Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
My Reflections for The Feast of the Holy Family; December 30 Friday Luke 2:22, 39-40
My
Reflections:
What
is the best gift that a husband/wife can give to God and to their spouses? It’s
faithfulness to their marriage vows; this is the best offering that we can bequeath
God and our spouses. What is the best gift that we can give our children? The
best gift is not the latest gadget/s but to implant In their hearts the love of
God for them. Children must know that there’s a God that is in control of everything
in this world.
Today
we celebrate the Feast of the Holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph both
spouses were faithful to each other. Both spouses presented the young Jesus
to the Lord.
Are
we still faithful to our marriage vows? Do we still bring our children to the
church for Mass? Do we still teach them about our faith?
Let
us preserve the values of the Holy Family in our own respective families. …
Sunday, December 11, 2011
My Reflections for December 14 Wednesday Luke 18b-23
My
Reflections:
Many
are looking for happiness and fulfillment; they try to look for it within their
wealth but they failed. We also look for our happiness and fulfillment in the many facets
of our lives and we end up holding an empty bag.
The
disciples of John were sent by him to Jesus to ask this question: 'Are you the
one who is to come, or should we look for another?' Jesus answered them by
citing His many miracles and healings.
We
know that Jesus is the one who can cure us with everything that is bothering
us. Let us not look elsewhere; let us focus our sights on Him.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
My Gospel Reflections for Monday November 21, Luke 2:1-4
My Reflections:
Pureness of intentions is always first with Jesus, He doesn’t care who you are, even your social status in life it doesn’t count on Him. What is important with Him is our desire to help regardless of the amount that we give.
This is what we must follow when we treat people; because we are easily awed by the rich and we oftentimes look down on the poor. We must not judge based on their life’s status we rather judge them based on how sincere they are. But how can we decipher that an individual is sincere and true with his intention to help when we don’t have power to read a person’s mind?
This is very simple: We must always be true and sincere with whatever we say and do. ...
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The fragility of our lives...
The Fragility of our lives...
by: Marino J. Dasmarinas
Last night our parish secretary informed me that I have a scheduled funeral blessing; I said OK I’ll go.
So I went there, upon finding the place I introduced myself to the relatively young wife then I said: “I will now bless him please gather all the relatives.” As I was saying the blessings and prayers I noticed that the wife was crying profusely.
After I was through, I asked her: “what was the cause of death of your husband and how old is he?” She said: “His fifthly (50) years old and his death is totally unexpected.” He just arrived from work then after a few minutes of rest in the sofa he suddenly died. ... After our short conversation I told her: “I have to go now” and she said: “Thank you very much” I said in return: “You’re welcome and pray for his soul’s eternal repose.”
As I was walking away from their house, I can’t help but reflect on the fragility of our lives, that it can be taken away from us any time and any place. As I glance back at their house, I told myself maybe she was seriously crying because, there were loving words left unsaid, there were loving embraces left undone and there were loving moments left to pass them by. ...
As an afterthought: Express your love to your relatives and don’t hold back on doing good to everyone.
Remember the fragility of our lives…
The Dash...
THE DASH
by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
know what that little line is worth.
For it matter not, how much we own,
the cars...the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard;
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
My Gospel Reflections for Saturday September 24: Luke 9:43-45
My Reflections:
The disciples did not understand what Jesus meant when He said that He was to be handed over to men. I think they did not understand it because they were all used to Jesus the miracle worker and Jesus the healer. Even us if we were with the disciples at that time we will not also understand these utterance of Jesus.
But now we know what Jesus meant when He said that He was to be handed over to men.
What does this mean to you and me? It simply means that as we follow Jesus there shall be moments of seamless life, glory and triumph. But let us not get drunk with these for there shall come a time that our discipleship shall be tested by the fire of trials and sacrifices.
Will we be able to steadfastly hold on to our discipleship when that time comes?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Window from which we look ... by: Anonymous
A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast,
The young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry,
The young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a
Nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:
"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this."
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and
Cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life. What we see when watching others
Depends on the purity of the window through which we look!
A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast,
The young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry,
The young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a
Nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:
"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this."
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and
Cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life. What we see when watching others
Depends on the purity of the window through which we look!
