If Jesus Can, Why Can’t We?

5^th Sunday of Lent. Pls Read God’s Silent Message: JN 12:20-33

Are there people in your life that have hurt you and you have not yet forgiven?

Yong mga taong kinakasamaan mo ng loob kasi ang sabi mo nasaktan ka nila …

Yong mga taong sabi mo nakasakit sayo kaya nagalit ka sa kanila …

Pero ang tanong Friend … nalaman kaya nila na sumama loob mo sa kanila?

Nalaman kaya nila kung bakit at kung ano ang iyong ikinagalit?

And kung nalaman man nila, napag-usapan nyo po kaya ng tama where to draw the line of reconciliation?

Hanggang kailan ka po kaya magagalit?  Hanggang kailan hindi magagawang magpapatawad?

Just some of the questions we could reflect on. Sometimes it’s not really all about them – but about nobody than US!

Minsan kasi, kailangan din nating masaktan para maisip natin kung kailan din natin hindi sinasadyang makapanakit. Stories always have two sides of the coin. Supposedly, when we commit, we admit; when we omit, we submit! – but in reality, when one commits mistake & omits to ask for forgiveness, we normally judge & condemn – sacrificing the relationship to death.

Pero alam mo friend, what makes us uneasy to forgive is the fact that the real enemy that Jesus came to overcome was Satan who tempts the human race to create their own destiny through sinful pride and disobedience. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,

it remains alone. But if it dies, it will bear much fruit.”  – John 12.24

Only when the seed is destroyed by burying it in the ground, can it rise to new life and bear fruit. What it means is that, sometimes we have to die to our self-satisfaction of justifying why we’re mad.

If Jesus took our sins upon himself and nailed them to the cross to set us free from destruction, why can we not give up our pride and futility?

Friend, ayaw ni God na laging mabigat ang pakiramdam mo dahil galit ka sa pagkukulang ng iba!

God has been striving to bring us into an inseparable bond of love & unity with Him. Only if we would be one with God would we be able to “free others from our unforgiveness” – then it would eventually free us to extend more love and bear much fruit of encouraging relationships! #sunset

 

***published in The Feast San Lorenzo Bulletin. Issue #15. 18 March 2018. UNLEASHED Series, Talk 3: Freeing Others.

***you can also read this in: https://trendingprof47.wordpress.com/2018/03/18/if-jesus-can-why-cant-we/

 

Don’t Dilly-Dally

Cor Dei 1.  3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pls Read God’s Silent Message: MT4:12-23

 “the people living in darkness have seen a great light…” — Matthew 4:16

photo credits: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com

CHANCES … grab or drop it! 

Once in a while we’ll first have to be despicable before we’d realize that we’ve already missed a chance!  Sometimes we fall short of foresight that we overlook what should have been done at a certain required time.

I was recently bereaved by a friend who had been sick. I wasn’t able to visit her again when I started battling against mine.  I had her in my mind several times last December. I planned to call her up too, but scheds and events had just piled up until I ended receiving that sad news; Facebook feeds were filled with posts, mourning for her.  I felt so guilty; I should have told her, “let’s fight together!”; I should have made her feel stronger knowing that she’s not struggling alone. I cried hard in regret; I was just consoled when a friend told me, “marami pa kami!; we also want to hear from you!”

When you come to that breaking point that you wouldn’t want to miss chances, your only choice would be to MAXIMIZE TIME! Each time we wake up for a day, God is giving us “that invitation” to come after Him and leave our comfort zones of excuses.

Friends, today let’s IMPLEMENT that decision: REACH OUT, DO NOT DELAY!

Days may be dark at times, but if we will only consider God’s calling to “come after Him”, we will surely see the LIGHT that will mark the turning point in our life. More Dreams & Plans will materialize which will make our BEST YEAR EVER! #sunset

==========================================================================Published in FeastSMStaRosaBulletin. Series of 2017. Issue #2, 22 January 2017. Light of Jesus’ BEST YEAR EVER: Imagine Your Future Now Series. Talk 3: Implementation

also posted in: http://gailmontero.blogspot.com/2017/01/dont-dilly-dally.html?spref=fb & https://trendingprof47.wordpress.com/2017/01/24/dont-dilly-dally/

 

“True Character is who you are and what you do — even when no one is watching you!”

