HOW TIMID BECOME TOUGH ?

I have a childhood friend whose name is Anna. We play, study and grow together. When we are young she's so shy and timid. She couldn't speak loud, when strangers came she hide like she saw a monster. She's like a "makahiya" plant whose leaves closes when someone touch it. Gone are those days. Now its only a shadow of what Anna became. Now when I look at her, she has tough and tight facade, what remain is her humble eyes. In our last conversation she told me. "Because of necessity and experience that I have I learned to be tough and eat my pride." "I knock everyone's heart asking for their help. " "Some help for a reason, some help and echoes to the whole world that they help me." "But there are strangers who are sensitive enough to my needs." "Without asking and knowing me personally they feel it and help me." They are the angels of my life who help me not only to stand but to fly without wings. Those people who criticize become a challenge for me not only to be good enough but to be the best in everything I do." "In all this course of life nobody will help you till you are ready to help yourself." "There are times that I want to die rather than to live." "But when I'm ready to stand again I said. "I am a daughter of God and with God's grace floodgates of heaven will open to proclaim that a beggar in this world is a princess and daughter of God." And true enough blessings outpouring ready to be pickup. :)

WHAT MAKES A DELICIOUS CAKE ?

Different talents, different character. But we have one body and that is Christ.

I met a wonderful friend of mine. We met at one of the five star hotel at the heart of the city. We dine in @ the cozy & fancy restaurant. Maybe its too exaggerated but well its for real. I ask for the menu since I'm full, I want light meal. But what caught my eye is the carrot cake.

Different cakes, different taste. But what's the common denominator of all the cakes? First they are all  sweet , delicious, yummy, and soft.

I almost heard the word, "it's just a piece of cake" An idiomatic expression which means easy. Well cake is easy to eat but not the process of baking it. From the ingredients it cost you an arm and a leg :) Well not too much, but could you imagine what make a delicious cake? Simply because of the mixture of ingredients, first the flour,sugar, butter, egg etc......

They are unnoticed ingredients the only dominant is the outer and finish product. But without these ingredients its a tasteless cake. try to eat flour alone or just taste the egg alone. Taste one by one, it's a waste of time because they are not sweet, they are not delicious either. What's the point? As human these delicious cakes teach us a lesson. That all the process of our life from hardship to success help us to become a blessings to others. That we should savor and taste a lot of hardships and when you succeeded you'll appreciate the real happiness and fruit of your labor. Like the mystery of cake, that the right temperature complete the process. Even cook its not so hard, but its a sweet, delicious softy cake. And hear you are fresh from the oven ready to serve. That's the life of a real servant. You serve because of thanksgiving that you succeed despite of all the trials. The fire mold you not to hardened your heart but to experience it first, then if you succeeded you can share the blessings of it to those who experienced it to the present. Like the unnoticed ingredients, real servant doesn't need to be known. What's important is you can use your time , talent and treasure for God's glory. Happy serving :)

WHAT IS THE ESSENCE OF CANDLE IN OUR LIFE ?

When I was a child I love to watch parade and procession. For me before parade and procession is just the same. Both has music, drum & lyre and a bunch of people. Its so colorful, and the giveaways ; candies, chocolates wow, what a culture and tradition of Filipino. A couple of months I joined a procession for the celebration of our Lady of Lourdes. I'm hesitant to join but when an old lady gave me a candle for free I force myself to join them. A stranger old lady lighted my candle, and everyone share the light and pass it on. And the procession moved, the wind blows and the candle that I have was unlighted. So I have to light it again but I have no matches with me, I pause for awhile, thinking how to produce light, I look around its like I'm the only one who has unlighted candle. Beside me is a neighbor whose candle was lighted. So even a little bit shy because she's stranger to me I just humbly approached her "can I share the light with you ?" After my candle was lighted, her candle was unlighted also. That moment God spoke to me saying; "Look at those candle like you the light is the Spirit of God in us. Because of sin our candle was unlighted. We can't resolve it alone we need someone who will help us to lit it on. And when we are lighted we should pass the light, don't keep it on yourself. Every now and then temptation will tempt you to sin. You should humbly confess it not only to be clean, but to bless others. As I look at the candle, as it gives light, its life became shorter. What a lovely flame. From a little knot wrapped by the wax and voila the yellow, bluish, reddish flame appear. but when it die two colors appear, first the white smoke and second the black knots. but once you lit it again; The colorful flame started to dance and gives light to darkness.

In our life darkness came but it doesn't mean that you'll stay on that situation forever. As the darkness is gone you have your full life that pass the process. The hard wax that melted is ready to mold again and renew its form. It combined with other melted wax to form a new colorful candle. Candle taught us that we came from different families, different talents, different views, but we need each other to make this life a colorful and a light free world. We need each others strength to light us when we feel weak and down. To God be the glory ! :)

MESSAGE FROM AN INTELLIGENT AND WONDERFUL CHILD

Its just a snap but I caught the most dramatic scene of that graduation. I heard the clear, firm and beautiful voice of that child. "At my young age I already feel stress and anxiety but even though I will stand still and firm and will never quit till I achieve my dreams! She pause, emotionally cry, give the medal to her father. What a dramatic sight I don't know her personally but its a real drama that goes within my soul.

