“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
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!
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!
Have you tried putting on leg weights? I suppose these are often used by athletes and body builders. There are times that I use them too! I’m not the body conscious type but Oh Yes! I got to use leg weights on many occasions like services. Unlike the common ones, mine is magical. They are invisible and are territorial. They are as heavy as gold that the pain of carrying them runs up to my chest. They target not my legs but the muscles of the heart. They usually appear when I’m off to serve or when there i a Brev activity and I just don’t feel like going.
I believe all of us undergo this stage especially after our honeymoon stage in serving the Lord. When I was told that following the Lord is not just a bed of roses but a road full of crosses, I did not believe it. My mind could not actually comprehend how a person would give up such an elating experience of discovering God and learning to love Him. I thought to myself, even if such a depressing time would come, I would never give up serving. I was happy and that gave me a reason to commit myself in serving my fellow youth. I wanted the young to discover what I did. I wanted them to feel what I felt and that it was worth sacrificing a lot to live in a world where Christ was the center. I was so idealistic and radical.
There were indeed ups and downs and the temptation of quitting. However, I would always recall how happy it was to love the Lord. Also, ate Ruth Garcia’s (a member of my former community) words would always echo on my mind telling me that whenever there were such temptations, it only meant that Jesus has a surprise for me and something wonderful would happen so the enemy would keep me from coming. My heart then became tougher.
Years passed and whenever those magical weights would burden me, the commitment I had to love and serve the Lord as well as those thoughts would help me release from their grip. But there came a time when the clutches of those magical weights were so tight and heavy that all the positive thoughts seemed to have no effect anymore. I simply got tired and wanted to give up.
During my prayer time, I would cry out and ask the Lord, “Why do I feel this way? Where are the zeal and that burning desire to serve You?” That moment, I questioned my “emotional why.”
“Emotional why.” I borrowed this term from some renowned speakers. It means your deep reason, your hunger, your drive – it is that powerful force inside that makes you move with passion. In every dream that we have, we must never lose that “emotional why” or the purpose why we are trying to achieve it. Otherwise, it will be very easy to forget and not work on the dream.
So there I was, begging the Lord to let me rediscover my “emotional why.” “Why am I still here? My closest friends are no longer around in the community...yet why do I have to stay? I am so broken, rejected, misjudged and persecuted...should I still care? It would be easier for me to quit, forget everything, think of new dreams, and move on. But why do I keep on coming back? You know that I love You, I just want to love You the way I loved You before.”
As I pondered, like a gentle breeze, the answer came, “Is it all because you love Me?” Then I realized, as I looked back on the first moment I committed myself in serving the Lord, that the reason why I learned to love God was primarily because HE LOVED ME FIRST. My “emotional why’s” emanated from Him loving me first. “My dear Child, I love you just as you are,” came the Words.
The great love that He has for me is the reason why I can’t let go. It was not merely because I love Him but because I wanted to be loved back to the fullest. The God of love can only fill up our tanks more than enough to keep us going in life. His love is just too great that it draws me back to Him even if I fall most of the time. I cannot deny myself of the love of God because I need Him and I know that He loves me unconditionally. He doesn’t need my love because He is already full of it. In fact, it is so overflowing that He cannot but give it to us. It is His joy to love us even if we do not put too much effort in loving Him.
I realized every service that we render is all grace. It is His way of giving us the opportunity not to burden us to prove our love for Him but rather, every service is an occasion for us to celebrate His love for us. In celebrating, He calls us to give out our best so we can be happy. He allows us to use our gifts to the fullest as His affirmation that we were created with so much goodness and at the same time share these to others while we serve them. When we express our love for Him in return, He considers it His bonus – consoling His suffering heart for loving us unconditionally. When He sees us loving others the way He did, He is more than pleased.
Now, I have rediscovered why I am here sharing how the Lord is working in my life through the talents He has given me—He loved me first in spite of my sinfulness and unworthiness. And as I express back my love for Him in my little ways, I am hoping that He be consoled and have mercy on my soul.
Kurama... Hiei...Kazuma Kuwabara... Yusuke Urameshi, etc... you familiar with these names? Okay, how about Dennis, Vincent, Alfred, and Eugene? Oh well they are the same guys from Yu Yu Hakusho or GHOST FIGHTERS! Riiigghhht! Yeah yeah I know...the English version is not at all that 100% wholesome nor its Tagalog version with all the creepy creatures from the underworld and the way they actually slaughter the humans and vice versa. Eugene is the spirit detective who makes sure the evil ones are kept from harming the human world as instructed by Koenma, the prince of the spirit world. And so on and on and on... And why am I mentioning it? Oh nothing! Just finished 15 cd’s of the whole season of Ghost fighters compliments of my brother Lookie. Hah! Yeap with all the gruesome cartoon scenes I was so fascinated watching the anime. Don't get me wrong. I’m never a fan of violence and I faint at the sight of too much blood (found that out when I had 3 blood tests in just one occasion). But what struck me the most is the kind of friendship these guys had. They were different beings with different talents and started indifferently towards each other. However, their differences made them into a great team that stick to each other for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, ‘til death...do they uhhhh...get stronger! Hehe!
