Friday, November 30, 2012

In The Shadow of Someone

 

Today the Catholic Church commemorates the feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle. Martyred by crucifixion on X-shape cross called saltire, now known as Saint Andrew’s Cross. Tradition says that he did not deemed himself worthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus had.

In John 1:40 and Matthew 4:18 and in other texts, he was always known as the brother of Peter. It was always Peter who was known, he was the leader while Andrew was always on the supporting role. Every time he was introduced, he was always presented as the brother of Peter. It seems like he has no identity of himself and was always in the shadow of his more popular brother. He might not resent it for how can you resent being associated to the leader. Moreover Andrew was focused on the mission to even bother about pity things such as being always associated to his brother. He was sure of himself and confident of his role in the greater scheme of things. The gospel of John 1:35-42 tells us how Andrew was the first to have found the Messiah and introduced his brother to Jesus.  Without Andrew, Peter could have not known Christ and there could have no Peter in the Church. We could have a different history of our church.

Remember Andrew every time you feel always being compared to your siblings and every time you feel always living in the shadow of your more popular brother or sister. Like him, let us be secure of our place in the greater scheme of things, confident of our role and assured of who we are in the eyes of God. Peter is Peter partly because of Andrew and so are our brothers or sisters who shadowed over us could not have achieved more without their siblings. 
 
by  aats

Thursday, November 29, 2012

The End of Days


The readings at the end of the liturgical year, such as these days, especially in the book of revelations, are somewhat frightening. It describes pretty well fearful images of the evil one, gruesome wars and sufferings. Actually, if we look at it in that angle, it is truly frightening; however, if we look at it in the different viewpoint it is actually giving us hope. It is a story of final victory of good over evil. Todays gospel reading from Luke 21:20-28 says, “When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.” If you are doing bad things, surely you have everything to fear for, but if you are doing good things, you have everything to anticipate for. The end of days is liberation not subjugation. 

by aats

Monday, November 26, 2012

Durability


I used to see an Energizer battery commercial that points to its longevity. The drummer goes on and on and on and on… The same is true with mission. Excitement maybe the beginning, then passion follows but at the end of the day no matter how good we are, if we don’t lasts, everything will be wasted. Durability in the mission coupled with unending desire to always be better everyday is what is needed. Are you durable?

by aats 

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Recognizing Opportunity


The gospel reading today from Luke 19:41-44 narrates Jesus words upon nearing Jerusalem. The story goes, “As Jesus drew near Jerusalem and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you – and all because you did not recognize your opportunity when God offered it!’”

The phrase “…all because you did not recognize your opportunity when God offered it!” struck me in the sense that there are so many opportunities of blessings that the Lord has offered us and yet sometimes or most of the times we were not able to recognize it. We were unable to recognize probably because:

1.    We are selective listeners – We only choose to listen to what we are used to and are not open enough to listen to other voices that might have the wisdom too.
2.    We only listen to ourselves – We believe in ourselves too much that what others will say are simply not enough. We are always right while others are always wrong.

Failing to recognize Gods offer will always have consequences. It will either deprive us of the greater things we could have enjoyed or it will lead us to some catastrophic situations that we could have avoided. The opportunity is offered, the question is, are we able to recognize it?

Lord, grant us the heart that is connected to You so we will be able to recognize the opportunities you are offering to us. Amen.

by aats

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

On Depression


Lately I have noticed ads on television about depression. For someone new in a western country like me, it makes me curious. For one, growing up in a Filipino society whom many studies have said as one of the world’s most resilient people, I find depression as something new. There’s no commercial on it in television and its rarely talk about. It has been discussed in classes but I cannot actually picture out what depression is. It’s an add-up to my vocabulary.

A photo of a smiling Filipino carrying a baby while trying to evacuate from a calamity is something natural. We do make things light out of the situation. Filipinos seemed to be in no mode to get depressed, we laugh at our misery and somehow find joy despite of our situation. Of course this comes also for the fact that Filipinos do have strong support system in an extended family. There are downsides for this for sure, but that’s another story to tell.  

When international press makes a buzz out of how Filipinos can smile in such situation, it makes me actually comment, “What’s something special of that? That’s how it is. It’s natural.” However, having in contact with other cultures as well, I find it now understandable those reactions are, because it’s actually something different.

Seeing people depressed is actually disquieting when there is so much to do and so many reasons to live. How much more for Christians who has more to live for in Christ? There is no reason to be depressed when you are in Christ. Depression is oppression. Let us not be depressed, instead lets find way to express and we will be impressed.  Life is still good.

by aats

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Love is an Inspiration


Love is an inspiration not a distraction. So if it becomes a distraction, might as well think again, it might be something else. 

by aats

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Responsibility and Accountability



Being responsible “able to respond” is a leadership quality that can bring an organization or community to greater heights. Being accountable “able to account” is a sign of mature leadership. Responsible and accountable leaders are dependable in times of difficulties and a sure guide to a secure future.