THE HEART OF A TREE

Early in the morning about five o'clock , I could feel the serenity. As I walk on the busy street with the traffic jam, on this early hour,the street was so silent. And the music that the early birds produce, oh! what a beautiful sound. This early birds celebrate the early morning joyfully. Saying "let's celebrate for another beautiful morning that God has made." The air is still fresh and cool hmmmmm what a beautiful morning. :)

As I walk beside the chancel, I saw vendors fixing their merchandise. They came from afar only to sell palm leaves in the city.As a curios fellow I ask "why at that time of Christ people chose palm leaves to become His carpet?" "Why not choose the red carpet for a king?" As I look at the coconut and palm tree, it has glossy and smooth trunks. Climbing alone will take risk. Its a tall tree if you have acrophobia, you might fall especially if the wind blew. To get the fresh, young shoot of the tree, you couldn't afford it by using only your bear hands. You have to use bolo to get it.

The young palm leaves is the center and heart of a palm tree. It symbolizes fresh, unstained soul. When the palm leaves turned to be fully grown, its leaves vow down. pointing the ground saying "from dust we came, we will return to it also." This leaves symbolizes humility. That as they grow they don't boast but vow down.

People from ancient times are committed and faithful follower of Christ. They didn't use any valuable possession, but they sacrifice their full strength. They give gift out of their own little way that came from within.

Jesus has harmony with nature. When He pray He went to the mountain. And before he was captured He prayed at the garden of Gethsemane where there are tress and small plants. Before he die soldiers put crown on His head made of woven thorn branches. And he died on the cross that made of wood and that wood is came from a tree.

As Christian we came from one tree, Jesus Christ is the trunk and we are the branches. Happy reflection. :)

THE BEST PLAY EVER PRODUCE

How God will enter into our hearts if our life is full of trash?



Crowds gather in to watch the series of play. They must avail it because its for free. The usual play in theaters ranges form five hundred pesos to thousand of pesos. What's the difference of this play to other play? First this play is a real life story. Second the venue is inside the church. Third everybody is welcome. Since the admission is free as early as the dawn people gather and find their best seat. As I watch the real drama, one old lady sit comfortably as she wait the play to start. For about thirty minutes of waiting her head sway like a restless drunken man. She started to sleep in a sitting position. Other side of me want to smile for the comic drama that I've watch. But as I hear the buzz of sounds I was disturb. Do I hear it right ? I'm inside the church but the buzz of crowds bring me to the market. It's like they're bidding for the best prize. as the play started, I want to get out but as I started to came out the crowd came out from nowhere. They are like ants in a busy hill. So I stop for a moment, waiting the crowds to clear the area. Wow so amazing! If only this crowds will unite into greatness this world will be as beautiful as paradise. Their sound alone has power. What if they used their action their power maybe triple as their sounds. That moment I wore white tops and skirt, standing beside the chancel opposite to the crowds. As I wait for them to clear the area one lady greeted me and said "hi' I just puzzle out because she is stranger to me. Its like saying "thank you for welcoming us." I have no response but to smile. I'm just standing there waiting for them to finish. The crowds looking at me there's is no way but to silently watch them, acting like a statue. But still another old man greeted me again "hello my dear". He humbly smile, the sound of his voice is so meek. Its like saying "Thank you that you open the gates for us." We'll I just smile again. That moment I hear the voice from heaven. " I put you there not on on your own will but these people will help you to discern the work I'm entrusted into your hands." After moments of dreaming awake, I wake up and the crowds happily watching the best play ever produce.

My heart was thorn because after the play the place of praise and worship become a messy theater and a market place for some. Empty bottled water, plastics was all over the place. What's the lesson that they get? They only want entertainment but they don't get the lesson. Because if they get what's the real reason why they watch the series of play for free. They know how to value everything. Yes their is someone who will clean the area, the mess that they have done, but where is the respect ? This area is a sanctuary. but they treat it as a place for entertainment . Little acts can be as great if you know the value of everything. I silently cry when will these people grow. Our faith is not seasonal, that we only gather if their are special occasion because it entertain us? Grow my dear. How can we bring others to our faith if even in a little way we show no respect? What is putting this trash to its proper place? We love beauty but we don't nurture the real beauty. This season will end but what's the implication of it in our life? Christ has died for us, He paid for our sins not only by silver or gold, but He save us through His Holy Blood. Does it make sense?

Abba Father help us to to grow in your love, that we may value the Holy Blood that you paid for our sins.Help us Lord to become part of your Holy mission. this we pray in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.

IS IT A DREAM ?

