God and Mission

I love mission but I love God more. Unconsciously sometimes we already love mission more than the One who gives us the mission. Let not our love for mission equate with our love for God. God should be our ultimate love. Going on mission without God is not a mission but a vacation.

The world has given us so many “mission”, humanitarian missions, peace missions, and more. And, talking about humanitarian missions, there are so many of such kind in the world. World leaders had been going on missions for many good reasons. But for us Christians, loving and going on mission as it is, is no mission at all, its just humanitarianism, devoid of God. It is goodness at the pretext of mission.  For it to be a mission, Christ has to be the center. It is not enough for us to share goodness to the world; the world must know the source of all goodness.

God and mission not mission and God!

by aats

Above and Beyond Reproach

In leadership, we are not trying to be good for the sake of looking good, because that’s hypocrisy. We try to be good because our God is good! We don’t just walk our talk either for the sake of walking because that’s just fulfilling an obligation. We don’t just act because we are obliged, we act because we love! We walk our talk, because that’s what we should be, both in words and in actions. Above and beyond reproach!

by aats

BASIC Road to Happiness

From time immemorial human beings had always been looking for happiness. It seems to be more elusive than ever. The more we try to find it the more we become weary. Yes we find it in some place with some people but for a fleeting moment we are back again to what we call reality. If we are back to our reality does it mean happiness becomes unreal? Is happiness but a pause only of our normal life?

Happiness is of course real as it could be and certainly not just a pause in the regularity of our life. This “valley of tears” is no tears of sadness only; it is part and parcel of the life we live in, that of happiness in Christ.

There are some reasons why it seems so elusive. It is so elusive because we equate happiness with only what we can have, what we can do and what we like to get. The unholy trinity of me, myself and I, is taking hold. We have observed it and at some point experienced it ourselves; happiness is fleeting if we only desire it for ourselves.

I propose some ways were we could be happy. Have these following BASICs:

B - Bless and be a blessing. Bless instead of cursing others. Our tendency is to hold grudges when someone hurts us. It doesn’t do well to us, it stressed us and makes us sickly. Bless them instead and free them and most of all free yourself from hurts, then be a blessing. Don’t be a burden to others instead be of help. Offer yourself in service.

           

A - Affirm and be affirmed. Be lavish in giving praise. Always honor and say something good to others who have done well. Affirm them of the good things they are doing. A smile and a hug can change a lot. Be affirmed also of all the things that you are doing which are making a difference in the lives of others even if others don’t notice it.

S - Share and receive. Be generous in giving whatever you have. You don’t have to have many things to be happy. Don’t be greedy. Be a grateful receiver as well. Don’t be too prideful not to receive things. We all need something.

I - Inspire and be inspired. Inspire others, be sunshine to a gloomy day! The world needs inspiration for it to move with hope. Be inspired as well, look at all the good things the world has to offer.

C - Care and be cared. Don’t be cautious in caring. Care for others for there is so much poverty in the world and one of the worst poverty is the poverty of being uncared and unloved. Allow yourself to be cared for as well, it feels so good knowing someone cares.

We only need very basic things to be happy. Live your life, we may not know it the world is already opening up!

by aats

Everything Passes

While reading an article, I came across this Latin phrase: Sic transit gloria mundi (Thus passes the glory of the world). This was used upon the coronation of a new Pope, were the master of ceremony will say loud in mournful voice three times this very phrase. 

What a good reminder that nothing is permanent in this world; not glory, not wealth, not fame and not even self. It will do well to the people and to those in power to reflect on this. Everything passes away, so while we are here let us do something that will make this world a little bit of heaven on earth.

by aats

I did not come on My own... John 8:42

The gospel readings for the past days, had been allowing me to reflect on some phrases that is worth praying for, one of these comes from John 8:42 that says, "I did not come on my own..."

Jesus said, He did not come on His own, but was sent by the Father. In our life and service, we did not come on our own; we come in the name of Jesus. In whatever place we are assigned or moved, we are an ambassador of Christ.

