Youth for Christ Sto. Tomas Cluster

02172012, Friday

James 2:14-24, 26/ Psalm 112

Gospel: Mark 8:34 – 9:1

The Way of the Cross

Then he called the crowd to him along with His disciples and said: “If anyone who would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.

And he said to them: “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

YOUR COMMITMENT, REKINDLED

Denying yourself. Taking up your cross. Surrendering everything else.

1) Do you remember the moments when you felt you had the best things in the world? The day when you had the best gadgets left to right, shopped for your favorite clothes, gained friends with whom you can party from dusk till dawn, having your first car, or simply those moments when you can have anything you wanted at once? I do.

2) Now, do you still remember the moments when you had everything the world can offer yet felt totally empty and unhappy? I do too.

3) Envision Jesus born in a manger, grew in the small town of Nazareth, whose father is a carpenter – one who lived a simple way of life. Remember this scene? God humbles us. He shows us that no earthly possessions matter as much. In truth, it brings no true happiness to the person who carries any amount of earthly possessions for nothing compares to what the Lord can offer.

4) Remember the moment when you helped a stranger in need? A stranger confused and in need of directions for his way back home? Remember paying for a beggar’s meal? Volunteering for distribution of relief goods, or even simply managing to pass your subjects?

These actions seem so small, so basic, yet are the more essential ones.

5) Remember this song:

All that I am, all that I have

I lay them down before you O Lord

All my regrets all my acclaim

The joy and the pain, I’m making them yours.

Lord I offer my life to you

Everything I’ve been through

Use it for your glory

Lord I offer my days to you

Lifting my praise to you

As a pleasing sacrifice

Lord I offer you my life..

To carry our cross means denying ourselves from our fears, anxieties, vices and temptation. Denying ourselves from the obsession to material things.

To carry our cross means to allow ourselves to take an extra leap of faith, live and see the way Jesus did.

Focus not on what is temporary. Expand your vision and invest in the promise of God’s everlasting Love in His paradise. A life entailing sacrifice is a life worth living.

Writer: Michi Mayol | Artist: Glen Lopez

02162012, Thursday

James 2:1-9 / Psalm 34

Gospel: Mark 8:27-33

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

Jesus Predicts His Death

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

“If we all threw our problems in a pile and got a look at everyone else’s, we’d fight to get back our own.”

“A middle-aged woman ends up injured in a car accident. Paramedics rush her to the hospital. As she floats in and out of consciousness, she beds God to keep her alive. God tells her not to worry. God promises her a long, long life. It isn’t her time to go.

While she’s in the hospital recovering from her broken bones, she figures she might as well get a few other things done. She opts for a tummy tuck and oh, why not get the breast augmentation? She has her eyes lifted and her nose reduced. She looks and feels like a new woman. She’s so pleased with her new body and young face, she can’t wait to show the world.

Minutes after she leaves the hospital for home, a bus rounds the corner, slams into her, and kills her. When she gets into heaven, she’s furious and tells God, “You said I was going to live a long life. What happened?” God studies her face and says, “I didn’t recognize you.”

–Father Clem Metzger

As I read this funny story I laughed and told myself “God would not make that mistake” but after eight seconds (eight is my favorite number!), I realized that the story is not about God being confused. It was about us always wanting a different life.

I was struck when Jesus said, “the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priest and teachers of law and that he must be killed…” If I knew that people would rebuke me, friends would betray me and people I trust would leave me, I would ask God my Father to alter my life; Jesus did not.

– Dear______________,

How’s your life now? Would you have wished that you were living someone else’s life? Someone once wrote that God comes to us disguised as our life. In the mess of that life, in the problems and flaws we’d like to wish away and pray away.

Jesus’ life is an awesome one, after dying, rose after three days, after being rebuked, being left, being rejected is now loved by many generations, a life still controversial after decades, the life story whose book is a best seller (Bible), a life that inspires many lives, a life that was made to define what love is!

There were immeasurable times that I hoped for another fate but God always reminded me through Christ that He made every life uniquely perfect, we all have different answers to the question “Who do you say I am?” but to our Creator he had one and if we ask Him “Who do You say I am?” I’m seamlessly sure He’s got a perfect answer.

If we all threw our problems in a pile and got a look at everyone else’s, I’d fight to get back my own not because I’ll see how easy it is compared to others but because it is God’s manifestation of love in my life.

