January 3,2025 Gospel Reading Reflections

 Blessed, Bountiful New Year 2025!

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

Today's lay reflection is by Rissa Singsong Kawpeng.

She tells us of a very holy mission worker who was called to the next life after battling stage 4 cancer.

Prayers for his physical healing was not answered.

Reminds us of  God being God. He gives and He takes back on His perfect time.

Yesterday, I got two information of death of friends/relatives.

And a young  distant niece battling Meningitis.

My Father-in-law struggling with some prostate issues while in the hospital for a week now.

Lord Jesus, we continue to seek your tender Mercies and Graces, for complete and total healing of our love ones and friends as well as the eternal repose of those who passed on.

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Reflection questions:

What is Christian hope?

How can you be a pilgrim and ambassador of hope this new year?

** **

The reflections of Father Albert Garong SSP is very beautiful.

Please allow me to directly quote it:

Today’s readings remind us that we, Christians, walk along two timelines. For us, time is not just the forward passing of seconds (chronos), but also moments of divine opportunity, or God’s perfect timing (kairos).

“When the fullness of time had come,” says Paul in Galatians, “God sent His Son.” What is this fullness? Who can predict it? God’s time will always be a mystery to us. Such is the basis of our hope: that God has His own perfect time, which no one can predict or influence. His perfect wisdom, justice, and plans are not ours to control but ours to completely rely on, as Mary did, whose faith led her to say yes and believe that God’s timeline was more important than her own. 

As we put to action our carefully designed plans, may we look up to Mary, Mother of God and model of hope. Let us trust that whether it is the first day of the year, the middle of a difficult month, or near the end of another year where nothing seems to have gone our way, God’s interventions can happen anytime, anywhere, in ways unimagined, and always better than anything we could have anticipated. 

As we remain in God’s mysteries, we navigate life’s twists and turns, and ponder them with faith in our hearts. Like Mary and Joseph, we remain obedient to God’s commandments and stay close to the Church, so that when it is our turn to receive His invitation to what He has been preparing for us all along, we can also give our wholehearted yes. With this in our hearts and minds, Jubilee Year 2025 will surely be a pilgrimage of hope. May we radiate this hope so that others can be lifted up, too, by God’s perfect plan for them. Fr. Albert Garong, SSP

** ***

Today, I had an important Divine Appointment despite the fact that I woke up with a terrible head cold. My other plans for today were revised due to this.

I was not able to get up and prepare Ruel's lunch.

Despite the twists and turns experienced in my schedule and plans getting disrupted, I pause and  continue to pray for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, to have the grace to put my HOPE and CONFIDENCE in God's will and direction for my life as I continue to show up as a CHILD OF LIGHT to the world.

Thank you dear God for the graces to be able to do what is expected of me today and always.

Mary, Most Holy, My Mother, continue to pray for me.

St. Joseph, terror of demons, continue to pray and protect my family and me especially in the home we call in your honor.

** ***

I found this in youtube a few minutes ago. I claim all the prayers of breaking of financial curses in my life through this prayer of this person and in Jesus most Holy Name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHj_-iJLAFM&ab_channel=TaraMullarkey

** ***

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 98:1, 3-4, 5-6 (or Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6)

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

¹ Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) ³ All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. ⁴ Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R) ⁵ Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. ⁶ With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R)

Alleluia Alleluia

January 2,2025 Gospel Reflections

 Blessed New Year 2025!!!

Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the heart of Your faithful, please enkindle in me 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 world, starting with my thoughts, my habits, my decisions and my life.

Last night, Ruel and I had a nice chat at bedtime.

I now beg the Lord's Mercies and graces for these intentions to come into fruition in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, and through the powerful intercession of Mary, Most Holy Mother of God.

Here are today's gospel readings reflection questions for me to ponder on:

Are your troubles making you doubt yourself?

It is important for us to reflect on what it means to "abide in Jesus" (verse 28) as we live the Christian life. We need the strength and power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit to enable us to live this way of life. When we abide in Jesus, we gain His strength. Let us pray for the grace to dwell in Him and let Him dwell in us

Do you recognize the Holy Spirit’s work in your life?

How can you surrender to Him in a deeper way?

How have you blocked the Lord’s path recently by your words and actions?

