My Ultimate Well-Spring

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Spirit Moments

Often these days, I would catch myself looking at the mirror and thinking, “That is how I my father looked like.” I also see so much of him now in my mannerisms and behavior, his smile particularly. I would catch myself saying things he used to say or doing things he used to do. Sometimes, I think I begin to understand how he must have felt or how he must have thought. Like, I begin to realize how he must have felt when he looked at my sons as I look at my own grandchildren now: how such wonderful beings could have come into the world through me.

I also see my mother and begin to know and understand her better. I appreciate her tender loving care as I try to give these to my own family. I love being with people and I thank Ima for giving me the genes for sociability. And then I look at my sons and grandchildren, I often end up saying to myself, “Hey, they got that from me.” – often in thanksgiving and gratitude, sometimes in sadness and disappointment. Like, Jonathan is such an insightful person even at his tender age. I think I know where that came from and I am gratefully happy. He is also given to dark moods. “Ouch!” Sadly, he’s also got my brooding melancholia.

Indeed, if I just look at myself more deeply, I can find out a lot about where I came from, not only about my immediate source but also about my ultimate well-spring. Life is not easy but there is also no denying that life is full of beauty, goodness and truth. Everything around me tells me of our common source. Every act of love and caring from people around me tells me our common ultimate well-spring. If I can get a glimpse of this well-spring, I can also get a pretty good idea of where I am going to and what is in store for me in the future.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
John 14:6-7

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The One Thing I Seek

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Spirit Moments

In this day and age, I notice many people living their lives out of checklists: Top 25 Places to Visit before You Die; the 100 Books You Need to Read; 10 Habits of Happy People; 12 Things You Must Have Before You Turn 40. The lists are endless and there is a new one that comes up everyday in the Internet. Then of course, almost everyone has his or her own ‘Bucket List’.

I guess these lists are okay for they can provide some insights and directions. The great danger however is that I might be living someone else’s life in the process instead of my own. My life is like no other. My happiness and fulfillment cannot be defined by the places other people have visited or the books they have read or the habits that they have and certainly not by the things that they have and I don’t. I have an assignment in life that only I can do. Thus, I will not be defined by others expectations but only by that for which I was brought into this life.

When people saw the wonders that Jesus did, they wanted to to make Him king. But he withdrew from them and would not be distracted from His mission: to do the will of the Father. He told His disciples to do the same: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Prayer is my daily conversation with God to know what His will for me. There are days I can see His plan for me very clearly. There are days when things look muddled and confusing. Thing would be even more so if I miss my daily time in silence and prayer.

One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,
“Gather the fragments left over,
so that nothing will be wasted.”
So they collected them,
and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments
from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,
“This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.”
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off
to make him king,
he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
John 6:1-15

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The True and Simple Reason of My Existence

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Spirit Moments

Stephen Hawking wrote in his latest book that we do not need God to explain or understand the universe. With our reason, we can find the reason for everything that exists. Yet, it is also axiomatic in science that given two possible explanations or reasons for an event, the simpler explanation is the the true and valid one.

I look at the awesomeness of the universe and I am in total wonderment. Science says that it all started with a big bang, a random event that could have been one of a billion of other possibilities. My faith reveals to me God, the Father, the Almighty, is the maker of heaven and earth. Now which a simpler explanation: that we came about because of a random event (wala lang) or because an almighty being created us?

As science tries to piece together the events that gave rise to the universe as we know it, scientists sooner or later come to a dead end and they are at a loss how to explain things. They postulate there is something else to explain what they observe yet cannot see nor prove what that it exists. And they call this factor that they cannot see dark energy and dark matter. My faith tells me that the almighty who is the maker of heaven and earth, is also the maker of all that is, seen and unseen

Science has come to the conclusion that life and nature are much richer than what can be observed by the senses. In fact, there is a lot more happening around us than reason can explain or understand. So, scientists have postulated parallel universes that exist along side ours, maybe intersecting at some points and maybe not. In faith, I declare that I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, that there are indeed other levels and modes of existence than our present one. The human mind is amazing that it has the capacity to reason. But given the immensity of the universe, almost infinite in its vastness, our finite mind cannot totally comprehend all everything that exists unless revealed to us by an Infinite Mind. That is the simple and true explanation and reason for all that is.

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall be ever in my mouth.

The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He gives the Spirit without measure.
John 3:31-36

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My God Is a God of Paradoxes

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Spirit Moments

“Use it or lose it.” is a Law of Nature. “Whatever is nurtured, grows.” is a corollary to that law. Nurture a seed and it grows into a tree and bears fruits. Nurture plants and they grow flowers. Nurture animals or pets and they multiply. Nurture love and love grows. Nurture beauty and beauty increases. Nurture grudges and they grow and fester. Nurture hatred and it grows and bear fruits – anger, violence, revenge. There is no escaping these Laws of Nature.

