SFC Household Topic Compilation (2020 Version)

CFC SINGLES FOR CHRIST
HOUSEHOLD TOPIC
COMPILATION
2020 EDITION
CFC SINGLES FOR CHRIST HOUSEHOLD TOPIC COMPILATION
OVERVIEW OF THE SFC HOUSEHOLD TOPIC COMPILATION
The household prayer meeting is indispensable in the life and mission of Singles for Christ.
It is through this that we build an environment that supports the singles, provide a channel
for encouragement and growth in their Christian life.
This household topics compilation serves as an aid to the household heads as they conduct
their respective household prayer meetings. Furthermore, this serves as a pastoral tool to
help household heads in coming up with nourishing and life-giving topics.
This does not replace our In His Steps or any other Catholic daily scripture guide. This
material will be regularly updated to add more household topics/themes.
The topics are indexed according to Subject, Formation Weekend and Bible verses.
Ingredients of a Household Meeting
A household prayer meeting involves three indispensable ingredients:

(1) worship and prayer (30minutes)
(2) sharing / discussion (60-90 minutes)
(3) fellowship (30-60 minutes max)
Of course, there is some flexibility and there could be variations on the above time frames.
But all three are very important and none should be skipped or simply glossed over.
1. Praise and Worship
Every member should become familiar and comfortable with our way of worship and
praise, and the household head shows the way.
a. The format of worship is as follows:

 Exhortation by the household head
 Sign of the Cross
 Praise song (fast)
 Simultaneous praising
 Praise song (fast)
 Simultaneous Praising
 Worship song (slow)
 Singing in tongues (followed by a short period of silence)
 Bring forward words from the Lord (prophecy, inspired Scripture verses,
exhortations) and reading of the Gospel
 Individual prayers of thanksgiving
 Individual prayers of petition and intercession
HOUSEHOLD TOPIC COMPILATION 2020 EDITION Page | 2

 Closing prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be)

 Sign of the Cross
b. Members should be exhorted by the household head to participate actively in

the singing, praising and prayers of thanksgiving and petition. They should
also be encouraged to exercise the spiritual gifts of prophecy, inspired
Scripture reading and exhortation.
c. The household head leads the worship. As a general rule, he/she should not
delegate his/her responsibility to lead the worship to others.
d. Ideally, someone in the group should play the guitar. A piano or other musical
instrument would be alternatives, if available and practicable. If no one can
play, then it would be advisable to make use of our song (Ablaze mp3/Spotify),
where songs have been arranged in groups of three precisely for use in
household worship.
e. The worship is done standing up for the whole duration. Exceptions would be
sick or weak members.
2. For the time of sharing or discussion, SFC households are designed to have
separate meetings for the brothers households and the sisters households.
Some advantages of this arrangement are as follows:
a. Members are freer to share, especially of their difficulties, when members of

the opposite gender are not around.
b. Practically speaking, there will be enough time (at least quality time) for
everyone to share.
c. It is an opportunity for the men to be supported by the brothers as Christian

men and the women by the sisters as Christian women.
 Note that joint households happen ONLY in the Chapter level. As such,
the time for sharing, teaching or discussion in such occasions can
also be joint or separate. This arrangement depends, of course, on
what is to be taken up at the discretion of the Chapter Leaders.
 Interaction among the households occur twice (2x) a month during the
monthly Chapter Prayer Assembly with CFC and Chapter Teaching
Assembly.
3. The last part, fellowship, is the time for socializing.

a. The host of household prayer meeting usually prepares simple snacks. Here it
must be kept in mind that the food is incidental to the fellowship, rather
than the fellowship being centered on the food. Furthermore, no member
should be burdened by the snack's cost or needed time for preparation, nor
should any host ever be pressured in "keeping up" with a fellow member's
extravagance.
b. The host says the grace before the meal.
c. Absolutely no alcoholic beverages are to be served in the household prayer

meetings and all SFC activities.
4. The evening ends with a short closing prayer by the Household Head.
For any inquiries and feedback, please email us at sfcpfo@couplesforchristglobal.org

Index of Subjects
Adoration
- Setting Our Hearts on the Prize (Part 1) ………………………………………………………151
- Time Well Spent …………………………………………………………………………………………190
- This is the Day ……………………………………………………………………………………………189
Advent
- Peace Begins with Me …………………………………………………………………………………139
- All I Want for Christmas is _____ …………………………………………………………………….34
- Better Late Than Never ………………………………………………………………………………...38
- Let’s Obey God in Detail ……………………………………………………………………………...112
- Prophet-able ……………………………………………………………………………………………...141
- Sign Language ……………………………………………………………………………………………153
- Jesus’ Dysfunctional Ancestors ……………………………………………………………………105
After Life
- Heaven Soon ………………………………………………………………………………………………..88
- Witness Stand ……………………………………………………………………………………………205
Anger
- Black Holes ………………………………………………………………………………………………….41
Arrogance
- Little Big Horn ……………………………………………………………………………………………120
Attachment
- Taking or Making the Cut ……………………………………………………………………………159
- The View from the Desert …………………………………………………………………………...188
Blessings
- Sleepless Nights …………………………………………………………………………………………157
Brotherhood
- Deep Personal Relationships …………………..……………………………………………………58
Care
- Business of Loving ……………………………………………………………………………………….47
- Not Abandoned ………………………………………………………………………………………….134
- Fantastic Four ……………………………………………………………………………………………..67

Catechism
- Sign of the Cross ………………………………………………………………………………………...154
- Why Catholics Confess to a Priest ………………………………………………………………..202
- Heaven on Earth …………………………………………………………………………………………..87
- I Believe in the Holy, Catholic Church ……………………………………………………………97
- Lay Ministry to Bishops ……………………………………………………………………………...109
- Breathe the Holy Spirit …………………………………………………………………………………43
- Optimus Prime and Jesus (Feast of the Lord’s Transfiguration) ……………………136
- The Pelican (Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ) ……………………………...179
Church
- I Believe in the Holy, Catholic Church ……………………………………………………………97
- Little Big Horn ……………………………………………………………………………………………120
- Rebuild My Church ……………………………………………………………………………………..144
- Separated Brethren ……………………………………………………………………………………150
- The Church’s Word …………………………………………………………………………………….168
Comparison
Complacency
- Light in the Darkness ………………………………………………………………………………….118
- Your Lifesaving Investment ………………………………………………………………………..211
Compassion
- Daily Dyings …………………………………………………………………………………………………56
- Insensitive Dolls ………………………………………………………………………………………...102
Confession
- A New Beginning ………………………………………………………………………………………….31
- Heart Conditions ………………………………………………………………………………………….86
Confidence
- Confident-ial ………………………………………………………………………………………………..54
- The Secret Jewel of Joseph (Solemnity of St. Joseph) ……………………………………185
- Travel Light ……………………………………………………………………………………………….192
- Worry Not ………………………………………………………………………………………………….206
- Worry-Free Life …………………………………………………………………………………………208

Courage
- Light in the Darkness ………………………………………………………………………………….118
- Hold Your Ground ………………………………………………………………………………………..91
- Witness Stand ………………………………………………………………………………………........205
- Worry Not ………………………………………………………………………………………………….206
Death
- Planning to Die ………………………………………………………………………………………….140
- Report Card ………………………………………………………………………………………………146
- The Debt of Sin ………………………………………………………………………………………….171
- Witness Stand ……………………………………………………………………………………………205
Discipline
- Making Time for God ………………………………………………………………………………….125
- The Lenten Fast …………………………………………………………………………………………176
- Why Fast? ………………………………………………………………………………………………….204
Discipleship
- I Am Called to be a Missionary ……………………………………………………………………..96
- Travel Light ……………………………………………………………………………………………….192
- Lay Ministry to Bishop ………………………………………………………………………………..109
- Salt Licked? ………………………………………………………………………………………………..148
- The Promise of a Hundredfold …………………………………………………………………….181
- Building Bridges …………………………………………………………………………………………..45
- The Heart of a Pastor ………………………………………………………………………………….174
- Follow Him …………………………………………………………………………………………………..71
- Hail Mary, Pray for Us …………………………………………………………………………………..83
- Fighting with a Towel …………………………………………………………………………………..69
- Going Out of Business Sale ……………………………………………………………………………79
- Jesus’ Impossible Demands ………………………………………………………………………..106
- Sign of the Cross………………………………………………………………………………………...154
- The Sad Rich Young Man …………………………………………………………………………….183
Doubt
- Faith That Produces Miracles ……………………………………………………………………….65
- Worry-Free Life …………………………………………………………………………………………208
Encouragement
- Lessons From Nature …………………………………………………………………………………110
- Wait in Joyful Hope …………………………………………………………………………………….199

