tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198949922024-02-21T21:23:03.259+08:00The Nine GiftsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19894992.post-58842633273328492802023-12-15T11:43:00.001+08:002023-12-15T11:44:22.783+08:00Foreword
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNqHERsP0e7I6wOt7_aVvkBquq1PDz9tu3pu4dP47Gze27V7O4pu2lxB2Cez_Hh74hbNmCiBgrnP2Pot3B_eJlXcMZQZs3BkUrCCtJnqtnrPPAwAUXvcOmydunejGNuSsqIy1HoW0DD7aDoiBJhvGpQ3XSSIG4L5WZYWivczpfn9NlWAY/s825/Foreword.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="635" height="681" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNqHERsP0e7I6wOt7_aVvkBquq1PDz9tu3pu4dP47Gze27V7O4pu2lxB2Cez_Hh74hbNmCiBgrnP2Pot3B_eJlXcMZQZs3BkUrCCtJnqtnrPPAwAUXvcOmydunejGNuSsqIy1HoW0DD7aDoiBJhvGpQ3XSSIG4L5WZYWivczpfn9NlWAY/w525-h681/Foreword.JPG" width="525" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div>Sleeping Satellitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888136396933895653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19894992.post-67023127703812523502023-12-15T11:42:00.001+08:002023-12-15T11:42:13.930+08:00First Gift
<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnYOiNfNI8-xptUUMZxj3HdC5ViNnG7N27FIL8su4IKVAa0pQ7rbU-bhk2ZDVBJf-4odUJAtRCWjB-VoYjULnvB1yO91aZvaL8XUx6xmR-9LZaLWveQ4SgH6T_T5owQnEBDpovlQrY1IgMxXN59vv9fEsrptayVvZQSGI2c3oKtZwsNTe55E/s537/Elijah.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="537" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnYOiNfNI8-xptUUMZxj3HdC5ViNnG7N27FIL8su4IKVAa0pQ7rbU-bhk2ZDVBJf-4odUJAtRCWjB-VoYjULnvB1yO91aZvaL8XUx6xmR-9LZaLWveQ4SgH6T_T5owQnEBDpovlQrY1IgMxXN59vv9fEsrptayVvZQSGI2c3oKtZwsNTe55E/s320/Elijah.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><b>"Elijah has come already and they did not recognize him"</b></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gospel<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Matthew 17:9a-10-13</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As they were coming down from the mountain,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">the disciples asked Jesus,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">but I tell you that Elijah has already come,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then the disciples understood</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>His Coming</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span>by </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Br. Mark Vertido Palafox, OFM</span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As a liturgical season, Advent coincides with the latter part of autumn when the northern hemisphere experiences the changing colors of nature and the falling of the leaves of trees. The evenings fall into a deeper dark everyday as the breeze becomes cooler. The gloominess of the atmosphere at this period of the year makes you want to hope that the dark will soon end and brighter days will come again. Effectively, the seasonal cycle is deeply related to our lives and to our faith.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">During Advent, the hope for the Kingdom and the Parousia, that is, the Second Coming, becomes the center of attention while preparing ourselves in remembering once more the Nativity of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, that of His First Coming. Advent means “the Coming”, which is for us, Christians, a reason for preparation because we attend to the joy that the First Christmas in Bethlehem brought and to the ultimate joy that the glorified Christ will bring in the end of days. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The season plays between dark and light, when the dark keeps us in hoping that the day that light will come. This was the same experience of the People of Israel for a long time during their exile in Babylon and even after. They longed for the Coming of the Promised Messiah who will free them and save them from all their enemies. This was the constant message of the prophets from Elijah to Isaiah until Malachy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Now, the Babylonian exile greatly affected the social and national sense of the People of Israel as it allowed a diaspora, the scattering of the People into different places into the known world of that time. This meant also the separation of family members and their division, and the whole nation broken in a way. The People thought that Elijah would come first before the terrible “Day of the Lord” to restore all things, converting the hearts of everyone to reunite the People together. This is the last prophecy in the Book of the Prophet Malachy, which is the last Book of the Old Testament according to the Catholic canon.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The disciples of Jesus were discussing this prophecy after their experience of the Transfiguration. And Jesus knew that Elijah already came but the People did not listen to him and they persecuted him. He was the foreshadow of what will eventually happen also to the Son of Man, to Jesus. He was talking about John the Baptist, who is the threshold between the Old Testament and the New. He is the last of the prophet in the sense of the Old Testament. He is the voice of one calling in the wilderness, calling everyone to convert to the Lord by making straight the way of the Lord. His message was that of preparing oneself to the imminent coming of the Lord.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As we start the last part of Advent, during this nine-day preparation for Christmas, we are called to conversion. The world is becoming too confused with conflicts and wars in the air. If we want to start healing, we start with ourselves. We need a conversion of our hearts to the vision of Christ. Because of our Baptism, we are incorporated into Christ and we share in his prophetic office along with his priestly and kingly offices. Our life in Christ becomes undeniably a prophetic sign to others especially to our families and friends.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As we await for the Coming of the Lord, may we see the joy of waiting for the Saviour, but may we also be ready to welcome Him when he knocks on the doors of our hearts, that He may live in us and in others through us.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Prayer</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">O Father, you sent your Only Begotten Son to the world that you may gather once more your people scattered throughout the world, that they may recognize your Fatherhood through our adoption through your Beloved Son. Grant that your Word Made Flesh, for whom we prepare our hearts to welcome once more, be our light in the darkness of this world which will lead us to the only true way to you. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord, Amen.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Gift for Jesus</b></div><div><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-246797c2-7fff-63bb-b346-ca25cd30b56e"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This year marks the 800</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> year of the First Belen (Nativity Scene) installed by Saint Francis of Assisi in the town of Greccio in Italy in 1223. Christmas culture in our country and in the whole world slowly forgets the real reason for the season. Now, be sure to have a Belen in your house and make sure that others can see it. Let our conversion begin from the humility of the Crib in Bethlehem. And certainly, let us pray for peace especially in the Holy Land.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7W9PjBMbLSlN-mBBK5h_MchtzvsULWn8rybXh6slhvxAx-x5eBidfUdY8noeLYm1qcTHY6YP6AUjJTfv_SIMWQRmfoR1XtphkyeKpP-Ryr6WRFJytYNt8xF4hmTfxeQtd6k95ana8nAqrGRZTbnfgo6_yEpxG9yzahG4w-o8fji_TuCogOcU/s4032/image_50423041.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7W9PjBMbLSlN-mBBK5h_MchtzvsULWn8rybXh6slhvxAx-x5eBidfUdY8noeLYm1qcTHY6YP6AUjJTfv_SIMWQRmfoR1XtphkyeKpP-Ryr6WRFJytYNt8xF4hmTfxeQtd6k95ana8nAqrGRZTbnfgo6_yEpxG9yzahG4w-o8fji_TuCogOcU/s320/image_50423041.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>Br. Mark Vertido Palafox, </b>OFM is a Franciscan friar of the Holy Land who is now residing at the Shrine of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist in Ein Karem, Jerusalem, but he originally hails from Laoag City, Philippines. He is finishing his theology degree and was ordained a deacon last May 2023. He is now preparing for his priestly ordination which comes soon.</i></span></div>Sleeping Satellitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888136396933895653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19894992.post-15942275944485424062023-12-15T11:41:00.001+08:002023-12-15T11:41:31.410+08:00Second Gift<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNYspxvynny5TBBZvxoRhUnm8sIFKOp2eyu-PYng9P6eUd9H-bnli4tlzvMYTq6rp7FOMH2tUqD80GgTMrM6ATBlCqtnA6Q4oKWUZFHwL16CCq8IF-qSOa3ElnNfUkk7dCoPfcM8-8Oo1lp2iAkypkCEJ3HIud5WZBep_aC7OwVR3CmHJc6E/s754/St.%20John%20the%20Baptist.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="754" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNYspxvynny5TBBZvxoRhUnm8sIFKOp2eyu-PYng9P6eUd9H-bnli4tlzvMYTq6rp7FOMH2tUqD80GgTMrM6ATBlCqtnA6Q4oKWUZFHwL16CCq8IF-qSOa3ElnNfUkk7dCoPfcM8-8Oo1lp2iAkypkCEJ3HIud5WZBep_aC7OwVR3CmHJc6E/s320/St.%20John%20the%20Baptist.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>'There stands among you the one coming after me'</i></span></h1><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gospel<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> John 1:6-8, 19-28</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A man named John was sent from God.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He came for testimony, to testify to the light,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">so that all might believe through him.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He was not the light,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">but came to testify to the light.