TWO CROSSES

                I got this privilege of attending my first Lenten recollection this year with Bro. Arun Gogna, a Kerygma preacher, as speaker at Casiciaco Recolletos Seminary last March 18, 2011 with the theme:  Recollection, Healing, Forgiveness.  Bro. Arun Gogna spoke about the two kinds of crosses – Cross of Rejection (Hestas’ Cross) and the Cross of Reconciliation (Dimas’ Cross).  Here are some important points and personal reflections I got from it.

Cross of Rejection – Hestas’ Cross

We reject Christ when...

1.        We choose self-righteousness.  When we claim that we are all-knowing, we stop learning, thus failing to gain wisdom.  Pride resides in our hearts.  When we are very much self-righteous, we are in danger of giving judgement to others forgetting that we, too, committed mistakes in our lives.  And though we may think we have sinned less than the others, we should not be blinded by our own prejudice as we do not know the heart of the other.  Always remember that Jesus came for the sinners.  He loves sinner as much as the righteous.  It is so sad that many times, we look others with rejection as we are too focused on our own “perfection.”  Hestas was self-righteous.  While he was hanging on the cross, his pride made him insult the Savior when he doubted Jesus’ identity as the Messiah.  He challenged Jesus to save Himself.  He was not able to recognize his Savior.

2.       We choose to hate rather than wait.  Bad things may happen but the greatest miracle God is actually doing everyday is drawing good from evil.  A lot of times, our miseries make us hate life, ourselves, other people and even God. Hate takes over us and we eventually fail to see the good that is unfolding from unpleasant situations.  We forget that there is a God Who is simply there working amazingly for our own good.  When we are angry, God understands.  He patiently waits for us.  He wants to listen.  When we go near Him even with all these negative feelings that we have, He is pleased because we are honest.  He will make us understand and turn the negative to something positive...if only we go near Him. 

3.       We choose to procrastinate. Maybe it is culture.  Maybe it is just a bad habit.  But we are so full of it.  We love postponing things.  Is it laziness?  The enthusiasm we have easily wears out in us and then we delay the things we ought to do.  We need to keep in mind that time is really valuable.  It is not because we are young that we have all the time in the world.  We do not know when we will be called “home’ so whatever we need to do at the moment, we should do.  We do not want regrets in our lifetime.

4.       We always complain.  Let us not be a problem expert.  Problem experts are people who always see problems and focus too much on that.  They are negative thinkers and result to self-pity and depression.  The problem is too big that sometimes even solutions become problems.  Be a blessing expert instead.  It may be our habit to always see things on the darker side but we have to break such inclination.  We must always remind ourselves that our blessings outnumber our problems.  There are a lot of things to thank God for.  And when we focus on our blessings, more blessings are poured out for us.  There will be better days when we welcome blessings. 

Cross of Reconciliation – Dimas’ Cross

1.       When we respect God as God.  We have to understand the role of God in our lives.  Recognize that we are His children.  When we do, we should believe that sin does not suit us. 

2.       When we admit our guilt.  We have to take responsibility of our sins.  We know that there are consequences to our actions and we have to accept and face them with all humility.

3.       When we confess Christ.  Make it a habit to praise Christ.    

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FROM FAST! TO PRESENT!

           

            It's Lenten Season!  Let me share to you an article written by our 2011 Camp Director, Brev Buttercup on Fasting and Abstinence...

 

Whenever we hear the word "fasting" a certain norm cooks up inside our mind... Yup fasting is equivalent to... (drum roll please...) Food! It always reminds us of food. Hmmm... The taste, aroma, the satisfaction and for health buffs the nutrients we get, for thrifty people: that is, if the price is right... Refer to the articles of my good friend brevaya, and you'll be grabbing a snack before finishing to read this article; but wait, aren't you curious on what fasting really is? Do we really need to do it? What do we get if we fast? When do we fast?