Starting Over Again

check this out guyz!
http://47inspired.blogspot.com/2014/02/starting-over-again.html

“we are our own”…

by: Gail S. Montero

Please read Matthew 5:38-48.

Minsan ‘di natin napapansin, ang “bitter” natin!

We don’t want to let go of the past kasi “doon”, may ginawa tayong hindi natin dapat ginawa.

May “pinanghihinayangan” tayo na until this very moment ay may mga natitirang tanong sa puso natin.

–mga tanong na nagpapahirap sa kalooban natin kaya pinipilit nating i-“fit-in” sa isip natin ang lahat ng “what if” sa mga ‘di natin nagawa pero dapat sana ay ginawa natin.

Kaya naman, it’s our tendency to believe that we can “start over again” with whatever there was in the past kasi this time, “gusto nating bumawi”!

It’s “what we believe in” that makes us determined to keep on working things out! Not only our eyes, but our heart is gazed on  that goal to be “at our best” this time. – kahit na dumating pa sa point na nasasaktan na tayo at nakakasakit na din tayo ng iba. 

In today’s gospel, Jesus laid down another “reward”:

₄₄”But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,₄₅that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.₄₆For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? … ₄₈So be perfect,^* just as your heavenly Father is perfect. ”

If we will not realize na tayo yong “enemy at persecutor na ‘yon sa sarili natin”, we will keep on reading through … even memorizing the lines and memories that should already be “deleted” in our system which hinder us from really “moving on” with the best memories instead.  We cause our own heart aches, we keep on allowing our “holding back” trends, to the point that we want to find ways to “un-love” so as to finally move-on.

Such a nice “twist” … “starting over again” with a love that’s beautiful and new!

“PSP” … “past is past” – never be BITTER about it! – kasi, without that one part of our history, we will never be BETTER today.

That chance na makapagsimula na wala nang natitirang tanong sa puso natin,

that enough “time” hanggang sa mapatawad natin ang sarili with whatever mistake/s …

… these would be the “best gifts” we could ever give to ourselves.

Let us increase our worship while we strive to “grow up” in our relationships – “this is loving in a different way”! #sunset

Let us Guarantee Back

What could have compelled someone to say ill-will to another?
What would explain some heavy words we don’t expect to hear
from a person whom we thought considers us close at heart?
Needless to ask, “who would not get hurt?!” specially that we didn’t even intend to jeopardize anything nor anyone. It’s just so sad that “malice” & personalized-interpretations worked its way against the harmony that we used to enjoy!

We cannot please everyone, true! … but it doesn’t give us the right to cause someone’s pain just because we are not pleased by what the person say or do! – neither should it privilege us to demean someone just because our expectations are not met – nor just because we feel that the other person is too proud of what he has not yet become based on our standards!

If only I was there during that time “when the people in the synagogue were all filled with fury toward Jesus as featured in the Gospel of Luke 4:21-30, I would have told them that their reactions are mere reflection of who they are inside:, “there is no better test for a man’s ultimate integrity than his behavior when he is displeased. The thing is, you cannot bring out what you don’t have. The words and actuations that would emerge when you’re mad belong to none other than you. Yet, would you have any choice eh “‘yon ka na”?

Let me share with you this story I’m so fond reminding myself of during apprehensions:

“There were two boys who plotted to play a joke on a holy hermit. They intended to hold a bird in their hands behind their back and ask the hermit if the bird was dead or alive. If the hermit said it was dead the boy planned to open his hand and let the bird fly up to the sky. If the hermit said it was alive, the boy planned to crush the bird in his hand to prove that the wise old man was wrong. “Father,” said one of the lads, “I have a small bird in my hand. Is it alive or dead?” There was silence while the old man fixed him with his gaze. Eventually he chuckled and said: “Well, boys—it all depends on you!”

