Catholic Gospel Readings for February 16,2026

Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, enkindle in us the fire of Your Divine Love, send forth your Spirit and it shall be created, and You Oh Lord, shall renew the face of the earth

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Today's gospel readings as taken from Kerygma Family 

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2026-02-16

My audio recording of it:

https://youtu.be/2ofoc_eOgVQ

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Reflection question:

What are you hungry for?

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I hunger for the faith and confidence of a mustard seed that as I seek my good Shepherd's hand and guidance in my life as THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, I may achieve my God mission on this earth.

I hunger for a grateful heart that no matter what struggles I may face, I will remain thankful to Our Lord's generosity.

Happy Birthday Jane Steubing

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, enkindle in us the fire of Your Divine Love, send forth Your  Spirit, and it shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.

** ***

Today is Louie Riel Holiday.

It is also my dear friend's Jane's birthday.

I will honor her with photos of her Christmas Home. This past Christmas, she admitted to going a bit low key in her decorations. She usually goes all out.

It is a marvel still to see her beautifully decorated home and eat her wonderful food for Christmas dinner.

A tradition we always look forward to each December since 2021.

I continue to pray to our Lord Jesus for her to continued blessings of good health, mental strength and her many projects this year and beyond.

Here are some photos:

Feb.10,2026

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of Your Divine Love, send forth Your Spirit Oh Lord, and it shall be created, and You Oh Lord, shall renew the face of the earth.

** ***

Today's gospel readings as taken from Kerygma Family Daily Bible Reflections:

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2026-02-10

My audio recording for added convenience:

https://youtu.be/9HDXiMqUNNQ

** **

It is my eldest sister's birthday today. She is the 2nd of 9.

I have been meaning to write about her as a way of honoring her and her presence in our life.

Her nickname is taken from her almond light brown eyes.

Her Christian name is from a saint and a flower.

I am not sure anymore of mom and dad's  reasons behind naming her.

Among all of us, she and the first born were born in Lourdes Hospital in V.Mapa, Kalentong, Mandaluyong City.

I wished that our birth certificate was similar to theirs.

They had their footprint stamped on it.

All the rest of us were born in Brent hospital along Cawa-cawa boulevard, facing the  Basilan Strait and  Sta. Cruz island, a favorite swimming destination for us with pink coral sands.

Hazel is the most fashionable and photogenic among us.

She took up Fine Arts at the College of the Holy Spirit in Mendiola.

She had loads of suitors.

She has stepped up many many times to be the best older sister to the rest of us.

I remember her taking time off work so she could accompany me to Ayala Avenue in Makati City for my interviews in the head office of Bank of the Philippine Islands.

I remember being a bit scared of riding the bus.

She would send me stuff or sew me skirts and blouses when I was in high school.

I will always treasure the Penny Loafers with Tassle I was so happy to wear for my junior and senior year in High School.

I will never forget the Pink Balloon skirt with wide pockets she sewed for me with a white blouse with  pastel colored ribbons as buttons behind it. Pink, Blue, Yellow and Lavender. I wore it to a dance presentation to the song of Cindy Lauper, She Bopped!

I remember borrowing most of her clothes.

My most favorite memory is wearing her bridesmaid gown for one debut dance I attended in the Bernad Subdivision homes.

I felt every bit a princess in that gown.

It was designed and made by Patis Tesoro.

She and I have long conversations together a lot.

Thank God for technology.

She recently accomplished something very big for our family last year.

I was telling her just last week, it was like moving heaven and earth, but, with God's extra grace, she was able to accomplish it.

Something, I would not have exceeded her excellence given the same situation.

May St. Scholastica, the sister of St Benedict, intercede for all your intentions and for your unica and husband.

May your be blessed more and more.

Sorry for sharing your photo of your flying in the skies with a glider without your permission.

I was just super happy for you.

Anyhow, thanks for  calling me out on that.

** ***

Western Mindanao State University high school (orange) uniform.

