Praising On Sundays: Solidarity

Gospel: Mt 11:2–11

“When John the Baptist heard in prison about the activities of Christ, he sent a message by his disciples, asking him: “Are you the one who is to come or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus answered them, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life and good news is reaching the poor. And how fortunate is the one who does not take offense at me.”
As the messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “When you went out to the desert, what did you expect to see? A reed swept by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? People who wear fine clothes live in palaces. What did you actually go out to see? A prophet? Yes, indeed, and even more than a prophet. He is the man of whom Scripture says: I send my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way before you.
I tell you this: no one greater than John the Baptist has come forward among the sons of women, and yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Today, we attended mass in Troy and Tracy’s school which was part of the program for their Family Day.  The Eucharistic celebration was presided by one of the University administrators, Fr. Javines.  This year’s theme is solidarity and the priest’s homily was perfectly versed for all the things that had been happening around us lately.  I was particularly moved with his homily and he started it with a short story. 

 He went out one morning to buy bread at a nearby bakery and it was just a small store as he described it.  But with the sign that the bakery had put up you’d know that the people behind it has a big heart.  They had this sign that said ONE PESO FOR EVERY BREAD THAT YOU BUY.   Quite touching right? 

I’ve witnessed our fellowmen shared what much or little they have for the victims of Yolanda.   I am not a wealthy person but I have shared too.  We have known of people from foreign lands who are here to offer whatever help they can give.  And we know that they have given a lot, not just money but skills, time and heart too.  And it just feels so good to share.  The happiness is indescribable! 

But why is there still fighting with our government officials?  What’s the use of all the argument and all the blaming?  Is it impossible for all of us Filipinos to stand up all together and help our brothers and sisters start new lives again?  Why can’t it all start with our leaders?  They are supposed to be the people’s hope.  Now, I feel like I’m doing the blaming game too.  But it in all honesty, it’s so humiliating to let the world know bear witness of all the fighting that our leaders are doing.  Specially at a time right now that we are closely watched and monitored through news and updates and what the progress is specially for the victims.

Right now, our leaders are not in its solidary form.  We can only pray for them that they’ll be enlightened of the reality of things. For us, let’s continue to share and give. For it is only in giving that there is meaning.  When was the last time you have given? Do share. J

My Comeback

I am so ecstatic right now for the main reason that I have finally completed a week's blog hop and comment exchange.  Well, even if it was done in a bit of haste but at least I was able to read through a bit of my co-bloggers' thoughts with their blogs and post.  Yeah, I really missed you all.  :-)

Good to be back again. :-)

A light for the Typhoon Yolanda victims

Let's start a prayer brigade today by lighting one candle for the wounded families and greatly affected people in Tacloban, Samar, Ormoc Leyte and Daanbantayan Cebu.  May these people find solace in your protection and grace Lord.

Zjiana Troy and Zjiana Tracy in Dancesport sa Sugbu 2013

As a proud stage mom, I have already posted a countless times of my dancesport kids' competitions, events and recognition.  I guess it'll never tire me to share to the whole world that I have children who are graced by God with their talent and charm.  I'm just proud at them for they have achieved so much already even at their age.  They have learned hard discipline in their own ways and together as brother and sister.  Oh they are not perfect.  Most of the time they even fight and argue and I guess it's because each of them has their own different ideas too and I let them be because by then they are able to express their own uniqueness.  But at the end of the day, my Troy and Tracy comes up with one idea and executes it in their dance.

Allow me to share their talent and ideas with this video from the recent Dancesport sa Sugbu held last Sept. 14, 2013 at the Waterfront Lahug Cebu City wherein they bagged 2 golds and 1 silver. :-)

Praising On Sundays: Forgiven

Gospel, Luke 7:36-50

³⁶ One of the Pharisees invited him to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee's house and took his place at table,

³⁷ suddenly a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment.

³⁸ She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.

³⁹ When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is and what sort of person it is who is touching him and what a bad name she has.'

⁴⁰ Then Jesus took him up and said, 'Simon, I have something to say to you.' He replied, 'Say on, Master.'

⁴¹ 'There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty.

⁴² They were unable to pay, so he let them both off. Which of them will love him more?'

⁴³ Simon answered, 'The one who was let off more, I suppose.' Jesus said, 'You are right.'

⁴⁴ Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, 'You see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair.

⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in.

⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.

⁴⁷ For this reason I tell you that her sins, many as they are, have been forgiven her, because she has shown such great love. It is someone who is forgiven little who shows little love.'

⁴⁸ Then he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.'

⁴⁹ Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, 'Who is this man, that even forgives sins?'

⁵⁰ But he said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'

Praising On Sundays: "I tell you, arise!"

Gospel: Lk 7:11-17

    A little later Jesus went to a town called Naim. He was accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. As he reached the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; there followed a large crowd of townspeople.

   

 On seeing her, the Lord had pity on her and said, “Don’t cry.” Then he came up and touched the stretcher, and the men who carried it stopped. Jesus then said, “Young men, I say to you, wake up!” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. A holy fear came over them all, and they praised God, saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.” This news spread throughout Judea and the surrounding places.

Reflection:

Our ordinary life can bring us in touch with great goodness and spirituality in people. Or to a depth of prayer and care for the poor. Through many such people, God is very near and real in the world, and so our praise can be directed to God as we thank these men and women for what they do for us and for many.

The compassion which flowed from Jesus to bring life to a dead man can flow from us to enliven the lives of others. We can ‘grow’ this compassion in prayer. Our prayer with God if it is sincere will lead us into the mystery of being loved by God and called into love of others.

Happy Mothers Day!

It takes someone really brave to be a mother, someone strong to raise a child, and someone to love someone more than herself.  And that someone is a mother.  On this special day, I get to contemplate on how lucky and proud I am of myself for having done extraordinary things for my family.  I guess I deserve a pat in the back for a job well done.  Happy Mothers Day to my co-mommies out there!