Before I proceed, please allow me to identify and thank Bo Sanchez and his various ministries especially the Kerygma Daily Bible Reflection.

I have been receiving this most regularly for more than 30 years to my email.

The format is very nice.

It starts with the reflection of Bo Sanchez ( usually the first day of the month ) and other lay missionaries. Then each reading is given a introduction. Short but ever helpful in putting you in the right context of the scripture.

Then a priest gives his thoughts on the gospel readings with the applicable short prayers and reflection questions.

I continue to pray that Bo Sanchez and his various media tools be blessed more abundantly.

** **

The first reading asks us what a LIAR or who is one?

The psalms extol God as our savior at all times and that this will be made known to the ends of the earth.

The gospel tells us about John, the Baptist cousin of Jesus, who prepared the way for His coming and work.

** **

Am I a liar?

Do I engage in lies?

** ***

First question asks me if my troubles have made me doubt myself. I'd say, my self doubt and lack of confidence has put me in some trouble.

Thus, my challenge is to seek God's will in everything I do from the moment I wake up to the time I lay my head on my pillow at night...

Focus on His will and work, and the strength to do it first and foremost and have faith and confidence that everything will fall into place as He has shown me countless of times.

** **

I may have blocked the Lord's path recently by focusing on my own wants and desires.

The solution to this is to refocus on His Will, His work first...and all will fall into place.

My prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, please continue to guide me in seeking your will in my life as a wife, mother and  business person in the market place.

I know you LOVE me so much. Thank you.

I remain and abide in your care, protection and guidance as your child.

-JMJ-

AA

A Year in Review. Life Events Surfacing.

 

December 30, 2024

9:26am Central Time

It has been quite a long time now since I have sat down and written anything considerably satisfying for my own need to be heard and be of value.

Consider this my attention seeking if you may. You are free to think whatever you wish.

For me, this is my armchair psychotherapy.

Too many things in my head finding release.

Today is my dad’s death anniversary. I prayed one Rosary earlier for all our dearly departed relatives and friends asking God’s mercy upon them and His Perpetual Light shine upon them and may their souls rest in peace.

Year end default thinking...endings and beginning.

When is my own expiration date here on this earth?

Would it be tragic or peaceful?

Would it be sudden or welcome?

All these anxious thoughts I surrender at the foot of the cross of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, asking Him to cover it with His Most Precious Blood to release and cut away anxiety and sadness from my memories in mind and body so I can be free to live a life in fullness and wholeness and holiness.

Thank you Lord Jesus, thank you.

Today’s gospel reading tells us about the prophetess Anna who pointed to Jesus as the future source of redemption for the people of Israel and the world.

I, Anne, will now likewise do the same in the context of my experiences.

For the last Friday of Christmas week, Ruel and I decided to watch one movie. I chose Kevin Sorbo’s Left Behind.

Towards the end of the movie, my first born, Marina showed me a clip of another movie. It kind of hooked me despite the fact that it was of the horror genre...something I avoid like the plague.

With some bit of curiosity and courage, we started watching the movie: Nefarious.

Ruel was bored to death.

I was on the edge of my seat.

Marina was nonchalantly glued as well while holding on to her cellphone busy multi tasking.

After we were done, she suggested checking out Matt Fradd’s commentary on the movie.

I further researched on the writer and the book it was based on.

It somehow blew me away.

It somehow gave me another understanding of mental health and demonic possession, oppression and infestation.

Topics I want to deal with with a ten-foot pole.

But, here I am wanting to shed light on my key take away.

The line separating mental health challenges, like Schizophrenia and demonic possession is most probably as thin as a strand of hair.

Western medicine would pursue medication while my faith belief would seek spiritual deliverances and the sacraments.

I once again recalled my first hand experience with a demonic attack on one sister in the community of Single’s for Christ back in the mid-1990’s.

I was half-heartedly attending the Growing in the Spirit talk of a 16 week Christian Life Program which will prepare you to be a member of the young adult organization.

The speaker was the late Paulette Lirio, a full time mission worker who was based in Singapore prior to her just recent death.

So, while she was giving the talk, she tells us later, she had an impression that the participants were like “ white washed tombs, beautiful on the outside, but rotting inside.”

