July 4,2025

 Today is American Independence Day!

The Philippines once  upon a time commemorated this day as Phil-Am friendship day.

A few days ago, we observed Canada Day by eagerly awaiting  the fireworks at Assiniboine Downs.

But, nature almost stole the show.

It rained and there were a lot of thunder claps and lightning.

Awesome display of God's magnificent power writing the sky with amazing zig zag and snaking patterns of electric bolts.

Beautiful patterns of electricity and light.

Horse race was cancelled since they were all spooked.

But, youngest child was still satisfied seeing the wonderful horses of various breeds and colors.

We had the same visitor for the whole day BBQ as last year.

Getting to be a tradition now.

Praise God for this wonderful grace and gift.

** ***

Today's Kerygma Daily Bible Reflection has the following questions for me to reflect on:

You can be a saint, whatever your past or current circumstances may be. Do you embrace the call?

Are you single, married, or religious? Think of the many blessings God has given you in your life. Thank God because, surely, it will take you forever to count them all.

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2025-07-04

Prophet or Wolf

 

Am I a good person?

Am I kind?

Am I loving?

We all are in our own battles. At times, we make wrong choices in those we wage and pursue.

We lick the wounds of defeat and temporarily get fleeting comfort in hard fought small victories.

Over all, our characters are tested, shaped and broken over and over again.

We pick up the pieces and count the costs and check for the fruits that come out of it.

Some bitter and some sweet.

Just the other Friday night, in a badminton place, got in a conversation with our host and one of his friends about evangelistic communities in our midst.

Francis, the friend, claims that he does not like to join a particular organization because of too much politics among members. He asserts further that he can go about doing God’s will quietly in the background and beyond certain communities where the fruits are not visible among its leader’s lives.

I was dumbfounded and did not know how to react.

I just said, we all are imperfect individuals working with other imperfect personalities, trying to spread the gospel of Christ to an imperfect world. I even cited my two daughters who were beside me saying,  they are witness to my own hypocrisy many times…but still we are called to be in community because  as we  persevere, that is where we grow, hopefully into holiness and maturity.

With grit and resilience, let us continue striving to bear the right fruits in God’s perfect timing so we can encourage more people into repentance and faith with us.

 

 

Prepare the Way

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of YOUR DIVINE LOVE. Send us YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, and YOU shall renew the face  of the earth, starting with my mind, body, soul and heart.

Mama Mary, in your Immaculate Heart we find solace and comfort as you continue to lead us and point us to your son, Jesus and do as He tells us what to do...

** ***

Yesterday afternoon, as I entered Ruel's office downtown, he told me of Doha friends who are updating him of the volatile situation  on both sides of the straight of Hormuz. the thin body of water that separates Qatar from Iran.

Checking my FB chat, I note some friends with family in Qatar asking for prayers.

Prayers is the first and only thing we can hold on to...

That Our Great God, in His goodness will spare us from another World War.

As we going about doing our own LIVES, may we always remember that we are all fighting our own small battles...

One must not lose heart.

One must seek The Way, The Truth and The Life, only to be found in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

John, His cousin, prepared The Way to come and  painfully paid for it with his head.

Ending this reflection with some more questions from Kerygma Family Daily Bible Reflections:

How can God use you as a light bearer of the Church?

What part of the day do you come before the Lord and spend time with Him in silence? What do you hear Him say to you?

In the face of resistance, how strong and steadfast are you to what you know is God’s will for your life?

St. John the Baptist, pray for us.

St. Louie DeMonfort, pray for us.

St. Maximillian  Kolbe, pray for us.

St. Theresa of Calcutta, pray for us.

St. John Paul II, pray for us.

Love Your Enemies

 This afternoon, as I was waiting for my 2:30pm appointment, I watched two of my favorite youtube  channels trying to get an update about the 3 day war of Israel with Iran.

