this is what my brain is like as i’m typing this piece. empty. once again i find myself staring at my pc screen for too many long hours.. without having typed a coherent sentence. it’s not that i don’t have anything to write about. in fact, i have quite a number of topics lined up. but the words just won’t come :(
fatigue.. sleep deprivation.. overly-hectic skeds and piles of unfinished work (ack!! the deadlines!!!) all contribute to my current condition. but after fruitless hours in front of my computer, i finally decided to just write about what i’m experiencing - emptiness :p
for me, not being able to direct my thoughts is a very frightening experience. i’m used to planning my day.. almost to the point of OC-ness. i want to be sure of things - where i’ll be going, what i’ll be doing at what time, how i’ll go to a certain place, etc. and i’m used to having *lots* of ideas in my head. and i mean *lots* hahaha (for those not in the know, i’m the multitasking queen :p) so tonight, as i type down these words.. i feel.. impatient.
but being empty is not always a bad thing. because, oftentimes, “one has to empty himself before he can be filled” and there are moments when we simply have to wait.. to rest.. to “do nothing”.. so that we can accomplish what we have been tasked to do :)
this easter season presents us with christianity’s most powerful symbol of hope: the empty tomb. in the cross, we have proof of god’s tremendous love for us. but in his empty tomb, we have the hope of both salvation and resurrection :)
brothers and sisters, we all have burdens. we have our plans.. we have our own ideas of how things should be. but we do not simply stop at laying our cares before the foot of the cross. because our true redemption.. our true hope comes from emptying ourselves to receive god’s guidance and lordship over our hearts and minds :)
may he bring you great joy and peace.. and may you continue to trust in his plan for your life!
a blessed easter season to everyone :)
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
beautiful girls
it never ceases to amaze me. never.
every year, when i attend junior-senior proms, i always find myself surprised to see my students so elegantly.. transfigured! and always, there would be a handful of them that i’d fail to recognize, simply because their transformation is so completely wonderful, it’s hard to match them up to their usual “uniformed” look :)
last saturday (feb 23 - the date of this year’s prom) was no exception. the boys looked dashing in their suits. and the girls.. well, they were all so.. stunning :p they were elegantly dressed; they walked with poise (in high, high heels!!); and not a single strand of hair was out of place. obviously, they spent *a lot* of time preparing for this special occasion.
philippians 3:20-21 says, “but our citizenship is in heaven. and we eagerly await a savior from there, the lord jesus christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” as i sat there observing the juniors and seniors at their best garbs (and mostly, on their best behavior, hehe), i realized that all of us, too, will undergo a similar transformation - albeit in a much grander scale :)
“..he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of christ jesus.” philippians 1:6 we will not always be the way we are - with our frail bodies and our numerous imperfections. someday, the lord who called us in his love will make us truly glorious. he will transform, not just our bodies, but our character.. so that we will be just as he is: perfect.
brothers and sisters, we are all beautiful in his eyes. because he sees not only what we are right now.. but *what we will be* when we are finally with him :) nevertheless, let’s all do our share and prepare for that special moment, ok? :) because he deserves the best that we can offer.. the best of ourselves :)
so this lenten season, let’s take the time to prepare our bodies and our hearts.. for the love of our lives - our god :)
as for me.. i want to be beautiful - outside and, of course, inside :) because nothing would make me happier than to have him look at me and say, “you are *exactly* the way i want you to be - beautiful and perfect - just like me” :)
every year, when i attend junior-senior proms, i always find myself surprised to see my students so elegantly.. transfigured! and always, there would be a handful of them that i’d fail to recognize, simply because their transformation is so completely wonderful, it’s hard to match them up to their usual “uniformed” look :)
last saturday (feb 23 - the date of this year’s prom) was no exception. the boys looked dashing in their suits. and the girls.. well, they were all so.. stunning :p they were elegantly dressed; they walked with poise (in high, high heels!!); and not a single strand of hair was out of place. obviously, they spent *a lot* of time preparing for this special occasion.
philippians 3:20-21 says, “but our citizenship is in heaven. and we eagerly await a savior from there, the lord jesus christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” as i sat there observing the juniors and seniors at their best garbs (and mostly, on their best behavior, hehe), i realized that all of us, too, will undergo a similar transformation - albeit in a much grander scale :)
“..he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of christ jesus.” philippians 1:6 we will not always be the way we are - with our frail bodies and our numerous imperfections. someday, the lord who called us in his love will make us truly glorious. he will transform, not just our bodies, but our character.. so that we will be just as he is: perfect.