Years in Dubai.

                                                                  With her Unica Hija

                                                                          Christmas 1966

( all photos grabbed from her facebook account, still without permission! When will I learn?)

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Reflection questions from Kerygma:

As you work on your interior life, focus more on the Lord rather than yourself?

What teachings and traditions of the Church distract you from remaining focused on loving Jesus and your neighbor as you love yourself?

How do you nurture your inner self?

** ***

My prayer:

Lord, Jesus Christ,  thank you for the gift of family. Thank you for the love and care we get from your through them. Thank you Lord Jesus for our parents. May your LIGHT shine upon them and may dad and mom and all our ancestor's soul's rest in peace. May your peace heal all hurts, wounds and division and may we continue to seek Your will in our lives! Grant us your graces and tender mercies to be able to fulfill them in our lifetime. Grant us also a happy, healthy senior years and a happy peaceful death when our time comes. Mama Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, please pray for us.

Ave Maria!

Nueve de Pebrero

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, enkindle in us the fire of Your Divine Love, send forth Your Spirit Oh Lord, and it shall renew the face of the earth.

** ** **

Today's gospel reading taken from Kerygma Daily Family Reflection:

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2026-02-09

My audio recording for another option:

https://youtu.be/EWi7xpJNNU8

** ***

Today, I dedicate my blog to Father Gerry Sembrano, our  former parish priest in St. Emile Parish Church, in the south part of Winnipeg.

We discovered this beautiful church building because of the MFC Youth activity of my first born.

She was the one who said it might just be the church I was looking for.

When we newly landed here in Canada, we would go far and wide for Sunday masses which was scarce during those pandemic days.

 I had a face to face Sacrament of Reconciliation with Father Gerry himself.

It ushered the dusting off  cobwebs in the dark night of my  body and soul.

Last Saturday, on our way out of the door for our M.P.A. or MFC monthly prayer assembly, I remembered the Facebook notification of coming birthdays. I said, grabbing on the last minute some birthday stuff.

I told Marina that Father Gerry would surely be greeted  and we must be ready with some cake sparklers and candles.

Mari brought home earlier that day a small lemon chiffon cake which was plainly covered with cream icing.

She was totally unaware of the plan. She had different plans for the afternoon and evening. Ruel and I forced her to come.

But, it was for the best, she found herself handing the simple cake to Father Gerry.

The two other cakes presented to Father were beautifully decorated.

I told Mari, that the simple theme of the  plain cake was  timely applicable to Father Gerry's talk on  Son and Daughters of Gods.

He reviewed with us why we should place our identity on that first and not be so attached to the world's standards of identity, like income, size of our home or the brand names we bear on our clothes or shoes or the level of education attained.

By virtue of our baptism, we are adopted sons and daughters of Our Great God, the Father Almighty, the one who created heaven and earth.

We all bear His image and likeness.

We have the mandate to not hide this or be ashamed or guilty of this.

As salt and light to the world, we must continue to proclaim this with our words and deeds.

Again,  Happy Happy 59th Birthday Father Gerry! Thank you for being a very faithful shepherd and pastor to us.

** ***

How are you being salt and light to others?

Which area of your life do you need God’s healing power? Cry out in faith to Him today.

How desperate are you to receive God’s healing and miracles?

** **

O Lord, let us behold beauty not in mere form, but in the hearts that beat with Your love. May our lives shine with kindness, compassion, and grace—a reflection of Your divine presence. Guide us to weave both inner and outer beauty into a tapestry of faith, radiant with Your eternal light. Amen

February 3,2026

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of thy Divine Love, send forth Your Spirit Oh Lord, and it shall be created, and You Oh Lord shall renew the face of the earth.

** ***

Today's Catholic Gospel readings from Kerygma Family :

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2026-02-03

My audio recording of it for your listening convenience:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnFulSsrY7I

*** ***

Today's reading is planting the seed of hope and faith in me once again.