A responsible response to a difficult and complicated situation is a sign of maturity. Leadership requires mature people. A well thought of, sensible, and spirit-led decision makes a lot of difference. Leaders will always be confronted with situations that requires rising above self, even denying emotions and feelings for the common good. We might ask why do we need to do this? Because we are responsible and accountable to the people given to us. What kind of leadership do we want to leave behind? What kind of character do we want others to follow from us?

Am I responsible enough? Am I just thinking of my feelings or I include what will be the good for others? Can I be accountable to everything I do?

by aats

Presence


We sometimes ask why are there no answers to our questions. We have to realize that there are instances that presence is enough than having answers. There are questions that are actually answered well with presence. Presence answers some questions that language fails to articulate.

Language falls short in front of a loving presence.

Lord, grant us the grace to understand Your Presence so we will not always seek for answers. Your presence is enough. Amen. 

by aats

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Everyday Is A Blessing


Everyday is a blessing
Every morning something to thank for
Lord everything You have provided

Everyday is a blessing
Night after night silence shouts Your glory
Lord everything comes from You

Everyday is a blessing
At dawn my soul yearns for You
Lord every breath speaks of Your faithfulness

by aats 

Friday, November 16, 2012

Charge To Experience


It cannot be always charge to experience, we have to learn from our mistakes. Correction is necessary if we are to improve ourselves. In order to gain, learning is necessary. The same with work, service or mission, it cannot be forever charge to experience, we have to learn from our mistakes if we are to take it a notch higher. We may not attain perfection but excellence we can.

by aats

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Gift of Mission

 
Gift, something freely given by someone to the other. It need not be expensive for what is more important is the value that the giver put into it.  The value goes beyond the gift being given hence it has to be taken cared of, if not for its value then for its giver who values the receiver.

When God gives a gift, it is meant to benefit not just us but others as well. He does not give gifts that will only bring us to disaster. Because it’s a gift, it shows the value God put in each of us.

Mission is a gift. We should take care of it and make it grow because of the One who gave it to us. He values us such that He gives us the gift of mission. This gift allows us to explore and go beyond what our world offers.

by aats

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The Heart Knows

 
I was having a very insightful discussion with someone about a man who is in the process of courting a woman. He was somewhat unclear about his intentions. He might not be sure about what he feels or that he needs more time to know Gods will, yet he is letting the sister feel his love towards her. Obviously these are “moves” that are beyond what we call “friendship”.

We can say the boundary had been crossed. Emotions had been invested and turning back will only cause pain. This pain, is the pain of the unknown and of the “what if”. The sister may feel at a loss not knowing what’s really the intention of the brother. He makes some sketchy moves and yet he does not categorically say he loves her. He is on the fishing mode! On the other hand, the brother is being tortured by the fact that he is facing a crossroad where he needs to decide where to go and what to do. This might not be easy, the “what if” comes in, but courage is needed.

When this situation occurs both has to do something. The brother should summon all his courage to categorically say his intention and be ready whatever the answer, may it be yes, no or wait for further notice.  If the brother is still very sketchy and still not being clear, then the sister has to step up and ask with clarity, “What is it really that you want from me? You are doing this and that, and I’m left confused. I want a real and honest relationship. So if you are not man enough to state your real intention, then stop what you are doing because I don’t want to go on a roadless destination.”

We have to take note though that before this mess up happened. Both the sister and the brother are both responsible of the situation. The sister allowed the brother to cross the boundary between friendship and intimacy. She then has to control her emotions and be on guard always in order to respect and honor the brother. On the hand, the brother dogged deeper and pursued to the limits. The brother then, has to show some restraint with respect and honor to the vulnerability of the sister. This I think is the best way not to cause unnecessary pain. (You can read by clicking on the link Flirting With Pain and Real Love Waits to understand this further.)

Well, there are so many ways of loving and so many ways to love and be love. What is important is that our heart is anchored on Christ. A heart anchored on Christ knows His ways of loving. By knowing Christ deeper we will know if it is for us or not. The heart knows what the head might not.

The process has to be enjoyed, for the journey is as important as the destination itself. We don’t have to be afraid of the unknown or with the “what if”. Love will always find its way back home to the heart of someone God planned from the beginning. 

by aats

Monday, November 12, 2012

Stressing Out On The Wrong Problem

 
I’ve noticed sometimes some people come to us and talk about there problems only to realize in the end that they are actually mourning and stressing on a wrong problem. The problem with us, is that we problem on the wrong problem. Not only are we not able to solve the problem we are actually creating our own imaginary problem. It’s like crying, and barking on a wrong tree, stressing out on a wrong problem.

