Relishing My Relationship With God

Posted on October 11, 2014 by Spirit Moments

For most of the Old Testament, God was known and addressed as ‘Lord’. The Lord of Creation. The Lord of History. The One Lord God of Israel. He evoked images of power and majesty. With mighty deeds, He saves His people Israel. He is judge, king, and master of life and death. Israel felt safe and secure under the protection of such a mighty Lord.

Jesus taught us a totally different image of God. He declared that God is our Father. I can still feel safe and secure under His protection. With mighty and wonderful deeds, He is master over my life. But I can also feel the warmth of His fatherly love and His fatherly embrace. I do not tremble in His presence. I feel comfort, peace and the assurance of the fullness of life.

And Jesus never misses an opportunity to tell us of his intimate relationship I have with God. Someone from the crowd, obviously moved by the teachings of Jesus, shouts out, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” Jesus replies that someone who does the will of God has an even more intimate relationship with Him than a child to his mother. He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

In prayer, I seek to relish this intimate relationship with God.

The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
~ Psalm 105

While Jesus was speaking,
a woman from the crowd called out and said to him,
“Blessed is the womb that carried you
and the breasts at which you nursed.”
He replied, “Rather, blessed are those
who hear the word of God and observe it.”
~ Luke 11:27-28

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Heaven is for Real. And so is Evil.

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Spirit Moments

Evil is real and it keeps on growing in the world today. I can see but do not understand the anger and hatred that drive ISIS extremists to such atrocities and violence. I am appalled and left utterly bewildered how our public officials can steal billions from the public coffers for their own personal benefit. I am sickened by perverts who prey on the innocent and vulnerable for their own selfish pleasures. There seems to be no limit to the greed and selfishness that drives the financial markets and I am disgusted how no amount of wealth can ever satisfy the wolves of Wall Street.

Evil lurks not only on the world stage but also in individual lives. Some people are so embittered by life, they go around sowing anger and hatred. There are people who are so rich or so poor they think they think they are entitled to just take anything they want or need. There are those who are so driven by hedonistic pleasure-seeking everything and everyone is just an instrument to attain ever higher highs.

I am not immune. I want to be generous and giving but I often put a limit to my giving. Often, scarcity mentality gets the better of me and I tell myself I have to save some for myself. Sometimes, in self-righteousness, I declare some people as not worthy of my charity. Or, even patting myself on the back, I declare others are not my responsibility. I want to be loving and forgiving. Yet, I still harbor and nurture a lot of past hurts. I say I will forgive but often postpone it for tomorrow. And when I am finally able to do something good, it is because of a heaven I am wishing or hoping for.

Life is difficult. And being good is even more so. In spite of this, there is something in me that says that life is about building up, not breaking down; that life is stronger than death; that light will overcome the darkness; that good will triumph and will finally trump evil. And there is a time for each of these. In prayer, I become aware and learn to live with these movements in my life.

The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
~Psalm 111

When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said:
“By the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.”
Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
But he knew their thoughts and said to them,
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house.
And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?”
For you say that it is by Beelzebub that I drive out demons.
If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebub,
by whom do your own people drive them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 
Luke 11:15–20

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Asking and Prayer

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Spirit Moments

Prayer is often seen as asking something from God, usually a material favor like a new job, a bigger house, a better car, more wealth. Sometimes, we ask for something more intangible like health or happiness or peace of mind or forgiveness. People often assume their relationship with God and feel entitled to just go and ask for favors. I often think instead of that relationship with God. My prayers are often that I get to strengthen that relationship by knowing Him better, my love for him becoming deeper and my gratefulness for all His blessings ever stronger.

All I have asked the Lord he has given to me. May be not right away or in the form I asked for; but in His time He has granted me everything I prayed and wished for and more. What I still struggle with is to know and love Him better, to be always assured of His continuing presence in my life even in those moments of doubt, weakness and helplessness. I feel Him in my joys and blessings.