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And this is the testimony of John.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and Levites to him</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">to ask him, “Who are you?”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He admitted and did not deny it,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">but admitted, “I am not the Christ.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So they asked him,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“What are you then? Are you Elijah?”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And he said, “I am not.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“Are you the Prophet?”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He answered, “No.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So they said to him,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">What do you have to say for yourself?”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He said:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">‘make straight the way of the Lord,’”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">as Isaiah the prophet said.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Some Pharisees were also sent. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">They asked him,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“Why then do you baptize</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">John answered them,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“I baptize with water;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">the one who is coming after me,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">where John was baptizing.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Dynamic Duo</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>by Dr. Lio Marquez</i></span></div><div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In Pop culture, there exists the concept of the “Dynamic Duo'', wherein we are presented with two figures that complement each other so well that you can't imagine one without the other. The most famous example of this trope would be its namesake, Batman and Robin. Over the years, the different iterations of Robin have held their own against Batman's different nemesis, yet, there is still only one Batman. It's not to say that Robin is weak, they all have their unique set of skills and strengths and are sometimes arguably comparable to the man himself, it’s just that he isn't Batman. Long term anime fans would recognize this trope as the classic Goku and Vegeta, or Naruto and Sasuke, and for the younger audiences, there's always Deku and Bakugou from My Hero Academia. Each partnership with both powerhouses in their own right, but there is only one Main Character (lovingly referred to as MC), while the other, almost falls just short of being at par with the MC. Basketball fans would relate to this with their favorite duos such as Kobe and Shaq, MJ and Pippen, Lebron and D-Wade, Lebron and AD, or Lebron and Kyrie (or basically Lebron with the entire 2016 Cleveland Cavalier squad). Each member of any duo can hold their own when it comes to their respective goals. Any partnership you pick out, easily houses two All-Star Caliber athletes, but who stands out as the Most Valuable Player? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It is the usual storyline as is with this trope that the MC, MVP, or even Batman beats the bad guy, makes that buzzer beater shot and is hailed as the savior of the day. But how did they get there? Who kept all other defenders at bay? Who made that crucial rebound at the other end to make that clutch shot possible? It was the wing-man, the partner, the other side of the coin. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In the grand scheme of Christianity and the ministry of Jesus Christ, that wing-man would be St. John The Baptist. Born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, who is the cousin of Mary, mother of Jesus, in Judaea now known as modern day Palestine. He paved the way for Jesus' ministry, speaking of repentance and the coming of the messiah. He baptized the repentant and believers and even gained himself his own following, and that people flocked to him for his teachings. People believed in him, believed that he would see them into paradise. However we see in the passage given to us today that St. John the Baptist, despite his accolades and following then, knows he isn't the MC. He knows he has a role to play and he does it extremely well. He is the forerunner for Jesus, the hype man, the wing-man, the Emcee to the MC preaching that the messiah is coming, and readies the people to repent for their sins for He is about to meet them soon. He does this without question and is so dedicated to it that even in the womb of their mother’s when Elizabeth and Mary met, John kicked in Elizabeth's womb as to be joyful to be in the presence of Jesus Christ. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In the passage, St. John the Baptist is interrogated by Jewish leaders asking him who he identified as: Elijah? The Prophet? The Messiah? John answers he is none of those, but he who baptizes with water. He recognizes the role he has to play, he commits to it and never, not once, falters in the face of opposition and questioning. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This season of advent, let us look back at the times we were called to step up as MCs, MVPs, to become Batman in face of adversity. Let us also look at the moments where we are called to raise the voice of others in their own challenges, that we too may become like St. John The Baptist and pave the way for Jesus Christ’s teachings to spread in our lives. </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Prayer</b></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Dearest Lord, teach us to become like St. John the Baptist to be Committed, Competent, Conscientious and Compassionate towards others and to our God given purpose on this earth. Help us recognize that we are not alone, and that we are always part of a community that we should try to uphold each other's voices and each other's needs so that we may work together for the common good. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gift for Jesus</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For my gift to the baby Jesus, I will give him something that I've wanted for myself, a full set of the Naruto manga so that he may revel in the stories that teach the power of friendship and see the dynamic he had with St. John the Baptist</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yoD-0wpEglLvDe2zap8XgjUTZusx2IkpHzwSfGb_jWE7udZ8wGl1neoYV4ywQe9wcKa8o8rlt_eP35JU41LkNyccJUJDasmWv6bvgwe5Pj871KtVwAFAohiIlAv9LG_EPmMI5kgarlMx8AH_nT-HyUC4o5574w5gYB0ALkGNsrWkzoslftg/s1270/Second%20Gift%20_Lio.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="1270" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yoD-0wpEglLvDe2zap8XgjUTZusx2IkpHzwSfGb_jWE7udZ8wGl1neoYV4ywQe9wcKa8o8rlt_eP35JU41LkNyccJUJDasmWv6bvgwe5Pj871KtVwAFAohiIlAv9LG_EPmMI5kgarlMx8AH_nT-HyUC4o5574w5gYB0ALkGNsrWkzoslftg/w200-h200/Second%20Gift%20_Lio.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><i><b>Dr. Lionico Marquez </b>is a General Surgeon that hails from a big Catholic family, where his mom taught him to pray everyday, and his late father taught him to thank the lord every morning. </i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Sleeping Satellitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888136396933895653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19894992.post-13910618424243155542023-12-15T11:40:00.001+08:002023-12-15T11:40:16.132+08:00Third Gift<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9b1FW3gX7NqUo01lAO_rhRNt8G6RV53v5qWSRpBsxZ7w34u4I_bNCBK96cXYIvIClKe7tYUhldQVTgJs0QVzosgVYsDzgNS2O_CEFAP250HujI2I4MBYSW82NlI7Hfh5nvql4YL17isGjmvCDVdrzsm7lIHFU8nEMufXMF4FOIS3XZg-_YE/s344/Joseph.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="246" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9b1FW3gX7NqUo01lAO_rhRNt8G6RV53v5qWSRpBsxZ7w34u4I_bNCBK96cXYIvIClKe7tYUhldQVTgJs0QVzosgVYsDzgNS2O_CEFAP250HujI2I4MBYSW82NlI7Hfh5nvql4YL17isGjmvCDVdrzsm7lIHFU8nEMufXMF4FOIS3XZg-_YE/s320/Joseph.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><br /></h1><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gospel<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Matthew 1:18-24</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, <i>‘</i></span><i style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:</i></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means ‘God-is-with-us</i>.’ </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Pillar of Faith</b></span></div><div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>by Jenni Bernardo-Fonseca</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div> In the Filipino culture, a father is called <i>“haligi ng tahanan”</i> and that is for a good reason. Oftentimes, people of different races and cultures expect men to be strong, cerebral, objective, they are not supposed to show their emotions at any time. Hollywood style movies often portray men this way too, masculine, rebellious, violent, sexist, abusive. Even lead actors are portrayed as violent while fighting for equality, order, justice, and peace. In our gospel passage today, the 3rd day of our advent Novena, we see different portrayals of men in the life of a woman, Mary. They are Joseph, Jesus, and Angel Gabriel. In their hands, the future of a woman is deeply tied. In the hands of these men, the future of Mary, a 1st century peasant, will radically change. </div><div> In this Matthean passage, Joseph was portrayed differently compared to the men of his time. Considering the mores of the time, Joseph was portrayed as “righteous” (1:19) because he was “unwilling to expose her to public disgrace.” Under the Jewish law, a woman who bears a child outside of “marriage” is supposed to be stoned to death. Then in a dream, an angel spoke to Joseph, and told him of the virgin conception, and he was to name the child, Jesus. This I believe, is where the righteousness of Joseph lies, that he was a man of God. He recognized God in his dream because I too believe that Joseph knew his God deeply well. That is why whether he is awake or sleeping or dreaming, Joseph was deeply conscious of who God is.