While there is no escaping these Laws, there is a parallel set of principles that trumps the workings of the Laws of Nature. The Laws of Grace, in a paradoxical way, allows us to rise above the Laws of Nature. We value and try to preserve life. Yet, paradoxically and with Grace, it is in losing one’s life that one is able to save it. We try to nurture our reputation to increase our fame. Yet, paradoxically and with Grace, it is in being humble and shunning away from attention that we gain our stature before others. We often try to be a big person by doing great things. Yet, paradoxically and with Grace, it is in being the least and the last that we are able to make a real and substantial contribution.

The Lord is the Creator of Light and Life. Yet, he often speaks to us in the silence and in the darkness and emptiness.  God is the Lord of power and might. Yet, He often shows His power and might through the poor, the weak and the outcasts. He is the King of glory and majesty. Yet, He chose as a man to be born in a manger and to die on the cross as a condemned criminal.

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16-21

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In the Hands of the Divine Sculptor

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Spirit Moments

Image

I recently came across this beautiful sculpture. It is amazing how such fluid transparency and soft delicate features can be drawn out from a material as hard as marble. What is even more amazing is the artistry of the sculptor who creates this masterpiece not by adding to it but by subtracting everything that is not necessary to bring out the beauty.

I imagine myself as a block of marble at the hands of the Divine Sculptor. He chisels out from me everything that is superfluous and unnecessary to draw out the beauty, the goodness and the truth embedded in me. I already have everything I need to be a masterpiece. I only need the Master Artist to take away what is not essential. If it were up to me, I would probably want to remain a block of marble. But then, no pain is no gain. I trust myself in the hands of God to draw out all the beauty and the goodness in me. And that is the deeper reality and the greater truth.

It is not easy, living this life. But the Lord has promised those who would follow him a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. For the yoke of sin is death and the burden of guilt and separation from God is much heavier.

Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed: holiness befits your house, O Lord, for length of days.

At that time Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you that are weary
and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:25-30

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Spritual Exercises

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Spirit Moments

Use it or lose it. That is a physical law where I have found great enlightenment.Muscles atrophy when they are not used. Talents are forgotten over time when they are not utilized. Even money loses its value over time when it is not used nor invested. This is the way of the flesh. It also applies to the spirit. The body to be useful must be used. The spirit to be alive must likewise be nurtured. We feed the body to keep it alive. We must also nourished the spirit to keep it vital.

Our physical senses tell us what is good for the body. Eat nutritious food. Engage in regular physical exercise. Rest the body to give the body time to recover and recuperate. And so do our spiritual senses tell us what is good for the spirit. Feed the spirit through the Eucharist and prayers. Engage in regular spiritual exercises. Rest the spirit in the Lord’s presence through quiet times and meditation.

Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

Jesus answered,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born of water and Spirit
he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
What is born of flesh is flesh
and what is born of spirit is spirit.
Do not be amazed that I told you,
‘You must be born from above.’
The wind blows where it wills,
and you can hear the sound it makes,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;
so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:1-8

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How Can I Not Believe

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Spirit Moments

ImageA young maiden leaves the safety of her father’s protection
And pledges herself to the young lad of her dreams
The two become as one to cherish and to hold.
They embark on a lifelong journey of love and trust.
I believe in love and in the God who taught us how to.

A field blooms in a wild profusion of colors.
Fragile and fleeting, the flower explode in gay abundance.
Here today and gone tomorrow, but in the brief moment of their existence
These blooms have added permanence to beauty in the world.
I believe in beauty, fleeting in its manifestation but lasting in its intimation.

A young couple nurses their young with love and care.
They would give anything they have to give their young one life.
They would sacrifice anything for each others welfare.
It is in this family that the young one learns about goodness.
I believe in goodness and the families that God blesses for us to learn it.

Man needs bread and a roof on his head.
Man needs to build a house for shelter and protection.
And woman makes it a home where she weaves their clothes.
Then together, they will rebuild the world of their own.
I believe in creativity, man’s sharing in the Creator’s activity.

The land erupted and the waters came down.
The mountains were formed and the lakes and the seas.
Nature brought forth all the plants and the trees
And the many elements for man to fashion for his use.
I believe in the great abundance of nature, God’s magnanimous gift to men.

There are days I feel like a solitary tree surveying all around me.
Sometimes I feel like singing in a choir of colorful flowers.
And at times, I feeling soaring the skies like an eagle.
I can travel through time and space with my imagination’s powers.
This may all be serendipity but I believe in God who made all this for me.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
John 20:26-31

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To Be Human Is To Ask Questions

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Spirit Moments

Several days after the Resurrection and the apostles and disciples were still unbelieving and full of questions, made even more disquieting by their fears.

To be human is to ask a lot of questions. Even believers are bothered by questions, may be even more so. But the questions asked by believers are different from those asked by nonbelievers.

Nonbelievers ask questions like those asked by the scribes and the pharisees: legalistic, pseudo-scientific, designed to trap and confound. Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar? Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? Where did this man get his power and his wisdom? Can anything good come out of Nazareth? These questions are meant to prove the respondent wrong.

Believers ask questions that seek to know the respondent better: “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Questions that seek guidance: “How will this be seeing I know not a man?” or “What must I do to gain eternal life?” These questions are meant to build and nurture a relationship.