The moment we answered the call, it was already all about Him not us. So we must have a posture of:

1.    Humility - We always say, "Your will be done Oh Lord, because I know that you desire nothing but goodness for me, goodness that is overflowing." So wherever we are planted, we not only grow but bloom as well.

2.    Obedience - We always have a heart that obeys no matter how hard to understand, like Mary "Be it done to me according to your word." No matter how overwhelming the task before us, it is always an act of obedience and everything will just follow.

If we did not come on our own, then we don't own this work. This work belongs to the one who sends us. Our task is to do the best to fulfil the master’s instructions as we go.

Let us always be reminded then of that command that says, "Love one another as I have loved you," for we did not come on our own.

by aats

The Appointment of 12

Mark 3:13-19

Different people, different temperaments, no assurance of loyalty and trust or of faithfulness, yet He chooses them. He does not look on the past with judgmental eyes, He sees the future with all the potentials they have. He is excited on how they can best use of there past for good. He knows they will be more compassionate for others because they too fall short before.

He sees the past as an advantage and a learning curve not an inhibition but instead a stepping-stone for greatness.

Leap to the unknown might be the right phrase, but He did see, after all, “I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end”. But He still chose them. May we always choose like Him with the eyes of faith and compassion. Amen.

by aats

You Fill My Heart

Probably you have heard about St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the young nun who had inspired a lot of people with her “Little Way”. Sharing to you a beautiful song, inspired by the life of St. Therese, composed by a gifted Jesuit and put into music by another gifted Jesuit. Beautiful indeed is the way to Jesus, no need to complicate things, just do the simple and little ways in glorifying Him.

You Fill My Heart (Prayer of St Therese of the Child Jesus)
Music: Arnel dC Aquino, SJ; Lyrics: Johnny Go, SJ

You fill my heart full with sighs,
Breathless they dance in the sky.
And when You whisper Your sad lullaby,
Tears fill my eyes.

You fill my night full with stars,
Restless my soul seeks Your eyes.
Soon as it shimmers, Your smile in the night,
Dreams fall into flight.

I long to be Your child,
Your song to fill this dark night,
Light for the lost in this lonely exile.
I need to hear Your word,
To be near You in this scarred world
One little sound is a song if it soars in Your heart.

I'll fill your world full with love,
Roses shall rain from the skies.
And as they scatter, gather the flowers
He shall reign in our lives.

As long as you're His child,
His song shall fill your dark night,
Light when you're lost in this lonely exile.
We need to hear His Word.
Would you bleed to heal His scarred world?
Your little thorn is a rose if it grows in His heart.

As long as you believe,
Roses shall rain from the skies.

Grant us O Lord the grace to see and practice your ways in our own little way. Amen.

by aats

The Blessing of Fulltime Work

I was having fun last night having some very joyful exchanges with FTPWS (Full Time Pastoral Workers of CFC Youth For Christ)*. FTPWs is like family to me, serving for almost 8 years now with such crazy bunch of people makes you homesick if you are away from most of them.

For a long time we don’t have a group page in Facebook, so I thought of creating one. It was record breaking, in just a matter of less than 10 minutes; we already have 85 current FTPWs added in the group. Now, we have 94 members, maybe this is not the complete lists of current FTPWs but is a good gauge of how the community had inspired so many young people to serve the Lord as missioners. So first and foremost, my deep appreciation to my comrades in the battle, you are an inspiration!

Looking at how fast all the posts and replies in the group had been, I am just affirmed once more, that indeed we have found a home in each other. We had become like blood brothers and sisters and indeed it is true, because we are united in a more trustworthy blood line, that of Christ Jesus! Mission is now is home for us. No matter where we will be in the future, we always have a home to return to in Fulltime Work.

Lets build on what we have, so the future will be more Christ-like than ever. Let’s strives on to finish the mission that we are in. No retreat, only surrender to His Will. Onward courageous comrades, love is more than enough reason to serve because God is love Himself. There is something in Fulltime Work that can only be fully defined and understood by experiencing it. This is the blessing that is uniquely Fulltime!