Writer: Joselle Salvador | Artist: Lex Alinsod

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02152012, Wednesday

James 1:19-27/ Psalm 15/

Gospel: Mark 8: 22-26

Mark 8:22-26Jesus Heals a Blind Man at BethsaidaThey came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into[a] the village.”

Bethsaida, during their time, is a place where most do not believe in God. Jesus on the gospel did 3 moves to finally have the man’s heart to God’s back. He led the man out of the place, spit on his eyes and finally touched his eyes with His hand. The man didn’t already see the clearest picture God wants him to see in the first move but eventually the images around him became clearest than ever.

I am a broadcast communication major student and describing our nature compared to others, most people are well fashioned, liberated and undeniably rhetorical. Public speaking is the name of our game. And for the years I’ve earned learning with the field I’m taking, I had been deceived by the culture that’s consistently happening. It took me a hard time to get of the crowded road we were all taking and I walk into the road where there are only a few . I could really get stuck and let myself be drawn into what the world has been feeding but I chose to let myself be drawn to my Master. I did take time to finally lose that double-personality while with them and with those few I’m walking my way with but I eventually find my way back to the Father with the child He wants me to be.

God reminds us that our hearts have the eyes to see the beauty in everything that’s happening to us. We just have to let them see the beauty hiding in the deceiving beauty the world’s letting us see. Furthermore, He will never be able to fully develop our story if we aren’t looking at Him nor are we willing to be guided by His light. But also remember that even though we sometimes get out of way, He will never give up on tying up that rubber band on our feet connected to His.

Write-up:  Shannah Gonzales Artwork: Benjoe Magnaye

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02142012

James 1:12-18/ Psalm 94

Gospel: Mark 8: 14-21

Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “We have no bread.” And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” ”And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

WAY BACK INTO LOVE

Don’t worry, it’s just Valentine’s Day.

Saint Valentine’s Day or commonly shortened to Valentine’s Day is a holiday observed on February 14 to honor a Christian martyr named Saint Valentine. Traditionally, it is a day for lovers to express their love to each other–commonly by giving flowers.

Today, we usually go for that special someone to go out on a date with, and if we don’t find that special someone, we look for things that can keep us preoccupied, in order to keep our minds away from the fact that, some of us, don’t have a date. But is that really what today is all about? Is it really just about us having that someone? Have we limited loving to exist only between two people?

Have you hardened your heart?

In the gospel, Jesus and his disciples were travelling on a boat. The disciples were worried that they might not have enough bread to make it in their trip. The were too anxious about not having enough to eat. So worried that they were no longer able to listen to what Jesus was saying. Jesus advised them to shift their thoughts of poverty to sufficiency, and reminded them of the miracle He did with five loaves of bread.

Every Valetine’s Day we always encounter one question, “Do you already have a date? Are you going out with someone?” We are too clouded by that question that we forget that it’s not only about having a ‘date’ with someone. Why not go out on a date with your parents, maybe with your siblings, a dear friend, or even treat yourself?

There’s a plenitude of ways to spend the day. Just as there are gazillion of ways to express love. Let’s not worry too much about how today will fare. Besides, this day was meant for us to celebrate love. Let us then be grateful for receving the best love there is–God’s love. It’s the kind that lasts beyond a lifetime.

Writer: Jeus Lauzon | Artist: Teenie Gem Villaroman

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02132012

James 1:1-11/ Psalm 119

Gospel: Mark 8: 11-13

The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” And he left them, and getting into the boat again he departed to the other side.

As an art student, I had grown deep familiarity with Semiotics or the study of signs, to evaluate what a certain painting or sculpture is trying to say. By closely looking at signs–motifs, elements, colors and objects within the painting or work–one is given a means to put science into his or her gut feel, on what a certain piece of art means. In today’s scripture,  Jesus denies his listeners of a sign to validate their disbelief. Perhaps it was Jesus’ way of saying: “I am already here. I am the word made flesh. What other signs are you looking for?”

In the ‘semiotics’ of faith, we need not go far in looking for signs to make us feel more confident in our daily life. We have Jesus and He is all we need. The point of faith is to believe in who Jesus is, more than what He can do. After all, the Master is more important than the masterpiece.

“Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials,  for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness… But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”  - James 1:2-3, 6

Writer: LCM | Artist: Joyce Octavo

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02122012

Leviticus 13: 1-2, 44-46/ Psalm 32/ 1 Corinthians 10:31 — 11:1 

Gospel: Mark 1:40-45

And a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And he sternly charged him, and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to any one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to the people.” But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

SEND IT ON

When I was writing my reflection for last month, I took the pleasure of reading ahead all the Gospel readings for the 12th day of every month for 2012. Yeah, I was that excited for Love Cloud . And upon doing that, I noticed that January and February has the same reading. I was wondering what to do about it but when I read the gospel again today, I was amazed to hear a different message from the Lord.

For today’s Gospel, can I just sing you a song? But since I have a voice that might get me banned from this site, I’ll  just give you the song. It’s called Send It On. Here are some lyrics:

A word’s just a word

‘Til you mean what you say

And love isn’t love

‘Til you give it away

We’ve all gotta give

Yes, something to give

To make a change

Send it on, on and on

Just one hand can heal another

Be a part, reach a heart

Just one spark starts a fire

With one little action

The chain reaction will never stop

Make it strong

Shine a light, and send it on

Jesus touched the leper and healed him with no hesitation at all. And I strongly believe He would do the same to us, despite our never ending failures, our annoying antics, and our unbearable attitude.

Now let us ask ourselves, can we do the same ? Are we willing to touch one another’s lives? Our family’s hearts, and our friends’ souls?

Let us spread the love that God has shown us and never deprive the people around us with His unconditional love and relentless kindness. Send it on my friend! Send it on!

Writer: Jang Consolacion | Artist: Rusty Mendoza

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02111012 

1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34/  Psalms 106:6-7, 19-22

Gospel:  Mark 8:1-10

In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him, and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days, and have nothing to eat; and if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come a long way.” And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these men with bread here in the desert?” And he asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven.” And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. And they had a few small fish; and having blessed them, he commanded that these also should be set before them. And they ate, and were satisfied; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away; and immediately he got into the boat with his disciples, and went to the district of Dalmanu’tha.

HE IS ENOUGH 

When the Lord says that He will bless you, go get an umbrella and turn it upside down– for He will truly bless you more than what you can imagine and more than what you deserve.Today, the gospel speaks about how abundantly the Lord can bless us–can bless you. Without a doubt, He gives generously, yet He does not let these blessings be put to waste.  “…And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full.” Mark 8:8, the gospel, tells us that the leftovers were gathered. However, we are only given a faint image of the scenario. It did not say  what they did after; maybe they gave some food to nearby houses, or sent some to those who are sick, or brought it with them so if ever they encounter someone on the road, at least they  have something to give. Jesus multiplied the loaves not only for those who came, but also for those who are not around at that time.  He gives plentifully so that we may have something to share with those who are hungry. 

True satisfaction is when you know when to stop asking for more, when you learn how to freely give out something, and when all you can think about is how you can actually share what you have. And by being in the state of contentment, we are unconsciously letting more people experience God’s abundant blessings and letting God’s miracles work in us. 

So, what can truly satisfy your hunger for His blessings? What can truly satisfy your hunger for the Lord? 

Writer: Joan Arabejo | Artist: Lynch Imbat

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02102012

1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19 / Psalm 81

Gospel: Mark 7:31-37

Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decap’olis. And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Eph’phatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.”

JUST HERE

More or less 2,000 years ago, I feel that people were much blessed than we do for the simple reason that for them,  a high five or hug from the Lord did not seem far from happening. Things seem to be a lot easier then. There was no need for long distance prayers because Jesus was literally in their midst.  The adverb “here” was something accurate and the word “healing” meant touching Jesus’ cloak or a pat on his shoulder.

Sometimes, thoughts like these pay visits to my  strange mind. Questions like “Where is the Lord?”, “Why can’t I hug and squeeze him when I feel like doing so, or when I need Him?” frequent my mind.  I have always ‘envied’ the people who were with Him while He was still “here”.

Then suddenly, there seemed to be someone who hit me in the head saying “Hey Koo! Don’t be literal! I am still ‘here’. If you come to think of it, you are luckier than those people. As I say “Life is a matter of faith, and not of sight. I am the Lord who makes all things well, I can make the deaf hear, the mute speak, the blind see, the numb feel and the foolish wise.”

