Pater, my friend, my idol, my brother. Pray for us! Pray for me your unworthy brother.

Prayer:

Lord, you have given your Church a priest in the person of Fr. Ivo, I pray that you continue to keep him in Your Most Sacred Eucharistic Heart. Give him the grace as he continue proclaiming you love and goodness to all. Amen.

When the Wind Blows

The wind blowing in the farm.

"You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. –Matthew 8:26

I once read from a Christian publication which I forgot the title and the author the following story. I want to share this with you:

Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.

As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals.

Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him. "Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man.

Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.

Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up!  A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!"

The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins.

The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured.  Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away.

The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

Dear friends, When we are prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. We ask ourselves, Can we really sleep when the wind blows through our life?

The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm. We secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God.

We don't need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the middle of the storms.

Prayer:

Lord, help us to always feel secure by trusting you words. Amen.

Which Wolf Do You Feed?

The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the
Southeastern United States (principally Georgia, the Carolinas and Eastern Tennessee).

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." -Romans 12:21

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a debate that goes on inside people. He said,"My son, the battle between two wolves is inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

The grandson thought about this for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

So, which wolf did you feed?

Prayer:

Lord, teach us and lead us to what is good May we overcome evil by good. Amen.

Note: The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States (principally Georgia, the Carolinas and Eastern Tennessee).

Sr. Leoncia Mateo, OP: Mother to the Special Children

After more than seven years of not seeing each other.
Photo taken on February 25, 2014 at Tarlac City's
St. Joseph Home for Special Children.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." -Matthew 19:14

I have met Sr. Leoncia Mateo of the Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph when I was still a high school student volunteering our services every weekends in her orphanage in Nueva Ecija. I have lost contact with her when I transferred from Maria Assumpta Seminary in Cabanatuan City to Christ the King Mission SEminary in Quezon City to continue my seminary formation. It was just through a common friend, Tita Rose Balza that I was able to reconnect to this angelic nun.

On February 25, 2014 I took the opportunity of visiting her to the site of St. Joseph Home for Special Children. Her third orpahange. The first was the Bethany Home in Bulacan, the second is the Bahay ni San Jose in Nueva Ecija.

Sr. Leoncia get aged already but is never tired of building Homes for special children especially those with disabilities. I asked her, why she never gets tired. Just by looking for funds to build homes is not that easy. He simply smiled t me and said,

"Father, Jesus loves these children and he will for sure wants us to take of them. If we are building homes for them to be safe and to experience having a loving and accepting environment, Jesus will surely provide."

Oh, what an inspiration. Thank you very much Sor Leoncia for your dedication. You are a true-blooded missionary to the young and special children.

Prayer:
Lord, Thank you for Sor Leoncia. She is really a gift to the Church. Continue to bless her and strengthen her in doing your Mission. Amen.

Note: Those who are interested in helping Sor Leoncia Mateo's works for the special children, especially for construction needs. You may contact her at +639175121349 or may visit the site at St. Joseph Home for Special Children, Brgy. San Jose, Block 3, Tralac City, Philippines.

The Breviarians

We pray for and with the Church.

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." -Colossians 4:2 

I have met a group of young people at the Provincial House of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers in New Manila, Quezon City. They were waiting for their Spiritual Director, a Sacramentino Priest.
 

While there, I started the conversation with them. I asked them, what makes them busy as they were still young. They answered me, they were busy preparing for the "Big Tent Festival". This is an annual gathering of young people dedicating themselves in praying the Liturgy of the Hours personally on a daily basis and as a community once a week.
 

They called themselves "The Breviarians". I was amazed and was touched by their works. I am thankful for their commitment in praying for and with the Church.
 

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for gifted your Church young people like them. Continue touching the lives of many others to dedicate and commit themselves to prayer. Amen.

Got A Wrong Map?

  "I am the way and the truth and the life..." -John 14:6

I enjoyed visiting places. I enjoyed touring around and whenever I plan of going somewhere I will surely buy a map of that place ahead so that I could plan my itinerary.

One time I was visiting a place in the North but I discovered that I brought with me a wrong map.

In life, we have goals, and we want to realize them. Like visiting places, we need to have the right map for us to reach our intended destination.

Paradigms are like maps. They are describing the place. If the map is wrong it will be very difficult for us to reach the place where we want to go.

We need to have the right paradigms for us to realize our dreams, for us to reach where we want our lives to go.


Prayer:

Guide us. O, Lord and journey with us in reaching your plans for us. Amen.