Actually watching it reminded me of the Brevs. Not that we fight demons head on, but how real friendship is built in our community despite the many challenges we face. More so, the greater the hardship, the stronger our bonds become. Hope you noticed that. We also have our own differences yet in the Brevs, every uniqueness is appreciated and affirmed making each person to grow even to a better Catholic. With that kind of bond, we are able to conquer the forces of evil bringing every soul to Christ the King!
THIS IS MY STORY...
Grade school!
It’s funny that the team’s experiences gave me a rewind of my life as far as grade school. That time, (well...you don’t have to know when was that specifically) I was one of the most competitive students there is. I danced when they asked me to dance. I acted and gave my all in any form of speech competitions. I managed to get all honor cards for all subjects so that I can present them to my parents and win their attention. I wanted to be competitive to maintain my image as beauty and brains! I was pretty cute that time...objections? Hey I was forced to join a beauty pageant in 6th grade...major major winner! Okay I’m bragging here...but my point is despite the adorable victories I had, I was a failure. I failed having true friends. I jumped from one group to another. I longed to have a best friend yet nobody wanted me. I became a pleaser addict. I tried to be good to everybody but then...they always left me after half the school year’s over. The longest time I was able to keep my friends was when I was in 6th grade thanks to our guidance counsellor who created a group called Project Well Spring (cool nerds). I guess popularity was not at all rewarding.
High school!
My high school life was the opposite. Since I was attending an all-girls school, I thought I would somehow have a permanent group. So what I did? I did not join extracurricular activities. I concentrated on studying and hanging out with studious people. I still had the spark of competitiveness as I tried my best to cope up being an outstanding student. Oh yes! I was able to keep my friends longer this time. How? We were classmates until junior high. Ha! Ha! However, I was really different from them. Aside from studies, while they talked about boys and fashion, I kept talking about Disney and Don Bluth cartoons and even singing their theme songs during break time. So they didn’t want me around for quite a while. Guess they got tired of listening to me as I usually go flat on the notes! I also met my first real best friend who I loved so much that I gave her anything she wanted that was mine –from food to wardrobe to whatever! Maybe if I had a boyfriend I could have given it to her too. It was as if buying her friendship. (That, my friends, is very dangerous. We will talk about that on our next chat). Where is she now? I don't know. I never saw her again when she graduated. I miss her though. J
My Senior year was different. I met our formator, Bro. Alex and became part of the youth ministry of a Charismatic community where he was then a consecrated brother. That time, I longed for real friendship. A friendship that is Christ-centered. So I became a weirdo in school...avoiding worldly friends and always looking within...praying and fasting...I concentrated on being friends with the Lord. You should have seen me! I was...uhmm...alone!
College!
First two years in college, I was picky (no wonder I never had a bf those days) and was very choosy with friends. I usually hang-out with my fellow youth ministry members. Otherwise, you would see me...again, alone. I was just too spiritual. Is that a good thing? Maybe so...it helped me establish a firmer relationship with the Lord. But I suppose everything was just a preparation for the greatest surprise of all times – the BREVS!
BREV ERA!
On my 3rd year in college, Lookie, Cardo, KuJo and I were reunited with bro. A! Thus, the Brevs era! Together with Grace, Shobe, the rest of the KC, Rodge, Buttercup and the Rivers of Living Water, a new friendship began. It felt like family. No qualms of revealing our true selves. Coming together, serving during the mass and singing were so effortless. We were enjoying each other’s company and experiencing a joy that heals. I say “heals” because all of us were actually broken in so many ways. But that brokenness did not hinder us from getting to know each other, accepting each one’s weaknesses, and loving like brothers and sisters. Those times, I felt I belonged. I was affirmed. I didn’t have to be conscious on how I looked, the way I dressed, and I was free to share who I was.