The healing of the woman suffering from hemorrhage. Suffering for many years. Just a touch of Jesus cloak restored her into good health and wholeness.

It reminds us of how Jesus called Jarius  12 year old daugter back from the dead.

Thank you Oh Lord Jesus for this beautiful reminder that You are our way maker!

Our Lord who is in the business of making miracles and restoration.

Thank You Lord.

I put my trust in  You.

*** 

My reflections based on the Kerygma question.

What are your prayer requests to God at the moment? How is God answering them?

I pray for complete and total healing of my injured knees and sciatica.

Thank You Lord Jesus.

I pray for restoration of what the evil one has stolen, destroyed and killed.

Finances, relationships and health.

Thank you Lord Jesus. Thank you.

Marvelous Monday Feb.2,2026

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of Your Divine Love, send forth Your Spirit Oh Lord, and it shall be created, and You Oh lord, shall renew the face of the earth.

** ***

It is the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple.

Here is the Kerygma Family Daily Reading:

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2026-02-02

Here is my audio recording of the scripture readings for convenient listening:

https://youtu.be/2OXGpa65xWM

** **

Reflections based on the guide questions of Kerygma Family Daily Reading:

What is God’s Spirit asking you to do today?

The Holy Spirit of the Triune God is asking me to do first things first.

He is also asking me to look further in the Jewish feast of Tu B'Shevat.

It is a time of the Hebrew Calendar where one stops to observe, admire and value the trees and nature around us.

Tu means 9.

B means 6.

9+6 = 15 so it is 15th of Shebat. For this year, it falls from the evening of Feb.1 and ends at sunset of Feb.2.

It coincides with the Catholic Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus

Recently, I encountered this very short video focusing on the first line of Genesis.

It translates each word in Hebrew and it's Greek and Roman derivatives.

It expounds that the first line of  " In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." shows words pertaining to Jesus, who was referred to as a tree.

He actually died on the tree for the salvation of mankind.

He is the word that became flesh for this reason.

And as He was presented in the temple, Simeon, a temple elder saw the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Thank You Lord Jesus for the grace you have blessed me to believe in YOU despite the fact that my eyes have not seen you in flesh and blood.

I believe I have you present in the Eucharist each Sunday mass worship and sacrifice.

Thank you.

Lord, help me to silence the noise around me so I can hear You. Move in my heart and guide me in Your ways. Amen.

** **

In your encounters, do you reflect the transformative love Pope Francis speaks of? Do you meet others with humility, embracing the hunger for truth, belonging, and connection that unites us all?

Truth be told, Pope Francis, may he rest in peace, is not so dear to me.

His ambiguous remarks has made me confused and quite lost.

His document on Amoris Leiticia has a lot of vague teachings which run counter to certain beliefs in our faith.

He had removed a lot of conservative cardinals from their posts that left me quite sad and frustrated.

So, I may be lacking in humility since  I do not subscribe to his endorsement of weird  Nativity artists in the Vatican, allowing Pachamama idols to be venerated , lack of fidelity to the truth of solid Church teachings that disconnect me from him...I pray for him and the current Pope Leo.

I strive to remain faithful to Christ Teachings as found in the Catechism and  Magisterium.

** ***

Lord, open our hearts to listen with compassion and see the shared yearning for truth in every soul we meet. May our every encounter mirror Your love.

Twenty Four Going on Fifty

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of Your Divine Love, send forth Your Spirit Oh Lord, and it shall be created, and You Oh Lord, shall renew the face of the earth.

** **

Today's gospel readings from Kerygma Family Daily Bible Reflections:

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2026-01-30

My audio recording of it for easier listening option:

https://youtu.be/bRWBhfe2QWg

** ***

Today, Ruel and I celebrate 24 years of married life.

I would not characterize it as wedded bliss at all.

On the contrary, the trail of trials that had come our way would classify it as messy, turbulent, explosive and almost near ripping apart.

But, over-all, the grace of God, the author of this institution, gave us the ability to decide on saying YES each and everyday.