Don't Rush

"be patient...establish your hearts..." -James 5:8

In one of schedules which I feel that I will be coming late because of a heavy traffic, I asked the driver to take some shortcut routes instead of the usual.

Unfortunately, just on the first shortcut we took, we were stopped by a traffic enforcer for violating a one way rule which we never noticed because we were in a hurry. I was unable to join the activity that day. I blamed my self for it.

Lesson learned aside from giving a travel allowance, I realized something deeper. 

Today, in this modern society that we are living in, we love to take shortcuts. We love shortcut techniques. Remember that quality of life cannot be achieved by taking even the right shortcut. 

Stephen R. Covey in his book "First Things First" in page 12 said that "There is no shortcut.But there is a path." Meaningful life according to him is not a matter of speed or efficiency. Meaningful life is much more a matter of what and why. Yes, what we do and why we do things that how we get things done.

Don't rush! Do it slowly but surely!

Prayer:

Lord, give me patience. Give me strength to things slowly but surely. Amen.

Don't Fail

"God saw the trouble we were in. God's love never fails. " -Psalm 138:23

Two best friends were soldiers. They both were sent to war. In the course of fighting, their company retreated. During the retreat, one of them got lost. Reaching a safe place, Mark found out that his best friend was not with them. So he asked the permission of his company commander to return to the battle field and search for Ron, his best friend. The company commander gave his consent but warned him of the danger and futility of his effort. He also said to Mark, "You are putting yourself into danger or maybe he is already dead."

Mark still went on to and looked for Ron. Few hours later, he returned carrying on his back the lifeless body of his best friend. The company commander said, "I told you. He is already dead by the time you will find him."

Mark replied, "Sir, I have no regrets. Before he died, he told me that he knew I would come for him." And he added, "I have not failed him."

God never failed us, he keeps looking to us. We should also not fail people around us. Be faithful to our words.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for keeping us. Thank you for not failing us. May I never fail people around me especially those whom I love and trusted me. Amen.

The Son

The painting.

"But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God..." -John 1:12 (NASB)

Let me share with you this story. A father and a son enjoyed their collection of paintings by famous international artists, like that of Rembrandth, Picasso and Van Gogh. Forced by the Vietnam war, the son volunteered to go to war. The son showed his heroism in the Vietnam war. The son saved many lives that day. He was carrying a fellow soldier to safety when a bullet pierced his heart and killed him instantly.

One morning there was a knock at the father's house. It was a soldier holding a small package in his hands. "Sir, you do not know me, but I was one of the soldiers your son has saved. I owe my life to him." The soldier opened the package, it was a painting he made to honor the son who saved him.

The father was drawn to the eyes of his son in the painting as he remembered his son. The father volunteered to pay it. "O no sir. I can never pay for my life your son died for. It's yours...my gift."

After some months, the father died. All the collector items, all the paintings were put in an auction. Many rich people came wanting t posses one or even several of the great paintings. The auctioneer banged his gavel to start the auction. "We shall start the auction of the paintings with the painting of the son. Who will offer the first bid?"

Some people complained: "We did not come for that painting. Let us go on immediately with the paintings of the masters!" "We start bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for the son?" No one wanted to bid for the son. There was silence in the crowd.

Then, a tiny voice was heard from the back of the room. It was the old house helper of the father and the son. "I am offering 200 pesos for that." The auctioneer announced "200 pesos is the bid. Who will bid 300? 400? 500? 1000?" Silence. There was an angry voice: "Give it to him for 200 pesos and let us go on with the real bid!" The auctioneer pounded the gavel, "The painting of the son is sold for 200." And he put down his gravel. "Now let us go on with the bid", another voice shouted.

"I am sorry that I was not to revel the stipulation of the last will and testament until this time. The father has willed that whoever gets the son, gets all the wealth of the father."

Dear friends, God gave his only begotten Son (cf. John 3:16). Whoever gets the Son, inherits everything from the heavenly Father!

Jesus, the Son of the Father said; "Whoever receives me, receives the One who sent me." -Matthew 10:40


Prayer:
Lord, I receive you in my life. You are my inheritance and my life. Amen.

No Judging Please

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. " -Luke 6:37


Fr. Vic Cruz, my former Parish Priest shared this story:

On a very busy day, in a bus terminal there was a very long line of passengers patiently waiting for the bus to come. In the line was an old lady carrying many stuffs with her and a good-looking macho guy. They do not know each other.

When the bus finally arrived. The good-looking macho guy who was at the last in the line went ahead of others before him. He entered the bus and took the best place and seated.

All were surprised to what he did. As each of them entered the bus, they were looking furiously to the good-looking macho guy who was just seated comfortably to his chosen seat.