</div><div> Worthy of our attention is the righteousness that is exemplified by Joseph. His righteousness comes from his being, not only in his actions, not only in his “doing.” Many of us are accustomed to equating righteousness to doing good deeds, and that is not wrong. What I am proposing is for us to recognize that righteousness comes from within, from the recognition of and consciousness of who we really are, children of God. That we all are children of God, we are created in God’s image and likeness. This is where our true responsibility as Christians must emanate from. In a sense this means my “doing” comes from my “being” not the other way around.</div><div> In the gospels of Matthew and Luke, Joseph is portrayed as a righteous man, a loving husband and a protective father. He remained faithful to his covenant with God from the time that he awakened from his dream until his death. He labored with passion and commitment for the good of his family, he was as steadfast as he was undaunted. He offered his life, his love and his death in total oblation to the will of God. At a time when men who may be fathers and brothers and world leaders would choose violence, terror and might to rule the world, the Church offers St. Joseph to us all as an exemplar of what it means to be a child of God in our present time. Let us look at St. Joseph as a model, hero, and saint who will lead us to righteousness, protective, faithful, and steadfast in his faith. <i>Isang tunay na haligi ng tahanan.</i></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Prayer:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">God, our Father, we thank you for giving us a father in St. Joseph. We thank you for giving us a model of living as Your children here on earth. We ask for your forgiveness, our God, for we failed to recognize ourselves and one another as created in your image and likeness. Forgive us for not recognizing who we really are and neglecting our authentic self. Amen.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gift for Jesus:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As a gift to our God this Christmas season, we take the time to recognize ourselves as children of God here on earth. Every day, especially upon waking up or before retiring to bed, we put our hands on our chest and just recognize our breath and our breathing. Be attuned to the ebb and tide of our breathing and in every breath say to ourselves, “I Am a child of God.” </span><span style="font-family: arial;">We can start doing this from 2 to 5 minutes, 2 to 3 times a week and then progress according to your needs. </span></span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHlvpBF1mOJNWkvjOKrob6BavGRV8X_-gJi80DncP507K517vwF7huzhs_4eRVAXvHfhQ18AXf8eAlmxYHF1QN2I1pp23TRFraNkSNwq2bw9xx0IhDPR6-vyprxeHiO5gK0D7RCDMo7UfDlfTiVUcvTYmehg2T0_MBwH5ZNUwci-B1b77I40/s960/FB_IMG_1702205620530.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHlvpBF1mOJNWkvjOKrob6BavGRV8X_-gJi80DncP507K517vwF7huzhs_4eRVAXvHfhQ18AXf8eAlmxYHF1QN2I1pp23TRFraNkSNwq2bw9xx0IhDPR6-vyprxeHiO5gK0D7RCDMo7UfDlfTiVUcvTYmehg2T0_MBwH5ZNUwci-B1b77I40/w200-h200/FB_IMG_1702205620530.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><i>Jenni Bernardo-Fonseca</i></b><i> is a catechist by profession and a mother of 2 teens, Julia and Ady. A certified batang Gagalangin and an adopted child of San Jose.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Sleeping Satellitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888136396933895653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19894992.post-28501343776918017242023-12-15T11:39:00.001+08:002023-12-15T11:39:33.136+08:00Fourth Gift
<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ic2_xYaTX9Pj1sklsiJrxpNMNhX2GTDlWQEP5n9PrzebdqSVyyg00F0UhyuBYgDq4I7-S7IyXB5S4AW837iERohfMpjpK_8vYu6wWeRiBl9rjZ5_iW1ewV3HHMfFLRmCztiN7AGf4QST-npH1yFARTkNvv5aqGmbyzn6ixALzr5FxNXV/s234/Zecharaiah-and-angel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="216" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ic2_xYaTX9Pj1sklsiJrxpNMNhX2GTDlWQEP5n9PrzebdqSVyyg00F0UhyuBYgDq4I7-S7IyXB5S4AW837iERohfMpjpK_8vYu6wWeRiBl9rjZ5_iW1ewV3HHMfFLRmCztiN7AGf4QST-npH1yFARTkNvv5aqGmbyzn6ixALzr5FxNXV/s1600/Zecharaiah-and-angel.jpg" width="216" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>'Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son'</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gospel Luke 1:5-25</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In the days of Herod, King of Judea,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">there was a priest named Zechariah</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">of the priestly division of Abijah;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and her name was Elizabeth. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Both were righteous in the eyes of God,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">observing all the commandments</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and both were advanced in years. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Once when he was serving as priest</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">in his division’s turn before God,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">according to the practice of the priestly service,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">he was chosen by lot</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">at the hour of the incense offering,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">the angel of the Lord appeared to him,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">standing at the right of the altar of incense. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But the angel said to him<i>, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>because your prayer has been heard. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>and you shall name him John. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>And you will have joy and gladness,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>and many will rejoice at his birth,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>and he will turn many of the children of Israel</i></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">to the Lord their God. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah</span></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>to turn the hearts of fathers toward children</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then Zechariah said to the angel,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>“How shall I know this? </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years</i>.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And the angel said to him in reply,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“<i>I am Gabriel, who stand before God.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>But now you will be speechless and unable to talk</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>until the day these things take place,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>because you did not believe my words,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>which will be fulfilled at their proper time</i>.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He was gesturing to them but remained mute.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“<i>So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>to take away my disgrace before others.</i>”</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Embracing Peace Amidst Trials</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>by Marie Abellar</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Back in 2016, I was forced to confront unimaginable loss with the death of my father. A mere six months later, a fire engulfed our home, stripping away every material possession we held dear. These devastating events could have easily shattered my spirit and consumed me with despair. However, amidst the ashes, a flicker of hope ignited within my heart, propelling me on a journey toward finding an unwavering peace. Like all the chaos and uncertainties of our world, the promise of peace resonates like a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards tranquility and inner harmony. As we approach the joyous season of Christmas, let us draw inspiration from the Mass readings for Day 4 (Luke 1:5-25), which offer a profound reflection on the transformative power of faith, hope, and healing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, an elderly couple longing for a child. Despite their advanced years and the seeming impossibility of their desire, God intervenes, sending the angel Gabriel to announce the miraculous birth of their son, John. This divine intervention serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering love and His ability to transform even the most challenging situations into moments of grace and fulfillment. Zechariah's initial disbelief mirrors our own moments of doubt and uncertainty. We often find ourselves questioning God's plan, succumbing to fear and anxiety when life throws unexpected curveballs our way. However, as we delve deeper into the narrative, we witness Zechariah's transformation, his skepticism replaced by a profound sense of awe and gratitude. His willingness to surrender to God's plan paves the way for the birth of John, a herald of peace and preparation for the Messiah's arrival.