In front of suffering

 

In front of suffering, we can only bow our head. May it not be out of despair but with a hopeful and trusting surrender to the Mystery that surpasses the best human reasoning.
In front of suffering, the only response is silence. Words are stale. They might even be downright insulting.
In front of suffering the tears in our eyes are a sign of wisdom of the folly of pride and self-sufficiency. There is a Truth that is beyond us.

After the tragedy

To my fellow Filipinos:
Perhaps we can cut down on the glittery Christmas decorations, the glamorous parties and the expensive gifts. Let us share our presence and our material resources to those who have been hit by this tragedy. Let us rediscover the things that really matter. Let us rediscover the real meaning of Christmas.

Random thoughts

 

In our world characterized by the rat race, unbridled competition, a seemingly insane drive to annihilate the other so as to get everything or, at least, the larger part of the pie, we need to really make an honest examination whether it is all worth it.
Do we really need to be bitchy, insulting and hurting just to prove our point?
Do we really need to make a "public exhibition" of ourselves (what we eat, what we wear, what we feel, where we are) just because it is in vogue?
Is it really necessary to do what everybody does. like headless chickens just jumping here and there?
Do we really need to wait for big occasions before we show people that we care?
When will we start living our own lives and not the vicarious lives of the rich and the famous?
We only have one life. It will never be perfect, but it is ours and we have the right be true to ourselves. This we owe to ourselves.
Be coherent ... dare to be different.

A gift for the journey

 

Before I left for Rome last 2001, a priest friend of mine gave me Joyce Rupp's book "Your sorrow is my sorrow". Little did I know that this book would become a significant part of my journey as I grappled through the dark and wrestled with my demons.
I thank my friend for this "prophetic" gift as I remember him on his 50th birthday tomorrow.
Nothing happens by chance in our lives. A book, a friend, name it and God has them all in place at the right time and the right place in your life.
We just need the eyes to see!

My alphabet

Always remember that God is in you and you are in God.
Be present to the present.
Carry out your commitment up to the end.
Don't let failure discourage you.
Eat well at the right time.
Forgive from the heaert.
Give thanks at all times.
Have a good laugh at yourself once a day.
In your dealings with others, be charitable.
Judge no one. You don't have all the facts.
Keep a happy face.
Listen to the person you are with right now.
Make the first step.
Never keep a grudge.
Open your senses to the wonders of creation.
Pray like a child.
Quit saying, "It is impossible".
Respect other people's choice, but have a mind of your own.
Say "Thank you", "Please", "May I" and "I'm sorry".
Trust the road.
Understand that even the best of people can sometimes let you down.
Visit the sick and those who are alone.
Welcome change.
Xpect some bumps along the road of life.
Yearn for what is good, true and beautiful.
Zip your mouth rather than say something uncharitable.

Faith-ful

 

"Give yourself to God and give every part of your body to God to be instrument of uprightness, and then sin will no longer have any power over you - you are living not under law, but under grace," (Rm 6:13-14)

"Faithfulness is keeping one's word, promise, and commitments no matter how tough or difficult it gets."

Faithfulness comes from the word faith.
Faithfulness is only possible because of faith. Life is constantly changing. My feelings and emotions, too, have their ups and downs. So these factors don't make it easy for me to be faithful. That is why I need faith.
I need faith - to trust and to be convinced that my conviction makes sense despite its general rejection by the world.
I need faith - to persevere in my choice even when I encounter contradictions or even when my feelings are not so high.
Lastly, I believe that what is most important is to be faithful to my identity. So there is a need to constantly remember - Who am I? What is the purpose of my life? Then all the externals will just fall into place very naturally without any stressful effort on my part, because a life in God can give nothing but true peace.

Where God leads us

Where God leads us is always the best place for us to grow.