I would not claim any  singular  big contribution to the union.

I would however honor and point out the super human strength Ruel has exerted in choosing to love me.

Me, who struggles with loving my own person.

I would have long divorced myself if I were in his position.

Thank God he has not.

Praise God, that despite the differences we have, that has become more pronounced through the years, we continue to believe in each other and work hand in hand to our final breath and beyond.

We ask for the merciful love and grace of Our Lord, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE.

We thank God for  family and friends around us who have helped pray for us and shown us the way.

Our faith based communities, the Missionary Families of Christ (MFC) and  the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP)

We thank our leaders and elders.

We honor our  Tatay Rupito Espinoza.

We remember our departed parents, Calixto and Luisa de Leon, Erlinda Espinoza.

We honor and pray for all of our ancestors. 

We also remember office mates who have become family through the years.

We remember our Marriage Preparation group from Our Lady of the Rosary church in Doha, Qatar.

Ally and Susana.

My Doha BFF, Elma.

Our neighbors in Wayan st. ( dulo) in Mandaluyong City.

Our Marriage Encounter prayer group in Mandaluyong City.

Our Single's for  Christ 1994 and 2000 leaders especially our wedding sponsors, Boy and Nini Mendoza.

My online retreatant friends for the Consecration to Mary and St. Joseph groups especially Pia Aspillaga.

Thank you sis Julie Chua.

Thank you to those who have touched our lives briefly but have lasting effects, Jeanette Yu-Chua.

Our EasyCall Communication Ltd  office mates and dear friends.

Agnes Cruz

Ma. Theresa Abutal

Gigi Brocal

Our Primerica financial services family.

Our online Rosary devotion groups.

Our Legion of Mary groups.

All the priests that blessed us.

Father Ani Xavier.

Father Gerry Sembrano.

Father G.J. Kingsley

Our CEFAM Pre Cana course team and batch mates in Ateneo University.

Our many classmates in elementary, high school and college.

Jane Uson-Mamauag thank you.

Our good neighbors here in Canada, St. James area.

My bff Ma Elena "Trixie" Feliciano who has known me since Legion of Mary days in Our Lady of Fatima, Mandaluyong City  in the very early 1990's.

My Singles for Christ 1997 household group members, Nanette de Asis, Dadah Montances, Bo Escarilla, Mona Tundag.

We are who we are because of all your influence, help and prayers.

We continue to praise and thank Our Great God, Our Lord Jesus Christ for all is from His graces and mercies.

Mama Mary, the Mother of Our God, Ave ! Ave Maria! Totus Tuus.

Thank you Mari for the yummy cake and the encouragement to take these photos.

Thank you Lilli for the early home lunch time date we had yesterday and your eagerness to plan our simple celebration together with Mayo's 11th birthday.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2: 1-4)

January 29,2026 Thursday

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of thy Divine love, send forth Your Spirit Oh Lord, and it shall be created, and You Oh Lord, shall renew the face of the earth.

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Today's gospel readings in audio format for easy listening:

https://youtu.be/qhgGrt3I44w

The Kerygma Family Daily Bible Reflections version:

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2026-01-29

Reflection questions:

How has God’s grace carried you through?

It has all been His wonderful, merciful grace that has been sustaining me lately.

When the back pain gets to be too much to bear...I am at times able to remember to give it back to Him. Offer it to Him.

For Him to use.

Some say, He might use it to release some souls in purgatory.

So be it.

I pray further for the grace not to complain or be anxious.

Again, easier said  ( or written) than done...

But, I resolve to place my faith and trust in Him and His Son's most sacred Heart.

How are you allowing your light to shine in your daily life? Are you revealing the goodness of God through your actions, or is your light hidden away?

Last Sunday, while we were waiting for the surprise party to start...I was inspired to quote the Sunday's gospel readings, a quote from it on my FB page.

I felt the gospel so much alive when Father Eric Giddins was giving his homily.

