These Little Wonders

You have everything to give You are everything we need Oh just be with me My Lord And take away the rest Take away the rest Tonight I cried a little bit more during Holy Communion. I highlighted that part of the song which caused me almost a liter of tears.  See, we're going through a lot these days. Our weekends have been spent mostly at Makati Med for checkups and procedures that don't seem to end. It's tiring, and costly (thank God for health cards and insurances). And I can't help but be frustrated every time I'm given a new prescription or a new order (sobrang suki na ako ng lab at radiology) . My greatest worry is my husband. We've been married for three months ( pa lang ) and he already had to deal with all these stuff. Actually, he's no longer new to this. He's been with me since my first ever surgery back in November 2015 (while we were still 'just friends'). He has seen me at my worst and he has been a constant wit...

Today is the first of November, and today we celebrate the Feast of All Saints.  During the mass, Msgr. Bong Lo shared two reasons why we honor and remember the saints: 1. To honor the saints is to honor God Himself who caused them to be saints. These men and women of faith were no extraordinary beings. They're just like us, graced by the Lord to live holy lives.  2. To remember them is to remember that we are also called to be just like them, that we, too, are meant to be holy. And to be holy means to be BLESSED: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 3) Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. (Verse 4) Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Verse 5) Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Verse 7) Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Verse 8) Blessed are t...

O Almighty, Eternal God, look upon the Face of Your Son and for love of Him, who is the Eternal High Priest, have pity on Your priests.  Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the bishop’s hands.  Keep them close to You, lest the enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation. O Jesus, I pray for Your faithful and fervent priests; for Your unfaithful and tepid priests; for Your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for Your tempted priests; for the lonely and desolate priests; for Your young priests; for Your dying priests; for the souls of Your priests in purgatory. But above all, I commend to you the priests  dearest to me, the priest who baptized me, the priests who have absolved me from my sins, the prie...

Though I was (and still am) not feeling well, I thank God for the gift of today. It has been a great day filled with love, grace, and inspiration. ♥ The first thing I did when I arrived at the GMC was to line up for confession. And it was indeed a beautiful moment with my God and with my dear Fr. Benedict who did not just patiently listen to what I had to say, but lovingly reminded me of the truths I might have missed along the rough roads of life. Just like Paolo, he really knows the right words to say and when to say them. I feel loved and understood and cared for every time I talk to people like them. ♥ And of course, there's the beautiful homily of Fr. Benedict during the noon mass. Muntik na naman akong maiyak . Ask. Seek. Knock. :)  Then I had one of the best lunches ever. I left the canteen not just with a full tummy but a full heart as well. I shared the same table with some of the most inspiring men in CFC: Tito Eric Ylagan, Tito Louie Maglaya and Fr. Ben...

So it has already been a month since Ray and Mars got married and I'm still on a high. :) It was the nearest that I got to the altar (so far) and like what I told a friend, parang pangarap ko na rin ang natupad . :)  I've attended a lot of weddings already and I have played almost every role (aside from being a principal sponsor and a bride), but last month's wedding was extra special.  Ang lakas maka-good vibes . Probably because it's my best friend's wedding. And Mars is not just a best friend, but a sister I love so dearly. :)  Here are 12 reasons why:   1. We're both born on the 15th day of the 10th month (and it was a Wednesday). 2. We're both unica hijas. 3. We're both BDJ Bellas (she was actually the one who persuaded me to buy my first BDJ planner). 4. We both love to eat, sing, read, and learn. 5. We're both "raketeras". We write for extra income. 6. We blog too! :) Visit her site: www.delighteduniverse.com ) ...

"For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory..."  -Matthew 16:27- Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels, Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.  Image source: By Hand, With Heart Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel Prince of the Heavenly Hosts Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle! Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.  May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, cast into hell Satan and the other evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.  Amen.  Saint Michael the Archangel, pray for us.  ***** Prayer to St. Gabriel the Archangel Special Messenger of God O loving messenger of the Incarnation,  descend upon all those for whom I wish peace and happiness.  Spread your wings over the cradles of the new-born babes, you who announced the coming of the Infant Jesu...

Here's another household topic worth sharing. :)  A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight 35  As Jesus approached Jericho,  a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.   36  When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37  They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38  He called out, “Jesus, Son of David,  have mercy  on me!” 39  Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40  Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him,   41  “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42  Jesus said to him,  “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. ***** In heaven, there is a warehouse full of gi...

Kiltepan: Heaven on earth. ♥ It’s a living every moment Like it could be our last For our hearts are restless til they rest in love’s caress  In the moments we remember They interweave our hearts Like a tapestry surrounding us, that we forget to touch That’s why we wake up every morning It's why we seek each others’ smile It's why we know that its so worth it It's why we hold on and make the sacrifice It's in the eyes of a child As you hold her in your arms And your heart starts to beat once again And your world is reborn In the freshness of her song Smile, it’s a beautiful life It's in the hope of the poor man As he struggles to make ends meet It's in the laughter of his children As they play in the street Don’t need a million dollars To raise a happy child Just need a pair of loving arms The time to make her smile That’s why we wake up every morning It's why we seek each others’ smile It'...

