Kerygma Magazine January 2016

Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life
No. 307 Vol. 27
January
2016
Welcome to
the
World
of
Wonders!
UNEARTH your
true worth
DISCOVER the real
seven wonderS
OF THE WORLD
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Christ in you,
the hope of glory
OTHER CORRECTIONS BEFORE
A P lanner Like No Otnerer.

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To make your dreams come true, you will need a Map of

Success to guide you. But heres the deal: Only you can
make this Map. No one else.
You can chart your course and determine where you want
to go based on your Sacred Mission and Life Dreams.
Your Life Dreams Success Planner will remind you of this.
The strategy of writing your goals and reading them every
day is the secret of champions. It has been proven to be the
best strategy to produce the most number of achievers in
any field or area of life.
Do you want to succeed? Do you want to make your
dreams come true?
Yes, you can do great things. You can be all that God wants
you to be. You can achieve and surpass the dreams of
your heart.
Start using your Life Dreams Success Planner today!
Whats Inside?
Ample Space to Write Your Dreams in the 7 Significant Areas of Your Life
Effective Steps for Discovering Your Personal Life Mission

Monthly Faith Declaration
Weekly Inspiring Quotes and Life-Giving Truths from the Bible
A Place to Write Your Action Steps and Keep Track of Your Priorities
Words of Wisdom from Bo Sanchez
Inspiring Paintings from Francis Sanchez
Discount Coupons from Worship Gen, Going Straight, Bagnetified and Boodle Box
Plenty of Space to Make Your Life Dreams Come True
With this Perpetual Planner, you can begin your journey to

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Learn more about the planner: www.kerygmabooks.com/kerygmaonline
find out how god

works through the
youth as young
catholics share their
personal experiences
of his love and
faithfulness.
For orders, call 725-9999 local 101 - 108

or log on to www.kerygmabooks.com
read God's Word and understand it better.

Companion compiles the Mass readings of
the day in a handy book that you can bring
with you wherever you go.
Y
ER GM
A

Open Up Your
Life to Love
The Boss
By Bo Sanchez
ave you ever wondered if fish drank water?

I know what youre thinking.
Only a crazy guy like me thinks of such lunacy.
Well, think of a tiny fish right smack in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Now tell me. Wouldnt it be the funniest thing in the world if Baby Fish says
to Mother Fish, Mommy, Im thirsty.
I mean, hellooooo!
Can you imagine what her mother will say?
Geepers, kid!Have you been dunked inwasabi?Has Jaws III chewed off your head?
Have you stepped down the evolution ladder and developed only a brain stem? How
in the world could you be thirsty? (Note: I apologize for the obscene language.The
Mother Fish is not spiritually renewed.)
Well I forgot how to do it. Im only one-day old, you know. And Iamreally
thirsty, the little squirt says, her fin pointing to her mouth.
Oh, alright, the mother spits, if you want to drink water, all you have to do is open
up.
Open up?
Yes, dummy. You dont have to go to the fridge and pour yourself a glass of liquid.
You dont have to go to a store and buy a can of Coke. And you dont have to wait for
raindrops to fall down the sky and open your mouth while belting out, Im singing in
the rainAll you have to do is open up! Open your mouth and open your throat, and
the whole Pacific Ocean will come rushing into you.
Oh
So the Baby Fish opens up and does a somersault as she is hit by a torpedo of
water shooting through her system.
Yes, all we have to do is open up.
Some people have a hard time praying.
They think its a matter of going to the fridge or going to the store to buy a bottle of
water.
No, praying isntyoudoing something.
I believe thatpraying is essentially allowing something to happen to you.
Because right this minute, you are surrounded by the ocean of Gods
Presence.Hes all over you, enveloping you, immersing you, drenching
you with His love.
You need Him?
Open up.
You need His blessing for 2016?
Open up.
You need anything right now?
Open up.
Hell be coming, running, rushing towards you with His love.
Happy new year, dear friends!
May your dreams come true,
Kerygma January 2016
Mailroom
I am an avid reader of Kerygma magazine.

I would like to thank you for making me realize
about a lot of things in life.
Thank you so much for the inspiration. I
hope to experience The Feast here.
Kris Anne Singson
Cebu City
Your October 2015 issue, especially Bo
Sanchezs article Feel at Home, is truly
inspiring for people who are just starting a
family. It makes me dream of having a Christcentered, loving and happy family.
May your magazine continue to bring hope
to the Filipino family.
Marlyn A.
Paraaque City
I am right now saddled with

heavy debts because of my husbands
hospitalization that eventually led to his
death. I dont know how I could recover
financially, being a single mom now to two
young kids, but reading your November
2015 issue somehow gave me hope that all
will be well. I know that God will guide me
and help me find freedom from debt.
Thank you for this magazine that helps
readers find practical tips in facing the
realities of life.
Carrie N.
Cubao, Quezon City
Congratulations on your 25th year,
Kerygma! May you live forever and bless
the generations to come as you are
blessing us now.
Rose A.
Makati City
CONNECT WITH US!

EMAIL: editsvp@shepherdsvoice.com.ph
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Just Breathe
Living by Grace
By Rissa Singson-Kawpeng
Dream Again
Rissas outfit courtesy of Elite Garments/FREEWAY
grew up believing in the vision that

the Philippines will one day be the
light of Asia. Its a prophecy thats
been proclaimed by several holy men,
including Saint John Paul II when he
visited our country in 1995.
In the Catholic community that I
was part of since my teens, we prayed
for national renewal every single day,
specifically after we would say our Grace
before Meals at lunchtime.
Our belief urged us to participate in
politics. After all, we couldnt just keep
praying without doing anything.
So we mounted a national campaign
with unknown but qualified and morally
upright candidates for the positions of
president, vice president and senators.
We did it because we believed that for
true renewal to take place, we needed
godly, capable leaders who would put
Gods and the countrys agenda before
their own. This was in 1998, when 10
presidentiables vied for the highest
position in the land. Unfortunately,
despite all our prayer and action, not
to mention personal money that we
sunk into a national campaign, the least
qualified but most popular among the
candidates won by a large margin. (To his
diehard fans and supporters, please dont
send me hate mail. Im not judging him.
History has already done that. Im just
stating facts.)
Now, the navet of my youth and my
faith has long been replaced by a more
grounded, practical belief. Ive resigned
to the fact that the transformation of
our country will not be an overnight
phenomenon. That a morally upright
leader for all his good intentions and
There is hope for the Philippines

vision cant bring about the economic,
political and moral overhaul the country
yearns for unless he can replicate
himself all the way down to the clerks,
assessors, inspectors and traffic enforcers
on the street who are on the frontlines
of corruption. That the Philippines will
continue on its frustratingly slow, halting
pace to progress and prosperity as its
Asian neighbors rocket ahead.
Then I read the rags to riches story of
Abu Dhabi. I was surprised to learn that
this dizzyingly progressive, first-world city
was stuck in the 18th century until the late
60s. They got telephones and electricity
only in 1967! Before that, they didnt have
hospitals and schools, and they lived only
in huts under the seething desert sun.
What catapulted them from the
ancient existence of desert Bedouins
to the cosmopolitan opulence of the
Emiratis in such a brief period was
the discovery of oil and the visionary
leadership of their founding father, Sheik
Kalifa.
You will find Sheikh Kalifa in the
Guinness Book of World Records for turning
down the biggest bribe in history. At a
time when he had only less than a weeks
supply of food in the palace, the sheikh
refused a $42-million bribe from the
Saudis to give up his fight against their
claim on a disputed piece of land that
rightfully belonged to his people.
Today, if you visit the United Arab
Emirates, you will see how money and
selfless leadership can skyrocket a nation
from sands to skyscrapers.
Is there hope for the Philippines? I
want to believe so. Call
me a dreamer. Call me a
fool. Call me a believer. But Im still waiting

for that godly, fiercely patriotic leader who
will take our country to its glorious future.
And Im praying 2016 will be the appointed
time.
In the last days, God says, I will pour
out my Spirit upon all people. Your
sons and daughters will prophesy. Your
young men will see visions, and your old
men will dream dreams. (Acts 2:17)
Email me at justbreatherissa@gmail.com or
follow me on Facebook.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
If you haven't read Bo Sanchez's newest
book, Heart Detox, you're missing out on a
total life overhaul. In his latest bestseller, Bo
gives you powerful handles to take charge
of your most toxic feelings. He also gives
specific and doable instructions on how
to overcome bitterness, pettiness, despair,
insecurity, worry and fear. Order
it in ebook or paperback
edition at www.
kerygmabooks.com
or call (02)6379203.
Available also
in bookstores
nationwide.
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Introduction
Welcome to the World of

Wonders!
The Boss
Open Up Your
Life to Love
The Bo Files
48
Point of Contact
Mailroom
Daily Pause
8
9
New You
10
Kfam Insider
TOUCHED by A PRAYER
23
Teaching
UNEARTH YOUR TRUE WORTH
25
Testimony
Living A Positive Life
29
Special Section
Teaching
ITS A WONDERFUL WORLD!
31
Testimony
Awestruck: Living with
wonder
35
MOS Interviews:
What Elicits a Sense of Awe
for You?
38
About Our Cover Model

Wondering whos the angelicfaced lady on our cover? Well,
shes indeed an angel.
Angel Movido radiates joy
and optimism as a field reporter
for a national radio station. This
lovely woman is more than just
beauty and brains; shes also a
blessing expert. Regardless of
the stress and crazy schedule
that her work demands, Angel
manages to live a life of awe. She
gratefully counts her blessings
and nourishes her relationship
with God through The Feast. An
affectionate daughter, supportive
sister, bubbly friend, and a lover
of God, Angel shares how she
keeps her eye open for simple
joys on page 35.
Real Stuff
Departments
12
14
17
Special Feature
51ST INTERNATIONAL
EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS: Christ
in You, the Hope of Glory
Dear K
Feast Snapshots
The Feast Bacoor:
One for God
19
It Happened
A Teachers Lesson:
Forgive and Be Free
47
One Last Story

Prison break
January 2016
Just Breathe
DREAM AGAIN
Seasons
A New Year,A New Beginning
41
Columns
Catholic Soul
Kitchen Scribbles
CHRISTMAS
2015
Eternal Rest
43
K Preacher
Time For Your Checkup!
45
founder and publisher BO SANCHEZ editor-in-chief RISSA SINGSON KAWPENG managing editor TESS V. ATIENZA asst. managing editor MAYMAY SALVOSA creative director MIKE CORTES asst.
layout artist LEAH KIM RECTO graphics director REY DE GUZMAN asst. graphics artist JAP TARECTECAN staff writers MARJORIE DUTERTE, KARREN RENZ SEA, DINA PECAA contributing writers
OSY ERICA, JUDITH CONCEPCION, JC LIBIRAN, ANGEL MOVIDO photographer DANIEL SORIANO columnists BETH MELCHOR, ROSANNE ROMERO, RAMON BUENO production asst. ANGIE ESPUERTA
chairman of the board and CEO BO SANCHEZ president HERMIE R. MORELOS vice-president for corporate services WENG CEQUEA assistant vice-president for production RISSA KAWPENG
production manager TESS V. ATIENZA sales and marketing manager JOSEPH MARTINEZ
Kerygma. A Greek word meaning Proclamation of the Gospel. It is a Catholic inspirational magazine. It aims to be an evangelistic tool for all nations, providing Scriptural, practical
and orthodox teachings to Catholics, particularly those in the Catholic Renewal, as an alternative to present-day magazines. It is also committed to fostering the renewal and unity
of the whole Christian people. Philippine copyright Shepherds Voice Publications, Inc. 2016. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission. Published monthly by
Shepherds Voice Publications, Inc., whose editorial and business offices are located at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, 1109 Quezon City. Tel.: (632) 725-9999, 411-7874, 725-1190, 470-4091
and 881-3082 (Production Department). Fax: 727-5615. Email: editsvp@shepherdsvoice.com.ph. Website: www.kerygmabooks.com
Daily Pause
with Pope Francis
Now I ask you, please, let us have

a moment of silence and let each
one of us silently, in our hearts,
ask ourselves the question: Who
is Jesus for me? Silently, each one,
answer in your heart.
Jesus wealth lies in His being the