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry,
The young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a
Nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:
"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this."
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and
Cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life. What we see when watching others
Depends on the purity of the window through which we look!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
My Gospel Reflections for Friday July 29 Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:34-42
My Reflections:
What was the better part that Mary did according to Jesus? Mary gave her time to Jesus by listening to Him. How about Martha? She was preoccupied with worldly things that she had no time to sit down and listen to Jesus.
Martha is essentially very much like all of us very busy with worldly things such as to earn a living, to do our house chores, to take care of our family, to go on vacation and many more worldly activities. There’s nothing wrong with these activities because we are presently citizens of this world.
But let us not give our everything to this fleeting and temporary world let us allocate precious time with Jesus let us allow Him to speak to us. There are some of us who complain that Jesus is deaf to our pleadings perhaps this is so because we very seldom sit-down and listen to Jesus. …
Monday, July 11, 2011
Friday, July 08, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
My First Reading Reflections for June 30 Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Genesis 22:1b-19
With faith Abraham obeyed the command of the Lord to bring his son Isaac to be his offering. Abraham did not hesitate he simply obeyed, then when he was about to kill his son Isaac the Lord’s messenger intervened for he already passed the litmus test of his faith.
Our faith in the Lord is also tested by Him; several of us may already give-up and just walk away from HIM.
Like Abraham, some of us will remain faithful until the very end no matter how dark and dangerous the road ahead we will be steadfast and we will stay the course.
When there’s testing of our faith the best option to take is to be steadfast, hold-on tightly to your faith and stay the course no matter how gloomy the clouds are. Let us all remember that after the clouds there shall be sunshine and that is the blessings of God for those who remain faithful. …
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
My Gospel Reflections for June 7 Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter: John 17:1-11
My Reflections:
Jesus said: I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. It was mission accomplished for Jesus. In doing his mission there were also instances wherein he stopped for a while and reflected on the sufferings that he will have to go through but in spite of it all he still went through it.
How can we glorify God while we are in this world? It’s very simple: we must follow the way of Jesus. His way of sacrificial love, His way of Humility, His way of self-emptying and self-giving. Jesus was dutiful to the Father’s will; He never questioned God as to why He must pass through suffering. He simply followed the will of God for Him.
As Christians/Catholics we also have our own mission in the Lord’s vineyard. We need to share and live the good news about Jesus.
Friday, June 03, 2011
My Gospel Reflections for June 4, Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 16:23-28
My Reflections:
To have network of friends is very important for us because there will come a time that we will be needing their help. I think this is also the main reason why there are some who join fraternities, clubs and other organization. They join because they want to build a network of close friends who can directly or indirectly help them when the need arises.
There’s nothing wrong with it but before we join organization to strengthen our network we must ensure first that we are best friends with Jesus. We must see to it that we have this very deep intimacy with Him. For what reason? Because He is the Son of the Father Jesus has that hotline to the Father. He can aid us with our prayer request to the Father.
Jesus states in our gospel for today: ““Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
Just imagine if we’re best friends with Jesus, Just visualize how powerful we are if we are intimate with Jesus. …
Sunday, May 29, 2011
My Gospel Reflections for May 30, Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter: John 15:26-16:4
My Reflections:
The Holy Spirit that Jesus gave us all during our baptism it has always been there for us since we were baptized. But not everyone knows that it reside within us, it’s like a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered by us.
But some of us do not discover it in our lifetime.
Jesus told His disciples that He will send the Advocate from the Father it’s the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father. He will send it to them because they’ve remained with Him since the beginning.
If we will also be always on the side of Jesus, if we will not betray Him for the things and temptations of this world we will also feel the presence of the Advocate in our lives.
Are we always walking on the path of Jesus?
Monday, May 23, 2011
My Gospel Reflections for Tuesday; Fifth Week of Easter May 24: John 14:27-31
My Reflections:
Farewell normally involves trepidation and loneliness on the one who will leave and those who will be left behind this is always the scenario.
However, Jesus gives us a new thought about farewell that He only can give us and that is the feeling of peace and serenity. The peace and serenity that Jesus gives us is very unique because nobody can give it to us except Himself. We cannot find the peace that He gives us on any material wealth nor with any worldly possession.
