Chastity is consistency.
Consistency among my body, my heart and my mind.
Consistency between what I believe in and what I do (or at least, strive to).
2013-10-29
2013-10-25
Religious and Spiritual
To be truly spiritual is to be religious.
To be truly religious is to be spiritual.
To be truly religious is to be spiritual.
2013-10-16
MINDful and HEARTful
May our hearts be wide to welcome the world,
and our hands stretched to the nearest neighbor.
As we pray for situations that are bigger than us--typhoon and earthquake victims, corruption in government, human trafficking, respect for indigenous peoples, new evangelization, etc.--let us be mindful and, yes, heartful, of the officemate who is sick, the neighbor's house who was flooded, the barangay elections, the child at home in front of the TV, the taho and banana cue vendor, the usher at church collecting offerings.
P.S. And while I'm at it, please pray too for the PCNE, underway til Friday. I have small group sessions this afternoon and tomorrow. May every moment be Jesus-moments, the Gospel continuing to be written, proclaimed, and lived.
and our hands stretched to the nearest neighbor.
As we pray for situations that are bigger than us--typhoon and earthquake victims, corruption in government, human trafficking, respect for indigenous peoples, new evangelization, etc.--let us be mindful and, yes, heartful, of the officemate who is sick, the neighbor's house who was flooded, the barangay elections, the child at home in front of the TV, the taho and banana cue vendor, the usher at church collecting offerings.
P.S. And while I'm at it, please pray too for the PCNE, underway til Friday. I have small group sessions this afternoon and tomorrow. May every moment be Jesus-moments, the Gospel continuing to be written, proclaimed, and lived.
*Originally posted on Facebook
2013-10-10
What makes the country truly rich
I don't know how many petitions on change.org about corruption in my country have I already signed.
But through all these petition-signing, news specials, heated discussions, shocking confessions and passionate demonstrations, I hope for one thing: for each Filipino to discover, no matter how arduous or steep the climb is, what truly makes the country rich. Definitely, it is not riches amassed only by and for an elite few, and not only natural resources, high GDP's or well-collected (and properly disposed) taxes. It is a people united by something bigger than themselves: justice, compassion, constant pursuit of what is good for everyone... Goodness itself. And already, our new money bills already say it: "Pinagpala ang bayan na ang Diyos ay ang Panginoon" (hindi ang pork barrel, hindi ang Estados Unidos, hindi ang sariling kapakanan, hindi ang kamag-anak, kaibigan o kabarilan).
But through all these petition-signing, news specials, heated discussions, shocking confessions and passionate demonstrations, I hope for one thing: for each Filipino to discover, no matter how arduous or steep the climb is, what truly makes the country rich. Definitely, it is not riches amassed only by and for an elite few, and not only natural resources, high GDP's or well-collected (and properly disposed) taxes. It is a people united by something bigger than themselves: justice, compassion, constant pursuit of what is good for everyone... Goodness itself. And already, our new money bills already say it: "Pinagpala ang bayan na ang Diyos ay ang Panginoon" (hindi ang pork barrel, hindi ang Estados Unidos, hindi ang sariling kapakanan, hindi ang kamag-anak, kaibigan o kabarilan).
*Originally posted on Facebook
2013-10-02
Imperfect
The number 13 has been deemed by many as unlucky, and so we have “Friday the 13th”, and we don’t have 13th floors in buildings. But today marks my 13th year in fulltime youth ministry, something I definitely won’t describe as unfavored.
The second of October in the year 2000 was my first day in the National Secretariat for Youth Apostolate, the executive arm of the Youth Commission of the CBCP (or Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines). My entry into this office and fulltime ministry: these I consider as God’s gifts to me in that Year of Great Jubilee. (The journey towards these deserves another post.)
And 13 years later, I am here. 13. The number, and how it is perceived as imperfect, brings to me these thoughts...
My youth ministry, my relationships, how I make choices as well some choices themselves, my journey, my life... They are imperfect. I sigh at the realization how I wish I could have done some things differently, decided differently, trod some paths differently. Especially in relation to my faith in Christ, then indeed many parts of my life fall short: imperfect. But this imperfection does not have to be the final word; this only serves to remind me that I am in the process, that there can be learning and improvement. But more important of all, that I cannot rely only on myself and that I need someone bigger than me.
I know that there is the other way where, realizing one’s imperfection, the person resigns to her/his sorry state and lives, as it were, at "perfecting being imperfect". Today, as I wish to do so everytime, I choose to acknowledge what is imperfect in me and my need for the Lord and His saving work in my life, in my journey, in my relationships and yes, in my ministry.