Fulltime Work is a blessing more than a sacrifice. Keep inspiring and loving. We will not just bloom were we are planted but will bear fruits that will remain.

*FTPW’s are young full time lay missioners who answered the call to mission after they graduated from college/university.

by aats

Creator and Creature

…Any god we could comprehend could not be God, because such a “divinity” would be inferior to our minds. – Scott Hahn “First Comes Love”

The creature will never be the same as the creator. The creature can reflect something about the creator but can never surpass it. Human being can strive to live out Godly characters in order to be like God but can never be God. God will always be God. The creator will always be the creator.  Problem begins when the creature starts wanting to be the creator.

Feast of Christ the King
by aats

When You Said That It Is Done

One of the most moving words that the Lord Jesus said when He was hanged on the cross was from John 19:30, "It is done."

When Christ was hanged on the cross that was the ultimate sacrifice a love could give. It taught us how limitless Christ’s love for us. And He is allowing us to experience it ourselves in our own journey of life.

Christ was so much focused on His purpose to restore the broken relationship of the creature to the creator. To restore the bond of love that existed before.

When He said that it is done, Christ have taught us:

1. To persevere to the end. He taught us not to give up until everything is done according to His word. He never wavered; He is focused on what is to be done. After a lifetime of doing the Fathers will, up to the end, Christ persevered. May we be, like St. Paul can say, "I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith." 2Tim4:7

2. To be faithful to the end. Christ is teaching us that in every darkest nights all we need to do is to cling on to Him because the dawn is sure to come. Not a single word will pass until everything will be fulfilled as He has promised. He was and is faithful to the end.

3. To love to the end. As the song goes, "Oh Lord, You've searched me, You know my way. Even if I fail you, I know you love me. Your holy presence, surrounding me and in every season, I know you'll love me." Christ love is unfailing, even if we fail.

Christ is love Himself! May we learn to drink from His fountain of pure love, that would quench our soul. Moved with love for us, He denied His own emotions and feelings, desires and longings, fears and anxieties, hurts and pains. He simply denied Himself for us. May we learn to do the same.

When You said that it is done Oh Lord, You have taught us to persevere to the end, to be faithful to the end, and to love to the end. Until it is done Oh God, we will carry our cross. Until it is done, we will hope. And until it is done Oh Lord, we will wait. Amen.

Live Out Christ

"Do not judge from his appearance... not as a man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart," 1 Samuel 16:7, so does what God says to Samuel when he was about to anoint the next King of Israel. He could not fathom the wisdom of God when David was chosen. But it was very clear, what matters to Him is the heart, not the appearance.

We do have doubts of our calling, the feeling of unworthiness. But God has Samuel's to chose His chosen ones. Calling is very personal and specific. We have to answer to our own specific calling, no one can answer that for us. The God who says in Isaiah 43:1-2 have chosen us out of many, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through waters, I will be with you;through rivers, you shall not be swept away. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, nor will flames consume you." He chose us not us choosing our roles. So if we think that we are just here because we are capable then we are missing the point because what is important is not being capable but being available. What's the use of being capable if we are not available? The Lord will then equip those whom he called.

Three important things that we can get from the story in the 1st book of Samuel:

1. Anointing - When the Lord called us and we answer, He anoints us and by anointing us He affirms and equips us to be able to do the things He wants us to do. Its very important then, that we believe in our anointing, because when the going gets tough and others will question our anointing, we can stand firm. Satan will always try to put doubts into our mind so that we will question ourselves if we are really the one anointed for our role, in so doing the work of the Lord will be compromised. Beware of his tactics! We also have to believe in the anointing of others, because Gods plan works in mysterious ways even in the people and leaders we don't like. Lastly, we have to be worthy of our anointing. Let's not settle for less, but only for the best for He is best!

