These Little Wonders

Tired...  of ... doing the same thing over and over again? ... being the "go to" person? ... cleaning up someone else's mess? ... caring for people who don't even care? ... loving most especially the least lovable? ... doing favors for people who only remember you when they need you? ... setting things right (or at least trying to)? ... fighting for justice? ... pursuing righteousness? ... life itself? You may not have a broken heart, but if you answered "yes" to most of the questions above, then you definitely have a weary, and probably, wounded heart.  So where do we go now? Jonas  already gave a warning not to go to Sagada (where broken hearts go :D) dahil "sa dami raw ng gustong makalimot, bingi na ang Kiltepan" . Haha. Kawawang Kiltepan. Kasalanan iyan ng That Thing Called Tadhana .  Buti na lang tayo (assuming na weary/wounded din ang puso mo), pagod lang, hindi broken . :) And in moments like this, whe...

A scholar of the law asked Jesus, "which commandment in the law is the greatest?"  Jesus answered, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment.  The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." And then we ask, "how do we love?" (or sing, "paano ba ang magmahal?" ) I've written several blog posts about that already (and I'm sure a lot of people also did) and today, during the mass, God whispered, "true love remains" .  Fr. Benedict would always say that the daily mass readings are among the greatest proofs of God's consistency. Indeed, God is consistent. He tells us about the greatest commandment, and He also tells us how to fulfill it. To love is to remain. In the First Reading, after Naomi's husband and two sons died, she decided to leave Moab to go back to her native land. Among her ...

Blogged about this already late last year. But the lesson is just timeless. :) Living and loving are two forms of dying. The one who loves dies a million deaths. The one who dies, lives fully. -Cardinal Tagle Image Source: Pinterest.com Are we ready to die? Die to ourselves and live for others? After all, there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13) Song in mind: Unless A Grain of Wheat ♥ *** Whew! Ang hirap, Lord! Pero hindi imposible. With Your grace, we, too, can live, love, and die. :)

I didn't have a perfect week. In fact, the past few weeks have been very overwhelming (in a not-so positive way). Almost everyday I ask God, "Lord, bakit ko nga uli ito ginagawa? Pwede bang itigil na natin ito?" "Ito" refers to the many tasks at hand. Sabi ko nga kay Mama, sobrang demanding ng lahat ng aspeto ng buhay ko lately at hindi ko na talaga alam kung kakayanin ko pa.  Last Thursday, after the noon mass at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, a nun approached me and asked, "May favor sana ako. Pwede bang pakidala ng gamit ko? Mabigat kasi." I gladly replied, "Sige po. " While we were walking to the Reconciliation Room (she said she wants to confess), I asked her, "Ano pong congregation niyo?"   She replied, "Dominican. Bakit, magma-madre ka ba?"  I smiled and told her about my previous encounters with the Carmelites and the Assumption Sisters. Before I left her, she told me, "Mag-usap tayo uli."  :)  ...

Lately I have had the strangest feeling...  Sorry, it's not what you think it is. :) I told K about it and she advised me to have it checked immediately because the signs are not that good. She already told me the worst that could happen, and so I went to Salve Regina to consult Dra. Cordoba. I gave her the details and even before she examined me, she already commented, "bata ka pa, it's nothing serious." During the physical examination, she confirmed that there was indeed something. She explained the possible scenarios, including the worst, but I was relieved when she firmly stated (as if she was very sure), "God will not make you sick because you are working for Him." She proceeded with the request for further test but she said that it was just for our peace of mind.  Yesterday I got another recommendation to consult a specialist due to a condition I never thought I have. But since Dra. Cordoba's statement came first, I no longer worry....

I came back from my usual weekend in Baguio and when I opened the apartment unit, it was a disaster! I knew it, my brother is so back! :D Those who know me well also know how organized I am and how I always want to keep things in order. In short, I hate mess. But now that I am no longer alone (Yey!), I have to deal with it again. My brother asked, "don't you miss it?" I answered, "No!" But when I decided to calm down and pray about it, the Lord reminded me of a very powerful weekend retreat in SFC, the Princess Diaries. :) The first session talks about the core designs of a woman: a mystery to be revealed, a relationship to be pursued, and a beauty to be unveiled. Both man and woman are created in the image and likeness of God, but the woman is considered as the crown of creation. Why? Because the Lord created everything in a rising crescendo, in ascending order of beauty, finishing it with beauty to cap all beauty - a woman (blessed to be one!). I...

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...