The gospel today talks about Jesus' background being questioned and criticized by people from his own home town. People raised their brows and took offense at him. Who is he? Who does he think he is? Why will someone who is so like us claim to be above all us? Where did he get his wisdom? Why can he do marvelous work? In effect, what they seem to really say is why him and not me?
Fastforward 2000 years, this episode in the gospel remains to be real and relevant. This is probably the curse of comparison which leads to the cancer called jealousy.
There was a time when I secretly wanted to be a man who's 10years my senior. I also wanted my name to be more foreign sounding and my family be a whole lot richer. I felt those traits would make me more respectable, appear more successful and be more commanding. I realized just like Jesus, no matter how much I try to be fit-in and be pleasant I will never be spared from self-righteous fault finders who are perfectly critical of mostly everything. Now that I know better, I am happy to be me--young, female, Filipino, God-fearing yet driven.
Although I try not to get affected by such people, their mere presence really shake my world and prey me to make more mistakes. I really hate character terrorists! Whether they do it up-front, side-ways or back-stab me in the process, I abhor their ways. It just doesn't suit my nature. I feel they are the culprits of low productivity, unhappiness, sleepless nights and stressful days.
The reading today gives me comfort as it reminds me that my life here on earth is but temporary. I may not be able get the appreciation much less the recognition from where I currently stand but this is not the only place to work wonders. Jesus himself continued to perform miracles but not in his home town. Maybe I too should expand my horizon.
It made sense that Jesus explicitly did not do many mighty works in his home town because people did not believe him. He could have chosen to do it there, but then why would he. Those people are simply not deserving recipients of his omnipotent grace. Based on my experience, anyone who is second-guessed would end up second-guessing himself. Can I do it? Do I want to do it? Why should I try to please someone who is just so critical and waits for my fall?
While I abhor judgmental and overly critical people, at times I too am guilty that my human frailty in its unguarded moments tend to be as harsh and as hasty on judging others. Now that I am aware of this, I pray that I grow to be more Christ-like.
My friend, the world can really be cruel and unkind but let this not stop us from our journey to blessedness. I still believe in love, peace and justice. I pray for your freedom from insecurities and resentment. When the world pushes us to the wall, may we learn how to step aside graciously, walk away and do our mighty works elsewhere. And as we perform our miracles for His glory, let us be secure knowing that we are loved and we are never alone.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Sober Sower
I was reflecting on yesterday's Gospel about the Parable of the Sower. In the Homily, the priest said the seed is the Word of God and the soil is the state of the person who hears the Word of God. The parable gave us four kinds of soil or four types of people.
Pathway-people hears the word but doesn't understand it, thus they fall prey to the dark side of the force. Rocky-ground-people gets elated when they hear the word but the effect is short term. Thorns-people hears the word but gets preoccupied with worldly matters thus cutting off the very word they received. As you know, only the seed sown on a rich soil bears fruit. These are people who understand what they heard, remains committed to what they heard and have dedicated their lives to live according to the precepts of the Word.
I believe God wants us to be truly happy. I believe He sends us angels on earth to guide us on how to make the most out of life.
As profound as the parable already is, in my opinion this also cuts across advice we hear from people or from angels on earth. We hear countless advice on how to be fit and fabulous, how to have fulfilling relationships, how to have financial freedom etc. etc.
Just like the soil in the parable, people fall out of their goals because (1) they do not understand, (2) they are after quick-fixes or (3) they are preoccupied with something else. The point I'd like to drive at is the Gospel is practical as it is sacred. The way to become a rich soil on earth so we can reap our reward in heaven is for us to (1) value knowledge and develop understanding, (2) remain committed and most importantly (3) walk the talk...act.
The Parable of the Sower for me is a practical manual for us to be sober on earth. In my ABC, sober is the state of being calm. Calmness means peace. Peace is from God. Anything that is from Him and for Him is good.
My friend, may you and I become a sober sowers of God's peace. May we get transformed into the rich soil we ought to be.
