Sabi ko kay Lord, "Lord, may FOREVER po diba?" ...sagot Niya....

Let the weak say I AM STRONG!

Just a quick post before I retire tonight.

I remembered during our retreat, one of our colleagues reminded us that we should thank God for using us as His vessel for proclaiming His word whatever the outcome our preaching made. So tonight, I recalled the memory and told my prayers of thanksgiving after I gave my talk somewhere in Taguig City. But before I actually thanked God, the first think I uttered was, "God, I'm so tired, I could not even lift myself up." I feel so weak literally, I can feel my knees trembling, my shoulders about to give in. Still I managed to smile and eat with the people. After I bid my goodbye to everybody, one attendee invited me to her nearby house. She gave me uncooked rice and instant juice drink before I left her precious dwelling. My bag was so full and heavy, knowing that I am so tired I could not imagine myself lifting it on my back until I get home! Then on the jeepney I remembered how gracious and lovable God can be. 

When we feel very weak, God has His ways of telling us we are strong because He's there. He reminded me, through my heavy baggage, that I could still lift up my body and even a bag full of blessings because He is the one who gives me strength. <3 

I'm so happy about what happened this evening. Thank You Lord! Thank You for showing me I am strong when I feel I am weak. :) 

I was on duty yesterday when I was asked to accompany someone to BGC for business purposes. While on a taxi I saw what I have been searching for -- the schedule for Walkway: Reflections on the Stations of the Cross.

On my Facebook account I posted yesterday: "The Lord made this day for a purpose." When I came back to the office, one of my seniors told me I had a very emotional post that day. He thought that I went to BGC to apply for another job opportunity. I told him that my post pertains to having my prayer answered by knowing the schedule through my unexpected trip to BGC. And, here it is! On March 30, my colleagues and I have already marked this day for our encounter with this new experience.

Upon seeing the photos in social media before, I was really excited to experience this reflection. Part of my excitement is that it is a modified way of the stations of the cross. Though we respect the traditional way, I consider it as a relevant innovation that could explain and make us feel deeply what this season is all about. I also would want to observe how this was being organized, so that I hope, someday, we could do similar strategies in our youth ministry.

:)

Northdaanghari, Taguig City

I arrived home tonight earlier than usual, like 30 minutes early. haha! This March, I would like to start blogging about my "preaching experiences". I hope I could continually do this. So help me God. :) 

I was scheduled to talk in Northdaanghari, Taguig City tonight. It was a small, well ventilated chapel. I tried to walk on a different route than I did before, just for a change. By the way, it was my second time there. My first preaching experience in that place is nice, The atmosphere is light, just like what happened tonight. What I mean is, there are some places where I preach that I feel lighthearted, while some place feels like unwelcoming. 

The coordinator did not remember (as expected) my name, though she said she remember my face (which I hardly believe, because her reaction is too strange upon seeing me, like she's looking on a new attendee) hehe. I was nervous, but I am happy because I like how the Holy Spirit guided me in doing my outline earlier this day. I started preaching and observing how they will respond to the Gospel and the message I am about to tell them. As expected, it is not as energetic as when we preach about blessings, abundance and prosperity. Just this morning, on my way to Makati with a colleague, we've talked about the different receptions of attendees based on topics. She said that, when the topic is about abundance, the people are rawring for agreement. On the other hand, when the preaching is something about change, something that will surely catch them off guard, something that will make them feel guilty, they are not too interested. Based on my observation a while ago, I would agree that the reception is really different, compared to my last preaching there with a more acceptable topic. But I would say that they were listening.... it's just that they were silent. Maybe because, and I would like to take it that they were reflecting, though like the last verses said in the Gospel, Jesus knows what they have in mind.

When times like this happens, I always remember what one elder preacher once told me... we are used by God to bring His message to the people, but it is God's work to bless them, to make them feel His words and to be inspired by it. Yes, it is God's power that works personally to people. Whoever delivers the message and whatever the message is, only God knows if they were really listening.


So far, the night went well, and I got home feeling satisfied.


 Thank God for His power and glory. Thank God for His wonderful message.

The Common Denominator

While eating in a fast food, one of my colleagues asked me if it happened that I asked God why am I in this kind of vocation. I told her that I do, but when I reflect on it, I always remember how I used to pray for this before, while I was still a student contemplating for my future. I didn't pray of becoming a missionary, because then I didn't know that even Catholics have lay missionaries. But I recalled how I asked God to give me a job where I would travel to different places, how I used to tell Him to give me a job that will not be a hindrance to my attendance in prayer meetings and masses, and how a friend and I used to wish we could go to different churches. All of this, without realizing it before, happened to me right now. That's why, when another colleague asked me if my parents like what I'm doing right now, I told him yes, they like it. Aside from having no choice about my choice, I can feel they see how much I enjoy my life here in this vocation. Anyway, back to the fast food, all four of us were sharing about our "calling" when one of us said, "I know what is common about us." And you know what is it? She said we all started from not having even a simple glimpse or concrete plan for our future.

I agree with her. Most of us would probably tell, "yes, I have plans but I really don't know where I'm going then" or "I don't have a plan when I was still a student." I was more of the latter, and so was my other three colleagues. We can't clearly see where we're going. As the bible says, "God thoughts are not our thoughts." Maybe that time, our minds cannot fathom the thoughts of God, His plan of putting us in this precious vocation. I'm glad that I haven't seen mine. Though some of my experiences are unknowingly leading me to this life, I'm glad that I was surprised by God, and that I was able to accept it wholeheartedly because I don't have any concrete plans that could cause me disappointments. 

As Pope Francis said, it is good to allow ourselves to be surprised by God. His plans are amazing. :)