"Practice what you preach", these are the words from St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Many had said those same words in the past yet we cannot see it in them, they do not practice what they preach. This is the reason why Jesus condemned the acts of the scribes and pharisees during His time. The scribes and pharisees are the interpreters of the Law of Moses, they give directions on what the Jewish people should do, but some of them deceives the brethren by uttering the wrong interpretation of the Law so that they could corrupt the peoples' mind.
In our Gospel for the 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time, Jesus wants us to be truthful and humble. In the Gospel, Jesus tells how the scribes and pharisees act during His time. Some of them wants to be called Teacher, Master or Father, they want to be exalted by everyone. I had to admit, I was like that, I want myself to be raised or exalted over my brethren. But the Lord, through His Holy Spirit inspired me not to act like that or exalt myself. Jesus was not like that, Jesus humbled Himself for us, He stripped off His nature as God so that he could live with us and become a servant for us (Phil. 2:6-7). Let's us ourselves, am I ready to be a servant for my brethren? Am I ready to humble myself for the sake of my brothers and sisters? Jesus did, He bore our sufferings, He offered His life for us to be saved from death and sin, the very reason why He became human, He did it for us. He taught us to carry our own crosses, but as we all know he carried His cross first, He endured mockery, humiliation and exhaustion. He humbled Himself until His death on the cross. He is a Teacher who practices what He taught, He is a Master who commands us to do something but we first saw Him perform that command. What a marvelous God we have!
Lastly, let's not exalt ourselves by showing off what we have (i.e. luxury, social status, etc.). Let us remain humble because the Lord Jesus who is in the very peak of a status in the Universe has humbled and has remained humble for us. God will exalt us, exalt us that exceeds our expectations, exalt us in the line of the Saints who is now with Him. May God Bless us all.
Biyernes, Oktubre 28, 2011
Linggo, Oktubre 23, 2011
A DAY WITH THE FRANCISCANS AND THE DOMINICANS
Last October 4, 2011, The Holy Catholic Church celebrated the Feast of Our Holy Father St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order and Patron of Ecology. It was highlighted by different celebrations from Parishes, Franciscan Communities, etc.
As for me, I joined the Dominicans headed by Rev. Fr. Nilo A. Lardizabal, OP to a Eucharistic Celebration at the St. Maximillian Major Seminary in Multinational Village, Parañaque City. The Seminary is the formation house for Franciscan Conventual Juniors. Joining with is are two Dominican Junior friars, two Dominican priests and my friend Ian Catadman. I went to Sto. Domingo Church around 3:00 in the afternoon to pray to Our Lady of La Naval de Manila, who is about to celebrate her feast day this coming October 9, 2011. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to attend the Novena Masses in her honor because of the far location of the Church from my office. So I went there last Tuesday to pray the rosary and ask Our Lady to pray for me especially in my current job, which I find it difficult because it is about sales and marketing and I really don't have an idea about this field. By 4:30 in the afternoon, we left Sto. Domingo Church, I was with the two brothers. We arrived in the Maximillian Seminary and the place was filled with devotees of Our Holy Father. We settled down and waited for the start of the Mass. Here I can say that the religious life is very beautiful even though some may come across difficult situations but you can see the communion with each other, a connection, an ambiance telling you that even though we do not know each other yet we are one in the service of God.
In his homily, Fr. Nilo highlighted the relationship of St. Dominic and St. Francis. He also highlighted St. Francis' love for the Lord, enduring pain and other humiliations, yet he never complains. Those words struck me like a book slamming in my face. Why do I complain a lot? Complaining about my situations in life especially my current job, complaining how difficult it is because I don't have any idea of how I can manage this kind of job, and even complaining my service to God in our Parish. Who am I to complain? It really struck me, so I asked St. Francis to help me, guide me in my work, work efficiently and progress in it without complaining, swallow my pride and accept and consequences that would come that I know would be very inevitable.
After the Holy Mass, we had dinner with different religious communities in Multinational and also had a chance to bond with each other. I also met my new "brothers" in the Conventual Postulancy and I told them that I would return this coming long weekend before All Saints' Day. I enjoyed their company and they helped me inflame the desire to become a religious especially as a friar.
After the celebration, we went home and as for me I still think of that thought that St. Francis never complained even though he encountered countless difficulties and burdens in life. I pray that I may be like him I may accept all the difficulties in my life, pursue the job I am in and also pursue also my vocation to become a religious of the Order of Friars Minor Conventuals.
After the Holy Mass, we had dinner with different religious communities in Multinational and also had a chance to bond with each other. I also met my new "brothers" in the Conventual Postulancy and I told them that I would return this coming long weekend before All Saints' Day. I enjoyed their company and they helped me inflame the desire to become a religious especially as a friar.
After the celebration, we went home and as for me I still think of that thought that St. Francis never complained even though he encountered countless difficulties and burdens in life. I pray that I may be like him I may accept all the difficulties in my life, pursue the job I am in and also pursue also my vocation to become a religious of the Order of Friars Minor Conventuals.