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The theme of peace echoes through the scripture, reaching its crescendo in John 14:27, where Jesus assures his disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." This promise of peace extends beyond the physical realm, encompassing a deep-seated serenity that transcends the turmoil of our external world. Just like my journey at a young age, I realized that peace is not without its challenges. We face internal battles against our own fears, insecurities, and the weight of the past hurts. External conflicts, such as the ongoing wars and the ever-present threats to our safety, further fuel our anxiety and longing for peace. Yet, amidst these trials, we must not lose sight of the promise that Jesus so graciously bestowed upon us. My involvement in youth ministry and the girl scouting movement during the struggles of my life is a testament of Jesus' light in my life.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is a state of being, a harmonious coexistence within ourselves and with the world around us. It is the ability to find solace in the face of adversity, to trust that God has a plan for our lives, and to radiate compassion and understanding towards others. Embracing peace requires a conscious effort to cultivate faith, hope, and healing in our lives. Faith provides the foundation for our belief in God's love and guidance, while hope fuels our resilience in the face of challenges. Healing, both internal and external, is essential for restoring harmony and balance to our lives.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As we prepare for Christmas, let us remember that true peace is not an external gift, but a gift we must cultivate within ourselves. By nurturing our faith, fostering hope, and embracing healing, we can become beacons of peace, illuminating the world with the radiant light of Christ's love.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Prayer</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Dear Lord,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Thank you for the gift of peace that you have given us. Help us to cultivate this peace within our hearts and share it with others. May we be beacons of your light in a world often shrouded in darkness. May we be instruments of your love and compassion, and may we always seek to resolve conflict with empathy and understanding.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Through Christ our Lord,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Amen.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gift for Jesus</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As a small token of my appreciation, I would like to offer the following gift to the Baby Jesus:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A promise to be a peacemaker</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I pledge to be a peacemaker in my words, actions, and thoughts. I will strive to create harmony and understanding wherever I go, and I will always seek to resolve conflict with compassion and empathy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I invite you to join me in this commitment, and together, let us make the world a more peaceful and loving place.</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdYNrtaPWmKSKSLsCORGlNXPIkCembuDPrJUixrmxucRzXqvVyY1xOXAS1Br_qCm6-dXG8gxCWbRVTeAPEo4sYw0e5rd5j_pHbHEIsP86K3p7S7eHcLt9LKuZi8MlNNZRKFQInyiH6K9hP-CyANQ6CD-UaYX9iAK1yJrOzVJhDjDYOVKEOh0/s712/Fourth%20Gift_Marie%20Abella.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="487" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdYNrtaPWmKSKSLsCORGlNXPIkCembuDPrJUixrmxucRzXqvVyY1xOXAS1Br_qCm6-dXG8gxCWbRVTeAPEo4sYw0e5rd5j_pHbHEIsP86K3p7S7eHcLt9LKuZi8MlNNZRKFQInyiH6K9hP-CyANQ6CD-UaYX9iAK1yJrOzVJhDjDYOVKEOh0/w274-h400/Fourth%20Gift_Marie%20Abella.JPG" width="274" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>Marie Abellar</b> is a Catholic girl scout who is passionate about serving the Lord, her country and the young. She is inspired by the words of Pope Francis to "shine, listen, and be unafraid," she strives to live her life in accordance with these principles. She is committed to spreading the message of peace and love, and believes that we can all make a difference in the world one act of kindness at a time.</i></span></div>Sleeping Satellitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888136396933895653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19894992.post-41978914824547798562023-12-15T11:38:00.002+08:002023-12-15T11:38:35.139+08:00Fifth Gift
<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU1HvWXSVdtBz11H_MTE_EBJYxJKes6H0RnfOA2NqPdj4XqEzF6T3pdCemylMmtIrAnbsLMJ1YMEbQD46gacdo-tkvV1yukUMg_C8teOXlV3iLAF-QOwX5EQckokiVXd51E8m85nampvkxJBe_K6Gcp-WtiYq_TGNK5crYi44AsTpHZ2C/s612/annunciation1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU1HvWXSVdtBz11H_MTE_EBJYxJKes6H0RnfOA2NqPdj4XqEzF6T3pdCemylMmtIrAnbsLMJ1YMEbQD46gacdo-tkvV1yukUMg_C8teOXlV3iLAF-QOwX5EQckokiVXd51E8m85nampvkxJBe_K6Gcp-WtiYq_TGNK5crYi44AsTpHZ2C/s320/annunciation1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>"I am the handmaid of the Lord"</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gospel Lk 1:26-38</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In the sixth month,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">the angel Gabriel was sent from God</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">of the house of David,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and the virgin’s name was Mary.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And coming to her, he said,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But she was greatly troubled at what was said</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then the angel said to her,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“Do not be afraid, Mary,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">for you have found favor with God.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and you shall name him Jesus.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But Mary said to the angel,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“<i>How can this be,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>since I have no relations with a man</i>?”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And the angel said to her in reply,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“<i>The Holy Spirit will come upon you,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Therefore the child to be born</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>will be called holy, the Son of God.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>has also conceived a son in her old age,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>for nothing will be impossible for God</i>.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Mary said, “<i>Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>May it be done to me according to your word</i>.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then the angel departed from her.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Let Go and Let God</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>by Mai Cruz-Bacena</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When was the last time you let go and let God?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">To say that Mary’s world turned upside down after the angel Gabriel’s message is an understatement. Imagine being told that you are to conceive and bear a son — all while being a virgin!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the modern world, you can just imagine</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> every Maritess in the neighborhood gossiping about Mary. But this happened over 2,000 years ago, and the shame and judgment would have been even a million times more unbearable.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Nevertheless, Mary was a faithful woman. This was God’s messenger speaking to her, so she took a leap of faith. She bravely accepted God’s will.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Often, we find ourselves in situations where we feel like we have no control. We get frustrated and harbor bad feelings when things don’t go our way. We say that we are faithful, but we have a hard time saying, “Your will be done.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I remember my frustration when the pandemic happened. Back then, my husband and I were at our peak. I was thriving as a freelancer and had to decline clients because I had so many ongoing projects. My husband was earning well and was always getting commendations at work. Our essential oils business was booming, and we also managed to set up a coffee business.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But towards the end of the pandemic, things started to fall apart. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My husband lost his job. I also started losing clients, and our businesses weren’t earning as much as before. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I questioned God. I’ve been serving Him for years, yet I felt like I was being punished. We were falling behind on loan payments and had to let go of a property that we were supposed to turn into our future home. How could God do this to me, His faithful servant?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Over time, I realized that my frustration had turned into resentment. I became a toxic person, blaming everyone and everything for the hardships we were facing. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But God remained good despite my doubts. Eventually, I started getting new clients who paid even better than the clients I lost, and my husband found a better-paying job. While we may not get back some of the things we lost back then, I have become more confident in God’s provisions. I now believe that He will replace everything we lost with something better.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">If only I had Mary’s faith and trust in God! It would have saved me a lot of sleepless nights and buckets of tears. Now, I know that no matter how incredulous God’s will might seem at first, I have learned to stay rooted in faith. My humanness might doubt and worry, but in the end, I have learned to finally let go and let God.