I have always believed in Divine Intervention.
For me it's God's way of letting us know that he is aware of what goes on in our minds and everything that is happening to us. It is also His way of answering our prayers.
For the past years come Christmas time, I had always shared my blessings with the less fortunate members of society. Lately, I had been feeling depressed because with only a few days to go before Christmas I have not yet fulfilled my wish of being able to make others happy during this season. There is no greater joy and fulfillment than in making others happy.
Last year I was not able to push thru with my original plan of giving gifts to the lolos and lolas at Golden Acres, a Home for the Aged, for certain reasons. But God made up for it and made me realize my Christmas wish by giving me the chance to provide the much needed medication to some retired priests and bishops who were residing in a retirement home. My wish was granted on Dec.8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
This year I was pre-occupied with so many things that I forgot all about my Christmas wish. I only remembered it about two weeks ago and up to this day I still could not think of whom I could share my blessings with. I had requested Jesus and Mama Mary again to guide me in choosing those who need assistance badly and lead me to them, something they did last year, because they know better than I do.
This afternoon as the 3:00 o'clock prayer was being recited on television, my phone rang. A guy was on the other end and wished to talk to me. He introduced himself as Father Mike from the Blessed Sacrament Congregation of the Sta. Cruz church in Manila. He said he just called to greet me a Merry Christmas and to extend their gratitude for the help I had been extending to their congregation over the years. He also told me that they are always praying for me. I was misty eyed as I was talking to him. I remember a year ago I also received a similar phone call from another priest from this congregation.
As I put the receiver down, I realized that God was probably sending a message across. Maybe He was telling me not to worry if I cannot help some people at this particular time, after all I had been extending help in various occassions in the past years. And extending assistance to our less fortunate brothers and sisters need not happen only at Christmas but at anytime of the year. Maybe he also wants me to know that He appreciates what I'm doing and just used Father Mike as a messenger.
Thank you Jesus for making me see things from a bigger perspective. Thank you for taking away my anxiety, worries and helplessness and making me accept things the way they are.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS. You are God's greatest gift to mankind.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
JUSTICE STILL AWAITS MR. VIZCONDE
With the recent acquittal of Hubert Webb et al, a lot of dissenting opinions had been heard. There are those who agree with the Supreme Court's decision, while others do not.
I have no way of knowing if indeed they are really innocent, but I guess my opinion will not really matter. I am not a lawyer so I am not familiar on how they go about evaluating and resolving heinous crimes. I am just on the outside looking in, so to speak.
But if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that everything happens for a reason. Maybe they are really innocent that is why God allowed the Court to rule in their favor. But then again, maybe they are not. At this point, no one really knows if Webb, et al did commit the crime or otherwise. Maybe the Supreme Court followed the dictum, to which I agree, that it is better to set free a criminal than to sentence an innocent man to death.
As I was watching the proceedings on television the other day, I could not help but feel compassion for Mr. Lauro Vizconde as I saw him break down in tears and nearly collapsed. We saw how the families of the seven acquitted prisoners rejoiced, while Mr. Vizconde almost fainted when he heard the verdict. I know how hard it must have been for him. It even came to a point when he asked God why He had forsaken him. It must have been too much for him to bear because in his heart, he probably knew that they were guilty. But how can a powerless man go up against the rich and mighty? He asked forgiveness from his wife and daughters for not being able to fight for them and give justive to their death. But pray tell me, how can you fight City Hall?
While these guys will undoubtedly be having a great Christmas with their families after 15 years, Mr. Vizconde will be spending Christmas alone in misery. He had been spending Christmas in grief for the past 15 years, but this year will be the saddest. While in the past years he still had hope that the case will be solved and justice will be accorded his family, this year he no longer has something to look forward to.
But don't worry Mr. Vizconde, the guilty will have their day in court. If not in this lifetime definitely in the next, where there will be no need for witnesses for nothing escapes the eyes of God. Justice will prevail and victory will still be yours in the end.