Every moment is a test; new life means changing our old sinful life into life of Holiness even its hard for us, surely we can make it, if we submit ourselves to Him.



The colds that shiver my whole body laid me into restlessness. I was like child crying need help from my beloved parents. I slept in a restless manner, until my subconscious bring me to to the gatherings of beggars; people who are abandoned, no house , no clothes, no slippers. They have nothing but the air that they breath that made them alive. It is like a camping that one of the Good Samaritan organized. In this event the participant are the scholars who will engage to the beggars and its a compulsory. Due to necessity, scholars force to do the activities. One of the master of ceremony announce, " Now is the moment that every scholars will do their part." "Engage to the beggars." Look at your back someone is waiting for you your attention." "through your little acts of love...." I heard the announcement but I'm still inside the tent. When I arrived at the area; I saw a mother with her two sons. I saw foot long scattered all over the area and one has bitten. This mother and son silently smiling, but as I examined they are eating the foot long but when I arrive they stop. They are of the family but no scholar assigned so I volunteer myself, talk to them and engage with them in a friendly manner. As I get to know them better my heart was thorn. My tears want to flow but I have to control it, I have to be strong in front of them. They live in a street. they have no house. I saw they are barefooted, they have no slippers. We'll the mother has one clothes, as I look at her. Her dress look like its over a year on his body. They have no water to clean themselves. The tan skin became a black charcoal. The mother is holding one piece of rubber shoes that she pick up from somewhere. As I look at it their is cockroach crawling in it and beginning to spread also inside her body. I can't stand with this scene. I turned my back, hide myself and cried.

I was always complaining that I have a deformed shoes but still I have a pair of shoes. I'm complaining that I rent a house but still I have a house. How bless I am. Forgive me my God. Before I returned to the mother and son I saw clothes for her in red decor with little flowers. I get it and excitedly gave to her. "Here wear it, will suit you perfectly. I said "remove your old garments and wear it." It will not fit to you if you wore it that way. As I observe her she didn't want to throw her old garments. for her its the only possession that she had. As I gave the new dress for her..... still my heart was pounding. Till I wake up. "Huh! is it a dream?" And when I read my companion that day its about giving to the poor. Not only by gospel , but we must be sure to take into account and proclaim it not only by words but by actions. :)

THE CELEBRATION

"When three or more gathered in my name I am with them."



Its Sunday again, I have duty to our sub-parish. The usual time is 6:30 in the afternoon but this day is different its because the mass will start as early as 6:00 pm. Since the time was change the parishioners was not well informed. So when the priest arrived, he want to start already. This priest is always consistent as being early. For him time is so precious. He said " let's start". But still there is no mass attendees yet. But only mass servers. For a minute , one family arrived, there are five members. The priest repeat "let's start". I'm still laughing silently because he don't care if nobody will listen to him. It's like he talk and it echoes to other side of the wall. The mass started, it is composed of one altar server, two lectors, five choir members, the priest and the five mass attendees.

I giggle with myself, but as the mass started... I honor this priest because he is firm with his words and actions.Its my first time to experience the celebration that only servers and five mass attendees. During the mass the word echoes "When three or more gathered in my name I am there." When its my turn to read the readings, still I control myself to laugh with the scene. What I put in my mind is I will read just I read to a thousand of people. That they may hear God's message for them. The funny celebration I thought became a solemn celebration. God is good. This five mass attendees are so blessed because they are the special guest. The number of attendees doesn't hinder the perfect celebration. It is one of the most happiest, solemn and unforgettable celebration I'll treasure for the rest of my life. :)

THE SOLID ICE

Summer time came, as a tropical country , people used to it and used it as a time to have outing and business minded people gather to sell tropical foods. And one of the main ingredients is the ice. As one of the tropical citizen I used to love things with ice. Ice cream, ice candy;all things with ice. Its Already 10 o'clock in the evening but its still hot. I go to the convenient store. I directly went to freezer where ice cream was there. As I look at it its not only ice cream, but there is ice candy and solid ice. I was amazed of the white crystal form called ice. To top it up, its frozen water made into solid ice, amazing! It invite me to to buy one and mixed its with iced tea. As I mixed it, I want to melt it easily. So I break it into pieces, mix it with water, move from one place to another and voila the ice dissolve easily. As I drink the cold iced tea it refreshes my thirsty soul. This simple solid ice mixed with iced tea, speak to me. "Hey you look at me I'm a solid crystal form came from water and will return to water." "When I remain as liquid I have still value, but I'm flexible according to one's needs." "Oh you speak what kind of creature are you ?" "I'm a solid ice you see I have no mouth nor tongue but I can speak to you, I have no heart nor body like you but I can satisfy your needs." "So what then" "Your human much valuable than me, but do you use all your potential to be valuable?" I continue to drink the iced tea. Oh what a knock! The simple ice taught me to use my potentials it can't be. But I have to follow it, like the grinded ice I have to be part of it. If simple ice can do it , so do I. Refreshing day :)