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Prayer </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Lord, thank you for remaining faithful to your promises despite our lack of faith. Thank you for choosing Mary as the perfect example of having faith in your will and submitting to your plans. We let go of the things we can’t control and trust that you have our victory planned out for us. Amen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gift for Jesus</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This season, let’s give Jesus the gift of faith and surrender. Think of a situation that has been draining you physically, mentally, or emotionally, and make the decision to let go and let God.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicy2OqgYkEj5y9g2cP5cMc77hEzrUX6rCUsxeIWyJB6H5fr63yKB0eFlnSE9XsVoydGm4QEZ0OkDUrekWMDexPVdJ_MQ5NO_hWVATlP5LlcL-fXDBk859Z7cyUca3L-bZah0Zv-gZw_eOzIzRfdvdVnxJCy8Yy7jyuellPgve1vr09n9EOmE0/s709/Mai%20Cruz-Bacena.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="472" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicy2OqgYkEj5y9g2cP5cMc77hEzrUX6rCUsxeIWyJB6H5fr63yKB0eFlnSE9XsVoydGm4QEZ0OkDUrekWMDexPVdJ_MQ5NO_hWVATlP5LlcL-fXDBk859Z7cyUca3L-bZah0Zv-gZw_eOzIzRfdvdVnxJCy8Yy7jyuellPgve1vr09n9EOmE0/s320/Mai%20Cruz-Bacena.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div>Mai Cruz-Bacena</b> is a content writer, life story coach, brand storyteller, and workshop designer and facilitator. She owns an essential oils business and is a wife to Kris, and a mom to 11-year-old Trey and two fluffy Pomeranians, Alister and Bella<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div>.</span></div></div><div><br /></div>Sleeping Satellitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888136396933895653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19894992.post-73763287125670387042023-12-15T11:38:00.000+08:002023-12-15T11:38:03.174+08:00Sixth Gift
<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BBNUzEzhnNw_i_eNFvim1vSuDD8XhzwMVYR9f2JRt8US6ZRgvW_nEYrcsyRN2o0W5FaHxv0b5cUxGomeGiAffxY_JxjCxW0OV5e8kQ3ufxR8hZ8jCqLvBgVEh9pZC8tDV6nGKqFh-yXC27ITB22LPXmMe7BrjNK0nAzUchPQGzdn12Wu/s670/Mary's%20visitation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="670" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BBNUzEzhnNw_i_eNFvim1vSuDD8XhzwMVYR9f2JRt8US6ZRgvW_nEYrcsyRN2o0W5FaHxv0b5cUxGomeGiAffxY_JxjCxW0OV5e8kQ3ufxR8hZ8jCqLvBgVEh9pZC8tDV6nGKqFh-yXC27ITB22LPXmMe7BrjNK0nAzUchPQGzdn12Wu/s320/Mary's%20visitation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>"Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord?"</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gospel </b></span><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Luke 1:39-45</b></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Mary set out in those days</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and traveled to the hill country in haste</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">to a town of Judah,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">where she entered the house of Zechariah</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and greeted Elizabeth. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">the infant leaped in her womb,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">cried out in a loud voice and said,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“<i>Most blessed are you among women,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>and blessed is the fruit of your womb. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>And how does this happen to me,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>that the mother of my Lord should come to me? </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>the infant in my womb leaped for joy. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Blessed are you who believed</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>that what was spoken to you by the Lord</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>would be fulfilled.”</i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>All Good Things!</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>by Donald Jalbuna</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” - Luke 1:45</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In one of the Gospels, Luke talks about Mary being visited by an angel with the news that she would give birth to a son. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“<i>How will this be,”</i> Mary asked the angel, <i>“since I am a virgin</i>?”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Mary is very much willing to obey God, she trusts that the word of the angel is true - but she asks how God will accomplish this task since she has never been intimate with a man.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">She was asking “<i>How will it be</i>” not “<i>How can it be</i>”. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When you encounter a challenging situation, you will also ask, “How will it be?”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>“How will it be possible for me to get healed of my sickness because I am feeling so much pain right now?”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>“How will it be possible for me to get out of debt when I am not getting any good breaks in my business?”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>“How will it be possible for me to get the promotion at work when my boss and colleagues appear to be against my career advancement?”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>“How will it be possible for me to have a good relationship with my child when we have not been talking for several months already?”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Like Mary, life is throwing you many challenges that you find yourself asking - <i>“How will it be Lord?” </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Mary responded, <i>“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Like Mary, in humility let us surrender our worries to the Lord. Trust that He will carry you through all of life’s challenges. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Let us take heed of what the psalmist said, <i>“Even though I walk through the valley, I will have no fear for You, my Lord are with me.”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">God never said that you would not go through valleys, but He does promise that you would not go through them alone. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After my failed marriage my daughter was with me for 5 years. We have a very close father-daughter relationship. I enjoyed seeing her grow up to be the wonderful lady that she is today. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My ex migrated to the United States and our daughter decided to go with her. Though she will be thousands of miles away, I have always known that there will come a time when she needs to develop a relationship with her mom. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Even when you have a 20-year-old daughter, as they say, parenting never stops. My daughter and I talk regularly and I try to be with her as she navigates her new life in the United States. And as with any other parent-child relationship we had our share of misunderstandings - and for a time we did not talk for several months. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And like Mary, I trusted the Lord that this challenge would come to pass. Life is a classroom and experience is the teacher. As a parent, I knew that at this stage in my daughter’s life, I needed to step back and allow her to experience life in all of its glory - and misfortunes. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And as Romans 8:28 says, “<i>All good things come to those who love (and wait for) the Lord.”</i> Today, my daughter and I are now on good terms - and are making plans to see each other in person soon! It is the best Christmas ever!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This Christmas may you find solace in the fact that there is no storm He won’t bring you through, nor obstacles He won’t help you overcome. He will help you fight your battles.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Prayer:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Father, thank You that Your plans for me are for good, it is always for my brighter future. Thank You that the difficulties that I face are temporary and pale in comparison to the glory that is coming. I speak words of faith out loud that I will see You release Your promises in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gift for Jesus:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Offer all of your worries to the Lord. Remember that God can bring light and hope out of the worst situation.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeN-vvAGPsYO2jw-fkl_omoUW3DncOT6r-OdI8qeBRu_czLURTgeg0tTp7c3_p_JoK4tpOnhkclTDjIBfTV7Ggz1v12VtCMFTbsu_mDKQj-stGXSb3SwyMu65Cdzp-mu8EB0A9uZG-WqcnEiqsx-97OLMoWHzcVWtP2XFharUDh_XGLAOWjk/s1882/386889752_1812947522480242_795009513207495988_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1882" data-original-width="1626" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeN-vvAGPsYO2jw-fkl_omoUW3DncOT6r-OdI8qeBRu_czLURTgeg0tTp7c3_p_JoK4tpOnhkclTDjIBfTV7Ggz1v12VtCMFTbsu_mDKQj-stGXSb3SwyMu65Cdzp-mu8EB0A9uZG-WqcnEiqsx-97OLMoWHzcVWtP2XFharUDh_XGLAOWjk/s320/386889752_1812947522480242_795009513207495988_n.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><br /><i><b>Donald Jalbuna</b> is an entrepreneur and a global learning professional. He used to serve in parishes and Catholic communities as a Lay Minister of the Word.</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></span></div>Sleeping Satellitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888136396933895653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19894992.post-89775254807267302562023-12-15T11:37:00.001+08:002023-12-15T11:37:04.777+08:00Seventh Gift