Indeed, those who merely believe in the Lord without even seeing Him are more faithful than those who really did along with his miraculous deeds. We today, put our faith with someone we never saw, yet this belief heals us with our figurative deafness, muteness, blindness, numbness and foolishness.

The Lord can even make the unbelieving faithful. This should be more than enough to assure us that He is just here with me—and there with you.


Writer:  Kookoo Moreno | Artist: Arvin Caro

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02092012

1 Kings 11:4-13 / Psalms 106

Gospel:  Mark 7:24-32

And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house, and would not have any one know it; yet he could not be hid. But immediately a woman, whose little daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell down at his feet.  Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoeni’cian by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And he said to her, “Let the children first be fed, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” And he said to her, “For this saying you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” And she went home, and found the child lying in bed, and the demon gone.

A Beggar’s Story

One morning, after I spoke for God in front of a number of people, I saw four children playing cook in front of a house. They were dirty and hungry. Each of them was holding a Styrofoam container, fiddling soil and garbage with a stick. I walked towards them and each turned their faces to me, revealing the innocent look in their eyes.

I refuse giving alms because I’m not comfortable with the idea of begging. I believe all people have the capability to earn money from hard work but they do not for they simply would not.  But at that time, I knew something was different. I took out the two sugar-rolled cheese bread friends gave me to compensate for my “lost” breakfast and gave it to them.  One of the kids, probably the eldest, then let out a warm “Salamat, Kuya. (Thank you, brother.)”, and parted the bread to his playmates. I then continued walking home with a happy heart, not only because I did something good, but I realized something of importance: that I am a ‘beggar’, too.

Every time I ask God for a favor, every time I pray to God for a miracle, I beg. God has the choice not to like me. I sin, I do bad things, and I forget to pray. It could be easy for a God so sovereign to dislike a filthy sinner begging for His mercy, but He simply don’t and won’t–because He wants everybody to experience a fullness of life in Him.

St. Augustine once said, “What you do with those who beg from you is what God will do with his beggar–you! You are filled and you are empty. Fill your empty neighbor from your fullness, so that your emptiness may be filled from God’s fullness.”

You are blessed. Be a blessing to others.

Writer: Ron Celajes | Artist: Johnvic Monzon

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08022012

1 Kings 10:1-10 / Psalm 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40

Gospel: Mark 7:14-23

Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”

After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)

He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

SOUL FOOD

Juggling between all the things that I have to do, and thinking of actually doing the things that needs to be accomplished; finding time to open and read the bible regularly is a daily struggle for me. I keep on reminding myself that I have to read and reflect on God’s word everyday. Unfortunately, there are days that my bible does remain unopened. But for every time I fail to actually open the bible, I remember how the word of God feeds my soul. Then it makes me reflect, how hungry can my soul be? Do I take in as much as I need for my spiritual life to be healthy?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said that what we take in will make us clean. This affirms me of the very reason of why I read the bible. Being able to feed the body should not be in any way different from feeding the soul. According to Sister Joan Chittister, a Benedictine nun, “What we feed in our souls grows in us, forms us. What I immerse myself in, down deep inside of me where the soul is, I will become.” As YFCs, more so as Catholics, It should not be new to us to at least read the bible. Just how eating is a necessity for the body, we must also supply our soul a daily supplement of God’s words.

Writer: Dane Cruz | Artist: Kevin Muico

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07022012

1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30 / Psalm 84

Gospel: Mark 7:1-13

That Which Defiles

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.

So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 
They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

Photo by: Beatrix Juan

Tradition and Right Intention

Being an image and likeness of God, we always have this deep longing of knowing Him more. So much so that we try to define Him according to our human experiences. We picture God according to how we relate with people–that whatever God has given us in glimpses, we try to magnify by making it our tradition. The problem–sometimes–with tradition is that, as it is being passed on from one generation to another, what is left is the external actions devoid of the real meaning of why we are doing such in the first place.

The Pharisees were very much after the external ways of honoring God. They clung onto tradition because that was the way they grasped the God they cannot see. They wanted to follow His ways and they translated it into a series of a very strict implementation of laws. The objective–probably– was good, they wanted to make themselves pure, but the yearning to be pure didn’t go well with the intentions which were not. Traditions and external actions are meaningful when they are in tune with well-discerned  intentions. The psalmist cries out, better one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. The phrase rightly expresses the former’s deep desire of God.  The psalmist’s intention was on God–and not on tradition.