brothers and sisters, we are all beautiful in his eyes. because he sees not only what we are right now.. but *what we will be* when we are finally with him :) nevertheless, let’s all do our share and prepare for that special moment, ok? :) because he deserves the best that we can offer.. the best of ourselves :)
so this lenten season, let’s take the time to prepare our bodies and our hearts.. for the love of our lives - our god :)
as for me.. i want to be beautiful - outside and, of course, inside :) because nothing would make me happier than to have him look at me and say, “you are *exactly* the way i want you to be - beautiful and perfect - just like me” :)
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
irreplaceable
last sunday, mom and i were looking at some clothes at a shop in megamall. mom, wallet in hand, browsed through the different racks while i debated whether i should buy a blouse that caught my eye. next thing i knew, mom was coming over to me in a panic. her wallet was missing.
we were fussing over her missing purse at the store. mom was anxious to find it since, aside from the cash, it also contained her IDs, cards, prayers and some sentimental stuff. after several agonizing minutes, we still couldn’t find it anywhere in the store. we decided to just go home. mom felt really, really down.
then at around 8pm, someone called our house. the caller identified herself as an sm employee. she informed us that my mom’s wallet has been found - without the cash inside, but with all the IDs intact. we all breathed a sigh of relief and whispered a prayer of thanks.
so what did we learn from all this?
* money is, by far, not the most important thing in the world. the money we lose can always be replaced. but the good times, happy memories, and little tokens of love that we keep.. those are truly are more precious than money.
* sometimes, god allows us to go through some not-so-good experiences - whether to teach us a lesson or to manifest his glory. we all learned to be more careful with our things that sunday. and we also recognized his hand working to give back what we thought lost forever.
what would you consider irreplaceable in your life? what counts as your most treasured possession? is it wealth? health? career? reputation? a loved one, perhaps? what if, one day, you were to lose this “irreplaceable” thing? would you still be able to see god’s goodness?
may we always find it in our hearts to trust in the lord and to thank him - regardless of circumstances.
we were fussing over her missing purse at the store. mom was anxious to find it since, aside from the cash, it also contained her IDs, cards, prayers and some sentimental stuff. after several agonizing minutes, we still couldn’t find it anywhere in the store. we decided to just go home. mom felt really, really down.
then at around 8pm, someone called our house. the caller identified herself as an sm employee. she informed us that my mom’s wallet has been found - without the cash inside, but with all the IDs intact. we all breathed a sigh of relief and whispered a prayer of thanks.
so what did we learn from all this?
* money is, by far, not the most important thing in the world. the money we lose can always be replaced. but the good times, happy memories, and little tokens of love that we keep.. those are truly are more precious than money.
* sometimes, god allows us to go through some not-so-good experiences - whether to teach us a lesson or to manifest his glory. we all learned to be more careful with our things that sunday. and we also recognized his hand working to give back what we thought lost forever.
what would you consider irreplaceable in your life? what counts as your most treasured possession? is it wealth? health? career? reputation? a loved one, perhaps? what if, one day, you were to lose this “irreplaceable” thing? would you still be able to see god’s goodness?
may we always find it in our hearts to trust in the lord and to thank him - regardless of circumstances.
Monday, February 11, 2008
someone to love
“heaven please send to all mankind, understanding and peace of mind. but, if it's not asking too much, please send me someone to love” - sade
it’s *that* time of the year again - when everything seems to be painted in shades of red and pink. when flowers (roses, in particular) are bought even at exorbitant prices. when hundreds of couples h-h-w-w, whispering sweet nothings to each other. yep. it’s *that* crazy day in february - the day of hearts - valentine’s day.
don’t get me wrong. i don’t *hate* this holiday. and though i sometimes get a bit uncomfortable seeing so many couples displaying love & affection, i don’t get all worked up about it. what bugs me about feb14 is the fact that it’s mainly celebrated as a “couples’ day”; and, as a single (read: unattached) person, i can’t help but feel left out.
to be loved - i guess this is something that every one of us wants. after all, it is wonderful to be showered with attention.. to receive tokens of affection.. especially during this day of hearts.
but more than that, i believe we also want to be given the chance to *express* our love. sure, it feels nice to receive flowers.. or chocolates.. or those mushy love notes. but it feels even better (for me, at least) when you have that special someone whom you think about 24/7. that someone you shop presents for. someone you write cheesy lines to. someone you can send sappy text messages to.. or call before you sleep, just to say goodnight.
