Friday, December 30, 2011
Dec. 30, 2011 - STAR OF BETHLEHEM
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Dec. 2, 2011 - CHRISTMAS JOY & TRADITIONS
Family traditions of varying forms have sprung in many countries that celebrate the coming of Jesus into this world. Dinner after Midnight Mass called, "Le Reveillon," always has oysters as its main course in Paris. It is also a tradition to leave food and drinks on a table with a fire burning nearby for the Virgin Mary who visit homes during Christmastime. In Italy, the opening of the season starts eight days before Christmas and is announced by the sound of cannons firing from the Castle of Sant Angelo in Rome. How uniquely different are the letters written by Italian children! They do not write to Santa Claus asking for gifts, but to their parents to tell them how much they love them. The letters are normally placed under the father's plate and read after the Christmas Eve dinner. The Nativity Scene and gift-giving are part of the Christmas traditions in Portugal. The Three Wise Men are the gift-bringers not Santa Claus. Children put shoes along window-sills and doorways with carrots and straw to lure the horses/camels of the Three Kings. Codfish and fruitcake are Christmas dinner mainstays. In Spain, every household has the "Belen," the Nativity scene, called "Creche" by St. Francis who first portrayed it with real live animals in the Umbrian hills during the 13th century. Spanish Christmas dinner begins with prawns and roasted lamb with the tradional "turron" or sweet almond for dessert. In Germany, the Christmas tree is an integral part of the Christmas celebration since it actually originated there. A German Christmas without the green fir tree is definitely inconceivable! In Poland, the tradition of "wigilia" or a 24-hour fast that begins on Christmas Eve is followed by a meal of 12 courses - one course representing one apostle. In Czechoslovakia, midnight mass is followed by a dinner which highlights fish. Fish scales are traditionally placed under dinner plates with the belief that it would bring wealth to the household. Carrying a fish scale in the wallet will ensure that the person would never lack money throughout the year. In Argentina, the "Pesebre" or Nativity Scene is an important part of the Christmas home decor. Christmas Eve is celebrated by the release of "Globos," colorful paper balloons lit from inside. The beauty of the "globos" flying in the night sky is a thrill to behold! In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th, an official holiday, thanks to the Russian Orthodox Church! A priest visits every home during the season to bless every room with Holy Water. Singing carols from house to house is limited to the first day of the season since it is truly White Christmas there with temperatures dropping to minus degrees. In China, Christmas has now become a festive occasion for an increasing number of its people. They join the ten (10) million baptized Christians who celebrate Midnight Mass.
The Philippines is predominatly a Catholic country. It is the third largest Catholic nation in the world second only to Brazil and Mexico. The incalculable religious fervor among its people was dramatically illustrated when Blessed John Paul II celebrated mass in Manila (1995) with four (4) million people in attendance - the largest ever recorded in papal history. Speaking of superlatives, it is reputedly the only country celebrating the longest Christmas season. This is so because of the many customs and traditions associated with the festivities.
The tradition of the "parol' or Christmas lantern in the shape of a star hang in the front windows of most homes is a tribute to the Star of Bethlehem which the Magi used to guide themselves toward Christ during the time of His birth. The "aguinaldo" or gifts usually in cash to godchildren held during Baptism or Confirmation hold equal sifnificance in the Filipino psyche. The traditional singing of Christmas carols by children from house to house has now become a perenial activity among the adults who solicit funds for their ministries to help the poor and the disadvantaged. The "Noche Buena" or family Christmas dinner after the Midnight Mass is preceded by the Simbang Gabi, a Filipino tradition which is now a worldwide phenomenon wherever a group of "kababayans" or ethnic citizens reside.
"Simbang Gabi" is a nine-day novena of very early morning masses instituted by Spanish missionaries during the colonization of the Islands in the 1500's. The "Dawn Masses" which usually started as early as 4 AM allowed farmers and fishermen to participate in the Liturgy before setting out for the day's work. Nowadays, "Simbang Gabi" may either be held at 5 AM or at 8 in the evening. A special intention which may be of thanksgiving for all the blessings of the year or for health or financial issues usually predicates attendance in the novena. It has been said that completion of the novena assures God's favorable response. Be that as it may, "Simbang Gabi" celebration show the faith and devotion of a people to God Who is in control of their lives.
Breakfast after "Simbang Gabi" is sold right in temporary stalls erected within the church grounds. Vendors offer a wide variety of native delicacies. Family, friends and neighbors alike renew friendship or start new ones over the traditinal fare of "bibingka" (rice, flour and egg cake cooked on a clay pot with hot charcoal above and below it), "puto-bumbong" (a purple sticky rice delicacy steamed in bamboo tubes with shredded coconut meat and brown rock sugar) and "salabat," hot ginger tea or "tsokolate," hot cocoa. It is during the "Simbang Gabi" and the observance of other Christmas traditions that the Filipino kindred bonds are biblically "seven times forged" for generations to come.
The mode of celebrations, the dates and traditions vary across the globe, but the spirit of Christmas remains the same everywhere - the spirit that makes people more kind, more forgiving, more concerned with "the other," more willing to make sacrifices to make loved ones as well as those difficult to love, happy and filled with love - an imitation of the ultimate LOVE brought by Baby Jesus to the little town of Bethlehem!
COME, LORD JESUS, COME !
Monday, November 28, 2011
Nov. 27, 2011 - THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL
Thursday, November 24, 2011
November 24, 2011 - THANKSGIVING DAY
There are many things I am grateful for to Almighty God. I give thanks for my overall health which at this age keeps me still up and about with considerable ease even able to withstand the rigors of travel abroad. I give thanks for my family who is the source of immeasurable joy and fulfilment from the eldest member to the youngest grandchild, Melanie. Their solicitous concern and support is exceptional in depth and substance which pales by comparison some that my peers receive from their very own "flesh and blood," I give thanks for my set of relatives who are always there for me in all circumstances and at all climes, giving full meaning to the saying, " Blood is thicker than water." I give thanks for the circle of friends whose friendship I have treasured through all these years. The Charismatic Renewal and the Simbang Gabi Prayer Group have filled my life with "soul mates" who have been a "blessing" for me in so many innumerable ways. Like the psalmist of the Word, I sing and chant praise and thanksgiving for the gift of LIFE!
Today, I recall two incidents in the past which would have cost the loss of my life.
The first incident occured when I was only fourteen (14) and a high school student. On most weekends, I used to visit my elder married sister, Lourding, who had a baby named Cora. I loved to play with Cora and in so doing take care of her while my sister did other chores. The visits also afforded me the chance to read her books on Nursing since she was a nurse. I don't remember why I took a fancy of those reading materials.
One Saturday morning, we went to the Luneta, a popular park in Manila which fronts the Manila Bay. Some people traversed the huge rocks that bordered the shores so as to swim in the crystal clear water then. Not knowing how to swim, I just calmly sat on a rock with my legs dangling in the water reaching up to my knees. I savored the beautiful scenery of rippling waves, one row after another rushing towards the shore .The shimmering glow of sunlight on the frothy waves was a beauty all its own. The many pockets of white clouds against the wide expanse of blue sky competed in getting my attention and appreciation. Lulled by the serenity and majesty of my surroundings, I failed to notice that the waves were getting stronger and larger. Suddenly a huge gust of waves and wind swept me off the rock and hurled me way out into the bay. I struggled to shout for help in-between mouthfuls of water as my arms frantically tried to keep my body afloat. It took some time. The few instances that I could pop up my head above the water, I said, "Jesus," again and again. I knew it was my end! I grew weak and limp and let go. The next thing I knew I was lying flat on my stomach on the cement parapet of the Luneta and Ciding, my sister's maid, massaging my diaphram and waist as spurts of water came out of my mouth. JESUS sent Ciding to rescue me! I was profuse in my thanksgiving to our Lord! Since then, I realized the power of the NAME of JESUS. To say His name alone is a PRAYER!
The second incident happened at Nazareth, Israel in 1995 when our pilgrimage group was booked at the St. Gabriel Hotel, a former monastery, located on the summit of a hill. Without telling any of my friends, I decided to enjoy the magnificent scenery after dinner. I sat on a tree stump on the edge of a cliff overlooking the whole town that starry night. I had a commanding view of the Dome of the Basilica of the AnnunciationI illuminated by a bright full moon and the tiny lights of the houses below. After a long interlude of assimilating the peace and beauty of the panorama, I decided to go back to the hotel but in so doing made a wrong footing so that I hang on the cliff with only my hands holding on to the tree stump for suppport. I called on "JESUS" again and again. Then a sudden gust of strong wind lifted and pushed me forward to safer ground. I was saved ! I have written of this experience in some detail in my Journal with the title, " Cliff Hangar in Nazareth."