            I asked around on what people think about fasting and here is what they got to say:

"Not going to eat" - Dhes, 22

"Is an expression of sacrifices, because of the sins we commit"- Joel, 25

“Eating one square meal a day”- Geo, 56

“Skip a meal, no meat” – Jara, 21

“Not doing the things I like”- Ann, 56

“Sacrifice” – Junel, 21

“to do the things you need to do” – Sami, 21

            Interesting don't you think? Each one of us have different interpretations, some may have different rituals regarding fasting. I personally have been intrigued about fasting. So, I decided to do some research, to know the answers to the questions most of us are passive to ask about.

Number one passive question, what is fasting?

Mr. Webster defined fasting as:

- To abstain from food, either entirely or partly;

- An act of abstinence form food;

- A period of time during which adherents of a faith are required to abstain from food.

     

Basing from these definitions, clearly fasting is really connected to food. Why? Simply because food is one of our basic needs, I believe the most important. Without it, we die… as simple as that! And most of us really find pleasure in Eating (Agree?). That is why; even the Lord Jesus Christ chose to become bread thru the Holy Eucharist. So that we can be one with him in Communion, nourishing us not only physically but also Spiritually. In addition, one of the seven capital sins is Gluttony which is also associated greatly with food (but that’s a different story). As for me, fasting is depriving ourselves with the things that pleasure us so much. A form of detachment to the obsessions, mania, or craze we have. A sacrifice we can offer to God.

Number two passive question, do we really have to? 

The answer… NO! We don’t have to, (yeeeeahhh! Yahooooo! Wait, breathe… there’s more…) we don’t have to, if we are SINLESS. Try assessing yourself first; have you committed no sin at all? No offense to God, our creator or to any of our brothers and sisters? In thought or deed? (Pause here. Assess... then continue reading…) now that you have assessed yourself, well I guess the answer is…. YES! We have to! (why the sad face? Smile…)

Let see what the Catechism of the Catholic Church have to say about Fasting… under the “Forms of Penance in Christian Life” – the interior Penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer and almsgiving.³¹which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others. Meaning, fasting is one way of expressing our conversion. It is a proof of Love for God, and hate For Sin, Sin that separates us from the image and likeness of God. Although we have committed sin, when we fast we tell God of our deep regret, asking him to have mercy and take us back again. Fasting combined with prayer and the sacrament of Reconciliation will lead to the forgiveness of our sins and to be with communion with God, again.

Moreover, according to the “Precepts of the Church” (Obligatory positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities meant to guarantee the faithful the necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth of love of God and neighbor) namely the Fourth Precept (“You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church”) ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepares us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.⁸⁵

Then fasting also teaches us to master over our desires and “freedom of heart” or the things that pleasures us the most. This does not only entail food but, other worldly pleasures, such as TV-for TV addicts, Texting for the “kiti-kitexters”, video games for 24-hour gamers to name a few. Mastering over this desires leads to self –control, which directs us to a wholly and holy life. Yup! Even Jesus Christ fasted. (Mt 4:2)

Number Three passive question, when do we Fast? 

            The Seasons and days of penance in the course of the Liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice.³⁸ these times are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works). – Catechism of the Catholic Church.

            I hope sharing to you my research cleared at least 3 passive questions.

            Finally, let me end with my own story of about fasting. Every morning before I go to work my mother prepares my baon for me. (hehehe, spoiled noh! she’s my mother, nutritionist and dietician rolled into one.  Thanks ma!) When I wake up the baon is prepared, I just have to pick it up. One day, after a long morning at work, at last lunchtime came! I was really starving that time that I almost forgot to pray, so after praying, I slowly opened my lunchbox to feast on whatever it is my mom prepared for me. I was shocked at the amount of food on my lunch box… a few pieces of small cut meat and three fourths cup of rice (I think) are inside my 7 inch by 6.5 inch by 1.5 inch plastic container. In my mind… waaaahhh bitin tohhhh! I thought for a while, then suddenly remembered that I have talked to her about fasting the night before. So, that explains lunch. Even though I was hungry even if its not Friday, but at least I got to fast… I had an opportunity to repent and have penance for my sins. I had the chance to offer my fasting as a present to the Lord. From fast to present!