It was so refreshing and energizing.

A good friend saw me in the youtube broadcast of the 9am mass.

So, I said to myself, what the heck, let me let God's light shine through my Sunday and my FB post.

Here is the link of the mass:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa2EMnwJHLI

So, thus, there will be no doom and gloom for those who are suffering.

This I claim in Jesus most mighty name.

January 28,2026

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of Your Divine Love, send forth your Spirit Lord, and it shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.

** **

Today is my mom's 25th death anniversary. She would have turned 90 this year.

Last Saturday, a good friend shared to us her experience of loss and grief over the recent death of her brother.

She relates that during one instance, she felt a touch on her back and when she turned to see who just poked her, there was no one.

Then after a while a tug on her shirt by her side.

Again, no one was there.

Her mom also experienced some sign that the just departed love one was still around.

Another good friend just messaged me in fb chat, that her sweet husband Rolly would show up in her dreams as if he was still alive.

These  are all within 40 days of their passing.

My mom too had several moments where I felt that she was still there.

I felt two poking on my back as well, during one novena mass for her at Pinaglabanan Church, San Juan, Metro Manila.

On the first instance, I turned around to see, no one was near me enough to reach me easily.

The pew chairs were massive, and the distance was more than an arm's length. And my family members were all scattered loosely and  distant to each other.

Then it happened again. I looked around some more.

Church goers were beyond 5 feet away.

Mom made sure that I felt her so I will oblige to show and greet people around me the sign of peace.

I was not inclined to since I was still bristling from a recent friction over  some painful words hurled at me.

When Valentine's day came, mom gave me the most wonderful goodbye.

I don't have A.C. in my room. It can get hot and humid a lot so, covering up in blankets is not really a welcome thought when my head falls on my pillow...but, the following morning as soon as I opened my eyes, first thing I saw was my cabinet doors being wide open.

The night before I made sure my office uniform was hanging on both cabinet door handles by the hanger hook. But, how could it be opened so wide then?

There was no lose hinges or anything.

Then, I further realized that the blanket was lovingly tucked smoothly and nicely around my torso.

If I may have reached for it during the night unknowingly, it would have been haphazard, not, perfectly done as if someone did it so carefully and  with much love.

Then after a year, when I was pregnant with Marina, and I was due to give birth, she banged the rosary case beside me so I will wake up and bring myself to the hospital right away.

I was having  super bad headache for several days.

Unknowingly, released my amniotic fluid already 3 days back.

I thought I was just not able to hold my pee.

My plan was to wait till my next schedule weekly check up on the Monday coming.

It was a Sunday when she woke me up with a bang.

Prior to it, I had to wake up Ruel thinking that an insect was brushed on my foot while we were sleeping.

Yes, it was summer. And it was hot. My feet were uncovered.

Ruel had to get up and turn on the lights and check.

Then as I was about to fall asleep, KAPOW! 

I immediately thought, Ok mom, yes, I am going to the hospital now.

She knew her granddaughter  and I were already in danger.

So, we were whisked straight away to Intensive Care Neonatal unit at Saint Luke's.

Thank you mom, thank you.

** ***

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2026-01-28

How open are you to truly listening and accepting God’s Word in your life, even when it challenges you?

Still a work in progress.

Forgiving and letting go and letting God is still very challenging to do.

My prayer:

Lord Jesus, you died such a horrible and humiliating death so that I can have my sins wiped out if I ask forgiveness from You.

Please grant me the grace I need to know and believe You Love me so much and that I am redeemable.

I remember the people who have hurt me lately. I ask Lord Jesus to cover them, the situation and me with your most precious blood so that we may all be healed and released from the prison of pride, ego and  indifference.

Mama Mary, pray for us.

Mom, watching us having fun as we were setting up for our after party party in the Pombuena Apartment garage for our 4 year post high school reunion.

Mariano Rubio, Amrita Rhoda, Claire Augustine, Jane Uson, Edgar Buray, Luke Cabalit, baby sis Peaches.