<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUMzhPotNe6vUhgxx4ceFvJ3iIDTKeQApxO_D_lizYcBawEEWgRXoweiZKsOttpsA-prfisHGse24OaLZ-aja2lCFf3nqneqp6bVc88IX9zBMxI53EFhQ0xW7cn8EGUHl9EspoHBYMet5ysyycsZVRT2FNLeaDrHj5OsTcc5Igj-rWDmH/s750/JN958_CanticleOfMary_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUMzhPotNe6vUhgxx4ceFvJ3iIDTKeQApxO_D_lizYcBawEEWgRXoweiZKsOttpsA-prfisHGse24OaLZ-aja2lCFf3nqneqp6bVc88IX9zBMxI53EFhQ0xW7cn8EGUHl9EspoHBYMet5ysyycsZVRT2FNLeaDrHj5OsTcc5Igj-rWDmH/s320/JN958_CanticleOfMary_web.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"The Almighty has done great things for me"</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gospel </b></span><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Luke 1:46-56</b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Mary said:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <i> “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> my spirit rejoices in God my savior.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> for he has looked upon his lowly servant.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> From this day all generations will call me blessed:</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> the Almighty has done great things for me,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> and holy is his Name.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> He has mercy on those who fear him</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> in every generation.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> He has shown the strength of his arm,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> and has scattered the proud in their conceit.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> He has cast down the mighty from their thrones</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> and has lifted up the lowly.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> He has filled the hungry with good things,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> and the rich he has sent away empty.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> He has come to the help of his servant Israel</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> for he remembered his promise of mercy,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> the promise he made to our fathers,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i> to Abraham and his children for ever.”</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and then returned to her home.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Joy and Gratitude</b></span></div><div><i style="font-family: arial;">By Ann Leslie Baclayon</i></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">God is good all the time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Have you ever felt the sheer joy of watching an unfulfilled promise turn into an answered prayer? A positively overwhelming sensation of excitement throughout your body to the extent your heart aches? If yes, then we all probably felt the same way as Mary did in the Gospel reading. The Magnificat is about deep joy, praise, and fulfillment of God’s promise. And in my reflection, I can attest to God’s greatness and faithfulness to His people.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It was in the year 2018, a blank slate to begin with. During this time, I was at home doing all the necessary planning and preparation for the upcoming Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Licensure examination. It was the final test to reach the path of my chosen career. A step closer to my dreams. And along with it came a test of faith.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As a young adult at this time and age, I had a lot of responsibilities to digest. My daily routine includes attending in-house reviews, acing mock exams, keeping up appearances with friends and family members, rendering Sunday service, doing self-care activities, and more. I was busy juggling my time and effort until all that was left of me was close to a burnout/breakdown. It was a very radical time for me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A night before D-day, the stillness of the night was deafening so I decided to spend the remaining hour of my day praying to God. As I can remember my supplication was, “If you permit me, O Lord, to overcome this trial and let me pass this final test, I shall dedicate myself to serving well in the community of what is just and right. May Your will be done”. And with that, I hit the sack just like everyone else.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After enduring five long days of anticipation, the Licensure Examination results were announced. A dear friend phoned me to inform me that the results were out, leaving me dumbfounded and anxious. The call ended and I immediately opened the website to check the list of passers. I was nervously scrolling and to be honest, my anxiety was sky-high. My heart was racing, my palms were sweaty, and my chest started to hurt a little. Until I saw my name on the list! I am overjoyed and overwhelmed with God’s grace and blessing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Like Mary, I express my joy and gratitude through means of serving our community with compassion and commitment to everyone whom I meet along the way. I continue living up to the expectations and promises I made with Him up to this day.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My soul magnifies the Lord,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And my spirit rejoices in God Savior. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">For he who is mighty and has done great things for me, and Holy is his name.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Prayer</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Lord, as we echo the Canticle of Mary, we lift our hearts in gratitude for the gift of salvation. Like Mary, may we humbly accept your will and rejoice in the great things you have done for us. Let our souls magnify your goodness, and may our spirits exult in your mercy. Guide us, O God, to be instruments of your love and justice, as we ponder the mysteries of faith with the grace that Mary exemplified. Amen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gift for Jesus</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I believe the best gift we can give to Jesus is to have a heart of devotion and gratitude — being thankful for all the blessings we receive and showing appreciation for the goodness around us. Being kind also goes a long way.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2k0iKFUrtkmW2wnCQIQAVAQs1bbvvy42bC4ebrFK6MhHXgJi2LxMzAj-Wr0EJgKmAK6AuJ7LmaF3P2qj8wM3r6ZjiSZt58TA1xx-GL3jSxA4fGKXEoxLY8bCEiSfXY7wGPGmTZJ4WWj6baY_iVyW6xwyVyIYaGB7e-cFhXU_rUhh8LCcxWM/s292/LexiBaclayon.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="220" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2k0iKFUrtkmW2wnCQIQAVAQs1bbvvy42bC4ebrFK6MhHXgJi2LxMzAj-Wr0EJgKmAK6AuJ7LmaF3P2qj8wM3r6ZjiSZt58TA1xx-GL3jSxA4fGKXEoxLY8bCEiSfXY7wGPGmTZJ4WWj6baY_iVyW6xwyVyIYaGB7e-cFhXU_rUhh8LCcxWM/s1600/LexiBaclayon.JPG" width="220" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>Ann Leslie Baclayon</b> is a public servant who work as a </i></div><div><i>Physiotherapist. She is also an active volunteer in the indigent community, serving persons with disability and a Training Officer to Physical Therapy student-interns. On her spare time, she also likes playing volleyball.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div><br /></div>Sleeping Satellitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888136396933895653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19894992.post-11045610156575472612023-12-15T11:36:00.001+08:002023-12-15T11:36:05.174+08:00Eighth Gift<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6TDmb-haJCBQLh_Z0pSCjN78-XV_gelEPGkh_XkLi_6JE3xo9e-3bnkeKulvIY_Gw-qYUNb5_BIPZe9Ml6-pYrtQheayA3GkF-0r_lhdYLulhhA8J98JIQTrLJMm69F2vGEwzWF9vTuhKTZFUwvoxgPnFlrO70kAvOT7zqrxnfE5zNP3/s480/007-zechariah-elizabeth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6TDmb-haJCBQLh_Z0pSCjN78-XV_gelEPGkh_XkLi_6JE3xo9e-3bnkeKulvIY_Gw-qYUNb5_BIPZe9Ml6-pYrtQheayA3GkF-0r_lhdYLulhhA8J98JIQTrLJMm69F2vGEwzWF9vTuhKTZFUwvoxgPnFlrO70kAvOT7zqrxnfE5zNP3/s320/007-zechariah-elizabeth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Copyright from http://www.freebibleimages.org/</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">'His name is John'</span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gospel <i>Luke 1: 57-66</i></b></span></h2><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">she gave birth to a son. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Her neighbors and relatives heard</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and they rejoiced with her. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">but his mother said in reply,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“No. He will be called John.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But they answered her,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and all were amazed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and he spoke blessing God.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then fear came upon all their neighbors,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> and all these matters were discussed</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">throughout the hill country of Judea.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“What, then, will this child be?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”</span></div></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Gift I Am Called</span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">by Edwin Soriano</span></i></h2><div><i style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></i></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">What are you called? What is your name? And what does it mean? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Many people don’t know what their name means. Let’s help you discover (or create!) meaning for your name. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I met a guy named “Raymund” who was a nurse and passionate about elderly care. I told him: For the people you serve, you’re a Ray of sunshine in their world (mundo). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I met a lady named “Dawn”, very flamboyant and advocating for inclusion and diversity. I said: your name has the same letters as “wand”. Like a magic wand, you help people’s dreams come true! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A lady said her name is Chantel. I told her that “El” means “God”, Like in the names of archangels Daniel, Gabriel, Michael. Chantel, by your name, by your words, you can chant the name of God. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Choose the meaning of your name. Afterall, when you say: “I am___(your name)___” you also make a declaration of who you are: strong, kind, friendly … or whatever meaning you choose for your name. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">One time I met a bank teller who had a name tag that read: “Grace Ego”. I asked her how she pronounces her name. She appeared embarrassed and did not respond to my question. Afterall, you could imagine what kind of meaning she had for a surname like “Ego”.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I shared with her this reflection: “Do you know that there’s a phrase in a Philippine dialect that says “ara’y igo” which means “hindi kasya” (literally: “doesn’t fit”). “Igo” means “kasya” (it fits), or in English it can mean “enough”. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I exclaimed, “your name means: ‘Grace is enough’! “</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">She REPLIED with tears saying “Sir, pinaiyak niyo naman ako”, overwhelmed by discovering a new meaning for her name. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In the background of today’s reading, Zechariah was made mute when he doubted the angel who prophesied the birth of John the Baptist. When Zechariah embraced that their newborn son’s name is “John”, “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.” (Luke 1:64)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Do you feel restrained, held back, not able to express your gifts in the world. Perhaps you are doubting the messages of the Lord being given to you. Maybe you are doubting what the Lord calls you to. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Listen to God’s voice and discover what He calls you to. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Activity: Seek out meaning in the name you’ve been given. Here are some tips: </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">a.) Google search for your name(s). Discover the etymology of your name. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">b.) ASK your parents why they gave you this name. Find meaning in it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">c.) IF you were named after a grandfather or maybe a popular person, FIND OUT their story, seek out the good characteristics that you may choose to make your own. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">d.) ASK your friends to help you discover new meaning in your name. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Your name is a gift. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The meaning you choose for your name is your gift to God. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">What does God call you to? Embrace it!</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Prayer</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Lord, you call me by name. May I embrace a renewed meaning in my life so I may glorify you through my daily actions and interactions. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gift for Jesus</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div><div>Discover new meaning in your name, in your life. Make it an offering to the Lord.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZtYo6444EzLy1U8rCN3LeeaKbtSa8ysJt6tU9dk5XGHh4PmLlNQhukLyjWfB10hafbxP8bzbxHgLp-_sSlL1Ss-Yd8pp8B_vRGuJi3MhjLC-6nin7EWT2RWJd-CrGYapR9zY18rlYbwSOcZA3H5aLVgq7IS5sX73Ms1fRwPQEFUZY3Ac5xY/s1416/_B4A5752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1361" data-original-width="1416" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZtYo6444EzLy1U8rCN3LeeaKbtSa8ysJt6tU9dk5XGHh4PmLlNQhukLyjWfB10hafbxP8bzbxHgLp-_sSlL1Ss-Yd8pp8B_vRGuJi3MhjLC-6nin7EWT2RWJd-CrGYapR9zY18rlYbwSOcZA3H5aLVgq7IS5sX73Ms1fRwPQEFUZY3Ac5xY/s320/_B4A5752.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><b style="font-size: medium;">Edwin Soriano</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> is a Life Coach and a Mind Mentor for Quality Mind. He helps business leaders magnify their impact through empowering mindsets and heartsets.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div></span></div><div><br /></div>Sleeping Satellitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888136396933895653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19894992.post-43272933286691236442023-12-15T11:35:00.001+08:002023-12-15T11:35:24.334+08:00Ninth Gift
<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXh_bE-E1_F5k-J1dNpM3guGxU90Wvf_kxkEK0MXWqvdCe4ADwztrS1sgN_ENSVmWzK-qLpcvenVkkTXnBkWP75jsRRSLW7rqby5g9rM21iSFUUcaYkqyCdELHKRUqkreTjiDxjh4oRLoaURKpDW9inCWKmWG1iVUP8o8vaW0yQ7uUW_H6b1A/s600/600x400annunciation_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXh_bE-E1_F5k-J1dNpM3guGxU90Wvf_kxkEK0MXWqvdCe4ADwztrS1sgN_ENSVmWzK-qLpcvenVkkTXnBkWP75jsRRSLW7rqby5g9rM21iSFUUcaYkqyCdELHKRUqkreTjiDxjh4oRLoaURKpDW9inCWKmWG1iVUP8o8vaW0yQ7uUW_H6b1A/s320/600x400annunciation_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gospel Luke 1:26-38</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The angel Gabriel was sent from God</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">of the house of David,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and the virgin's name was Mary.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And coming to her, he said,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But she was greatly troubled at what was said</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then the angel said to her,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"Do not be afraid, Mary,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">for you have found favor with God.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and you shall name him Jesus.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and of his kingdom there will be no end."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But Mary said to the angel,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"How can this be,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">since I have no relations with a man?"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And the angel said to her in reply,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Therefore the child to be born</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">will be called holy, the Son of God.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">has also conceived a son in her old age,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">for nothing will be impossible for God."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">May it be done to me according to your word."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then the angel departed from her.</span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>“Yes” to God's Holy Will</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>by </i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Sr. Anna Maria Nguyen, smf</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Annunciation story comes up in today's Gospel. Mary is blessed because God chose her to be the mother of the incarnate Son of God. Her humility and unwavering faith played a pivotal role in fulfilling God's divine purpose.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">"Yes, I am the handmaid of the Lord," Mary said, "let it be done to me according to your word." Immediately, the Son of God descended and took on the form of a person in Mary's womb. The union of God and human nature took place. At that point, God bestowed upon Mary all of the blessings that involved her position as God's Mother, which enabled her to fulfill that essential role. With her "Yes," the Virgin Mary completely freely cooperates in God's plan of redemption, showing extraordinary courage and absolute faith. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I told to myself, would I try to put myself in the position of Mary, living under the strict rules of Judaism 20 centuries ago? At that time, women were the most despised subjects, and Mary was a young virgin and was only engaged to Joseph. If the pregnancy was not due to the person she was betrothed to, she would be guilty of adultery and stoned to death. From here we can see an unknown future awaited Mary at the moment, yet she nevertheless dared to answer "Yes" in Faith and Love.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Looking at our lives today, we have been, are, or will be suffering; whether rich or poor, single, married, or consecrated; we all have our own sufferings, and how much or how little is unimportant; what's important is our attitude and spirit toward suffering. But no matter which situation we are in, let us recall the example of the Virgin Mary and have courage in fully surrendering ourselves to God, trusting and praying to God wholeheartedly, because "there is nothing that is impossible for God." (Lk 1:37)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Let us contemplate Mother Mary's example in today's Gospel, who always obeys God's will. Because "Obey God's will" is the most significant truth in her life. Likewise, if there is the truth that is regarded as the most important in Christ's life, it is "I come to do your will." So, if Jesus and Mother Mary chose to "Follow God's Will," it must be the most significant truth in our lives as well.