This is our challenge today, to focus on Jesus so that when we apply His ways, we will do it not because it is a tradition. In our own ways, we worship not because it’s our tradition to do so, nor we pray because it’s a tradition pray. We worship and pray because we desire God deep in our hearts. Our intention is to worship Him– out of a sincere yearning to do so, and not because we are just used to it.

Writer: Gelo Saludo | Artist: Beatrix Juan

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06022012

1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13/ Psalm 132

Gospel: Mark 6:53-56

Healing at Gennesareth

When they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. When they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick, to the place they heard He was. Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.

Photo by: Maolen Reyes

PERFECTLY HEALED

I was born in a perfectionist family. Everything must be in order and of logical importance. As I grew up, I got used to this kind of thinking and started to act based on high standards. During my early years of service in the YFC community, my elders would always remind me to keep my patience and be understanding for nobody is perfect.

Having this, putting great pressure on my members to be righteous has been constant through out my service. My perfectionist mentality took over my personality. This has led me to a lot of disappointments and unmet expectations.

However, things changed when I was assigned to serve for a conference. I began to see my own shortcomings as a person. I’ve done mistakes while working in the conference but the people that I worked with just understood the situation and smiled back at me. It was then I realized I’ve been too righteous that I didn’t see my own mistakes. I was torn. I know I needed God and so I prayed in desperation.

God allowed me to focus more on myself and to re-think of the things that happened in the past. After a while, a higher calling for service came. I believe that this calling is a part of the healing process of the Lord for me.

Healing came when the perfectionist personality was taken over by the more understanding and loving Jhobert that is of today. “Sometimes, it’s better to love than to be righteous.” – Brian Tang

Writer: Jhon Ko | Artist: Maolen Reyes

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05022012

Job 7:1-4, 6-7/ Psalm 147/ 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39

Jesus Heals Many

As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

 Photo by: Anonymous

We live in a busy generation. There is always something we have to do. We even need to make our to-do lists, mark our calendars, and update our planners to remind us of the loads of work we have to do. Sometimes, we even use our busy schedule as an excuse for failing to do what is essential.

Today’s Gospel reminds us that Jesus too was a busy person. He traveled from town to town, went from house to house, and performed miracle from miracle. He too always had something to do and someone to talk to. Yet, despite His seemingly busy schedule, He never forgot what was essential.

Jesus always took time to be away from the crowd. He rose very early before dawn to go to a deserted place and pray intimately to the Father.

Jesus knows how it is to be busy. He feels for us. Yet, He regularly had one-on-ones with the Lord in prayer. How about you, “How is your prayer time?”

Writer: Karen Joy Alcober | Artist: Anonymous

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04022012

1 Kings 3:4-13/ Psalm 119

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Art by: Leo Zarsaga

Rest At Its Best

One definition of rest is a period of time that you spend relaxing or sleeping after doing something tiring. This is what Jesus offered His apostles–a well-deserved rest after a tiresome work.

Among the things that make me feel most upset  is seeing bum people – the so called bystanders, who as if had woken up one morning for the purpose of sleeping the coming night. The kick’s even harder whenever I hear the line, “I just don’t have anything to do”.

I believe that tasks–like opportunities and blessings–are not to be waited for, but to be looked for.  These tasks grant us a venue to serve and love God in others.  And for this, they are worth it to be chased and paved way for.

And after being productive like the apostles who didn’t even have the opportunity to eat?  Hooray! The best reward that Christ Himself will offer is rest–rest at its best! Imagine the urge of  lying down when you are tired like never before– and the “Hmmmn” as your head hits your pillow, plus the feel of the blanket wrapped around you! Compared to the feeling of sleeping as just something to do, the fulfillment the former brings is incomparable!

Notice that Christ’s popular line before sending His people is “take up your cross and follow me“, and is not in anyway close to “go to sleep for now, then follow me later”. It is not that the Lord loves to see us looking weary, but because  this rest that we all long for is best enjoyed after a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual workout. Let’s go kick some tasks!

Writer: Jhong Cabe | Artist: Leo Zarsaga

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03022012

Sirach 47:2-11 / Psalm 18

Gospel: Mark 6: 14-29

John the Baptist Beheaded

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Photo by: Roxy Navarro

Silent Suffering

They say that to have faith is to have a personal relationship with God. For me, and perhaps for most, I experience God as a father.