Come to think of it the guys on the right are all in Canada.

Edgar in Toronto, Luke in Montreal.

Wait, more photos. Sorry, kinda blurry...

Here is one photo of mom in her Terno during my paternal grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary.

Salt and Caramel Weekend!

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, enkindle in us the fire of thy Divine love, send forth your Spirit Oh Lord, and it shall be created, and You Oh Lord, shall renew the face of the earth.

** ***

Today, despite the dry needling done to me yesterday morning, the back pain is still there, But, it is much less in severity and gravity.

The whole day yesterday, I felt so good. The dry needling was a bit uncomfortable but tolerable.

My physio therapist says one more dry needling and will see what will be next.

I pray to Padre Pio and St. Charlbel to please intercede for me powerfully to Our Most Divine healer, that  I may experience complete and total healing of this SCIATICA and over extended right knee.

** **

Today's Kerygma Family Daily Bible Readings and Reflections:

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2026-01-27

My thoughts and reflections on it:

How can you show greater love and unity to your brothers and sisters in faith, especially those who may think or believe differently from you?

I will first of all pray for them. Offer my rosary devotional prayers for them, their needs and intentions.

Then, I will try my best to show them good regard. I will not lean on my own understanding of  what or how they regard / ignore / reject me in many subtle ways.

I will love them from a distance while surrendering my mind, emptying it off negativity while claiming the Peace from Christ, my Lord and my Saviour.

FURTHER REFLECTION POINTS FROM KERYGMA:

God’s family is not defined by blood relations but by those who do the will of God. If we want to follow Jesus, we need to follow Him all the way.

Lord, teach me to have a humble heart so I may follow You. Amen.

“Obedience is a consecration of the heart, chastity of the body, and poverty of all worldly goods to the love and service of God. Blessed indeed are the obedient, for God will never permit them to go astray.” (St. Francis De Sales)

Kerygma prayer:

Loving Father, You have called us to be one family. Please bless us with the unity we deeply long for. May our hearts be filled with compassion and our lives guided by Your will, so that we may follow Jesus’ example in everything we do. Amen.

** ***

Despite the challenges of  minimal sleep due to the pain experienced due to my SCIATICA, the weekend was very full.

There was a prayer meeting Friday night with leaders in BCBP.

Saturday morning, I was up at 3am to prepare food and final cleaning of the house for our MFC household meeting at 12 noon.

Sunday saw us going to 9am mass at the nearby Our Lady of  Perpetual Help Parish Church while the girls had reading duties at Holy Cross Parish  12 noon while we attended a wonderful birthday surprise.

It was so refreshing to see the siblings and wife and kids of this noble and super down-to-earth person be honored and celebrated on his 55th birthday.

The short speech of the sister Lourdes almost made me teary eyed.

The mom's short words very powerful.

The singing of the couple one of their favorite karaoke songs was so sweet and spicy! Kaliente!

The previous day was their 27th year wedding anniversary. What a nice back to back special event!

I would have wanted to stay on till the last bit of food was stowed away, but we had to run.

I would have wanted to sing a long and dance too...thanks to the adrenaline rush now and then, I am able to and yes, motion is lotion.

** **

Thank you dear God for your merciful love.

** **

Some photos:

Salt and Caramel cake lovingly made by my dear friend Gloria De Guzman of Kilbride Ave with contact numbers: 431 788 8719.

The birthday celebrant  hugging his mom while beautiful wife Che-che is to his side.

Happy Birthday brother Da-da!55 more birthdays and wedding anniversaries to come!!!

January 20,2026 Tuesday

 Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of Your Divine Love, send forth Your Spirit Oh lord and it shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.

** ***

I see the flashing lights of the garbage truck just pick up our trash in the backlane.

It is 7:49am and the skies are still dark blue.

I met a lady last Saturday, who stays in the one of the northern territories.