Psalm 91 is my favorite psalm..." God says , " I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord; when they call to me, I will answer them, when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them."
The NAME of JESUS haspower. It is a prayer!. When you look up and call JESUS, He will look down and give you His Mercy, His Peace, His Love!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Nov. 16, 2011 - PARABLE OF TALENTS & COINS
The Gospel today is on Luke 19: 11-28 which is about a nobleman who gave his servants gold coins for use. He gave each of his servants a single gold coin. This parable is related to last Sunday's Gospel of Matthew 25: 14-30 where a master gave his slave 5 talents, another one, 2 talents and a third slave, 1 talent; each according to his ability.
In Hebrew culture at that time, a talent was a monetary measure equivalent to 6,000 denarii. Since a laborer receives 1 denarius wage for a day's work, it would take him 20 years' to earn one (1) talent.
In the parables, the main message is to respond to God's grace (gifts) by making a genuine effort throughout our lives. All of God's gifts must produce fruits - yield a profit. It does not matter how many gifts we have received. What matters is our generosity in putting them to good use. The punishment for infidelity through neglect ( sin of omission ) is the same as for lack of repentance. The first and second slaves made sizeable profits from the talents / coins entrusted to them. The third slave hid the talent/ coin for fear of the master who he knew was a strict man who "gathered which he did not sow." Fear paralyses. It brings about spiritual blindness and deafness. It stifles creativity. The third slave did not make use of the talent/ gold coin and was sent to " a place where there was gnashing and grinding of teeth." Do you know where this place is?
A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly message. The parables of the talents and coins show a few salient points for us to ponder:
1. Each of us received gifts from God. The gifts vary in number, form and quality according to God's purpose. A person may have one unique gift while another may have several abilities. We are bound to respond to make a genuine effort to use these gifts for the greater good of God's kingdom. Of course, the first ones to benefit from our gifts should be the ones closest to us - our family. The fulfillment of our responsibilities to our family should be our top priority. The willful neglect to use these gifts is a sin- the Sin of Omission. Very often the sin of omission happens because of the predominant self-centeredness within some individuals and in others, the gnawing narcissitic tendencies developed from childhood of abandoned discipline. In the Confiteor at Mass, we say, " I confess, O Almighty God that I have sinned , through my fault, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do."
2. Diligence is rewarded and negligence is punished. In the parables, the nobleman/master praised and rewarded the servants who made use of their talents/coins and the one who just hid what was entrusted to him was severely punished. When we come before the tribunal of God on Judgment Day, He will make us accountable for what we did with our gifts. Have we been faithful in our use of our gifts? Sin displeases God So, the sin of omission will receive God's justice.
3. Whatever we have, our abilities, gifts, opportunities, etc. belong to God. We are merely "stewards." Hence, everything we do should be done with a view of the "day of reckoning" which will surely come.
Friday, November 4, 2011
November 4, 2011 - HELLO, EGYPT !!!
The afternoon news on TV today showed some unrest in Egypt caused by radical Islamic groups. Scenes of violence and hundreds of injured citizens in Cairo made me recall my visit there in 2005 when everything was " sweet and dandy, " so to speak.
I remembered having received a brochure from Adriatic Tours which announced a trip to the Holy Land and Egypt for May 9th to May 23rd of 2005. I have enjoyed the excellent quality of their service since the 1990's in more than seven trips to Europe and even to its Eastern sector of Poland, Austria, Hungary and Czeschoslsovakia. Anton Salah, the general manager and dedicated Christian has rightfully earned the esteem he enjoys in the travel industry for so many years. And I echo the applause he deserves! I knew that the trip would be something uniquely memorable.
From my readings, I have known Egypt as a land of superlatives - the grandest pyramids that have stood for thousands of years, the river Nile which is the longest one in the world and the largest temple complexes on planet Earth. It was the visit to Egypt that caused an irresistible desire in my heart to sign up. My unbridled enthusiasm to join a trip which included an ancient civilization in Africa was triggered by two things:
Firstly, Egypt is in Africa and setting foot on its soil would tantamount to my having visited six (6) of the existing seven (7) continents in the world! Wow! True, I am from the Philippines and have had visited other nations in Asia as Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Indonesia etc. I have had the pleasure of being in North America, South America, Australia and Europe. Africa, then will be the sixth continent in the list. I smiled at the thought that Antartica can never find its way in my list. I let loose my ego with the thought that a sojourn to Egypt would be an added laurel leaf to the wreath of my so-called "achievements." Somehow, right after that wishful thought, my heart burst forth in praise and thanksgiving to God Who is the Source of Life and Provision and Who makes everything possible according to His purpose!
Secondly, the itinerary offered another chance to be in the place where Jesus walked, lived and died. My awesome experience in the Holy Land has kept a burning desire to visit it again and again, despite my having been there four (4) times already.
A resounding, "Let's go!" came from my friends when I informed them of the trip with the assurance that it would be a most unforgettable chapter in our lives. Hence, my "balae," Lily de Guzman and her daughter, Presy, Cousin Tina Dizon, Rick and Elvy Tan, Arnie and Sol Sedayao, Fil Pineda and Nitay Caballes made their bookings, too.
The itinerary showed the trip to Israel first before proceeding to Egypt and Jordan. But a reversal of the scheduled itinerary was issued by Adriatic Tours several days before our departure date. We knew that there must be a reason for the change which anyway, did not cause any disappointment since my friends were all "first-timers." It did not bother me a bit at all, too.
The Lufthansa flight from the San Francisco International airport to Stuggart, Germany and thence to Cairo was a tremendously long one. It took fourteen (14) hours! Whew! You can just imagine the weary-laden group of "globetrotters" entering the plush hotel in Cairo, the name of which I have forgotten already.
Upon stepping into my room, I immediately went to the window and my eyes gazed at the Great Pyramids of Giza against the dusk of twilight. It was uplifting! The towering three pyramids stood elegant and statuesque like the nobles in the court of the Pharoah. I remembered the film, "Cleopatra," with Elizabeth Taylor ravishing in her bejewelled Egyptian attire. Then looking down on the streets below, I saw the inescapable sights and sounds of a modern metropolis- the speeding cars, taxis and buses, the neon lights of a myriad colors in the many establishments for the satisfaction of hunger and human pleasure of every kind and a crowd of denizens of distinguisable and otherwise cultural backgrounds. It was invigorating to feel privileged living in today's world! Or is it?
The walk to the pyramids on uneven ground, rocks and sand required strong legs and comfortable shoes. I thanked the Lord for my overall stamina at seventy-five (75) especially my lower limbs which were still carrying me through with reasonable ease. I realized more fully the need to explore exotic and strange places more when one is still strong enough to withstand the rigors of travel. I resolved to encourage my relatives and friends to "see the world" while the usual discomfort of age has not yet set in. I realized, too, that life can really play tricks on the human psyche - while still young, the desire to travel is sharply keen but the needed funds are not available and when one grows much older, the money for adventurous trips around the globe is on hand but the elderly bodies besieged with many aches and pain hinder the fulfillment of lifelong dreams. Ah, the mystery of life!
I stood a few yards away from the tallest pyramid which is the tomb of the beloved Pharaoh Cheops completely awed by the majestiy of its height and perfect symmetry and the symbol it represents as steps to the heavens of eternal life. Belief of the afterworld was outstandingly upheld by the ancient Egyptians. I felt a kindred spirit with them since my Catholic faith teaches that we are transients in this world and that our true home is in heaven where we will spend eternity with God. And that how we spend our life on earth- the use of our time, talent and treasure presupposses where our eternity will be, Up or Down!
Standing under the watchful eyes of "The Sphinx, " the enormous head of a man (possibly a pharaoh because of the headdgear) and the body of a lion, I wondered what thoughts ran within his mind. Several questions ran into my mind, too. Is he to guard the pyramids from thieves or marauders of the vast treasures buried with the mummified bodies of the pharaohs? Or is he the reception commitee of one to welcome the hundreds of thousands tourists who come from all over the worlld to marvel at the monuments of a long-lost civilization? I remembered that Fil and I with some members of the group enjoyed the "Lights and Sounds Show " right at "The Sphinx" one cool night in Cairo. The experience was fitting for my book of memories!