Fathers love their children beyond everything that they are. A father does everything in his power to ensure that his children are happy and protected. At first, nobody understands their father’s ways—his sternness and lack of humor. But later on, they see that it was all just his way of loving his children.

Being a father must be very difficult, too. In this still mostly patriarchal world, fathers are expected to be the provider for their family. If the children’s lives are lacking in any way, society frowns upon the father for not being a good provider as well as a strong pillar.

That, I guess, is every father’s deepest burden. He has to be willing to play the bad guy, if only to make sure that his child remains safe. All he can do is suffer silently as his child breeds contempt towards him because he wants that child to lead a life better than he hopes to imagine.

As a father, I supposed that God Is the same way. I suppose that God panics just the same when we stumble and fall. I suppose that God scolds us just the same when we do something naughty. I suppose that God suffers just the same when we say we hate God or our family.

A friend once told me, “Before we can even register the pain we feel, God has already cried an ocean for us.”

Have you ever thanked your Father?

Writer: Nile Villa | Artist: Roxy Navarro

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02022012

Malachi 3:1-4 / Psalm 24 / Hebrews 2:14 – 18

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22-32

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’;), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 
for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Art by: Sanchi Catura

Present

How do we prepare a gift for a special someone? Maybe some of us even traveled across the miles just to get that present. For me, my idea of a perfect gift to someone is a surprise that would make him / her happy. I’ll have it wrap in a very special wrapper which I prepared myself and even put a special card on it. Then, I am in much anticipation of seeing that joy on his/her face while receiving my gift. Witnessing such joy compensates all the efforts and sacrifices during the preparation.

Giving gifts to our loved ones has become part of our life. But, have we ever thought of the best gift that we can offer to God? I have learned that, “Life is God’s gift to man and what we do with it is our gift to Him.” I realized that I have something to do and something to give in order for me to be able to show my gratitude to Him. Everyday we are surrounded by temptations and I am also struggling to uphold this life and live according to God’s will. However, every time I feel weak and tempted I remember Jesus Christ. He offered a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people and since He himself has gone through immense suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. 

We can always have Him as our refuge and continually ask for guidance on how we can have this life as a gift to God.

When Jesus Christ was presented to the temple, He brought joy to Simeon and Anna, in Him they have seen the salvation and redemption of the people in Israel. In our present time, may we also allow other people to find joy in witnessing us and in experiencing Jesus in us.

Are you ready to present yourself to God? Together, let us witness that smile on the face of our Father.

Writer: Mary Jane Olores | Artist: Sanchi Catura
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02012012, Tuesday

2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17 / Psalm 32

Gospel: Mark 6:1-6

A Prophet Without Honor

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Video by: Aira Patricia Ama

LOVING. HONORING. SERVING.

The month of February is celebrated with the word Love. Truly, the great commandment says that God truly loves us and because of that, we must love our neighbors and even our enemies. It is such that even when Jesus was criticized by his good deeds at Nazareth, he moved on, and still helped people.

Let me share to you five practical ways to honor God in our lives:

Love the ones God loves – God loves all people. We should also love all people.Spend time with God each day - Prayer is the best armor against all trials.Model Jesus in your words and actions – Be like Jesus, Love like Jesus.Tell someone about what God has done for you – Share God’s greatness to others.Read the manual – Know the bible. Spread the word.In serving the Lord, we always start inside our home through helping our parents, brothers and sisters, our friends and relatives. We hold our hands in service by attending and participating in Church activities like the Sunday mass.

Loving. Honoring. Serving.  Three inspiring words with only one goal; to show good deeds to others. That is Jesus’ mission.

Despite the negativity we face in our life, it is good that we be like Him. Let’s take it as a challenge, as our covenant. Let us pray to God and reflect on how we can love, honor and serve people in the simplest thing we can do.

“But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.” – Psalm 103:17-18

Writer: Ruiel John Remedios Valencia | Artist: Aira Patricia Ama

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01312012, Tuesday

2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 30, 19:3,  Psalm 86

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

Jairus’ Daughter and the Woman Who Touched Jesus’ Cloak

Jesus went back across to the other side of the lake. There at the lakeside a large crowd gathered around him. Jairus, an official of the local synagogue, arrived, and when he saw Jesus, he threw himself down at his feet and begged him earnestly, “My little daughter is very sick. Please come and place your hands on her, so that she will get well and live!” Then Jesus started off with him. So many people were going along with Jesus that they were crowding him from every side.