Our Holy Fathers Dominic and Francis helping each other
Our Holy Father St. Francis, Pray for us.Sabado, Oktubre 22, 2011
INA NI KRISTO, INA NG BUHAY
This is the theme of the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval de Manila for this year. The Feast day was highlighted by many activities like praying the Rosary daily during the days of the Novena, a Marian exhibit featuring different images of our Lady and the history of the Holy Rosary. All of this activities jived in the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary La Naval de Manila (Sto. Domingo Church) in Quezon City. The highlight of this memorable feast is the grand procession of Our Lady who has been escorted by the Dominican Saints of the Holy Rosary.
"Giyera nga napigilan, ulan pa kaya" These are the words Kuya Jeff Reyes (San Carlos Seminarian) used to describe the miracle that happened on the Feast day of Our Lady (last October 9, 2011). It was raining so hard when we arrived in Sto. Domingo Church, I didn't bring an umbrella and I only had my bag and gala with me, the gala was my protection from the rain because it has a hood. I toured Ate Azon, the Cifra Sisters (Aloy and Princess) inside the church and introduced them to the Dominican Saints. By around 1:30PM I met Fray Oswald, OSA and Fray Cyril, OSA inside the corridors of the convent where the carrozas are staying. I also toured them, unfortunately they weren't allowed to attend the procession because of their kitchen duties in their seminary. I joined the friars in the line in front of Our Lady as per of Rev. Fr. Nilo Lardizabal, OP a very good friend of mine. I would say this is the most memorable La Naval for me because I had the opportunity to touch the mantle of Our Lady and kiss it. I feel very blessed by her, I felt like I was in ecstacy when I touched her, I was paralyzed as I gaze in her beauty and the beauty of the child she's carrying. I was deeply moved, very much moved.
Rector and Prior of Sto. Domingo Church
Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III leads the devotees in the solemn consecration to the Lady of the Rosary, I really loved that prayer because of its significant words, words of love for a Mother ready to embrace her children and answer their prayers. Senator Sotto was chosen to lead the consecration because he is known for being an Anti-RH Bill Legislature because we all know that the RH Bill will cause immorality and to top it all, abortion. This is the reason why the title of this blog is the theme for this year's feast, because of the threat to life once the RH Bill has been made to a law.
After the procession, we proceeded to the Church's Convent and had dinner there along with the other religious and guest. The Religious communities who joined the procession are the brothers from the following Orders: Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), Order of Friars Minor Conventuals (Franciscan Conventuals), Order of St. Augustine (Augustinians of the Vicariate of the Orient), the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Congregation of the Most Holy Sacrament (SSS Brothers), Order of St. Benedict (Benedictines), Diocesan Seminarians from San Carlos Seminary and UST Central Seminary. We had fellowship with them by conversing with each other. The whole Dominican community was also present from the Pre-Novices, Novices and the Student Brothers. It's so nice to see the brothers from different congregations conversing, laughing, and sharing thoughts with each other. It is really indeed nice to see brothers come together for Christ. I was really inspired by them, they boosted my desire to become a religious.
Photos courtesy of Rev. Fr. Nilo A. Lardizabal, OP
WHY DO WE PRAY TO SAINTS?
This is the most frequent question asked by our Protestant brethren. Yes, true we must pray directly to God because He alone can grant us our heart's desires. Catholics should also ask the brethren. "Will you pray for me if I ask you?" or "Will you help me pray for my personal intention?", if the brethren answers "Yes" then we can say to them "that's the function of the Saints, they pray for us, they help us in our prayers. They intercede for us, molding our prayers before offering it to God."
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, there are a lot of texts in the Bible that affirms this doctrine of the Holy Catholic Church, for example in the book of Revelations: "angel offers prayers of the holy ones to God" (Rev. 5:8). Here, St. John the Evangelist perceived the destiny of man at the end of times and he saw that all of the angels pray for God's holy people, they intercede for us. The Saints are those who lived a holy life while they were alive here on Earth, they have been exalted by God at the hour of their death and rewarding them with life everlasting. They are now in the hand of God (Wisdom 3:1-6), the Saints are alive in the Kingdom of God in heaven along with the angels, they intercede for us like angels as stated in Revelation. The Saints does not grant us the prayer that we ask for, as I've said a while ago, only God can grant us our prayer, because God knows our necessities and He will give it to us as long as it is for our own good. The Saint on the other hand helps us pray, we ask for their INTERCESSION, interceding for us to God.
The Saints also act as our models of holiness here on earth because they too are sinners like us but they lived a holy life, following God's will, dodged their sinful life and lived according to God's will. A good example of a sinful man but turned into a great Saint is our Holy Father St. Augustine, he lived a very sinful life but found God and converted by the help of the prayer of her mother, St. Monica. When we are alive we are intercessors as well, but we continue to intercede even after death because we are alive, born again to Eternal Life in the presence of God as the book of Wisdom had said.
My dear brothers and sisters, this is our call to be intercessors of our brethren to God, intercessors during life and after death. We are called to pray for one another, praying for others is a great expression of love. As the Lord Jesus said: "Love one another as you love yourself' (Mt. 22:39). Like the Saints, may we also be a blessing to others by our constant prayers. God Bless.