I have no way of knowing if indeed they are really innocent, but I guess my opinion will not really matter. I am not a lawyer so I am not familiar on how they go about evaluating and resolving heinous crimes. I am just on the outside looking in, so to speak.
But if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that everything happens for a reason. Maybe they are really innocent that is why God allowed the Court to rule in their favor. But then again, maybe they are not. At this point, no one really knows if Webb, et al did commit the crime or otherwise. Maybe the Supreme Court followed the dictum, to which I agree, that it is better to set free a criminal than to sentence an innocent man to death.
As I was watching the proceedings on television the other day, I could not help but feel compassion for Mr. Lauro Vizconde as I saw him break down in tears and nearly collapsed. We saw how the families of the seven acquitted prisoners rejoiced, while Mr. Vizconde almost fainted when he heard the verdict. I know how hard it must have been for him. It even came to a point when he asked God why He had forsaken him. It must have been too much for him to bear because in his heart, he probably knew that they were guilty. But how can a powerless man go up against the rich and mighty? He asked forgiveness from his wife and daughters for not being able to fight for them and give justive to their death. But pray tell me, how can you fight City Hall?
While these guys will undoubtedly be having a great Christmas with their families after 15 years, Mr. Vizconde will be spending Christmas alone in misery. He had been spending Christmas in grief for the past 15 years, but this year will be the saddest. While in the past years he still had hope that the case will be solved and justice will be accorded his family, this year he no longer has something to look forward to.
But don't worry Mr. Vizconde, the guilty will have their day in court. If not in this lifetime definitely in the next, where there will be no need for witnesses for nothing escapes the eyes of God. Justice will prevail and victory will still be yours in the end.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
MOTHER TERESA'S ANGELS
For the longest time, I had always been awed and inspired by the Missionaries of Charity.
This afternoon, I decided to call their shelter in Tondo to inquire about certain things that I had always wanted to know. A lady answered the phone. I began asking some questions but I couldn't understand her answers. From the way she talked, it seemed to me that she was crying. I noticed too that she had difficulty expressing her words. I asked if she was okay, and even went to the extent of politely asking if she was crying. A long silence ensued. I knew however that the line was still open because I could hear voices in the background.
After a few seconds, a lady with a very gentle voice picked up the phone. She introduced herself as Sister Eufemia. Somewhat alarmed by the incident that preceded my conversation with the good sister, I told her that I had been talking with someone whom I presumed was crying. She then told me that the lady I was talking to earlier was one of the residents there who happened to be very, very sick. No wonder she seemed to be gasping for breath. A guilty feeling suddenly dawned on me that I might have subjected her to some inconvenience or anguish for that matter.
I then asked Sister Eufemia if their place was a home for the aged. She said no, it was not. She explained that it is a home for the desolate and dying patients. They accept only patients who are very poor and with terminal cases. They take care of these sick people.
I am very familiar with the Missionaries of Charity, having read a lot of books about its founder, Mother Teresa who has truly inspired me in so many ways, especially as far as dealing with the poor and the sick is concerned. I am very much acquainted with all the hardships and trials she had to go through before the Church authorities including the Pope, finally allowed her to set up the organization. And true to Mother Teresa's teachings, and following the norm for which the organization was established, I am happy that our local sisters are carrying on their mission to help the desolate.
Sister Eufemia invited me to come over and visit the patients. She said financial help is not necessary, although it would be very much appreciated. But what is more important is to be able to bring a smile to the faces of the dying. I couldn't help but agree with her.
Just like their counterparts all over the world, their shelter in Tondo is poor. They lack the much need funds to care for the sick. But despite the obstacles, they go about doing their duties following the example set by Mother Teresa. After all that is their mission.
I asked Sister Eufemia what would happen should a need arise to bring any of the patients to the hospital and they don't have the funds to spare. Her reply was simple, yet brought tears to my eyes. I was speechless for a while. She said we leave it to Divine Providence. God will provide.