well, brothers and sisters, i believe that if we feel the need to express our love, the lord has an even greater desire to show us his love and affection :) he certainly thinks of us day and night. he provides us with all our needs and showers us with his blessings. he gives us his holy word - filled with promises of love and mercy. he patiently waits to talk to us before the day ends.. and he is there to eagerly greet us as we awake each morning :)
looking for someone to love? why not spend this day with him “who first loved us” (1 john 4:19)? you can be sure that with him, you will never feel left out :) happy valentine’s day, everyone! :)
it’s *that* time of the year again - when everything seems to be painted in shades of red and pink. when flowers (roses, in particular) are bought even at exorbitant prices. when hundreds of couples h-h-w-w, whispering sweet nothings to each other. yep. it’s *that* crazy day in february - the day of hearts - valentine’s day.
don’t get me wrong. i don’t *hate* this holiday. and though i sometimes get a bit uncomfortable seeing so many couples displaying love & affection, i don’t get all worked up about it. what bugs me about feb14 is the fact that it’s mainly celebrated as a “couples’ day”; and, as a single (read: unattached) person, i can’t help but feel left out.
to be loved - i guess this is something that every one of us wants. after all, it is wonderful to be showered with attention.. to receive tokens of affection.. especially during this day of hearts.
but more than that, i believe we also want to be given the chance to *express* our love. sure, it feels nice to receive flowers.. or chocolates.. or those mushy love notes. but it feels even better (for me, at least) when you have that special someone whom you think about 24/7. that someone you shop presents for. someone you write cheesy lines to. someone you can send sappy text messages to.. or call before you sleep, just to say goodnight.
well, brothers and sisters, i believe that if we feel the need to express our love, the lord has an even greater desire to show us his love and affection :) he certainly thinks of us day and night. he provides us with all our needs and showers us with his blessings. he gives us his holy word - filled with promises of love and mercy. he patiently waits to talk to us before the day ends.. and he is there to eagerly greet us as we awake each morning :)
looking for someone to love? why not spend this day with him “who first loved us” (1 john 4:19)? you can be sure that with him, you will never feel left out :) happy valentine’s day, everyone! :)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
wistful thinking
it’s the last week of january.. and soon, the school year will be drawing to a close. *sigh* why is it that time flies so fast nowadays?
one of the hardest things to deal with for a teacher is the end of each school year. mostly because it is at this time when grades are computed, nominees for various awards are ranked, the list of graduating students is prepared, removal exams are administered, etc. for a 4th year teacher like me, though, it’s not the additional work load that’s difficult. rather, it’s the realization that my students - the ones i’ve bonded with and grown fond of - will be leaving high school to go to college.
for the past 11 years, i’ve been going through this “wistful” phase every april (that’s when our school holds its commencement exercises). i can’t help it. i always wonder, “handa na nga kaya silang pumunta sa kolehiyo? naturuan kaya namin sila nang mabuti?” maybe this is how parents feel when their children are growing up and leaving the fold (i could only imagine, of course.. ‘coz i’m not a parent, hehehe). naturally i want *all* my senior students to graduate on time. after all their hard work and all the years of studying, of course i feel proud of them. still, there’s this part of me that wants them to stay on.. just to make sure they *really* are ready.. and because familiar faces are always a source of comfort.
it is said that “everybody grows old. but not everybody grows up.” and i think it’s because it is so hard for us to let go of what we have been used to.. what we are comfortable with. we are afraid of what might happen when we take on new challenges.. when we face new opportunities. growing old is mandatory. but no one can force us to grow up if we refuse to.
in a few months, my “kids” will be leaving their comfort zones - their barkadas, high school classrooms and teachers. they will soon have new adventures.. new challenges that would test their skills.. new chances for growth. i know that even now, they have their fears (as do i); but i know too that they are also excited to find out what lies in store for them in college. if they stay in secondary school.. if they refuse to go beyond what they have gotten used to.. then they would miss out on all the opportunities for improvement.
brothers and sisters, we too are supposed to grow. we should grow, not only in years, but in wisdom, in faith and in love. the number of years that we stay in community is not what matters most. rather, it is what we learn about ourselves - our weaknesses, our strengths, our dedication and commitment, how we face our fears, how we get past the numerous obstacles in service - that counts.