The Egypt Museum in Cairo is a repository of artifacts and extremely interesting things associated with the past. Tutankkamen, the revered Boy-Pharaoh lies in his exquisitely ornate sarcophagus amidst the splendor befitting a king in the museum. An ancient chariot used in those times stands in a corner so inviting that for a moment I felt like climbing up to it, stand royally erect (like a king) and acknowledge the "salute" to a monarch by his loyal subjects. Oh, by the way, did they salute with arms held up high ala- Heil Hitler style or bow their heads with arms criss-crossed against their breasts?
The moonlight boat ride along the River Nile was a most exhilarating experience for me simply because of the beauty and mystic charm of the longest river in the world in the books and articles I have read. The significant role that the river plays in the lives of Egyptians of a thousand generations also engendered my healthy respect for this renown body of water. The dinner served with the soup of lentils and native delicacies suited my taste but the the "belly dancing" that followed somehow affected my innate senses negatively. Somehow, my reaction to the dance must have been due to the information that the dancers who looked like real women were actually "gays." To make matters worse, my antagonistic synergy must have been felt by one of the dancers who kept taunting me directly with exaggerated bodily gyrations while I looked elsewhere. I tried my best to accept the "unfitting" finale of the boat ride as part of the scheme of things. Acceptance of everything one encounters, makes for living less stressful lives.
The visits to the Papyrus Institue was an eye-opener to the intricacies of making paper from the large cactus-like papyrus plant with spindle-sized thorns all over it. The carpet factory afforded some insights to the making of the lovely-spun floor coverings which usually takes months in the making. Even very young girls were adept in twirling the tightly woven threads in the loom. The tiered pyramid of Sakkara considered the oldest of all pyramids in the world was also remarkable.
Our Cairo spiritual tour began in the oldest part of the city. A decade or so ago, the exact date, I failed to note, our Blessed Virgin appeared on top of the Coptic Church. In her apparitions to thousands of people professing God as Jesus or Allah, She made herself visible not for minutes only but for many hours. Against the starlit sky, She manifested herself in radiant beauty the likes of which have never been witnessed before by the spectators who freely spoke of it. Many people including known personalities in politics and the professions attested to witnessing the phenomenon to international media. It was noteworthy that most of these witnesses were Muslims! Inside the Catholic Church, is a large magnificent icon of Our Blessed Mother as She appeared then.
Among the souvenirs I brought home from Egypt was a small plastic bag of real estate - the sand of Sahara Desert. I felt the sand would somehow enliven my sharing of the trip to the Land of the Pharaohs with my children and grandchildren. I wanted to immortalize the memory of the Great Pyramids of Giza among them so that they may be inspired to visit Egypt, after a journey to the Holy Land, of course, in their lifetime. I wanted them to feel the tiny bits of cream-colored sand of the desert - Mother Earth in the vast expanse of arid sand dunes in Africa. I remembered feeling the warm tingly sensation as I dipped handfuls of sand and letting them slowly drip through my fingers. Looking at the heap of sand on my hands somehow etched the mirage of a priceless trophy and its accompanying thrill mesmerizing every nerve in my body - the conquest of the "sixth" continent!
Truly, my rendezvous with Egypt was a " time to remember. "
Monday, October 31, 2011
Oct. 31, 2011 - THE HOLY SPIRIT
As always, I would like to share them with you, may I?
" I tell you the truth. It is better for you that I go. If I go, I will send the Advocate to you." (John 16: 7)
Jesus said these at the Last Supper as He was preparing His apostles for His Passion and Death. He stressed the importance of the Holy Spirit such that His coming would even be more beneficial than Jesus remaining with the apostles.
But who is the Advocate? The Holy Spirit! We generally have a vague understanding of the Holy Spirit and what He does.
The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the most Holy Trinity, equal with God the Father and Jesus, God the Son who is the Second Person of the Trinity. Traditionally, the Holy Spirit has been defined as the love that exists between the Father and the Son which proceeds forth as the unique Person of the Holy Spirit. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the term, "Spirit" translates the Hebrew word, "Ruah" which means "breath, air or wind." Jesus , indeed, uses the sensory image of "wind" to suggest to Nicodemus the transcendent newness of Him who is personally God's Breath, the Divine Spirit.
In Scripture, the Spirit is symbolized as the "breath" of God which transmits the life of God in the creation of man. In Genesis 2: 7 "I, Lord God, formed man out of clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life and so man became a living being."
The Holy Spirit is symbolized, too, as the breath of God when Jesus transmits His authority to His apostles in John 20: 22, "As the Father has sent me, so I send you, and when He had said this, He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spiirit."
The Holy Spirit , therefore, being one of the three Divine Persons in the Holy Trinity is " with the Father and the Son , worshipped and glorified" as we proclaim in the Creed during the celebration of the Mass.
Titles of the Holy Spirit
When Jesus proclaims the coming of the Holy Spirit, He calls Him, the "Paraclete." Paraclete is commonly translated as "Consoler." Jesus also speaks of Him as the
"Spirit of Truth." Besides the proper name of "Holy Spirit" which is frequently used in the Acts of the Apostles, we also find in St. Paul, the titles: "The Spirit of the Promise" (Gal 3: 14), "The Spirit of Adoption (Rom 8: 15), "The Spirit of Christ (Rom 8: 9), "The Spiirit of the Lord" ( 2 Cor 3:17), "The Spirit of God," ( Rom 8: 9, 14, 15, 19, and in 1 Cor 6:11; 7: 40) and in 1 Peter 4: 14, "The Spirit of Glory."
SYMBOLS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. WATER - The symbolism of water signifies the Holy Spirit's action in Baptism. We receive the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Baptism. In traditional terminology, Baptism "frees" us from Original Sin, restoring us to a relationship with God.
The Jordan River is the source of both the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. The Sea of Galilee holds what the Bible calls "living water," water that is flowing, fresh and life-giving. Fish which we call,"tilapia" abound in it as well as many sea plants and animals. On the other hand, the Dead Sea does not and cannot sustain any life form, only has deposits of salt as the water evaporates. It is appropriately called Dead Sea which incidentally is the lowest spot on earth.
What makes the difference between the two bodies of water? The difference is simply this: the Sea of Galilee has many outlets giving out its water to irrigate fields and other plant life and the Dead Sea keeps all its water to itself, no outlet at all, holds on to every drop of water until it evaporaes leaving bitter salt.
The seas of the Holy Land are a visible parable of "living water," a metaphor that Jesus used for the Holy Spirit ( John 4: 10, 7: 38). The Holy Spirit is a gift - a gift meant to be given.
2. ANOINTING - The symbolism of anointing with oil signifies the Holy Spirit. Anointing is the sacramental sign of Confirmation through which the work of the Holy Spirit is enriched, nourished further, enhanced, so as to have a greater effect as we mature in our lives as Christians. The gifts of the Holy Spirit : Wisdom, Understanding, Fortitude, Counsel, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord are known as the Sanctifying Gifts. They serve to enable us to live holy lives according to God's will. The Spirit also strengthens us to be "soldiers of Christ" ie, to take an active role in sharing our responsibility for the work of the Church. The primary anointing of the Holy Spirit is that of Jesus Christ since in Hebrew, "Messiah" means " The Anointed " by God's Spirit.
3. FIRE - While water signifies birth and fruitfulness of life given in the Holy Spirit, "fire" symbolizes the transforming energy of the action of the Holy Spirit. The prayer of the prophet Elijah who "arose like fire" and whose word "burned like a torch" brought down fire from heaven on the sacrifice on Mount Carmel. This event was a figure of the Holy Spirit who transforms what He touches. Remember, too, Moses and the "burning bush?" In Acts 2: 2-4, " ....and suddenly there came from the sky, a noise like a strong wind and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared "tongues as of fire" which came to rest on each of them ....and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
John, the Baptist, proclaimed Christ as the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Hence, our church tradition has retained the symbolism of fire as one of the expressive images of the Holy Spirit.
4. CLOUD AND LIGHT - These two images occur together in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, the cloud, now obscure, now luminous reveals the living God with Moses on Mt. Sinai.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Oct. 7, 2011 - THE ROSARY AND ME
The Rosary has been an integral part of my life since early childhood. I grew up with parents who were devout Catholics so much so that the Rosary was a daily evening prayer. My mother who was of the old school felt that we all pray on our knees, a practice that we automatically adhered to through the years.
Nowadays, my daily prayer of the Rosary takes me, spiritually, around the world to the various shrines of our Blessed Mother that I have been privileged to visit. My closed eyes while praying open my heart and mind to the experience of being right before the shrine, completely immersed with the ambiance of the place. Would you like to pray the Rosary with me ?
