Say Yes to God’s sweet invitation

Last August 4, 2017, the moment I woke up early today was a gift and blessing from God, and today being a Friday was a bonus since its day off! It was 5:50 in the morning, for some reason I still wanted to sleep more but since I was invited, I felt guilty to reject the invitation since it was not the person who invited me but our dear God who did. I quickly hurried getting ready and was even picked up from the place where I was staying. Together with me was Ate Shane, Ate Phiel, JJ and Aimee. So before going to the “retreat”, we had a heavy and big breakfast at McDonalds first then we drove to St. Mary’s Muhaisnah. Then we were brought to the place and where we were warmly welcomed by the St. Paul sisters. The place was very peaceful and calm. They even offered and prepared breakfast for us which we had for the second time. So we had a short discussion / briefing about what we will do that day and then we went to their chapel to pray.

After that, each of us had to share something about ourselves and answer the question “Who Am I?” The question made me think deep and I prayed to God for me to be honest with my answers. Before answering the question, I introduced myself. I am Sarah, from Capiz and nearly 6 years as an OFW here. I am 2nd from the 5 children. Currently planning to get married next year but I have emotional baggage that I need to clear for me to be able to face the next chapter and have a clean fresh start. We were ask to describe who we were through anything like animals or things we prefer.

So I think again and I realized I was like a dog in a cage. I am man’s best friend, I can be there whenever you need me and surely you can depend on me. Though I may not talk or complain, all my feelings are kept hidden. You can see when I’m happy through my tail and when I’m not, I will just stay at one corner, waiting for you to notice me and cheer me up when I’m down. I am loyal to my master and I treat them in my own special ways. There are times when I can run and play freely but most of the time, I am left in a cage or chained. I desire freedom, the freedom from past hurts and emotional baggage. I desire healing, openness and forgiveness. I feel that now is the best time to free myself from the cage or break the chains that prevents me from experiencing God’s ultimate grace and overflowing love. I will be going home soon and I am excited for God’s revelation and his leading for me and George. I know in my heart that this is his great plan for the both of us.

After our sharing, we wrote our journal then had a light snack and went to the chapel for it was the Holy Hour. The very thing I offered to God was not my achievements, my money or what I have or earned but for him to accept my broken and sinful self. God never left me in times when I needed him the most and he even accepted me despite and in spite what I have done and what I’ve become. Truly God does not look at our physical appearances but through our hearts.

The retreat was one way of assessing and instilling awareness on one’s purpose on earth. It was an instrument of God for us to ask questions and in return hear the answers. Attending this retreat made me realized how blessed I am to know my purpose. It is very important to discover your purpose so as to live your life fully with God’s grace. I then remember when I was younger, I dream of being able to help others. When I got to college, I dreamed of being a nurse and pursue that degree of helping the sick. When I entered the YFC community, I dreamed of being a missionary to evangelize people and bring them back to the Lord. When I came to the UAE, I dreamed of excelling in a different career to provide for my family and seek greener pastures. As I slowly matured, God allowed me to join in the SFC community where I continued to dream of leading more people to be close to God. I desire to become an inspiration and proclaim on how God has blessed and worked in my life with the experiences I have been to. Then again, God blessed me with a new dream, a partner and an answer to my ultimate purpose and realizing my deepest desire. Now I am dreaming to be a best partner, a supportive wife and soon to be a mother to our future family. With God’s blessing, I continue to dream big and trust his great plans for me.

It all started with a simple invitation, an invitation to do good or do bad, an invitation to follow or ignore and an invitation to either say Yes or No to him. We are called in many different ways and how we respond is what matters as long as it is pleasing our God. In saying your YES, it may lead you to different places where you can’t imagine, allowing you to meet different people, fulfilling various roles, pursuing or sharing Christ to others and enjoying the smooth yet sometimes rocky but worth it journey towards Heaven. I thank the Lord for continuously calling and inviting me to be part of the community, for allowing me to witness his transformation in my life, to be able to listen to his words and by following Him to where he wants to lead me. I am blessed to be invited and I in return will also invite others to discover that there’s more to life and there’s more in store for us when we accept and say Yes to God’s sweet invitation and when we do, then our life won’t and will never be the same.

For all of this, may God be praised!