Events and people might plot itself towards us which may trigger our human frailty … 30 “But Jesus passed through the midst of them who were furious and went away.” – with all the might no matter how much sore there was, He managed to guarantee being faithful to His mission in the name of love

I so admire YOU, if despite painful judgements, you remain responsive to God’s call. “It all depends on us”! People who’ve hurt us should not hinder our mission of loving others the more, while WE should GUARANTEE GOD BACK that we will utilize His Supplies & Solutions for us to fulfil our Significance all the more. #sunset

Related articles

• True Wisdom (combonischolasticate.wordpress.com)
• The Hermit (tracesofthesoul.wordpress.com)

 

Send In The Clown …

Send In The Clown …

I hope to accomplish this mission telling you Bagetz that when you don’t understand what things are for, all that you need to do is “obey” while striving to “send in the clown” that you should be – ‘coz for all you know, CLOWNS are the wardens of the sweet spot on the human psyche – that element which witnesses the absurdities and tells the truth.

Strive to Write your name in Heaven!

When I was a child, bigyan lang ako ng “piso” ng lolo ko, masaya na ako!
Tatakbong papunta sa tindahan at bibili ng paborito kong kendi.
Sa tuwing tatakbo akong pabalik sa lolo ko,
Imbes na magalit sya ay hahagurin nya na lang ang kulot kong buhok
at di na ako pagagalitan kahit na sa halip na ang pinabibili nyang sigarilyo ang dala ko
ay makikita nya akong tuwang-tuwa dala ang mga kending higit pa ang dami sa halagang piso.

To my young mind, nagtataka ako kung bakit ‘di ako pinagagalitan ng lolo ko sa tuwing di ko sya ibinibili ng sigarilyong utos nya – kasi kung hindi kendi ay “pepsi” naman ang dala kong pabalik sa kanya. Inisip ko noon na baka bad girl na ako dahil hindi ang utos ni lolo ang sinusunod ko kahit na sya ang dahilan kung bakit nagkakaroon ako ng pagkakataon na pumunta sa tindahan. What I didn’t know, everytime pala na hindi ko sinusunod ang utos nya ay tinatanong nya ang tindera kung ano’ng sinasabi ko tuwing may dala akong “piso” galing sa lolo ko.

For the longest years … ngayon ko lang naintindihan! It was not because I did not do what he said that others might think I disobeyed – but it was because he discovered that I did not buy him that cigarette because I would tell the “tindera” each time, that my lolo told me to buy what would bring up “his happiness”. Even without asking me, my lolo secretly discovered my greater cause and deep intention. Now that I already have kids of my own who may have the same thoughts as mine back then, his silence has been a legacy to me – embedding in me what DISCIPLESHIP means in its REAL SENSE!

Yes, we don’t really have to assert for power just because we have the edge. The gospel of Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 is a good reminder when Jesus spoke to His disciples: “Yes, I have given you power to act “IN MY NAME”; yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.”

Sana ganito dapat… if we do things “in God’s name”, we should be more careful in our dispositions. The opponent would always work its ways to ruinss relationships; but if we wouldn’t be on guard, we might eventually lose the flock whom we have prepared for the coming of the Greatest: God’s Kingdom on earth. The way we allow scenarios to transcend in accordance to some hurting moves may be a Dangerous Worship … some more people may get pained IF WE DO NOT STICK TO OUR VISION AND MISSION as GOD’S PARTNERS — #asHisdisciples

May God’s silent message come across us today. Let’s not allow such taste of power to intoxicate us. We may be amidst human frailties; but never allow ourselves to be distracted by the drive that all too easily becomes power over others. STRIVE STILL to keep this place the HAPPIEST ON EARTH! #sunset

No More COKE! :(

Life is like how you handle a can or a bottle of coke!

http://profgailinspires.com/2013/07/05/no-more-coke/

No More COKE! 😦

Sometimes we need to realize what we’re wasting!

Sometimes we don’t handle things well and so they burst out until we run out of something which we’ve been expecting to enjoy — but we’re left with NO MORE!

God Guarantees Beyond Worries

http://profgailinspires.com/2013/07/03/god-guarantees-beyond-worries/

Whew….what a week it has been! …nakaka-preysure!