Son; His unique relationship with the
Father is the sovereign prerogative of
this Messiah who is poor.
13
How greatly I desire that all those

places where the Church is present,
especially our parishes and our
communities, may become islands
of mercy in the midst of the sea of
indifference!
19
Emotional maturity cant be

bought or sold and it is the greatest
endowment of the familial genius. It
is precisely in the family where we
learn to grow in the atmosphere of
emotional maturity.
25
All that we have in the world does

not satisfy our infinite hunger. We
need Jesus, to be with Him, to be
nourished at His table, on His words
of eternal life!
6
2
Love makes us similar, it creates
equality, it breaks down walls and
eliminates distances. God did this
with us.
3
Christ is not an optional element:
He is the Living Bread, the
essential nourishment.
Faith is the heart of Marys whole

story: she is the believer, the great
believer.
Indifference to our neighbour

and to God also represents
a real temptation for us
Christians.
14
15
If we humbly implore Gods

grace and accept our own
limitations, we will trust in the
infinite possibilities which Gods
love holds out to us.
20
In the poor and outcast we

see Christs face; by loving and
helping the poor, we love and
serve Christ.
26
Believing in Jesus means making
Him the centre, the meaning of
our life.
We are called to show that the

Church is the home of all. Are
we capable of communicating
the image of such a Church?
21
Wherever we go, we are called as

Christians to proclaim the liberating
news that forgiveness for sins
committed is possible, that God is
greater than our sinfulness, that He
freely loves us at all times and that
we were made for communion and
eternal life.
27
Binding oneself to Him, in a

true relationship of faith and
love, does not mean being tied
down, but being profoundly
free, always on the journey.
Communication is a means of
expressing the missionary vocation
of the entire Church; today the social
networks are one way to experience
this call to discover the beauty of
faith, the beauty of encountering
Christ.
10
Let our communication be a balm

which relieves pain and a fine wine
which gladdens hearts.
16
Charity, love, is sharing with the one
we love in all things.
22
Faith, which is like a seed deep in

the heart, blossoms when we let the
Father draw us to Jesus, and we go to
Him with an open heart.
28
May the Virgin Mary help us to

always go to Jesus to experience
the freedom He offers us, allowing it
to cleanse our choices from worldly
incrustations and fear.
May the light we bring to others

not be the result of cosmetics
or special effects, but rather of
our being loving and merciful
neighbors to those wounded and
left on the side of the road.
11
6
When the people of God are
converted to His love, they find
answers to the questions that
history continually raises.
12
Christians are those who let

God clothe them with goodness
and mercy, with Christ, so as to
become, like Christ, servants of
God and others.
The prayers of the Church on

earth establish a communion
of mutual service and
goodness which reaches up
into the sight of God.
It has been said that the only real

regret lies in not being a saint (L.
Bloy); we could also say that there
is only one real kind of poverty:
not living as children of God and
brothers and sisters of Christ.
In Jesus, in His flesh that is,

in His concrete humanity is
all the love of God, which is
the Holy Spirit.
It is thrilling to experience the

joy of spreading this good news,
sharing the treasure entrusted to
us, consoling broken hearts and
offering hope to our brothers and
sisters experiencing darkness.
Let us ask the Lord, through

the intercession of the Blessed
Virgin, to give us a pure heart,
free of all hypocrisy.
17
23
29
The Eucharist is Jesus Himself

who gives Himself entirely to us.
18
24
30
31
But the Gospel also shows

us the truest cause of Marys
greatness and her blessedness:
the cause is faith.
The Lord asks us to be joyous
heralds of this message of
mercy and hope!
New You
Tips for Personal Development
Hello, 2016! What better way to start
the year than having a sound mind to
achieve our resolutions? While most
people are watchful of their physical
attributes, we must not forget that
our mental health matters as much.
Mental health problems give rise to
various illnesses such as depression,
schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder
and many others. Although there are
environmental and genetic factors
affecting those conditions, we can
do our part to keep our mind healthy
through but not limited to the
following:
Conference, however, a study showed that

social media is a double-edged sword:
it can bring feelings of affirmation and
belongingness as well as worsen ones
depression or paranoia. Frequently seeing
status updates of people who seem to
have perfect lives, regardless if their
posts are true or not, can trigger
insecurity and competition. It is best
to limit your social
media friends to those
whom you personally
know and refrain from
letting your life revolve
around the Internet.
1. Get moving. In a study conducted

on Scottish participants who are in
their early 70s, researchers found out
that those who exercise regularly have
stronger brain connections and less
brain shrinkage than the participants
who do not work out. A few minutes of
consistent physical activity today would
benefit you big-time in the future.
3. Eat up. To keep your mind

functioning well, include whole
wheat products in your diet, such
as barley, beans and oats. These foods
contain carbohydrates which produces
glucose, the brains main source of energy.
Protein-rich foods and leafy vegetables are
beneficial, too.
2. Manage social media well. No

doubt, social media is the go-to
communication medium
of this generation. In
the 2015 British
Sociological
Association
4. Plan your life goals. Write down your

life goals, not just your plans for this year.
It reduces the stress of being swayed and
gives you specific direction as to where
you want to go. To avoid falling into anxiety
if you fall short, set smaller objectives
leading to your ultimate goal, and practice
celebrating success in degrees, instead of
an all-or-nothing term.
Source: www.livescience.com
Quick Health Tip

YOGURT
Made of fermented milk containing active
and good bacteria, yogurt is a dairy product
rich with protein, calcium and potassium,
among others. With these components,
yogurt helps reduce osteoporosis, lower
high blood pressure, and eliminate
gastrointestinal conditions such as
constipation, diarrhea and inflammatory
bowel disease. Surprisingly, yogurt can also
be used as facial mask as it contains lactic
acid which can exfoliate the top layer of the
skin.
Source: www.webmd.com
Healthy
Mind,
Happy Life
Real Stuff
Mustard,
Kerygma TV
Bag Awards
in the 37th
CMMA
Shepherds Voice Publications (SVP) and

Shepherds Voice Radio and Television
(SVRTV), the media ministries of Bo
Sanchez, won in the 37th Catholic Mass
Media Awards (CMMA) held on November
4, 2015 at the Star Theater, Pasay City.
Highlighting Pope Francis message to
communicate the Good News called family,
the theme for the recently concluded
CMMA was, Communicating the Family: A
Privileged Place of Encounter with the Gift
of Love.
Mustard: Sowing
Seeds of Fun and
Faith, SVPs monthly
periodical for kids,
emerged as the Best
Childrens Magazine.
On hand to receive
the award were Tess V.
Atienza, SVP production
manager; Tina Santiago
Rodriguez, Mustard
editor-in-chief; Pio
Mallari, art director and
illustrator; and Rey de
Guzman, graphics director. Mustard is known for its fun, engaging and educational
articles filled with godly virtues and even Scripture teachings.
Kerygma TV was conferred the Best Religious Program award. It features the
weekly talks of Bo Sanchez at The Feast, covering spiritual, family, relationship,
financial, and other practical teachings. SVP and SVRTV President Hermie Morelos
received the trophy, along with Randy Borromeo, SVRTV vice president, and Chelle
Sanchez Crisanto. Kerygma TV is aired every Sunday, 7 a.m. in ANC and 8 a.m at IBC
13.
Other SVP publications such as Kerygma and Fish magazines qualified
as finalists for the Best Family-Oriented Magazine and Best Youth Magazine,
respectively.
Kerygma TV operates
through the generous
donors and the
Kerygma TV partners.
To help keep the
TV evangelization
going, visit www.
kerygmafamily.com
and check out how
you can give.
Saints-at-a-Glance
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Born and Died: 1774, New York City, USA 1821, Maryland, USA
Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, the second child of a distinguished couple in New York City,
was the first native-born American saint. When she was 19 years old, she married William
Seton. A few years later, they suffered from bankruptcy that forced them to move to Italy
where William died. Elizabeth became drawn to the Catholic Church and eventually
converted. She founded the first Catholic school in America and the Sisters of Charity
Congregation. Elizabeth committed to the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in
1809. She died in 1821, 16 years after she became a Catholic, and was canonized in 1975. Her
feast day is on January 4.
Kfam Insider
TOUCHED
by A PRAYER
FEAST BAY AREA MEDICAL
MINISTRY OUTREACH TEAM
visits ANAWIM
Text and Photos by June Ann de Vera
10
n the early morning of October 31,

2015, more than 50 servants from The
Feast Bay Area medical team were all
excited as they travelled to Rodriguez,
Rizal to visit the lolas and lolos of
Anawim, the home for abandoned elderly
founded by Bo Sanchez. It was a weekend
adventure for most of us because it was
our first time to visit the place. We arrived
at 9 a.m. and gathered for an orientation.
We were then led to a beautiful chapel
where we paused for a while to offer our
petitions and prayers of worship and
thanksgiving.
Finally face to face with the lolos and
lolas, we started with a simple program
that we prepared for them an opening
prayer, worship song, followed by a
bingo game and a few parlor games.
Everyone had smiles and laughter on
their faces as special prizes were given to
the winners.
But what really brought us joy were
the surprise song and dance numbers of
the talented lolos and lolas. They were
only too willing to perform before us.
We joined them for lunch and ended
our visit by singing their favorite song,
Tanging Yaman. Just before we left, we
were all touched when all the lolos and lolas

raised their arms and prayed over us.
We also gave our humble donation
to Anawim, and in the acknowledgment
receipt given to us, there was a quotation
that touched me deeply: You cant live a
perfect day without doing something for
someone who will never be able to repay
you. John Wooden
The lolos and lolas may never be able
to repay us but their special talents during
the program, the special prayer before
we left, and seeing their joy through their
smiles were more than enough to make that
Saturday morning extra-special for us.
It was just a three-hour visit but it was
a Saturday morning well-spent for all of us.
We left the shelter feeling blessed and full of
wonderful memories with the lolos and lolas
in Anawim.
Since last year, The Feast Bay Area
Medical Ministry Outreach Team has been
doing monthly visits to conduct medicaldental missions, small-group sharing,
celebrate birthdays, and give medicines or
donations to the different mercy missions
of Light of Jesus Community such as Grace
to Be Born, Jeremiah 33 Foundation and
Tahanan ng Pagmamahal.
11
Special Feature
51ST INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS:
Christ in You, the Hope of Glory
he Philippine Catholic Church opens the year as the

host of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress
(IEC). IEC is a gathering of Catholic religious, clergy
and laity which promotes an awareness of the
importance of the Eucharist in the Church. IEC
happens every four years, the most recent of which
was held in Dublin, Ireland in June 2012. This 2016, the
International Eucharistic Congress will be held from
January 24 to 31 in Cebu City. Fifteen thousand pilgrims are
expected to fly to Cebu for the event.
IEC History and The Eucharist