I Believe in God..... Jerusalem, Israel, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, before the altar where below it lies the hole on which the cross with our crucified Jesus stood. Then I am inside the sepulchre kneeling and touching the cement block that protects the rock upon which the body of Jesus was lain and from which He resurrected during the first Easter
Our Father ..... Prague, Czeschoslovakia ..... inside the Church Of Our Lady Victorious , in front of the Miraculous Image of the Infant Jesus which appeared to Fr. Cyril. This side altar is so beautifully decorated befitting a "King.
Hail Mary ..... Manila, Philippines, Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran which remain open 24 hours a day. The hourly novena every Wednesday from 7 AM to 8 PM draw thousands from all walks of life - an indication of the love and devotion to our Blessed Mother.
Hail Mary..... Rome, Italy, St. Alfonsus Liguori Church where the original icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help is enshrined.
Hail Mary ..... Caracas, Venezuela, Chapel of Our Mother of Perpetual Succor where the icon of our Lady sheds tears of of oil.
Glory Be To The Father ..... Vatican City, Italy, infront of the high altar of the Basilica of St. Peter focusing on the huge illumined Holy Spirit symbol of a Dove. The elegant majesty of the Holy Spirit evokes awe of the penultlimate kind! Right under it lies the chair of St. Peter wrapped and embellished with precious metals.
FIRST DECADE
Our Father .... Manila, Philippines, inside the Quiapo Church before the image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno ( Black Nazarene ) which has been attested by so many devotees as "miraculous." My mother regularly visited the shrine on Fridays for years and years as do thousands of Filipinos, both Manilenos and otherwise .
Ist to 3rd Bead ..... Meditation on the Mystery (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries depending on the day.)
4th Bead ..... Puebla, Mexico where the image of Our Lady of the Rosary is in a most spectacular setting in the Cathedral of Puebla. Her shrine is so big it is like another church attached to the Cathedral.
5th Bead ..... Lourdes, France, before Our Lady of Lourdes in the Grotto of Massebielle where She appeared to St. Bernadette. On the right side of the grotto is the well of "healing waters" which pours out thousands of gallons a day for the seven million pilgrims who visit annually.
6th Bead..... Fatima, Portugal, where Our Lady of Fatima appeared to Blessed Jacinta, Blessed Francisco and Lucia in the Cova de Iria which is now the Chapel of Apparitions. Seventy thousand people witnessed the "The Miracle of the Sun" on October 13, 1917.
7th Bead..... Manila, Philippines, where Our Lady of the Abandoned in Sta. Ana is venerated. Many miracles have been attributed to Her especially during World War II when the church was saved from being a Japanese Army Headquarters by the appearance of hundreds of snakes and the District of Sta. Ana was the only one saved from the city-wide conflagration caused by the retreating Japanese during the 1945 Liberation of Manila. She is special to me because She is the Patron Saint of my birthplace!
8th Bead..... Carmel, Israel, Chapel of Stella Maris in the Carmelite Monastery where Our Lady of Mount Carmel is enshrined. She sits with Baby Jesus holding the Brown Scapular. Elijah's Cave is within the chapel and just outside it lies the place where the prophet encountered and defeated the men of Baal in a story recorded in the Bible.
9th Bead..... Mexico City, Mexico, before the icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe which was incredibly imprinted on the tilma of St. Juan Diego in the 1500's. She is venerated in the huge round new basilica where millions visit especially on Her feast day- December 12th.
10th Bead..... Antipolo, Philippines, inside the circular church of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. Thousands of pilgrims trek up this mountain shrine especially during the month of May. The image of the Black Madonna accompanied the perilous voyages of the Acapulco Galleon Trade between Mexico and the Philippines then.
Glory Be To The Father ..... Kalwaria, Poland, before the 16th Century Crucifix in the Chapter Room of the Monastery. The wood-carved crucifix is so impressively awesome and leaves an indelible imprint in one's mind.
Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls into Heaven, especially those who are in need of Thy mercy.
SECOND DECADE
Our Father ..... Burgos, Spain, in the Cathedral of Burgos at the special shrine of the Miraculous Crucifix of our Lord uniquely depicted in His "tortured" body. It is unlike the crucifixes in our churches here and in other parts of the globe where Jesus hangs on the cross with a "sanitized" body. During my first visit in 1998, it was 800 years old.
1st to 3rd Beads ...... Meditation on the Mystery
4th Bead ..... Paris, France, in the Chapel of Apparitions of the Convent of the Daughters of Charity on 140 Rue de Bac. High on the main altar is the image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal who appeared to St. Catherine Laboure. Mother Mary gave instructions about the medal with the prayer She herself composed, " O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee."
5th Bead..... Manila, Philippines, at the St.Vincent de Paul Church where I exchanged marriage vows with my husband, Rey. The image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal adorns the high altar. The vivid memory of the "young" bride and groom and the flower-strewn church setting plus family, relations and friends come rushing back to me!
6th Bead .....Czestochowa, Poland ..... before the image of the Miraculous Black Madonna, Our Lady of Czestochowa , which has traditionally been known to have been painted by St. Luke on the dinner table of the Holy Family. The shrine is on a summit called "Jasna Gora" or Bright Mountain. During the Middle Ages, pilgrims went up the mountain walking on their "knees." Such has been the devotion to the Mother of God in Poland which to this day is still 95 % Catholic.
7th Bead ..... Montserrat, Spain, in the Basilica of Our Lady of Montserrat, who with Our Lady of Czestochowa are the two Miraculous Black Madonnas in the world. The monastery sits near the summit of a very high uniquely "serrated" mountain. The image was found in one of the caves in the 1500's and since then has been the object of pilgrimages.
8th Bead ..... Cairo, Egypt, in front of the icon of our Blessed Virgin Mary as She appeared on the roof of the Coptic Church where thousands saw Her not for only a few minutes but for hours. Even highly educated Muslims as doctors testified seeing Her to international media.
9th Bead . ... Ocotlan, Mexico, where the image of Our Lady of Ocotlan is venerated. In the 1500's, an epidemic in Mexico caused so many deaths. Natives saw a burning tree in the forest and discovered the life-size statue of Our Lady inside the tree. They found a stream nearby with healing waters. The Basilica of Our Lady of Ocotlan is exquisitely lovely with ornate gold bas-relief in both ceiling and walls and the "camarin" is jaw-dropping in beauty.
10th Bead ..... San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, before the icon of Our Lady of Grace in the church where St. Padre Pio, the priest stigmatist who had the gifts of healing and divination spent most of his life and also died there. I mentally picture Our Lady and St. Padre Pio as I saw his incorrupt body in 2009, having been exhumed 40 years after his death.
Glory Be To The Father ..... Madrid, Spain, before the Crucifix of San Lorenzo de Escorial, the largest monastery built by the King of Spain after the victory of the Christian forces in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.The sculptor did a magnificent job in the facial expression and hair strands of our Lord in this famous crucifix.
Oh, my Jesus, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls into Heaven especially those who are in need of Thy mercy.
THIRD DECADE
Our Father ..... Assisi, Italy before the Crucifix that "spoke" to St. Francis about repairing the Church of San Damiano which was in ruins then. Little did St. Francis knew, then, that the Lord meant the whole "Roman Catholic Church" in its precepts and mission.
1st to 3rd Bead ..... Meditation on the Mystery
4th Bead ..... Manila, Philippines, inside the Malate Church , before the image of Our Lady of Remedies or Nuestra Senora de los Remedios as She is known among the locals. The ministry for the sick is an important feature in the community services of the church which is located fronting the Manila Bay.
5th Bead ..... Cholula, Mexico, before the shrine of Our Lady of Remedies. The church sits on "top" of a pyramid built centuries ago. Veneration of our Blessed Mother as "Healer" has been an ongoing devotion among Mexicans and pilgrims from all over the world.
6th Bead .... Vatican City, Italy, inside the Basilica of St. Peter in front of the image of "The Pieta" made by Michaelangelo when he was only 24 years old. Among the many works of art by Michaelangelo, this is the only one wherein he signed his name. I also imagine myself in Portland, Oregon at the Shrine of the Sorrowful Mother.
7th Bead ..... San Francisco, California, before the image of Our Lady Help of Christians at the Sts. Peter and Paul Church and also at her shrine at the Notre Dame les Victoires. The image of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, one of my favorite saints, is also at the Notre Dame.
8th Bead ..... Medjugorje, Yugoslavia, at the Hill of Apparitions where the Madonna apppeared to five children/youth in 1981. I remember my experience there when I climbed the hill alone before dawn with a mysterious lady whom God sent to accompany me.