 

 

Focus on Christ

Don't focus on me but focus on Christ. 
Let's pray for our families and please pray for me.
-Pope Francis

Such humility, mercy, compassion and love from him radiates to everyone despite the differences in culture and beliefs. It's all in our faith.. Praise God. Thank you Pope! Blessed kami whether we're near and far.. Ramdam namin ang presensya ng Diyos mula sayo! smile emoticon #PopeFrancisPH #PopeFrancisTYSM#iamBBM #deogloria #thankyouLord #happy

Ash Wednesday 2015

So, as we begin with Ash Wednesday and its reminder of repentance, let us resolve to do our best each day, knowing that it is not the destination, but the journey that will ultimately transform us.

Peace,

Fr. Robert Barron

Light of Jesus

Blessed to share in Miraculous Medal Chapel. Thank you! Praise God! :)

Assigned Date: December 14, 2014

Assigned Verse: John 1:6-8,19-28

Reflection Story:

John was conceived in Elizabeth’s womb though barren at an old age. He was sent by God and to testify that with the Lord nothing is impossible. John the Baptist fulfilled his purpose on earth. He baptized people, spread the good news, prepared the way for Jesus and became a witness to the light. He humbly admitted that he is unworthy and he’s not the source of light which he referred to Jesus, the Messiah.

Let me share to you a story about the little candle’s discovery in knowing its purpose. Once there was a little candle placed in a room together with other candles. The little candle felt very tiny for it has seen several candles – plain, small, tall, glittery, scented, big, multi-colored, wonderfully shaped and expensive.

The sun went down and the room began to get dark. A man came to light the little candle then he started lighting each candle and the room was filled with light. The little candle realized that all the other candles gave out the same light regardless of what they are. Few hours later, the wax started to melt. It was then that the candle realized its purpose, “to give light until it dies”.

We are the different candles who are chosen by God, called to spread the word and be witnesses of Jesus. We were created on earth for a purpose and we should fulfill God’s will/plan in us. Jesus is the source of light. He first taught us to love. He gave his life for the salvation of our sins. He is the light that brought faith, hope, peace and love to all of us. He is the match/lighter that ignites the fire in our hearts. Apart from Him, we are lost, we are nothing and we are not capable. With Him, all things are made possible. Let’s continue to give and spread the light of Jesus.

11 days to go before Christmas! Am I excited? Is my heart ready to welcome Jesus and allow Him to light my path? Will I allow myself to be a witness to the light and live my life in accordance to God’s plan? Am I ready for the challenges that await me if I choose to follow Christ no matter how difficult it may seem? Am I ready to become an Alter Christus (alternate Christ) to my neighbors?

If the answer is Yes then be excited for the Savior is coming. Strengthen your faith, pray more and be ready since greater things are yet come. If the answer is No/Maybe then you still have time to prepare yourself for the birth of Jesus. Open your heart and allow the Spirit to teach, equip and lead you to the right path.

SOLI DEO GLORIA! :)

I will walk on water Lord..

Matthew 14:22-33New International Version (NIV)

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said,“why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Peter cried out: "Lord save me!"

Jesus reached his hand, "Man of little faith, why did you doubt?"

I see the myself in the character of Peter. He may be old but his faith is like a child. His desire to spread the good news was one of the reasons why God chose and called him despite his unworthiness. He was a fisherman, a man with words, failures and a sinner like me. He can be fearful at the face of trial yet he can be strong enough to preach the gospel of God. He would say yes, firmly obey and witness God's miracle unfold before his eyes. He loved Jesus and looks up to him. He followed his master yet he denied him three times. Despite his doubts and insecurities still God was pleased with him. He hold the keys to heaven. He is a pillar of the church. He was crucified the opposite way and after his death look at where and how the Catholic faith has grown now?

Like Peter, I can be brave and confident to say yes knowing God won't abandon me but when trials struck me down I can be shaken easily. I guess I have a strong belief and my Christian faith is really important to me. The reason why I can't say no is because I know that there's a reason why God has called me and what He asks of me is my firm YES. Well saying yes can be a difficult thing because you really have to stand up for it and you are liable with what you say. There are times that I doubt easily when there are situations that I don't understand. It is hard especially in the time of struggle yet God assures me to keep the faith and walk on water as what He did. He wants me to journey with him and assures me that I am not alone. And when the storms of doubt, fear and struggles come, the Lord will hold my hand, will save me and will calm the storm. I know I have to call on him and be still knowing He is God and I am not.