During the 60s and 70s of the last century, Emilie-Marie
Tamisier started the idea of Eucharistic pilgrimages as a
way to enliven Eucharistic prayer and take a stand against
laicization. Through the efforts and assistance of Saint PeterJulian Eymard, Blessed Antoine Chevrier, Leon Dupont,
and Bishop Louis Gaston Adrien de Segur, such pilgrimages
eventually progressed as Congresses of Eucharistic Works,
to becoming Eucharistic Congresses.
As the Congress aims to emphasize the significance of
the Eucharist to the Church, Ritual de Sacra communioneet
de cultumysteriieucharistici extra Missam was created. It
provides guidelines on how to celebrate the Congress.
The Ritual asserts, Eucharistic Congresses have been
12
introduced into the life of the Church in recent years as a

special manifestation of Eucharistic worship. They should
be considered as a kind of station [statio], that is, a pause of
commitment and prayer, to which a community invites the
universal Church, or a local Church invites other Churches of
the same region or nation or even those of the entire world.
The purpose is that the members of the Church join together
in deepening some aspect of the Eucharistic mystery and
express their worship publicly in the bond of charity and
unity (n.109).
It further states, There should be an opportune program
for people to gather for prayer and extended adoration in the
presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed at designated
churches that are especially suited to this form of piety (ibid,
n.112).
The Eucharist is coined from the Greek word Eucharistia
which means thanksgiving. The Catechism of the
Catholic Church explains that the Eucharist is an action
of thanksgiving to God. The Greek words eucharistein and
eulogein recall the Jewish blessings that proclaim especially
during a meal Gods works: creation, redemption and
sanctification (n.1328). It is also called Holy Communion,
Holy Mass and Holy Sacrifice, among many others. The
Eucharist is revered as the highest form of worship as it is the
commemoration of Jesus ultimate love and sacrifice.
OFFICIAL PRAYER
OF THE 51ST INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS
IEC Today
This years theme, Christ in You, the
Hope of Glory, echoes the words
of St. Paul in Colossians 1:27. In line
with this, the program, catechesis,
and cultural and social events
are designed to acknowledge the
Risen Christ as the heart of the
Churchs and peoples experiences.
There will be catechetical sessions,
celebration of the Word, prayer
gatherings, and plenary assemblies to
cultivate deeper understanding and
commitment to the Eucharist.
In the official website of IEC
2016, the Pontifical Commission
expounds, With the theme of hope,
the announcement of the gift of God
to the young, of which Asia is very
rich, will be recovered as well as the
commitment to the ranks of the poor
of the continent.
The roster of speakers include
His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal
Tagle for The Eucharist and the
Dialogue with Cultures; His Eminence
Orlando Cardinal Quevedo for The
Eucharist Makes the Church, the
Church Makes the Eucharist; and Rev.
Fr. Robert Barron for The Eucharist:
Celebration of the Paschal Mystery
and Christ in the Youth, Our Hope of
Glory.
In his statement to the
participants in the plenary of the
Pontifical Committee for International
Eucharistic Congresses, Pope
Francis said, The 51st International
Eucharistic Congress offers the
opportunity to experience and
comprehend the Eucharist as a
transformative encounter with the
Lord in His Word and in His sacrifice of
love, so that all may have life, and live
in abundance (cf. John 10:10).
Source: http://iec2016.ph
Lord Jesus Christ, our hope of glory, You are the fulfillment of the Fathers
plan to save all humanity. You are the mystery hidden from the ages and
from generations past now manifested to us. You abide in Your Church
in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist. As we celebrate the Holy
Eucharist and receive Your Body and Blood, grant us the awareness that
Your presence in us urges us to continue Your saving mission in the world.
Send us Your Holy Spirit that He may lead us to walk humbly with the poor
and the marginalized, in the company of Mary, Your most holy Mother and
ours.
O Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament, to You be all honor and glory and
praise in the unity of the Father and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and
ever. Amen.
IEC 2016 Hymn

CHRIST IN US, OUR HOPE OF GLORY
Lyrics and Music: Jay-arr Felisilda Librando
Interpreters: Julie Anne San Jose
Nomer Limatog Jr.
We felt Your word burning within us

Your word unlocked the hardness of our hearts
And opened our eyes that we may see You
Hidden in the broken bread
Chorus:
Lord, You laid down Your life as bread and wine we see
Gave strength to our hearts and made us shine with glee
When we eat the bread and drink the cup of wine
We believe that Christ in us, our hope of glory
You brought a ray of light
And you rekindled our hope
And led our hearts to yearn for Your love
For in You is our hope of glory
Bridge:
Through Your own flesh, now made living
And by the Spirit made life-giving
You offer life to us
And as You sweat became like drops of blood
Falling down upon the ground
You shed Your blood for us
AMEN
Lord, You laid down Your life as bread and wine we see
Gave strength to our hearts and made us shine with glee
When we eat the bread and drink the cup of wine
13
Dear K
I Am Confused with my Faith
Something is bothering me about my Catholic faith

recently. For a couple of months, I was afraid to look at the
image of Mother Mary of Guadalupe placed in the hallway
of our unit. Eventually, my fear vanished and everything
became normal again.
Second, aside from Bo Sanchezs books, I also read the
books of a Christian author from a different religion. He
discussed about a religion that worships saints and images.
Some even pray to the statues. It was scary because he
said there might be other spirits in those figures. I know
hes referring to us Catholics. I am aware that as born-again
Christians, they are against the intercession of saints and
even Mother Mary. But when I read his statements, I felt
that familiar fear and shock again. I cried when I shared this
experience and I didnt understand why.
Third, I became skeptical about the tradition of going
to different churches and offering stuff (like eggs) to saints,
believing that such practices will help examinees pass their
board exam or get answers to their prayers. Why bother to
do all of those practices when we can go directly to Jesus
Christ? He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one goes to
the Father except through Him. I am really confused. I did
all of these things before when I took my first board exam.
I am struggling right now. Suddenly, I doubt a lot of
things that I used to believe in. The more I read the Bible,
the more I get confused. I am active in attending The Feast
and even in a weekly fellowship with my Catholic friends.
Sometimes I just find myself crying because of what I
feel. Please give me some enlightenment. I need your help.
Thank you.
Maxine
14
Dear Maxine,
I am happy that you go to The Feast, read
the books of Bo Sanchez and attend a Catholic
fellowship. Before I try to answer the alarming points
in your letter, let me tell you two things:
1. You are not alone with these problems because
all those who read books, articles and magazines
written by Protestants encounter what you feel.
2. Why read Protestant publications when we
have so many solid Catholic publications, like
the Kerygma magazine? As you avoid food that
would cause an upset stomach, please avoid
reading non-Catholic literature unless your
faith is unshakably solid.
Usually, the members of non-Catholic sects
accuse us of worshiping Mary and the saints. This is
a great misunderstanding caused by ignorance. We
worship God only the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit. We only honor Mary and the saints and call
on them for their intercession. You are correct when
you say that we could go directly to Jesus Christ.
But Christians from the very beginning have asked
saints for their intercession. When you have to ask
something from a strict father or boss, it is common
to ask a person close to them to bring your petition to
them.
Back to the statues. They are only representations
of Mary or of the saints. As human beings, we need
something concrete to see and touch, so it is easier to
come in contact with them whom we cannot see.
A young man once told me that we should
destroy all those images because this is idolatry. I
asked him if he has a girlfriend. Oh yes, he replied
with much enthusiasm. May I see her photo? I
asked him. Sure, he replied and took it out of his
wallet. I got it from him and pretended to tear it.
Shocked, he grabbed it from me. I told him, You see,
this photo is not your girlfriend but it is dear to you. It
reminds you of her. You would never allow anybody
to destroy it. In the same way, the images and statues
of Mary and the saints remind us of these great holy
people who are now with God. Can you understand
how horrible it would be to destroy them?
The Bible, by the way, did not prohibit making

or having statues. What the first of the Ten
Commandments prohibits is making idols, images of
other gods and bowing down before them. Remember,
the Israelites who received the Commandments
put the images of two angels on top of the Ark of the
Covenant, and God told Moses to fashion a bronze
serpent, put it on a pole so that all those bitten by
serpents look at it and be healed.
At this point, I have to admit that certain devotions
have been exaggerated, so much so that they no
longer reflect solid Catholic teachings and practices.
For example, the offering of eggs to St. Claire which
you mentioned. I served as altar boy for 10 years at
the Monastery of the Poor Claire Sisters in Cologne,
Germany. Never did I see eggs offered. When I
returned home for a vacation and visited the Sisters,
I told them about the egg practice here in the
Philippines. They only shook their heads and told me
that this has nothing to do with St. Claire. It is a local
tradition, a devotion mixed with superstition, but not a
teaching or official practice of the Catholic Church.
So, dear Maxine, please, dont get confused by
going to wrong sources or by practices which are
popular in the Philippines but which are not official
practices of the Church. Feel free to ask questions and
we will try to answer them according to the official
teachings of the Catholic Church. Whenever you feel
shock or fear, please, know that some evil poison has
affected you. By being with Christ and trusting Him
totally, one experiences inner peace and joy. Avoid
non-Catholic material that will only disturb you
further.
Praying for you.
Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD
When Fr. Rudy Horst came to the Philippines in
1984, he was first assigned to the Immaculate
Conception Parish in Cubao. It was where he
came in contact with the still young Light of
Jesus Family. In 1990, he moved to Christ the
King Mission Seminary, where he now serves
as head spiritual director of the seminarians
and teaches Religious Education. He also
teaches Holy Scriptures at the Maryhill School
of Theology and the Divine Word School of
Theology in Tagaytay.
Email your questions to editsvp@shepherdsvoice.com.ph. Or if you need to talk to someone, call (632) 726-4709 or 726-6728 to contact a Light of Jesus Pastoral Care Center counselor. Pastoral counseling by telephone
is 24 hours from Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Face-to-face pastoral counseling is by appointment. For correspondence pastoral counseling, email lojcounseling@yahoo.com or go to www.
kerygmafamily.com.
Or Call
(632) 725-9999
Pregnant? Confused? Abortion is not the answer. Contact Grace to Be Born at 654-1377. You may also contact Pro-life Philippines at (632) 733-7027.
15
Find out God's message for you in didache as He speaks through

the testimonies of fellow Catholics who experienced God's love
and faithfulness in their own lives.
FOR CATHOLICS
DIDACHE 2016
DAILY BIBLE REFLEC

TIONS
Didache (dee-da-k
e), the Gree
a Catholic daily
Bible reflection k word for teaching, is
guide written by
people who seek
ordinary
life. This reflectionto live out the Gospel in their
ever
Sacred Scriptures guide hopes to encourage the yday
use of
among Catholics
.
This years Dida
che includes refle
ctions from:
Y
ER GM
www.kerygma
book
s.com
january - decemb
er

DIDACHE
DAILY BIBLE REF
LECTIONS
january - dece
mber
FOR CATHOLIC
S
2016
Feast Snapshots
The Feast Bacoor:
One for God

By Domie Fernande and Vham Toledo
Photos by Feast Bacoor Media Ministry
n October 2010, Feast Cavite was

born in Robinsons Imus. It gave
birth to several Feasts in Cavite,
including Dasmarias and
Bacoor. In 2013, Hermie Morelos
prophesied that Feast Bacoor would
soon be launched. A few months
later, a group of around 30 servants
gathered and discerned that Gods
time had come and organized The
Feast Bacoor.
In June 2013, The Feast Bacoor
conducted its first Jesus Encounter
(JE) Seminar at St. Mark School with
more than 50 graduates. A week
later, the first weekly gathering
started. The grand launch happened
early the following year. The Feast
Bacoor transferred to SM Bacoor.
Rudy Mallari became its Feast
Builder, which he later passed on to
Boggs Burbos.
On March 22, 2015, The Feast
Bacoor celebrated its first year
anniversary with the theme One
for the Lord. The attendees were
united by their devotion to the
one and only God. The event drew
over 800 attendees who were
blessed with performances from
the youths adrenaline-charged
contemporary songs and dances to
the heartwarming worship heralded
by powerful Christian ballads. The
guest speaker, Feast Manila and
Pasig builder, Obet Cabrillas, gave
an uplifting and humbling talk. Boggs

joined him afterwards.
All-embracing, Encompassing
Today, The Feast Bacoor is stronger
than it has ever been. With over 100
servants serving up smiles, hugs
and friendship, people go to the
congregation like parched travelers
thirsting for the love of God.
The Bacoor youth has weekly
activities that draw children their age
closer to the Church. Couples, Singles
and Tabitha Light Groups exert effort
to connect with their respective
members and meet frequently to be
Gods Church among themselves
mulling over the talks, sharing a piece
of their hearts, and absorbing the
blessedness from being friends bound
by faith in Christ. Musicians, dancers,
artists, public speakers, teachers,
writers, photographers, managers and
entrepreneurs all have homes in the
various ministries where they could
utilize their gifts to further Gods cause
in the world, which is to bless their
giftedness beyond comprehension in
His most holy name.
World-class Hugs
Despite the struggles that The Feast
Bacoor experience, it remains
unshakeable anchored in the
Almighty God whose promise of
fortifying His Church is stronger than
any of all the attendees fears and

doubts combined. It shows every
week in the hopeful embraces that
the members give during a unique
practice called FHM which stands
for Free Hugs Minute. There are
probably no better huggers in the
entire world than members of Feast
Bacoor they radiate warmth and
comfort; the hugs are world-class
in their strength and ability to draw
family and complete strangers
closer. Perhaps it is one of The Feasts
greatest beauties: Attendees wrap
their very souls around their fellow
Feasters despite their own aches and
pains, and they are better huggers
better neighbors unto one another
because they are hurt. They are
wounded healers.
With the world-class hugs,
enthusiastic youth and deeply
compassionate servants, there is
no doubt that Feast Bacoor will
continue to grow both in number
and fortitude. And because it is one
of the happiest Feasts in Cavite (and
one of the happiest places on earth),
it wont come as a surprise when the
province will be dubbed as the cradle
of independence and happiness
for the good Lord will surely be
unstoppable in His pursuit to utilize
determined Caviteos for the blissful
evangelization of this history-rich
province.
17
Y
ER GM
A

