In My Garden

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Spirit Moments

It is another Monday. The surroundings look refreshed from the rains over the weekend. What can I do to make this ordinary day different and even extraordinary. I will check on my little garden and see how it has fared in the rain. I sowed some wild flower seeds before the rains. I will see if they have sprouted. The sunflower seeds I have planted earlier have sprouted and ready to be transplanted. I also want to transplant some of the Naked Ladies into the ground. I am still waiting for the strawberry shoots to show up.

In another garden, I also see growth, life and beauty. It is the garden of love where Jonathan and Jane are growing. Jonathan is fast growing into a teen-ager. Jane is fast becoming a pretty little miss. Mommy and Daddy love coming home to this garden of love after a long day of work to be refreshed, renewed and recharged for the challenges of life and work.

It must be difficult being God, managing a whole universe with billions of galaxies and trillions of stars and countless planets and comets. He must have His hands full balancing all the forces and energies, both visible and invisible, in His universe. So, He made himself a little garden and planted it with love. I imagine Him taking a respite from His divine duties and tend to the human beings He planted on earth. He checks on them constantly and warms them up with His infinite love. He suffuses the ordinary into His divine extraordinariness. That is why we have glorious sunsets and beautiful flowers and magnificent mountains and the awesomeness of existence.

May the Lord be glad in his works.
~ Psalm 104
After making the crossing to the other side of the sea,
Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret
and moored the boat there.
As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.
They scurried about the surrounding country
and began to bring in the sick on mats
to wherever they heard he was.
Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered,
they laid the sick in the marketplaces
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak;
and as many as touched it were healed. 
Mark 6:53-56
 
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Eternity Hidden in the Ordinary

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Spirit Moments

P1380847

It is just another ordinary day for the white egret.
It feeds, it breeds and then flies south for the winter.
Yet in its ordinariness, it adds beauty to nature
And it is part of the great circle and cycle of life.

Most days in life are ordinary and almost same as any.
We sleep and rest; we wake up and work; we eat and play.
We make friends; we raise a family; we build communities.
Yet in the ordinary are the seeds of eternity.

Imagine a primordial particle spinning ever faster and faster,
Till all at once it explodes into one galactic burst of light
The first bang that brings everything else into existence.
It is the morning of the first day.

Imagine all those light photons, splitting and then fusing again,
Till all at once all that energy passes through an event horizon
And a new star is born to light up yet another dark corner of the universe
Or an old star implodes and become a black hole in reverse.

Imagine all the leaves falling off trees and rotting on the ground
Then the snows and the rains of winter pound these into the grime.
Till all at once, in all that decay, the call of spring comes
And life all of a sudden is blooming all around.

Imagine now a tumescence exploding into an orgasm
Causing cells to combine and multiply to form a new beginning
Till all at once the womb goes into a spasm
To give birth to yet another human being.

So life is lived in ordinary daily events
Bit by bit, we build up materials and elements
Till all at once and in the fullness of time
Something magical happens to carry on life’s rhythm and rhyme.

Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
~ Psalm 147
On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left
and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues,
preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
Mark 1:29-39

 
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Be. Gentle.

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Spirit Moments

It is a chaotic and violent universe out there: new stars continuously exploding into existence even as old ones implode into black holes, galaxies spinning forward at breakneck speed and colliding forcefully with one another. And in one little corner of the universe is a pale blue dot, a place of peace and serenity, where the gentle breeze blows across a blue sky and its inhabitants walk gently on carpets of green as they  feast on the sweet fruits of the gentle earth celebrating the blessings of life.

It is a mad and turbulent world out there: people who would kill others who believe differently from them, who would take away from the weak and the witless, who would trash this pale blue dot for their own selfish ends. Yet, in many corners of this disturbed and disturbing world are gentle people and communities of peace who would not “not break the crushed reed, or snuff the faltering wick” for they know and celebrate the blessing of love.

It is an anxious and bewildered spirit within me: buffeted by the trials and tribulations of life, beset by the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, battered by all the comings and goings and all the waxing and waning of the tides of time. Yet, I only have to be still and be quiet to feel God’s gentle presence in my life to calm all the tempests and the storms. And when things are looking up and coming up roses, it is in the same peaceful and quiet sacred space that I feel most God gently cradling me in His bosom for then I see and celebrate His light in thankfulness and humility.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
~ Psalm 23
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.
Mark 6:30-34

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Why?