How do I relish Him when I am in the desert of doubts or in the depths of depression? I have no real answer to that but to stay still and silent. And in the silence and solitude, I pray to hear His whisper and wait for Him knocking at the door of my heart.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; He has come to his people.

Jesus said to his disciples:
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives;
and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
What father among you would hand his son a snake
when he asks for a fish?
Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit
to those who ask him?”
Luke 11:10–13

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Three Movements in Prayer

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Spirit Moments

I always pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And in there are the three movements in my every encounter with God.

In the beginning, God said, “Let there be light” and even since His Word had been waiting for a response to carry on a conversation. The Lord of Creation and History called Abram and he responded and became Abraham, the father of many nations. Through the burning bush and the mighty wind, through powerful deeds, through thunder and clouds, He created and fashioned a people to Himself who would do His bidding and make known His will to all. Abraham’s family became a tribe. The tribe grew into twelve. The twelve tribes became a people and came to the promised land. And this chosen people became a mighty nation. And the nation became a glorious kingdom. But they strayed and were led into captivity and exile, praying to their God, the Lord of heaven and earth, to send them a Messiah who will deliver them from their bondage and bring them into a new kingdom.

Then, God came to dwell among us. He became man in Jesus Christ to show us the way to the new kingdom. He taught us that more than a Lord, God is our father; that more than ordering our lives and making them possible, He wants to have a very intimate relationship with us – like a father loving and looking after his children. He taught how to carry on this conversation with God, why we should be talking to Him constantly, what we can talk to Him about, where and when we can talk to Him, and most of all how to talk to God our father.

Today, God is with us still carrying on this conversation. Where two or three are gathered in his name, there He is in our midst. The Holy Spirit inspires, guides and directs us to discern the will of the Father. The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, courage and  strength to follow and do as Jesus had done  – to love God above all else and to love our neighbors as ourselves. To see and love Him in others so that where life is disrespected and abused, we will be there to speak against it. Where there are people in need, we will be there to give and share. Where there are the hungry and the oppressed and the poor, we will be there to serve. Where there is anger and hatred and violence, we will be there to show mercy and forgiveness.

Thus, when I pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, I acknowledge God as the Lord of Creation and History; I accept Christ as my Savior who became man through the Incarnation and showed me the fullness of life through His Resurrection and who taught me how to pray to God as Our Father; I live today inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit to live and proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.
~ Psalm 117

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished,
one of his disciples said to him,
“Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”
He said to them, “When you pray, say:
‘Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.'” 

~ Luke 11:1-4
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Mindfulness

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Spirit Moments

I know that I have nothing but the here and now. The past is gone and the future is not yet. It is only today that I really have. And yet, my consciousness wherein my mind and memory reside, also tells me that I am more than my here and now. I have a past that brought me to where I am today. I have a future to fashion out with the help of my mind and imagination.

With my mind, my memory, and my imagination, I can see beyond what my eyes can see and hear beyond my ears can hear. With the eyes of my mind, I can see beyond the stars. With the ears of my imagination, I can hear the hymn of the universe. With the feelings in my heart, I can touch the ineffable. I can look at the past to learn and shape out the rest of my journey into the future. Often though, I get distracted by the many tasks of the present. There are simply too many things to do, places to see, stories and conversations to hear, food and pleasures to taste, people and things to touch. I get bogged down in the busy-ness of the here and now. In the process, I forget that I was born for greater things.

I love mornings. I love to see the sun slowly creeping up the horizon to start a new day. I love the peace and quiet just before everything and everyone else start stirring. I love the freshness of the morning breeze and the newness of its dew. In the stillness and the quiet, just before everything else wakes up, I sit in silence and solitude to encounter Him who fashioned my mind and my memory, my heart and my soul. In praise for another day. In gratitude for yet another 24 hours to enjoy His blessings. In deep gratefulness for the life I enjoy. In prayer to be gentler, kinder, more loving and more forgiving. In prayer to see to hear and to touch and to taste beyond what my senses tell me.