It Happened
A Teachers Lesson:
Forgive
and Be
Free
Anonymous sharing as told to Maymay R. Salvosa

turned the doorknob and peeped
through the room, my chest thumping
so hard it broke the silence of the
hospital wing. From where I stood, I
recognized the man who was trying
to lie down, but his looks had changed
since the last time I saw him. Gone was
the might in his actions.
As if on cue, he shifted his gaze
to the door and his eyes met mine. I
could no longer trace any toughness
from the windows that once reflected
nothing but malice. The woman
who was assisting her noticed the
sudden silence and turned her head.
After heaving a deep breath, I walked
towards the speechless couple, took the
womans right hand and put it on my forehead for

her blessing. Mommy, I whispered. She cried.
I turned to the man and reached for his hand
to bless as well. When his hand touched my head,
the tears that I had been trying to hold back since
I entered the room trickled down. With his little
strength, he embraced me and spoke words that I
longed to hear from him, Im sorry. I hugged him
back, and we both broke into a louder cry. Daddy... I
mumbled in between my sobs.
It was the first time in four years since I called
him that again four years after my father molested
me.
Student Introduction
I am the younger daughter, and Im very close to my
only sister who is three years my senior. Were like
19
the best of friends. We were enrolled

in the same school, had the same
set of friends, and enjoyed the same
hobbies. Our parents bought several
pairs of matching dresses and shoes
for us that people often mistook us
for twins.
Our parents used to be active
parish servants. Our father was
a Eucharistic minister while our
mother taught Catechism during
weekends. Aside from selling onions
and tomatoes that we bought from
our supplier, we relied on our retail
store for income. Since my sister
and I were both scholars, our family
saved enough money and invested
in a new house. We could even
afford to have a house helper. Things
were going pretty well. In my young
mind, I thought the world would
always be colorful and easy.
I was wrong.
Diagnostic Test
When my sister and I were in grade
school, I noticed that something
absurd was going on when our
house helper, Shiela (not her real
name), started to order me and
my sister to do the chores. She
became more domineering each day.

Whenever we complained, she would
shout at us and hurt us. In front of
our parents, though, she looked like
an angel. I tried my best to stay calm
for two reasons. One, our parents
taught us that answering back to older
people was wrong, and two, they loved
Shiela because of her seemingly nice
demeanor.
We decided to end Shielas mean
attitude and inform our parents about
the situation. The perfect time came one
weekend while we were at the store with
our mother. Dad was out on a meeting
with a supplier.
Mom, my sister called aloud after
we finished the inventory. Our mother
asked, What do you want to tell me?
Before my sister could say a word, I
blurted out, Shiela is bad! Shes making
us do the house chores!
Surprisingly, Mom just laughed at us.
Shielas there to teach you those tasks.
Its not like shes bossing you around.

But shes bossing us around! my
sister protested. Our mother dismissed
the discussion. Go home now. Stop
watching those telenovelas where you
learn to raise your voice against your
mother.
Hurt and lost in our case, we
headed home. We were at the stairs
when our eyes caught something
from the peripheral: My father was in
the kitchen, in a passionate kiss with
someone. It was Shiela.
We froze. The picture in front of us
wouldnt sink in. Before our dad and
Shiela could go any further, my sister
pulled me away and we ran as far as
we could. We found ourselves in front
of our store. She hurried to our mother
who was obviously shocked to see us
tear-stained. What happened to you?
she probed.
Mom, Ate opened up, tears
streaming down her face again. We
saw Dad and Shiela kissing at home.
Dads cheating on you.
A slap from Mom stopped my sister
from speaking any further. Ate was
startled. Dont you dare speak that way
about your dad. We didnt raise you to
make stories about other people.
Her words numbed us. I could
see her lips moving but I couldnt
understand anything he was saying. I
was frustrated. Hurt. Mad. That night,
Mom acted as if we didnt tell her
anything. Shiela fled a few months later.
We found out that Mom knew Dads
affair, but she tolerated it to save face.
Shed rather be cheated on than lose
our father.
The Harder Exam
In my second year in high school, our
business went bankrupt. So when
Dad found a job in the province, we
sold our house and moved to a rented
apartment. It was an old two-storey
house made of wood, where the only
room upstairs was directly above the
20
apartments comfort room. Aside from

being less modern, I was fine with our
new home.
Several times, however, I sensed
that somebody was watching me
while I was taking a bath. Normally, I
would always be certain of my instinct.
But since the place looked creepy and
I could also hear faint noise upstairs
as if someone was moving (which
was impossible because our parents
were both asleep), I just shrugged my
thoughts aside.
I was resting alone in the room
one night when our father got home
drunk. I got up from the bed and
prepared to leave. Prepare a cool
water and a towel, I heard Dad say
before I reached the door. Help me to
freshen up.
I went down to the kitchen and
gathered what he needed. When I
returned, he was already sleeping.
I soaked the face towel in the water,
wrung it out and began to wipe it on
Dads face. I sat beside him so I could
attend to him easily. I felt Dads left
arm wrap around my waist. I was
shocked and instantly looked at him.
His eyes were closed. I lifted his arm
but it wouldnt budge a bit. I forcefully
straightened up, but his heavy arms
locked me in. I tried to be strong, but
my tears betrayed me. How could
he? How could my father do this? The
sound of our front door opening
brought me back to my senses. My
father nonchalantly took his hands off
my body and turned to the other side.
In the following days, my father
went about as if nothing happened.
I justified that maybe he was only
drunk then and wasnt aware of his
actions.
Then one early school day, I was
waiting for my sister to finish taking
a bath when I remembered that I left
some things in the room. Mom was in
the market while Dad was still asleep,
or so I thought. I was greeted by a sight
that shattered my heart into million
pieces Dad was peeping through
the floor which I perfectly knew to
be the restrooms ceiling. I gasped,
and not knowing what to do, headed

down absent-mindedly. I couldnt think
straight. I couldnt even cry. I heard my
sister step out of the restroom, and call
me out, Hey, your turn.
I wanted to run away. I wanted to
scream. So its him whos been peeping
all along. Not a ghost, but a monster in
the form of our very own father.
Since then, I stopped calling him
Daddy. I stopped treating him as a
father. A lot of people, including Mom,
criticized me for being disrespectful. I
didnt care. I had totally lost my respect
to that man anyway.

Taking Tutorials
Since I relied so much on my sister
as a confidante, I explained to her
what I was going through. She was
in a dormitory then for college. She
counseled and advised me to bring my
pain to God in prayer. I found it corny
and unnecessary. I believed in God,
alright, but it seemed irrelevant. Why
would God care for my concern?
Ate frequented coming home. She
brought CDs with worship songs and
kept playing them. I didnt appreciate
the music, but it comforted me because
it meant my sister was just around.
My father kept attempting to
pester me. Because of fear and trauma,
sometimes I would wake up in the
middle of the night and weep in silence.
When I couldnt take it anymore, I
informed my mother that I decided to
live with an aunt. She agreed without
saying much. Knowing her, I was sure
shed rather lose a rude daughter than
lose Dad. I never visited them from then
on.
In 2009, my sister dragged me with
her to the Araneta Coliseum. I thought
we were going to watch a concert,
but she insisted that the event was
better than a musical performance. I
checked the ticket. It said, Bo Sanchezs
Kerygma Conference. Bo who? Then
I recalled the books scattered in our
house. Oh, the author.
True enough, that weekend was
better than any event Id been through
religious or secular. A worship leader
asked us to surrender all the hatred
in our hearts, which I did. I thought Id
fill the entire coliseum with my tears
because I didnt stop crying since the

worship started. Only that time, they
were hopeful tears. Hopeful that I
could forgive my father. Hopeful that I
wasnt destined to live in pain forever.
Hopeful that I could count on God
come what may.
I came to understand that the
reason I couldnt trust God completely
was because I lost trust in my own
father. And by forgiving my father, I
opened my heart to God.

Passing with Flying Colors
Kerygma Conference 2009 unlocked
the chains that bound me for years.
I began to attend a weekly prayer
gathering called The Feast and
developed a personal relationship
with God. My heart became lighter. I
gained a sincere desire to pray for our
parents, especially Daddy.
I was preparing to meet my sister
when I received an unexpected call
from our mother. She said that a
lump was discovered in my fathers
neck. They were waiting for the
confirmation if it was benign or
malignant. Together with my sister, we
rushed to the hospital. And the healing
of our relationships started.
After four years, I found myself a
daughter to my parents again. It was
sweet to call them Daddy and Mommy
once more. I thank God for another
chance to restore and heal our family.
Currently, I serve at The Feasts
Awesome Kids Ministry and work as
a teacher. Our family enjoys a closer
bond like never before. My father,
completely healed from his benign
cyst, expresses his love to us through
his service at home. Mom listens to us
now wholeheartedly and has devoted
her time to care for us. As for me and
my sister, we delight in going from one
worship concert to another. And when
the opportunity comes, I lead people
to praise and worship God in our
prayer gathering. Why did I ever think
it was corny before?
In what I do today, Im grateful for
the learnings I acquired as a student
of life. Im confident that I can pass
on valuable lessons to my students:
First, God is a reliable father. Always.
And second, forgive. Its the sure key to
freedom.
21
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Special Section
Introduction
Welcome to
the World of
Wonders!
How to Stay Amazed Every Day

We have a problem.
We dont know how to enjoy life
anymore.
Why? We have so many hang-ups, so
many issues, so many worries, so many
fears, so many burdens.
We have lost the art of enjoying life, of
playing with small children, of conversing
with a friend, of holding hands with a
loved one, of smelling the flowers, of
gazing at the stars, of singing in the shower,
of dancing in the rain, of sucking deeply
on the bone marrow of life!
Let me tell you why people have a
hard time doing these
Bo Sanchez
Bottomless Pit of Worthlessness

Deep inside us is a bottomless pit of worthlessness. (In the
Philippines, the only time we hear the wordbottomlessis
when we talk about iced tea.You can drink 16 glasses and the
waiter will still keep on pouring. Its endless.)Deep down, we
feel a nagging sense of inadequacy.We feel theres something
lacking in us. We feel that weve been measured and weve
been found wanting.
I read a true story about a student named John who
never had a grade lower than A in his entire four years
in college. And John was about to graduatesumma cum
laude.But before graduating, the unthinkable happened: John
killed himself.
This shocked the entire college.How could he do that?
John left a suicide note.In that note, he wrote, I just
couldnt measure up to the standards of this world, perhaps in
the next world I can do better.
Why? This is the bottomless pit of worthlessness within
him speaking.
One Amazing Love
Heres the truth.There is no such thing as a bottomless
pit of worthlessness. Its an illusion.What you think as a
bottomless pit of worthlessness is actually a bottomless pit
of worth!Because you already possess the intrinsic worth
imputed by God to your soul.
This is true happiness: When you discover that what
youve been looking for searching in distant lands and
faraway planets was actually in your heart all along!
I repeat.The bottomless pit of worthlessness is fake.
Its not true.Because youre a human being, a child of God,
created in His image, you are a bottomless pit of great worth.
This is an incredible discovery.Unless you make this
24
life-changing discovery, youll never enjoy true peace in

your soul. Youll never have true rest, true contentment
or true happiness in your life.Youll always be searching,
seeking, looking, and longing for something.Youll always
be trying to fill the emptiness of your heart with stuff:
new clothes, jewelry, popularity, money, achievements,
fans.
Heres the truth:Everything you want is already
within you.
You might say, Bo, thats not true. I dont have what I
want.What I want right now is a new job, or a new house,
or a new boyfriend, or a new sexy body.
Butwhydo you want what you want? Why do you
want that new job, or new house, or new boyfriend, or
new sexy body?
If you search deeply within your soul, youll realize
that you want thatthingbecause you think that that
thing will increase your worth.
But theres only one thing that you increase your
worth.
That one thing is love.
Bottom line you want love.
Love is your biggest, deepest, greatest need.And you
have all the love you need.God is within you. And the
Bible says that God is love.
So let me repeat everything that you want is
already within you.
Because right now,youre already loved.
Every day, God sees a wonder in you.
Turn the pages and be awed by the wonder that God
sees in you and all His creation.
Special Section
UNEARTH
YOUR TRUE
WORTH
You Dont Have to Try so Hard
W
By Bo Sanchez
e see them everywhere.