My own questions have been unchanging but the answers have been changing as I go through life: Who am I and why am I here? What drives me to get up in the morning? Where and how do I find my greatest fulfillment and happiness? Did I fill the world with love? Whom do I love and serve? How do I love and serve?

I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them
and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart
because they had not believed those
who saw him after he had been raised.
He said to them, “Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:9-15

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Yet Again, It Is The Lord

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Spirit Moments

I grew up in a small town beside the biggest American military base outside of the US, living in the shadows of jet planes, enjoying applesand imported fruits, chocolate bars and comic books from Clark Air Base. I sometimes fancied what it would be like living in the land where all these things came from. One day, a missionary priest came to our school and asked who among us wanted to enter the seminary. I raised my hand and things just started happening. One thing led to another and my journey finally led me to live in the land where all the jet planes and the chocolates bars and the fruits and comic books come from. I am actually now living in the US. Someone led me here. It is the Lord.

As a little boy I had a recurring dream of a girl with long hair, sparkling eyes and winsome smile. I somehow knew I would eventually meet her. In High School, I was assigned for our oratorical contest the poem “Anabelle Lee”. And years later, I was brought to Xavier School to teach. Cora, my boss then, brought me to meet a girl with long hair, sparkling eyes and winsome smile. Her name was Anabelle. I do not wonder anymore who brought me to Xavier. It is the Lord.

My father was a teacher and he was considered a hero and idolized in their family. Several of his nieces went on to be teachers like him. I imagined myself becoming a teacher like him too. Yes, in our small town. I did indeed start out as a teacher in Xavier with Anabelle. But that was just the beginning. I also became a salesman, a product manager, a marketing director, an HR practitioner, a top level executive, a business school professor, a management consultant. I worked in places I though I would only see in photos. I have collaborated with people I thought I would only read about in the news. I sat in meetings and conferences I thought I would only see in movies. Every step of the way, I felt a gentle guiding hand prodding me onward and shielding me from harm. I moved when it was time to move. I stayed when it was time to stay. I know who this abiding Presence in my life is. It is the Lord.

Now in my twilight years, I do not see the dimming of the light. I know the best years are yet to be. The pace is now more sedate and the days less hectic. I get rattled ever so easily but there is enough to give me peace and composure as well. Jane keeps me alert with all her unexpected and funny antics. Jonathan keeps me in wonder as I watch him transforming into a fine young man right before my eyes. It warms the cockles of my heart when Kathleen puts in extra goodies into the grocery cart because “Papa loves these”. Or when Martin get me things through the Internet. Or when Mickey would say “Let’s see the Warriors game tonight,” at times even at the Oracle. Or when Macky and Lani just pop up on Facetime. I do not feel like being led to pasture at all. It is more like cocooning to emerge a new butterfly. All these. All good. All because. It is the Lord.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.

Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead.
John 21:1-14

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Real or Imagined Conversation?

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Spirit Moments

As I was praying this morning and reflecting on today’s gospel reading, I found myself having this conversation with God:

I said: “Lord, it is wonderful to be here, to be alive. I am grateful you give me one day at a time to live. Sometimes, I wonder how many days I still have left. Or can I have all of my remaining days as a lump sum and live them the way I would, like when to spend them or how long they should last?”

The Lord replied: “I think I can do that for you. There will come a time that I will gather all your days, those that you have spent as well as all those that are yet to come and put them all into one big here and now. And we shall call that eternity. You can spend that with me.”

I said: “Lord, life has not exactly been easy for I have had many difficult moments. But all in all, it has been a truly wonderful journey. I thank you for all the people who have loved me and joined me in my journey. I thank you for all the wonderful events we shared together: the good times and the bad, the happy moments and the sad. Will I ever see them again? And will I even remember all of them and all the times we shared.”

The Lord replied: “I will bring you to a place where I will gather all your friends and loved ones together plus all the other people you would have wanted to meet during your life. I will prepare a banquet for you and you can have all the time to relive and remember all your times together. And we will call that place heaven, existing in the eternal here and now that I promised you.”

I said: “Lord, what made my time with my loved ones memorable were all the awesome emotions I shared with them: the love that made me feel like exploding from within, the peace that calmed me when I was troubled, the happiness that found spontaneous expression sometimes in laughter and at other times in tears.”

The Lord replied: “In heaven, there will be no more weeping and no more tears. There will only be everlasting love. That pretty much takes care of everything.”

I said: “Lord, this is all too much for me to understand or comprehend. Will I ever get the answers to all my questions?”

The Lord replied: “In your new and eternal life, you will be living in the shadows of my infinite wisdom and understanding and you will have no more need for answers as you bask and glory in My Presence.”

Real or imagined conversation?

This is essentially how my mind and my spirit is every morning I am in prayer.

O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

While they were still speaking about this,
he stood in their midst and said to them,
“Peace be with you.”
But they were startled and terrified
and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled?
And why do questions arise in your hearts?
Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.
Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones
as you can see I have.”
Luke 24:36-39

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