Pathway-people hears the word but doesn't understand it, thus they fall prey to the dark side of the force. Rocky-ground-people gets elated when they hear the word but the effect is short term. Thorns-people hears the word but gets preoccupied with worldly matters thus cutting off the very word they received. As you know, only the seed sown on a rich soil bears fruit. These are people who understand what they heard, remains committed to what they heard and have dedicated their lives to live according to the precepts of the Word.
I believe God wants us to be truly happy. I believe He sends us angels on earth to guide us on how to make the most out of life.
As profound as the parable already is, in my opinion this also cuts across advice we hear from people or from angels on earth. We hear countless advice on how to be fit and fabulous, how to have fulfilling relationships, how to have financial freedom etc. etc.
Just like the soil in the parable, people fall out of their goals because (1) they do not understand, (2) they are after quick-fixes or (3) they are preoccupied with something else. The point I'd like to drive at is the Gospel is practical as it is sacred. The way to become a rich soil on earth so we can reap our reward in heaven is for us to (1) value knowledge and develop understanding, (2) remain committed and most importantly (3) walk the talk...act.
The Parable of the Sower for me is a practical manual for us to be sober on earth. In my ABC, sober is the state of being calm. Calmness means peace. Peace is from God. Anything that is from Him and for Him is good.
My friend, may you and I become a sober sowers of God's peace. May we get transformed into the rich soil we ought to be.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Obsession for Nothingness
Ever since I can remember I always set goals and strive damn hard to see a check beside that goal I've set. It makes me feel fulfilled. I thought that was enough to make me feel complete. Fulfillment as I know now is entirely different from being happy.
When I graduated from college, I envisioned my self to have a car, a place of my own, a great career, a high-paying job from a multi-national and of course, be a wife with a fairy tale like love story. All of those I targeted a good 10years to be fulfilled. I also have side goals each year--things I wanted to learn, stuff I wanted to have not just for me but for my family, places I wanted to visit and people I wanted to meet. True enough, those goals when met made me feel I achieved something.
Sadly though, I became obsessed fulfilling those goals that I forgot to review and really think things through if my goals were aligned to God's will. I was too persistent...too determined to give it up. I would even mask it as a mere challenge that He'd like me to hurdle. I was even proud to say I am not a quitter. Now, looking back...I realized if it was too hard, maybe it was not meant to be. I also know now that it is always wise to follow the path of least resistance.
There are so many things now that I don't understand. Where am I heading? What lies ahead? What should I do? Who will I be with for the rest of my life? Loads of hanging questions but I find rest knowing that I do not own my life. I find fulfillment knowing that God is in everything. Out of the uncertainty of tomorrow, I am left with the best option to totally trust Him today. That alone is more than enough reason to be happy.
Before this awakening, I was obsessed with goals and on meeting them. Regardless of how many, how big or how noble those goals are, if it does not find origin in God, I know now that it accounts for nothing. It was foolish of me to be obsessed with nothing. What's ironic is, now that I truly do not have anything and nothing to be obsessed about, the void gives space for peace. Though dependent on Him for mostly everything, I feel alive and truly happy. Now I am not bogged down by any disappointments for I know He is just preparing me for something better.
In the Gospel today, where Jesus revealed heavenly things to children, I earnestly pray to be child-like. I hope that experience and life lessons strip me off all pretenses, arrogance, fears and worries so that God could see me as I am and in the same manner so that I could recognize God in His utmost purest form.
Today I pray that both you and I be humble and trusting to what our heavenly Father wants. May you feel confident of His love just like how our earthly fathers made us feel loved. God bless you!
When I graduated from college, I envisioned my self to have a car, a place of my own, a great career, a high-paying job from a multi-national and of course, be a wife with a fairy tale like love story. All of those I targeted a good 10years to be fulfilled. I also have side goals each year--things I wanted to learn, stuff I wanted to have not just for me but for my family, places I wanted to visit and people I wanted to meet. True enough, those goals when met made me feel I achieved something.
