A Moaner's Prayer

During the past few days, most of the UK have sunny and warm spells.  Most people have been out and about enjoying the sun.  A neighbour, just a few houses from ours, was having a barbecue with his mates, complete with singing and dancing. The one next to us was mowing his lawn at almost 9pm!  Having a glorious weather in this often rainy country is a blessing indeed! Unless you are a moaner!

Years ago, when I was still in university, Mrs Estrella De Leon (my teacher in Logic) told us that when it rains, people would pray "Lord, please let the sun to come out. We cannot manage to be in a wet weather!" When the sun did come out, people would pray "Lord, please send in the rain. It's too hot!" She concluded how baffled God has been because it's difficult to please people.

Are you a moaner? Someone who would easily whine when something happens, regardless if it's just a minor glitch or not? Someone who grumbles in every action another person does or in any blessings the other person has?

The late Fr Erick Santos told this story about moaners' views of their priest: "If the priest is seen to be with people of the same sex, he is gay. If the priest is seen to be with people of the opposite sex, he is a womanizer. If the priest is with the rich, he is an aristocrat. If the priest is with the poor, he is a communist." Similar to Ma'am De Leon's lesson,  Fr Erick concluded that the priest is at a loss at pleasing everyone, most especially the moaners.

During Our Lady's apparition to the three shepherd children at Fatima on 13 July 1917, she taught them this prayer: Oh my Jesus, I offer this for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Our Lady taught this beautiful prayer when she encouraged the children to make sacrifices. One hundred years since then, this prayer is still relevant. I think it would be a good prayer especially when we are tempted to moan about anything. So the next time we are stuck in traffic, soaked in rain, melting in the sun, running low in cash, or getting impatient with an annoying significant other, let's not rant. Rather, let's say: Oh my Jesus, I offer this for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Sacrifices can make a difference, be it for yourself or for someone else (moaners included!). Moaning leaves you empty.

***

Talking about sacrifices, there is one person in our lives who have shown us the value of making sacrifices: our fathers.  I would like to tip my cap to all dads out there, especially to my father Mario, on their special day today. Thank you for going the extra mile just to make sure that we have a better future. Thank you for overcoming what seems to be a mountain of challenges. Thank you for the love you have shown us. God bless you all! Cheers!

***

My piece won't be complete without paying tribute to my Lolo Paul whose 106th birth anniversary is celebrated today. His natal day this year coincides with two important celebrations: the Feast of Corpus Christi and Father's Day. He was a lover of the Eucharist - he served as an altar boy when he was young and then later I was blessed to have witnessed him do the readings and lead in the singing in the Mass. My love and devotion to the Mass was because of his and Lola Piling's example. He was a loving father who was no stranger to sacrifices and who faithfully provided for the well being of his family. God bless your kind soul, Lolo Paul! Happy 106th birthday! 

Who Takes the Credit?

June 13 this year has a double celebration in the Church: the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and of St Anthony of Padua.  St Anthony of Padua once said "Attribute to God every good that you have received. If you take credit for something that does not belong to you, you will be guilty of theft". 

Strong words from a saint who is more popularly known for his intercession in finding lost items than for his eloquent preaching.

Indeed, when was the last time that we really acknowledged God as the source of everything good that we have - health, wealth, career, house and lot, car, apostolate in the community, long life, etc? Sometimes, it can be easier for us to take all the credit because, as humans, we tend to be visual - we only see our inputs, our efforts, our sacrifices.If we lack faith, we would hardly see God's own inputs (and those of others like our parents).

Perhaps the way for us to see the goods we enjoy as God's gifts is to be like the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Annunciation, she acknowledged herself as God's handmaid and readily submitted herself to His will. She never bragged about being God's Mother, but rather sang His praises in the Magnificat.  No wonder that St John Eudes, a priest known for his devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, would say "Do you forget that not only does Jesus reside and dwell in Mary's Heart, but that he is in truth the heart of her Heart and the soul of her soul...?".

I recall how my Lola Piling and Lolo Paul conducted themselves with daily Mass, looking after their growing family, and working as physicians. My grandmother once said that they didn't suffer any fatigue or headache in spite of their busy and challenging schedules. They acknowledged God's abiding presence in their lives.

This double celebration should not pass unnoticed. Let's be grateful for all that the Lord has done for us. Remember:  "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving kindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

St Anthony of Padua, pray for us.

Be My Love, Be My Salvation

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus tomorrow and the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Saturday, brings to mind a prayer that my grandparents would usually utter: Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation. Very short prayer, but full of meaning, depth, and inspiration.

Msgr Mario Enriquez, in his homily during the feast of the Sacred Heart in Gagalangin many years ago, said that we are not devoted to the physical heart of our Lord, but to the love which Jesus' heart symbolizes.  Indeed, if we honor and venerate His physical heart only, our devotion will miss the whole point why that physical heart was pierced by a lance on the first Good Friday - out of love for us. 