9th Bead ..... Caracas, Venezuela, before the image of Our Lady of Betania who appeared to a wealthy grandmother near a waterfall and made Her presence known by a unique blue butterfly. Testimonies of thanksgiving inscribed in marble plaques line a long wall in the grounds.
10th Bead ..... Nazareth, Israel, infront of the high altar of the Church of the Holy Family erected on the spot where tradition claim is the site of the house of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Nazareth. Then I am infront of the Holy Crypt, in the Basilica of Nativity in Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
Glory Be To The Father ... Krakow, Poland ..... before the huge Black Crucifix at the Church of St. Wenzeslaus where St. Hillary and St. Wenzeslaus used to pray.
Oh, my Jesus, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls into Heaven especially those who are in need of Thy mercy.
FOURTH DECADE
Our Father .....Paray-le-Monial, France, in the Chapel of Apparitions of the Monastery of the Sisters of the Visitation where Our Most Sacred Heart of Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alaquoue. The incorrupt body of the saint lies inside the chapel.
1st to 3rd Beads - Meditation on the Mystery
4th Bead ..... Zaragoza, Spain, at the shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar where our Blessed Mother appeared to St. James to encourage him to continue evangelizing the pagans. Mary appeared on a pillar which has never been moved from its spot despite the building and rebuilding of the church through the centuries. This is the first recorded apparition of our Lady in church history.
5th Bead .....Makati City, Philippines, at the Sts. Peter and Paul Church, our parish then, before the image of Our Lady of the Rose. I regret not knowing anything about the origin of the image.
6th Bead ..... Rocamadour, France, before the image of Our Lady of Rocamadour in a church up in the mountains. I recall Marissa and I praying before the image of our Lady who is featured in a tight-fitting dress, the only one I have seen so far. I also remember being in a huge cave, the shrine of Our Lady of Cova Donga, France, too, where She appeared to Gen. Pelayo to tell him of his pending victory during the battles against invaders in the Middle Ages.
7th Bead ..... Burgos, Spain, inside the Cathedral of Burgos , before the extremely beautiful altarpiece which reaches to the ceiling with the Madonna of Burgos on top. Images of many saints were carved in the alabaster altarpiece many centuries ago. "Lace in Stone" is key character of this popular pilgrim/tourist sanctuary.
8th Bead ..... London, England ..... infront of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in the church named after Her. The dramatic expression in her face evokes humility and love of an undefinable kind.
9th Bead ..... Makati City, Philippines ..... before the big image of Our Lady of Manaog, the miraculous Virgin venerated in Pangasinan, (Northern Luzon), right in the lobby of the Atrium. Imagine a public building which houses a government office, Bureau of Internal Revenue, displaying such devotion to our Blessed Mother!
10th Bead ..... Wadowice, Poland, in the Church of St. Mary's near the home of Blessed John Paul II (now a museum) before the icon of Our Lady Nursing Jesus. In all my travels, this is the only icon of this kind that I have seen! I remember, too, the icon of Our Lady of Presentation beside the "baldochino" at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Italy.
Glory Be To The Father ..... Mexico City, inside the Cathedral before the Black Crucifix which depicts the sidewise - raised knees of Jesus which legend says was lifted up to absorb the poison which an enemy of a sacristan poured on Jesus'feet. It is said that the sacristan had the habit of kissing Jesus' feet.
Oh, my Jesus, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls into heaven especially those who are in need of Thy mercy.
FIFTH DECADE
Our Father ..... Poland, in the chapel where Jesus of Divine Mercy appeared several times to Sister Faustina. I also remember being in front of the huge icon of Jesus of Divine Mercy at the side altar of the church built after the apparitions. Relic of the wrist of St. Faustina is in altar.
1st to 3rd Bead - Meditate on the Mystery
4th Bead ..... Poland, before the image of Our Lady Immaculate in the church where St. Maximillian Kolbe lived and started the publication of a highly circulated magazine, "La Immaculata. " He is called "The Saint of Auschwitz" because he volunteered to die on behalf of a condemmed prisoner who had a family. I remember seeing the small starvation cell where he died, the gas chambers and the incinerators where the dead bodies were burned and its tremendous effect upon me.
5th Bead ..... San Francisco, California, in front of the image of Our Lady of Grace at the St. Dominic's Church which I often visited during our early years in America in the 1979- 80's. St. Jude's shrine is also in this sanctuary so that many devotees visit here.
6th Bead ..... Fatima, Portugal, before the Russian icon of Our Lady of Kazan which is "behind iron bars," so to speak, because it is so lavishly encrusted with diamonds and precious stones - gifts to the miraculous Lady by the czars and nobles of Russia through the centuries. During my visits in the 1980's, She was in Fatima but was returned to Russia later.
7th Bead ..... Nevers, France, in front of the image of Our Lady of the Waters in the grounds of the Convent of St. Gildard where St. Bernadette spent the last years of her life and where her incorrupt body lies. It is said that she preferred it more than the one at the Grotto of Lourdes since it approximates more closely the smiling face of the Virgin she saw.
8th Bead ..... Jerusalem, Israel, inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre before the icon of Our Lady of Sorrows with a sword piercing her heart. The pain of a grieving mother is so profoundly etched in her face. The icon is near the altar which marks the spot of the cross.
9th Bead ..... Kawalria, Poland, before the huge icon of Our Lady of Kalwalria in a side chapel of the "centuried" church where it was placed in the 1600's. It is said that it had never been lifted off its original place except during the last visit of Blessed John Paul II, a devotee, when it was placed in Krakow for the convenience of the Pope.
10th Bead ..... Manila, Philippines, at the Santo Domingo Church at the shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary. This is also a pilgrim site in the city.
Glory Be To The Father ..... Makati City, Philippines in front of the large Crucifix in the center aisle of the St. Andrews Church, San Miguel Village. The open wounds in the entire body of Jesus Christ are so intricately carved in this cast iron effigy which is beyond description. I have not seen anything like it in other parts of the world!
Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead us into Heaven, especially those who are in need of thy mercy.
Hail Holy Queen ..... Avignon, France, in the church adjacent to the Palace of the Popes, infront of the image of Our Lady, Help of Christians. The white marble 10- inch statue of the Blessed Mother which I got from the church souvenir shop had changed colors from white to blue sometimes and peach at other times only from its waist down for several years since 1996.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God ...... etc.
Let us Pray ...... etc. to the end of the Rosary.
1st to 3rd Beads ..... Meditation (Joyful, Luminous, etc.)
4th Bead ..... Paris, France, in the chapel of the Convent of the Daughters of Charity where Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure and gave instructions for the Miraculous Medal.
5th Bead ..... Manila, Philippines, before the image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in the St. Vincent de Paul Church where I was married fifty-six years ago.
6th Bead ..... Czechtahowa, Poland, at the Monastery of the Pauline Fathers in Jasna Gora (Bright Mountain) where the icon of Our Lady, one of the two acknowledged miraculous Black Madonnas of the world is venerated.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
October 1, 2011 - ST> THERESE OF LISIEUX
Today is the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, also called the "Little Flower." She has been called, "The Greatest Saint of Modern Times." What a tribute to an ordinary French Carmelite nun who spent her short 24 years of life within the cloister!. Who is St. Therese of Lisieux?
St. Therese of Lisieux was born in Alencon, France on January 2, 1873. She was a pampered daughter of a mother who had wanted to be a nun and a father who had wanted to be a monk. Five daughters lived out of the nine children born into the marriage. At the age of four, her mother died and so she became close to her elder sister, Pauline. Five years later, Pauline entered the Carmelite Convent. The loss of her second mother affected her so much. She became so ill that many thought she would die. Doctors were helpless over her case. Through all her pain, she kept close to the Blessed Virgin with her rosary and other prayers. Then, one day, the statue of Mary smiled at her. Suddenly, she was cured. She tried to keep the grace of the cure to herself for a long time.
The entrance of her sisters, Pauline and Marie to the Carmelite Order inspired Therese to follow their footsteps. After sometime, she gained her father's blessing in regard to her desire. But the parish priest and the Bishop denied the request on the basis of her age. Later, she and her father went on a pilgrimage to Rome. Before the Papal Audience, the pilgrims were forbidden to speak with the Pope but that did not stop Therese. When she knelt before him, she told him of her wish to be a nun and appealed that his blessing to her prooposal be granted. The Pope assured her that God's will be done. She was carried out by two guards. But a year later at age 15, she was admitted to the Carmelite Convent in Lisiuex.
