Smile again

Perhaps some will disagree with me, but as we end this year I can say that, as a general rule, no matter how deep the grief is, the day will come that you will learn to smile again.

Yes or No

"Are they going to take breakfast here?" a Sister asked me early this morning. Yes, early, in fact, too early since it was not yet the time for rising.
Let me see, how can I answer her.
The first option is to tell her "What a stupid question to ask!", complete with a condescending face.
Another option would be to not say anything and just let my eyes do the talking.
Another option would be to get angry and to reprimand her for breaking "silence".
And of course there are other options...
Whatever choice I make would influence my whole day and hers.

I appreciate the wisdom of Jesus when he said that when we have to answer a yes or a no, it is enough to say yes or say no because the rest comes from the devil (Matthew 5:37).
How many misunderstandings would have been and would be prevented if we just adhered to these wise words.

By the way, just in case you are wondering how I answered Sister, I said, "yes".

Peace

Inspired by a verse on today's Gospel: "Because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death's shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace." (Lk 1:78-79).
Peace on earth will not be the result of treaties, armed security or beauty pageants.
Peace on earth is the fruit of the tenderness and mercy of our God that illumines and dispels the darkness in our hearts so that, finally, we are able to see that we are all sisters and brothers whose lives not only touch but are intertwined.

God's footprints

I am still trying to understand what is God's message in the recent happenings in the Philippines.
If we look at it as a battle of the "good versus the bad", and you find yourself in the losing end, it is easy to be discouraged or to get angry. However, let us remember that it is God who saves the world. He uses many ways and means, including us, but He is free to choose whatever and whoever He wills. Let us not be discouraged; rather, let us find in our heart the compassion of Jesus that listens and understands the "other person".
Let us be humble in acknowledging that we do not own the truth. We are seekers of the truth. The truth doesn't force itself to be accepted because in time it will emerge as what it is, the truth.
Let us pray that the birth of Jesus may remind us all that when we choose what is right, we have to pay the price: unpopularity, poverty, solitude. But in the end, we acquire a deep joy and serenity that no one can take away from us.
Let us pray for our Catholic Church, and we are all part of this  wonderful but fragile family, that we may truly follow the way of Jesus. May we be at home with the poor and listen to their life stories and struggles without imposing our moralistic convictions and sounding so high and mighty. May we be at home to be poor and be happy with what is essential, consciously choosing not to vest ourselves of benefits and privileges.
Lastly, and this is really my most fervent wish, that we may have the courage to choose what is right not according to what is convenient to me now; rather, be guided by a well-informed and well-formed conscience. We haven't learned the lessons that history teaches us, that to choose based on personal convenience is a short cut to destruction and chaos.

John's program of life

Today's Gospel gives us a wise reminder, a simple program of life from a simple man, John the Baptist (Lk 3:10-18):
1. Share.
2. Be fair.
3. Be gracious especially if you are in power.

Seeing God

To see your face today, this, O Lord, I pray.

To forgive

It took time for me to understand how true it is that when you forgive, the person who benefits most is yourself.

The Lord is with you

"Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favour! The Lord is with you." (Luke 1:28)


Mary's life shows to us what being "graced" or "blessed" or "the favoured one" means.
We run after the crumbs that we fail to appreciate that the greatest blessing is having the Lord present in our lives. The greatest gift, the greatest blessing is God Himself.
Mary delighted in this favour. And nothing, not even the most painful moment of Christ's passion, crucifixion and death, has taken away from her this deep joy.

Something within

It is a waste of time and energy to run after others' approval. True happiness is something within and no one can take it away.