It was said that the first followers of Jesus were known not because of their religious practices or customs, but by their love for each other.  Lest we forget, this love is rooted in and animated by Jesus.  A kind of love that is selfless. It has been 2,000 years or so and that small community has grown enormously across the world.  Are our communities still known for the love which our ancestors in faith have had for each other?  Is charity still found at our homes?  Are we still motivated by love to do good? Yes or (more importantly) no, let's daily ask our Lord: Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.

Because of that selfless love that Jesus has, we have all been saved.  And yet, each day of our lives here on earth is a challenge to be saved.  Because of our fallen nature, we sometimes forget how we have been loved and so we commit mistakes.  We become ungrateful for what Jesus has done for us.

I remember Bro Jun Ignao, a former colleague in the Basic Christian Community in Barangay Poblacion (Kawit, Cavite), who once told us that if God would destroy the whole world, everyone would perish except Mary.  Having been conceived without any stain of sin, Mary is truly God's favored daughter.  Her heart has always been united with the heart of her son.  Therefore, if we wish to rise up from our sins and be counted among those saved at the end of time, if we wish to gain eternal life, if we desire to be with God forever in heaven, let us always call on our mother: Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

Let me be clear though that salvation doesn't come from Mary per se.  Salvation only comes from Jesus, our Savior. By way of analogy, if the moon merely reflects the light that comes from the sun, so is Mary imparting salvation that comes from Jesus.

United with the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, may our journey in life be filled with love so that we and our other fellow pilgrims can find salvation at our destination. As it will soon be Father's Day, please pray for us fathers that we may always put on the love of Jesus so we can truly lead our families to salvation.

Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

Maligayang pista po!

Election Triduum Part 3

It's the eve of the national and local elections in our country! Yesterday, we reflected upon the Joyful Mysteries with the Lord's Nativity as focus for reflection. Today, we offer the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary for this event. I'd like us all to recall the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth.

In the last mystery of the Rosary, we remember how God rewarded Mary, how she was raised to be Queen. A title so unique that no human being deserves, except her! The previous mysteries of the Rosary would give us a clue why she became worthy of such. When the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her to say that she is to become God's Mother, she humbly accepted the invitation. When she heard that Elizabeth her cousin was pregnant, she visited and looked after her in spite being pregnant herself. When she saw Jesus her Son being crucified, she humbly accepted this as part of God's plan. Mary has always been after God's will no more, no less!

Mary, whom we call as "full of grace", lived with a heart always attuned to God's own heart. And because of that she allowed God to direct her through thick and thin. Mary was able to share in His glory after spending a life dedicated to the Lord. Not only seeing Him face-to-face, but also having that place of honor in heaven. It has to be pointed out that Mary's queenship takes its roots from Jesus' kingship like the moon having the sun as its source of light. Our future leaders should also realize that their authority actually comes from the people who voted them. This power from the people has no other source but God Himself which is why we often hear the dictum "Vox populi, vox Dei".

We Filipinos hold Mary in high esteem. In fact, this month, devotees would flock to churches to offer flowers to her. Our history won't be complete without ever mentioning the devotion to her. The various titles of Mary like Our Lady of the Rosary "La Naval de Manila" and Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage attest to the role she played in the lives of our ancestors. She continues to do so till the present age. Recall EDSA Uno? How the people formed a human barricade against the tanks that Marcos sent to Camp Crame? The people were not carrying any arms except for the Rosary!

Mary reigns as our Queen. Not like any other queen who gives numerous decrees and orders, but a queen who serves, a queen whose only command is: "Do whatever he (Jesus) tells you." (John 2:5)

If we want God to take hold of our country, to direct it to its right path, let us follow our Queen's command. Let us imitate humbly subject ourselves to her reign, to Jesus' own reign. Let us profess this allegiance to Jesus and Mary when we cast out votes tomorrow and when we keep vigil during the whole election process.

Prayer:

Father, You have crowned Mary as Queen of heaven and earth. Through her maternal protection and intercession, reign over our country. Take hold of our elections. For only in You there is life and light, freedom and salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your kingdom come!

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

Dream Come True

I once told my wife of my dream of organizing the Rosary devotion among Filipinos in Nottingham, similar to the Block Rosary we had at home. She shared in my aspiration. That dream took two years to be realized though.

27th June 2009, feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, I had a chat with my friend and kumpare Ronald Abrera about my plan which he showed interest in. I began to do some brainstorming, some reflection, and some prayers.

