Inspired by The Pangasinan Auto Enthusiasts

The members of Pangasinan Auto Enthusiasts.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." -Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

I was invited by the members of the Pangasinan Auto Enthusiasts to join them during their second meet and greet event after they were organized. The Organization was organized to unite all auto groups in the whole of Pangasinan Province.

When I arrived at their meeting place, I was quite hesitant to join the group. An all-men group thinking who will listen to me from among them. But my adopted brother Allan introduced me to them. They were so warm and hospitable.

The members a they listened to my short message.

They were happy in welcoming me to the gatherings All of them shook my hand and smiled at me.  

What inspired me most, when I started praying over them and blessing them, they really showed respect to God. They put God first in their foundation, they put God first in their activities..

I see hope. As long as there are men acknowledging their need of God, we will have families that are connected to God! Families that will become beacon of light and that will become inspiration to many. As long as there are auto enthusiasts that respect and love God above all our hi-ways will be safe!

Prayer:

While blessing the members.

Lord, bless these Auto Enthusiasts, may many be inspired by them and through them. Keep them safe always. Amen.                                                                                                                                        

Sacramentals Are Not Charms

The Virgin of Manaoag in Pngasinan, Philippines

"Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father's house into a marketplace!" -John 2:16 (NLT)

Last July 19, 2014 I went to Pangasinan with justa friend with me. We paid a visit to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag. Since we were not rushing, I was able to go around the vicinity. I have nothing against those selling foods outside the the Church compound. Actually I bought a lot of "puto kutchinta", "kornik", and "tupig". But what called my attention when some vendors of I thought religious articles approached us and selling us small images. I am about to buy because I wanted to give some friends back in Manila pocket image of Our Lady. But seeing those packs of images with inscription "LUCKY CHARMS" I told them I do not believe in Lucky Charms.

Each pack contains miniature images of the Holy Family with Inscription for "For Good Family Relationships", an image of Our Lady of Manaoag  with "For Safe Travel", a Benedictine Cross with an inscription "For Successful Business" and another small image which I wasn't able to recognize with an inscription "For Successful Lovelife".

As I have said, I have nothing against those vendors but I am very much against those sacramentals treated as luck charms.This is very much rampant not just within the vicinity of Manaoag, but also so some other Chruches. I hope we priests can do something about this. I pray that informed and evangelized lay workers and leaders of these churches can do something. We catholics are being accused by other religions to be so supertitious and we are if we will never stop this. They can sell sacramentals, or religious articles, why not? But please do not treat them as charms or amulets.

While offering and lighting some candles in honor
of Our Lady of Manaoag.

For everyones information; Our crucifix, icons and other articles are examples of what we call sacramentals. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church to prepare us to receive the fruit of the sacraments and to sanctify different circumstances of our lives (no. 1677).

I hope that all of us Catholics be informed and evangelized with the truth. We treat Holy Articles as Holy and not as charms or amulets.

Prayer:
Lord, forgive us our trespasses. Help to remain in your truth. Keep us Holy. Amen.

The Grass

Beautiful morning dew on the very green grass.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

I remember when I was the rector of the seminarians, we usually have the afternoon manualia (we work together to clean the seminary and its grounds). Even I was the formator, I see to it that I joined the seminarians in most of their activities even with cleaning. I was once assigned to cut the grass and burned them. While doing the assigned work, It just came into my mind something.

The grass I was cutting taught me something:

God wants us to live like grass. Even if it's stepped on, crushed, burned and cut, it always persists and grows back even greener.

In life, we sometimes feel that we are stepped on because of trials and persecutions and even of false accusations. Just be like the grass. Go back to life and be stronger. Be back to life and trust the Lord who knows the truth! Who knows everything about you!

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for those moments that I feel you loving embrace in the midst of all those trials. Make me strong, O Lord. Amen.

In Life...

With the group of young people finding joy in giving their time, talent and
even their limited treasures for the greater glory of God by serving as
young missionaries. They are the members of the New Generation, a youth
group of The Lord's Flock Catholic Charismatic Community.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12:2 (ESV)


In my life experiences, with all the places that I have been and with many people that I met. I knew I will still have many places to go, people to meet and experiences to have. But I can say that somehow those taught me something:

That it's by LOVE that we SACRIFICE and SERVE.

It's by PATIENCE that we UNDERSTAND and FORGIVE.

It's by TRIALS that we become STRONG and GAIN WISDOM.

And, it's only by SHARING that we BECOME BLESSINGS to others.

Get it? I hope you catch me!!!


Prayer:
Lord, Thank you. Help me to love, to be patient, to be strong and be able to share. Amen.

True Friends

Friends from UPSIV and EDDMI together.

"The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray." 
                                                                                             -Proverbs 12:26 (NLT)

In my life I experienced having many trials. I cried most of the times.But one thing I realized:

TRUE FRIENDS cry when you leave. FAKE FRIENDS leave when you cry.

Yes in those moments, I lost many whom I thought were my friends. But I found some who very true to me.

In your life, in your relationship with people, what kind of friend are you?

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the gift of true friendship. Make me one to others. Amen.

Consumed to Be Holy

The young men and women gathered to be consumed by Fire of God's love.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." -Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)

My first time to join the team of young men and women volunteers from The Lord's Flock Catholic Charismatic Community in their Singles and Youth Faith on Fire Conferences in Davao and in Metro Manila. I saw in these young people their willingness to be used by God for His greater glory despite their limitations and their age.

For many of them, just to be able to join the team of volunteers to Davao, they sold their shoes, some were selling goodies and others just for them to raise some amount for the airfare and allowance while in Davao. 

I am inspired by these young workers, going out of their comfort zones, sacrificing things just to be able to work for the Lord. I am convinced that, as long as there are young people like them, there is hope for the Church. There is hope for humanity.

May I ask parents to support the good cause of their children. Teach them to be holy as our Father in heaven is holy.

May I as a priest continue to inspire them by my own witnessing and by my willingness to be used by God, to be sent by God even to paces where my comfort will be sacrificed. For God's greater glory!

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for these young people. Thank you for inspiring me through them. Continue to bless them. Amen.