P. S.

That night I told my mother what happened, the next morning she prepared lunch for me again.

This time my baon was good for two people…  

           

It was definitely harder to munch through.

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MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY

MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY

            “Learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart.”  -- Matt.  11:29

HUMILITY

             Humility is called by the saints the foundation and safeguard of all the virtues.  According to St. Thomas, this virtue occupies the first place as the foundation of the rest. 

             This great virtue, however, needs a lot of constant practice.    Most often than not, when we tend to do something good we tend to think highly of ourselves. Moreover, the ways of the world are very much opposed to what humility is asking that is why our tendency is to result to pride.  Nonetheless, God’s grace and efforts to imitate Christ make it easier for us to achieve this virtue.

            Humility is truth.  It is the acceptance of who we are and acknowledging the gifts God has bestowed on us without boasting.  Not knowing who we really are will tend to defy the truth.  Unfortunately, sometimes culture has a way of influencing our confidence to accept the truth about ourselves.  We tend to deny simple good things other people recognized in us even if we know that they are right.  Or, there are times that we tend to accuse ourselves of unworthy and deserving of punishment; yet deny when they reprove.  Let us remember what St. Bernard said, “To humble oneself for the sake of being praised is not humility at all.”

            Humility of the will on the other hand means to bear insults patiently.  Humiliation leads to humility.  As Christians, we will be encountering a lot of side comments with regards to our activities, devotions, and services to Christ.  And when those times come, we have to suffer them patiently if we want to achieve sanctity.

Meekness

            Meekness is not being “uto-uto” or gullible.  It is bearing with all manner the offenses and embarrassment without getting angry.  Many of our saints loved this virtue as they seem to advance more in holiness when people spoke ill of them.  Hence, we can say that meekness is not possible without deep humility, a humble opinion of ourselves, and the desire to be treated with contempt.

            St. Francis de Sales, a master and model of holy meekness, says:  “humble meekness is the virtue of virtues.”

            If we want others to obey us, St. Vincent de Paul says that we have no better means of winning the affection and obedience of their subjects than by meekness.  In correcting others, this virtue is also very important.  It helps us avoid to have an angry tone in correcting others as this does more harm than good.  But if it is inevitable to speak in a stern manner to impress the culprit with the gravity of his fault, at least a kind word must be said in the end so as not to leave the person hurt.  Meekness accomplishes far more than anger and bitterness.

            We also must exercise meekness towards self.  To be angry towards self because of a fault committed is still a sign of pride.  Again, we have to admit that we are weak persons easily tempted.  Just as we have to forgive others, so must we also forgive ourselves.

Reference:  12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation by St. Alphonsus Liguori; talk of Fr.Angelo

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A Valentine To Remember

St. Therese of the Child Jesus

 

                It was the eve of Valentine’s day of 2000.  I remember rushing to prepare for an overnight vigil at the Carmelite Monastery, Dontogan, Baguio City to venerate the Relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.  That was a night to remember...

                Many devotees flocked in the convent while the Brevs and I were outside enjoying the serenity of the place under the stars.  As we waited for our chance to get inside the chapel, we busied ourselves writing notes (a brev culture) to be given to our founder-formator, Bro. Alex Manongdo.  All the while, he thought we were writing down our petitions.  He didn’t have an inkling that he was into a loving surprise.

St. Therese and Bro. A!

                Midnight came, it was Valentine’s Day!  We gave our messages in a bottle to Bro. A! and he read them one by one overwhelmed with the love he received from his flock.  We watched him with joy and excitement as we heard every message.  Each letter inspired not only him but us as well.  We continued the night sharing stories about St. Therese and how much she loved Jesus in her simplest ways.  As we reflected on that great love between the Master and His Little Flower, we were filled with so much zeal to love the way she did.  Her examples made us want to have the love of Jesus fill our hearts that we might love like Him.  Thus, she became the Brevs’ patroness.  