One summer afternoon in July, as we paid Jackie Rapada a visit, I intimated my dream to Precy Lagman, an experienced organiser of our annual Christmas party and other events. Ate Precy liked the idea and assured me of her support by starting to contact other Pinoys. Originally we planned to have the Rosary across the whole of Nottingham, but felt it was too ambitious. We had another meeting with other interested kababayans and, looking at the interest we have gathered, found that we could have the devotion in the Bestwood and Daybrook Areas of the city. Participating families’ availabilities were ironed out and towards the end of the same month the timetable was finalized.

An image of the Immaculate Heart Mary that will be brought from one home to another was purchased from the Poor Clare Sisters Repository in Bulwell along with rosaries, a candle, and prayer leaflets. Luckily I (and other parishioners) managed to track down Fr Paul, who was having tea that time, and asked him to bless the religious articles bought.

1st October came and that dream started to unravel before my eyes. People gathered to pray at the Lagman and Rapada Residence. At a 3 or 4 night-intervals the image of Our Lady (along with a Crucifix from the Lagmans) was transferred to another house. As of this writing, we are already on our 7th house! As you can see, each home and the happenings thereof have been featured as news items in our web of which we are receiving a number of positive feedbacks on the group’s devotion. Our parish newsletter has also included this as part of its announcements for two weeks in a row.

October is nearly complete. We still have 2 homes left before we have our Closing Event on the 31st. Yet as early as now I am very, very grateful to the Lord for blessing this dream. Thanks too to Mama Mary whose unrelenting guidance was there from Day 1.

Credit also goes to my own family for their support and for the 9 families and other kababayans whose faith, resiliency, patience, understanding, cooperation, and zeal have contributed in more ways than one to make this devotion vibrant and successful. I look forward to next year working with these wonderful people, attracting more members, and propagating much better this devotion to Our Lady.

Kristina, my youngest sister, once commented how touched she was to see how we Pinoys have been supportive of one another. Through the Rosary devotion, we have made ourselves rooted in prayer. And having that foundation, I believe, we would be more able to reach out to others - the way the Lord would want it to be. In the process, others would truly recognize us as Mary’s sons and daughters.

Ave Maria!

Devotion Come True

I never thought that it’s also The Year of the Two Hearts in our country. This brought to mind a devotion which the Apostleship of Prayer – Youth (AP-Youth) in St Joseph de Gagalangin Parish has promoted 19 years ago.

As the first set of officers of the group was about to be inducted – strangely we were elected in January 1989 but were only sworn in on the 2nd June 1989- I intimated with Jonathan de la Llana, Vice President-elect, my dream of bringing the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to the many Catholic houses in the parish. He liked the idea. It took another year though for this dream to come true – we officers and members of the group need to ‘settle in’ first before coming up with events such as these.

January/February of the following year came and that dream resurfaced. After months of making representation with our elders, the Pastoral Council, and the Parish Priest our project was approved. We wasted no time looking for the images in Tayuman (amidst the typhoon and flood that hit Manila that feast day of the Sacred Heart) and subsequently purchasing them, photocopying the prayers and hymns that will be used, and organizing the houses where the images would be brought.

It was about this month 19 years ago that we gathered to hear Mass one Saturday evening and have the images blessed. Jonathan’s family was blessed to have been the first home where the images stayed for a week.

For the next Saturdays of 1990 and the years thereafter, come rain or shine, we gathered to pray the rosary and reflect on the Sunday’s Gospel. Through this devotion dubbed as Twin Hearts Crusade, we gathered to touch base with fellow members/parishioners and their families. We were indeed brought together by these two hearts that were one in loving us and in following the Father’s will.

I’d like to thank those who have supported us in this project especially Msgr. Mario Enriquez (Parish Priest of Gagalangin during that time), Bro. Rodolfo Segovia (Parish Pastoral Council President), Bro. Eddie Jayo (ex-Worship Committee Chairman), Sis. Cely Tortosa (ex-AP-Elders President), Sis. Angie Manlutac, Sis. Mely Co and Sis. Mery Isla (our advisers then). Kudos too to Teck and Pauline Bungay for coordinating the devotion during its infancy.

I am not sure if this devotion is still on-going, but I hope it still does especially because of the significance of this year dedicated to the Two Hearts and, at the same time, dedicated to our priests. This is an opportune time for the group to be one in prayer for our priests’ sanctification as well as peace building and social change as enjoined by our bishops.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary reign in all hearts. Amen.

***

Speaking about hearts, there is another 'heart' to which we should pray for - former President Corazon Aquino. Mrs. Aquino represents the heart of every Filipino - ever yearning for peace and justice, always in search for God who alone could satisfy our needs.

Let us entrust her well-being and speedy recovery to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Let us also pray for her family that they will be strengthened during these trying times.

***

Just want to greet my college batchmates who would be getting together on Sunday 5th July at Chili's Greenbelt 1. Kudos to Benjamin "Bubong" Antonio III along with Herbie and Chi Cruz for organising this. Hope you guys enjoy the dinner! Looking forward to be reunited with you soon.