She was telling herself, something is not right here, because the participants were expected to be on fire with the previous week’s baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Mid-way to her talk, one of the sister in the outer hall/ entrance of the Divine Mercy Shrine in Maysilo, Mandaluyong City, was having some sort of emotional breakdown.

My attention was caught, when someone was yelling for help, while a group were struggling to bring this sister whom we shall call MAHAL ( not her real name,) to the main church on the 2^nd floor.

Confusion and chaos ensued.

I tried to figure out heads or tails of what was going on.

There was the nearby hospital, but these group thought it best to bring Mahal upstairs.

Later on, I learned MAHAL almost managed to PULL with her a handful of sisters and brothers to cross the busy street and almost got bumped by speeding vehicles away from the proper cross walk.

Fearfully I followed them.

Once there, I saw how MAHAL was like a crazy dog, lunging at people, 3 strong brothers were trying to hold her, but, they were failing miserably.

One sister would scream realizing rosary beads would be broken in the struggle.

I found myself leading the group in casting out the evil presence that was dominating MAHAL.

She leered at me. She attacked me. She called out to me in a manner of familiarity. As if she knew what I was thinking and that made me have a headache. As If she knew how unworthy, unprepared I was to battle with IT.

She behaved like a baby on another moment. As I screamed the script I picked up from movies. My hand almost touching her forehead.

She whimpered and curled up in a corner the next moment.

As she calmed down.

I told the group I was going to get more help downstairs.

With teeth chattering and my knees shaking, I met Paulette as she was quietly going upstairs to us.

Just out of the french doors, she hold both of my hands and says:

“The battle has been won. Have courage. Jesus has won this battle already. Gather some sisters, go infront of the tabernacle and keep praying. Not minding whatever you hear. Do not stop until I tell you to.”

Looking back as she finished her instructions, I saw MAHAL right behind the glass door, looking at us as if she was from a psycho movie and the rest of the sisters and brother’s once again attempting to restrain her because she had KILL & HATRED written in her expression.

After gathering some sisters to pray with me, I made sure, we used the opposite staircase.

The howling and screaming that we heard was something else.

Surreal.

After all the chaos, Paulette gathered all the service team and reminded us of our failures. Attempting to serve in the Lord’s work, while we forgot the basics of seeking the sacraments especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession prior to serving and empowering ourselves with the Eucharist.

The dreams I had prior to this event, what I saw right before I entered the Shrine’s perimeter wall were of the kind that warned me of things to come. Things that we already know as we attempt to remain children of the LIGHT, that the forces of DARKNESS will not give up without a FIGHT.

We are in a battle whether we like it or not.

We cannot remain lukewarm.

We have to choose sides and draw the line on the sand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5ydZO7yFUQ&ab_channel=NOMAD2

Gospel | Luke 2:36-40

Anna dedicated the remaining years of her life to serving God in prayer. May we follow her example as our situations permit. There are moments when we can call to mind the needs of the Church and intercede for God’s people. Let us pray that our hearts go out to praying for and serving our brothers and sisters. 

Gospel Acclamation

A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. Today a great light has come upon the earth. 

³⁶ There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, ³⁷ and then as a widow until she was eighty four. She never left the temple, but worshipped night and day with fasting and prayer. ³⁸ And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. ³⁹ When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. 

---

Reflect:

How has God brought along an “Anna” to confirm something in your life? How did this affect you? 

( Kerygma Daily Bible Reading/Reflections)

Who Inspired You to Keep on the Faith?

 

Guide questions based on Kerygma Family Daily Bible Reading and Reflections: https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2024-06-29

1.)“Sin is the wound, repentance is the medicine. Sin is followed by shame; repentance is followed by boldness . . . Satan has . . . given boldness to sin and shame to repentance.” (St. John Chrysostom)

“Lord, open my hands to receive Your gift of love. Amen.” (Henri Nouwen)

2.)Who is the leader in your family, at work, in community, in the Church who inspired you to keep on with the faith?

3.)Who do you say is Jesus? How do you become strong yet humble?

Heavenly Father, may my words of faith come from You. Amen.

** *

Last Thursday night, Friday morning in Philippine time, I interviewed my/our spiritual head in the community of Single’s For Christ circa 1994-2003.