If we think that the riches and trappings of this world will give us peace then we are badly mistaken it will not give us peace. Take a look at the many rich and famous people who committed suicide because their material wealth did not give them peace. Take a look at those who take many anti depressant and sleeping pills just to buy peace for a brief moment after which they wake-up again with the same chaotic environment.
Jesus is the only one who can give us heavenly peace, discover Him and get intimate with Him.
Monday, April 25, 2011
My Gospel Reflections for April 25, Monday in the octave of Easter: Matthew 28:8-18
My Reflections:
How did we observed the just concluded Holy Week? We may have our own different observance. I for one piously observed all the laid activities of the church.
Being summer and since Holy Thursday and Good Friday were holiday many took advantage of this break and they went on vacation to beaches and other places where they can rest and re-charge. In the process they’ve forgotten the true essence of Holy Week.
The proper way to observe Holy Week is given to us by the two Marys in the gospel; they both gave Jesus the honor that He richly deserved. They did this by embracing His feet and giving Him homage for they both knew the importance of Jesus in their lives. He was their God thus they both fittingly gave Him proper honor and respect.
This is how it should always be during Holy Week.
Have you properly commemorated the just concluded Holy Week?
Monday, April 04, 2011
Ang Aking Tagalog na Repleksyon para sa Lunes Ikaapat na Lingo ng Kuwaresma Juan 4:43-54
Ang Aking Repleksyon:
Ang ating pananampalataya sa Diyos at hindi pare pareho, mayroong napakalalim o napakatatag na sila ay hindi bumibitaw sa Diyos kahit na ano mang pagsubok ang kanilang hinaharap sa buhay.
Meron di namang na ang kanilang pananampalataya ay base lamang sa kanilang nakikita. Gusto nila na may Makita muna silang ebedensya bago sila sumanpalataya.
Pero ang tunay na malalim na pananampalataya ay ay hindi nakabase sa kung ano ang ating nakikita. Ito ay naka base sa hindi natin nakikita pero tayo parin ay nanampalataya. Yung opisyal ng Hari ay meron nitong malalim na pananampalataya sapagkat sya ay naniwala sa Sinabi ni Jesus na gagaling ang kanyang anak.
Sana tayong lahat magkaroon ng ganito kalalim na pananampalataya, patuloy tayong sumampalataya at maniwala na ibibigay din sa atin ng Diyos ang ating mga kahiligan para sa kanya kahit ito ay hindi pa natin nakikita sa ngayon.
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
A story about honesty..
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time
> >
> > to choose a successor to take over the business.
> >
> >
> > Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he
> decided to do something different. He called all the young
> executives in his company together.
> >
> >
> > He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next
> CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. "The young executives
> were Shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each
> one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to
> plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today
> with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will
> then judge the plants that you bring, and the one
> > I choose will be the next CEO."
> >
> >
> > One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the
> others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his
> wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and
> he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to
> see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other
> executives began to talk about their seeds
> >
> > and the plants that were beginning to grow.
> >
> >
> > Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew
> >
> >
> > Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still
> nothing.
> >
> >
> > By now, others were talking about their plants,
> > but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
> >
> >
> > Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew
> he had killed his seed.
> >
> > Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing
> > Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however, he just
> kept watering and
> >
> > fertilizing the soil - he so wanted the seed to grow.
> >
> >
> > A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company
> > brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.
> >
> >
> > Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot.
> > But she asked him to be honest about what happened.
> >
> > Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most
> embarrassing moment of his life,
> >
> > but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty
> pot to the board room.
> >
> > When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown
> by the other executives. They were beautiful - in all shapes and
> sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his
> colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
> >
> >
> > When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his
> youngexecutives.>
> >
> > Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants,
> trees and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of
> you will be appointed the next CEO!"
> >
> >
> > All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room
> with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring
> him to the front. Jim was terrified.. He thought, "The CEO knows
> I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
> >
> >
> > When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened
> to his seed,
> > Jim told him the story.
> >
> >
> > The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at
> Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "This is your
> next Chief Executive Officer!
> >
> >
> > His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even
> grow his seed.
> >
> >
> > "How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.
>
> >
> >
> > Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in
> this room a seed.