we will not be here forever. eventually, all of us will “graduate” from this life. and while we’re still here, let us make the most of it :) let us serve the lord - not just here in rivers, but *everywhere* - in our homes, at work, etc. because every thing, every time, every place is an opportunity for christian growth. and if only we keep our eyes (and our hearts) open to his leading, then growing up will be more exciting than it is intimidating :)
one of the hardest things to deal with for a teacher is the end of each school year. mostly because it is at this time when grades are computed, nominees for various awards are ranked, the list of graduating students is prepared, removal exams are administered, etc. for a 4th year teacher like me, though, it’s not the additional work load that’s difficult. rather, it’s the realization that my students - the ones i’ve bonded with and grown fond of - will be leaving high school to go to college.
for the past 11 years, i’ve been going through this “wistful” phase every april (that’s when our school holds its commencement exercises). i can’t help it. i always wonder, “handa na nga kaya silang pumunta sa kolehiyo? naturuan kaya namin sila nang mabuti?” maybe this is how parents feel when their children are growing up and leaving the fold (i could only imagine, of course.. ‘coz i’m not a parent, hehehe). naturally i want *all* my senior students to graduate on time. after all their hard work and all the years of studying, of course i feel proud of them. still, there’s this part of me that wants them to stay on.. just to make sure they *really* are ready.. and because familiar faces are always a source of comfort.
it is said that “everybody grows old. but not everybody grows up.” and i think it’s because it is so hard for us to let go of what we have been used to.. what we are comfortable with. we are afraid of what might happen when we take on new challenges.. when we face new opportunities. growing old is mandatory. but no one can force us to grow up if we refuse to.
in a few months, my “kids” will be leaving their comfort zones - their barkadas, high school classrooms and teachers. they will soon have new adventures.. new challenges that would test their skills.. new chances for growth. i know that even now, they have their fears (as do i); but i know too that they are also excited to find out what lies in store for them in college. if they stay in secondary school.. if they refuse to go beyond what they have gotten used to.. then they would miss out on all the opportunities for improvement.
brothers and sisters, we too are supposed to grow. we should grow, not only in years, but in wisdom, in faith and in love. the number of years that we stay in community is not what matters most. rather, it is what we learn about ourselves - our weaknesses, our strengths, our dedication and commitment, how we face our fears, how we get past the numerous obstacles in service - that counts.
we will not be here forever. eventually, all of us will “graduate” from this life. and while we’re still here, let us make the most of it :) let us serve the lord - not just here in rivers, but *everywhere* - in our homes, at work, etc. because every thing, every time, every place is an opportunity for christian growth. and if only we keep our eyes (and our hearts) open to his leading, then growing up will be more exciting than it is intimidating :)
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
i adore you
he’s 5’8” tall. fair-skinned. aquiline nose. has a sort of piercing stare. well-known. as in rock-star famous. loves to wear black. listens to lou reed’s music. has a weird sense of humor. he’s in his forties. has three kids. goes online everyday to update his journal. his name is neil gaiman. and he’s my favorite author :)
i know a lot of trivia about neil. like the fact that he was born on november 10, 1960. and that he’s a techie.. and that he finds the philippines interesting. i have read almost all of his books and graphic novels. i even have a picture of him saved in my pc, hahaha! :p
yup. i am a certified neil gaiman fan. i simply looooooove the guy. for me, he’s a genius. but for all my “starstruck-ness” and loyalty to *the* gaiman, i would have to admit that i don’t adore him. how can i?! i don’t really *know* him :p i mean, sure.. i know lots of stuff *about* him. but neil the person.. the guy he really is (as opposed to his public image - the writer/artist/star).. well, i know next to nothing about that.
i think, for the most part, that’s how we start our christian journey. sure, we are all blessed to be living in a predominantly catholic country. so in a way, we have a “head start” in our knowledge of the lord. we hear a lot of “god stuff,” actually, even without meaning to. probably even the most irregular churchgoer would have heard about the holy trinity, jesus’ ministry and miracles, his death and resurrection, his mother and her immaculate conception, the workings of the holy spirit, the empowerment of the disciples, and many more.
but when we think about it, how many of us *really* know god? how many of us can honestly say that we know him personally? as fr. mar asked last sunday in the recommitment seminar.. “do we have a heightened sense of being loved by the lord?”