Meditation is a practice common to all religious and spiritual traditions. Today, even the secular and scientific are discovering the value and the virtue behind this practice. Mindfulness, they call it now. And there are apps available online for mindfulness. But even before the Internet, there was prayer. Instant connection guaranteed.

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
~ Psalm 139

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village,
where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.
She had a sister named Mary,
who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.
But Martha was distracted by her many tasks;
so she came to him and asked,
“Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself?
Tell her then to help me.”
But the Lord answered her,
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things;
there is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part,
which will not be taken away from her.” 
Luke 10:38-42

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Being a Neighbor

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Spirit Moments

There are many instances where a situation would tug at my heart strings and move me to reach out and do something. Often, I do. But there are occasions I find all sorts of reasons not to help. Like the priest, I look away and turn my head so I do not see anymore. Or, like the Levite, I cross over to the other side of the road to avoid contact.

I would rationalize such actions in various ways: the man does not really need my help; or, he is faking it so I will not extend a helping hand; or, I have my own troubles so let him take care of his own; or, I will help out next time.

Yet, I know that there is always something I can give if I really decide to. For no man is so poor as not to be able to give something anytime. Often those who have less in life are even more generous than those who have everything. And the greatest way to give is to do so anonymously, in secret. Always, it is a choice. I pray for a stronger and deeper spirit of generosity.

The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
~ Psalm 111

But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
Luke 10:33-34

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Earth Stewardship

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Spirit Moments

DSCN7625

The earth is the vineyard of the Lord and we are His tenants.
It took Him a few billion years to make this fertile land.
He spaded it, fenced it with stones, laced it with rivers and lakes.
He planted the choicest vines and trees,
Giving forth colorful flowers and juicy delectable fruits.
He let loose all sorts of beasts and animals to help make the land fruitful.
Then, He placed man as steward of it all.

Man loved this paradise God created for Him.
He made it productive and learned his role as God’s co-creator.
He prospered and was happy in this vineyard.
But all too soon, man thought this was all his making, all his for the taking.
He started acting like he was the owner the vineyard,
Forgetting he was just the tenant, a steward.

In a few centuries, man has thrashed this beautiful paradise:
Mountains denuded of their luxuriant forest covers,
Pristine seas polluted with endless garbage patches and debris,
Glorious glaciers melting from the heat of the fires man has started,
The bowels of the earth gutted of all their precious stones and minerals,
Half of the wildlife driven to extinction as their habitats are destroyed.

What will we do when the Lord of the Vineyard comes to collect His produce?
We may have the teeming cities to show but everything else around is dying.
The flowers will be gone because we have paved over the fields with concrete.
The majestic trees will be gone for we have cut them all for timber.
The vast blue ocean will be dead, for we have made them garbage dumps.
The mountains will be no more for we shall have dug them all for their treasures.
The animals and the beasts will be gone but for the livestocks we raise for food.
And we are at each other’s throats fighting over the remaining fruits of the vineyard.

Tell me that this all a bad dream and that I will soon wake up;
That we will again realize we are but stewards of this beautiful paradise.
I hate to think of the time
When the Lord of the vineyard leases the vineyard to other tenants,
Who will give him the produce at the harvest time.

The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
~ Psalm 80

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“Hear another parable.
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,
put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.
When vintage time drew near,
he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.
Matthew 21:33-34

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Platitudes and Banality

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Spirit Moments

I hate it when something bad happens to people, others would try to help out by offering words of comfort that are platitudes that smack of banality and even insincerity. And I find myself guilty of such quite often.

A loved one dies and I will inevitably hear, “He is now in a better place, where there is no more pain and suffering.” Sure. But it is not about the pain of the departed but my pain of losing him. I will now miss his love, his presence and part of the constellation that is my life is now forever broken.

People go through pain and suffering and someone will sooner or later speak these words, “You are just being tested. You come out stronger and better because of this.” Or, “God has a plan for you because when one door closes, he opens more windows for you.” I feel being patronized when I hear these words. I need to feel my pain and my suffering. In the end, I will make the decision to pull up my boots straps and get up and go again. But don’t patronize me.