She has experienced  limited daylight there from 11-2pm.

Wow, that must be a nice experience the wonder of nature and it's lack or excess of  sunlight.

So, yes, coming to the northern hemisphere has made me realize that, the sun does not always rise and set in the east and the west.

Quite a mind altering concept which has it's strong resistance in me.

Being born and lived almost half a century of my life close to the equator, that is a fact of life.

I know where in the horizon the sun will show up each morning and where it will hide at dusk.

In today's gospel readings, I read about Samuel being instructed by God to no longer consider Saul, the anointed King.

In my service to the Lord, I prefer not to hitch my loyalty to the head of the organization or group, but to God himself.

It does not mean, I will not honor and respect the head, no.

Time and time again, leaders have shown their imperfections...the success of the organizations goals are not dependent only on their own merits and efforts.  It is all about the Mercy and Grace of our Great God, whom we serve.

After all, it is Him and His will and mission for us, that we serve and seek.

Not our own.

The discernment and leadings of the Most Holy Spirit may work in the most mysterious ways.

In the case of King David, he was not the first born son of Jesse. Samuel searched for him down the offspring line. He was the last born.

So, the last may be made first. 

** ***

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2026-01-20

reflect

How often do you find yourself prioritizing your own schedules and plans over the needs of those around you? What steps can you take to be more attentive to the suffering of others?

Aside from hearing Mass, how do you spend your Sundays? In what way do you honor this day of rest?

How do you balance caring for your body and soul in your daily life?

My prayer:

Lord, I praise and thank You Lord for your Mercy and Graces...Thank you for the gifts of the sacraments.

Thank you for your provisions of nourishment for body and soul.

Thank you for blessing the work of our hands.

Thank you for arranging our schedules so that we can serve the needs of others.

Thank you Oh Lord Jesus for the wisdom and guidance of Your Most Holy Spirit.

Frank Padilla

 

January 16,2026

7:50pm CT

 

Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of Your Divine Love. Please send us your Spirit Oh Lord, and it shall be created, and You Oh Lord, shall renew the face of the earth.

 

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I spent a good portion of my nap time today listening and dozing off to The Shawn Ryan podcast as he interviews Fr. Dan Reehil .

 

The mentioned church abuse of children by priests attracted to young boys was quite alarming but no longer shocking.

 

A lot of people reject anything to do with faith and the church.

 

Organized religion is more of a scandal than anything else.

 

Ruel and I and the girls have been members of the evangelistic community of MFC or Missionary Families of Christ since 2000.

 

The elders were Supreme Court of the Philippines directed to desist from using the original name last 2019.

 

So, what was my experience being a Catholic and a member of this organization?

 

Let us work back.

 

My dad and mom were invited to become members during the early 1990’s.

 

A few years before that, my maternal Aunt, informed my mom of some changes in a long time evangelistic community that they were active in Manila. We were  in the province thus, were not part of it.

 

It was Ligaya ng Panginoon. ( Translated as The Joy of the Lord.) Which also broke away from Lingkod ng Panginoon ( Service of the Lord.)

 

These were the tidbits of info I gathered in the late 80’s while I was still in college.

 

Then, when, our family relocated to Metro Manila, they were invited in the Mandaluyong City area.

 

I would get to see the mimeographed papered newsletter called UGNAYAN regularly.

 

I loved reading the penned words of the leader then, Frank Padilla.

 

When a Single’s for Christ CLP or Christian Life Program invite was presented to my older sister Jennie. I thought of inviting myself along.

 

The San Roque church was almost filled to the brim. All pews seated.

It was once a week talks for 16 weeks. It was on a Saturday evening.

 

I think I completed most of them.

 

The final graduation day  was fun. We prepared presentations complete with black light.

 

It was held in the auditorium of  The Mandaluyong Mental Institution along Nueve de Pebrero.

 

 I was super active from 1994-1997.

 

I would catch glimpses of the leader , Francisco “ Frank” Padilla a handful of times.

