9 May 2017: Tuesday

To dream still......

Good morning, World.... and thank you for this new and beautiful day.

Can I take a break from my daily routine, to enjoy the few things in life that is still free... like Mother Nature for example?  For today I want to go to a place of peace and serenity, in the countryside perhaps, or just imagine myself to be in such a place, enjoying the gift of Nature and nourish my mind with life's valuable lessons that Nature imparts.

In the countryside, I can enjoy the fresh air again, or even the view of clean water freely flowing in a stream. I can feel it in my hands yet cannot hold on to it, even for a second. Because it just goes on to flow, almost non-stop, into the wide oceans and seas. What life's lesson does it teach us?

The flowing water in a stream mirrors some truths about life as well. Because life is a continuing journey too, much like the flowing water of a stream. We can feel it, live it, but life moves on in a journey until we reach our final destiny.... one day.

Even so, if for a moment God were to give me a chance to pause from the journey of life, on this very special day today, I would want to take advantage of such a moment in time to reflect and appreciate my many blessings in life, as I celebrate another milestone today.

So, thank You, Lord, for many answered prayers of mine, and thank You more every time I become the answer to someone else's prayer.

Thank You for the gift of each day, even as I now tread past the mark nearing life's sunset. How I live my remaining years is my gift to God and to myself as well. 

Thank You that I have seen the good days and the bad ones. For together they make me a learned and wise person I think, always grateful for the gift of living.

Thank You even when I do not always get what I want... because what really matters is that You always bless me with all that I really need. Now I understand that what I actually have are what matter most, and anything more is just a lust for extravagance.

So thank You that I no longer grieve for anything else, and rejoice instead over my many blessings... no matter how small they may seem.

I realize that my life is far from perfect, but thank You, Lord, that I have my perfect moments... every time I share kindness and love to those in need.

Thank You that at senior years I have better control of my voyage in the sea of life, trusting more in Your providence than worry about things that I may not have control anyway.

Thank You, too, for the gift of family and dear friends; they are truly my blessing.. for their patience, understanding, and acceptance of me for who I am, in spite of myself and imperfections.

Thank You for the gift of life, my loved ones and friends who walk with me in this journey as together we enjoy still the wonders of Your creation.

Dear Lord, I pray to be deserving always of Your generosity that allows me more time in our world, to dream still, and wallow in the sunlight like the child I once was, leaving uncovered not only my body but even my soul as I trust completely in Your divine providence.

For I believe that there is always a new  morning when life gives us another opportunity, second chances if you wish, to make things better than they were.

Then, perhaps, I would try to sleep less and dream more (even when my body craves for more sleep at senior years). Because now I realize that for every minute that I close my eyes I lose sixty seconds of light.

I would even dare to try where others would give up so easily, or rise up when others prefer to just sleep away, so that second chances and opportunities in life are not wasted.

I would enjoy life more, like I do enjoy it now, and prove to everyone that we must not stop to fall in love as we get older, because we actually get older when we stop to fall in love.

I would go on to celebrate life, feel young always, despite my age, by surrounding myself with my family and dear friends to keep me company in my remaining years, and towards the sunset of life.

Lord, please let me go on to dream, to face life's challenges, enjoy the journey, explore

still the unknown, and yet never be afraid to at least try. Because I know You are already there, waiting for my return to the heavenly home.

And then one day...... when my voyage is done, and I make my final step in the shores of life's sunset, I pray welcome me home please and receive my soul with Your forgiving heart for all the failures that my worldly life may not have overcome by that time.

But today, my special day, my heart whispers a prayer... 

Thank You, Lord for the gift of this new day, as I celebrate another milestone in my life... even when I am just now enjoying the pre-departure area of my final flight home to You. For in all things, Your will be done always, my God and my Lord. Amen.

 Ad Jesum per Mariam!

All Saints' Day

In the Roman Catholic Church the Solemnity of All Saints is celebrated on November 1 in honor of all the saints, known and unknown.

This day commemorates all those departed who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven. Catholics celebrate All Saints' Day (and also All Souls' Day on November 2) in the fundamental belief that there is a prayerful spiritual communion between those in the state of grace who have died and are either being purified in purgatory or are in heaven already.