Spoken like a true Missionary of Charity.
I know I just have to visit them one of these days and try to bring some warmth to the sick people there. I know God has a purpose why the telephone conversation took place this afternoon. Everything happens for a reason. I know once again, HE is guiding me in the right direction just like what HE did in the case of the retired priests last Christmas. This will be possible for HE will find a way.
HE always does.
This afternoon, I decided to call their shelter in Tondo to inquire about certain things that I had always wanted to know. A lady answered the phone. I began asking some questions but I couldn't understand her answers. From the way she talked, it seemed to me that she was crying. I noticed too that she had difficulty expressing her words. I asked if she was okay, and even went to the extent of politely asking if she was crying. A long silence ensued. I knew however that the line was still open because I could hear voices in the background.
After a few seconds, a lady with a very gentle voice picked up the phone. She introduced herself as Sister Eufemia. Somewhat alarmed by the incident that preceded my conversation with the good sister, I told her that I had been talking with someone whom I presumed was crying. She then told me that the lady I was talking to earlier was one of the residents there who happened to be very, very sick. No wonder she seemed to be gasping for breath. A guilty feeling suddenly dawned on me that I might have subjected her to some inconvenience or anguish for that matter.
I then asked Sister Eufemia if their place was a home for the aged. She said no, it was not. She explained that it is a home for the desolate and dying patients. They accept only patients who are very poor and with terminal cases. They take care of these sick people.
I am very familiar with the Missionaries of Charity, having read a lot of books about its founder, Mother Teresa who has truly inspired me in so many ways, especially as far as dealing with the poor and the sick is concerned. I am very much acquainted with all the hardships and trials she had to go through before the Church authorities including the Pope, finally allowed her to set up the organization. And true to Mother Teresa's teachings, and following the norm for which the organization was established, I am happy that our local sisters are carrying on their mission to help the desolate.
Sister Eufemia invited me to come over and visit the patients. She said financial help is not necessary, although it would be very much appreciated. But what is more important is to be able to bring a smile to the faces of the dying. I couldn't help but agree with her.
Just like their counterparts all over the world, their shelter in Tondo is poor. They lack the much need funds to care for the sick. But despite the obstacles, they go about doing their duties following the example set by Mother Teresa. After all that is their mission.
I asked Sister Eufemia what would happen should a need arise to bring any of the patients to the hospital and they don't have the funds to spare. Her reply was simple, yet brought tears to my eyes. I was speechless for a while. She said we leave it to Divine Providence. God will provide.
Spoken like a true Missionary of Charity.
I know I just have to visit them one of these days and try to bring some warmth to the sick people there. I know God has a purpose why the telephone conversation took place this afternoon. Everything happens for a reason. I know once again, HE is guiding me in the right direction just like what HE did in the case of the retired priests last Christmas. This will be possible for HE will find a way.
HE always does.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
A GOOD FRIDAY PLEA
It's Good Friday.
Almost everyone is at the beach except me.
Call me corny, kill joy or whatever you want to call me, but I certainly do not buy the idea of treating Holy Week particularly Maundy Thursday and Good Friday as a time to have fun. It is a time to reflect on our lives, repent and ask forgiveness from God for our sins.
Most people I know have gone to the beach for the duration of the week to take a swimming expedition for the flimsy excuse that they would not want to get bored in the city on Holy Week. Others have gone out of town or out of the country. Some say it's so lonely here that they would rather go shopping in Hongkong or Singapore to while the time away and come back when everything has gone back to normal.
I am deeply saddened by this attitude. Why of all days do you have to choose Holy Week as a time to unwind? There are 365 days in a year when you can do all of these, but please not on Holy Week or Good Friday at that.
Could you not devote this week to Jesus? All HE is asking is for you to think of HIM just this once. After all HE suffered so much, subjected himself to extreme pain and humiliation and died on the cross through no fault of his own but to save us for our sins.