Sadly though, I became obsessed fulfilling those goals that I forgot to review and really think things through if my goals were aligned to God's will. I was too persistent...too determined to give it up. I would even mask it as a mere challenge that He'd like me to hurdle. I was even proud to say I am not a quitter. Now, looking back...I realized if it was too hard, maybe it was not meant to be. I also know now that it is always wise to follow the path of least resistance.
There are so many things now that I don't understand. Where am I heading? What lies ahead? What should I do? Who will I be with for the rest of my life? Loads of hanging questions but I find rest knowing that I do not own my life. I find fulfillment knowing that God is in everything. Out of the uncertainty of tomorrow, I am left with the best option to totally trust Him today. That alone is more than enough reason to be happy.
Before this awakening, I was obsessed with goals and on meeting them. Regardless of how many, how big or how noble those goals are, if it does not find origin in God, I know now that it accounts for nothing. It was foolish of me to be obsessed with nothing. What's ironic is, now that I truly do not have anything and nothing to be obsessed about, the void gives space for peace. Though dependent on Him for mostly everything, I feel alive and truly happy. Now I am not bogged down by any disappointments for I know He is just preparing me for something better.
In the Gospel today, where Jesus revealed heavenly things to children, I earnestly pray to be child-like. I hope that experience and life lessons strip me off all pretenses, arrogance, fears and worries so that God could see me as I am and in the same manner so that I could recognize God in His utmost purest form.
Today I pray that both you and I be humble and trusting to what our heavenly Father wants. May you feel confident of His love just like how our earthly fathers made us feel loved. God bless you!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Too Much Too Few
Quite frankly, I have nothing to offer anyone anything right now. Be that as it may, I feel I have so much to share. Although, I am still in my infancy stage in as far as my relationship to the Lord is concerned, He has profoundly gave me that sense of security that today will be better than tomorrow...and that each moment, for as long as it is done out of love is a testament that He truly lives in me and that is all He needed. Never have I thought that I would be loved...truly loved even without showering anyone with anything material.
Back in the day when I had much resources, I had very little time to think about these things much so sharing it with families and friends. My ears were for the managers and employees and for hour-long but many conference calls which cut across various timezones. My eyes were glued to emails I needed to respond to, letters I need to craft and presentation materials I have to report. I even had to have an extra PC monitor aside from my laptop so I can multi-task better. And when I say multi-task...I mean about more than a handful of tasks I juggle and squeeze into the 24-hour zone called a day...it was so full that before my day ends, another day begins and it leaves me plastered and worn out that I can't barely sleep. My hands were either stuck to the keyboard or tinkering my ever-vibrating blackberry. It was foolish for me to think that I was on top of my game. At 27years old, I was already holding a key position, handling a colossal task with global impact in a big multi-national company. Externally, I seem to look successful. Thanks to my condition called lumbar disc disease...long and straining as it is...it gave me that chance to have a fresh perspective and a new life.
I must have forgotten my purpose in life. I may be doing some good stuff but then again, was it what God really wanted me to do? I figured I was not happy. I felt I was sick. This illness has truly altered my life...this illness restored my life. I figured, just like the disciples, Jesus does not need me to be ultra-successful. He simply wants ordinary people to dedicate their lives to do extra-ordinary things for Him: cast out evil spirits, proclaim the gospel and be a living witness that faith and love cures everything.
Today, I wish you to be productive in your tasks. However, while you do your work, may you do it for the Lord and not for a promotion, not for a pay raise or for recognition. May your work find its origin to God...may all that you do bring Him glory.