Her idea of convent life met with reality in a way she did not expected. As a cloistered nun, she could not even visit her father who suffered a series of strokes which affected him physically and mentally. She was grief-striken! She endeavored twice as hard to show love in every little work, every humiliation and untrue accusation and in every glance or smile. These little sacrifices cost her more than the big ones because they wene unrecognized by others.
Therese continued to worry how she could achieve holiness in the life she lived. She did not want to be just good. She wanted to be a saint! She said, "God would not want me to wish something impossible. So in my hidden life and countless faults, I will look for some means to go to heaven by a little way which is very short and very straight.
As a Carmelite nun, she spent much time alone with God in prayer, meditation and penance. Living the cloistered existence, no one knew that she had been receiving special favors from God. With her sisters, Pauline and Marie in the convent, she used to relate vividly stories of their childhood days. So, Pauline, who was Mother Prioress at that ime "ordered" her to write her autobiography, Hesitantly at first, she wrote her aautobiography and titled it, "The Story of a Soul" especially because she revealed her "little way" to spiritual sanctity. She declared, "I understood that love is everything; that it embraces all times and places. Oh, Jesus, my love! My vocation is love!"
Then in 1896, she coughed blood. She kept working without telling anybody until her illness became worse. She envisioned the work she would do after her death: helping those on earth. She promised, " My heaven will be spent on earth. I will let go a shower of roses!"
She died on Septembeer 30, 1897 at age 24. Therese's "little way" of trusting in Jesus and his merciful love to make her holy and relying in small daily sacrifices instead of great deeds appealed to thousands of people who were trying to find holiness in ordinary lives. Generations of Catholics have admired the "Little Way" and called her "Little Flower. They found in her short life more inspiration for their own lives than in volumes by theologians.
She was canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1925. She is referred to as St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face or St. Therese of Lisiuex. She was declared Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope john Paul II. She is one of the only three Women Doctors of the Church, along with St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila.
Morning Prayer of St. Therese of Lisiuex
Oh, my God, I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works by uniting them to its infinite merits. I wish to make reparations for my sins by casting them into the furnace to its merciful love.
Oh, my God, I ask of Thee for myself and for those I hold dear, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy holy will, to accept for love of Thee, the joy and sorrows of this passing life. Amen.
St. Therese of Lisieux is one of my favorite saints. As such, I have tried to influence my grandchildren to be close to her, too. So, every time a grandchild graduated from Grade VIII, I rewarded them with a trip to Paris and a visit to Our Lady of Lourdes in Southern France. During the Paris sojourn with Joshua, Christina and Tiffany Anne, we also visited the shrine of St. Therese in her hometown, Lisiuex. We all found the experience at her magnificent basilica and the Carmel Monastery where her body lies a most unforgettable experience. While I have taken Diana, Michael and Christian to Paris and Lourdes, the trip to Lisiuex was missed, so I am looking forward to taking them there in the near future....so help me, Lord!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sept. 30, 2011 - ST. JEROME AND THE BIBLE
St. Jerome's most quoted words are, " Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Jesus Christ." Rightly so, because we come to know Jesus through the Word - the Bible- where His life, His Teachings and His Passion, Death and Ressurrection are explained and proclaimed by people who wrote about Him under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sept.23, 2011 ST> PIO OF PETRELCINA
Sunday, September 18, 2011
September 18, 2011 - PARABLE - LANDOWNER & LABORERS
The First Reading is from Isaiah 53: 6-9 where he exclaims that God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways above our ways. We know very little about Isaiah except that he was from the tribe of Judah, or royal stock and that he lived in Jerusalem. He was also married and had two sons. To distinguish him from others so named, he was called Alsaiah, son of Amos, a man of God. Sometimes, the Book of Isaiah is referred to as a "Book of Comfort" in that he assures that man seeks God Who is beyond comprehension, yet still finds Him; God is transcendant, yet near enough to help man; God is exalted, yet is required of man to worship and follow His ways.
The Second Reading is from Paul's Letter to the Philippinans 1:20; 24-27.
Phillipi is a city north of the Aegean Sea and was named after Philipp of Macedonia who was the father of Alexander,The Great. St. Paul founded the first Christian Church in Europe here around the year 51. He lived there for some years and had an affectionate relationship with the people. They loved him as much as he loved them. When Paul was imprisoned in Rome, the Philippians provided him financial help and even sent Epaphroditus to stay and help Paul. When Epaphroditus became seriously ill, Paul sent him back to Philippi with this letter around AD 61-63.
"....for me life is Christ and death is gain" in the sense that St. Paul preferred to die so as to be able to live with Christ as he envisioned. But he knew that it was necessary tfor him to live for the benefit of the faithful since their increase of the knowledge of Christ through his preaching, they will become deeply grounded in their faith and such will please the Lord.
Monday, August 22, 2011
August 22, 2011 - QUEENSHIP OF MARY
The title, "Queen of Heaven," (Latin Regina Caeli) is one of the many Queen titles of the Blessed Virgin. For centuries, Catholics while praying the Litany of Loreto was already invoking Mary as the Queen of Heaven long before the dogma was created by the Roman Catholic Church. The first basis for the Queenship of Mary was developed at the Council of Ephesus when it defined Mary as the Mother of God. She is Queen by "divine relationship," by being the Mother of the King of Kings.
Mary is Queen of Heaven by the singular grace of God the Father Who has willed her to play an exceptional role in the work for the salvation of humanity. For this reason, many devotees refer to her as Co Redemptrist. Pope Benedict XVI writes, " Because of her humble and unconditional acceptance of God's will, God exalted her over all creatures and Christ crowned her as "Queen of Heaven."
She is Queen by "Grace." Mary is "full of grace" of the highest order!
Mary's power as Queen is "intercessory." She intercedes for us. When we say that her power in the distribution of graces extends to everyone, we do not mean that she is the "source" of those graces but that by her prayer she can obtain from her Divine Son all the graces necessary for souls. Pope Pius IX writes, " She intercedes powerfully for us with a mother's heart, obtains what she seeks and cannot be refused by her Divine Son." Jesus cannot refuse what His Mother asks because she will never ask for anything contrary to the will of God or our best interests. The feast of Mary as Queen is an affirmation of the dogma of her "Mediation. "
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As Catholics, we say our prayers of Consecration to Mary. The Catholic Encyclopedia defines "consecration" as an act by which a person is dedicated to a sacred service or an act which separates an object or a location from a common mode to one of sacred use. The Catholic Church makes it clear that the use of the term "consecration" with regard to Mary is an "entrustment" to Mary to show their devotion and dedication to Mary as the Mother of God, though holy, is not herself a divine being. In Catholic teaching, consecration to Mary does not diminish or substitute the love of God but enhances it, for all consecration is ultimately made to God.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
August 11, 2011 - ST. CLARE OF ASSISI
" What kind of love can make a young, beautiful, out-going girl leave a life of ease, attention and freedom for the cloister of drab, rigid, contemplative nuns? What kind of love can make a young girl give up her noble birth and heritage in a castle for the small, lonely, materially impoverished monastery? What kind of love can make a young girl abandon the luxury of possessions and goods for daily subsistence on alms and give-aways? What kind of love can make a girl of noble birth embrace a life of absolute poverty and consider it a privilege to live without privileges?
It is a love touched by God to be in complete harmony with Him - an "imitation" of Christ - in form and substance!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
August 9, 2011 - ST> TERESA BENEDICTA of the CROSS
After World War I, she followed Hussein in Germany where she passed her doctoral degree with a dissertation on "The Problem of Empathy." On the death of Hussein's assistant, she vted his widow who was a woman of faith. She wrote, " It was my first encounter with the Cross and the divine power it imparts to those who bear it. Christ began to shine on me. In Christ is the mystery of the Cross." She converted to the Catholic faith and sincerely believed that she belonged to Christ not only spiritually but also by blood since she had Jewish roots. She read the The New Testatment and The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. She read the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila and finished it in one night. She wanted to enter the Carmelite Monastery right after conversion but was prevailed upon to teach and to accept extensive speaking engagements. In addition , she translated letters and diaries of Cardinal John Newman, wrote, "Potency", a study of the central concepts developed by St. Thomas Aquinas. Within the Carmelite walls, she wrote, "The Father of Mysteries, St. John of the Cross," "The life of a Jewish Family," "The Science of the Cross" and her own philosophical and theological beliefs in "Finite and Eternal Being."
