I was preparing the prayer and reflection for today when I saw the
email forwarded to me. It is all about Fr. James Reuter’s
Letter to the Filipinos entitled, My Beloved Philippines. The
letter challenges the Filipinos of today towards Moral and Economic
recovery whilst the Philippines is now left far behind our neighbouring
countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and even Vietnam in
terms of national economy. That status we had many years ago when we
were then next to Japan is now at its decline.
I remember during our sharing about how I come to know SCA in the
Diocese of Tagbilaran. It was about our dream to have a great country we
can be proud of. Hence, the pursuit to forming new and accountable
young leaders became my challenge to be in the ranks of the movement.
Until now that same dream continues to linger in my mind. How is this
related to my reflection about Love and Life then?
I tried to seek a guide to how I shall speak about the theme for this
month then I was able to open the recent Meditations of Bro. Alois, the
Prior of Taize during the Taize European Meeting in Berlin last
December 2011. In his meditations, he opened the idea of why the meeting
was held for the first time in Berlin. During the event, there was this
drawing of the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus exhibited on the
entire duration. It was made by a German soldier in Stalingrad, Russia
during World War II. It has been told that to celebrate Christmas that
time he made that drawing on the back of a military map. Bro. Alois
presupposed that this soldier must have been seeking for “A Thirst for
Life and Peace” in the midst of the worst darkness of war.
Bro. Alois continued saying that we are at times wondering “What is the true meaning of my life?” The Taize Brothers have always been clear to this question when they say that the
Meaning of Life is founded on solidarity with others, lived out to
concrete acts. That such solidarity allows us to glimpse that there is a
love that is beyond us, leading us to believe in God’s love for every
human being.
Trust in God is essential to my life. It has always been my deep
basis if I come to the point of asking what is really my purpose in
life? Bro. Alois further shared that this question grows in our community that it becomes not only an inner struggle but becomes a struggle for each one of us.
In a country like the Philippines, Trust is found in accountability but
many failed thus losing trust with one another. I doubt if this is one
of the reasons why we are declining- we failed to trust one another.
Failing to trust is like not recognizing the presence of God in our
lives furthermore, the result, we pray less.
To restore that trust, it is good to recognize God. Bro. Alois said
that if we love God and if this really matters for Him, God then
recognizes our lives and freedom. Thus, even to the most deprived human
being, God restores his or her dignity and God does justice to him or
her. He further cites, we can all express our love for God, perhaps
not with lofty sentiments or extraordinary thoughts. But we can be quiet
and simply say to God, "You know I love you, I want to trust in your
presence." In prayer there is always something of heaven and earth
coming together.
We may not be able to feel the immediate impact in our prayer moments
but God can give us the Holy Spirit and the life of God in us can grow
and inspire our thoughts and actions.
Bro. Alois further says, In this way, we allow our human
relationships to be determined more and more by the love God has for us
and not by fear or defensive reactions. The trust God places in us
becomes a radiant goodness for those entrusted to us, the source of a
life in solidarity with others.
The Gospel continues to remind us that Jesus Christ is in solidarity
with the poor. In the hungry, the ill or the abandoned, he is there
waiting.
Prayer opens our horizons. God can, at the heart of the
contradictions of life, light a flame of hope and joy. Such prayer
brings us closer to God and changes our view of the world.
We pray for our country that there will be a Change on how we view
each other which is in solidarity with the weak and helpless. This is
the Act of Love we want to instill in the hearts of every person.
Recognizing our love to God is recognizing His deep compassion to those
who are most down and outcast. Each of us has his or her part to change
that view. We lift our voices to our leaders to bring back the power of
Prayer as one nation, as one community of God – To act God’s love and
mercy.
Fr. James Reuter’s Letter, My Beloved Philippines, teaches me
the power of prayer found in Love and Solidarity. That if we fail to
love, we fail to recognize life of each other. My reflection is a social
call from where my Love to my country springs.