Can you imagine yourself going to jail and being given a life sentence or worse a death penalty for a crime committed by someone else? Surely you wouldn't want that would you? But HE willingly did it for us without nary a word of complaint.
Or can you take it in your heart to go to the beach or take a vacation when a family member or loved one had just passed on? No, certainly not. You would be grieving beside your loved one's corpse until he or she has been buried and probably feel desolate weeks or even months after that.
So how can you have fun on Good Friday knowing that the only person who loves you unconditionally, has always been there for you, has granted most of your requests if not all, has never left you regardless of whether you had been good or bad and who loves you even though you do not reciprocate HIS love by hurting HIM countless times, had just died on the cross for you?
I could not. I am grieving.
I can not imagine going through life without Jesus.
And if i am corny because this is how I feel or perceive it to be, then so be it.
Almost everyone is at the beach except me.
Call me corny, kill joy or whatever you want to call me, but I certainly do not buy the idea of treating Holy Week particularly Maundy Thursday and Good Friday as a time to have fun. It is a time to reflect on our lives, repent and ask forgiveness from God for our sins.
Most people I know have gone to the beach for the duration of the week to take a swimming expedition for the flimsy excuse that they would not want to get bored in the city on Holy Week. Others have gone out of town or out of the country. Some say it's so lonely here that they would rather go shopping in Hongkong or Singapore to while the time away and come back when everything has gone back to normal.
I am deeply saddened by this attitude. Why of all days do you have to choose Holy Week as a time to unwind? There are 365 days in a year when you can do all of these, but please not on Holy Week or Good Friday at that.
Could you not devote this week to Jesus? All HE is asking is for you to think of HIM just this once. After all HE suffered so much, subjected himself to extreme pain and humiliation and died on the cross through no fault of his own but to save us for our sins.
Can you imagine yourself going to jail and being given a life sentence or worse a death penalty for a crime committed by someone else? Surely you wouldn't want that would you? But HE willingly did it for us without nary a word of complaint.
Or can you take it in your heart to go to the beach or take a vacation when a family member or loved one had just passed on? No, certainly not. You would be grieving beside your loved one's corpse until he or she has been buried and probably feel desolate weeks or even months after that.
So how can you have fun on Good Friday knowing that the only person who loves you unconditionally, has always been there for you, has granted most of your requests if not all, has never left you regardless of whether you had been good or bad and who loves you even though you do not reciprocate HIS love by hurting HIM countless times, had just died on the cross for you?
I could not. I am grieving.
I can not imagine going through life without Jesus.
And if i am corny because this is how I feel or perceive it to be, then so be it.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
MY ANGEL FRIENDS
I believe in angels. They do exist.
I am currently reading "The Angel Book". I am fascinated with this book not only because it is very interesting but has given me insights into the realm of angels as well. The author is a clairvoyant who has experienced their presence countless times though she has yet to see one.
I love angels and I have had angelic interventions in my life.
In this book it says that if you want to know the name of your guardian angel all you have to do is ask and they will give it to you. There are 2 ways of making this request. One is to sit with your bare feet touching the floor. Take a deep breath, concentrate and then ask your guardian angel for his name. The first name that pops into your mind is the answer.
The second method is to write your question on a piece of paper and place it under your pillow before you sleep. Or you may simply ask him for his name before dozing off. Your guardian angel will either reveal to you his name in a dream, or it is the first name that would flash in your mind the moment you wake up.
I tried both ways but I was not successful with the first. So I tried the second method. As I had a deadline to meet for my article, I went to sleep at 2:30 a.m. Since I could hardly keep my eyes open I was in a hurry to hit the sack and forgot to write my question on a piece of paper. But my angel knows I had long wanted to know his name. The next morning the moment I opened my eyes the name Ezequiel suddenly flashed in my mind. So now every time I talk to him I address him by his name.
