What Is Inside

A paradise can be an exile depending on how you see it. A first world country can be a third world experience depending on how you live it. This just proves that we cannot overly emphasize the external to gauge the quality of life; it also has more to do with the internal. What is happening inside affects the life we want to live.

A place is as beautiful only as how you value it.

by aats 

Our Burning Desire

If we ask some people why they are still serving in the community, they would answer, “Because I made a commitment and I am responsible for it.” This is good, however this reason will not go far.

This sometime leads to contract mentality. “I will just finish my responsibility and then I’ll go.” “That is not in my job description.” “I’m done with my responsibility.” Then we are left wondering why some passionate brother or sister suddenly left from service.

Responsibility and accountability are not enough if we are to flourish in the mission, it has to be Christ. Christ should be our burning desire to serve!

Passion for Christ first and then for His mission, in this way, we will serve Him in whatever capacity and not be bothered by any position or situation. Whether we are called for life of fulltime mission or for a certain period, it does not matter, whatever or wherever we are, we will serve the Lord, because our passion and burning desire is Christ not anything else.

We are not just for certain contract period; we are for life.

by aats 

When Someone Brings The Worst In You

They say look for someone that can bring out the best in you, but there are just people that brings out the worst in you.  What can you do? Well, you can always try to control yourself as you can. The Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy exhorts us in 1 Tim 1:7, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

On the lighter note, it is still a blessing because at least you will know your limitations. You will know when you are about to snap and from there you can make adjustments and know when to push through or run away if the battle is unnecessary.

Lord, when someone brings out the worst in us, grant us the grace to choose love and if we snap and the worst comes out, be patient with us and forgive us. Amen.

by aats

I, My Backpack and My Bible

“There will come a time, you will need to learn how to pastor yourself.” These were the words I remember from one of my FTPW leaders when I was still in my first years of fulltime mission. It became more real to me when I was assigned in different areas, alone.

Some YFCs would ask me if where I am and I would reply that I am in the bus on the way to another province. * They would ask also, if who I am with, and I would reply, “I, my backpack and my bible.” And, I would laugh at my answer and yet I was actually enjoying the mission. Yes, there were times that it was difficult, because I need a partner in mission and I need some guidance from at least someone near. However, such things never happen all the time.

The reality of fulltime mission is that there will be times that we will be alone, (Though we are with Christ). It is in these times, when no one is there to affirm me that the bible in my backpack becomes my best affirmation, mass and adoration becomes my greatest consolation and the rosary in my pocket becomes the best thing to hold on to when no one else is there.

Missionaries cannot be spoiled brats, always in need of one on ones, and constant affirmation from mentors and other missionaries. Yes, we need those things, but we need to stand alone in Christ. We should be able to stand up, live up to our faith even without others pastoring us all the time. We need to work out, read spiritual books, watch, learn and pray.

*I was assigned as region head and island head in different areas in the Philippines. There was only one region head, no mission partner.

by aats

I Find Beauty

I find so much beauty of the Church in the sacrament of reconciliation.  It’s a very profound external act of forgiveness to someone who is in internal anguish to be embraced again. Can there be more beautiful than the goodness of someone who forgives and accepts? Can there be more goodness than the compassion of someone who embraces and never judges? Reconciliation is the splendor of the Church who proclaims Christ!

I read something about forgiveness years ago and it says, “In the ‘Our Father’, there is no mention of love, instead, we find the word, ‘forgive’. Perhaps forgiveness is the highest manifestation of love.”

by aats