At that time she said, "I thought leading a religuous life meant giving up all earthly things and having one's mind only on divine things. I learned that the deeper someone is drawn to God, the more he has to get "beyond himself" i e; go into the world and carry divine life into it." She successfully combined scholarship and faith in her work and in her teaching, seeking always to be a "tool of the Lord."
She joined the Carmelite Order in Cologne, Germany and had her investiture on April 19, 1934 as Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She had her Perpetual Vows on April 21, 1938.
She was arrested with her sister, Rosa, who also converted in the Carmelite chapel in August 1942 and were gassed among the 087 who came to Auschwitz on August 8, 1942.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
August 6, ,2011 - TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS
"Today, we shall go to Mount Tabor," announced Benji Shavit, our Tour Director. I was excited! It would be my first time to set foot on the mountain where a momentous event in Jesus' life is immortalized in the Bible. From a distance I saw Mount Tabor, majestic and serene, loom distinctly alone in the Holy Land where mountain ranges abound. I felt the bus start its ascent. It went through a maze of winding roads until it reached an area where around seven or eight tour buses were parked.
"From this point, we shall take cars to reach the top," Benji said. "Don't worry, you will use a Mercedes Benz, four persons to a car," he added with an unmistakable glint in his eyes and a queer smirk on his face.
"Wow, a Mercedes?" Glo Reyes, Vangie Chavez and I chorused. Just then a car followed by another and still another stopped before our group. Yes! They were Mercedes Benzes alright, presumably Circa 1950 or 1960, all in awful need of body shop upgrading. It was worse inside! The floor was covered with scraps of linoleum and flaky shreds of wall covering swayed relentlessly. For many years of use, the cushion on the seat became barely two inches thick so that the iron coils "disturbed" our behind so badly. Can you imagine the sacrifice we experienced as the car went through the narrow road interspersed with many elliptical curves leading to the summit? The speed with which the car ran was nothing short of fast that kept us gasping for breath with an intoned, "Hesus, Maria, Hosep," at each curve. We held on to whatever solit part of the car was available or to each other's knees or arms for support every time we made a swing! Oh my!
However, two things won our admiration - the efficiency of the engine of the car and the remarkable skill of the driver. Whatever the vehicle lacked in aesthetics was amazingly redeemed by the output of its machinery manned by the desterity of seasoned driver's hands. The penultimate test of expert maneuvers was when an incoming car on the way down sidles a few inches away from an ascending one. By virtue of the "Keep Right" rule of the road, our car had to be nearer the cliff was mot at all protected by an enbankment of any kind. Can you imagine four bewildered faces open-mouthed with anticipation what the next moment would bring? It was a jaw-dropping, stomach-churning experience, indeed! So it was with a deep, deep sigh of relief that we exclaimed, "Thank God!" when we finally reached the summit of Mount Tabor and the Basilica of transfiguration.
You will recall that the Bible states that Jesus, Peter, James and John were up in the mountain after several days. Yes, after several days because they had to walk. Mount Tabor is so high and thickly forested and without a defined road then. It would have taken a few days to reach the top. Peter experienced something there he wanted to last forever. He wanted to hold on to the moment of profound mystery. He wanted to gaze upon the radiance of Jesus transformed before him- the Radiance of God! And Peter said, "Lord, it is good to be here." It must have been a mountaintop experience for Peter!
By the way, our own transforming moments in prayer at home, in the office at work or while watching the splendor of a sunset or the breaking of dawn or while walking by the seashore or through the woods on a crisp autumn morn are all "mountaintoop experiences" whether or not we have scaled a mountain. So are the moments we spend alone in our so-called "desert" be it on an easy chair in our room or backyard, beach or just anywhere where we simply keep still and through the sound of silence let God be God!
Jesus went to Mount Tabor and was transfigured. Here, God said."This is my own dear Son with whom I am pleased. Listen to Him." This place is so sacred because it is a memorial of Jesus' divinity just as the Garden of Gethsemane is the site profound for Jesus' humanity.
I looked up at the mosaic apse of the basilica depicting the scene of the Transfiguration. There were Jesus, Moses, Elijah, Peter, James and John. I stood motionless, speechless enveloped with the awesome presence of God. It seemed I heard His voice speaking to me directly,"Listen to Him." I was consumed in prayer of praise and thanksgiving - basking in God's glory!
Like Peter, I said,"Lord, it is good to be here.Thank you for bringing me here." All at once I thought of my family, all my loved ones. I wanted them to enjoy the moment with me. I wanted them to set foot on Mount Tabor, on the mountaintop and feel God's embrace in its panorama. I gazed at the waters of the Sea of Galilee. I remembered St. Peter's fish - tilapia and the abundant life forms in the lake because of the generaous, giving quality of its nature.The Sea of Galilee funnels some of its water to its environs and thus has remained vibrant and fresh since Jesus' time. Unlike its generous counterpart, howeveer, the Dead Sea is just that- dead- dead to the world, the lowest spot on earth where nothing lives or grows. It keeps every drop of water it receives from the river Jordan which is also the source of water of the Sea of Galilee. How these bodies of water dramatize the rewards of hospitable open hands and the miserly closed fists of the various peoples of this earth!
The song of St. Francis reverberated in my ears, "Make me a channel of Your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring Your love. Where there is discord, harmony, where there is sadness, joy It is in giving that we receive...." In retrospect, I asked myself, "Am I giving enough? Is stewardship a priority in my life?" I remembered the Biblle passage about some men grow richer by giving much away while those who are so cautious in extending help to those in need find themselves deprived by some means or other. It must be that open hands are ready receptacles for God's abundant blessings. Where will He put His bounty on a closed fist? I resolved to look into the matter of my own stewardship more thoroughly.
I took several long breaths of the most fresh air ever. I looked at the azure sky and the cumulus clouds meandeering by and felt the soft caress of the cool breeze. As I glanced in every direction catching glimpses of the greenery and hilly slopes against the quiet waters of the Sea of Galilee, I felt God's Presence like never before. I "floated" in the all-embracing love of God! Again, I bowed my head in prayer,"Thank you, Lord, thank you." I opened my eyes and savored the scenery of verdant valleys below. What a stark contrast with the "valleys" of the city - the careening cars in busy streets, the homeless dotting the sidewalks, the hurried steps of time-constrained office workers, merchants, housewives doing their earrands and many more which make up the hustle and bustle of everyday city life.
Slowly, I straightened myself, pulled my shoulders back and held high my chin. I stood tall with the assurance and confidence of my own humble transformation, so to speak. I walked away ready to face everything buoyed by the memory of Jesus' transformed - Glowing with the Radiance of God!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
July 13,2011 - ST. BONAVENTURE
St. Bonaventure was born in Tuscany, Italy in 1221, entered the Franciscan Order in 1243 and died in 1274. He studied in the University of Paris and later earned a professorial chair in the same school. He preached in Spain, Germany and France and even before Popes and kings. The fertility of his imagination and the originality of his expression was most admired. His renown as a preacher almost surpassed his renown as a writer and teacher.
It is said that no writer was ever more widely read and copied in the Middle Ages as St. Bonaventure. The abiding sense of "God's Presence" which pervades in all his writings is perhaps the greatest mark he has left in the minds of men. In his treatises he aimed in arousing devotion as well as in imparting knowledge. His writings are characterized by its simplicity and directness and be the faithful adherence to the teaching in the Gospel. The perfecting of the soul by the uprooting of vice and the implanting of virtue is the common thread in all his writings. His teaching represents the most profound and acceptable ideas of his age and marks a notable stage in the evolution of knowledge. His writings carried great weight at great council convened and Vatican meetings. He wrote the well -known "De Perfectrone Vitae," a treatise which depicts the virtues that make for religious perfection as well as the exposition on Papal Supremacy and Infallibility. He authored 500 sermons and 48 meditations and the "Vitae Mystica on the Passion." He wrote the approved,"Life of St. Francis" after staying months in Assisi where the great "Saint of Peace" was born.
As a tribute for his all-absorbing love for God, the title of "Seraphic Doctor" was given to St. Bonaventure in 1333.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
May 31, 2011 - THE MONTH OF MAY
Early childhood memories of "May Flower Festivals to Mary" at the Sta. Ana Catholic Church always bring smiles as I picture myself in a flowing white dress offering flowers to Our Lady of the Abandoned, the patroness of the district. Since my elder sister Lourding (may she rest in peace) was one of the organizers of the yearly devotion, Beth and I were almost always daily participants. Only girls were traditionally considered "sagalas" so that my younger brother Freddie acted as staunch supporter.
