Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thoughts. Show all posts

Sunday, April 7, 2013

On the Immeasurable Divine Mercy & St. Thomas

The Incredulity of St. Thomas by Caravaggio

TODAY, we celebrate the Octave of Pascha also known as Low Sunday. The Gospel for today speaks of the doubting of St. Thomas regarding the appearance of the Risen Lord. To prove His Resurrection, Our Lord asks St. Thomas to place his fingers on the wounds in His hands and side.

Also on this day, we commemorate the Feast of the Divine Mercy. When the time came to check if Christ was already dead, a centurion pierces His side with a lance and blood and water flows out. Theologians see this incident as a symbol of the flowing out of the Sacraments, sources of graces from birth to death of the faithful.

We see this same imagery in the icon of the Divine Mercy. Rays of red and white streaming from the heart of the Divine Mercy symbol of the immeasurable mercy he gives to all who believes in Him.

On this Octave of Easter let us always remember that Our Lord truly is the fountain of immeasurable Divine Mercy. His mercy endures forever. Even if we doubt it, he will always treat us as if we are St. Thomas. He will always ask us to approach and place our hearts on the vessel of His mercy, His Eucharistic Heart that we always receive in Holy Communion.

Jesus, King of Mercy, I trust in You!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

The Christmas Pledge

 My Christmas Pledge


  1. To make my Christmas a holy day with Christ... not a holiday without Him.
  2. To observe Christmas as the birthday of Christ... not a day to give and receive material gifts.
  3. To remember that the real symbols of Christmas are the Star, the Stable and the Crib... not Santa Claus and his reindeer.
  4. To teach my children that "Santa Claus" is the nickname of St. Nicholas... who gave to the poor in honor of Christ.
  5. To help one poor family... in honor of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Holy Family of Bethlehem.
  6. To send Christmas cards remindful of Him, the Infant Savior... not decorated only with candy canes, dogs, ribbons and wreaths.
  7. To make room in my home for Him... with a Christmas Crib to remind me that He was born in the stable.
  8. During the Christmas season, in a special way, to honor Mary, His mother... who kept the first Christmas vigil beside the manger.
  9. To begin Christmas by leading my family to His Altar... to receive the Bread of Life.
  10. Today and every day, to give "Glory to God in the highest"... to work and pray for "Peace on earth to men of good will."
Nihil Obstat: Joseph A. M. Quigley, Censor Librorum

Source:
  • Confraternity of St. Peter. (2011, September). My Christmas Pledge. Cum Petro.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

RH Bill & Divorce


  • We have not yet been spared from the terrible onslaught of the RH Bill and yet our solons are scheming to have divorce legalized in our nation. These two, RH Bill and divorce, are some of the many forces that destroy the very foundation of our society – the family. Let us stand for what is right, oppose the RH bill and the legalization of divorce. Let us oppose the culture of D.E.A.T.H.! May the Holy Family of Jesus, Joseph and Mary guide and protect our families! May they enlighten the minds of our law makers!

Written on the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen, 2nd class. A.D. MMXI 

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Friends

Asan na yung 3?



This was the night before one of our friend’s flight. She was off to another country to look for “greener pastures.” We’re on our usual mode, chatting about anything and everything under the sun and of course eating. When it was about eleven, we started our usual thing – we walked from her house to Plaza. While walking, we were still on our usual mode. By the way, her dog Echo accompanied us. When we have reached the front of our gate that was the time we had to ride a tricycle. That was also the time for our group hug, and then tears fell from our eyes. For some time we would not be able to see each other. Our food trip – eating pizza, fries, and ice cream even if the weather is cold and it was late in the night, our chatting – celebrities, classmates, acquaintances, our ataran – going from one barangay to another to bring them home of course I would be the last, and of course, our mere presence. We would still see each other but this time we lack one friend. For the longest time we have stood the test of times and our own made tests. We will miss you friend! Don’t forget our PORTABLE DVD PLAYERS (joke :)!

Written on Sexagesima Sunday, 2nd class, A.D. MMXI

Monday, November 17, 2008

22nd Birthday

Twenty-two years ago at around quarter to seven in the evening ‘twas also a Sunday, I was born.

Ever since I had a mobile phone, I usually get text messages from friends or kin greeting me on my birthday. One of which is my dad. I could still remember that he would greet me personally and then he would text me. Now it is different.

Last night when I was holding my dad’s cellphone, I felt sad for I remember those moments when he would greet me on my birthday. We did not have a strong bond nevertheless; I cherish and miss those moments.

I could still remember last Holy Thursday when I entered the Church. I got into tears for the Mass on Holy Thursday evening was the only time the two of us would go to Mass.

Once I was with my relatives riding their van and I got into tears again. I remembered those days when my dad usually was the one driving.

When someone is lost, you would not remember that person in complex situations like retelling how they passed away but you would certainly remember him in the most simplest of all things. For these simplest things were shared by you. Perhaps my ma and Tella feel the same way as I do.

Not in the complex but in the simplest.

Written on the 27th Sunday after Pentecost, 2nd class feast;
     feast of St. Gertrude, virgin, 3rd class feast, A. D. MMVIII

Thursday, June 12, 2008

dream big...

Dreamgirls, The Devil Wears Prada, and David Cook. All these three shared the same things, that is, achieving one’s dreams and making it big.

Dreamgirls was a movie about three girls wanting to be singing sensations, they made it big, but pride took its toll and almost tore them apart. In the end, they decided to end Dreamgirls and lead simpler lives. They achieved their dreams and made it big.

The Devil Wears Prada a film about a girl who had the job “a million girls would die for.” Unfortunately, this job entailed dealing with her boss, not just an ordinary boss but “The Dragon Lady.” She succeeded and eventually won her boss’s heart. As a twist, the girl resigned and became a journalist (her real dream job) from which she got a nod from her boss. She achieved her dreams and made it big.

David Cook was the winner of the American Idol Season 7. Before America decided that he was her seventh Idol, he was a bartender. He was already a band member and had their independently produced albums. He achieved his dreams and made it big.

There were times in the past that we had dreams of making it big, whether in the entertainment scene, in the scientific community, or in the political arena. On the other hand, our dreams would always have a counter weight, an opposition, a hindrance. Sometimes, we were on the verge of achieving our dreams, and then suddenly, there would appear hindrances that would pull as back again and almost, if not totally, crush us to the ground. We were like birds soaring high into the heavens, feeling the golden rays of the sun gently touching our feathers, feeling the breeze caressing us, and then suddenly we realize that a string was holding us back and somebody briskly pulls the string and we losing control would fall back to the earth.

We may be wanting for a promotion but was never given one, a project that was successful but we were not given due credit, a career that was our life but eventually got the rest of us, or acceptance that we long for but was never made available for us. They might seem simple but for those who dreamed of them they are more complex than what they seem.

We did not ask for events like these, but definitely, something like them having a different degree of complexity would take place. However, what shall we do when something catastrophic like that happens? Would we just stay in our bedroom, lock ourselves up, and sit like a fetus? Would we close the door of the bathroom and slowly sit at the back of it while our eyes begin to release tears?

Of course, no, we would always use these trials as our guide to achieving our dreams. These trials would be like our new scaffoldings for the building we are constructing.
Nevertheless, as the old adage often told us, everything happens for a reason, we always might come up a conclusion as to why they happened. It might take overnight, forty nights, or many nights, but would always be sure that we would come to a realization of accepting them.

In addition, of course, I stand by this old saying, GOD IS GOOD! We might never get what we want but HE knows for sure what is best for us.

Memorial of St. Barnabas, apostle
An hour before the Second Watch of the Night

6/11/2008 10:55 PM