First was EWTN Nightly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTfT7Ob2QH4&t=745s&ab_channel=EWTN

Next was Patrick Bet David, who is an Iranian born American businessman in Valuetainment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex85fdx3nPk&ab_channel=Valuetainment

He was talking about the side that wants to obliterate it's enemies. No compassion. No nothing. Total death and destruction.

Reading today's gospel reminds us to turn the other cheek, to walk the extra mile, to give your coat to the person that asks for it or needs it.

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2025-06-17

It is easier said than done...but, very possible if we seek God's help and strength.

Here are some of the  reflection questions we can ponder on.

Who are the people in your life that are so difficult to love? What is God saying to you about it?

Are you a cheerful giver, or do you give while being full of regret? Are you willing to change your attitude so that you might better reflect true gratitude to the Lord for His goodness to you?

My prayer: Lord Jesus, King of Peace, help us achieve this peace here on earth especially between and among warring factions like Iran and Israel, Ukraine and Russia. Mama Mary, pray for us.

Today's Kerygma Daily Bible Reflection In the Face of Death

 What do you do to give glory to the Lord?

What  can you share that would help edify someone? 

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2025-06-03

** ***

 

I would like to dedicate this blog to April and Ava.

5 days ago, Adi was taken away from you, Jeck and Dre.

When I saw your post, I had a knee jerk reaction right away.

No! This must be a mistake!

It can't be!

Lord, please, no!

I was about to post an announcement for our Dandelion Book Club, and that was the first FB post that greeted me.

I just came in the house after being outdoors for almost 2 hours washing the puke soiled doormats.

Mayo was throwing up the whole night and morning.

I was seriously thinking she was going to flat line on my watch.

I prayed and negotiated with God...saying Thy will be done...but, not yet please.

Do not take our Mayo away yet.

Then bam!!!!

This news...

April and family were our home school family friends back in Doha.

One of our last days was spent with them in an activity.

April was  pregnant with Adi and she was most hopeful and positive for our move.

Ava joined our book and movie club created for homeschooling families during the pandemic.

We are on our 4th year.

They also came to migrate to Canada last November.

Then this happens!

What a painful blow and challenge.

Baby Adi experienced difficulty breathing, they rushed her to the hospital  and she was not able to make it.

That quick.

That fast.

Today's layman refection is entitled  In The Face of Death.

Please, if you have the time and heart to share a little... their friend Trisha Soriano  has created a Go Fund Me  campaign.

Please support the Rosal family in laying to rest Jamie T. Rosal +. Fly free dear angel Adi.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/uh758w-jamie-adison-t-rosal?modal=share&source=fundraiser+sidebar

June 3,2025 The Personality of My Home 14 Years Later

 Hi!

Thank you for dropping by.

I hope and pray that all your plans and wishes will be blessed with favor and joy.

I just finished reading my blog of May 2011, The Personality of My Home.

My first born at that time was 8 and I was expecting for the 2nd one to arrive.

She was surely coming via Cesarean Section, it was just a matter of choosing a date at that time.

14 years later and here we are...

My laptop is on a round Ikea Black table.

On it's left is a small flower pot of yellow daisies ( not real) but surely looks so.

I see my Boston Fern in the left side corner of our home. 

While outside my window, I see the puffy round pink Hydrangea, a gift from the girls for Mother's Day.

Outside, the trees are lush with green leaves.

Early this morning, I saw a flock of Canada Geese flying in a straight line, not a V  formation, quacking loudly.

The front and back lawn are filled with Dandelions in white puffy balls...requiring the needed attention of the girls to mow.

My living area and dinning area wall is decorated  with this very cheap  folded paper fan bday round decors in various colors.

It amuses me no end. 

It somehow lifts me up and gives a feeling of buoyancy for some reason.

Bouncy paper balls?

I dunno.

Anyway, there is much to maintain but so many things to be grateful for instead .

Suffice it to say, the personality of my home is hopefully bringing good cheer and charm to all who enter it.

May God be praised for this gift.

