Finding strength amid storm

 Who would have ever thought that amid life's adversities, we can find an oasis?  

When you experience storm after storm, you get immune to it. Oftentimes, you fail to recognize that you're still amid storm because you get used to it that it has become a part of you. What seems surprising is that you develop a positive outlook. You don't anymore fret the way you used to, no more grumbling, no more tears. You just accept every thing that life hurls on you. Consequently, you develop resiliency in the process. 

That's the beauty of having a strong faith in God. You never panic when  problems arise because you choose to remain silent, praying for God's mercy. You develop inner strength that comes from God because with God, nothing is impossible. You can survive even the most turbulent winds, the strongest storm because He is omnipotent, a merciful and loving Father, who shepherds His flock.

A grace-filled conference

 I dreaded about my health if I could still participate in an international conference abroad because I discovered having nodules in my lungs, symptomatic of a serious illness. But thanks be to God that I was able to go abroad and presented my co-authored research paper.  

Before leaving the Philippines, the thought of having a weak immune system haunted me for days. I feared having contracted  a viral disease because of my health condition. But thanks be to God, it never happened, I was able to attend a conference for three days without being afflicted by cough or cold. I was able to go back to my homeland too, healthy and strong. This I am thankful to God, for His grace and love of protecting and keeping me safe and healthy throughout my stay in a foreign land. Not only that, He also sent a person, a good navigator, who made everything easy for me in going from one place to another, making sure that we never lost track of our destination.  Hence, we don't have to worry about the uncertain future because God is in control. We only need to trust Him.

My Heart Leaps for Joy

 As I wake every morning, my heart leaps for joy because I am still alive.  It's a gift that we receive every day since many don't wake up any more and never see a new day.  That's why I developed this habit of thanking God as I open my eyes for a brand new day.

Though not all days are good, I still choose to praise and thank God for a new day.  With proper mindset and disposition and with God's grace, I am able to hurdle every problem that comes my way.  Thanks be to God for He never leaves me every time I need His help. God is my stronghold, my refuge for my weary spirit from which I find solace. 

Reflecting on Reflections

 Social media like FB posts or blogposts have some catarthic benefits to both writer and readers. Imagine how words can heal old wounds through introspection and how readers can get inspiration and insights from a shared narrative.

Every time I experience disappointment or frustration, yes I feel a lingering sadness for some time, but I always try to find a lesson behind the experience. It may be painful to recall every detail of a frustrating or disappointing event but I find solace in unraveling every gem I earn from it. I remember one time my boss called my attention because our team failed to notice the glaring semantic and grammar errors in one article in a school newsletter that we had published. I felt embarrased because the administration ordered to recall all copies of the same newsletter  from students and to reprint it for distribution the following month.

For a month, we were in low spirits because of what had happened. Yet, we had this firm resolve to rise up again from this folly. We became very careful and diligent in editing and proofreading all articles. We verified all information to be included in every article and we followed stricter rules in evaluating and editing articles. Did you know that after three years, we joined the Press Conference. Guess what? Our school magazine that we published won five first places out of six awards.

Embarrassments, frustrations, or disappointments indeed teach us valuable lessons to strive harder to become better versions of ourselves.

The passing of baton to the new Pope

 The whole world was shocked with the news of Pope Francis' death a day after  Easter Sunday. Who would ever think that our beloved Pope would die very soon after the news about his ailment. We felt sad losing Pope Francis knowing how much he had done for the church. Now, the Catholic Church is at the crossroads because we never know who will be elected as a new Pope whether he'll continue Pope Francis' legacy or stir the wheel to a different direction, moving towards the conventional Catholic Church it used to be.

The Conclave will take place on May 7. With it will unfold the Church's direction. Will there be a continuation of Pope Francis' legacy focusing on mercy, love for the poor, inclusivity, synodality, and peace?  or Will the Church go back to its old path, embracing stricter rules on practicing Catholic faith and in dealing with LGBTQ, poverty, synodality, climate change, and other social and environmental issues?

We can just pray to God, to guide the cardinals in choosing the rightful shepherd for the 1.4 billion Catholics globally. We pray that whoever gets elected as the  new Pope, may God guide him in leading His flock  back to Him. May he be  more loving, merciful, understanding, and wiser in making important decisions for the Church. 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we entrust to your Divine will and guidance whatever the faith of our Catholic Church will be. May your will be done as the cardinals choose a new Pope. May your grace be upon him whom you will choose and may you direct his path all throughout his papacy. In Jesus' name, we pray.

Loving More

 Today is Day 1 of my online retreat. Our retreat master led us to make a reflection on this question: "How can I love more?"

Jesus is our model of unconditional love. He lay down His life for us, for our redemption. He agreed to do His Father's will even if He knew what it would feel like to suffer on the cross and to be mocked by so many people. He never had a second thought of doing such a sacrifice because of His love for us.

How noble and lofty Jesus' sacrifice was! Can we follow His footsteps?  Can we sacrifice our personal convenience so that our loved ones may find comfort? Can we offer our time, talent, and treasure to help our loved ones in need? How far can we go to show that we are capable of loving others more? 

This Lenten season, may God direct our paths so that we can choose to love more, forgive more, and care more so that others can live more comfortably and more peacefully. 

Sec Robredo: A True Servant

     Who could ever forget the man who made millions of Filipinos mourn over his demise?  I guess every one  of us can never forget the man who revolutionized the meaning of traditional politician?   He made all of us see a glimmer of hope at the end of a seemingly long dark tunnel. He was no other than Jesse Robredo, a man of principle who had served the Filipino people wholeheartedly.

Jesse was a great president we never had. His short life never afforded him the grand entrance to the Malacañang Palace. His simple life on earth is worthy of emulation.

My admiration for Jesse was passed on to his wife. When his wife Leni Robredo ran for presidency, I campaigned for her in our barangay. How sad Leni never won as president! She could have been a warrior that would knock down the Pacmans in government to bring our country to the pedestal that it used to occupy in the 1960s. 

With very few scrupulous and principled men in office, it is a Herculean labor to propel our country forward. We pray for the new breed of leaders who would love God and people more than themselves so that we can make our country great again!