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Spirit Moments

Watching the unfolding of events in the Philippines makes my heart bleed in sadness and frustration. Barely two weeks after the euphoric and joyful visit of Pope Francis, here we are again, entangled in the quagmire of the Mamasapano Massacre. How can we allow such a tragedy to happen? And now that it has happened, how can our leaders be so bumbling and bungling in handling it? Why do I get the feeling those involved are not telling us the whole truth? How can we forever be always be mired in such mediocrity and acts of  moral turpitude? Why? Why?

And yet there is so much truth, goodness, beauty and love in our country and our people to sing songs about for all eternity. People love coming to the Philippines because they see so much beauty and are enthralled by the irrepressible joy of the people. When the Filipinos love, they show it in so many ways that many foreigners chose us for their life partners. And when the chips are down, you can always count on the Filipinos to be there to help.

Herod feared John for he spoke the truth that “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Yet, he liked to listen to him, for John spoke of goodness and Godly things. We are essentially good deep in our hearts. We long for beauty and we recognize the truth. In our better moments, we would rather love and serve others than to hate or despise them. And yet, there is the unredeemed in us that would drive us to do the opposite. The beginning of salvation is the realization that we are people in need of redemption.

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
~ Psalm 27
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
Mark 6:14-29
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Provision for the Journey

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Spirit Moments

A good friend, a nun respected for her wisdom, once told her retreatants, “If there is anything in your closet or wardrobe you have not used for a year, it does not belong to you. Get rid of it. Give it away.”

It is good advice on how to simplify my life. Anything I have not used for quite sometime goes out and is given to others who will have need of it. It is also good advice that I simplify my life. I have learned not to be anxious about the small stuff. But even the big problems I worry about are not worth breaking sweat over. I have to remind myself often to just bring enough for the journey.

As I enjoy my senior years, I am learning that there is really little that I need to worry about. In fact, there is just one question that I keep on trying to answer these days, “Do I love enough?” I know this is God’s will for me and that should be enough provision for the journey.

O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
~ Psalm 48
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them.”
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Mark 6:7-13
 

 

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Believing Is a Gift and a Decision

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Spirit Moments

Today science and technology has created so many marvels that have life more enjoyable and easier all around. But it has also bred a culture of cynicism and utilitarianism. What cannot be observed and measured cannot be managed and often dismissed as non-existent. For anything to be of value, it has to have some use and the question is always, “Of what use it is to me?” Reason and logic have been deified in the cathedrals of science and technology.

And yet, there is more to life than science and technology. Emotions and feelings are reduced to mere electro-chemical reactions among cells when put under the microscope of science. And yet it does not explain the extreme joy and happiness a mother feels when she cradles her baby in her arms or the pride of a father seeing his son’s accomplishments or the determination of a lover to please the beloved. Under the electron microscope, there is no difference to the particles that make me up and those that make up a table or a beast. And yet, I breathe and can move about which a table cannot do. I am conscious and free while a beast is not.

Christ came as one of us and many met Him with a cynical and utilitarian attitude. His own town-mates wondered, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? What authority has He saying the things He is saying?” And the pharisees griped, “Show us a sign that you are indeed the Messiah?” This, in spite of the many works of wonders that he wrought.

There were those who believed in Him, despite all the logic and reason. A father asks Jesus to heal his son. Jesus asks him if he believes that he can do this. The father humbly replies, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” And that is also my prayer.

The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
~ Psalm 103
Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Mark 6:1-6
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Repetition versus Routine

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Spirit Moments

I notice a pattern in recent gospel readings of the past few days: Jesus speaks to the crowds; he gets on a boat and crosses to the others to be alone in prayers; still the crowds follow Him seeking His healing and liberating presence; He performs His works of wonders; the people are overcome with amazement; He tells them to tell no one.

This pattern is a repetition not routine. Routine begets boredom and ennui. Repetition breeds perfection and freedom. Routine is a mindless going through the motions of a pattern. Repetition is the mindful doing of something important and significant.

I pray in faith repeatedly even when I am beset by doubts and shadows; for I know my faith is a gift that came with my life. In God’s time, I will attain and see what it is I believe in.