2. Stewardship - We are not the owners we are just stewards. When Saul made a mistake of not following the orders of God while fighting the enemies of Israel, the spirit moves away from him and transferred to David. When we start to think that we are the owners not stewards we start to have this kingdom mentality. This ministry in mine, this program is mine, this people are mine! The story of the owner of the vineyard makes this even clearer. When it was about harvest time, the owner decided to send his servants to collect his part of the produce. But the laborers killed them all in order to have the produce for themselves. The patient owner after sending his servants decided to send his only son, thinking the laborers might respect him and give his part of the produce. But the laborers upon seeing the son, said to themselves, this is the heir, come let us finish off this son, so that not only the produce we can have but even the entire vineyard. The laborers of the vineyard decided not just to be the stewards but the owner themselves! Upon hearing this, the King sent his troops and finish off all his laborers to put a claim to his own vineyard. Isn't it sounds the same, when we start thinking that we are the owners, we become selfish to the point even of taking others lives.

3. Consent - The Lord will never coerce us instead He will always allows us to freely chose. The moment we allow Him to use us, He makes marvelous things to happen to us. Like David, blessings upon blessings follows after the consent. We have seen personal victories, lives changed, relationship restored and faith recovered.

Set The World On Fire

With all the blessings we received we are to bless the world as well. We are to share the love of Christ both in words and in deeds. We have to set the world on fire with the love of Christ! We are to proclaim Jesus not just in the comfort of our family, relatives, friends and parishes but to every schools, streets, corners, darkest areas and lonely places beyond the reach of the church, in places and situations where Christ is absent. The faces of poverty is everywhere, Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta said, "We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty."

Ours is not a calling of convenience. Our "Yes" is certainly not a yes of convenience! Mary's yes was not out of convenience because to be a mother of a savior is not convenient at all. Who are we to say that ours will? We go to places beyond our comfort not because it’s easy but precisely because it’s difficult. That's mission!

We go to lead and provide hope. People hope if they see something and so we provide vision, something to look forward to. People follow if we have vision. Our vision, "Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the Face of the Earth" and our mission of "Building the Church of the Home and the Poor" excites us to do greater things for the Lord. So as YFC's we respond by being "Young People Being and Bringing Christ Wherever They Are". This is who we are! We are to be the bible to those who have not read one. We cannot compartmentalize nor dichotomized our life. If we are good in YFC then the more we should be good in our family, school and society. YFC is not just an organization, it's a lifestyle, and it's in our blood. So we have to live it out as leaders so we can be the "salt of the earth and light of the world" Mat 5:13-14. 

3 I's of Leadership

We are not just managers we are leaders! As leaders we are to inspire others by the way we live our lives. We have to have:

1. Integrity - We must walk our talk. There should be no difference between what we say and what we do. In meetings, we are the first to come and the last to go. 

2. Initiative - When directions are given, we don't need someone to always tell us what to do, instead we initiate. We make things happen!

3. Intent - Our intention should be pure. We say yes to the call of leadership because we respond to the call of God not to the call of egos or of any personal intentions. Our calling is clear so our response should be clear!

An Answered Prayer

As much as our calling is an answered prayer for us, we are also an answered prayer to others. YFC is an answered prayers to parents who are longing to have there kids having an environment were they can grow in Christian faith, hope and love; to the church who longs to have the youth be animated again with there faith; and to the many young people who are searching for meaning and purpose in there lives. Think about this, what a privilege to be an answer to someone else prayer.

So our "Yes" to this mission is no ordinary yes, its a yes that will have an effect even a thousand years from now, much as Mary's yes has an effect on us a thousands years after that faithful announcement of an angel. 

Live Out Christ! Our call is a blessing. This is where the Lord puts us because this is where He will bless us and use us. Don't just bloom were you are planted but bear fruit that will remain! Don't just be contented with one parish, one Catholic school and one university, and certainly not just to Filipinos after all we are to be "Families in the Holy Spirit, Renewing the Face of the Earth". The Lord has given us the whole world to evangelize! Are we up to the challenge? Stand up now and be a leader!

by aats