Back in the day when I had much resources, I had very little time to think about these things much so sharing it with families and friends. My ears were for the managers and employees and for hour-long but many conference calls which cut across various timezones. My eyes were glued to emails I needed to respond to, letters I need to craft and presentation materials I have to report. I even had to have an extra PC monitor aside from my laptop so I can multi-task better. And when I say multi-task...I mean about more than a handful of tasks I juggle and squeeze into the 24-hour zone called a day...it was so full that before my day ends, another day begins and it leaves me plastered and worn out that I can't barely sleep. My hands were either stuck to the keyboard or tinkering my ever-vibrating blackberry. It was foolish for me to think that I was on top of my game. At 27years old, I was already holding a key position, handling a colossal task with global impact in a big multi-national company. Externally, I seem to look successful. Thanks to my condition called lumbar disc disease...long and straining as it is...it gave me that chance to have a fresh perspective and a new life.
I must have forgotten my purpose in life. I may be doing some good stuff but then again, was it what God really wanted me to do? I figured I was not happy. I felt I was sick. This illness has truly altered my life...this illness restored my life. I figured, just like the disciples, Jesus does not need me to be ultra-successful. He simply wants ordinary people to dedicate their lives to do extra-ordinary things for Him: cast out evil spirits, proclaim the gospel and be a living witness that faith and love cures everything.
Today, I wish you to be productive in your tasks. However, while you do your work, may you do it for the Lord and not for a promotion, not for a pay raise or for recognition. May your work find its origin to God...may all that you do bring Him glory.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Mute Moments
For someone opinionated and have much to share, there was a time that I became mute. Not in the literal sense of the word but mute in terms of not wanting to speak. I was either afraid of voicing out my deepest problems and facing the repercussion of putting it out in the open or ashamed of admitting the evil I tolerated or the good I have brushed aside. The Lord said cast your burdens unto Him so we could find rest. May we find courage to lift up those that make us mute...our insecurities and our fears so we could find peace and be liberated from those that chain us to sin.
My silent days are now over since Jesus became part of my life. I can now openly say that I was hurt and I rebuke pain. I can now claim peace and healing. I wish to remain transparent and true in all my dealings with people. I can now laugh at myself because He took my burdens away.
The ability to speak though should not be abused. It should be meant to heal not to hurt. It should pave the way for understanding and peace and not cause chaos or confusion. As they say, we need to tame our tongue...else, it would lead us to further sin. The words we speak and those we don't should both find origin and meaning from our Maker. Only when we are liberated from our own "mute" mode, can we speak to people about how light and how happy it is to remain in His presence.
My friend, I wish your liberation today from your "mute mode" moments. God bless!
My silent days are now over since Jesus became part of my life. I can now openly say that I was hurt and I rebuke pain. I can now claim peace and healing. I wish to remain transparent and true in all my dealings with people. I can now laugh at myself because He took my burdens away.
The ability to speak though should not be abused. It should be meant to heal not to hurt. It should pave the way for understanding and peace and not cause chaos or confusion. As they say, we need to tame our tongue...else, it would lead us to further sin. The words we speak and those we don't should both find origin and meaning from our Maker. Only when we are liberated from our own "mute" mode, can we speak to people about how light and how happy it is to remain in His presence.
My friend, I wish your liberation today from your "mute mode" moments. God bless!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Haunted to be Healed
Today, I made a choice not because I wanted to but because I have promised God that I am here to do His will. I place my full trust in Him that much as I truly would have wanted to keep what is making me happy, His will shold be done. The gospel today resonates how God through Jesus cares for us--healing our illness and giving us life. If He can cure Veronica (the woman who has been bleeding for 12 years) and could raise someone from the dead, He too can stop the pain which burdens us for years and bring hope to things we thought were already dead. I can relate to Veronica...I came out of a decade-long abusive relationship. As a daughter, I know my father too has for several times went and plea to Jesus that I come to my senses. I have turned my back from my family to fight for the man I thought I'd be spending the rest of my life with. At that time, I had a great job...I was earning almost 10times what a regular wage earner would get...but deep within I was dead. Gloomy as my current state might be, I can feel that I am at peace. Truly, if we take our heart, offer it to Him...our faith will make us well.
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