> >
> > I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it
> back to me today.
> >
> > But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not
> possible for them to grow.
> >
> >
> > All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and
> plants and flowers. When you found that the
> seed would not grow, you
> substituted another seed for
> the one I gave you.
> >
> > Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me
> a pot with my seed in it.
> >
> > Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief
> Executive Officer!"
> >
> >
> > * If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
> > * If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
> > * If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
> > * If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
> > * If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
> > * If you plant hard work, you will reap success
> > * If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
> >
> > So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you
> will reap later.
> > Think about this for a minute.
> >
> >
> > If I happened to show up on your door step crying, would you
> care?
> > If I called you and asked you to pick me up
> > because something happened, would you come?
> > If I had one day left to live my life, would you be part of
> that last day?
> > If I needed a shoulder to cry on, would you give me yours?
> > This is a test to see who your real friends are
> >
> > or if you are just someone to talk to when they are
> bored.
> >
> > to choose a successor to take over the business.
> >
> >
> > Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he
> decided to do something different. He called all the young
> executives in his company together.
> >
> >
> > He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next
> CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. "The young executives
> were Shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each
> one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to
> plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today
> with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will
> then judge the plants that you bring, and the one
> > I choose will be the next CEO."
> >
> >
> > One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the
> others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his
> wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and
> he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to
> see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other
> executives began to talk about their seeds
> >
> > and the plants that were beginning to grow.
> >
> >
> > Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew
> >
> >
> > Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still
> nothing.
> >
> >
> > By now, others were talking about their plants,
> > but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
> >
> >
> > Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew
> he had killed his seed.
> >
> > Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing
> > Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however, he just
> kept watering and
> >
> > fertilizing the soil - he so wanted the seed to grow.
> >
> >
> > A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company
> > brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.
> >
> >
> > Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot.
> > But she asked him to be honest about what happened.
> >
> > Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most
> embarrassing moment of his life,
> >
> > but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty
> pot to the board room.
> >
> > When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown
> by the other executives. They were beautiful - in all shapes and
> sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his
> colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
> >
> >
> > When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his
> youngexecutives.>
> >
> > Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants,
> trees and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of
> you will be appointed the next CEO!"
> >
> >
> > All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room
> with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring
> him to the front. Jim was terrified.. He thought, "The CEO knows
> I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
> >
> >
> > When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened
> to his seed,
> > Jim told him the story.
> >
> >
> > The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at
> Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "This is your
> next Chief Executive Officer!
> >
> >
> > His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even
> grow his seed.
> >
> >
> > "How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.
>
> >
> >
> > Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in
> this room a seed.
> >
> > I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it
> back to me today.
> >
> > But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not
> possible for them to grow.
> >
> >
> > All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and
> plants and flowers. When you found that the
> seed would not grow, you
> substituted another seed for
> the one I gave you.
> >
> > Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me
> a pot with my seed in it.
> >
> > Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief
> Executive Officer!"
> >
> >
> > * If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
> > * If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
> > * If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
> > * If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
> > * If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
> > * If you plant hard work, you will reap success
> > * If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
> >
> > So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you
> will reap later.
> > Think about this for a minute.
> >
> >
> > If I happened to show up on your door step crying, would you
> care?
> > If I called you and asked you to pick me up
> > because something happened, would you come?
> > If I had one day left to live my life, would you be part of
> that last day?
> > If I needed a shoulder to cry on, would you give me yours?
> > This is a test to see who your real friends are
> >
> > or if you are just someone to talk to when they are
> bored.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Saturday, March 05, 2011
My Gospel Reflections for March 6, Sunday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 7:21-27
My Reflections:
Why did Jesus said to the disciples that not everyone who calls on His name will enter the kingdom of heaven? Maybe this is in reference to those followers who invoke the name of God but they live their lives not according to what God wants it for them. This statement may pertain also to the false prophets who use their gift of speaking to defraud gullible followers.
There are still many of them right now in our present time; they use the name of God to advance their own personal interest. But the all almighty God knows everything about us, our selfish motives, our double speak, our desire to outwardly use His name in vain.
So what is the desire of God for us? Very simple, His desire is for us to become His true followers in words and in deeds. We can perform many acts of healings, we can proclaim the name of God and it may be accepted by those who hear of it. But if we don’t live the teachings of Jesus then all of our acts will be in vain.