Evangelization
- Drink and Tell ……………………………………………………………………………………………...60
- Good or God? ……………………………………………………………………………………………….80
- Prophet-able ……………………………………………………………………………………………...141
- Fantastic Four ……………………………………………………………………………………………..67
- Salt Licked? ………………………………………………………………………………………………..148
Faith
- Heaven on Earth …………………………………………………………………………………………..87
- Joy in Prayer ………………………………………………………………………………………………108
- Now or Never …………………………………………………………………………………………….135
- Faith That Produces Miracles ……………………………………………………………………….65
- Confident-ial ………………………………………………………………………………………………..54
- Multiplication Table …………………………………………………………………………………...128
- New Signs and Wonders ……………………………………………………………………………..130
- This is the Day ……………………………………………………………………………………………189
- Worry Not ………………………………………………………………………………………………….206
- Sign Language ……………………………………………………………………………………………153
- Sign of the Cross ………………………………………………………………………………………...154
- The Best Job in the World …………………………………………………………………………...164
- The Church’s Word …………………………………………………………………………………….168
- Worry-Free Life …………………………………………………………………………………………208
Faithfulness
- Follow Him …………………………………………………………………………………………………..71
- Daily Perseverance Never Gets Old ……………………………………………………………….57
- Faith That Produces Miracles …………………………………….………………………………….65
- Report Card …………………………………………………………………………….…………………146
- The Agony of Defeat …………………………………………………………………….……………..162
- Sign Language ……………………………………………………………………………………………153
Family
- God’s Family Tree ………………………………………………………………………………………..78
- Jesus Restores Families ………………………………………………………………………………104
- The Pain and Promise of Family ………………………………………………………………….177
- Under the Influence ……………………………………………………………………………………197

Fasting
- The Lenten Fast …………………………………………………………………………………………176
Fear
- Hold Your Ground ………………………………………………………………………………………..91
- Worry Not ………………………………………………………………………………………………….206
- Witness Stand ……………………………………………………………………………………………205
Forgiveness
- In Need of Your Mercy ………………………………………………………………………………….99
- Guilt trips …………………………………………………………………………………………………….82
- Love is Forgiveness ……………………………………………………………………………………122
- Anger-Revenge Virus ……………………………………………………………………………………35
- Black Holes ………………………………………………………………………………………………….41
- House Cleaning …………………………………………………………………………………………….92
- Rain Love on Your Enemies ………………………………………………………………………..142
- Special Effects ……………………………………………………………………………………………158
- The Debt of Sin ………………………………………………….……………………………………….171
Friendship
- Deep Personal Relationships ………………………………………………………………………58
Generosity
God’s Love
- The Debt of Sin …………………………….…………………………………………………………….171
God’s Will
- Sign Language ……………………………………………………………………………………………153
God’s Word
- The Church’s Word …………………………………………………………………………………….168
Grace
- Special Effects ……………………………………………………………………………………………158

- The Debt of Sin ……………………………………………………………….………………………….171

- The Spirit of Humility …………………………………………………………………………………187
Gratefulness
Guilt
- Guilt trips …………………………………………………………………………………………………….82
- The Debt of Sin ………………………………………………………………………………………….171
Happiness
- Heaven Soon …………………………………………………………………………………….................88
- House Cleaning …………………………………………………………………………………………….92
- Witness Stand ……………………………………………………………………………………………205
Healing
- How to be Healed …………………………………………………………………………………………94
- No Condemnation ………………………………………………………………………………………131
Heritage
Holiness
- The Church’s Word …………………………………………………………………………………….168
- Religious Pride …………………………………………………………………………………………..145
- The Agony of Defeat …………………………………………………………………………………..162
- Heavily Burdened ………………………………………………………………………………………..89
- Aged to Perfection ……………………………………………………………………………………….33
- Follow Him …………………………………………………………………………………………………..71
- Eat all you can ……………………………………………………………………………………………...61
- Report Card …………………………………………………………………….…………………………146
- Heaven Soon ………………………………………………………………………………………………..88
- The Heart of Darkness ………………………………………………………………………………..175
- 3-D Ticket to Heaven ……………………………………………………………………………………26
- The Lenten Fast …………………………………………………………………………………………176

- Tithing Prayer-Time …………………………………………………………………………………..191
Holy Eucharist
- Give and Take ………………………………………………………………………………………………76
- Eat All You Can...…………………………………………………………………………………………...61
- Heaven on Earth …………………………………………………………………………………………..87
- Eating Disorders ………………………………………………………………………………………….63
- Special Effects ……………………………………………………………………………………………158
Holy Spirit
- Life in the Spirit ………………………………………………………………………………………….117
- Prophet-able ……………………………………………………………………………………………...141
- The Lenten Fast …………………………………………………………………………………………176
Holy Week
- Give and Take ………………………………………………………………………………………………76
- Why Fast? ………………………………………………………………………………………………….204
Honesty
- Come as You Are ………………………………………………………………………………………….53
Hope
- Now or Never …………………………………………………………………………………………….135
Humility
- Follow Him …………………………………………………………………………………………………..71
- Come as You Are ………………………………………………………………………………………….53
- How to be Healed …………………………………………………………………………………………94
- The Bitter Better Pill ……………………………………………………………………………………39
Integrity
- Religious Pride …………………………………………………………………………………………..145

Inter-Religious Dialogue
- Sign of the Cross ………………………………………………………………………………………...154
Judgement
Kingdom of God
- Your ID, Please …………………………………………………………………………………………...209
Leadership
- Religious Pride …………………………………………………………………………………………..145
Legacy
- God’s Family Tree ………………………………………………………………………………………..78
- Planning to Die ………………………………………………………………………………………….140
Lent
- Now or Never …………………………………………………………………………………………….135
- The Lenten Fast …………………………………………………………………………………………176
- The Cross Sandwich …………………………………………………………………………………...169
- Why Fast? ………………………………………………………………………………………………….204
Love
- Love Letters ……………………………………………………………………………………………….123
- Your ID, Please …………………………………………………………………………………………...209
Loving Neighbor
- Fantastic Four ……………………………………………………………………………………………..67
- Love Letters ……………………………………………………………………………………………….123
- Not Abandoned ………………………………………………………………………………………….134

- Your ID, Please …………………………………………………………………………………………...209
Maturity
- Heavily Burdened ………………………………………………………………………………………..89
Mercy
- Guilt trips …………………………………………………………………………………………………….82
Money
- Money Talks ………………………………………………………………………………………………126
Mother Mary
Mission
- God Created You to Help Others ……………………………………………………………………77
- Salt Licked? ………………………………………………………………………………………………..148
- Travel Light ……………………………………………………………………………………………….192
- More or Less? …………………………………………………………………………………………….127
- No Condemnation ………………………………………………………………………………………131
- Prophet-able ……………………………………………………………………………………………...141
- Your ID, Please …………………………………………………………………………………………...209
New Year
- A New Beginning ………………………………………………………………………………………….31
Obedience
- Levi’s Call …………………………………………………………………………………………………..113
- The Church’s Word …………………………………………………………………………………….168

Patience
Peace
- House Cleaning …………………………………………………………………………………………….92
Pentecost
Persecution
- Sign of the Cross ………………………………………………………………………………………...154
Perseverance
- Daily Perseverance Never Gets Old ……………………………………………………………….57
- Witness Stand ……………………………………………………………………………………………205
Prayer
- Heaven on Earth …………………………………………………………………………………………..87
- Time Well Spent …………………………………………………………………………………………190
- Rattle Snake ……………………………………………………………………………………………….143
- This is the Day ……………………………………………………………………………………………189
- Tithing Prayer-Time …………………………………………………………………………………..191
- A Dose of MGM …………………………………………………………………………………………….29
- Sign of the Cross…………….…………………………………………………………………………...154
- The Lenten Fast …………………………………………………………………………………………176
- This is the Day ……………………………………………………………………………………………189
Pride
- How to be Healed …………………………………………………………………………………………94
- Sky-Diving …………………………………………………………………………………………………156
- Little Big Horn ……………………………………………………………………………………………120
- Religious Pride …………………………………………………………………………………………..145
Pro-Life
- Are You Pro-Choice? …………………………………………………………………………………….32
Purification