Example, someone was stressing out about the incoming exam. For sure you will feel the pressure of it. But then the person started crying because he’s already so stressed out. I asked what’s the problem, to which he replied, “The exam it’s very hard.” I ask further, “Did you have the exam already that you are saying it’s very hard?” “Not yet.” To which I responded, “Then the exam is not the problem! The exam is the constant there, what you should problem about is your study habits. If you improved on that, then exam will be a little bit easier.”

Another example on service, someone was saying, “I’m frustrated I’m serving alone.” And then ended up crying and looking so stressed out. I asked, “What have you done so far?” He replied, “None.” I further asked, “Why?” He responded, “Can’t you see, I’m alone!” To which I said, “The problem is not because you are alone, the problem is you! You are very emo! Why am I saying this? Because there are so many others who are actually serving alone, why can they do something about it? Because they stop focusing on them being alone and instead focus on what they can do alone. That is why in the first place, you are put there, to initiate! The problem is not that you are alone; the problem is that you are incapable of initiating things!”

If you cannot even look beyond your situation personally now, you are not ready for bigger responsibilities ahead. If you cannot even initiate something while you are still single and alone, I doubt your readiness to commit to a relationship that requires a more anchored you!

Stop stressing out on something that in the first place should not be stressed of. Think, use your head and guide your heart. The Lord gave you a brain for you to use it.   

by aats

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Stop Complaining


Stop complaining, there are still more blessings than problems, more graces than pains and hurts, more to thank than to complain for. Do not wait for problems, hurts and pains, or health troubles before you recognize what you had before. Take every second as a blessing. 

by aats

Friday, November 9, 2012

Never Wrong With Christ


With so many anxieties in life caused by many imagined scary things that mostly does not happen at all, we can only cling on to a sure foundation who has been there before, God himself. Not knowing where to go is scary, however it is scarier not knowing whom you are with on the journey. Be with Christ and you will never be on the wrong road. You will never be on the wrong road with Him. You can never be wrong with God.

by aats

Monday, November 5, 2012

Practicing Our Faith


Fidel Castro told a story at his 1995 Harlem speech, about how Spaniards came to Cuba with the sword and the cross. He said, "You should understand that the cross cannot be introduced by the sword." Then he continued the story of the Cuban native who rose against the conqueror and was sentenced to die. While on the fire he was told that there is heaven and that he needs to be baptized to be in heaven. To which the native answered, "If the Spaniards go to that heaven, I do not want to go there!" Castro further said, “He did not say that he believe on it or not, he just said that if they go to heaven then I do not want to go there.  And now in this world, there are so many who speaks about heaven, right here in this world, so full of abuses, so full of injustice, they talk about heaven. And in that sense I could say, that heaven that you practice in this world, we do not want to go there, we do not believe in that heaven! We want to go to a heaven were there justice, were there is human dignity, were there is brotherhood. And in that heaven, I believe and for that heaven I am willing to give up my life.”

Castro, a brutal dictator to his enemies while a champion of anti-imperialism to others, irregardless of who he really is, his Harlem speech, speaks so much truth about duplicity of some people practicing religion. Truth hurts, but there is no other way than to face it. We are the reason why people shy away from God. We must practice Christianity and not just talk nor preach about it. Let us be Jesus to others. 

by aats

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Gaining Some Time


Waking up this morning forgetting that daylight saving time ended. I like this particular day if only for the thought that I gained extra hour. Gaining some time, even if an hour is such a wonderful thought. So now it’s back to standard time and with deeper consciousness that our time, daylight or standard, is in the hands of God.

Grant us O Lord the grace to use our time wisely. Amen.

by aats

Friday, November 2, 2012

Moving On Loving

 
I saw a post that says, “Love is so short, forgetting is so long.” Well, let me say, “Love never ends, moving on is a personal decision.” Sometime people are afraid to love again not because they don’t want to love but because they are afraid to be hurt again. Hurt or not, love will always be love and we can only experience it to the full if we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. Moving on and forgetting the hurts is a personal decision. We decide to offer it at the foot of the cross so that God in His grace will cover us with healing. Move ahead and look back, if only to learn from it. 

read also: What is Courting for a Fulltime Worker and Moving Ahead

by aats

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Pain


Pain is a fact of life. If you don’t feel pain, experience hurts or shy away from it, you will never fully comprehend life. Pain has its own merits. So if it’s there, reflect and get the best out of it and you will end up a little wiser. 

by aats