The Church in this great feast honors all the saints reigning together in glory. The purpose for this honor is first, to give

thanks to God for the graces and crowns of all his saints; secondly, to excite ourselves to a fervent imitation of their virtues by considering the holy example of so many faithful servants of God of all ages, sexes, and conditions, and by contemplating the inexpressible and eternal bliss which they already enjoy, and to which we are invited; thirdly, to implore the divine mercy through this multitude of powerful intercessors; fourthly, to repair any failures or sloth in not having duly honored God in his saints on their particular feast days, and to glorify Him in the saints which are unknown to us, or for which no particular feast days are appointed.

On All Saints' Day and in other feast days of the saints God is the only object of our supreme worship, and the whole of that inferior veneration which is paid to the saints is directed to give sovereign honor to God alone. Our addresses to saints are only petitions to holy fellow creatures for the assistance of their prayers to God for us.

In the Philippines, this day, called "Undas","Todos los Santos" (literally "All Saints") and sometimes "Araw ng mga Patay (translated "Day of the Dead") is observed as All Souls' Day. This day and the one before and one after it is spent visiting the graves of deceased relatives, where prayers and flowers are offered, candles are lit and the graves themselves are cleaned, repaired and repainted.

Short Reflection:

Our celebration of the solemnity of All Saints allows us to experience the joy of being part of the great family of God's friends whom we honor as saints. Because we know and believe that God wills to reconcile with Himself the whole of humanity so that together we can share in God's own life.

May the example and prayers of all the saints be our guide to sustain us at every stage of our earthly pilgrimages towards the kingdom of Heaven.

Prayer for All Saints' Day:

Father, All-Powerful and ever-living God,
today we rejoice in the holy men and women
of every time and place,
on the Solemnity of All Saints' Day.

May they intercede for us still in journey in this world.
May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

We are a group, from different walks of life, from different parts of Las Pinas, with different personalities.

Although many individual differences, there is one common among us... we are all retired professionals, and we are friends.

Every morning, as we journey towards life's sunset, we meet for early morning talk, jokes, light discussion about anything under the sun.... over a cup of hot coffee in our favorite McDo store, to celebrate life and to celebrate our friendship, rain or shine that is.

But today, 16 September 2016, Friday, is different and it is really sad.

Because one of us, Pete Manalaysay, is finally home. We lost a dear friend and buddy. It was sudden and most unexpected, and it was a shock for all of us left behind. But then again we realize..... life is but a journey. And when we reach the sunset of life, it is not really the end..... but a new beginning.... a re-birth to eternal. Our friend Pete will always be with us... in our hearts. For friends you make towards the life' ends....are the friends you keep forever.

Farewell

Indeed, we are a pilgrim people in journey through this world towards our final destiny in the Father's heavenly home.

Farewell, our dear friend, Pete Manalaysay. We will miss you. Be home with our loving Father, in the company of angels and your loved ones who completed their life's journey. Intercede for us with the Lord, and guide our steps on earth towards the joy of our heavenly destiny. Thank you for your friendship.

Our Prayer

Lord, you have a reason for everything. Even when we sometimes do not understand, we keep our faith in your Fatherly love. Please be merciful to our friend, Pete. Forgive him for the weakness of his flesh while on earh. And now please welcome him with love in the company of the faithful who have completed their journey ahead of all of us.

Give strength of faith to his family and loved ones left behind, so that they see the purpose in everything and surrender themselves completely to your divine will. Heal our wounds of doubts, heal the pain of loss.

Because in everything, O Lord, let your will be done always.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

September 2016

Welcoming the "BER" months, only in the Philippines

September is the start of the "Ber" months in the Philippines. It is part of the Filipino customs that the beginning of the "Ber" months, which include September through December, is also the beginning of the holiday season that will lead to Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Thus, the Philippines, which is predominantly Christian nation in whole of Asia, has the distinction and the reputation of having the earliest and the longest celebration of Christmas.

The sound of "Ber" months put a smile on the face of every Filipino. It appears that there is "magic" in

the word that symbolizes hope and aspirations that even in the midst of life's struggles there is a time to celebrate the joy of living with sharing and singing. Because in spite of depressing news of Filipinos killed in the relentless drive against drug abuse, Filipinos will find a reason to smile as the cool "Ber" months begin, ushering in the joyous countdown to Christmas.

