Child-ish/less Insights (originally written last Jan. 15)

    I really thought that this day would turn out to be just an ORDINARY day.Ordinary day for me means doing the Saturday routine I am accustomed to- waking up before 7:00 a.m and preparing myself for a half-day class in CALL. Well, today turned out to be different than I expected it to be. I was about to prepare myself to school but apart of my morning syndrome( sitting, thinking,staring blankly at the wall, killing the precious time) got the worst in me. I felt like not going to school for no valid reason. My class supposedly starts at 8:00 a.m. but half past 8, I still see myself not compelled to move.With this, I accepted the fact that I will not be going to school, for  I am overwhelmed by my heart's message, whether it's logical or not. To make the story short, I did not go to school. Period.
     At 9 o'clock, I saw my mother hurriedly taking a bath and urging me to join her in the procession.Thoughts were raging through me when she said 'procession' and I've realized that today is the Feast of Sto. Nino. And so with a short notice, I pushed all my energy buttons, I swiftly changed clothes,cleaned my face and ate a couple of toasted bread for breakfast and off we went.Our arrival to church was so untimely, the mass was almost through and I thought I missed the point of being there-in a celebratory mood yet not-so-meaning-filled. I just took pleasure upon seeing various faces of NINOs, wearing colorful costumes with intricate designs, looking as if a real child. I don't know what my initial reaction would be like-  would it be amazement or disgust, but truth to be told, I was amazed seeing a statue of Nino as a king, finely adorned with a royalty suit, as a prince, embellished with a nice golden robe, and as an ordinary child clothed with humility, joy and meekness. I was also stunned and appalled upon seeing statues of Nino dressed like a PNP (with small gun tucked on the side of the pseudo-uniform) , a PMAer with a name plate, a Chef with a ' proud name', a Fortune Teller, overly-decorated and multi-colored linens and so many more. It's a wonder to see how devotees express their devotion to the Child Jesus but sometimes, forgetting the essence and the heart of the celebration. Well that picture bothered me for awhile but I was deeply moved by the number of people who joined the procession. I felt the intense eagerness and passion to sustain an hour of sun-drenched walking in the soil of Tagum. It was a totally humid day and the intensity of  the sun's heat hovering our heads didn't stop the pile of people from joining the flock. I felt the celebration by the unabated shouts of 'Pit Senyor' by the procession goers. I saw a handful of children in festive mood never minding the heat and  the distance to be covered all throughout the procession.I truly felt the air of such a 'feast' and so I personally enjoyed the entire 'walking experience', feeling the heat and pain, tasting my dried mouth,and the longing for water to relieve my thirst. 
            Finally, we reached the church and we've finished the procession. After reaching the place, devotees started dancing and shouting, I was even moved to dance not minding about what other people would think of me. I joined the beat of the music that says 'Ihatag ang kinabuhi sa Ginoo'. I was almost moved to tears upon feeling the heart of the celebration which is honoring the CHILD JESUS in my heart who is just after of pleasing the FATHER. I danced not to the tone of the external music but to the beatings of my heart. I felt like dancing with the rest of the people while holding the statue of Nino in both hands. But suddenly the celebration was spoiled when people suddenly got the flowers from the altar of the Statue of Sto. Nino outside the church where the celebration was held. Then, an angry voice caught the attention of almost all who danced, angry as she was, she announced (not in exact words but in thoughts, it goes)'Pagsayaw sayaw lang mo dinha pero ayaw ninyo kuhaa ang bulak kay 3,500 na tanan. Alas diyes nami sa gabii natulog para pag prepare ana, ayaw ninyo kuhaa. Asa naman inyo batasan? Unsaon na lang na ug matan-awan sa ato mga bisita nga wala na ang mga bulak). These words spoiled the momentum. The devotees stopped dancing, went to different sides of the church, and lost interest-no more dancing, no more celebration.
      Then, I tried to feel what I felt at that moment. It could have been more celebratory had it not for the old woman burst into anger, informing everyone of what she's done to prepare the flowers and all but eventually, spoiled what should have been celebrated. I felt frustrated. Honestly, I felt bad for the woman. But maybe she has just to be forgiven for she was strongly carried by her emotions.
      Now, what's my point of writing about this feast of Sto. Nino and the saga of an angry-old-woman. For one, we should not be too consumed with the external preparations. Before the feast, we should take time to reflect on the essence of celebrating it. Another is, we should think of the the 'ONE' we pay tribute for, just like in today's case, Sto. Nino. It is a feast portraying the child Jesus calling us to revisit the 'child' in our hearts. That amidst the noisy and confused world, we will have a heart like that of a child. For it is only through having the ways of a child that we can inherit the kingdom of God. We are reminded by that gospel every now and then. In whatever circumstance, we should maintain that 'child-like' disposition. Staying happy, living with no worries, delighting in the ways of the Lord, and smiling in every little splendor of life. We may have bundles of flowers, perfect arrangement and all other intricacies in a celebration but we missed the point when we don't EXPERIENCE the CELEBRATION of a TRUE FEAST prepared by the Lord.
      After all, God knows all our flaws and imperfections. What's important is to clothe ourselves with humility that we, too, like a child can see things beyond the flaws and imperfections of others, much more of ourselves.
     Well, I should have used the word "I" instead of 'we'. Nevertheless, it is my greatest reflection today-to be humble and to take the disposition of a child in whatever circumstance in life I would be facing each day. More often than not, I was also like the angry-old-woman, but the challenge is to see things in a different perspective. From now on, I will take the robe of the Child Jesus in dealing with life- not to be so hard, not to be so stern, not to be so stiff, not to be so righteous as if I'm perfect, but the call is simply to be a CHILD. A child with no hang ups, with no worries, with no regrets. A child who's willing to forgive, who's willing to obey, and who's willing to TRUST over and above.A child who's always happy and cheerful despite uncomfortable circumstances, who's always loving and sweet, who's nature is always to be good and do good. I pray I could be like a CHILD, bear the heart of a child and live each day with a loving trust to the Heavenly Father.