- The Lenten Fast …………………………………………………………………………………………176
Purity
Relationship
- Deep Personal Relationships ………………………………………………………………………58
- Rattle Snake ……………………………………………………………………………………………….143
- House Cleaning …………………………………………………………………………………………….92
- No Vendors Allowed …………………………………………………………………………………..132
Repentance
- A New Beginning ………………………………………………………………………………………….31
- Aged to Perfection ……………………………………………………………………………………….33
- Guilt Trips ..………………………………………………………………………………………………….82
- Now or Never …………………………………………………………………………………………….135
- The Debt of Sin ………………………………………………………………………………………….171
Sacrament
- Special Effects ……………………………………………………………………………………………158
Sacrifice
- Give and Take ………………………………………………………………………………………………76
- The Lenten Fast …………………………………………………………………………………………176
- Why Fast? ………………………………………………………………………………………………….204
- Witness Stand ……………………………………………………………………………………………205

Self Denial
- Daily Dyings …………………………………………………………………………………………………56
- Levi’s Call …………………………………………………………………………………………………..113
- The Lenten Fast …………………………………………………………………………………………176
- Why Fast? ………………………………………………………………………………………………….204
- Witness Stand ……………………………………………………………………………………………205
Service
- God Created You to Help Others ……………………………………………………………………77
- Salt Licked? ………………………………………………………………………………………………..148
- More or Less? …………………………………………………………………………………………….127
- The Bitter Better Pill ……………………………………………………………………………………39
- Your ID, Please …………………………………………………………………………………………...209
Sharing
Shepherding
- Not Abandoned ………………………………………………………………………………………….134
Simplicity
- The Lenten Fast …………………………………………………………………………………………176
- Travel Light ……………………………………………………………………………………………….192
Sin
- The Debt of Sin ……………………………………………………………………………….………….171
Spiritual Warfare
- Hold Your Ground ………………………………………………………………………………………..91
- Sign of the Cross ………………………………………………………………………………………...154
- Witness Stand ……………………………………………………………………………………………205
Stewardship
- Money Talks ………………………………………………………………………………………………126
- Report Card …………………………………………………………………….…………………………146

Stress
- Worry Not ………………………………………………………………………………………………….206
- Worry-Free Life …………………………………………………………………………………………208
Struggles
- Witness Stand ……………………………………………………………………………………………205
- Worry Not ………………………………………………………………………………………………….206
Thanksgiving
- Eating Disorders ………………………………………………………………………………………….63
Trials
- Confident-ial ………………………………………………………………………………………………..54
- Witness Stand ……………………………………………………………………………………………205
Trust
- New Signs and Wonders ……………………………………………………………………………..130
- Worry-Free Life …………………………………………………………………………………………208
- Levi’s Call …………………………………………………………………………………………………..113
- Travel Light ……………………………………………………………………………………………….192
Uniqueness
Unity
- Sky-Diving
Vocation
Wealth
- Money Talks ………………………………………………………………………………………………126

Witnessing
- Living the Impossible …………………………………………………………………………………121
- The Cross Sandwich …………………………………………………………………………………...169
- Planning to Die ………………………………………………………………………………………….140
- Religious Pride …………………………………………………………………………………………..145
- Report Card ………………………………………………………………………………………………146
- Witness Stand ……………………………………………………………………………………………205
- Good or God? ……………………………………………………………………………………………….80
- Salt Licked? ………………………………………………………………………………………………..148
- Sign of the Cross ………………………………………………………………………………………...154
- The Best Job in the World …...………………………………………………………………………164
- Witness Stand ……………………………………………………………………………………………205
- Your ID, Please …………………………………………………………………………………………...209
Workplace
- The Best Job in the World …...………………………………………………………………………164
Worry
- Worry-Free Life …………………………………………………………………………………………208
- Worry Not ………………………………………………………………………………………………….206
- Travel Light ……………………………………………………………………………………………….192

Index of Formation Weekend
Covenant Orientation Weekend

 His Presents or His Presence ……………………………………………………………………………85
 Team Pilgrims ……………………………………………………………………………………………….160
 The Danger of Compromise ……………………………………………………………………………163
Christian Character Weekend

 Anger Danger …………………………………………………………………………………………………..28
 Be Not Afraid ……………………………………………………………………………………………………37
 Humility is the Key ……………………………………………………………………………………………95
 Who is in Control …………………………………………………………………………………………….201
Knights Tale
 Disciplined Disciples …………………………………………………………………………………………59
 Every Man’s Battle …………………………………………………………………………………………….64
 Unleash the Lion ……………………………………………………………………………………………..198
Princess Diaries
 Never Alone …………………………………………………………………………………………………….129
 True Beauty …………………………………………………………………………………………………….161
 Waiting …………………………………………………………………………………………………………...201
Christ Pursuit Weekend

 In Pursuit Of ……………………………………………………………………………………………………101
 Relentless Suitor ……………………………………………………………………………………………..183
 The Pearl of Great Price …………………………………………………………………………………...179
Intimacy Weekend
 Chastity Rocks …………………………………………………………………………………………………..50
 Freedom to Love ……………………………………………………………………………………………….72
 Search is Over …………………………………………………………………………………………………149
 The Broken Pot ……………………………………………………………………………………………….166

Index of Scriptures
+ OLD TESTAMENT +
GENESIS
Genesis 11:9 - Sky-Diving …………………………………………………………156
Genesis 12: 1-3 - Culture of Goodness ……………………………………………..55
LEVITICUS
Leviticus 9:18 - Love is Forgiveness ……………………………………………..122
1 SAMUEL
1 Samuel 4:10 - The Agony of Defeat …………………………………………….162
1 Samuel 24:11 - Are You Pro-Choice ………………………………………………..32
2 SAMUEL
2 Samuel 24:10 - The Debt of Sin ……………………………………………………..171
1 KINGS
1 Kings 8:13 - Rebuild My Church ………………………………………………..144
1 Kings 11:4 - Daily Perseverance Never Gets Old ………………………….57
2 MACCABEES
2 Maccabees 6:27-28 - Planning to Die ……………………………………………………..140
PSALM
Psalm 23 - Sleepless Nights ……………………………………………………157
Psalm 23:1 - Never Alone ………………………………………………………….129
Psalm 27:8 - Making Time for God …………………………………………….125
Psalm 27:14 - Waiting ………………………………………………………………...201
Psalm 86:2 - Aged to Perfection …………………………………………………..33
Psalm 118:17 - Witness Stand ……………………………………………………….205
Psalm 147:3 - Broken Pot ……………………………………………………………166
PROVERBS
Proverbs 31:30 - True Beauty ………………………………………………………….161
SONG OF SONGS
Song of Songs 2:10,13 - All I Want for Christmas is __________ …………………………34

SIRACH
Sirach 6:14 - Deep Personal Relationships ………………………………...…58
Sirach 36:5 - New Signs and Wonders …………………………………….….130
Sirach 44:1 - God’s family Tree ……………………………………………………78
ISAIAH
Isaiah 1:18 - Guilt Trips ………………………………………………………………82
Isaiah 2:4 - Peace Begins with Me …………………………………………....139
Isaiah 7:11 - Sign Language ………………………………………………………153
Isaiah 43:1 - Be not afraid …………………………………………………………..37
DANIEL
Daniel 6:19 - Eating Disorders …………………………………………………….63
Daniel 7:8 - Little Big Horn ………………………………………………………120
JOEL
Joel 2:12 - Now or Never ……………………………………………………….135
JONAH
Jonah 3:7 - The Lenten Fast ……………………………………………………176
MALACHI
Malachi 3:2 - Come as You Are …………………………………………………….53