After all, 13 is not the only imperfect number. Every number is, until all of them bring us, mark us towards Christ, whose fullness will accompany us, confront us, empower us every imperfect step we take if we allow Him.
The second of October in the year 2000 was my first day in the National Secretariat for Youth Apostolate, the executive arm of the Youth Commission of the CBCP (or Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines). My entry into this office and fulltime ministry: these I consider as God’s gifts to me in that Year of Great Jubilee. (The journey towards these deserves another post.)
And 13 years later, I am here. 13. The number, and how it is perceived as imperfect, brings to me these thoughts...
My youth ministry, my relationships, how I make choices as well some choices themselves, my journey, my life... They are imperfect. I sigh at the realization how I wish I could have done some things differently, decided differently, trod some paths differently. Especially in relation to my faith in Christ, then indeed many parts of my life fall short: imperfect. But this imperfection does not have to be the final word; this only serves to remind me that I am in the process, that there can be learning and improvement. But more important of all, that I cannot rely only on myself and that I need someone bigger than me.
I know that there is the other way where, realizing one’s imperfection, the person resigns to her/his sorry state and lives, as it were, at "perfecting being imperfect". Today, as I wish to do so everytime, I choose to acknowledge what is imperfect in me and my need for the Lord and His saving work in my life, in my journey, in my relationships and yes, in my ministry.
After all, 13 is not the only imperfect number. Every number is, until all of them bring us, mark us towards Christ, whose fullness will accompany us, confront us, empower us every imperfect step we take if we allow Him.
2013-09-13
Carrying on the struggle
Social netizens in the Philippines seem to be more up and about these days. I see it as good--the rising awareness of people about what is happening around them, whether in the immediacy of the neighborhood or the wide backyard of the home we call "Earth", and the way many are pitching in their thoughts and concern about these.
Of course, these issues should indeed concern us: the unrest in the Zamboanga peninsula within the context of peace and development around Mindanao, the still unfolding saga of the pork barrel, and all these realities in society such as informal settlers in urban areas, corruption in public office, inequality between classes, education as achievable only until (or even before) one's teenage years, forced migration and changes, oftentimes detrimental, in the home. Looking at my faith, I think too of situations in the church which call for attention: the dichotomy between belief and daily life; the neglect for lay people; the priority given more to church renovation rather than community building; the lack of a truly focused, relevant and concerted effort for the young faithful; the need to begin with initial (seminary) formation if we truly want renewed clergy and religious; among many others.
And of course, I can go on. But of course, I cannot claim I have the answers to all of these questions. But I am willing to continue the journey.
However, to me, now, that is beside the point. The point is, how will I carry on the struggle? Will I allow myself to be tossed here and there among this myriad of issues, or is there something--someone--in whom I can refer to, gaze at for direction, and depend on for solace and support? Should I turn in on myself for the answers, or should I look beyond myself for meaning and hope while remaining rooted in the joys and pains of the here and now?
Deep in my heart, I know the answer. I know in Whom I put my trust [cf. 2 Tim 1:12].
Of course, these issues should indeed concern us: the unrest in the Zamboanga peninsula within the context of peace and development around Mindanao, the still unfolding saga of the pork barrel, and all these realities in society such as informal settlers in urban areas, corruption in public office, inequality between classes, education as achievable only until (or even before) one's teenage years, forced migration and changes, oftentimes detrimental, in the home. Looking at my faith, I think too of situations in the church which call for attention: the dichotomy between belief and daily life; the neglect for lay people; the priority given more to church renovation rather than community building; the lack of a truly focused, relevant and concerted effort for the young faithful; the need to begin with initial (seminary) formation if we truly want renewed clergy and religious; among many others.
And of course, I can go on. But of course, I cannot claim I have the answers to all of these questions. But I am willing to continue the journey.
However, to me, now, that is beside the point. The point is, how will I carry on the struggle? Will I allow myself to be tossed here and there among this myriad of issues, or is there something--someone--in whom I can refer to, gaze at for direction, and depend on for solace and support? Should I turn in on myself for the answers, or should I look beyond myself for meaning and hope while remaining rooted in the joys and pains of the here and now?
Deep in my heart, I know the answer. I know in Whom I put my trust [cf. 2 Tim 1:12].
2013-09-11
Into the Kingdom of Heaven
"With some of us, the end of egoism requires a big struggle.
Sometimes, we are carried more or less kicking and screaming
into the Kingdom of Heaven." John Main, OSB
I don't mind the kicking and screaming,
as long as I know who is carrying me,
Sometimes, we are carried more or less kicking and screaming
into the Kingdom of Heaven." John Main, OSB
I don't mind the kicking and screaming,
as long as I know who is carrying me,
and He's carrying me to Heaven.
;)
*Originally posted on Facebook
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