It has somewhat been habitual for me to converse with my angel friends in my thoughts for the longest time, such that I was elated when I read in one of the chapters that all the angels in Heaven rejoice whenever a request to communicate with them has been made.
They are also jubilant when we request for their help because that is precisely their mission here on Earth.
And although they do not manifest themselves to us physically we can feel their presence when they are around. One of the signs is that you will all of a sudden see a white feather. Or at times when you are searching for a lost object, you will tend to look in a place where you normally wouldn't look and be surprised to see the object there. I had never experienced seeing a white feather but the latter has happened to me several times.
Although before I implore their help I try to do things on my own first, and only when it seems to be a hopeless situation will I ask them to assist me. They have never failed me.
Another thing they've helped me with is to wake me up at a desired time in the morning. This happens when I have to wake up very early. Before I sleep, I request them to wake me up at a certain time and the following morning I automatically open my eyes at the specified time.
I am glad we can count on them anytime. I am so happy they always keep me company and I know the feeling is mutual.
Thank you Jesus for my precious angels.
I am currently reading "The Angel Book". I am fascinated with this book not only because it is very interesting but has given me insights into the realm of angels as well. The author is a clairvoyant who has experienced their presence countless times though she has yet to see one.
I love angels and I have had angelic interventions in my life.
In this book it says that if you want to know the name of your guardian angel all you have to do is ask and they will give it to you. There are 2 ways of making this request. One is to sit with your bare feet touching the floor. Take a deep breath, concentrate and then ask your guardian angel for his name. The first name that pops into your mind is the answer.
The second method is to write your question on a piece of paper and place it under your pillow before you sleep. Or you may simply ask him for his name before dozing off. Your guardian angel will either reveal to you his name in a dream, or it is the first name that would flash in your mind the moment you wake up.
I tried both ways but I was not successful with the first. So I tried the second method. As I had a deadline to meet for my article, I went to sleep at 2:30 a.m. Since I could hardly keep my eyes open I was in a hurry to hit the sack and forgot to write my question on a piece of paper. But my angel knows I had long wanted to know his name. The next morning the moment I opened my eyes the name Ezequiel suddenly flashed in my mind. So now every time I talk to him I address him by his name.
It has somewhat been habitual for me to converse with my angel friends in my thoughts for the longest time, such that I was elated when I read in one of the chapters that all the angels in Heaven rejoice whenever a request to communicate with them has been made.
They are also jubilant when we request for their help because that is precisely their mission here on Earth.
And although they do not manifest themselves to us physically we can feel their presence when they are around. One of the signs is that you will all of a sudden see a white feather. Or at times when you are searching for a lost object, you will tend to look in a place where you normally wouldn't look and be surprised to see the object there. I had never experienced seeing a white feather but the latter has happened to me several times.
Although before I implore their help I try to do things on my own first, and only when it seems to be a hopeless situation will I ask them to assist me. They have never failed me.
Another thing they've helped me with is to wake me up at a desired time in the morning. This happens when I have to wake up very early. Before I sleep, I request them to wake me up at a certain time and the following morning I automatically open my eyes at the specified time.
I am glad we can count on them anytime. I am so happy they always keep me company and I know the feeling is mutual.
Thank you Jesus for my precious angels.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
FRIED RICE AND CAMARON REBOSADO
Fried rice and camaron rebosado. These are just two of my favorite food. But talking about them is just incidental. There is a deeper purpose why I mentioned them.
Today happened to be one of those soul gratifying days for me.
I was at Rockwell practically the whole day. I was overseeing the repair of my best friend's condo at Joya. When lunchtime came I asked the man who was doing the repair where he would take his lunch. He said he brought along his baon. So I went to the nearby Power Plant Mall to take my lunch. As I have a penchant for Chinese food I proceeded to Mann Hahn. I ordered my favorite Yangchow fried rice and camaron rebosado. I would have wanted to order more like spring rolls and lechon kawali but I wouldn't be able to consume them all. As a result I had to make do with just one viand with almond jelly for dessert.