 

Isidro Labrador

 Come Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of Thy Divine love, please send forth your Spirit Oh Lord Jesus, and it shall be created, and You Oh Holy Spirit of the Holy Trinity, shall renew the face of the earth starting with my thoughts, habits, decisions and words.

Mama Mary, Mother of God, please pray for us..

St. Joseph, terror of Demons, pray for us.

St, Isidro Labrador, patron saint of farmers , pray for us.

** ***

This morning, I woke up feeling so cool. I at once continued my task of last night which is 2/3rd done now.

Our great and wonderful God Almighty, Creator of all things, showed me beautiful golden rays from our kitchen window...and later on, the beautiful ball of fire...I love how, it showered and kissed everything with it's yellow hue.

Now, it is drizzling steadily with accompanying thunder and lightning in the distance.

Thank you Lord Jesus so the brush fires in the nearby places will be totally extinguished.

** **

Today's Kerygma Daily Bible Reflection by Lella M. Santiago is very similar to my current circumstances with my walk with our Lord.

I am indeed like a two year old throwing a tantrum since I am experiencing a dryness in my prayer life.

Though how much and many times He shows me His great love for me and His many many consolations...I still focus on the negatives of life.

While walking around the house while praying my 2nd rosary for the day, I saw wonderful sights from the windows, making me really feel so lovely of the green trees, the white blossoms of a distant neighbors tree, the soon to bloom lilacs in our front yard!!!

Thank you Lord Thank you Lord.

My dream last night is another reminder that if I can see it in my mind, I will surely see it in my hands since nothing is impossible if  our Lord wills it.

Thank you Lord.

*** 

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27

R: Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

² The favors of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. ³ For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.” (R) ²¹ “I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, ²² That my hand may be always with him, and that my arm may make him strong.” (R) ²⁵ “My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him, and through my name shall his horn be exalted. ²⁷ He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the rock, my savior.’” (R)

** ***

John 13:18  jumped out to me!

The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.*

Betrayal, rudeness, rejections are normal fare for followers of Him, who was betrayed, insulted and rejected strongly.

Lord, I offer this instances and events to You, dispose them as you please, and may my words, actions and intentions give you back all the glory.

Mama Mary, please hold my hand as I walk with you and your Son Jesus Christ.

My Lord, my Savior and my leader.

** ***

Do you let Jesus take the lead in your personal relationship with Him? In what way?

How do you react when your prayers are not answered? Do you make your own golden calf instead of persisting in prayer?

In your current state of life, how are you being called to tell the story of Jesus?

*** 

I will be quoting Fr Eugene Fadul's reflection verbatim.

A Layperson among Spiritual Giants

A Facebook post emerged during the Feast of San Isidro Labrador: “Happy fiesta to half of the Philippines!” Indeed, the Feast of San Isidro Labrador is so famous in our country, and many parishes and chapels around the country have him as their patron saint. What made him so famous? This can easily be understood in our context because ours is an agricultural nation. We live from the fruits of the earth. Like many of the Filipinos, San Isidro was a farmer, and he used his humble status as a means to holiness. 

But we find many things in the life of this saint that teach us why he became famous. He was canonized on March 12, 1622, together with Sts. Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, and Philip Neri—all considered spiritual giants. San Isidro is the only layperson in the group. This shows that the Church has recognized this humble saint. This affirms that humility is the key to sanctity, as these five saints have followed Christ.

Further, San Isidro’s wife—Beata Maria de la Cabeza—is also beatified by the Church. There are only a few saints whose family members are also raised to the altar. This teaches us that holiness is not personal, but something that can and must be shared with others. 

The life and virtues of San Isidro Labrador remind us that the Gospel must be proclaimed anytime and anywhere. Like Saint Paul who was ready to speak about Jesus to places and people he encountered, San Isidro proclaimed the Gospel through his faithfulness to his work. He made God first in his life. Through this, San Isidro teaches us the path to holiness. Everyone is called to tell the story of Jesus, whatever their status in life is. You can become a saint! 

Fr. Eugene Fadul