Lastly, Bro. Alois quote as a lesson for reformation, Faced with
the extremely rapid changes of our societies, given the uncertainties
and the economic hardships, we need to remember that the "economic", as
important as it may be, is not the measure of man. We must affirm that
the spiritual dimension is fundamental to human beings, that the dignity
of every human being requires infinite respect.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon wrote to the Berlin Meeting saying, "I
am especially encouraged that you are focusing on the search for new
forms of solidarity. You have a crucial role to play to drive political
and social change. But please remember that being connected is not the
same as being united. Being connected depends on technology – being
united depends on solidarity. Solidarity must be the foundation for
global solutions."
So let’s stand up and pray for a United Philippines!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Theology of the Body (Reflection from Freedom to Love Conference)
This is a re-post from my other blog last June 30, 2011
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be [Lk 12:34]” - This gospel text reminds me about the recentFreedom to Love Conference on the Theology of the Body last weekend in Pasig. Christopher West, a renowned Catholic inspirational speaker gave very clear dimensions on the human sexuality. What I like most about his talk was his effort to level the understanding of one’s psychology to one’s spirituality on the human sexuality. I was thankful that I learned many aspects of it but I focused more on the design of a human to desire for beauty, happiness and satisfaction.
The conference clarified my concepts on Existence, Freedom and ultimately, Love although the first two are all leading to Love. God made man into existence but man never asked for it. I can say, my existence is a gift for it is freely given. God created my body in his own image and likeness. His creation is the perfect gift that he made me with free will and freedom different from the other animals which are made in submission to their purpose. Possessing the perfect gift from Him, I am responsible to take good care of it. The gift of God to man is purely out of His love that even man’s fall to sin, He offered His only begotten son, Jesus Christ to save mankind- the greatest Love of all!
This is a call for me to Chastity. This is a challenge to be pure always of my intentions, desires and wishes. The trap to sinfulness, especially lust, is lurking anywhere and anytime it might capture me to its den. Greater should be the call to love and for love. For it is in love that real joy is felt for in lust it is only the suffering of guilt and shame from God.
Being single as of this time is truly such a blessing. If in the real marriage man is destined to her woman to be united physically and spiritually in love, a single person relishes that love to his spiritual union with his spiritual bridegroom, Jesus Christ. I just imagine how immense that love to Jesus Christ would be, how I am so much free to love people, love the things that I do so passionately. I’m free to write, free to draw, free to design, free to make artwork, masterpieces and everything I just love to do. This is freedom and this is love.
My reflection on the Theology of the Body finally leads me to my ultimate desire. Then that I have learned man is created inherently with a desire to seek for God. It is planted deep inside the soul of every man to be united with his creator just like the search of a man in love to find his partner. But even married couple seeks the greatest love of all and that’s all the Love in the world every person desires- God’s love, unconditional love. Well, see how I tire myself looking for many treasures finally realizing that the ultimate treasure is God who is Love.
My body should speak the Language of God and that is the Language of Love for when it is not Love, why shall I still look for the treasure I long to see.
“To see the face of God is my heart’s desire
To gaze upon the Lord is my heart’s desire”
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be [Lk 12:34]” - This gospel text reminds me about the recentFreedom to Love Conference on the Theology of the Body last weekend in Pasig. Christopher West, a renowned Catholic inspirational speaker gave very clear dimensions on the human sexuality. What I like most about his talk was his effort to level the understanding of one’s psychology to one’s spirituality on the human sexuality. I was thankful that I learned many aspects of it but I focused more on the design of a human to desire for beauty, happiness and satisfaction.
The conference clarified my concepts on Existence, Freedom and ultimately, Love although the first two are all leading to Love. God made man into existence but man never asked for it. I can say, my existence is a gift for it is freely given. God created my body in his own image and likeness. His creation is the perfect gift that he made me with free will and freedom different from the other animals which are made in submission to their purpose. Possessing the perfect gift from Him, I am responsible to take good care of it. The gift of God to man is purely out of His love that even man’s fall to sin, He offered His only begotten son, Jesus Christ to save mankind- the greatest Love of all!
This is a call for me to Chastity. This is a challenge to be pure always of my intentions, desires and wishes. The trap to sinfulness, especially lust, is lurking anywhere and anytime it might capture me to its den. Greater should be the call to love and for love. For it is in love that real joy is felt for in lust it is only the suffering of guilt and shame from God.