 

I saw him trekking with us in Batangas in the Taal ridge.

 

I saw him in Bohol during a conference. The only one I attended. Thanks to my sister Jennie sponsoring my trip.

 

By 2000 ,I was ready to move on.

 

Ruel joined the CLP for Singles for Christ as a pre requisite for our serious relationship.

 

Then when we got married, we joined the CLP for married couples in 2002.

 

We belonged to 2 household group leaders.

 

Jojo and Tricia Espiritu, who became godparents to our first born Marina.

 

Roger and Lorna Melegrito were our 2^nd  household leaders.

 

We trooped to Baguio for a conference with Marina in tow with our 2^nd group.

 

By 2007, tectonic cracks  sprung out.

 

The  Gawad Kalinga project was a success in optics, but, conflict of interest with major sponsors  came clashing,  turning everything  inside out.

 

I was able to attend clarification meetings in Christ the King Church in Green meadows.

 

My Single’s for Christ household head, Monette delos Reyes tagged me along.

 

Listening to the talks, we preferred to do our own decision without coercion or force.

 

Ruel and decided to go with the break-away group of  Frank Padilla.

 

But since, Ruel was leaving for Qatar, we decided to take a leave from the community.

 

We were introduced to Marriage Encounter groups in the interim.

 

It was only when we got to Qatar that  the Servant leader there, bro. Joseph and sis Liza Caccam, spotted us in the Holy Rosary Church and invited us back.

 

It was during this period   I got to meet  Bro. Frank Padilla and wife Sis. Gerry up close after all the years.

 

He still had the soft spoken personality that  radiated a holiness that I saw before. The light of Christ was evidently there.

 

One Single’s for Christ batchmate noted that I looked at the head  of organization first. I was titular inclined he claims.

 

I was not sure how to react when he said that.

 

But, looking back and celebrating the life of  brother Frank Padilla, I daresay disagree, it was more of seeing CHRIST in him more than anything else.

 

Reading all the testimonies written about him, watching video eulogies by his family especially, during his passing last Christmas eve, confirmed the decision we made in choosing the leader we wanted to follow.

 

One who closely followed Christ teaching in a most radical way.

 

He chose to remain quiet despite the attacks made to his name .

 

Quite a feat to do!!!

 

So, if there is  only one quality to choose for in a leader, it is precisely that. Christ’s meekness and humility shining through more than anything else.

 

 October 2017 Echo Conference in Doha. Frank Padilla in cream jacket. Center.

https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/missionary-families-of-christ-founder-frank-padilla-dies-at-79/

 

 Today's reflection by Fr. Joel Jason is precisely talking about leaders and leadership. Please allow me to copy paste his exact words:

In today’s First Reading, we read the account of Israel demanding that Samuel anoints a king for them. Samuel was grieved by their request, but God—who never forces His sovereignty on anyone—instructed Samuel to give in to it. 

God respected Israel’s request, but not without a clear warning how earthly kings would abuse their power and ultimately the whole nation. Read verses 11-18 and you will see a long list of the abuses God prophesied that earthly kings would commit. But Israel was not deterred. The response of the people was arrogant as it was chilling: “No! But we are determined to have a king over us” (v. 19).

The rest of Israelite history validated God’s prophesy. Israel indeed suffered from the hands of corrupt and abusive kings. Even David, one of the few good kings of Israel and whom Scriptures described as “a man after God’s own heart,” would later be overcome by his own moral failings.

The Word of God affirms the legitimacy of earthly power and government. 

But God is the source of all power and authority: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1).

Biblical and secular history has been a witness to this. When power is exercised for its own sake, detached from God who is the Source of all power and authority, it becomes a dictatorship. Such power corrupts the one who wields it. Such power enslaves those governed by it. But when power is rooted in God, it is an exercise of stewardship and true pastoral leadership. Such power sanctifies the one who wields it. Such power liberates those governed by it. 

Fr. Joel O. Jason