I keep on giving and sharing repeatedly even when I am beset by my greed and selfishness; for there are times I become afraid of not having enough for myself. In God’s time, I will see and be blessed by the fruits of my love and service.

I repeatedly speak words of love and do deeds of caring even when I feel like speaking out in anger and acting out in hate; for there are moments of weakness I simply want to give up trying. In God’s time, I will see and experience the ecstasy and the full splendor of what true is and means.

They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
~ Psalm 22
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him
and a large crowd followed him.
Mark 5:21-43
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Serendipity and Faith

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Spirit Moments

Sometimes, I wish and pray that I would be given a little bit more material resources that I might be more lavish and magnanimous in my giving and sharing with others. But I know this is not going to happen any time soon.

Sometimes, I wish and pray that my trials and tribulations may go away that I might serve the Lord with any anxieties or distractions. But I know they are part and parcel of life and they are not going away anytime soon.

Sometimes, I wish and pray that God would be more palpable and give me some indubitable signs that He is present in my life. But there are times the glorious sunrise and the magnificent sunset that I believe are God’s splendor seem to me nothing but the routine coming and going of the day. Or the gentle breeze that I believe is God caressing my cheek is nothing but the blowing of the wind. Or, the marvelous scene that gives me a sublime high is nothing but the serendipitous confluence of mountains, trees and sky.

But the again, looking back, I realize I have never really wanted for anything I needed. And everything that I have needed and asked for has been given to me. I realize that the trials and tribulations I have been through have not destroyed me but have made me better, stronger and more loving. There were times I know things would not go my way but they did. I dreamt of and prayed for a loving and beautiful partner in life. Anabelle is all of that and more. I wished for two wonderful children. I was given three and the joys they have brought into my life are nowhere near anything I have imagined. Many things I did not pray for but were given to me way beyond my expectations. And whom do I attribute all these to and be grateful for? It is the Lord.

Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
~ Psalm 24
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
Luke 2:22-40

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God Is Here

Posted on February 1, 2015 by Spirit Moments

P1380814Be still my heart and know your God,
Who pours His graces on the good and the bad.
I lift my eyes and see Him in the sky,
But there are those His existence they deny.

I stand atop a rock and feel Him in the breeze.
He surrounds me with wonders that never cease.
I join the eagle in singing Him praise
For He has blessed me all of my days.

The beauty that surrounds me is but a glimpse of His glory.
I can’t put my arms around Him. He’s a mystery.
As clear as the blue sky that is above me
I know His love for me is for eternity

Even unclean spirits know and bow before him
But they have chosen the side that is dark and dim
And so I pray and pray repeatedly
That in everything I do I will see Him more clearly, Love Him more dearly
and follow him more nearly.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
~ Psalm 95
Then they came to Capernaum,
and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
Jesus rebuked him and said,
“Quiet! Come out of him!”
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
“What is this? A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
Mark 1:21-28
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The Roots of True Joy

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Spirit Moments

There are times I would define my happiness in terms of what make me different from others. Being able to take beautiful and frame-able pictures makes me happy. I am not a professional photographer but I do have an eye for a picturesque scene and some talent in composition. I am not among the best but I have taken some excellent photos. I find myself happy enjoying the things I have accomplished in life. I may not have done as much as many of my friends but I have definitely been more blessed than most. Defining my happiness in terms of what makes me different from others can be very unsettling. Somehow, it does not feel right.

True joy is rooted in our commonality with one another. It is our similarities that make us a community and it is in community where true joy is, for that is where we discover our true humanity. We are all in the same boat. We are all fragile, wounded and broken. True joy is in knowing that all our pains and sufferings can be shared and divided among all of us. And this joy is multiplied many times over when shared in community. And then, there is the ultimate realization that the Lord is in the boat with us. He is Emmanuel, God with us. In the boat. During the storm. And He can calm the storm and heal our woundedness and brokenness with His words, “Quiet! Be still!”

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:
“Let us cross to the other side.”
Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.
And other boats were with him.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,
so that it was already filling up.
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.
They woke him and said to him,
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up, rebuked the wind,
and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”
The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?”
They were filled with great awe and said to one another,
“Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
Mark 4:35-41
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