Being single as of this time is truly such a blessing. If in the real marriage man is destined to her woman to be united physically and spiritually in love, a single person relishes that love to his spiritual union with his spiritual bridegroom, Jesus Christ. I just imagine how immense that love to Jesus Christ would be, how I am so much free to love people, love the things that I do so passionately. I’m free to write, free to draw, free to design, free to make artwork, masterpieces and everything I just love to do. This is freedom and this is love.
My reflection on the Theology of the Body finally leads me to my ultimate desire. Then that I have learned man is created inherently with a desire to seek for God. It is planted deep inside the soul of every man to be united with his creator just like the search of a man in love to find his partner. But even married couple seeks the greatest love of all and that’s all the Love in the world every person desires- God’s love, unconditional love. Well, see how I tire myself looking for many treasures finally realizing that the ultimate treasure is God who is Love.
My body should speak the Language of God and that is the Language of Love for when it is not Love, why shall I still look for the treasure I long to see.
“To see the face of God is my heart’s desire
To gaze upon the Lord is my heart’s desire”
Treating the Darkness in You: Today's Reflection from John 1:1-7 (A Re-post)
This is a re-post from another blog I wrote last September 23, 2010
This is what we have heard from Christ: God is light, in him there is no darkness at all.[1 John 1:1-7]
Every time I hear the word "DARKNESS", what comes into my mind are the times that I fail to carry the light in my life. Pitfalls, failures, mistakes, weaknesses, shortcomings...sins- all of them appear in a row. I used to think sometimes that it is very hard to carry yourself the way you are when these "agonies" become a burden in your heart. Sins of the past? Nah, forget them. We all wanted to face what's for the future. Duh? Who cares what happened to you. They may never know. But wait, grudges can be painful and healing is the only answer.
It is only in our "woundedness" we become mature of the next steps. So, wounds should be healed, medicated, treated. And that happens in darkness for no light shed along the way. There are also sins that may keep on repeats. Sins that we don't like but we like to do. Thus, darkness comes and goes. We never know the beating of our heart. Whether it tells you to follow what's right or what you think may be right. Choices, choices, choices- and that may be not only between two's. In the end you have to decide the best one. But come to think of this, if you know you fell always on the same hole, look through it because you may need help from anyone who can accompany your lost morale.
God is the almighty light. I know. Light is always there and is always be. The shadows of sins are the culprits of why no light is streaking into our lives. Let the light of God spread to the depths of our soul. And it is only in forgiving oneself and others. Forgiveness breaks the shadows of darkness and restores the light from spark to flame. Pray in forgiving. Forgive yourself. Forgive others.Forgive the past. Forgive your common falls. Forgive your trespasses to God and his people.Lastly don't forget, share the LIGHT to others. God forgive me of my sins and to all persons I hurt yesterday and today. frence
Every time I hear the word "DARKNESS", what comes into my mind are the times that I fail to carry the light in my life. Pitfalls, failures, mistakes, weaknesses, shortcomings...sins- all of them appear in a row. I used to think sometimes that it is very hard to carry yourself the way you are when these "agonies" become a burden in your heart. Sins of the past? Nah, forget them. We all wanted to face what's for the future. Duh? Who cares what happened to you. They may never know. But wait, grudges can be painful and healing is the only answer.
It is only in our "woundedness" we become mature of the next steps. So, wounds should be healed, medicated, treated. And that happens in darkness for no light shed along the way. There are also sins that may keep on repeats. Sins that we don't like but we like to do. Thus, darkness comes and goes. We never know the beating of our heart. Whether it tells you to follow what's right or what you think may be right. Choices, choices, choices- and that may be not only between two's. In the end you have to decide the best one. But come to think of this, if you know you fell always on the same hole, look through it because you may need help from anyone who can accompany your lost morale.
God is the almighty light. I know. Light is always there and is always be. The shadows of sins are the culprits of why no light is streaking into our lives. Let the light of God spread to the depths of our soul. And it is only in forgiving oneself and others. Forgiveness breaks the shadows of darkness and restores the light from spark to flame. Pray in forgiving. Forgive yourself. Forgive others.Forgive the past. Forgive your common falls. Forgive your trespasses to God and his people.Lastly don't forget, share the LIGHT to others. God forgive me of my sins and to all persons I hurt yesterday and today. frence
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)