May 12th is the feast day of Our Lady of the Abandoned or as She is addressed by the old folks," Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados." Many miracles have been attributed to her by hundreds of residents and devotees. During World War II when Japanese forces occupied Manila, the Sta. Ana church was saved from becoming an army headquarters. During their first night's stay, the whole church was deluged by so many snakes which caused the soldiers to flee. Many believed that the strange phenomenon happened due to the intervention of the Blessed Mother. So was the fact that the District of Sta Ana was the only one not burned in Manila by the retreating Japanese and became the haven for refugees from the surrounding areas.
So when the town fiesta comes, Sta. Ana residents prepare for it several months ahead. Visits of relatives and friends from all over Manila and even from the provinces were earmarked on this day. Every home was lavished with so much mouth-watering cuisine which included the crispy "lechon" or roast pig and a variety of native sweets. The proverbial Filipino hospitality was literally on display to the core on this day! Various entertainment like musical bands and singing contests, magic shows and acrobatic stumts fill the daytime hours at the town plaza. At night, the religious procession of the image of Our Lady through most of the streets in Sta. Ana was the fitting finale of the glorious fiesta! I remember the many times my sisters and I participated in the yearly procession as a sign of our devotion to Our Lady of the Abandoned.
May is the birthday month of three of my seven grandchildren - Melanie Mary on May 3rd, Tiffany Anne on May 12th and Michael on May 25th. Celebrations of birthday anniversaries always include family reunions with so much food and the inevitable varieties of sweets, both native and otherwise. Karaoke singing by both those who really can belt tunes in their high C's and those who simply enjoy singing despite unwieldy melodic detours provide limitless laughter and joy to everyone. Even now, I cannot help smiling every time I remember the song, "Ang Bikining Itim" (Black Bikini) by the group with Cora Paras as lead singer. Nor do I forget Bobby's rendition of "Sa Lumang Simbahan" (In the Old Church) with Tanduay, a Filipino alcoholic drink interposes within the lyrics. Of course, no family gathering is complete without my sister Beth, a May-born,too, singing "Gaano Kita Kamahal" (How Do I Love You) with Marissa's dexterous piano accompaniment. The song, "Memories" always graced parties by the duet of Noel and Marissa while Cielo belts the melancholy strains of Lionel Richie. Christina's breathtaking rendition of "Amazing Grace" always brought tears to my eyes. Danny Boy has always been associated with "Delilah" just as Maricar with the power-wielding, "I Will Survive." Oh, how I really enjoyed, and still do, birthday celebrations.
The bells tolled a sad note for me on May 2, 2003 since this day marked the chilly "Adieu" of Papa, my beloved husband of 47 years. The tremendous shock and disbelief caused terrible pain and deep anguish that pushed me into a state of surrealistic numbness. Is this true? Is this parting real?What happens now? And many other whys and wherefores clouded my mind. I was thrust into a dimension so difficult to unravel, so heart-rending to piece together! "Be still. Know that I am God." were the whispered message I heard the moment I learned of Papa's demise. Knowing that I had the assurance of God tempered the outburst of quelled emotions. I remembered Psalm 34, " God is close to the broken-hearted and those who are crushed in spirit, He saves!" It pulled me through the most difficult phase of my life that followed. Somehow I managed to walk through it all the days thereafter. A strange impact of sadness and "aloneness" hovered over me. It was the same feeling I experienced at the loss of my Mother in 1968.
Remember how I often say, "I am one of God's favorites ?" True, indeed! Immediately after taking away someone I dearly loved, the good Lord gave me someone to love anew. He gave me Melanie, Cielo's youngest daughter, born on May 3rd, right after the day of Papa's "Goodbye." Who will ever consider this coincidence? To say that my spirits were lifted up would be an understatement. And to invigorate and enrich His palliative measure, He made me witness Marissa's daughter, Diana, graduate from Grade VIII as Class Valedictorian immediately the next month of the same year.! To top it all, God allowed Diana and I to go on a trip to France, Portugal and Spain a few weeks after her graduation in 2003.
This year, 2011, the month of May brought me something wonderfully beautiful! Marissa, Christina and I went to New York to witness Diana, my eldest grand-daughter, graduate from the St. John's Catholic University with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biology at the top of her class - Magna Cum Laude. My joy and pride soared to infinitismal heights! My praise and thanksgiving to our Almighty God and our Mother Mary was as thunderous as the volley of shots on a July 4th celebration!
Now, you know why May is a special month for me! Hasta la vista!!!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
May 26, 2011 - NEW YORK CITY TRIP
It was two-fold in its significance:
Firstly, Diana, Marissa's daughter and my eldest grandchild, graduated from St. John's Catholic University as Magna Cum Laude. What an honor! I was bursting with immense joy and bellowing pride that only a grandmother can fully feel yet be miserably inept to articulate.
It was the same feeling that overwhelmed me when in September 23, 1903, Diana sang the National Anthem at the "A's" game at the Oakland Coliseum before 21,000 people. She was four years old. She was awarded the privilege after winning First Place in the Kid Category of the contest sponsored by Oakland "A's" whereby 600 aspirants applied. Her performance was well documented in San Francisco and other county newspapers and video clipped in most TV newscasts. Excerpts from newspaper reports said,"...a little girl, 4 years old, Diana Oblena Chan, wearing a poodle skirt walked out into the field to the wonder of over 21,000 people who came to watch the Oakland "A's" face the Kansas City Royals on a warm, cloudless day perfect for baseball. She belted out a rousing "Star Spangled Banner" acappella without any faltering hesitations in between. She even nailed the "Free" at the end that terrifies so many singers and tests the best of nerves." Incidentally, the "A's" won the game that day. By design, my praise and thankgsgiving to our Lord soared to high heavens!
It was the same feeling that overwhelmed me when the Class of 2003 of the Holy Spirit Catholic School had Diana as Valedictorian. The substance of her address and the delivery that was verbatim drew so much appreciative comments from both faculty and visitors alike. In fact, I experienced the same exuberant joy when I witnessed the Grade VIII graduations of Joshua, Christina, Michael, Christian and Tiffany Anne. And I am certain that if I would still be around when Melanie Mary finishes her elementary schooling, an overflow of emotions would envelope me! Somehow
Secondly, I consider my being able to witness the college graduation of my grandchild at age 80, a very rare gift from our Lord. Praise God! He has given me such a "good" life for which I am day-by-day grateful! The extended years with my family has been providing many opportunities to enjoy the company of loved ones especially my grandchildren in travels abroad to places which I have visited. It has become almost an obsession for me to travel with my family to places of cultural and historic interests but most notably to sites of religious importance to our Catholic faith. I like to leave them a "Legacy of Faith!"
The wonderful New York sojourn would not have been possible without the magnanimous welcome of Stacey, Barney's brother to his well-appointed penthouse in the opulent Jamaica Estates of the city. It is a charming place complete with the artistry and meticulous taste of a young bachelor. Stacey's two healthy, well-behaved cats complete the lovely setting. The commanding view from the terrace is breathtaking! Somehow, my communion with God during the twilight hours assumed a distinctly greater impact in depth and intimacy. I cannot thank Stacey enough for his generosity!
A visit to Times Square is a must to a visitor in New York for both first-timers and perrenial visitors. The lure of the busy place vibrant with tourists of a myriad race, creed and color along with the giant ads emblazoned with hundreds of multicolored lights leave nothing to be desired. Just sitting on the Red Steps and "watching the world go by" was an interesting pastime.
Diana took us to a known celebrity hang-out called, "Carnegie Deli," where the walls were completely plastered with pictures of celebrities in the movies, media, etc eaating their foot-tall sandwich oozing with several ounces or pounds of tender steak. Just to see it set before you makes your mouth water. Oh, so tender and juicy, indeed! But a sandwich cost $22 a piece!
We were lucky to enjoy a Flea Market Sunday right on a NYstreet covering several blocks. Merchandise of every conceivable kind were on display to taunt every purse-string. Makeshift foodshops lined the streets each appealing to native tastes of the visitors and curious locals from the Middle East, Mexico, Asia and Europe. It was somehow surprising to see long queues form toward especial eating booths. Man's hunger pangs can become almost insatiable, indeed!
Marissa, Diana and Christina invited me to go to New Jersey to see the setting of the TV show, "The Cake Boss," but I declined the invitation. I felt I could find better use of my time. Ehem! But I enjoyed the pastries they brought back and the stories of the crowd of tourists in the place. Imagine having a security guard to limit the number of patrons entering the bakery!
The trip to New York was a most exhilarating experience, too!