In 2013, I decided to make a series about The Lord's Prayer based on the Christian Community Bible (Catholic Pastoral Edition). There's a special page on my blog for it but since today, the Gospel is about the perfect prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, I'd like to share it again (with photos taken from Sagada and Batanes - two of the most heavenly places I've visited.). Just click on the links to read the blog entries. Happy praying! ♥  Jesus replied, "this, then, is how you should pray:"  Our Father in heaven , holy be your name , your kingdom come , and your will be done on earth as in heaven . Give us today our daily bread . Forgive us our debts just as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us . Do not bring us to the test but deliver us from the evil one . Photo Credit: Bethlehem Church

During the Jesus Week , Sr. Josefina shared a devotion promoted by Pope Francis himself, the devotion to the Blessed Mother under the title " Mary, Undoer of Knots "   (or  Mary Who Unties Knots ). Last Sunday, I was able to get a copy of the Philippine Edition (edited by Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP) of Fr. Juan-Ramon Celeiro's Novena in Honor of Mary Who Unties Knots .  What I liked about it, aside from the cathechesis on praying to and through the Virgin Mary, is the contemplation on the actual image, a painting that was commissioned as an ex-voto , an offering of thanksgiving for a favor received. The painting can still be seen today at the Church of Sankt Peter am Perlach in Augsburg, Germany.  Mary, Undoer of Knots (Photo Credit: MotherOfGod.com ) I encourage you to contemplate on the image and allow the Lord to speak to you. :) But allow me to share this beautiful Prayer in Honor of Mary Who Unties Knots : Dear Mary, you who truly untie knots, pray ...

I just finished my novena to St. Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus. Here is a copy of the Novena Prayer in case you're interested: Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I come to you as an example for holiness, for you are especially close with God. Therefore, I humbly commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death. Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, pray for me to have a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your po...

If others flock to fashion bazaars to shop for shoes and clothes, I go to book fairs to scout for good, affordable books. :) One of my recent purchases is a Henri Nouwen book, "The Only Necessary Thing: Living A Prayerful Life." It's actually a compilation of spiritual insights and prayers of Henri Nouwen taken from many of his works (both published and unpublished). Yesterday, I began to read it. The original plan was to begin reading it on New Year, but since I already started a lot on that day, the book was put off. On Chinese New Year, I attempted to put it on my reading list, but Fr. Michael Gaitley won over, and so, I began (again) my 33 Days to Morning Glory instead. I believe there is truly an appointed time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3), and yesterday was the perfect day to finally read the said book. There are only 15 chapters in the book, and a total of 176 sections. I plan to read it one section a day so I can have time to really reflect and pond...

Source: Department of Education Aside from the items listed, there's one thing more important to do: to seek the protection of our God who is bigger than any storm . And so we pray: Oratio Imperata (Obligatory Prayer) for Deliverance from Calamities  Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your providence that sustains us in our needs, and for Your wisdom that guides the course of the universe. We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation. We have not been good stewards of Nature. We have confused Your command to subdue the earth. The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference. Typhoons, heavy rains, floods, and other natural calamities  occur in increasing number and intensity. We turn to You, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins. We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard-earned possessi...

Let us pray:  Dear God, I am full of wishes, full of desires, full of expectations. Some of them may be realized, many may not, but in the midst of all my satisfactions and disappointments, I hope in You. I know that You will never leave me alone  and will fulfill Your divine promises. Even when it seems that things are not going my way,  I know that they are going Your way,  and that in the end Your way is the best way for me. O Lord, strengthen my hope,  especially when my many wishes are not fulfilled. Let me never forget that your name is Love.  Amen. *prayer by Fr. Henri Nouwen

Sunday is a sacred day indeed. Today, God allowed me to spend some time de-cluttering. I was led to browse through my journals from way back 2011. Here's one gem I found:  Lord, help me please... -to be able to say the right words -to be able to think clearly -to be more patient and loving -to be understanding and forgiving -to know when it's time to let go -to never give up -to know Your will -to be determined to know Your will -to have the courage to stand up for You -to proclaim to greatness -to introduce You to people -to focus on what is truly essential -to become the best that I can be -to be sensitive to Your leadings -to be always aware of Your presence -to see You in every person I meet -to reflect You in my life -to remain in You -to be faithful at all times, at all cost -to surrender my worries -to deepen my relationship with You -to establish and guarrd my sacred time with You -to deliver my tasks and accomplish my...

Dear God, thank you for the example of the Saints. I desire to join in their company, worshiping you forever in Heaven. Please help me follow their footsteps, and yours, Jesus Christ.  Please help me to conform myself to Your image, seeking Your will in all things, as the Saints did.  Please help me to devote myself, and all that I do, to Your glory, and to the service of my neighbors.  Amen. 

My heavenly Father, as I enter this work place, I bring Your presence with me.  I speak Your peace, Your grace, Your mercy and Your perfect order into my work.  I acknowledge Your power over all that will be done, spoken, thought and decided within these walls. Lord, I thank You for the gifts You have blessed me with.  I commit to use them responsibly in Your honor.  Give me a fresh supply of strength to do my job.  Anoint my projects, ideas, and energy, so that even my smallest accomplishment may bring You glory.  Lord, when I am confused, guide me.  W hen I am weary, energize me.  When I am burned out, infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit.  May the work that I do and the way I do it bring faith, joy and a smile to all that I come in contact with today.  And oh Lord, when I leave this place, give me traveling mercy.  Bless my family and home to be in order as I left it.  Lord, I thank You for ...

I will never let you fall I'll stand up with you forever I'll be there for you through it all Even if saving you sends me to heaven Even before The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus came up with this beautiful song, our guardian angels have already been singing the same lines to us, except that they don't need to be sent back to heaven because they actually dwell there. :)  Today, we honor the Holy Guardian Angels whom God has sent to  enlighten, guard, govern, and guide us . Angels are divine spirits with no human form. God has put them in charge of us to guide us in all our ways.  The readings for today speak about them and I'd like to quote the verses which I find most affirming: First Reading:  "See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared.  Be attentive to him and heed his voice." (Exodus 23:20-21) Responsorial Psalm:  No evil shall befall you,  nor shall afflicti...