+ NEW TESTAMENT +
MATTHEW
Matthew 1:1-17 - Jesus’ Dysfunctional Ancestors …………………………………………105
Matthew 1:16 - Prophet-able …………………………………………………………………...141
Matthew 1:24 - The Secret Jewel of Joseph (Solemnity of St. Joseph) ……………185
Matthew 4:1 - The View from the Desert ………………………………………………...188
Matthew 5:13 - Salt Licked? ……………………………………………………………………..148
Matthew 5:16 - Good or God? …………………………………………………………………….80
Matthew 5:17 - Jesus’ Impossible Demands ………………………………………………106
Matthew 5:20 - Living the Impossible ………………………………………………………121
Matthew 5:24 - Black Holes ……………………………………………………………………….41
Matthew 5:39 - Anger-Revenge Virus …………………………………………………………35
Matthew 5:44 - Rain Love on Your Enemies ……………………………………………...142
Matthew 6:7 - Rattle Snake …………………………………………………………………….143
Matthew 6:9-13 - Joy in Prayer ……………………………………………………………………108
Matthew 8:24 - Worry Not ……………………………………………………………………….206
Matthew 9:14 - Why Fast? ……………………………………………………………………….204
Matthew 9:22 - Faith That Produces Miracles ……………………………………………..65
Matthew 9:30-31 - Let’s Obey God in Detail …………………………………...………………112
Matthew 9:36 - Not Abandoned ……………………………………………………………….134
Matthew 10:7-8 - Travel Light …………………………………………………………………….192
Matthew 10:26-28 - Light in the Darkness ……………………………………………………….118
Matthew 10:38 - Follow Him ………………………………………………………………………..71
Matthew 12:6-8 - Heavily Burdened ……………………………………………………………...89
Matthew 13:8-9 - Lessons from Nature ……………………………………………………….110
Matthew 13:46 - The Pearl of Great Price …………………………………………………...179
Matthew 16:18 - I Believe in the Holy, Catholic Church …………………………………97
Matthew 17:5 - Optimus Prime and Jesus (Feast of the Lord’s Transfiguration) ……….……136
Matthew 18:32-33 - House Cleaning ………………………………………………………………….92
Matthew 19:21 - The Sad Rich Young Man ………………………………………………….183
Matthew 21:30 - Better Late than Never ………………………………………………………38
Matthew 22:36-38 - Time Well Spent ………………………………………………………………190
Matthew 23:2-3 - Religious Pride ………………………………………………………………..145
MARK
Mark 1:15 - A New Beginning ……………………………………………………………….31
Mark 2:4 - Fantastic Four …………………………………………………………………...67
Mark 4:40 - Confident-ial ……………………………………………………………………..54
Mark 5:19 - Jesus Restores Families ……………………………………………………104
Mark 6:31 - Daily Dyings ………………………………………………………………………56
Mark 7:21 - Heart Conditions ……………………………………………………………….86
Mark 7:23 - The Heart of Darkness …………………………………………………….175
Mark 8:4 - Multiplication Table ………………………………………………………..128

Mark 9:39-40 - Separated Brethren …………………………………………………………150

Mark 9:39-40 - Building Bridges …………………………………….………………………….45
Mark 10:23 - Going Out of Business Sale …………………………………………………79
Mark 10:28 - The Promise of a Hundredfold ………….………………………………181
Mark 10:47 - How to be Healed ………………………………………………………………94
Mark 12:43 - Money Talks ……………………………………………………………………126
Mark 14:22-23 - The Pelican (Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ) ……...……………...179
LUKE
Luke 1:39 - Hail Mary, Pray for Us ………………………………………………………..83
Luke 2:33 - The Pain and Promise of Family ……………………………………….177
Luke 5:26 - Special Effects …………………………………………………………………158
Luke 5:27-29 - Levi’s Call ………………………………………………………………………..113
Luke 6:38 - More or Less? ………………………………………………………………….127
Luke 13:9 - No Condemnation ……………………………………………………………131
Luke 13:31 - Hold Your Ground ……………………………………………………………..91
Luke 10:25-37 - Business of Loving ……………………………………………………………..47
Luke 10:39 - A Dose of MGM ………………………………………………………………….29
Luke 12:22-23 - Worry-Free Life ……………………………………………………………….208
Luke 14:11 - Humility is the key …………………………………………………………….95
Luke 16:2 - Report Card …………………………………………………………………….146
Luke 16:20 - Insensitive Dolls ………………………………………………………………102
Luke 18:1 - Tithing Prayer-Time ………………………………………………………...191
Luke 18:14 - The Bitter Better Pill …………………………………………………………39
Luke 19:13 - Your Lifesaving Investment ……………………………………………..211
Luke 22:19 - Setting Our Hearts on the Prize (Part 1) …………………………...151
Luke 22:14-15 - Setting Our Hearts on the Prize (Part 2) ……………………………152
Luke 22:19 - Heaven on Earth ………………………………………………………………..87
JOHN
John 2:16 - No Vendors Allowed ……………………………………………………….132
John 4:28 - Drink and Tell …………………………………………………………………..60
John 6:51 - Eat All You Can ………………………………………………………………….61
John 12:3 - Give and Take ……………………………………………………………………76
John 13:14 - Fighting with a Towel ………………………………………………………..69
John 13:35 - Worry Not ……………………………………………………………………….206
John 13:35 - Your ID, Please ………………………………………………………………...209
John 15:2 - Taking or Making the Cut …………………………………………………159
John 19:30 - The Cross Sandwich ………………………………………………………...169
John 20:21 - Breathe the Holy Spirit ………………………………………………………43
John 20:22-23 - In Need of Your Mercy ……………………………………………………….99
John 20:22 - Why Catholics Confess to a Priest ……………………………………..202
John 30:3 - I Am Called to be a Missionary ……………………………………………96

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

Acts 2:14 - Lay Ministry to Bishop …………………………………………………….109
Acts 8:30-31 - The Church’s Word ………………………………………………………….168
Acts 10:25 - The Spirit of Humility ………………………………………………………187
Acts 13:52 - Life in the Spirit ……………………………………………………………….117
ROMANS
Romans 5:8 - The Relentless Suitor ……………………………………………………….183
Romans 7:4 - God Created You to Help Others …………………………………………77
Romans 8:25 - Wait in Joyful Hope ………………………………………………………….199
1 CORINTHIANS
1 Corinthians 1: 18 - Sign of the Cross ………………………………………………………………154
1 Corinthians 6:18 - Chastity Rocks …………………………………………………………………...50
1 Corinthians 7:17 - The Best Job in the World ………………………………………………...164
1 Corinthians 7:24 - The Best Job in the World ………………………………………………...164
1 Corinthians 9:25 - Disciplined Disciples ………………………………………………………….59
1 Corinthians 16:13 - Unleash the Lion ……………………………………………………………...198
GALATIANS
Galatians 5:13 - Freedom to love ………………………………………………………………..72
EPHESIANS
Ephesians 4:26-27 - Anger danger …………………………………………………………………….28
Ephesians 5:3 - Every man’s battle ……………………………………………………………..64
PHILIPPIANS
Philippians 3:12 - In Pursuit of …………………………………………………………………….101
COLOSSIANS
Colossians 4:2 - His presents or His presence ……………………………………………...85
2 TIMOTHY
2 Timothy 1:7 - Who is in control? ……………………………………………………………201
TITUS
Titus 1:5 - The Heart of a Pastor ……………………………………………………….174
HEBREWS
Hebrew 10:24-25 - Team Pilgrims …………………………………………………………………160

JAMES
James 4:17 - The danger of compromise ………………………………………………163
James 5:16 - This is the Day …………………………………………………………………189
1 John
1 John 3:11 - Love Letters ……………………………………………………………………123
1 John 3:1-3 - God’s Beloved
1 John 4:8 - Search is over ………………………………………………………………….149
REVELATION
Revelation 7:9 - Heaven Soon …………………………………………….……………………….88