"May God our Father give you grace and peace. We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in our prayers for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you bear toward all the saints." (Col.. 1:4)
All you Holy men and women. Pray for us.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, there are a lot of texts in the Bible that affirms this doctrine of the Holy Catholic Church, for example in the book of Revelations: "angel offers prayers of the holy ones to God" (Rev. 5:8). Here, St. John the Evangelist perceived the destiny of man at the end of times and he saw that all of the angels pray for God's holy people, they intercede for us. The Saints are those who lived a holy life while they were alive here on Earth, they have been exalted by God at the hour of their death and rewarding them with life everlasting. They are now in the hand of God (Wisdom 3:1-6), the Saints are alive in the Kingdom of God in heaven along with the angels, they intercede for us like angels as stated in Revelation. The Saints does not grant us the prayer that we ask for, as I've said a while ago, only God can grant us our prayer, because God knows our necessities and He will give it to us as long as it is for our own good. The Saint on the other hand helps us pray, we ask for their INTERCESSION, interceding for us to God.
The Saints also act as our models of holiness here on earth because they too are sinners like us but they lived a holy life, following God's will, dodged their sinful life and lived according to God's will. A good example of a sinful man but turned into a great Saint is our Holy Father St. Augustine, he lived a very sinful life but found God and converted by the help of the prayer of her mother, St. Monica. When we are alive we are intercessors as well, but we continue to intercede even after death because we are alive, born again to Eternal Life in the presence of God as the book of Wisdom had said.
My dear brothers and sisters, this is our call to be intercessors of our brethren to God, intercessors during life and after death. We are called to pray for one another, praying for others is a great expression of love. As the Lord Jesus said: "Love one another as you love yourself' (Mt. 22:39). Like the Saints, may we also be a blessing to others by our constant prayers. God Bless.
"May God our Father give you grace and peace. We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in our prayers for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you bear toward all the saints." (Col.. 1:4)
Miyerkules, Oktubre 19, 2011
AGUSTINO KANG TOTOO
Last October 15, 2011, Feast of St. Teresa of Avila, OCD, the province of Bulacan witnessed the Thanksgiving Mass of the newly ordained Augustinian Priest, Rev. Fr. John Paul Sevilla-Mabanta, OSA. He was ordained last September 10, 2011 at the Basilica de Sto. Niño de Cebu in Cebu City along with other four friars of the Order.
The Thanksgiving Mass was preceded by a series of activities, first a procession from the Mabanta residence in Barangay San Jose, Bulacan, Bulacan. Neighbors, seminarians and friends joined the procession to the church. The image of the miraculous image of the Sto. Cristo was drawn on an andas and the image of the Lady of the Rosary also joined the procession. The neighbors of the Mabantas danced in the tune of different caracol musics like Sta. Clara pinung-pino.
Fr. JP Mabanta, OSA with his family during the procession
Fr. JP Mabanta, OSA posing before the Mass
Fr. JP during the processional
During the Mass, the church was filled with guest and others who wants to witness this spectacular event in the life of Fr. JP. At the homily, his former Master of Postulant gave the sermon where he stated the vocation journey of Fr. JP, the ups and downs of his search for his vocation. Finally, he is now a priest, an Augustinian priest.
SACS Choir singing during the Mass
Fr. JP Mabanta, OSA with his batchmates
After the Mass, we enjoyed dinner with the other guests especially the friars, sharing one another's thoughts and telling stories. The food was delicious and it is perfect for a moment of bonding with friends and other new found friends. The event is very memorable especially to Fr. JP, a journey to find God's will has ended but it has commenced another chapter in his life, to minister to the people of God. I pray that the number of vocations in our nation and also around the world would flourish so they may aid the Church's ministry.
Congratulations Fr. JP Mabanta, OSA. God Bless
Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion, Bulacan
Photos courtesy of San Agustin Center of Studies
The Thanksgiving Mass was preceded by a series of activities, first a procession from the Mabanta residence in Barangay San Jose, Bulacan, Bulacan. Neighbors, seminarians and friends joined the procession to the church. The image of the miraculous image of the Sto. Cristo was drawn on an andas and the image of the Lady of the Rosary also joined the procession. The neighbors of the Mabantas danced in the tune of different caracol musics like Sta. Clara pinung-pino.
During the Mass, the church was filled with guest and others who wants to witness this spectacular event in the life of Fr. JP. At the homily, his former Master of Postulant gave the sermon where he stated the vocation journey of Fr. JP, the ups and downs of his search for his vocation. Finally, he is now a priest, an Augustinian priest.
After the Mass, we enjoyed dinner with the other guests especially the friars, sharing one another's thoughts and telling stories. The food was delicious and it is perfect for a moment of bonding with friends and other new found friends. The event is very memorable especially to Fr. JP, a journey to find God's will has ended but it has commenced another chapter in his life, to minister to the people of God. I pray that the number of vocations in our nation and also around the world would flourish so they may aid the Church's ministry.
Congratulations Fr. JP Mabanta, OSA. God Bless
Photos courtesy of San Agustin Center of Studies
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