The last time we met was back in 2017.

A handful of us met up with our leader couple.

He and his wife’s dedication to the work of evangelization has inspired me to keep the faith of being in active membership in a church based community.

He is now 67 years old and he still looks the same. His wife seems to have found the anti aging pill. She too seems to not have aged since the last time.

I marvel at the mirace workings of God’s provision and guidance in their lives.

They will be celebrating 44 years of being married.

Their youngest daughter will soon tie the knot and I remember meeting them by chance at Lourdes Hospital while they were leaving the hospital and I was doing my rounds as a medical rep 35 years ago.

I praise and thank God for being able to witness, in snipets, their family life and how they have overcome challenges while serving God in community life while being responsible for hundreds of young adults.

By the time they turned over their section of service, there were around 3000 active souls.

He is like a very proud father announcing to me the stature and lofty positions most batch mates are in now in global community of Couple’s For Christ.

I will be posting the video soon via youtube.

Dear Nanay Erlinda

 

May 10,2024

2:12pm

Dear Nanay:

It was Easter Sunday that you left us.

Evening for you guys in the Philippines, early Sunday morning for us here in North America.

It was so sudden!

Thank God, we were given the grace to see you in the U.S. last June 2023 before you returned to the Philippines for good after being in North America for more than 11 years.

It is so sad that you did not get the chance to visit us here in Canada.

Despite the harsh winter, Canada has a breathtaking beauty and when summer comes around, like now, you will appreciate the brightness of the color of the green grasses, the budding leaves of trees, the yellow gold of the sunshine, the refreshing blue of the skies with the puffy white clouds drifting by more.

Today, we remember your 40 days after your death here on earth.

The dates coincide with the beautiful moments of Easter and Ascension of Our Lord.

I will always honor you for bringing into this world the father of my daughters.

Thank you for all the countless sacrifices you have done for your own brood of 8 and growing number of  grandchildren.

Ruel has been  having dreams of you and Tatay a lot lately,

He remembers what you whispered into his ear when we surprised you in Fort Lauderdale in the wee hours of the morning....

We will treasure that as well as the trip to the beach, the pool at Tita Rev’s, the harvesting of manggoes, your cooking tirelessly for us and preparing all the pasalubong of atchara, the best!!!!

The girls and I will recreate your wonderful pandesal and spanish bread and atchara soon and will will recount all the love you have sent our way.

Please rest in peace knowing that you have been a wonderful wife to Tatay, loving mom to your 8 children, doting grandma to her apos and inspiring mother in law.

Thank you so much for everything you did for us.

Ni-Anne

Where or what is the rub?

 

May10,2024

11:48am

Come Oh Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, enkindle in us Oh Lord 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, starting with my mind, my thoughts, my hearts, my feelings, my body and my soul and the rest of my physical, social and economic enviroments.

Jesus, King of Mercy, I trust in You.

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of My Lord and Savior, please cover us with your blue mantle of protection, now and always.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

St. Damian of Molokai, please pray for us.

** ***

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for the beautiful messages via the lessons I had to take. Some of which are on repeat. Very slow learner here Oh Lord.

Thank you for the private victories and the public failures and shame that I have encountered recently.

Help me learn the lessons and apply them in my life in service of others, out of my LOVE for you and of others.

Please allow me to reflect on today’s Kerygma Daily Bible Reflection questions : https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2024-05-10

1.)How do you deal with the tension in your life? 

2.)Think about a past experience of deep suffering in your life. How did you overcome this with God? Thank Him for His grace.

3.)What have you asked from the Father that He has given you? How did you feel? 

For the first question, I abhor tensions. It is most uncomfortable. I try to relax and be calm, but, it is something I think I have to do trial and errors.

Deep breathing.

Meditation.

Practice they say, makes perfect...will see.

Let me define TENSION for me.

It is for me the presence of two opposing forces.

Example, as a parent/mother to my daughters, if i find that their beds are not made, there are power bar wrappers left on their pillows, with a trail of chocolate crumbs...it makes me almost fall into dismay.

This creates TENSION in me especially when I have to keep reminding them of not eating in their rooms or on their beds.

Another example of a recent tension for me, is when a mentor does not see the wisdom in my courses of action, explain as I may, she still refuses to see it my way.