3-D TICKET TO HEAVEN
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles
himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)
Wedding is a special occasion for all of us. We do a lot of preparation to make it more
memorable and meaningful. When my friend Jenny was asked to be the Maid of Honor of her
best friend, it was the beginning of her serious preparation, as if she was the one who will
get married. Without delay, she immediately rushed to her dressmaker and meticulously
chose her DRESS to wear. But the preparation did not end there. A month before the
wedding, she begun avoiding her favorite chocolates as part of her DIET program. She
wanted a slim beautiful body for her best friend’s big day. But as the wedding day came
closer, a business offer came up from Singapore. Without having a second thought, she
politely turned down the offer. Her DESIRE to attend her best friend’s wedding was far more
important than any business or personal interests.
There is also a big banquet coming in the Kingdom of God. All are invited; unfortunately not
everybody will be able to enter the gate. In the Gospel, someone once asked Jesus, “Lord, will
only a few people be saved?” His answer was a big surprise, “Do your best to go in through
the narrow door; because many people will surely try to go in but will not be able.” (Lk.13:24)
Jesus even hinted that some of his followers will not be allowed to join the banquet. They
will claim, “We ate and drank in your company.” (Lk.13:26) But Jesus will simply say, “I do
not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evil doers.” (Lk.13:27) The blame was
on them. They did not prepare themselves for the Big Feast.
The 3-D preparation is a must for the big banquet in heaven. We are expected to dress
appropriately, do our regular diet, and have great desire to meet our Savior. How do we do
these? Let’s check our own 3-D list:
Dress – Do you wear your dress of righteousness and charity regularly? Don’t forget the
guest who was thrown out from the feast for not wearing the appropriate dress. (Mt.
22:12-13)
Diet – Do you do your spiritual dieting regularly? Cut down your excesses. Trim your pride
and selfishness. Avoid temptations. Turn away from sins. Remember, the gate to the
Big Feast is too narrow. Diet is a must to squeeze ourselves. (Mt. 3:2)
Desire – Do you have a genuine desire to join the Big Feast and meet Jesus? Are we like the
invited guest who says, “Not now, I am busy with my business and other things.”
(Mt. 22:5)
Unlike any earthly wedding, preparing for the Big Feast is quite difficult, challenging and
liberating. All are invited to the Big Feast but nobody knows when. The Scriptures give us a
stern warning - we will falter and fail if we don’t start preparing now. Thus, the challenge is

to dress up, do your diet and desire for Jesus every day. If the 3-D prep becomes part of our
daily life, the date of the Big Feast is not something to worry about, but something to look
forward to.
So wake up. Do your 3-D preparation. And you will never be disappointed.
Discussion Starters:
1. Do you wear your dress of righteousness and charity regularly?

2. Do you do your spiritual dieting regularly?
3. Do you have a genuine desire to join the Big Feast and meet Jesus?
[Reprinted with permission from Fr. Wilfredo Manalo Samson, S.J.]

ANGER DANGER
Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the
devil. (Eph.4:26-27)
Everyone struggles, to varying degrees, with anger. Most of the times, our anger ends up us
sinning. It is because we fail to distinguish righteous anger from sinful anger. That’s why
proper handling is a must. More than 50 percent of people who undergo counseling have
problems have problems in dealing with anger. It can break communication, destroy
relationship and to some extent have a negative impact on one’s physical health.
Anger acts as a signal. It notifies us that there are other people attempting to or have intruded
our and/or other people’s boundaries. It can become sinful when it is motivated by pride,
distorts God’s purposes or when it is allowed to stay remain in us. One obvious sign that
anger has turned to sin is when, instead of attacking the problem at hand, we attack the
wrongdoer. It can lead us in cursing, screaming, attacking physically and hurling hurtful
words. Nor it does lead in self-pity, despair, or withdrawing from people.
Righteous anger on the other hand, focuses not on the sinner but the actual sin. It focuses on
how people offend God and His kingdom, not ours and our name. The Christian way to handle
it is by seeing Jesus in the trial up to his death on the cross. He was abused, rejected, betrayed,
hurt physically, maligned but instead of hurling at them cosmic matter, wiping them out of
the face of the earth, which He can, He chose not to. Proverbs 29:11 says it all, “Fools give
vent to all their anger; but the wise, biding their time, control it.” The necessary provision is
that there is no shade of hatred and no intention of revenge.
We cannot control how others react or respond, but we can definitely choose to respond
positively. Rising above our anger cannot happen overnight. However, through discernment,
prayer and constantly asking for God’s grace.
Finally, when we fail to manage it, we must be humble to accept it and ask for forgiveness.
After all “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love
(Psalm 145:8).
Guide question(s):
1. What makes you angry / what annoys you?
2. How do you intend to manage it the next time it happens?

A DOSE OF MGM
“She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to
him speak.” (Luke 10:39)
A friend came to me and said, “I attend Mass and pray the rosary every day. In spite of being
busy with my work, I am actively involved in prison ministry. Yet I feel empty. I don’t feel
God the way I used to do.” I simply said to her, “Visit the adoration chapel. Just stay there in
silence and listen.” After a day, she came back, consoled and enlightened. She recognized the
source of her emptiness. She unconsciously resented her husband for reprimanding her in
public two years ago. She has forgiven him. The silence disposed her to listen to the voice of
God.
This reading from Luke’s gospel is not about who is better in the eyes of Jesus, Mary or
Martha? Both are good. In fact, it is good to cultivate both the Mary and Martha in us. But we
should know which hat to wear in a given situation. I’m sure Jesus was pleased with Martha’s
sincerity to prepare a good meal for him; but her hard work merited a correction from Jesus
for complaining and for being anxious in many things. She forgot that listening and
conversing with her guest was also important. Mary did sit and listen to Jesus. And Jesus
delightfully replied, “Mary has chosen the better part.” (Lk. 10:42)
There is great value in hard work. No doubt about it. But in this case, Jesus is emphasizing
the necessity of listening to God. Like Martha, we are always anxious with our daily concerns.
We are pressured to earn a living for our family. Mothers must cook, clean the house, and
take care of their children. Our office and school activities are up by this time. God expects
us to be busy in all these things; but He also wants us to involve Him in our daily concerns.
Like Martha, we are task oriented and busy beings. This is our reality and God understands.
Unfortunately, in our desire to please people and bring good results, we bury ourselves with
our works and concerns and easily forget God. When we are busy and pressured in our work,
our prayer life is the first thing that flies out of the window.
I admire people who are actively engaged in many things; but they are able to stop and pray
in silence. They are highly motivated, spontaneous and happy people. They begin and end
their day with God. They can drop everything in the middle of a busy day for a quick dose of
“MGM” (Me and God moments). They know that prayer and hard work are both necessary. A
good guiding principle to a busy but anxiety-less life: ‘The more we are busy with many things,
the more we should stop and pray.’
Here is my personal guide how to STOP in prayer.
S – Silence: Seek God in silence and listen to His will.

T – Trust: Have faith in God. He knows many things and can see things beyond us.
O – Obey: With firm faith, follow what God wants you to do, even if it hurts.

P – Persevere: Don’t give up when things seems to be not working well. Just do your part
and allow God to do the rest. It is only then that our anxiety will disappear.
“Every Christian needs half an hour of prayer each day except when busy. Then we need an
hour of prayer.” - St. Francis de Sales
1. How is your prayer time?

2. During busy days, do you still have the time to stop, pray and listen in silence?
3. What steps are you willing to take to protect your prayer time?