                When we had the chance to enter the chapel, we could not describe the joy that filled us.  The grace to be an arm distance to St. Therese of the Child Jesus was simply incredible while others didn’t get that chance we had.  We sang until morning came.  We served during the morning mass as well.  We tried our best not to doze off.  

                After the mass, we were able to meet the Carmelites and they gave us white roses.  Personally, words are not enough to describe the joy I felt that time.  It was as if we were being embraced by the heavens.  The Brevs as usual helped fix the area before we parted ways.  It was a start of a new day...

                Though it was hard for us to separate, we had to go back home and fix ourselves to prepare for school.  Yeap!  I was still a student at that time.  Though sleepy the whole day, we were just too hyper to share our experiences during the vigil to every person we met.  We found ourselves so in love.  We decided to take the vocation St. Therese had – The Vocation to Love.  Up to this moment, I could say that was the BEST BREV VALENTINE I ever had.

                To my fellow Brevs, may you remember that night when Jesus filled our hearts with so much joy and affirmed us with His unconditional love.  We may be looking for a magic to happen or an elation to feel the day of hearts, but may we never forget that Valentine’s day is the day of God for He is Love.  So rejoice!  Embrace the day with an offering to love Him with all our hearts so He may teach us True Love...and believe that in return, true happiness will come into our lives.  May our dear St. Therese inspire us more to be firm in our Vocation – Love!

                Keep loving!

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A New Year...A New Chapter...A New Life...

               When we were kids, I remember Mark, my baby brother, imitating almost everything I did.  When I displayed my drawings on our refrigerator, the following day you would see the same picture posted beside it drawn by him.  When I started painting and had my works included in our school’s exhibits, later on he excelled by winning poster making contests.  When I finally made my own signature, I saw him practicing his signature that looked almost the same as mine (he took out the “R” and replaced the signature with “M”).  I loved dancing and made it my hobby for quite some time and never thought he’d be able to outgrow his stiff moves...yet years later, he became a choreographer and turned out to be a very graceful dancer.  I learned to play two instruments and somehow discovered I could sing; but my brother can play more instruments and I consider him as one of the musical geniuses of this generation.  I took up commerce and he successfully made it as a CPA.  I dreamed of a lifetime spiritual partner...while he prayed for a lifetime partner and met his soul mate.  I planned of getting married and HE GOT MARRIED!

                Haha!  Don’t get me wrong here...I am actually the proudest sister on this universe.  My baby brother is now a man I believe God is so pleased to have made.  When he asked me two years ago if he could marry, I honestly didn’t know how to answer sincerely.  It made me cry whenever I thought of it ever since.  Because it meant letting go of my baby brother who is my best friend, my knight, and my favourite brother in the whole wide world (does that count? Hehe!)!  I would always tell people, I can let go of anybody except my brother.  However, seeing him grow to be a wonderful person who always does nothing but the best for God and always putting Him first than anybody else, I no longer have to play as a protective sister always worrying what will become of him in the future.  I have seen that Jesus resides in him and I trust that his future will be so bright.

                As he starts a new chapter of his life, I am hoping that more people will be inspired by his examples.  Discovering his state of life was not an easy choice for him as well.  Discerning for the right vocation, dealing with the ups and downs of relationships, facing the challenges in our family purified him all these years into becoming what he is right now.  The blessing that the Lord bestowed upon him recently is just amazing – Sacrament of Matrimony.  This sacrament will truly make him steps closer to God as he has a partner to be with on his journey. 

                To his wife, Aya, I praise God for making her part of our family.  She is one of the most genuine friends I have.  I am glad to have her as an official sister.  I can be at peace now knowing that somebody will be there to take good care of my brother and to support him in his ongoing mission of BRinging EVery Soul TO Christ the King.  May they be examples to all those who are discerning on their state of life and a model to those who are starting a family.

                To the newlyweds, congratulations!  My blessings and prayers will always be with you...I LOVE YOU.  Brev it up!

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