when i joined the rivers community some 12 years ago, i already knew quite a lot of “god stuff” - things i learned when i was attending our christian bible study group in college. but that was all i knew about him, really - trivia. head knowledge. stuff anybody can look for in books or the internet.
but it was through the rivers family that god truly made himself known to me. it was through this community that i learned to call him lord. and it was through ministry service that i learned the really important things. like how he smiles when i do even the most menial tasks with dedication. or how he has this habit of speaking to my heart when i least expect to hear from him. or his fondness for answering my “lambing” prayers, chuckling whenever i get surprised. or how, at times, he would let me cry copious tears.. and then comfort me with his hugs and console me with his words.
these days, i still learn a lot of new things about god. the community certainly offers a lot of opportunities for nourishment - what with the worship inputs, formation & empowerment seminars and various talks. but serving in rivers has also taught me to seek the better.. nay, the *best* part: god himself.
he’s no longer simply the god i look up to heaven to pray to. he’s no longer “out there, watching me.” he now is the god i look into my heart to talk to.. to confide in.. to seek consolation from. he is my “cheer-upper” and “sanity-keeper”.. my “sumbungan” and advocate. he is my ever-present friend.
i know him now. and oh, how i adore.. :)
i know a lot of trivia about neil. like the fact that he was born on november 10, 1960. and that he’s a techie.. and that he finds the philippines interesting. i have read almost all of his books and graphic novels. i even have a picture of him saved in my pc, hahaha! :p
yup. i am a certified neil gaiman fan. i simply looooooove the guy. for me, he’s a genius. but for all my “starstruck-ness” and loyalty to *the* gaiman, i would have to admit that i don’t adore him. how can i?! i don’t really *know* him :p i mean, sure.. i know lots of stuff *about* him. but neil the person.. the guy he really is (as opposed to his public image - the writer/artist/star).. well, i know next to nothing about that.
i think, for the most part, that’s how we start our christian journey. sure, we are all blessed to be living in a predominantly catholic country. so in a way, we have a “head start” in our knowledge of the lord. we hear a lot of “god stuff,” actually, even without meaning to. probably even the most irregular churchgoer would have heard about the holy trinity, jesus’ ministry and miracles, his death and resurrection, his mother and her immaculate conception, the workings of the holy spirit, the empowerment of the disciples, and many more.
but when we think about it, how many of us *really* know god? how many of us can honestly say that we know him personally? as fr. mar asked last sunday in the recommitment seminar.. “do we have a heightened sense of being loved by the lord?”
when i joined the rivers community some 12 years ago, i already knew quite a lot of “god stuff” - things i learned when i was attending our christian bible study group in college. but that was all i knew about him, really - trivia. head knowledge. stuff anybody can look for in books or the internet.
but it was through the rivers family that god truly made himself known to me. it was through this community that i learned to call him lord. and it was through ministry service that i learned the really important things. like how he smiles when i do even the most menial tasks with dedication. or how he has this habit of speaking to my heart when i least expect to hear from him. or his fondness for answering my “lambing” prayers, chuckling whenever i get surprised. or how, at times, he would let me cry copious tears.. and then comfort me with his hugs and console me with his words.
these days, i still learn a lot of new things about god. the community certainly offers a lot of opportunities for nourishment - what with the worship inputs, formation & empowerment seminars and various talks. but serving in rivers has also taught me to seek the better.. nay, the *best* part: god himself.
he’s no longer simply the god i look up to heaven to pray to. he’s no longer “out there, watching me.” he now is the god i look into my heart to talk to.. to confide in.. to seek consolation from. he is my “cheer-upper” and “sanity-keeper”.. my “sumbungan” and advocate. he is my ever-present friend.
i know him now. and oh, how i adore.. :)
Friday, January 18, 2008
shameless plug xD
This is where the Rivers of Living Water Catholic Community (or RoLWCC) gets its name.
This community (which was established in 1992 by its twenty-two founding members) is living up to its mission – to renew, develop and form believers to make worship their way of life, enabling them to draw others to God in fellowship and committed service.
And it is this – the dedication, passion and worshipful service – that sets the Rivers of Living Water apart. It is no wonder, then, that through the years, the community has been invited by other Catholic organizations to be their partner in various services. The RoLWCC’s undeniable charism of worship, especially through music and dance, has served to uplift and inspire so many people – the different transparochial groups during Pentecost celebrations, the homebound viewers of the Live TV Mass on Sundays and most recently, the group of Father Fernando Suarez, the renowned healing priest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