2.) An experience of deep suffering

Today’s gospel reading from the book of John talks about a woman in labor pains.

Yesterday, on our way home from Vista, I share to my daughter who was driving for me, while we were stuck in traffic due to the many road repair, a photo I saw on FB. It showed cartoon drawings of 2 drinking glasses filled with water.

There was a person in each glass.

The caption was, this is how I meet life’s challenges.

One person was super struggling in trying to remain afloat, while the person on the other glass was happily floating on his back with arms flung back, hands cupping his head.

It made me laugh out loud since I was commiserating on my very recent flop.

It also reminded me of the mindset of half empty or half full glass.

Then, sometime last night, I chanced upon a saying, the same boiling water that makes egg hard, is the same temperature that softens a potato.

Whatever tension, struggles, hardships and pain that may come my way, I have the freedom to choose how it will affect me.

Shall it make me be defeated or shall I emerge a victor out of it?

There is the rub!

3.)

It has been one year now since we received the gift of this beautiful home we call in honor of St. Joseph. It has brought us so much joy.

As my youngest and I has some snacks earlier, we both marvelled at the beauty of the blue skies, and the white and dark clouds passing by as the strong wind blows then south ward.

So, yes, as we sit in our round dining table, we get a good view of the east and west windows, showing us how wonderful the blues, greens, and golden yellows of God’s magnificent creations.

My prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for bringing me the joy of your creation. You and God the Father are one and with the power of most Holy Spirit, I believe and claim FULLNESS OF JOY and LIFE overflowing to all of my activities and intentions, now and always.

May The Force Be With You, Anak!

 

May 5,2024

8:26am

Come Oh most Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts of thy faithful, please enkindle in us the fire of Thy Divine love, send forth Your Spirit, and it shall be created, and You Oh Lord shall renew the face of the earth, starting with my mind, my thoughts, my heart, my body and my soul and the rest of my immediate enviroment and areas of influence.

Jesus, my lord and my Savior, I put my hope and trust in You.

Mary, the Mother of my God, pray for us. Ave Maria.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

St. Michael, the Arcangel, defend us in battle.

St. Padre Pio, pray for us.

St. Charbel Maklouf of Lebanon, pray for us.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

St. Mother Teresa, pray for us.

** *** **

Dear Mari:

You are now 21 years young.

I thank and praise Our Lord Jesus Christ, for the grace to be able to see you at this stage of your life.

I will never forget the first time I laid my eyes on you!!! You are such a beautiful gift!

We stared wide eyed at each other, me groggy from the aneasthesia, you, just seeing the world for the first time.

The nurse was planning to whisk you off right away.

I had to remind them to put you skin to skin on me.

It was such a heavenly experience.

The first time I held you in my arms was a few hours later...

The struggle to get up after a C section was forgotten, as soon as the nursery attendant gave you to me.

We had some initial challenges in nursing you. But, soon, the minutes turned into hours...if I am not mistaken, I was there with you from 7am to almost past 1pm.

I didnt like to let go of you.

That is why I decided to room you in the hospital.

Oh, you were so frustrated that we could not get the latching and milk production right.

There were so many trial and errors with you as your mom.

Thank you for forgiving me/us your parents for the many times we failed you.

How time flies indeed, right now, you are testing your wings.

You are almost ready to make more choices like a young adult.

Always remember, you need not make the same mistakes I did or we did as your parents.

Do not rush into things too much.

I see that you like speed.

It can be exhilarating...but, learn how to work within certain parameters that are set or designed to keep us safe and life giving.

Yesterday, on our way to Lilli’s Manitoba Honor Band concert, I noticed that my Hoskas are now sprouting.

So happy!

I was worried that they would not break soil after winter.

I thought that they did not survive our first winter here in Bahay ni San Jose.

But they seemed to be on good ground.

The same way, I know and am confident, that you are set on a firm foundation with your faith. I trust that you will seek our Lord’s counsel in the many small and big choices you are going to make.

It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will guide you in making the right choices.

I consecrate you and your life to our Lady and her most Immaculate Heart.

Thank you for the many times you surprise me with your awesomeness!!!

Victoria Marina, you are such a beautiful child!

You will always be  loved!

Mama *