Here's my fave line of the song: Walk on water by Woodstruck

You came so unexpectedly just when I thought my life was made..

You said My Child come follow me. With all my fears I surrendered..

Chorus: I will walk on water Lord. You have called me. You have called my name..

If it's you Lord I will go..

Magic moment with God

 

"Because every encounter with God is a magic moment to remember. "

Don’t be deceived by the word “magic”. It is what all of us think but when we talk that is related to God then it is beyond our wildest imagination.

Magic (according to merriam-webster.com) is defined as a

-a power that allows people (such as witches and wizards) to do impossible things by saying special words or performing special actions

- illusion or tricks that seem to be impossible and that are done by a performer to entertain people with special power, influence, or skill

- the use of means (as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces

- an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source

Magic is a mysterious but powerful feeling. Somehow love is connected with magic and so does a moment with God. I had a wonderful magic moment with God during the U-turn retreat at St. Mary’s Church last April 5, 2014. We had the Taize prayer and God was present in the Holy Sacrament. I closed my eyes and imagined being in His presence. I was praying and thanking Him for all of the blessings I have received, from the family, career, service, household, mission, gift of relationships, future GG and desiring to become the best version of myself. They were leading us to pray and we had songs to sing and a few chant to profess.



Every encounter with God is a magic moment! :) Worth it!
(my imagined sketch but a lot different from the actual scenario)

For God’s magic to happen, we need to recite verses, open our hearts, sing psalms, believe in our prayers, surrender to His will and entrust all our cares. When we have set aside our own selves then we can truly seek God and listen to His words. God moves and works in mysterious ways. During the prayer, I was trying to focus because I am easily distracted. I can hear noises from phones, cameras, chairs and movement of people. I closed my eyes and just kept going. Few minutes passed, we were encouraged to sit and then the majority of all followed. I kept kneeling because I felt unworthy to either sit or stand in front of the blessed sacrament. I should kneel because God deserves this. I decided to offer a simple sacrifice for everything that He has done for me. I don’t deserve all these blessings but through His grace He has given me far what I have asked and even better than I have imagined.

 

Few more minutes passed, I suddenly felt a tingling sensation on my knees. I said: “This is normal because it has been a while since I kneeled longer. I can do this.” Songs were being played and sang beautifully for us to reflect on. I kept praying and I was so distracted with what I’m seeing even if the lights were off. I looked at the sacrament then I closed my eyes, I prayed harder and I imagined God in my mind. My heart was full of gratefulness and joy that my feelings were overflowing since a lot of wonderful things happened.

 

I applied what I learned on how to deepen our prayer life. I don’t know what it was called but I tried inhaling this and exhaling that. To what I perceived it’s like doing long breaths and allowing God to enter and expelling the negative things we encounter. So basically you’re breathing but in your heart you are communicating with the mind and the rest of your body. I was like “inhale Jesus, exhale worries.. inhale Jesus, exhale concerns… inhale love, exhale hate.. inhale Jesus, exhale pain.. inhale strength, exhale weakness.. inhale forgiveness, exhale hurts.. inhale Jesus… exhale Jesus…etc..”

 

20 minutes passed and I was close to giving up. I wanted to sit because I can feel the pain on my knees. I just thought “A few more. This is nothing compared to all the pain and suffering that Jesus did for me on the cross. I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)” Temptation really knocks when you least expect it but I had to keep my word and overcome this. I kept saying after every song that I will sit but then I just said “Kaya ko pa! (I can do it!)” I kneeled a little longer and I encouraged myself to not give up. I am person who endures a lot as long as I can do it.

I continued and I kept pushing. I wanted to stop but there's something in me that says "a little more.." I kept going and after almost 35 minutes, everybody was asked to kneel. I was smiling deep within because I have conquered my doubts and I knew God was smiling at the little sacrifice I did. I can feel the numbness and pain but it was nothing compared to the joy that I felt in my heart. I have experienced a magic moment with Jesus as I stare and pray during that time. It was an extraordinary moment and the Taize experience doesn't happen everyday.

I praise and thank God for the opportunity to feel His immense love through the Blessed Sacrament. It brought me healing, forgiveness and peace. Thank you for making me feel your greatness "for heaven is here in my heart.." Lord I need you. I am sorry. I love you. Thank you so much!!!!! I am looking forward for the next encounter with you and surely it is going to be a magic moment to remember! :)