As even the smallest order was too much for me, I had to take home my leftover which was about three fourths of my entire order. I was happy with my meal and was looking forward to partaking of it again at dinner.
After taking my lunch with my doggie bag in hand, I went back to the condo. I then started conversing with the man who was doing the repair. He was telling me that he was lucky they got this project. If there were no projects such as this one, he wouldn't have any income to bring home to his family. I asked him how they were paid and he said they are paid weekly. I inquired if he was married and if he had any kids. He said he has 3 children. He said that through hard work and God's grace, he was able to send them off to school. The two older ones are now engineers who are working abroad, while the youngest is graduationg next year with an HRM course.
It was then that I started to really take notice of this man. I was awed by what I heard. He looked just like any typical laborer. Worn out and faded clothes plus a heavily lined face and hands that had obviously seen rougher days were very evident. Yet I found him to be very admirable and rightfully told him so. He said his eldest son got married unexpectedly because his then future daughter-in-law got pregnant. He was also the one who sent his daughter in law to college. He narrated that his second child is saving her hard earned money so she could build a house for him and his wife someday.
I felt for him. I felt sad that people like him should work really hard to earn a decent living and support their families. But I felt truly proud of the man.
It was at this point that I thought of giving him my precious "fried rice and camaron rebosado" so he, his wife and youngest child can have a decent meal tonight. It's okay, I can make do without it for dinner. He kept thanking me and he said his wife would be so pleased.
There will be other days, there will be more fried rice and camaron rebosados to come my way, but I certainly would not want to miss the chance of being a good Samaritan again.
This is but a simple deed but I know Jesus is smiling up there. I know HE is proud of me.
And that is all that matters.
Today happened to be one of those soul gratifying days for me.
I was at Rockwell practically the whole day. I was overseeing the repair of my best friend's condo at Joya. When lunchtime came I asked the man who was doing the repair where he would take his lunch. He said he brought along his baon. So I went to the nearby Power Plant Mall to take my lunch. As I have a penchant for Chinese food I proceeded to Mann Hahn. I ordered my favorite Yangchow fried rice and camaron rebosado. I would have wanted to order more like spring rolls and lechon kawali but I wouldn't be able to consume them all. As a result I had to make do with just one viand with almond jelly for dessert.
As even the smallest order was too much for me, I had to take home my leftover which was about three fourths of my entire order. I was happy with my meal and was looking forward to partaking of it again at dinner.
After taking my lunch with my doggie bag in hand, I went back to the condo. I then started conversing with the man who was doing the repair. He was telling me that he was lucky they got this project. If there were no projects such as this one, he wouldn't have any income to bring home to his family. I asked him how they were paid and he said they are paid weekly. I inquired if he was married and if he had any kids. He said he has 3 children. He said that through hard work and God's grace, he was able to send them off to school. The two older ones are now engineers who are working abroad, while the youngest is graduationg next year with an HRM course.
It was then that I started to really take notice of this man. I was awed by what I heard. He looked just like any typical laborer. Worn out and faded clothes plus a heavily lined face and hands that had obviously seen rougher days were very evident. Yet I found him to be very admirable and rightfully told him so. He said his eldest son got married unexpectedly because his then future daughter-in-law got pregnant. He was also the one who sent his daughter in law to college. He narrated that his second child is saving her hard earned money so she could build a house for him and his wife someday.
I felt for him. I felt sad that people like him should work really hard to earn a decent living and support their families. But I felt truly proud of the man.
It was at this point that I thought of giving him my precious "fried rice and camaron rebosado" so he, his wife and youngest child can have a decent meal tonight. It's okay, I can make do without it for dinner. He kept thanking me and he said his wife would be so pleased.
There will be other days, there will be more fried rice and camaron rebosados to come my way, but I certainly would not want to miss the chance of being a good Samaritan again.
This is but a simple deed but I know Jesus is smiling up there. I know HE is proud of me.
And that is all that matters.
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