Present Day...still part of Brev Era
Ok those people I’ve specifically mentioned above? Where are they anyway? Hey! We are still together. We are the dream team! Ghost fight...err...Brev Shepherds as you know. We are still the same old (I mean not so old) broken people who came together, evolved and became Brevs. Through the years, we had a lot of ups and downs. We had fought with all our powers and abilities. You could have witnessed our disappearing acts! We’re all good at it. Our clashes and battles with the outside world cannot be compared with the battles we had in the circle. But we are still here! That’s the miracle of friendship not built by human hands but by the love of God. Truly friends are friends forever if the Lord’s the lord of them as the song goes. Our common weakness? We can’t live without each other...success is not complete if somebody is missing. Our differences gels us in harmony. We complement each other. That’s why I’m proud that I have been gifted the greatest friends who are so important in achieving our dreams as a community. We have great dreams and seemingly impossible goals but I believe we can do it because we have a dream team in our midst.
The Dream Team...
First, our master, Bro. A! who is the head and our mentor. Most of the creative ideas come from him. He is anointed in bringing together and teaching young people (like us). He is a genius and an artist so be careful with his mood swings. We have Rodge, the look-alike of John Lloyd, whose expertise is technology. A heartthrob in looks and in deed. Typically stands his grounds...can’t convince him that easy. Lookie, my brother, is the accountant. He is a Bo Sanchez-Michael V in the making. Started as a very young preacher...funny but very strict. Buttercup, my adopted bro, gets the job done in a jiffy. He delivers even if he looks like joking around most of the time. His weakness? My brother! (joke!) His other weakness is Cardo. Cardo is our superior I.Q. guy but always maintains his cool and poise so nobody notices when he makes a mistake(shh...don’t tell him I told you) but he is honest to admit it anyway. Got super talents in music too but prefers to travel around the world and be our ambassador. You want an honest opinion? He would give it to you even if it hurts. Actually, these three have their own superhero team...it’s just that they can’t be considered superheroes unless they exist in the Brevs.
Now the girls team. We have our PR manager, gorgeous Grace. She is the voice of the Brevs. And she can put on high notes to those people who are not giving their best for God. We have our very talented persevering gentle Shobe. She is beautiful inside and out but you can’t go near her easily as you will find yourself frozen while she enchants you with her music and charm. Her downfall? She thinks she is a failure...duh??!! And finally, me. I get to do the boring job. I keep the money but not allowed to spend it. I do the reading and the listening. They talk a lot and then I do the writing. I’m their cry baby...too emotional that they have to either pamper or make “batok” most of the time.
Even then, we love each other and respect each other. We are protective of each other and forgive each other. Yeap! I’m surrounded with the best people in the world. They can do what I can’t yet they want me around. That’s why I consider them not just friends but my spiritual family along with the rest of the Brevs.
A Spiritual Family
According to Robert Kiyosaki in his book, Rich Brother Rich Sister, “Family number two is our spiritual family, the family that draws us with its call, the promise of acceptance, true understanding, and happiness. It is a community in which we know the power of unconditional love and find that which we know, in our hearts, is missing from our life. Our spiritual family is our true home, an environment where we can live the life we are born to live and gain the perspective and ability to accept and appreciate other thoughts and points of view.”
Henceforth, for all the Brevs, start living the Brev life; keep loving and building that special bond of friendship while enjoying the road to holiness. And for those who are still seeking their spiritual family, hope you find it in our community.
"I shall not call you servants any more, because servants do not know what their master is about. Instead I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from my Father."
Good news! I’ve just set up a new blog where we can talk about relationships. You may post questions or ideas that may help others who are in need of healing or advice on this particular subject. I will be inviting some of our Brev Shepherds to also help answer some questions you may have.
All Christians are called to holiness. Holiness? Whoa! Ambigat naman niyan! Most Christians tend to shy away when holiness is the subject. Indifference is an initial reaction due to the preconception that such disposition is only meant for those who are in the priesthood, religious and consecrated life since it is highly spiritual. Moreover, holiness seems so unreachable and is only for the saints. So, if it is not merely about religious practices and symbols, what then?
Holiness is wholeness; that is being well-rounded in our moral, sexual, spiritual, physiological, mental, physical, emotional, and social aspects. It is perfection. That is, not actually making perfect things but doing things with perfect love and the purest intentions. It does not need to take us away from our regular duties; nor does it pull us out from our present situation before we can be in such a state. It is working with compassion and doing something positive. Holiness is not “AT LEAST” but “AT MOST.” It is being an A-plus person who willingly and joyfully takes an extra mile and is generous in giving. It is being merciful and acting on it. It is authentic love – being able to love not only those who love us but our enemies as well.
Holiness, therefore, is not at all complicated. It is very simple. It is simply making love our vocation just as St. Therese of the Child Jesus did. And the more we become like God, the more simple we become.
