Jesse Robredo: a man for all times!

A good man never dies; he lives forever in the memory of our hearts!

Today, the 28th of August 2012, is the last day that we hold on to whatever remains of his mortal body before he finally goes home to the Father.

Here was a man who lived his life to the full, a loving and caring family man, serving his hometown and later the nation with great vision and commitment yet always with humility and respect for all. He was a loving husband and caring father to his children, a humble public servant to his constituents, a good friend to those whose lives he touched in his long years of public service. And in all these he remained focused to the very Source of his being and goodness, our Lord and God. Because his family testified that he was a Godly man. And that seemed to be the secret of his greatness.

I had no personal encounter with Jesse, even when we both are from the Bicol Region. And there was no need for that.  Because a man who touched the hearts of people who needed him most, also lives in the hearts of all people of good will.

Now our Jesse has done with his earthly journey ahead of us. We need to let him go. Because we know he is home with the Father. Even so, our heart bleeds with tears when we realize that he is gone forever from our midst. Jesse was a great and honorable man, in life and in death. The overflowing of love and sympathies as you complete your life's journey, though completely unexpected, are testimonies of your greatness.

Goodbye our dear Jesse, our model of public servant and one who literally tried to walk the "matuwid na daan" of good governance in both his private life and public life. Go home with our Creator. Make heaven lively with your presence there. So that in the joys of the angels and the saints, you may continue to be our faithful and humble servant and intercessor to the Lord for all of us still left behind in this world. Our dear Jesse, Diyos mabalos po!

And so, Lord, thank You for the gift of Jesse. Receive him in your kingdom as we commend his spirit to Your mercy. Grant strength to his family and relatives to accept his untimely demise with surrender, as they do. And finally, please confirm Jesse's appointment as "Citizen of Heaven" for all eternity.

Because in all these, O Lord, Your will be always done!

Deo Optimo Maximo!

A Tribute To The Comedy King!

Originally posted on July 14, 2012 via Multiply.com
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I remember a happy childhood with Dolphy as the king of comedy in local movies. My late mother would always take me with her watching all his funny movies to entertain ourselves from the task of daily living.

And as I grew up with a family of my own, I followed Dolphy in local television sitcoms. It was a way of relaxing at home with the family after a tiring work in office.

Then, for some time I stopped watching local movies. Even so, I would take exception when a Dolphy movie was shown. I would go to watch and enjoyed the laughter. I love his jokes, both the spoken and the funny facial expressions. He made me laugh just watching his funny antics even without the words. To me he was like the local version of Mr. Bean. Because Dolphy was my idol in celebrating the fullness of life, simply by not taking ourselves so seriously all the time.

Now our comedy king laughed his last. We need to let him go. Yet even in his last moments with us, he continues to entertain us with both laughter and tears. Because when we view his mortal remains, don't our lips still manage a smile when we remember his unique sense of humor? Even so, our heart bleeds with tears when we realize he is forever gone from our midst. Dolphy was really the greatest entertainer, both in life and now even in his death.

Goodbye my idol, our comedy king. Go and be home with our Creator. Make heaven a happier one with your presence there. So that in the joys of the angels and saints, you may be our intercessor to the Lord for all of us still left behind.

Our dear Dolphy, thank you for the laughter that made light our journey of life on earth. May you be happy now in the company of angels and saints in heaven.

And so Lord, thank You for the gift of Dolphy. Receive him in your kingdom and be kind to whatever sins he might have committed by the weakness of his flesh. We commend his spirit to You as we pray for his soul. Grant strength to his family, too, to accept his demise with surrender. Confer on Dolphy the ultimate award of "Citizen of Heaven", which is much more than whatever worldly award we can give him on earth.

Because in all things, O Lord, You will be always done.

Deo Optimo Maximo!

A Prayer for Class Reunion

Originally posted on June 29, 2012 via Multiply.com
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A Prayer for Class Reunion:

Lord, You are the God of life that sustains every moment of our being.

Today, we thank You for this opportunity of class reunion,
after we said our temporary goodbyes to our dear Alma Mater.

Thank You for all of us present today, for our friendships new and old,
and for all the good memories we share.

Thank You for the meal we will partake later,
the fruit of human hands from the bounty of your blessing.

Bless us all and our families,
including those who could not attend this reunion,
for various reasons.

We pray most especially for our classmates,
who have completed their life's journey
ahead of us. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord.

Make this special day full of fun and excitement,
celebrating life as we walk through memory lane of our youth.

And after our great time together, grant us a safe trip back home,
even as we pray and hope to be enjoying each others company again
at our next class reunion.

For all these we ask your blessing,
our loving Father, through Jesus your Son,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The New English Translation of the Roman Missal

Originally posted on June 9, 2012 via Multiply.com
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First of series: 10 June 2012 *  

(This short series is meant to help laypeople know and understand the changes in the English Translation of the Roman Missal)

The Liturgy of the Mass:

The Catholic Church desires all its faithful attending Holy Mass to be active participants and not just silent spectators.