People walking around empty of
worth, and theyre looking for ways to
fill it up.Many people try to solve their
worthlessness with three things: work,
wealth and warmth.
Work: To fill this bottomless pit
of worthlessness, some people work
endlessly.They work in a frenzied
pace.They work and forget their families
and health and spiritual life.
Wealth: Others try to solve their
worthlessness with wealth, filling
their lives with material things.
Cars.Gizmos.Houses.Brands.
Warmth: Others try to solve their
worthlessness with warmth, getting
people to like them no matter what the
cost, making them people pleasers and
25
approval addicts. They become codependents, trapped in enmeshed

relationships.They lose their identity
and have no boundaries.
Please know that work, wealth and
warmth are wonderful things.Theyre
gifts from God.But they can never fill up
your bottomless pit of worthlessness.
Whats the Song You Hear in Your
Head?
Believe me, Ive met a lot of people who
are plagued by this pervasive feeling
of inadequacy. Inwardly, they hear the
constant refrain, Theres something
wrong with you like a permanent
LSS.(If LSS to you meansLife in the
Spirit Seminar,then that means youre
my age. LSS now means Last Song
Syndrome.)
Subconsciously, they feel they
can never measure up to these
standards.Theyll never be beautiful
enough. Theyll never be rich enough.
Theyll never be successful enough.
Theyll never be happy enough. Theyll
never be holy enough.
Some of these people feel that no
matter what they do, theyll never be a
great husband, or a great wife, or a great
father, or a great mother.
This nagging feeling of inadequacy
is the air that they breathe. It colors the
way they look at themselves, the way
they look at life, the way they look at
the world.
I compare these people to a
donkey.
Racing Donkey
Donkeys are stubborn. To make a
donkey walk, all you have to do is
dangle a juice, crunchy, red-orange
carrot one foot away from its
nose.The donkey sees it, smells it,
seeks it, and off it goes, chasing after
the carrot.

But he can never catch it.The
donkey moves forward but
the carrot moves forward too.
Perplexed, he takes another step.
But the carrot takes another step,
too. As the donkey moves faster,
the carrot moves faster as well.
That is a perfect picture of

many people today.
1.

26
By the fact that you were created by

God,youre somebody! Youre special.
Youre a treasure. Youre precious.
Youre the love of His life.

Ive been doing ministry
for 30-plus years.Ive talked to
thousands of people all over the
world.Most people are like that
donkey looking for their carrot,
something to fill their bottomless
pit of worthlessness.

But we can never chase it.

If work, wealth and warmth
can never fill your bottomless pit of
worthlessness, let me tell you the
only thing that can.

But first, let me tell you about
the second donkey.
2. Relaxed Donkey

This second donkey is a relaxed
donkey.

Why?He has discovered that
the carrot he was chasing was all

the while with him. He was carrying
it along!
Once he realized this, he

relaxes.

So let me tell you now the
only thing that can fill up your
bottomless pit of worthlessness.

The only solution to
worthlessness isworth.
I can hear your reaction: Bo,

youre nuts. Of course, worth is the
solution to worthlessness.But how
do you get that worth?

Thats my point. You dont get
worth.
You already have it.

By the mere fact that you
exist.By the fact that youre
based on your performance. If you

dont perform, I will think less of you. If
you dont perform, I will love you less.
Ive met a lot of parents who are
like this. They want their kids to solve
math problems by age two, play the
piano by age three, write computer
programs by age five, and pass the
medical school by age 12. They force
their kids to enrol in a painting class,
a swimming class, a gymnastics class,
Mandarin class and a violin class all at
the same time.
These parents go ballistic when
their kids fail an exam. They go hyper
when their kids have catsup on their
shirt.
Another sign that your parenting
is performance-based? If the most
common line you say when youre
mad at your kids is, You embarrass
me!What will others say if they see
you fail? If youre a bad child, theyll
say Im a bad parent!
alive.By the fact that you were

created by God,youre somebody!
Youre special. Youre a treasure.
Youre precious.Youre His
masterpiece.Youre the crown of
His creation.Youre His child.Youre
His prince and princess.Youre the
love of His life.

Youre like the donkey chasing
after a carrot that youve been
carrying all along.

I repeat: You need some work
to be happy. You need a level of
wealth to be happy. You need a
degree of warmth and relationships
to be happy.

But heres my point: Even
before you work, or get wealth,
or get warmth youre already a
person of GREAT worth.

Performance-Based Parenting
But where does this bottomless pit of
worthlessness come from?
Simple answer: from parents.
Obviously, the answer is more
complicated than that. There are many
reasons. But for many people (not all),
this is where our feelings of inadequacy
come from.
How? Parents raise their kids by
performance-based parenting. What
in the world is that?
Performance-based parenting is
when the core message to their kids
is, I will love you only if you perform.
I will be proud of you only if you
perform.Your value and worth are
Parents Pass on TheirBottomless

Pit of Worthlessness
Fact: These parents want their kids
to perform becausetheywant to
perform as parents.Kids that are
racing donkeys have parents who
are also racing donkeys. Kids have
a bottomless pit of worthlessness
because their parents have one,
too. In fact, they merely inherited it
from them.(And guess where these
parents got their bottomless pit of
worthlessness?From their parents,
too!)
Hey, Im not saying that parents
shouldnt encourage their kids to excel
or to reach their full potential or to
work hard. We should!
But our core message to our kids
should be, I love you for being you.
Im happy youreyou.Before you
do anything good, youre already a
fantastic person.Im already proud of
you.I encourage you to give your best
not to win my love for you. Thats a
done deal. You already have my love.
I want you to give your best as a way
of loving yourself and being who you
truly are.
If you have a kid, let me give you a
very important tip
27
Say I Love You at Odd and Unexpected Times

I love telling my kids I love you all the time. But I see to
it that I dont say those words after they perform. (I say
other words like Thats a nice drawing, or You sang so
well, or You did great)But I say I love you to them in
the most odd and unexpected times. Sometimes, when
were in bed, about to sleep, I tell them, Do you know how
much I love you? Or when were taking our morning walk,
I squeeze his little hand and say, Im so proud that youre
my son.
The opposite of performance-based parenting
is presence-based parenting.My love for them isnt
connected to their performance but to their presence.By
the mere fact that theyre my kids, that theyre alive, that
they exist, that theyre created by God, theyre worthy of
my love.
Let me clarify. Parents should teach their kids to love
hard work to work hard not out of fear of worthlessness
but out of love for ones intrinsic worth.
By the way, religious leaders are also parents.Sadly,
some religious leaders use performance-based
parentingtoo.
Skewed Religiosity
Religion can worsen this feeling of inadequacy.Religion
can worsen your bottomless pit of worthlessness.
I know.Ive been a religious leader for 30-plus
years.And I have a confession to make. In the first decade
of leading my little group, theLight of Jesus,I hada very
skewed spirituality. I was uptight, rigid, legalistic and
judgmental.
I never realized that my image of God was also
uptight, rigid, legalistic and judgmental. (Truth: We relate
28
to others according to our image of God.Because we become

the God that we worship.)
My life revolved around trying to fulfill very high spiritual
expectations to gain Gods approval. Such as praying one hour
a day, and reading the Bible one hour a day, and going to Mass
every day, and praying the rosary every day, etcetera The list
was endless.
Years later, I realized I had a performance-based
spirituality.To feel worthy of Gods love, I had to do no sin,
think only pure thoughts, be a good boy, and do my religious
obligations.
If I failed any of these stringent requirements I set for
myself, I felt God was shaking His head in disgust at me.
Learning to Relax in Gods Love
But for years, the real God was gently knocking into my heart.
And He kept telling me, No need to perform. Just relax in My
love. The radical idea was so foreign to me, I wondered if this
was God at all. How dare He tell me to relax? How dare He say I
was worthy of loveeven before I do anything good?
Slowly, I began to realize that God wasnt uptight. Or
rigid.Or legalistic.Or judgmental.
After three decades, Im still learning how to relax in His
love.
Im still learning to follow God when He said,Be still, and
know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).
Heres my unauthorized translation of this verse: God is
saying, Relax in My love for you. You dont need to impress
Me with your performance. I love you as you are. I believe in
you.Youre a wonderful person.
Life becomes more meaningful in Gods embrace.
Email Bo at bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com.
Special Section
Testimonial
Testimonial
HIV-Positive and Living

for a Greater
Cause
a
By Owie Franco as told to Judith Concepcion
had no idea why we were in the hospital. My bosss

secretary singled me out from my co-workers and we
entered a room where a doctor was waiting.
You are HIV-positive, the doctor told me. You have to
be deported to the Philippines.
I was escorted to another room that resembled a jail
cell where the door and the windows were made of steel
bars. I was quarantined together with another Filipino. I
was shaken to the core and I just cried and cried. For the
entire two weeks, I was just staring into space, weeping. I
questioned God why it had to be me. Why did He have to
give me this illness when He knew well that I only did that
thing for my family?
I had nothing when I arrived in the Philippines except
for the clothes I was wearing and some cash given by
Filipino friends.
What would become of my life? Aside from HIV, would
there be anything positive that would come out of this?
Getting Infected
I came from a poor family. My father died when I was still
in Grade 1. My mother had no means of livelihood, so we
only depended on the provisions of her siblings. With our
finances drained, I was forced to work. I went to school in
the morning and worked in the evening.
After I graduated from high

school, I decided to fulfill my longtime dream of going to Manila. I
enrolled in college and worked
part-time in various fast-food
restaurants. I sent money to my
family in the province. I could
hardly make both ends meet so I
had to find a way to augment my
income.
I met a group of callboys after
two years of working in Manila.
They said that I could earn money
quickly so I tried it out.
I was scared and disgusted
the first time, but eventually I
developed a calloused conscience.
I justified to the Lord that I needed
to do it to survive and to provide
for my familys needs. I had some
knowledge about HIV (human
immunodeficiency virus) but I
thought only women, particularly
prostitutes, could get infected by it.
Two years later, I applied for
29
work abroad hoping for greener

pastures. I got accepted in Saudi
Arabia. It was difficult to budget my
salary as a private waiter because
it was given only once a month. I
resumed my part-time work there
so I could get by.
After eight months, I underwent
medical testing as a requirement for
the renewal of my working permit.
I was diagnosed with HIV. In that
country, once a migrant worker
was confirmed positive, it was
automatic deportation. My contract
was immediately terminated. My
employer didnt show up. I wasnt able
to get my last salary.
My world crumbled. I lost the
opportunity to lift my family out of
poverty. I hid the truth from them
because I was afraid that they would
reject me or be disgusted with my
illness. Id be mortified if my family
and other people found out that I was
a callboy.