A NEW BEGINNING
"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and
believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15)
Every New Year is a new beginning. And the Lord wants us to experience this new beginning
with repentance, that is, reforming our lives. When we hear the Lord's call to repentance, we
agree that many people need to hear that call. However, the Lord is saying that each of us
needs to repent — to remove the plank from our eyes before trying to remove the splinters
from the eyes of others. (Mt 7:5)
Even if we admit our own need to repent, we probably don't think we have to do so
immediately. However, the Lord says: "The time is short." (1 Cor. 7:29) We may be like the
Ninevites: either we repent within forty days (or forty minutes) or be destroyed. (Jon. 3:4)
"Delay not your conversion to the Lord, put it not off from day to day; for suddenly His wrath
flames forth." (Sir. 5:8-9) "Delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress." (Sir.
18:21) "Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor. 6:2)
So each one of us should repent right now and go to Confession as soon as possible. If we
don't know what to confess, or even if we think we do, we should ask the Holy Spirit to help
us. We may be blinded to sin by sin. Begin this year freed from sin.
What is the best news you could dream of getting? What would be news so good for
you, that you’d be willing to “repent and believe?”
[Reprinted with permission of Presentation Ministries, 3230 McHenry, Cincinnati, OH 45211,

www.presentationministries.com (513) 662-5378]

ARE YOU PRO-CHOICE?
“David said: ‘I will not raise a hand against my master, for he is the Lord’s
anointed.’" (1 Samuel 24:11)
David spared Saul's life when he had a perfect chance to kill his tormentor. David was a
seasoned warrior who had killed many opponents (e.g. see 1 Sam. 23:5; 30:17ff). The only
reason he held back his hand was because Saul carried the anointing of leadership from God.
Saul had been chosen by God. (1 Sam. 10:1)
Jesus "summoned the men He Himself had decided on" (Mk 3:13). It wasn't that the twelve
apostles were especially qualified for their position; their only qualification was that they
were chosen by the Lord. (Jn. 15:16) Saul looked like a poor choice by God. Likewise, it often
appeared that the Lord had chosen His apostles poorly. They made mistakes after mistakes,
and at times completely failed to understand Jesus. (Mk 6:52)
It's not unusual to hear people remark today that Church leaders are incompetent. These
leaders may seem foolish to some, but "God's folly is wiser than men, and His weakness more
powerful than men" (1 Cor. 1:25). God speaks through those He anointed and chose. (Jn.
15:16) For example, if God wishes to speak about marriage through celibate men, that doesn't
make His message any less truthful. It is arrogance to assert that God is not powerful enough
to lead and teach accurately through those He chooses, even those who appear unqualified.
May all of God's people imitate David, who so respected God's choice of Saul that he preferred
to be persecuted rather than do any harm to the Lord's anointed. (1 Sam. 24:14)
How can you be an advocate of life?


AGED TO PERFECTION
"Preserve my life, for I am devoted; save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God." (Psalm 86:2)
David was probably in his forties when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged
for her husband to be murdered. You could call this a mid-life crisis of sin. Several years later
when David was in his fifties or sixties, his son Absalom tried to take over the kingdom and
kill his father. When Absalom was killed in battle, David lamented: "My son Absalom! My son,
my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Sam. 19:1)
This is the same son with whom David wouldn't talk for five years (see 2 Sam. 13:38 and
14:28). Yet, David truly forgave and kept forgiving Absalom. He loved him unconditionally.
David grew from a lustful, murderous middle-age to a loving, forgiving, holy old age. David
still needed much more purification and growth in holiness, but he allowed the Lord to
change him significantly.
Jesus, himself, "progressed steadily in wisdom and age and grace before God and men" (Lk.
2:52). How about you? We're all growing in age, but what about in wisdom and grace? Have
you repented and forgiven? Have you left behind the sins of the past? Are you growing to the
full maturity of Christ (Eph. 4:15)? Grow! Don’t just grow old.
1. As you grow old, do you also grow in wisdom and grace?

2. Do you still have unrepented sins of the past?


ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS ____________
"Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come!"

(Song of Songs 2:10, 13)
Despite the constant hype the world gives about Christmas, the world only wants a minimal
Christmas. People are programmed to be happy with "two front teeth," a new PlayStation,
fur coat, diamond ring, Barbie doll, power tool, or even a new car. The world proclaims that
getting this for Christmas is a maximum Christmas. When you focus on the gifts instead of
the Giver of the gifts, you've set yourself up for a minimal Christmas.
The world is not ready to receive the incarnate Love of the Lord for Christmas. That's why
we need Advent: to help us prepare to raise our expectations to receive the earth-shaking,
maximum Christmas God has for us. The Lord shouts to us: "Arise" (Songs 2:10, 13). He calls
us to rise above our meager expectations. In the northern USA, we expect snow while God
expects a new springtime in the Spirit. (Songs 2:11ff) We expect family gatherings while God
expects us to take our royal place in His glorious family. (Mt. 12:50) We expect good tidings
while God sends the Good News by sending His only Son, Jesus. (Jn. 1:14) We expect delicious
Christmas treats while God expects the Eucharistic banquet of the Lamb. We expect the
Christmas Spirit while God expects us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Lk. 1:41) We expect
Christmas carols while God provides His own music as He sings joyfully about us. (Zep. 3:17)
Raise your expectations and have yourself a Merry Christ-Mass.
1. What do you really want this Christmas?

2. How are you preparing your heart for the birth of Jesus?


ANGER-REVENGE VIRUS
“But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes
you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.” (Matthew 5:39)
We hurt people because someone had hurt us. Think about it. The reason why we tend to
hurt other people is because somewhere in our past, we were victims of others’ uncharitable
acts. Most of the time, we are not aware of our temptation to retaliate, unfortunately, because
of our frustration to get even or return the hurt done to us, we ended up hurting other people
or hurting ourselves. Sometimes, we are not aware that we are already infected with the
“anger-revenge” virus. In fact, this is more dangerous than the H1N1 Virus that is floating
around the globe. H1N1 is now curable with the discovery of an anti-virus. But this “anger-
revenge” virus will always threat us.
In our reading above, when Jesus said, “offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone
strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. Should anyone ask you to
walk for one mile, go with him for two miles.” (Mt. 5 39, 41) Jesus is giving us an antidote or
cure to this highly infectious and dangerous virus that lives in our hearts. The only way to
kill this virus is to stop it from spreading. Nursing a hurt will lead us to anger. Anger will lead
us to hatred and hatred will lead us to revenge. Then it becomes a vicious cycle. Anger breads
more anger. And when the anger virus controls and poisons one’s heart, he loses his
sensitivity, self-control, and hurts people in small or in big ways, knowingly and
unknowingly. It will never end. Like any other virus, it is very infectious. Revenge breads
revenge. Someone has to stop it. Someone has to bear the pain, bear the blow, to stop it.
Someone has to forgive. When one forgives, the cycle or the infection stops. In forgiveness,
the person who forgives benefits most.
Now we can easily understand the silence of Jesus during His crucifixion: “Have you now
answer to give to these accusations against you? But Jesus kept quiet.” (Mt. 26:62-63) He said
nothing against His enemies and even prayed for them, “Father forgive them, they know not
what they do.” (Lk. 23:34) Jesus knows that revenge is not the solution, “Put your sword back
in its place. Don’t you know that I could call on my Father for help, and at once He would send
me more than twelve armies of angels?” (Mt. 26:50-54) To absorb the pain and to forgive are
the only antidote to this very infectious “anger-revenge” virus. Someone has to stop it.
Someone has to do the sacrifice. Christ did it for us. Can we do that also for others?
Today, we are being called to forgiveness. We are being asked to swallow our pride and
reverse the customary way of re-acting to injustices, uncharitable acts, persecution and
unkind words against us. We are called to do the impossible. We are called to magis (to give
more): to love our enemies and share our very best with them, the peace and love we have
received from God. In doing so, we can be called real children of God.
"If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we would find in each person's life sorrow
and suffering enough to disarm all hostility." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

1. What is your antidote to anger?

2. Tell a story of how you forgave someone.
3. Do you still have anger or resentment in your life that you find difficult to let go?

BE NOT AFRAID
“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for
I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
Fear, just like the other emotions, is a God-given emotion. It is our default reaction when we
feel threatened. It warns us of an impeding danger. It also protects us from incoming risks. If
not handled properly, it can prevent us from fully experiencing God’s will and plan for our
life.
Generally, there are two types of fear: External, which caused by outside factors. We usually
acquire it if we had a negative encounter in the past. The other type is internal, which still
caused by outside factors but can have a devastating effect in our personal character. The
later, is more harmful because it can change our views in life, doubt God’s power over it, lead
us to sin, and to some extent, immobilize us and thus preventing us from experiencing the
fullness of life.
The best antidote to this fear is courage. Courage believes that in spite of the fear, we are to
face it squarely and with God’s grace surpass it. Because most of God’s succeeding
instructions are given after we overcome our fears (Noah feared that people might ridiculed
him; Moses feared that might he not be able to lead the Israelites to the Promise land; Virgin
Mary feared that people might ostracize her because she is pregnant without a man.).
If we will think about it, most fears are just the results of our “mights”. My boss might turn
down my proposal, the audience might not understand me, I might get hurt again, et al. We
need to see it in God’s perspective. Our fears and our “mights” are nothing compared to the
MIGHT of God.
Courage lets us look beyond our fear which, if used properly and submitted to the Lord, is
actually one of God’s finest gifts. Whenever we face the uncertainties of life, or the certainty
of suffering and trials, we must: We go to Him. We bow before Him. We trust in Him.
Our aim is not to remove our fears, but to overcome it. It might come again, but if it does, we
know how to face it. Our fears must not become stumbling blocks but instead be stepping
stones for us to achieve greater heights for God.
1. What is my deepest fear(s) in life?