Expect that very soon, I hope and pray, radio programs will be playing holiday tunes, and tv station will greet the beginning of September with special shows that have Christmas themes already. As day passes from the first day of September, you will see Christmas decorations all around --at home, in the streets, inside shopping malls, and other business establishments. Because when the "Ber" month starts, the store will slowly start to display their Christmas products, like Christmas decor, Christmas lights, lanterns, decorative Santa Claus, etc.

Even the weather joins in, as it is expected that the mornings will get colder in the coming days.

While Filipinos are known for their last-minute shopping, usually after the release of the 13th month pay and Christmas bonuses in mid-December perhaps, it is not unusual that many actually begin preparing their lists for holiday shopping and gift-giving as early as the month of September.

It is still about 116 days before Christmas, yet shopping malls start to become busy and crowded with shoppers and onlookers as the "Ber" months progress. This atmosphere is expected to become even more lively and happy when stores are finally decked with holiday attractions.

Amidst all the anticipation and holiday preparation, the

Catholic Church reminds the faithful about the real meaning of the Christmas season: God's love. For He gave His only Son to save humanity. Let us not forget to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Savior. For this is the true meaning, and reason, of Christmas: God loves us!

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated every August 15, which falls on Monday this year.

The Feast commemorates the glorious moment when the Blessed Mother was taken up body and soul into the glory of Heaven at the end of her life (a foretaste of our own bodily resurrection at the end of time.) She is the only human being granted this singular privilege as the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because it signifies the Blessed Virgin's passing into eternal life, it is the most important of all Marian feasts.

Pope Pius XII defined the Dogma of the Assumption on November 1, 1950. As a dogma, the Assumption is a required belief of all Catholics; anyone who publicly dissents from the dogma, Pope Pius declared, "has fallen away completely from the divine and Catholic Faith."

Scripture does not give an account of Mary's Assumption into Heaven. But belief that Mary, without dying or shortly after death, has been taken up into Heaven with her body and her soul has been part of the teaching of the Catholic Church since the earliest centuries of Christianity. That early Christian believed in Mary's Assumption is proven in the lack of her relics, empty tomb, and quotes from early Christians.

The Feast of the Assumption gives each of us great hope as we contemplate this one facet of the beautiful woman of faith, our Blessed Mother Mary moves us by example and prayer to grow in God's grace, to be receptive to His will, to convert our lives through sacrifice and penance, and seek the everlasting union in the Heavenly kingdom. This Feast confirms us in the virtue of hope, whereby we seek holiness of life in the midst of our ordinary duties.

Catholics are encouraged to go to Mass on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother, although it is no longer a holy day of obligation in the Church here in the Philippines.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Congratulations again, Miss Ganda.... and now Miss Principal....
...
Now that you have achieved an important milestone in your professional career, let me share with you my personal thoughts.

As parents, we are so proud of you, not only that you have finally completed your masteral, but more because we know how you "struggle" to achieve this important step in your dreams.

It was not easy along the way, because you were working while pursuing your studies. You sourced

your own funds to achieve this goal by studying for scholarship, even when we provided financial support sparingly... when absolutely necessary. Sometimes, you almost wanted to give up, but with our encouragement and that of your brothers, and perhaps even from some of your closest friends, you persisted.

In the end it was PRAYER... yours and ours, and your closest friends perhaps, that really helped you make it through. Thank You, Lord.

That is why you so deserve this joy.... the joy of achievement. We will continue to pray that you push yourself some more.... to the limits.

For dreams have no boundaries.... they have no limits.

And as you move on, we will surely journey with you.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN AND HAPPY GRADUATION!

To us on this Special Day....

In joy and tears,

in failures and success,nbi

we always remember our vows of years ago;

we work to honor and keep it

through these years till now,

and for the rest of our lives.

Because now I realize....

You're there to understand,

you're there to care,

you're there to love,

you're just there, no matter what,

and in spite of all that I am and was.

Today we're just a half way to forever.

Let me hold your hand until we get there.

May love remain in our hearts forever.

May our marriage grow finer and stronger.

So Dear, Happy Anniversary to us!

And thank You, Lord, 

that we're still here to celebrate.