A couple has a child with autism or a  disability. It makes other people uncomfortable and their automatic nice response is, “Oh you have been so blessed to be gifted with an angel.” It must rankle the parents for living with this angel means daily doses of frustrations, feelings of helplessness and constant searchings for how to handle this gift of an angel.

Death is the end of life here on earth as we know it. Everyone must eventually come to terms with in and not just stumble into it by accident. Pain and suffering happen. Some people become broken and bitter because of it. Others indeed come out better and stronger. Life is never perfect for we are dealt the cards often without our choice or consent. For some, this becomes their undoing. Others make do and create happiness and joy with whatever life deals out to them.

In the silence and solitude of prayer, I ask that I see and hear and touch and smell and sense what life is offering me – joy and pain, frustrations and accomplishments, love and rejections, community and loneliness. In the end, it is my choice, my creativity and yes, grace what I make out of my life. I pray that my life’s Source and Meaning comes and abides with me in things and people I can see and hear and touch and smell and sense.

Lord, let your face shine on me. ~ Psalm 119

At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
Turning to the disciples in private he said,
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,
many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,
but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
Luke 10:21-22

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An Abiding Presence

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Spirit Moments

Everything in my life has the potential of revealing God to me.
His presence is in every person, every event, every place.
In anything I do, anything I have, anything I experience.
From the smallest atom to the biggest star.

If I could just capture a moment and hold it in the palm of my hand
I would see eternity’s sunrise and the face of God.
If I were to hold a grain of sand between my fingers,
I would soon realize I am playing with a particle that used to be a star.

Looking at myself, I am aware that I have been fearfully and wonderfully made indeed.
My body is two thirds water and so is the earth that nurtures me.
There are as many neurons in my brain as there are stars in our galaxy.
And, as I breathe, my heart beats in sympathetic vibrations with the rest of the universe.

I pray that I will never be so blind or insensitive as to miss it when God talks to me.
I rise in the morning and He greets me with the freshness of the dawn.
The passing of the seasons are His many ways of showing how he cares.
The people He sends my way are His ways of messaging me throughout the day.

I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. Psalm 139

Jesus said to them,
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the mighty deeds done in your midst
had been done in Tyre and Sidon,
they would long ago have repented,
sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon
at the judgment than for you.
And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven?
You will go down to the netherworld.’
Whoever listens to you listens to me.
Whoever rejects you rejects me.
And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
Luke 10:13-16

 

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Children as Liberators

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Spirit Moments

I have often noticed that babies seem to be aware of some presence that I do not see. I remember how, when Jane was a few months old, her eyes would move across a room as though following someone who was moving through the space. Or sometimes, she would smile or break into tiny laughter as though someone were playing with her. Or sometimes, she would look like she was listening to some soothing melody. Still untouched by the world, I think she is still keenly aware of the angels that accompanied her into the world and of the place from where she came.

As we grow older, we somehow lose our memory of the eternal place we came from. We become limited and enslaved by time and space. But the memory of that place lingers. We have some inkling of that eternal here-and-now. Again, just watching Jane and Jonathan at play shows me how they are able to transcend time and space. They play their interminable games with absolutely no sense of time. They can spend hours playing and not count the minutes nor the hours. And while at play, space does not confine them at all. Jane can be a princess anywhere anytime. Jonathan immerses himself deeply into the adventures of Korra into lands and times I have never heard of.

As adults, we succumb to the tyranny of time and space. There are just too many places we have to be at or to see. We count the minutes and the hours and measure them against the things we want to do. We frantically run from one place to another while anxiously looking at our watches checking the time. In the process, I might miss out on that presence passing across the room. Or, that little flower that bloomed just for me. Or, how particularly glorious was the sunset yesterday. Or, how extra romantic the moon was last night.

Bless Jane and Jonathan. All it takes is a “Lolo, let us play” from them to free me from my bondage to time and space.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalm 27

The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”
Matthew 18:1-5, 10

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