2. How do God wants me to overcome it?

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
"But afterward he regretted it and went." (Matthew 21:30)
We're halfway through Advent and some of us have not even started to prepare the way of
the Lord. About two weeks ago, when the Spirit asked us to watch and pray, to fast and give
alms, to repent and believe, many refused and said: "No, I will not." (Mt. 21:30) Some are
beginning to realize they made a terrible mistake and are regretting these past two weeks.
Repent! The Lord is merciful. Decide to enter into this Advent preparation for Christ's
coming. You're late, but He will give you the full day's pay. (Mt. 20:9) The Lord encourages
you by saying: "You need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against
Me." (Zep. 3:11)
How many years has it been since you've had room for Christ in your ‘inn’? (Lk. 2:7) Strive to
remove the sin. Make room for the Savior in your heart. Possibly, like the first Christmas,
only a few will be at the manger this year. But you can be there. The Lord has promised: "I
will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in
the name of the Lord." (Zep. 3:12)
1. How are you going to celebrate Christmas this year?

2. Is your heart ready to be a manger where Mary can put Jesus?


THE BITTER BETTER PILL
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles
himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)
Paul and his wife returned to New York after 20 years of service in Africa. It was an
uneventful day for them but not to the President of the United States who also arrived at the
airport in his Air Force One after two weeks of vacation. People from all walks of life
welcomed the President. The bands played music. Paul said to his wife, “It seems that our 20
years of service in Africa is a big mistake. Nobody welcomes us. Nobody recognized our years
of hard work and sacrifice.” His wife lovingly hugged him and said, “Just pray.” After an hour
of prayer, his wife asked him, “Did God talk to you?” Paul nodded with a smile and said, “God
said, Paul don’t expect a warm welcome here, you are not yet home.”
Is it possible that, after years of personal prayer, masses, prayer meetings and outreach
programs to the poor, you realized that not all your prayers are genuine? And not all your
service or good works are genuine? Believe it or not, it is possible … especially if we are
infected by the dreaded “Pharisee Virus.” Unfortunately, many of those who are
contaminated with this spiritual virus are not even aware of it. The virus hides under the
skin of self-righteousness, pride, and “I know more than thou” attitude.
The best way to understand this spiritual virus is by entering into the shoes of a particular
Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14. This Pharisee is not really praying to God but to himself, “O God, I
thank you that I am not like the rest of the community – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even
like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and I pay tithes.” (Lk. 18:11) He is actually priding or
praising himself in the guise of praying!
Self-centered Christians who are not well appreciated and loved are prone to the Pharisee
Virus. Majority of them are KSP (“Kulang Sa Pansin” – Attention-seeking person). Because of
their self-centeredness, they are always craving for attention and love, but they are denied.
The more they are denied, the more they seek for attention and love, but the more they are
denied. It is a vicious trap. And when they fail to get love and attention, they end up artificially
loving themselves by priding themselves of their “good works” and begin criticizing and
belittling others.
BEWARE. All of us are prone to this virus if we are not sensitive to our feelings and
movements of the different spirits (God, self, and evil) in our hearts. It is very subtle. It
weaves naturally in our basic human need to be praised, needed and loved. There is nothing
wrong to seek praise and honor for all our hard work. We need to be loved and praised. But
if the virus totally controls us, then all our “good works” will be (unconsciously) motivated
by our selfish desire to seek personal glorification and praise.
The antidote to this destructive virus is the bitter better pill known as the “Tax Collector Pill.”
The main ingredient: HUMILITY – from knowing that everything is a gift or grace from God,

even the good works that we did. Ironically, the recognition that we owe everything to God
is the basis for true self-esteem – “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he
who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk. 18:14b)
A friend of mine reminded me of another supplement pill to purify my motivation when

serving others and to keep me humble: “Willy, when you do something for others, don’t
expect anything in return, even the word “Thank You.”
"When we become aware of our humility, we've lost it." - Anonymous
1. Do you seek praise and honour for all your hard work? When was the last time you
got inflicted by the “Pharisee Virus”?
2. How will you avoid the “Pharisee Virus”?

BLACK HOLES
“Leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:24)
One of the things that amaze me in Astronomy is the phenomenon called black holes. Science
defines black hole as a region of space in which the gravitational field is so powerful that
nothing, including visible light, can escape its pull. It continually absorbs any interstellar
dusts from its direct surroundings. It eats practically anything!
Matthew 5:21-26 speaks of a different black hole. It is a spiritual black hole. This spiritual
black hole we commonly called “anger” can eat and absorb all our positive and spiritual
energies. There are two kinds of anger for the Greeks: Thumos and Orge. Thumos (flame)
which is described as anger which quickly blazes but quickly dies down. On the other hand,
Orge (long-lived anger) which is described as the anger of a man who nurses and broods it
for a long time and which he will not allow to die. Both kinds of anger can zap our energies.
We do have lots of thumos in our daily life. People around us can always trigger us to thumos:
A maid who cannot follow a simple instruction, noisy students in our class, an unkind word
from our co-teacher or co-worker, receiving our son’s quarterly report card, unwashed
dishes in our sink upon arriving home, a tricycle driver who charged Php30 for a two-
kilometer ride, a long non-sense homily, a waiter who serves wrong food after a long wait, a
bank employee who entertained somebody who is not in the long queue, and many others.
This spontaneous burst of anger is not yet a sin unless we allow this feeling to control us and
lead us to say uncharitable words and bad action. It is simply our natural emotional reaction
to something which is not right. Usually after expressing our anger to the person concerned,
it simply disappears and dies down. Keeping this anger is useless and ridiculous. And yet it
can still drain some of our positive energy and ruin our beautiful day. It’s a baby black hole.
On the other hand, orge (long-lived anger) is the kind of anger that can be compared to a
destructive spiritual black hole. This anger is the one liable to judgment. This is the anger
that does not know how to forget and forgive. This is the anger that refuses to be pacified
and it seeks revenge. People who nurse this anger for years are unhappy people. They are
imprisoned by their feelings of deeply rooted resentment and hatred to others. They don’t
grow spiritually. They are stuck. They have little positive energy to share because their
spiritual black holes continue to drain all their life-giving energies. This kind of anger could
ruin friendship, family, and community. To forgive is the only cure.
A friend of mine blurted out when he saw his long-lost enemy, “(deep sigh) He ruined my day.”
It’s black hole at work!
If we are to follow Jesus, any kind of anger must not be part of our life. Remember, nobody
can call himself a Christian and nurse anger at the same time.

I remember talking to an 88 year old man in Batangas. He told me that he has five secrets of
long-life: eat vegetable, drink lots of water, wear a smile always, pray regularly, and most of
all, do not keep anger in your heart by forgiving people. It makes sense.
1. How do you manage your anger? Do you keep and treasure it?
2. Share an experience where you kept your anger for the longest time? What was its
effect on you?