"The Second Vatican Council... exhorts the faithful to take part in the celebration of the Holy Mass consciously and actively as befits every baptized person. Thus, "the faithful should have a good understanding of the rites and prayers" in the Mass.

"Worship, particularly the liturgy, is a sacred form of communication with God. God speaks to us and we respond in adoration, petition, and awe. Communication happens through rites and prayers, each of which expresses in various ways the word of God and the prayer of the Church.

The New English Translation of the Roman Missal:

The Bishops of the Philippines, which is the highest body collectively representing the Catholic Church in the Philippines, voted in January 2011 to adopt the New English Translation of the Roman Missal in toto, which will be fully implemented throughout the country by December 2012 during the Advent Season. Before that, there is a gradual implementation of the new English Translation.

However, before the eventual use of the new liturgical text, it is necessary to explain and provide catechesis on the implication of the changes introduced to the Order of the Mass. It is important to note that these changes do not differ in doctrinal content compared to the present version.

Greeting in the Mass:

In the Diocese of Parañaque (to which I belong) the gradual introduction of these changes starts this June 2012 in the Greeting in the Mass.

As the Priest-celebrant greets with "The Lord be with you," in the beginning of the Mass the response of the faithful is as follows:

Latin:                        Et cum spiritu tuo.

Present version:        And also with you.

New version:             And with your spirit.       

Other parts of the Mass where this greeting is used:

1.    Liturgy of the Word

2.    Introduction of Eucharistic Prayer (Preface)

3.    Kiss of Peace

4.    Before the Final Blessing

Analyis of the changes:

The new version is a more literal translation from Latin. "The answer in both the Greek and Latin liturgies is "And with your spirit."  

"Ancient Greek philosophy recognized three ascending levels in humans: the body, the soul, and the spirit. The spirit represents what is best and noblest in a person.

"In such a case, it is a courteous way of returning the greeting "The Lord be with you". We graciously address people by referring to their rank, status, or dignity. Thus, we commonly use the honorific title such as "Your Honor", "Your Reverence", and "Your Excellency".

Catechesis:

"When the people reply "And with your spirit", they return the greeting and express the prayerful wish that the priest will also be filled with the presence of the risen Lord, and that his ministry may receive the power and blessing of the Holy Spirit."

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* Source: The New English Translation of the Roman Missal: A Catechetical Primer, by Fr. Anscar J. Chupungco, OSB

Reflection on Ash Wednesday

Originally posted on February 21, 2012 via Multiply.com
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Moment with God: For Catholics.... (Posted 21 February 2012)

We celebrate Ash Wednesday on February 22, 2012. It marks the beginning of the Lenten Season, which is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting. Lent prepares us for Easter Sunday when Christ conquers sin and death.

On Ash Wednesday, we receive ashes on our forehead during Mass. Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church. R...eceiving the ashes helps us to develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.

The ashes are made from the blessed palms during Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are blessed and scented by exposure to incense.

While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. God's Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the Lenten Season, and the Church calls on us to seek his mercy during this season with reflection, prayer and penance, and going to confession.

The Church reminds Catholics that Ash Wednesday is a day of universal fast and abstinence. Fasting is required from ages 18 to 60 years, and abstinence from age 14.

Deo Optimo Maximo

(Source:Catholic Online and Ordo 2012)

November 1: Solemnity of All Saints

Originally posted on October 31, 2011 via Multiply.com
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Pope Gregory IV established this commemoration in 835 to honor all the saints, known and unknown, of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly those who have no special feast day of their own.

We thank the Lord for all the saints, who by their very lives have witnessed God's love and his Kingdom here on earth. Their life example is our ho...pe and inspiration as we go through our own journey on earth in our time.

You all the saints of God, please pray for us.

Deo Optimo Maximo

Commentary on recent tragic events of devastating typhoons.

Originally posted on October 3, 2011 via Multiply.com
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After a series of devastating typhoons and natural calamities, the presence of our national leaders in devastated areas, in my considered opinion, could be reassuring and give some hope to the victims to build their lives anew. But where are our national leaders until now? In the comforts of their offices and palatial homes? 

The callous pronouncements repeated by government spokespersons that government agencies concerned are already responding to the needs of the victims even without the presence of the national leaders is insensitive to the human misery of the suffering victims. It's like parents telling their child who is rushed to the hospital for emergency that there is no need for them to come personally because the doctors and hospital staff will do their job. OMG, that is unthinkable and un-Filipino!

It seems the draw back of the campaign slogan of "straight path" is that the highway has no "emergency shoulder" to stop by and pause awhile from whatever national preoccupation to attend personally to unexpected emergency.

From televisions and newspapers reports, it is the local government offices, Church organizations, mass media, private foundations and other NGOs which are in the scene in the aftermath of these tragedies to try to help out and give meaning to our " bayanihan" spirit for our countrymen needing help and comfort. Mabuhay kayong lahat!

It is like a double whammy for the country: the sufferings of the victims and the uncaring national leaders. Shame on them!

Deo Optimo Maximo