Sometimes you would come to the point na di mo na alam ang pwede mong gawing paraan kasi ang lakas ng dating ng pagkasabi sayo na “DI NA PWEDE” ang inakala mong pwede pa! Excited ka pa man din kasi isa sa mga pinangarap mo ang malapit nang matupad tapos biglang sasabihin sayong “wala na, sayang na ang pinaghirapan mo”! Kung mahihna-hina ang loob mo, mawawalan ka na ng pag-asa, di ka na gagawa ng paraan kasi yong ini-expect mong pwede mo pang magawa ay di daw talaga uubra! Wala nang areglo, as in! whew…nakakapanghina talaga! – as in deads ka na, double jeopardized ka pa kasi sa bandang huli, you were all the more blamed kasi di mo naisip ahead of time na di na pala pwede ang inakala mong pwede pa! isang hirit pa … nakakapanghina talaga!

Buti na lang, may isa ka pang natitirang choice … ang umiyak na lang!

And upppsss, dahil dyan, bigla kang nahimasmasan and all the while, SUPPLIED with a strength from somewhere, you suddenly moved on with the great EXPECTATION IN YOUR HEART that God’s ANGELS will come in rescue and ease your tears with the hope that  mightier things are coming!

Beyond the worries, “if and only if” we will submit ourselves to God’s anointing — that determination to do our best and find every possible recourse even when others demean our optimism , God would soon descend His GUARANTEE!

As sure as John promised to the people that One mightier than him is coming after he baptized Jesus in our gospel for today, it’s also a sure thing that with God’s sent angels will RELEASE our worries and all the way stay with us, ‘till we take hold in our hands the PASSPORT to greater FAITH!

Huling hirit lang po … God guarantees there are angels! 🙂 sunset

Let’s just modify our Timeline!

God’s promise would soon be fulfilled!

 … not when “likes” clicked to nine [9] circles where horses dance in style for the opponent’s victory!

… not when Ms. USA won over Ms. Philippine’s 1^st Runner-up Title! … and DEFINITELY not on such December 21, 2012 which was fear-freakingly prophesied to be the END OF THE WORLD!

Every waking morning,  we are supposedly to bring good tidings to one and all; to bring hope to those who are depressed; to give enlightenment to those, whose days has been gloomy because they have nothing to share; to bring recourse to those who want to share and be God’s answer to their good intentions of making others happy … 

 — yet, all of a sudden an out of nowhere news would try to “kill-joy” whatever preparations. — that feeling na sobrang excited ka na dahil ilang tulog na lang ay ayan na ang araw na pinakahihintay mo; tapos, biglang sasabihin sayong “ay sori ka, excited ka pa dyan, eh ilang tulog na lang,REVELATIONS na!

            — that feeling na nag-uumpisa ka pa lang ulit dahil sa ilang linggo ka ding nakarealize sa mga   natutunan mo sa mga talks sa “The Feast” ay biglang sasabihin sayong “asa ka pa!

di ka na mapapasama sa “the chosen ones ni God” kasi “ending na!”,

                wala ka nang chance para ipakita

na may binabago ka na sa sarili mo!  

But God’s promise is BEST! — and THE BEST IS YET TO COME, as our Bro Jon would always quote!

Our mere presence ‘till today …

… is one of the completion of that promise!

Mary, in the gospel: Luke 1:39-56 who, despite that she was pregnant in such timeline, traveled all the way in haste to visit her cousin, Elizabeth.  ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. “

When the opponent strikes like this “end-of-the-world” kill-joy thing,  fear, doubts and the likes may  piss us off; but this reflection hopes to lead us to realization that we can always decide and strive to be a Miracle worker by modifying our timeline:  be a sign of faith, hope and love, first and foremost to ourselves so that we may be the best gift we could ever come up with specially today! #sunset 

Why in Silent M…

Why in Silent Mode?

“We might wonder at times why people has to put themselves

in “silent mode”
well, it’s because sometimes,

they just don’t find it worthy saying “a word”
when the person being talked with

isn’t listening with the “heart” at all.” — sunset