</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Prayer:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Lord Jesus, you did not descend from heaven in a glorious manner, but from your mother's womb, just as fragile and weak as any other newborn baby in need of care, nurturing, and growth. I see the greatness of Mary's virtues. She not only said "yes" once on the day of the Annunciation, but in every event of her life, she said "yes" quietly, courageously, and tirelessly. May God help us always follow the example of Mother Mary, not relying on our own strength but always relying on God's strength, and especially completely trusting in God's desired purpose in our lives. Amen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Gift for Jesus</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In the spirit of Mary's Fiat (“let it be done” or "Yes" to God), let us offer Jesus the gift of openness, generosity, and willingness to contribute what is good and meaningful, such as Acts of Kindness and Service to those around us.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVU9Bgj65DJZ4Xxj1YT1rtF0H-4SqLVj8FvpvpLHioGIl2q0GgY5soagbb-mbRB1-I0AMApcDadF00WCYcwn9uYCYTFpB2fFqHiVaIKm8vJqWkyE-7YEWMYjnHgC-6c3BIotlCmRIkTyUS7DbgjO1oGr7hcvrQ5BN1T-CRqmgsAgB3kFahUA/s695/Ninth%20Gift_SisAnnaMaria%20-%20Copy%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="695" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVU9Bgj65DJZ4Xxj1YT1rtF0H-4SqLVj8FvpvpLHioGIl2q0GgY5soagbb-mbRB1-I0AMApcDadF00WCYcwn9uYCYTFpB2fFqHiVaIKm8vJqWkyE-7YEWMYjnHgC-6c3BIotlCmRIkTyUS7DbgjO1oGr7hcvrQ5BN1T-CRqmgsAgB3kFahUA/w210-h208/Ninth%20Gift_SisAnnaMaria%20-%20Copy%20(2).JPG" width="210" /></a></div><i><b>Sr. Anna Maria Nguyen,</b> smf is a p</i><i>erpetual professed nun of Missionary Sisters of Faith in Liliw, Laguna, Ph. She initially g</i><i>raduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication at Adamson University and currently t</i><i>aking Spiritual Direction course at Cenacle, Quezon City.</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Sleeping Satellitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888136396933895653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19894992.post-74501050544983365452023-12-15T11:34:00.001+08:002023-12-15T11:34:17.158+08:00Concluding Prayer
<div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Almighty Father, all things are of your making. All times and seasons are governed by your wisdom and might. We thank You for guiding us through our different seasons, sickness and health, our sorrows and joy. You have made everything beautiful, and Your love sees us through. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As we celebrate this Christmas with our loved ones, may we recall in prayer those who are suffering and in the middle of war-torn countries. May the festive decorations and joyous carols never take away our compassion for the needy and in conflict. May we always seek peace with our neighbors and family, and be grateful for the blessings we enjoy today. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">May this Christmas bring us a new hope, reunite us with our loved ones as we cherish the faith that binds us to Your love. May our celebration be a celebration that gives glory to You and rejoice over the birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">pray for us.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">pray for us.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">San Lorenzo Ruiz,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">pray for us.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">San Pedro Calungsod,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">pray for us.</span></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yG57f_fHuzw" width="320" youtube-src-id="yG57f_fHuzw"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Sleeping Satellitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04888136396933895653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19894992.post-90249717185636652302021-12-14T06:20:00.000+08:002022-12-15T20:53:10.018+08:00Foreword<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnW0KRwU0-Q8SYDwTyxo2oN08KOBvIXyfG3Xh-pnz1M2n1dxyy2HmSCbispT21790C9SLKo4ocBJzviq-oQxK7IPz9JNDuG71fU-pjc6DuBFI-AvAoMqKouHukyLQQIvC4M2WFBQ/s750/G2G+logo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="750" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnW0KRwU0-Q8SYDwTyxo2oN08KOBvIXyfG3Xh-pnz1M2n1dxyy2HmSCbispT21790C9SLKo4ocBJzviq-oQxK7IPz9JNDuG71fU-pjc6DuBFI-AvAoMqKouHukyLQQIvC4M2WFBQ/w354-h199/G2G+logo.jpeg" width="354" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Anluwage @ 30: Gifted to Give</b> -- how blessed you are on your 30th year! It is the 500th year of our Christian faith. You have adopted the theme that the Philippine Bishops chose for this year, Gifted to Give. 2021 is the Year of Mission! What we have received 500 years ago from the Lord through Spain, we in turn are to share through Mission. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">What, indeed, did we receive? On March 31, 1521, the redeeming powers of the Cross of Jesus entered our space and time. On March 31, 1521, Holy Mass, the sacramental memorial of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ, was celebrated for the first time on the shores of Limasawa Island by the Franciscan Fray Pedro de Valderrama, Magellan's chaplain. Then on April 14, 1521, on the island of Cebu (Sugbu), he baptized the first Christians. Holy Mass and Baptism, these are the foundational sacraments of our Faith! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Last April 14, I concelebrated Holy Mass in Cebu, with our Apostolic Nuncio and Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu, to launch the 500th year of Christianity. Last November 17, I celebrated Holy Mass with the Bishop of Maasin and his clergy for the townspeople of Limasawa and spoke at their Eucharistic Congress. To think that I was celebrating Holy Mass, presumably on the very spot that Fray de Valderrama celebrated the first Mass 500 years ago, what an awesome reality! But now the "natives" are no longer pagans, but devout Catholics, led by their Mayor. Limasawa Island of the Diocese of Maasin in the province of Southern Leyte has a population of about 6,190 people. The island is approachable by ferry boats, about one hour and a half from Maasin City. It is being developed as a place of pilgrimage.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">At the Limasawa Eucharistic Congress, I spoke on the theme: Gifted to Give. Countless are our gifts for the past 500 years -- our Faith, our beliefs in the Trinity, the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the supernatural origins of creation, redemption, and sanctification; the Scriptures, the Church community of lay faithful, Religious Men and Women, priests and bishops; the Sacraments and, let us not forget our Blessed Mother, whose two important Filipino feastdays we celebrate in December, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe, the first and second Patroness of our country, "un pueblo amante de Maria." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Through 500 years, our country, our families, parishes and dioceses have enjoyed these gifts, a poor country enriched by God's blessings.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Gratitude is our response, but gratitude is not meant to remain as a prayer of the heart. It is meant to be expressed in Mission, in sharing our gifts with others. Already, hundreds of Filipino Religious Men and Women are serving as missionaries in all the continents of the world. Miliions of Filipino Overseas Workers and migrants, such as Tanghalang Anluwage, are likewise demonstrating their firm religious faith. Bishops, Cardinals, and even the Holy Father have remarked to me how lively, joyful, and vibrant our Catholic faith is. I remember the observation of St. John Paul II that we are called to be missionaries in Asia and beyond, proclaimers of Jesus, his Gospel and Kingdom.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">And, indeed, we should be. Through Baptism, every disciple of the Lord is also an apostle, one sent in mission who shares and continues the mission of the Lord to proclaim his Kingdom of salvation. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We do not have to go out of our homes and be missionaries abroad. We do not have to say any word. We do not have to preach. The living of a faithful Christian life is a silent but most eloquent proclamation of the Lord Jesus. Our faithful discipleship is a cry from the housetops that the Lord Jesus is central to our life and to our family. Jesus, his Gospel -- the whole Christ-event -- redemption, his Blessed Mother, discipleship, all these and many more are our gifts to share in Mission. We have been gifted. We are called to give.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">My prayers and blessings for all the members of Tanghalang Anluwage. May you grow in communion with one another through your novena of prayer to prepare for Christmas in these difficult times of pandemic. Christians of the 1st century, faced with persecutions, looked for help from the Lord. Their plea of confident hope is our own Advent cry, <i><b>Come, Lord Jesus, come!</b></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05ujQPv9hQSu3ShZtFgIznFDCREEiIUp7m11Gf1v3kfk-34PfrDWM6roOUIGSPgalIBmj3LfXVPnVSw3EKm5rub3FKo4R4B_hbFQ7iCn1p5flgNI6PzyW0nwxpBm7bDyduVwbUg/s399/quevedo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05ujQPv9hQSu3ShZtFgIznFDCREEiIUp7m11Gf1v3kfk-34PfrDWM6roOUIGSPgalIBmj3LfXVPnVSw3EKm5rub3FKo4R4B_hbFQ7iCn1p5flgNI6PzyW0nwxpBm7bDyduVwbUg/s320/quevedo.jpg" width="241" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>+Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, OMI</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Archbishop Emeritus of Cotabato</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Philippines<br /></b></span></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0