There was a woman who had suffered terribly from severe bleeding for twelve years, even though she had been treated by many doctors. She had spent all her money, but instead of getting better she got worse all the time.She had heard about Jesus, so she came in the crowd behind him, saying to herself, “If I just touch his clothes, I will get well.”

She touched his cloak, and her bleeding stopped at once; and she had the feeling inside herself that she was healed of her trouble. At once Jesus knew that power had gone out of him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” His disciples answered, “You see how the people are crowding you; why do you ask who touched you?”

But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. The woman realized what had happened to her, so she came, trembling with fear, knelt at his feet, and told him the whole truth. Jesus said to her, “My daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your trouble.”

While Jesus was saying this, some messengers came from Jairus’ house and told him, “Your daughter has died. Why bother the Teacher any longer?” Jesus paid no attention to what they said, but told him, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.“ Then he did not let anyone else go on with him except Peter and James and his brother John.They arrived at Jairus’ house, where Jesus saw the confusion and heard all the loud crying and wailing He went in and said to them,  “Why all this confusion? Why are you crying? The child is not dead—she is only sleeping!”

They started making fun of him, so he put them all out, took the child’s father and mother and his three disciples, and went into the room where the child was lying. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha, koum,” which means, “Little girl, I tell you to get up!” She got up at once and started walking around. (She was twelve years old.) When this happened, they were completely amazed. But Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone, and he said, “Give her something to eat.”

Photo By: Jerold Flores

In the Gospel, a woman has been cured of her sickness by touching Jesus’ clothes.  She believed that only in doing so, will she be freed of her burden of 12 years.  Out of the many people who touched Jesus, she was the only one who had faith and believed.

The passage brings us back to some moments when we feel hopeless  in the face of suffering. Sometimes we just accept defeat and let it consume us, until we are reminded that God is a gracious God. He is capable of  getting us out of such miserable state and  freeing us of our burdens.

One thing we have to know is that God’s healing isn’t instant.  It sometimes takes time, and this is where our faith kicks in! Because if we have faith in Him and  believe, we will be given the grace to collaborate with God in making our dreams come true.

In the face of trials and hardships, we must believe in and rely firmly on Him. Because in every trouble we are facing, God is up there–watching and smiling at us. Smiling not because we are suffering, but because we are again in need of His love, His grace, His guidance and His healing hands. We just need to admit that we are ordinary people—weak, and sinners who need healing.

God’s healing is the wonder of how the right people, place and events  fall into place to help us survive the pain we feel even when it’s impossible to get through.

If we live to serve and worship God, everything is possible. It will sometimes be difficult to conquer what pains us, but nothing is ever impossible if we have Him in our hearts and life.

You just gotta have faith!

“Trials are given to Righteous people but Misfortunes to the Unrighteous.”

All for God. ♥

Artist: Jerold Flores | Writer: Jeff Flores

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01302012, Monday

2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13,  Psalm 3

Gospel: Mark 5:1-20

Jesus Heals A Man With Evil Spirits

Jesus and his disciples arrived on the other side of Lake Galilee, in the territory of Gerasa. As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, he was met by a man who came out of the burial caves there. This man had an evil spirit in him and lived among the tombs. Nobody could keep him tied with chains any more; many times his feet and his hands had been tied, but every time he broke the chains and smashed the irons on his feet. He was too strong for anyone to control him. Day and night he wandered among the tombs and through the hills, screaming and cutting himself with stones.

He was some distance away when he saw Jesus; so he ran, fell on his knees before him, and screamed in a loud voice, “Jesus, Son of the Most High God! What do you want with me? For God’s sake, I beg you, don’t punish me! (He said this because Jesus was saying, “Evil spirit, come out of this man!”

So Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” The man answered, “My name is Mob—there are so many of us!” And he kept begging Jesus not to send the evil spirits out of that region.

There was a large herd of pigs near by, feeding on a hillside. So the spirits begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs, and let us go into them.”He let them go, and the evil spirits went out of the man and entered the pigs. The whole herd—about two thousand pigs in all—rushed down the side of the cliff into the lake and was drowned.