People looked at him as "bastos", "walang modo" and others.

When the old lady went in the bus, the good-looking macho guy stood up and offered his seat to the old lady.

The old lady thanked him. He said; "Kaya nga po lola nagpauna ako, para makakuha ako ng magandang pwesto para sa inyo." (That was the reason why I went ahead, to be able to get a nice seat for you)

Is he still "bastos"? Is he still "walang modo"?

Most of the time we easily judged without knowing first the intention of the action.


Prayer:
Lord. teach me not to be judgmental. Teach me to see the beauty in my neighbors. Amen.

Entrusting Everything

A Home Altar with the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

"Trust in the Lord..." -Psalm 37:3

When I am rushing, I always forget important things which I am supposed to bring like cellphones, my wallet and keys. Most of the time, even when I am already far from my place, I still need to go back for me to get them

Until one day I got a solution to my being forgetful. I got a small basket and placed it in front of the Statue of the Most Sacred Heart inside my room whom I always approach for a short prayer before leaving and upon arriving home. I am placing there all those important things. 

The lesson learned?

In our lives, if we will just learn how to place everything in the heart of God nothing will be forgotten.

Let us learn to entrust everything, everybody, those especially important to us to the Heart of Jesus!

Prayer:

Lord I entrust to you my family whom I am in love so much and those people around me and those things that are important to me. Amen.

Develop Your Muscles

Overcoming oppositions will make us great!

"Count it all joy...when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
                       -James 1:2-4 (ESV)


When I was in college seminary, I used to go to the gym with a brother-seminarian. We wanted to have gym-fit bodies. We wanted to develop our muscles. There were times that our gym instructor put on more weights to what we were lifting. He aid it will help us develop muscles. Yes, our physical muscles. He pointed to those others who were with us in the gym having beautiful muscles and cuts. (Well, I wasn't able to have those cuts. hehe)

Going back to those experiences while I was still a gym fanatic. I realized that indeed oppositions are very natural in life.

Yes, I've been opposed for so many times. I got many oppositions in life.

To develop a gym-fit body, to develop physical muscles we need to overcome oppositions. Those heavy weights we were lifting were the oppositions that helped us develop great bodies (which was not realized in me! Huh!)

This simple means that overcoming oppositions, overcoming challenges and adversities will develop our character muscles. Can make us great people.

Do not be afraid to be opposed, then. Do not be afraid of challenges, they will make you better people.


Prayer:

Lord, please sustain us and give us the strength to overcome diffilculties. Make us learn from them to make us people of good characters. Amen.

Re-Commitment

"...the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you..."  - 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NASB)


I must confess that there was a time in my life as a young priest, when confronted of so many challenges on living my commitment to the priesthood, I am asking myself:

"What if I never become a priest? What if I am married and have a family of my own? Will I be experiencing the same? Will it be different? Will I be more focused and committed?"

The movie "Keeping the Faith" gave me an answer so beautiful to reflect. It was in the scene when a young priest was sharing to an older priests his struggles because he was falling in love with a childhood friend.

The older pries told the young priest his own struggles and finally said:

"There is no difference if you are married or celibate. They both require commitment. And you cannot make a real commitment until you accept it is a choice that you make again and again and again."

Aha! I finally understand! Yes, to commitment is hard, that is why we must choose to be committed and we need to renew this choice, we need to make the choice always. We need to recommit ourselves always.


Prayer:
Lord, help us to make a choice. Help us recommitting ourselves to you. Amen.

God is Faithful!

Bishop Camilo  D. Gregorio and the clergy of the Prelature of Batanes.

"The one who calls you is faithful, and he will continue to be faithful."

                                                                       -1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)

On May 7, 2012 I celebrated the 5th year of my ordination to the priesthood. Early in the morning I was so happy and told myself "Congratulations, you made it!"

I sent SMS (text message) to a priest-friend telling him, I am now on my fifth year and he should congratulate me because I made it.

His reply:

 "Kapatid, congrats to God and not to you. We know ourselves, you know me and I know you. We have been so unfaithful many times, but you see, despite those unfaithfulness God never abandon us. He has been faithful to us."

Ouch! But it's true. There were many time that I am unfaithful in living my priesthood, but God has been faithful to me from the time he called me until now.

Friends, God is faithful to each one of us. He never left me and I am pretty sure, he will never abandon you, too. He loves us all.


Prayer:
Lord, I am sorry for those unfaithfulness. Thank you for being there always keeping your love to us. Amen.