Today is the Feast of STO. NINO. 

Gospel for the Day: God's Baptism

We should thank God for the gift of BAPTISM for it is only through this that we have received the pillar of 'sacred fire'- the Holy Spirit. God humbled Himself, and in His ultimate greatness, He let us be baptized through the water of life and He has given us this absolute birth right- to be one of His children and to live for His glory.

God's Words to Live by...

What distinguishes temptation from trial? Trials or tests are necessary for growth while temptations incline us to sin. “No one who is tempted is free to say, “I am being tempted by God.” Surely God, who is beyond the grasp of evil, tempts no one” (Jas 1:13). God tests the heart puts his own in trial (1Th 2, 4) while only Satan tempts them (Lk 22,37; Ap 2, 10; 12,9). Trial is indispensable condition for growth (cf. Lk 8, 13ff), for sturdiness (1 P 1, 6f), for the manifestation of the truth (1 Co 11, 9: the reason for Christian divisions) and humility (1 Co 10, 12). When we overcome trials, temptations we are proven to be steady and strong (subok na matatag at subok na matibay. Thus freed, tried and tested Christian knows how to discern, verify and “try” everything (R 12, 2; E 5, 10). Trial is therefore the condition of the Church which is still to be tested, although she is already pure; stll to be reformed, although she is already glorious.

St. Paul assures us that “God will not let you be tested beyond your strength. Along with the test he will give you a way out of it so that you may be able to endure it” ( 1 Cor 10:13; cf. CCC 2848). In fact St. Paul wrote that we should even boast of our tests/afflictions, knowing that afflictions produce endurance, and endurance, proven virtue (cf. Rom 5:3-5; CCC 2897).

Sources of temptations:

• Some temptations arise from within ourselves. “The tug and lure of his own passion has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin reaches maturity it begets death” (cf. Jas 1:14).
• Our passions and emotions incline us to long for attractive gratifications even through doing acts we know are evil.
• Pride incline us to sin.
• Imperfection of our very nature are sources of sin more particularly concupiscence and bad habits or vices.
• We also experience temptations from the world. Persons, places and things can be occasion of sins to us. Even things good in themselves can be incitements in us to seek the attractive goods in unreasonable ways.

• Faith also recognizes Satan, once an angel, but now hostile to God and to us, as one source of temptation. In his hatred for God, he seeks to drive us toward sinful and self-destructive choices (CCC 394-395).

Consequence of being tempted: slavery to sin, alienation and separation, death and ultimately hell where Satan dwells and where Satan reigns and where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth because of it unquenchable fire.

How do we handle with temptations?

• Avoid temptations and keep yourself busy. Idleness is the workshop of the devil.
• Resistance, faith and vigilance. Stay sober and alert because your enemy the Devil is like a prowling lion, waiting for someone to devour. Resist him and solid in your faith.
• Prayer. In communion with their master, the disciples’ prayer is a battle; “only by keeping watch in prayer can one avoid falling into temptation” ( cf. Lk 22:40, 46). “Pray that he will not let you be tested beyond your strength” (cf. 1 Cor 10:13). Pray that the Father “lead us not into temptations and allow us to be overcome by it (cf. CCC 2846). Nothing is equal to prayer; for what is impossible it makes possible, what is difficult, easy…Those who pray are certainly saved; those who do not pray are certainly damned.
• Repentance and conversion. Always return to the Lord with fasting, weeping and mourning. For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, rich in kindness and relenting in punishment.
• Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Always seek in everything the will of God. Nothing more, nothing less and nothing else.