The men who had been taking care of the pigs ran away and spread the news in the town and among the farms. People went out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they saw the man who used to have the mob of demons in him. He was sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were all afraid.Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the man with the demons, and about the pigs.

So they asked Jesus to leave their territory.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had had the demons begged him, “Let me go with you!”

But Jesus would not let him. Instead, he told him, “Go back home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how kind He has been to you.”

So the man left and went all through the Ten Towns, telling what Jesus had done for him. And all who heard it were amazed.

Photo by: Kathleen Carlos

Do you still remember your first confession? Do you still remember how you felt before, during and after you confessed to the priest?

I can still recall mine. Waiting for my turn felt like forever and there were crazy thoughts running inside my young mind. “What if the priest gets so mad and refuses to forgive me for having sinned? What if he shouts at me and tells me that I am a very big disappointment and I don’t deserve the absolution? What if my sins are unforgivable? What if there’s no chance for me?” God knows how anxious I was that day. Listing and acknowledging the sins I committed made me feel doomed, dirtied, hopeless, weak and, at a very young age, I felt so unworthy of God’s forgiveness. Like the possessed man in today’s reading, I, too, am enslaved/possessed/chained/trapped by my sins and I almost felt that no one can rule over the devil inside until my confession.

Confession meant Christ’s forgiveness, a clean slate. It signifies a new beginning and hope. Man, who wouldn’t want that? The only questions left for me were: Would I be given the chance? Do I deserve a chance? What will I do if I there’s another chance?

To answer my mind-boggling questions, let me tell you what happened next. I faced the Priest; sincerely asked for God’s forgiveness and told him all the sins I committed, bowed my head and prepared for his wrath. The priest, after listening to me, smiled warmly, gave me his absolution, asked me to pray three memorized prayer for my penance and allowed me to face the world again with a clean slate, a hopeful heart and as a living testimony of God’s mercy.

All of us are trapped and enslaved by sin and it makes us feel so weak, empty and hopeless. But no matter how grave our sins are, and even if we feel powerless over sin’s wicked control, Christ will always have authority over everything; including the sins that enslave us over and over again. But even though it feels great to stay in that state of freedom, we are still to return to our normal lives and continue writing in our clean slate. But hopefully, we write a different story this time: a story of love and mercy. In the same way that Christ intended for the man to remain and proclaim so is he intending for us to go back to our own places for our lives to be a living testimony of His greatness, grace, love and mercy.

Now, let me ask you, what is your testimony?

Writer: Angel Naval | Artist: Kathleen Carlos

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01292012, Sunday

Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 95, 1 Corinthians 7:32-35,

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

A Man With an Evil Spirit

Jesus and his disciples came to the town of Capernaum, and on the next Sabbath Jesus went to the synagogue and began to teach. The people who heard him were amazed at the way he taught, for he wasn’t like the teachers of the Law; instead, he taught with authority.

Just then a man with an evil spirit came into the synagogue and screamed, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you here to destroy us? I know who you are—you are God’s holy messenger!”

Jesus ordered the spirit, “Be quiet, and come out of the man!”

The evil spirit shook the man hard, gave a loud scream, and came out of him.The people were all so amazed that they started saying to one another, “What is this? Is it some kind of new teaching? This man has authority to give orders to the evil spirits, and they obey him!”

And so the news about Jesus spread quickly everywhere in the province of Galilee.

Photo by: LCM

“… because he taught them as one who had authority …” – Mark 1:21

I have always been a person who wants things to be in control.  My mother told me that ever since I was a child, I like having things planned out.  When I was six, I had a schedule of what time I have to take a bath, what time I have to watch TV, what time I have to go to sleep, etc.

Even today, I still do that. This time with more specific and serious goals for the future—what kind of job I want to have, when I will pursue further studies, etc.

Thus, when things don’t go according to plan, I get disappointed, uneasy, scared, and frustrated.  I hate having things beyond my control.

And then, as I read this Gospel reading, it came to me: Maybe not everything has to be in my control.  Maybe my plan has to deviate sometimes because God is also in control of my life.  He is the one who knows what’s in store for me, and maybe part of it doesn’t involve the things that I myself had planned.

So, in the midst of our plans not working as we want them to be, don’t fret.  Let us not forget that there’s something bigger in store for us because God has planned for us to find true love, peace, and happiness.

Let God take control of your life, too.

Writer: Bea Mandac | Artist: LCM/ Works of Heart

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