We live and love despite our differences

Life is a constant journey. Along the road, we meet people of different kinds from all walks of life. Most of them become part of ourselves. A few slip away.  

Along the way, too, we encounter individual indifferences. Indifferences that either separate you from them or bring you closer to them.

Amidst our differences in values, beliefs, opinions, perceptions, and faith, may we always find a way to accompany others and share with them the wonderful reasons of living and growing in love and harmony.

Duyog Ta Bai! #NCMC2018

(Attended the National Catholic Media Conference in Davao City)

Missing you on your birthday, Mommy

Ma, this was your last photo four days before you died. You were so radiant here that everyone can't help but notice your beautiful face. You were also very happy that day for you felt fulfilled after your lovely daughter, Janelle, finished college. You were so proud, that last, all of us graduated. 

When we were inside PICC, you kept on requesting me, "Jheng, selfie tayo." I never thought that those selfies would be the last photos that I will keep looking at. At least, those were happy and beautiful photos of you.

I remember that night before you died, when I arrived home from work, you told me, "sabay na tayong kumain" and you prepared the table for us so we can eat our dinner. I never thought it would be the last time. The following day, in the morning, you woke me up with your usual words, "Jheng gising na, 6:30 na" (kahit alas 6 pa lang). When I'm about to go to the office, I saw you outside, cleaning. I was in a hurry, and I said, "Ma, pasok na ko late na ko." That was the last time I saw you alive.

I had happy memories before you were gone but until now, I am not fully convinced that you no longer exist. I feel you are just a thousand miles away from us, and one day, in time, we will see each other again.

Happy birthday, Ma! 🎉🎁🎈🎂

This is the fourth year that we are celebrating your birthday without you. But I know you are celebrating the happiest and grandest wherever you are.

Ma, please do watch over us, especially Daddy. Please help send our prayers to God.

We love you and we miss you! 😍💖👩

God loves me

While everybody is busy bragging and proud of their craft, here I am finding my worth. When surrounded by emptiness inside, I kneel and pray. I look up to this amazing God, who looks down on me with humility. And then I realized that someone has already taken notice of my significance. He believes in me. ☺💖God loves me! 

Life is a Pilgrimage

Our life itself is a pilgrimage. We all journey towards the fullness of life. We journey with different people with the same faith and interests in different places and situations.

In our own pilgrimage, we seek God's blessings, we give thanks, we forgive and ask for forgiveness, and enrich and deepen our devotion to God.

We journey. We travel. We take different roads. We walk through different paths. What makes it significant is that, we journey with the Lord as we live life.

Renewal of baptism at the Jordan River in Israel.

Life is a Pilgrimage

 Like a tree that shrivels, I get lost and suffer from unhappiness because I lack faith. But like a flower that blooms in spring, my faith and happiness radiate when I have a pure heart that resonates with Christ's love.

Like Peter who denied Jesus, I too, deny Christ's love when my heart is filled with hatred. 

During this pilgrimage, I ask not only the grace of God. I also ask for His forgiveness. I pray that He may grant my heart the courage to forgive to be worthy of His love.

Unselfishly, I also pray for those who asked for prayers. Please, dear Lord, grant their petitions. 

At the same time, I pray for those who lose hope, are disheartened, weak, sick, and all those who suffer from their own burdens. May they hear your voice and listen, so you can multiply and strengthen their faith.

I am grateful to those who generously shared their blessings the way Christ did when He performed the Miracle of Five Loaves and Two Fishes to feed 5,000 people. May you continue to bestow them the abundance of your grace.

I pray for the few people who see the best in me, who believe in the things that I can do, and who trust that I can shine in my own abilities and capabilities. I pray for those who give me the opportunity to come out of my shell and be able to spread my wings and fly to the farthest distance. You never know how much I value your appreciation.

On the other hand, I also pray to the Lord for those who try to pull me down, who do not see the good in me, and who underestimate my strength.

I pray for all the people who are dear to me, my friends, officemates, and colleagues, especially those who are closest to me, accepted me and are happy for what achieved.

Mostly, I pray for my family, my whole family. I love them dearly. Help us to grow in love. Inculcate within us the virtue of patience and understanding. 

I ask for your forgiveness, dear Lord, and to those that I have caused pain. Forgive me for I am a sinner. Who am I not to forgive others who've done wrong to me when you died on the cross to save me from my sins. How great your love is!

Lastly, I pray that you keep me strong. Always give me a humble heart, a positive attitude, a peaceful mind, and like a child, obedient to your love.

With all the distractions that surround me, I hope to find the essence of why I am here in this holy place where you were before. I pray that in this pilgrimage, I will find in its truest meaning, the significance of life, especially your love.

#PilgrimagetoHolyLand 
#Israel

Chaos and Love

In a world of destruction and chaos, some people still find peace.

In a world of confusion and depression, some people choose to be happy.

In a world of darkness and sin, some people prefer to see God.

In a world enveloped by evil and hate, I still find love, cause I find you.

Die in order to live

We are considered to be a whole person but given, we are enveloped by our woundedness and brokenness. These two allow us to look for what we do not have instead of appreciating and strengthening the gifts God bestowed upon us.

We must die in order to live. We must let go of the past, and forget about the pains and struggles of our childhood. After all, life must be lived forward. Today is what matters. Live in the present and prepare for the future.

In this journey called life, what really counts is not the things you possess. It is the little acts of kindness that you will carry when you enter the kingdom of God. The fullness of life begins with ordinary things. And these ordinary things when done with great love become extraordinary.

Be thankful even for the tiny blessings. Appreciate what you have and those people who love you. Be kind. Be gentle. Be thankful. Forgive. Ask for forgiveness. Pray and most of all love for God loved us even if we sinned again and again. Christ is the greatest manifestation of His love for us.

As we continue to travel life, let us carry within our hearts the unending love of God. Plant seeds of kindness to people even to places you go. One random act of kindness can change the world and can make a better place to live in.

One of the striking thoughts Fr. Gregg Landicho, our retreat master said, is that, if we die, it is beautiful to be remembered by the people around you to be a person with a kind heart. 💝

#RCAMRetreat
#2017LentenRetreat
#Reflection