Suicide Attempt
I tried to live a normal life. I worked
full-time as a waiter in a hotel and
then as a promodizer in a mall
boutique. In 2007, I met people
from Pinoy Plus, a non-government
organization that acts as a support
group to PLHIV (People Living
with HIV). Through peer-to-peer
counseling, I saw the importance of
disclosing ones illness to the family
as it is through them that we could get
real support.
With the help of my cousin, my
family learned about my condition.
My siblings got mad at me because
it distressed our mother who had
stage 3 cancer then. If I knew that she
was sick, I would have spared her the
agony. My siblings didnt allow me to
come home.
My mother called me from time
to time. She advised me to take care
of myself, to be careful and to pray
always. My mother was the only
person from whom I drew emotional
and moral support. She stopped
calling when her health deteriorated.
My mothers condition, my own battle
with my illness, and a host of other
30
problems pushed me to the verge of

despair and I wanted to end my life.
I took 100 tablets of strong
antibiotics. My friend and business
partner, who was visiting then, found
me sprawled on the bed. I was still
conscious but it felt like the world
around me was spinning. He rushed
me to a hospital in Bulacan but I was
transferred to Philippine General
Hospital since they didnt have the
apparatus to flush out the medicine
from my system.
As I lay on my hospital bed, I caught
sight of a crucifix on the wall. This
thought hit me: Maybe God gave me
this illness as a wake-up call; maybe I
had a mission in life. I told myself: Two
years had passed and I was able to bear
my illness. Why couldnt I bear it further?
After two months, my mother
passed away. I went home to the
province on the last night of her wake.
All I could do was cry. One good
thing that came out of this was my
reconciliation with my siblings.

HIV Advocacy
During one of the hospital visits of
Pinoy Plus, of which I was part of, I met
a group of Camillian seminarians. They
encouraged me to join their PLHIV
recollection. I invited other PLHIV to
attend as well.
In 2009, upon the encouragement
of Fr. Dan Cancino Jr., MI, I applied
and became part of their ministry.
Presently, I am the program coordinator
of Woodwater Center for Healing,
the HIV/AIDS Ministry of the Order
of the Ministers of the Infirm (or the
Camillians).
I feel good when I extend help
to my fellow HIV-positives, like
accompanying newly diagnosed
patients to their preferred treatment
hub. As a DOH counselor, I counsel first
those who would undergo HIV testing
in Woodwater. When someone tests
positive, I disclose my illness to the
person. It helps put the person at ease
knowing that theres someone to whom
he could talk to and ask for assistance
unlike when I was diagnosed and I
didnt know what to do, where to turn to
for help, or whom to talk to.
As part of my advocacy, I
give presentations abroad about
migration issues like the removal of
mandatory HIV testing on migrant
workers as a requirement for the
issuance of work permit.
When I give presentations
to faith-based organizations like
parishes with HIV programs, I tell
them that PLHIV need spiritual
support and compassion, not
discrimination. Im blessed to get
the support of the Camillians, most
especially from Fr. Dan. He provides
me with spiritual counseling and
guidance. He is like a real father to
me. He became instrumental in
restoring my faith in the Lord and my
confidence in the Church.
Living for a Greater Cause
I am grateful that my illness was
detected early and the treatment
started right away. I would have been
dead by now or perhaps languishing
in a hospital because of opportunistic
infections like tuberculosis,
pneumonia, etc.
It has been 11 years since I was
diagnosed and I thank God that I
havent been hospitalized yet for
HIV-related infections. I always
pray that a cure for our illness
would be discovered someday. The
medications for HIV are just meant to
manage the condition.
I have renounced having a male
partner. I would appear hypocritical
if I didnt walk my talk. I want to be
a role model to PLHIV. By working
in Woodwater, Im able to draw
fellow HIV-positives back to the
Church and to God through the
spiritual formation provided by the
Camillians.
Before, I didnt care about
anything. Life then was all about
earning money, providing for my
family, and fulfilling my dreams.
Now, Im living for a cause greater
than myself. And this drives me to
go on with life, no longer for mere
survival but for a noble purpose.
I may be HIV-positive but God
made something positive out of this.
My life is not wasted after all.
Special Section
ITS A
WONDERFUL
WORLD!
By JC Libiran
stumbled upon a story originally told by Joy Garrison Wasson, an

English teacher in Muncie, Indiana for over 30 years. I like it so much
and the story goes like this.
A group of geography students were studying the Seven Wonders
of the World. At the end of the class, their teacher asked them to list
down what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the Modern
World. Their answers included the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Chichen Itza, Yucatan State, Mexico

Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Colosseum, Rome, Italy
The Great Wall of China
Machu Picchu, Peru
Petra, Jordan
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
31
As the teacher was going over the

results, he noticed one girl had not
turned in her paper. He asked if she
was having trouble with her list. She
responded, Yes, I cant make up my
mind. There seems to be so many.
The teacher said, Let me help you.
Read what youve got so far.
Hesitantly, the girl started to read,
I think the Seven Wonders of the
Modern World are...
1. To see
2. To hear
3. To touch
4. To taste
5. To feel
6. To laugh
7. To love
The room was so quiet, you could
hear a pin drop.
The girls right.
We live in a world full of
complications, challenges and chaos
that we have forgotten that it is still a
wonderful world to live in.
Pope Francis invites us to see
Creation as a gift; it is a wonderful
gift that God has given us, so that we
care for it and we use it for the benefit
of all, always with great respect and
gratitude.
The things we consider as
ordinary and take for granted are all
too wondrous. Do we take more notice
of the wonders man has built but
forget the real wonders that God has
32
given us?
We need to take the time to thank
God for all His wonderful creations
for the delight of hearing laughter and
music, for the delight of knowing and
touching others around us, for inspiring
us to reach toward new knowledge
and heightened awareness. And for
blending all of these experiences into
the adventure we call life.
You are not here merely to
make a living. You are here in
order to enable the world to
live more amply, with greater
vision, with a finer spirit of hope
and achievement. You are here
to enrich the world, and you
impoverish yourself if you forgot
the errand.
President Woodrow Wilson
We need to be a sculptor who
chips away a massive piece of marble
to reveal its inner beauty one blow
at a time. As the little girl in the story
suggested, let us rediscover the
wonders of our life through the seven
wonderful experiences:
1. To See
See this great thing the Lord is
about to do before your eyes!
1 Samuel 12:16 (NIV)
When you look around, a lot of
negative things are happening and

they affect our focus and attention
from doing what really matters most.
We are distracted and disheartened
to the point that we become
hopeless and helpless of our
situation. With these obstacles come
an opportunity to see life in a different
way and to wake up every morning
expecting good things to come our
way and that the best is always to
come. Look back in your life and see
how God has always made a way for
you. So, fear not because God has
something great in store for you.
2. To Hear
But blessed... are your
ears because they hear.
Matthew 13:16 (NIV)
The word hear is just one letter
short of T. Put together, they form
the word heart. This only tells us
that it is not enough to listen using
our ears. What will make it complete
is when we use our heart to know
the concerns and cry of the people
around us.
Nowadays, because of advancements in technology, people have
ironically become disconnected
with one another. It is so common
now to see people in one place
physically together but not talking to
each other because all of them are
The demands of our job has become 24/7, to

the point that we no longer have enough time to
rest, spend quality time with our loved ones or to
rejuvenate our body and spirit.
More and more people suffer from sleep
deprivation and have forgotten that life is too
short to spend it all on work. This is a wake-up call
to not just have a routinary existence but to savor
life one moment at a time. Take it slow and see the
details around you the people in your life, the
places you go to, the food you eat, and the many
experiences that life presents you because
thats when you discover how beautiful life is.
5. To Feel

See my hands and my feet it is my very
self. Feel me and see
Luke 24:39 (WNT)
glued to their own phones and gadgets.

Dont you think its time to bring back what true connection is all
about one that is not virtual or viral but real people connecting and
talking to one another? Lets not just be high tech. Let us continue to
keep in touch with each other.
3. To Touch

If I only touch His garment, I will get well. Matthew 9:21
(NASB)
It has been proven that touch has the power to heal. Do you know
that a newborn baby needs the touch and caress of a mother for its
wellbeing?
I learned of a study made between two groups of patients in a
hospital. One group did not have any visitors while the other group
had regular visitors. Naturally, the second group received many
hugs and touches. After several months, those who had visitors and
received touch got well faster compared to the other group that did
not have any visitor.
Today, we hear stories of stealing, hurting and even sexual abuse,
which has led people to lose their sense of the wonder of touch.
The choice is ours to use touch to heal or to destroy.
4. To Taste
Taste and see that the Lord is good Psalm 34:8 (NASB)
We often use emoticons in social media chats

and conversations, but in real life, many of us
forget to feel our feelings and emotions. This is
what makes us humans our capacity to feel not
just for ourselves but for others as well. Feelings
are gifts and we should use them to discover
Gods message for us.
Jesus Himself experienced all kinds of
emotions. This only points to us that God wants
us to be fully in touch with our humanity.
There are four major emotions, namely:
sadness, madness, gladness and fear.
Every day, lets ask ourselves, How do I feel
today? Then ask people around how they feel
as well. These simple steps will lead us to better
understand our relationships.
6. To Laugh
Blessed are you who weep now, for you
shall laugh.
Luke 6:21 (ESV)
We often hear this clich: Laughter is the best
medicine. I subscribe to it not just because it is
backed up by research, but also because I have
seen its miracle in the lives of the people in my
life. Im sure many of you also have experienced
its profound healing effects. This is also a shoutout for people who take life too seriously, even
to the point of taking others with them, believing
that life sucks and that life is unfair.
This is an invitation for us to always choose
to be happy, no matter what life throws at us.
Life may not always be a walk in the park we
33
stumble and we fall and sometimes the best way to

deal with it is to laugh at our own mistakes and learn
from them. Life is a jungle adventure and from time to
time we all need to laugh our way out of it.
7. To Love
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives
out fear
1 John 4:18 (NIV)
The best experience above all is to love and be
loved. But what if the equation is not complete? You
made a decision to love but what if the person does not
love you in return, or the other person loves you but
you cant return the love at all? Ouch!
How do we truly love in a world full of
woundedness and brokenness? This is what Christian
love is all about. We are all called to become wounded
healers just like the Lord. Jesus died on the cross to
save humanity from sin and death. As Christians,
we are invited to die with our own crosses our
selfishness and sins for the sake of others, to be lifegiving for others.
When we become tired of loving and have given
up on love, let us look up to our Lord on the cross and
there find strength and meaning of true love
.
Discover God in All Things
Pope Francis, in his encyclical Laudato Si, said, The
universe unfolds in God, who fills it completely. Hence,
there is a mystical meaning to be found in a leaf, in a
mountain trail, in a dewdrop, in a poor persons face.
The ideal is not only to pass from the exterior to the
interior to discover the action of God in the soul, but
also to discover God in all things (no. 223).
34
As another year begins, there are two ways to

welcome this new beginning either we become the
best version of ourselves or continue living the old
life that we have been used to.
Becoming the best version of ourselves means
we refuse the negative mindset and hopelessness to
limit us. We continue to learn from our mistakes or
the mistakes of others and create a success blueprint
for a significant life that will bless the world.
To continue to live the old life that we have been
used to means that we allow fear and worries to
rule our life. We refuse to improve and learn for the
better, and we live a life of selfishness.
Make a Choice, Make a Change, Take This Chance
Before I end, can I ask you to take a pause and have
some moments of meditation? I want you to paint in
your mind a picture of how your life will be. Describe
it. Use powerful and positive words to create that life
you wanted to live. Ask yourself these questions:
What blessings do you want to receive this
year? How will you use your giftedness, work
and mission to bless many?
Take a deep breath and pray to our God to bless
you this new year. Just like the Psalmist, declare
boldly: Today is the day that the Lord has made. Let
us rejoice and be glad in it!
JC Libiran is a life coach and the author of Byahe ni JUAN:
Life Lessons I Learned from Riding a Jeepney, available at
www.kerygmabooks.com and bookstores nationwide. His
life mission statement is To inspire and empower people to
achieve their success and significance. Let him hear your
thoughts and ideas. Connect with him through JCLibiran@
ymail.com.
Special Section
Testimonial
Testimonial
Awestruck:
Living
with
Wonder
By Angel Movido
ed Failon affirming me?