Perhaps one of the best example if not the best human example of those who proclaimed the word of God in words and deeds is Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She magnificently proclaimed the word of God to everyone: the rich, the elite, the academics, the powerful and the poor. But she did not stop there she also lived her proclamations thru her humble deeds and acts of loving service to those who were very poor, those who were sick with leprosy, the dying and the unwanted. She humbly and lovingly took care of them all.
Mother Teresa listened to the word of God then she proclaimed and humbly lived it. She was like the wise man in the gospel who built his house upon a rock. This is the reason why she will soon be declared saint of the church. This is the reason why the congregation that she founded, the Missionaries of Charity is all over the world right now.
We are all challenged by Jesus through our gospel to be like Mother Teresa of Calcutta, to be like the wise man who built his house upon the solid rock of God. They both listened to the words of God and they both made it alive by living it through their life changing actions and though their humble deeds of selfless service for the people of God. …
Monday, February 21, 2011
My Gospel Reflections for February 21, Monday: Mark 9:14-21
My Reflections:
The disciples asked Jesus: “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” Jesus told them: “This kind can only come out through prayer.” Just like some of us the disciples obviously doesn’t have a very healthy prayer life that’s why they were not able to drive out the unclean spirit that had possessed the boy.
On the other hand the father has a very strong faith even if the disciples failed to help him he persisted and asked Jesus to heal his son and he was not disappointed.
The gospel invites us to examine the health of our prayer life maybe it’s unwell like the disciples.
How about our faith? It must always be strong and in our journey with God we must always walk by faith and not by sight.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Eternal repose grant unto the soul of Gen. Angelo T. Reyes dear Lord...
Gen. Angelo T. Reyes my have his own human weaknesses, just like all of us he may have erred on his judgments but he also has serve our country. We may not know it but in his own little way he may also have offered his life for our country.
Dear Lord we entrust to you the soul of Gen. Angelo T. Reyes. We do not judge him for we too are to be judged, we too are sinners. ...
Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord,: and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. ...
Let us remember him in our prayers...
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Cab Ride...
I arrived at the address and honked the horn.
after waiting a few minutes I walked to the
door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a
frail, elderly voice. I could hear something
being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in
her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress
after waiting a few minutes I walked to the
door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a
frail, elderly voice. I could hear something
being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in
her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress
and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody
out of a 1940's movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment
looked as if no one had lived in it for years.
All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks
or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a
cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said.
I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned
to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked
slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing',
She took my arm and we walked
slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing',
I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way
I would want my mother to be treated.'
'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we
'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we
got in the cab, she gave me an address and then
asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'
'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..
'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry.
'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..
'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry.
I'm on my way to a hospice.
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were
glistening. 'I don't have any family left,'she
continued in a soft voice.. 'The doctor says I
don't have a very long time to live.' I quietly reached over
and shut off the meter.
'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city.
She showed me the building where she had once
worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she
We drove through the neighborhood where she
and her husband had lived when they were
newlyweds She had me pull up in front
of a furniture warehouse that had once been
a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a
particular building or corner and would sit
staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon,
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon,
she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me.
It was a low building, like a small convalescent home,
with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon
as we pulled up. They were Solicitous and intent,
watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to
the door. The woman was already seated in a
wheelchair.
'How much do I owe you?'
She asked, reaching into her purse.
'Nothing,' I said
'You have to make a living,' she answered.
'There are other passengers,' I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to
the door. The woman was already seated in a
wheelchair.
'How much do I owe you?'
She asked, reaching into her purse.
'Nothing,' I said
'You have to make a living,' she answered.
'There are other passengers,' I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.
She held onto me tightly.
'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,'
'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,'
she said. 'Thank you.'
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into
the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.
It was the sound of the closing of a life..
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift.
I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that
day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had
gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient
to end his shift?
day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had
gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient
to end his shift?
What if I had refused to take the run,
or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have
On a quick review, I don't think that I have
done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives
We're conditioned to think that our lives
revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us
But great moments often catch us
unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others
may consider a small one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)