On Death

"If there is no such thing as life after death, then Jesus could not have been raised." - 1 Corinthians 15: 12-13

A dying patient turned to the doctor as he was lying on his bed, he said, 

"Doctor, I am afraid to die. Please tell me what lies on the other side."

Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know..."

"You don't know? You are a Christian Man, and you don't know what's on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door, on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing...I know my Master is there and that is enough."

Many of us are afraid of dying. If we live a life faithful to our Master's command, He will for sure welcome us on the other side.

Prayer:

Lord, help us see the beauty of death. The joy of being with you in Your Kingdom. Amen.

Best Things Are Free

"A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches..."

                                                                                     -Proverbs 15:16 (The Message)

I just want to share with you my simple realization. Best things in life are really free. 

Hugs, smiles, friends, kisses, family, sleep, love, laughter, good memories and of course relationship with our GOD!

Agree? Then, we give them importance! 

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for these free best things in life. Amen.

Love Appreciates

"Love is patient and kind...It does not insist on its own way..." -1 Corithians 13: 4-5 (ESV)

I also fell in love. I also had relationships before. I remember that in most of those relationships, I always wanted to change my partners into what I wanted them to be. I always told them that if they really love me they will change for me. Until I realized, It was wrong! 

I read something about loving. It says that if we love a flower, we should not pick it up. Because if we pick it up, it will surely dies and it ceases to be what we love.

So, i f we love a flower, we should let it be!

The same thing with relationships. We should always remember that love is not about having what we want, it is not about having it! It is not about possession! True love accepts! True love appreciates!


Prayer:
Lord, you love us and accepted us. Teach us to love the way you love us. Amen.

God is Calling You!

The imperfect me. Loved by God and Saved
by His Grace.

"For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." -Psalm 100:5 (NIV)

Way back in my life I always focus on my limitations and not being able to see the compassion and mercy of God. Please don't get me wrong, I am not saying that it is just ok to sin and live with our shortcomings. But remember one truth, despite our limitations, despite our shortcomings, if we will just be willing and allow God to use us, we can serve.

Want proof?

Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David has many affairs, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, Paul was a murderer, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossiper, Martha was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sarah was impatient, Elijah was depressed, Moses stuttered, Zaccheus was short, Jeremiah was young, Abraham was old, and Lazarus was dead...

God doesn't call the qualified, but he qualifies the called!

You might not be perfect but let it be known to you that God is working in you and in your life!

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for calling me. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for using me despite everything. Re-create me according to your heart. Amen.

Dear Teachers

Taken with Mark Anthony N. Tayo and the Teachers of my Alma Mater,
Carmen Elementary School in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, Philippines

"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of goo works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity..." -Titus 2:7

I want to share with you the words of the Jesuit Superior General Fr. Pedro Arrupe which was paraphrased by Professor Ranilo B. Herninda of the University of Sto. Tomas:

A teacher has to be in love

for nothing is more practical for a teacher

than falling in love with his/her calling

in an almost absolute way.

When you are in love with your teaching,

 it seizes your imagination,

will affect everything in your life.

It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning,

what you will do with your evenings,

how you spend your weekends,

what you read,

what you know that break your heart,

and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in love with your calling, dear teacher,

stay in love, and it will decide everything.

Thanks to my teachers who formed me and became part of who I am right now. God bless you my ever dearest teachers.

Prayer:
Lord, bless our parents who were our first teachers. Bless our teachers in school who gave their time and shared their love to us. Amen.

Yourself

You are not what others think of you.
 You are more than what they are telling who you are.

"Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good." -Proverbs 19:8 (ESV)

Someone shared with me these truth abut what we should do to our very own selves:

Be yourself. 

Accept yourself. 

Value yourself.

Forgive yourself.

Bless yourself.

Express yourself.

Trust yourself.

Love yourself.

Empower yourself.

Prayer:

Lord, I offer myself to you. Encourage me always. Amen.

Simple Lessons For Life

"A pretentious life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is full of life."

                                                                                     -Proverbs 13:7 (The Messenger)

I would like to share here the simple lessons for life which I saw from the post of my friend Sir Ronnie Dela Paz in his Facebook profile:

"If wealth is the secret to happiness, the the rich should be dancing on the streets. But only poor kids do that.

If power ensures security, then official should walk unguarded.

But those who live simply, sleep soundly.

If beauty and fame bring ideal relationships, then celebrities should have the best marriages.

Simplicity leads the world.

Live Simply!

Walk Humbly!

Love genuinely live!

Prayer:
Lord, teach us to live simply and accordingly. Amen.