I cant believe that one of the most
respected personalities in the media
industry would ask a newbie reporter like
me to be a guest in his radio program.
And as if it was not enough, he started
honoring me and giving me unsolicited
advice. Words like, At long last theres an
Angel in DZMM. And, Others would want
to be on TV right away. Yet you started on
radio. You know, radio reporting is more
challenging because you need to paint the
picture of the scene in the minds of your
listeners. Youve gained enough advantage
for starting on radio.
The affirmation, respect and advice in
35
front of national TV was something

else (it was a tele-radio program).
I cant find the right words to
describe it.
I believe its called awe.
People make such a big word for
awe.
As for me, its as simple as the
sense of child-like wonder.
Simple Joys
Simple joys are grand. Like the
simplicity of my childhood
adventures.
Im awed with the fantastic
stories I made up while playing
with my paper dolls; laughing aloud
while playing piko (hopscotch) over
multicolored steps that I chalked
with playmates; smiling after sipping
the nectar of santan flowers. We even
made necklaces out of the flowers.
Its the same wonderful feeling when
I first learned how to play jackstone
and build my Lego blocks.
Call me shallow, but Im awed
with the taste of chocolate ice cream,
spicy Japanese crackers, gummy
bears and cereals. I feel exhilarated
when I use my Talk-Boy (a
recorder toy) and record my voice,
my monologues, and my personal
reports on my childhood life, not to
mention being part of piano recitals
and theater plays.
All these beautiful things were
happening, plus I have a wonderful
family that loves me so much. All of
us are active in church. This sense
of awe became stronger when my
family and I attended The Feast, the
weekly prayer gathering of the Light
of Jesus Family. There I learned and
experienced that this sense of awe is
really God-given, God-directed and
God-centered. I always find myself
crying tears of joy in the presence of
an awesome God.
Yet the thief of awe, under the
guise of professionalism, came along.
Blinded by Busyness
I entered the workplace and became
busy as a radio jock, then voice
talent, then a writer, a producer, a TV
36
anchor and so on.

This kind of busyness happens to
most of us, and we are often caught up in
an endless race of performance-oriented
living. Once we do good and deliver
more, we get promoted. When we get
promoted, life gets more complicated.
In this state, we oftentimes lose the
sense of awe.
We lose the sense of wonder.
We lose the child-like fascination.
Life becomes mechanical. Life
becomes a bore.
In my experience, workaholism
effaced my child-like interest.
No wonder I was becoming grumpy.
No wonder I was becoming a
complainer.
No wonder I was becoming critical.
And the moment we lose the
childlike awe, thats the time old age
comes in, happiness deterioration
occurs.
Little by little, I felt the unexplainable
feeling of sadness.
I felt empty inside.
But it only took a sincere prayer. Like
a child talking to her dad.
Keeping the Amazement Alive
God answered my plea. Its always easy
to be in awe when you know that you are
not in control.
He made a way through my

roller-coaster work schedule. By
roller-coaster I mean working
without a permanent shift
schedule in fieldwork or working
at the wee hours when everyone
else is asleep. As my colleagues
would say, Ang trabaho namin ay
hindi walong oras kundi walang
oras (Ours isnt an eight-hour
job; its an all-hours job). God sent
instruments for me to bring back
my sense of awe:
My ever-supportive parents
who assured me that they will
always be there for me, to help out
through thick or thin of my job
requirements;
My transformational-type
of a boss who always gives me
a balance of challenge and
encouragement;
Success sentinels who are
ever ready, mentoring me along
the way when things at work
seem like theres no sense at all.
Theyre experts in making sense
of all its worth.
My area of weakness (Filipino
language) is now, little-by-little,
becoming an area of strength.
My Feast family, which is
my spiritual support and faithful
intercessors.
What else can my human
response be but wonder?
In the end, two things remain:
awareness and gratitude.
When you are always aware
of Gods endless blessings, it
will never be a boring life. You
stand in awe of this faithful and
generous God.
When you are grateful in His
work, little and great, then youll
have unlimited supply of strength
and energy to give back to work
and to the world.
The secret to my always
being in awe despite being
exposed to the sometimes brutal
realities of life due to my work
is never forgetting how God
orchestrates all the events in my
life.
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37
Are You Ready to Get Rid of the

Garbage That Youve Carried in Your
Heart for Many Years?
Y
ER GM
PUBLICATIONS, INC.
Man on the Street
Makes Me Wonder
xpensive getaways. Grand prizes. Fame and recognition.
In todays competitive age, people often associate happiness with
those words. Its like having the need to experience something big
before we realize that life is indeed full of surprises and miracles.
But as Mother Teresa once remarked, Life
is beauty, admire it. Every day, we can
choose to see the world with wonder
through the blessings that surround
us our loved ones, the smiles that
we receive from random people,
the sweet truth that we live
again for one more day to make
our dreams come true. With or
without extravagant occasions,
we can be amazed and grateful for life itself.
Some of our Kerygma readers share what keeps them living in awe.
Read it up and be surprised of how simple things can create deep joy.
Natures beauty. Kindness in spite of pain. Jesus love. I think these produce
awe because they tap at something profoundly eternal and perhaps something
planted in our hearts.
- Joyce Sosoban-Roa, freelance writer/editor, New Zealand
I am amazed every time I see my family the way my husband works hard to provide
for us but still spends time with us, the sweetness and growing-up stories of our
children, and how we face life every day together. Its awesome how the world can be so
depressing but I can find hope and peace at home. Im grateful that God entrusted me to
be a wife and a mom. Its a lifetime gift that I will always be in awe of.
- Angel Regsamon, entrepreneur, Caloocan City
38
I am always awed by the sight of people from

different walks of life reaching out to one another in
times of tragedy and joyous victory.
- Nova Arias-Sevilla, freelance writer/editor
San Diego, California
Counting my blessings. There will always be
someone better or worse than our current state, so I
practice being content with what God has given me
and my family. It keeps me grounded, thankful, and in
awe of what Ive received . It also inspires me on what
I can give.
- Treena Santiago, financial analyst
Valenzuela City
Nature. It makes me wonder about the Creator and
how powerful He is to be able to create all these. I am
also awed by the birth of a child and the death of a
person. Awed by how we continue to exist beyond
physical death because of our spirit/soul.
- Tes Ramos-duVon, HR practitioner
freelance photographer, San Jose, California
What amazed me is being with my family, friends,
and Feast Malolos family especially the Singles
ministry. When Im with them, my problems in life are
gone. They remind me that God is always by my side.
They are the image and reflection of our Lord to me.
Jerold Cruz, Malolos, Bulacan
Im easily awed by the things or happenings around
me because I have learned to see the beauty in
everything that I see. I am awed by the smiles that I
see in peoples faces. I am awed by babies and active
toddlers. I am awed by a butterfly flying among plants.
I am awed by rainbows, by a bright moon, by the stars
in the sky, by the chirping of birds, by playful dogs, by
leaves rustling or falling from the tree, by any motherchild scenes, be it people or animals. There is so much
goodness that amaze me every day!
- Jojo Figueroa-Javier, artist, Antipolo City
Flowers! Flowers always call my attention whether

they be planted, picked or packed (arranged I mean, in
bouquets or arrangements, especially Zen style, I just
love the solitude and mystery evoked by Zen flower
arrangements) they all never fail to hold me in awe.
I like looking closely at flowers, and I find that they are
even more beautiful when you see them up close. I
like watching flowers bloom (especially the stargazers
they can bloom right before your very eyes. The
cattleyas and orchids, they take a bit longer, but you
can watch them turning from insignificant little buds
into really impressive blooms). Maybe, flowers are
pretty much like people the closer you look, the more
beautiful they are. They, too, can bloom right before
your very eyes!
Grace Marquez, counselor, Pasig City
39
Ultimately, it all comes down to love.

The collection of personal stories and reflections in this book, Taken by Love, traces
the authors experiences of encountering the immense love of God from her
conversion to her entry into the renewal; her life of discipleship in community
and on mission; and her experience of Gods love even amidst sickness.
This book speaks of amazing miracles and numerous blessings the author received
from God. The stories relate how God leads His Beloved in this wonderful
pilgrimage of life from a once rebellious youth to a missionary in China.
Y
ER GM

PUBLICATIONS, INC.
Ultimately, it all comes down to love.

The collection of personal stories and reflections in this book, Taken by Love, traces
the authors experiences of encountering the immense love of God from her
conversion to her entry into the renewal; her life of discipleship in community
and on mission; and her experience of Gods love even amidst sickness.
This book speaks of amazing miracles and numerous blessings the author received
from God. The stories relate how God leads His Beloved in this wonderful
pilgrimage of life from a once rebellious youth to a missionary in China.
Y
ER GM

PUBLICATIONS, INC.
Seasons
41
A New Year,
hy do we make New Years

resolutions every year?
Because each new year offers
us a second chance. It gives us
hope that we can start fresh,
start all over again. We always have hope
that we can do better the coming year.
A priest once shared, We had hoped
may be the saddest words in the New
Testament. These were the words of the
two disciples on the road to Emmaus
(Luke 24:13-35) whose hopes were dashed
after the events of Good Friday.
Through the Eyes of Faith
I once visited a home for the elderly
and I noticed how many of them hardly
smiled. They felt that their families had
abandoned them. But there was one
woman who always had a ready smile.
She still hoped that one day someone
would come and visit her. Because she
kept hope alive in her heart, she did not
age like the others. She looked younger
even if she was biologically older.
My father told a story about a twin.
On their birthday, one boy was placed in a
room full of toys and wonderful gifts. But
the boy was miserable because he was not
satisfied with the gifts. The other boy was
placed in a room full of horse manure and
he surprisingly smiled. When asked why
he was smiling, the boy replied, With all
this horse manure, there must be a horse
nearby. He knew how to hope.
Scripture says, Hope is not hope if its
object is seen; how is it possible for one
to hope for what he sees? And hoping for
A New Beginning
what we cannot see means awaiting it with patient
endurance (Romans 8:24-25).
We do not know what the new year will bring.
We do not see the future, but we know Who holds
our future, and that is why we hope. All that I have
seen teaches me to trust God for all that I have not
yet seen.
When I was diagnosed with cancer in January
2010, the news did not shatter my hopes. Rather, it
helped me fix my eyes on what was truly important
in life not my accomplishments but what Christ
had already accomplished for me. As I lay in bed
recovering from chemotherapy, I realized that God
did not value me because of the things I did. I was
as important to God as I prayed in my sickbed, as
By Beth Melchor
I was when I organized a large evangelistic event.
More importantly, I realized that whenever I went to
daily Mass, I was doing something more important than anything I could ever do
with my day. Not only was I being fed with the Word of God and the Bread of Life
that gave me strength for the day, but I was celebrating a most important truth of
what Jesus did for me on the cross. These valuable truths were not visible to my
physical eyes, but I chose to see with the eyes of faith.
On the Wings of Hope
Its been said, Our attitude determines our altitude. Lets choose to fly high on the
wings of hope. Lets choose to see beyond what our physical eyes can see. Lets feed
on the Bread of Angels as often as we can. Our God is a God of second chances. We
can always look forward to being blessed with each new year. Lamentations 3:22-23
declares: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to
an end; they are new every morning; great is His faithfulness.
Happy New Year!
Beth is a woman leader of Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon community who serves in the youth
ministry, pastoral care for women, mission work in Asia, and international leadership training.
Beth is an educator and leads Jerusalem House, a mission household of single women.
She has recently published her first book, Taken by Love, through LifeDreamBooks, the
self-publishing arm of Shepherds Voice Publications. Available at www.kerygmabooks.com and
in leading bookstores nationwide. Email Beth at bethmelchor.seasons@gmail.com.
Sister Aida Manongdo, one of the leaders of the young Charismatic group The Light of Jesus Family then,
prophesied to a 13-year-old Bo Sanchez that he would be preaching Gods Word to the nations.
Serving as Gods lighthouse on earth, the Light of Jesus Family continues to spread Gods life-saving and lifechanging Word even to the peripheries as light travels far and wide, even to the edges, in search for those who
are lost at sea. We shine Jesus light to a dark, broken world in search of the truth, for real love, for meaning
and direction in life.
As we celebrate 35-25-20 years of ministry, media and mercy, may we continue to shine the Light of Jesus
as faithful stewards entrusted with the mission to bring His lost children safely back in the Fathers embrace,
guiding them towards the right direction, until they reach heaven their true home.
Experience the Journey with us through the Light of Jesus Coffee Table Book.
Get it for a minimal donation to our media ministry.
Call 725-9999 locals 101-108 for more information. Shine His light!
Y
ER GM
PUBLICATIONS, INC.
Kitchen Scribbles
43
Eternal Rest
friend and I were discussing