Temptations are not themselves sins and no one entirely escape temptation. Hence, be vigilant and pray that God our Father may “lead us not into temptation” or allow us to be overcome by it and “seek it with all our hearts His sufficient grace to overcome temptation and to remain faithful to God (cf. CCC 2848).

Tibetan Psychological Test

Please answer the following...

1. Put the following 5 animals in the order of your preference:
 (type digits from 1 to 5):

a) Cow
b) Tiger
c) Sheep
d) Horse
e) Pig

_____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Write one word that describes each one of the following:

a) Dog
b) Cat
c) Rat
d) Coffee
e) Sea

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. Think of someone, who also knows you and is important to you, which you can relate them to the following colors. Do not repeat your answer twice:

a) Yellow
b) Orange
c) Red
d) White
e) Green

_____________________________________________________________________________________

4. Finally, type your favorite number, and your favorite day of the week:

a) Number
b) Day of Week

MY FAMILY

God's Splendor...NATURE

God reveals Himself in the majestic splendid glory of nature...

The Tail of Ambiguity Lies in the Depth and Breadth of the Surface

THE ‘FINAL WAR’

The Book of Revelation talks about Armageddon, a battlefield in the end times where the most powerful kings on earth will wage the final war. But there is a larger ‘final war’. Armageddon is a physical war. This greater final war is a spiritual one, the battle between Jesus and satan.

Right this very moment, this war rages intensely across the globe. Government-funded abortion is spreading like wildfire. Pornography spreads in the Internet and no one seems to be able to stop it. Corporations knowingly produce toxic food for big profits.

But this war is more individual than global. Jesus and satan are fighting for all the souls worldwide, tugging for their loyalty. This battle rages within each of us. For every good deed and prayer we make, Jesus triumphs. For every transgression and oppression we do, satan triumphs.

I am extremely concerned that satan is gaining a lot of ground. Let us therefore pray against the reign of satan not only in a world full of confusion and conflicts but also inside us, full of anxiety and bitterness. Let us pray together across the globe.

Sister Raquel’s
PRAYER AGAINST SATAN’S FORCES IN THE ‘FINAL WAR’

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

I, as God’s loyal servant, together with His people, proclaim Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Son of Mary and Lord of all circumstances and difficulties of today in the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, by the power of His blood and in the authority of His Word, given to me as a Christian, I bind and reject you, satan, our real enemy. I command you to depart from us. I seal the Philippines and the whole of humanity in the precious blood of JESUS CHRIST, the Way, the Truth and the Life.

I, together with God’s people, bind and reject all evil spirits in the air, wind, fire, water, under the water, in the netherworld, in the elements and in all satanic forces in nature. I bind and reject all spirits of division, disruption, fear, anger, anxiety, all spirits of unforgiveness, resentment, and disobedience to the laws of God and legitimate authorities. I bind and reject all interlocking evil spirits controlling all media programs, video games, unholy activities in the Internet, television, radio and every medium of communication.

Our real enemies are those satanic influences in our lives. Our victory against satan will come only when each one of us change our hearts, when we repent our ways. To repent means to become like JESUS CHRIST – when we obey the will of the Eternal Father; when we begin to glorify God in our thoughts, words and actions; when we look at ourselves before the holiness and humility of JESUS CHRIST, the Face of God in our midst. Then will the divine in our midst make satan depart.

In the name of JESUS CHRIST, I, together with God’s people, break and dissolve every disease, especially cancer, every evil wish, evil desire and evil intention, every evil curse and spell. I come in JESUS’ name against all satanic vows and control, mind control, and doubtful practices and teachngs. GET OUT OF OUR LIVES. OUT! OUT!

LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY THE POWER OF GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, FILL US WITH THE SPIRIT OF PEACE, LOVE AND FORGIVENESS. HEAL EVERY HUMAN HEART WITH YOUR FORGIVING SPIRIT. GIVE EACH ONE OF US, YOUR CHILDREN, THE GIFTS OF JOY AND LAUGHTER AND THE ABILITY OF THE MIND, SO THAT EACH ONE OF US, REGARDLESS OF SEX AND RELIGION, MAY CONTINUE TO USE THESE GIFTS AS WE GIVE LOVING SERVICE TO OTHERS, THEREBY GLORIFYING OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, WHO SAID, “THOSE WHO DO NOT STAND BY ME WILL FALL (BOOK OF AMOS) MAY THIS BE OUR GUIDE AS WE GO THROUGH OUR DAILY ACTIVITIES. THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS, AND ALL GOD’S SAINTS, WE PRAY THAT YOU DELIVER EACH ONE OF US FROM THE EVIL ONE. AMEN.

Sister Raquel Reodica, RVM
Cancer-healer of the Lord