some weighty societal
problems. Local and
international politics,
earthquakes, Syrian refugees,
etc. Suddenly she remembered it was
her dads death anniversary. So she said
Oh, can we just remember him now
and say a prayer?
And I said, Right now? Sure!
So I started the prayer, Lord, we
call to mind what Tito Reg means to
us. We remember all the ways he was
generous and attentive as a father. We
remember his contagious laugh. We
thank You for putting him in our life. We
thank You for his fine example. Eternal
rest grant unto Tito Reg. Amen.
She looked at me, crestfallen.
Puzzled, I asked, Wotttt? She replied,
You forgot to mention to God my dads
family name!
I narrowed my eyes to a slit and
said slowly, You mean God is going to
get confused because we forgot Tito
Regs family name? And theres gonna
be less eternal rest for him because of
this technical failure?
Sometimes, the reason were so
often out of focus about Gods love for
us is because of seemingly harmless
misconceptions that have been passed
on to us. There are many, but let me
mention two that I grew up with.
I was told that the main point of
Christianity is to love my neighbor
Grant Unto...
and do benevolent things like giving to the poor,
embroider stoles, support the parishs outreaches.
You kind of earn His favor that way. I was also
told that its about Gods love for us. Its about a
covenant. They said its about observing a set
of rules in order to go to heaven. You know, like
during Lent, youd better remember to not eat
meat. Otherwise, thats it to the abyss of eternal
flames you go.
Theyre partially true the part about loving
your neighbor and keeping the covenant.
This is why it is good to talk about life with
Him in smaller groups. Sharing with people
expands our notion of God.
There is a story about three fleas that lived on
an elephant. Its an excellent metaphor for this.
By Rosanne Romero
One flea lived on the trunk of the elephant. One on
the paws. And one on the tail. Being small, all they
knew of the elephant was up on the elephant where they lived.
So, when asked, What is an elephant? the trunk-dweller flea said that an
elephant is a long, flexible trunk. The second flea living between the elephants toes
said that an elephant is a huge paw. The third one that lived on the tail said that an
elephant is something that is long and swings with a tassle at the end of it. They
were all a little correct but overwhelmingly incomplete.
As I hear how others experience Gods love, I realize what a good thing it is to be
bethrothed to Him. Its been arranged so that He loves me, even if I dont have the
qualities of Mother Teresa. When you have felt God this close, this interested in you,
you dont, ahem, fix your collar and walk away, unaffected. You dont feel doomed if
you fail to observe a few technical pointers. You dont worry that He wont hear your
prayer because you forgot someones surname.
Gods love is less technical than that.
Rosannes second book, Amusing Grace A Second Helping, is a finalist in the
37th Catholic Mass Media Awards. Published by Shepherds Voice Publications, it is
available at www.kerygmabooks.com and in leading bookstores nationwide. Email
Rosanne at kitchenscribbles@gmail.com.
Do you want to have a copy of Bo Sanchezs latest bestseller?

What about our collection of books that inspire, empower and move you to live
fantastic lives? Do you want to stop for them from the comfort of your home?
Kerygma Books has a new look, new feel, and new books! Choose from our vast
collection of titles that cover a wide array of topics and genres from inspirational,
spiritual, health, personal finance to youth, fiction and relationship books!
Whether it be paperback or digital copy, you can shop at
www.KerygmaBooks.com
and have it delivered at your doorstep or straight to your
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www.Kerygmabooks.com/kerygmaonline
K Preacher
45
Time for Your
he past couple of months have been

very busy for me. Im a father of three
kids, a husband to a beautiful wife, a
businessman with a fledgling business,
and recently, we just opened another
Feast in Sta. Lucia Mall in Cainta.
As much as I wanted to take it easy, stress
had taken its toll on me. I wasnt feeling well
the past weeks but I didnt mind. Im the type
of person who hates going to the hospital.
Ive never experienced lying in a hospital
room, with dextrose on my hand and all that
apparatus all over me. My worst experience
was a having a series of anti-rabies and
tetanus shots when I got bitten by a dog
during my early years.
But when I passed by a clinic one day,
I decided to have myself checked. I have a
health card and I had the time, so why not?
While I waited for my turn (for about half a
day), I was able to think and reflect.
When we get sick or when we feel bad, we
go to the doctor to have ourselves checked.
We are given medications and are told to lead
a clean and healthy lifestyle. If all goes well,
we get back to our usual routine within a few
days healthy and worry-free.
Soul Check-up
Come to think of it, we all know that we are
made of not just flesh, but also spirit. If our
bodies get tired, worn out and sick, our souls
most probably may be experiencing that, too.
The question is, do we ever think of having
our souls checked?
Our souls can also be worn out by the
battles we face every day from heated
discussions at home, in the office, in the
business, and in community. You may be
Checkup!
as healthy as a horse, but when you feel
your life is slowly getting sucked out of you,
and when your willingness to love and
serve others in the different areas in your
life is dwindling, its time to have your soul
checked. Your blood pressure might not be
high but your spirit could be at its lowest
point.
Our Best Doctor
Its important to immediately seek the best
doctor when youre sick, not to mention
the greatest healer and the source of our
strength our God. Most of our illnesses
come because they were not diagnosed and
therefore not treated immediately. If only we
By Ramon Bueno
can have ourselves regularly checked by our
most trusted physicians, we can prevent bad
things and slowly work our way to get better.
The same is true with our spirit. Do we attend church and services only
when things get rough? Do we go to God only when our problems are already
overwhelming? Do we call on God for help when we hit rock-bottom and have
nowhere else to go?
Im no doctor, not even a medical expert, but I believe we should have our
bodies checked regularly to prevent health problems. But even more important
is we should have our spirits checked regularly to function in the best way we
can.
Fill your life with Gods words and wisdom. Have Scripture and reflection
time each day. Experience Him through the Mass. Let His promise renew your
mind and your heart. Let God embrace you with His healing and comforting
presence. You dont need to schedule an appointment or wait long for your turn
you can just plant your knees in the ground anytime, anywhere and open
your heart to His healing love.
I now feel better. Thank God for great doctors and effective medicines. But
most especially, I thank God for giving me all that I ever need to live a happy and
full life in Christ Jesus!
Monching Bueno is the builder of Feast Marikina and Sta. Lucia. Email him at ramon_
bueno@yahoo.com.
One last Story

47
can never forget that day in December 2003 during my

fourth year in high school. I was headed to school when I
saw National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives outside
our house, looking for my mom. I didnt know what was
happening but I remember crying as I left my mom in the
hands of the policemen. I wanted to stay behind for her, but
she instructed me to go to school. In transit, I was crying, not
knowing why they were taking
her away or if Id still see her
when I get home.
I didnt. The NBI detained
Mom for estafa. Her friend filed
the complaint, and her nonappearance in court hearings
triggered her 12-year sentence
without bail.
Mom was imprisoned.
Actually, both of us were.
boyfriend then. I cheated on him with a man who had other

girlfriends as well. Later on, I found myself in a relationship with
different committed men at the same time, a culture prevalent
where I work. I was hungry for love and thought that sex was
equivalent to love.
So while I was praying for Moms freedom, I struggled to be
freed from my own prison as well.
Prison
Prisoner Profile
I am the only child of my mom
and dad. I needed to say so,
because Dad had other kids with
other women. Mom and I were
his second family. Regardless, I
felt Dads love for me. After all, I
was his only girl and his spitting
image. He died in 2001 when I
was only 13.
To provide for my needs,
Mom sold the townhouse we
were living in and our car to
buy rights to a restaurant that
she didnt know was about to
be foreclosed. She lost a lot of
money, so we moved into a small
apartment. Life became tough.
A couple more bad decisions
led to that fateful day when she
ended up in jail. But while she
was the one confined in a prison
cell, I too was trapped by prison
bars of my own making.
break
Escape
In February 2012, I was invited
to a retreat by Pag-ibig Singles,
where I encountered God.
There, I felt so guilty for the
wrong relationships I was in. I
realized real love can only come
from God and I chose to accept
that love. I was in a spiritual
prison cell, but God gave me
my breakthrough. I ended my
relationships and focused on
knowing God more and His love.
He became the father I long
missed and the source of my
strength.
A week after the retreat, I
was invited to The Feast, where
I grew more in love with God.
At work, we hold Feast Video
sessions while I continue to
actively serve through Pag-ibig
Singles.
The only thing missing is
my mom. So, in my love offering
envelope, I kept on writing the
same petition: her freedom.
Four months later, in June
2012, my love offering envelope
had a different prayer: Thank
You, Lord, I am with my mom
today. After nine years, she was
granted pardon and I had my
mom with me again.
Freed
My Prison Cell
Up to now, I still cant believe
When Mom was in prison, I
the great miracle of freedom
stayed with relatives, hopping
we have received. We have
By Kamille Erika Miano as told to Osy Erica
from one to another. Thankfully,
remained faithful in prayer and
I didnt stop school as an uncle
hope, and God had been faithful
paid for my fees during my
to us.
senior year. For me to get into college, my teachers helped me
I live with my mom now. She has a small business, and I work
get a scholarship, while Moms friends and some relatives paid
full-time for our needs. Both of us have come to know the Lord in
for other school needs.
a deeper level while we were imprisoned; we have seen the light
In 2009, I graduated and got into my dream company, not
of the Lord, and we choose to follow it.
knowing life there would turn out to be a nightmare. I had a
Now, I can truly say we are free.
Point of Contact
48
I Pray That You

Receive Your
Miracles In
Jesus Name!
I pray that God lift your trials,
heal your diseases, bless your problems
and direct you to the path He wants you
to take. I pray that God remove your fears
and give you the courage to surrender your
burdens to Him.
So place your hand over my hand, and
let us pray with trust, together with our
prayer team of intercessors praying for you
right now
This page is our Point of Contact, our
spiritual connection.
Say after me
In the Name of the Father, of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, I surrender to You my worries
and anxieties. I surrender to You my needs,
my problems, my trials. I place them all in
Your big hands. And I open myself to all
that You want to give to me. On this day, I
say yes to Your love, to Your blessings, to
Your healing, to Your miracles. And Lord,
specifically, I ask for the following miracles
for my life...
I believe that You answer my prayer
in the best way possible! And I thank
You in advance for the perfect answers
to my prayers. I also ask for the special
intercession of Mama Mary. I pray all this
in the Name of the Father, of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, Amen!
SPECIAL INTENTION FOR THIS MONTH:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of life. We thank You for another chance to bask
in Your love. Thank You for not giving up on us. As we welcome another year, open
the eyes of our hearts wider to see the beauty and meaning of our life. Fill us with
hope every waking day that we may not fall into the pit of worthlessness and despair.
Enlighten our mind when we are clouded with thoughts, unnecessary rush and
worries. Steady our hearts, O God. We trust in You. Amen.
Praying for you,
Email your prayer requests to me

at bosanchez@kerygmafamily.
com or write to me at Shepherds
Voice Publications, #60 Chicago
St., Cubao, Quezon City,
Philippines 1109.

Kerygma Magazine January 2016

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Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life

No. 307 Vol. 27

OTHER CORRECTIONS BEFORE

A P lanner Like No Otnerer.

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ave you ever wondered if fish drank water?

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Welcome to the World of

About Our Cover Model

One Last Story

with Pope Francis

Now I ask you, please, let us have

Jesus wealth lies in His being the

How greatly I desire that all those

Emotional maturity cant be

All that we have in the world does

Kerygma January 2016

Faith is the heart of Marys whole

Indifference to our neighbour

If we humbly implore Gods

In the poor and outcast we

We are called to show that the

Wherever we go, we are called as

Binding oneself to Him, in a

Let our communication be a balm

Faith, which is like a seed deep in

May the Virgin Mary help us to

May the light we bring to others

Christians are those who let

The prayers of the Church on

It has been said that the only real

In Jesus, in His flesh that is,

It is thrilling to experience the

Let us ask the Lord, through

The Eucharist is Jesus Himself

But the Gospel also shows

Kerygma January 2016

Conference, however, a study showed that

1. Get moving. In a study conducted

3. Eat up. To keep your mind

2. Manage social media well. No

4. Plan your life goals. Write down your

Quick Health Tip