BREATHE THE HOLY SPIRIT
“As the Father sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit.”
(John 20:21)
Today is Pentecost Sunday – also known as the birthday of the Church. This was the day
when the disciples received the Holy Spirit and transformed themselves from simple timid
fishermen to energetic charismatic disciples of Jesus. That was the work of the Spirit.
As we celebrate this feast, it is good to stop and reflect for a while the state of the Catholic
Church today. The Church is under serious attack from many parts of the world. We are
scandalized and discouraged from the news of scandals done by the clergies; even Pope
Benedict VI is not spared from the attacks. Although we know that scandals are widespread
in many religious and social institutions, we cannot help to ask ourselves, “What’s happening
in the Church? Who are our enemies? What do we do now?”
Since the beginning, the Church enemies – kings, emperors, anti-catholic groups and
individuals, atheists, schisms, new ideologies – have tried in vain to destroy the Church. They
failed and the Church flourished. In the midst of persecutions and crisis, God intervened and
raised Spirit-filled men and women to save the Church. That was the work of the Spirit.
Today is a different story. Our real enemy is more dangerous, cunning and knows us well.
The battlefields are no longer the plains and seas, emperors’ courts, lion’s dens or coliseums.
Our enemy deeply hates us – the devil; and the battleground is inside us - our hearts. With
an increasing incidence of sexual scandals, broken families, hopelessness, hatred, violence,
loneliness and other forms of moral, social and spiritual degradation, it’s clear that the devil
and its cohorts are gaining grounds. They cunningly sneak themselves in our fears,
selfishness and sins; and they control us in the process. They are desperate to take away the
Holy Spirit from us; for without the Spirit - the giver of life, light, and hope - we are good as
dead.
In John 20:19-23, Jesus gave his peace to the disciples, commanded them to preach the good
news and breathed on them the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gave them new strength, hope and
renewal – a rekindling of fire within themselves! When the Spirit of God rules our hearts,
peace, transformation, and a sense of mission follows. This is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Through baptism, we received the Holy Spirit and its seven gifts: wisdom, understanding,
counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Do you use them in your daily
discernment and dealings with others? Do you feel love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? (Gal. 5:22-23) They are the fruits of the
Holy Spirit. Live and cooperate with the Spirit and you will be renewed and empowered
every day. The Spirit’s power is with us; but sad to say, we barely use it.

The Holy Spirit is with us. Now is the time to purify our hearts from all traces of evil. What
areas of your life need conversion, rejuvenation or renewal? Pray to the Holy Spirit for
courage, guidance, and enlightenment. Then breathe-out all your sins, fears, and doubts and
slowly breathe-in God’s peace and forgiveness. Evil may come strong for us, but the power
of the Holy Spirit is much greater. Listen to the Spirit and obey His promptings - and you will
see wonders in your life.
For those who daily seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, every day – is Pentecost day.
“Come Holy Spirit, rekindle the fire within us, and we shall renew the face of the earth.”
1. What areas of your life need conversion, rejuvenation or renewal?

2. As a Catholic, and in your own little way, how will you bring forth renewal and revival
in the Church?

BUILDING BRIDGES
"Do not prevent him, for no one who works a miracle in my name can soon after
speak evil of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”
(Mark 9:39-40)
In Mark 9:38-41, we see John reporting to Jesus that a man is exorcising demons in His name
yet the man is not a disciple. Instead of being alarmed, Jesus simply said, “Anyone who gives
you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not
lose his reward.” (Mark 9:41) The disciples, who are unconsciously developing “religious
elitism”, are surprised to hear Jesus’ response. They thought that preaching the good news,
healing the sick, and exorcising demons are exclusively reserved to the disciples.
A similar story happened in Numbers 11:26-30. A young man complained to Moses that two
men, Eldad and Medad, are prophesying in the Israelites’ camp even without being formally
authorized by the Spirit. Like Jesus, Moses answered the man, “Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!" (Num. 11:29)
In our ever-changing world that moves closer to “global community,” we are compelled to
build bridges with our brothers and sisters of different faith and religion. Today we cannot
exclusively claim that Christianity is the only religion where God reveals Himself.
Evangelization should take a different mode to respond to the signs of times. Now, it is not
merely the propagation of our Christian faith, but allowing our faith to manifest through
active engagement in the different challenges and issues of the modern world. Our faith
challenges us to love inclusively and promote bridging religions, cultures, and people.
Visiting Cambodia many years ago, I was exposed to Jesuits working closely with their
Buddhist lay partners. Aware of their cultural and religious diversities but united in their
desire to help the poorest of the poor of Cambodia, they visit far-flung villages all over the
country to assist victims of mines and war. Indeed, love can build bridges within us.
Recently, I received a clipping from New York entitled “Zamboanga.” Interestingly, the article
sees Zamboanga as the cradle of inter-religious dialogue in Mindanao. It cites the city’s
unique multi-cultural environment where Christians and Muslims alike have learned to
respect and co-exist peacefully. In the never-ending conflict between the Muslim rebels and
government troops, majority will agree that it is not a religious issue but political. The
solution is in us – Christians and Muslims alike should build bridges to each other through
respect, sensitivity and acceptance. We need to transcend our deeply rooted biases and
prejudices and begin recognizing and appreciating each others’ uniqueness and differences.
Appreciation of each other’s belief and religious practices will certainly lead us to discover
God’s presence with one another. Do I see a brother in every Muslim I meet?
A week ago, the Campus Ministry Office and the Muslim Students Association of Ateneo de
Zamboanga sponsored the annual “Grand Pagbuka” (a festive Muslim tradition of ending

Ramadan). To see Christian students, teachers, and even Jesuits joining the celebration
console and inspire everybody. It’s building bridges in action! The inter-religious dialogue is
gaining grounds in Ateneo de Zamboanga University, but the journey is still a long way to go.
We need more “bridge builders” to push this ever challenging and peace-promoting frontier.
Let’s open our eyes. Let’s change our understanding of evangelization and the meaning of
discipleship in our present context. That is, to see God in all people!
“We must cultivate optimism and hope. Inter-religious dialogue cannot be reduced to an
optional extra. It is in fact a vital necessity, on which in large measure our future depends”.
- Pope Benedict XVI
1. Do you see a brother/sister in every non-Christian you meet?

2. How do you build bridges with your brothers and sisters of different faith and
religion?

BUSINESS OF LOVING
He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all
your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as
yourself.” (Luke 10:27)
Activity:
Give each member of the group a piece of paper and ask them to write their name on top of
it. Pass the paper to the person on their right. The person holding the paper should write
down what he/she love/like on the person who owns the paper. (E.g. I love your beautiful
smile, I like your patience in the group, I love your sense of humor, etc.). Then pass the paper
again on the person on their right. Repeat this until the paper reaches their owner.
Lesson:
To "love your neighbor as you love yourself" is to love God. "If you say, "I love God," while
you hate your brother or sister, you are a liar. How can you love God whom you do not see,
if you do not love your brother whom you see? We received from him this commandment:
let those who love God also love their brothers." (1 Jn. 4:20) And who are our neighbors? Our
neighbors include our own families, friends, officemates, people who are dear to us and also
those who are strangers to us.
We are also called to love even and most especially, those whom we find very difficult to love.
Such a task is very challenging but, it might also be their only opportunity to experience God’s
love through us. Let us all, therefore, ask for the grace to love others in the same way that
God loved each and every one of us. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one
another.” (1 Jn. 4:11)
1. Who is my neighbor and how do I show my love to them?

2. Am I being selective of the people I love?

CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
“Where are we?” In other words, what kind of world is our modern way of life actually
producing? Since then, we in the modern world have attempted to meet our needs and wants
through an ever-expanding process of extraction, production, consumption and disposal of
natural resources.
“To blame population growth instead of extreme and selective consumerism on the part of
some, is one way of refusing to face the issues. It is an attempt to legitimize the present model
of distribution where minority believes that it has the right to consume in a way which can
never be universalized, since the planet could not even contain the waste productsof
suchconsumption.”(PopeFrancis.LS 50)
“During the last two centuries, however, our numbers have grown at an unprecedented rate
from one billion to more than seven billion people, with expectation for ever-increasing
consumption rising even faster than the population themselves.’ –The Pontifical Academy of
Science
“Gross domestic product—GDP—is supposed to be a measure of everything—puts a value

on everything—that’s been produced in an economy within a year’s time. But what that
doesn’t measure is the fact, that in order to achieve that gross domestic product, there’s also
a lot of destruction of natural wealth. And one can in fact say that the greater the GDP of a
country is, measured conventionally, the more natural wealth, either in that place or globally,
has been destroyed.”-Walden Bello
“But a sober look at our world shows that the degree of human intervention, often in the service
of business interests and consumerism, is actually making our earth less rich and beautiful, ever
more limited and grey, even as technological advances and consumer goodscontinueto
aboundlimitlessly.”–Pope Francis(LS34)
In many ways the mass consumption dream of the modern world has been a nightmare for
the global environment. In fact, the world is rapidly approaching a number of tipping
points— thresholds beyond which dangerous trends will become irreversible, threatening
the existence of lifeas we know it.
“The earth’s resources are also being plundered because of short-sighted

approachestotheeconomy,commerceand production.–Pope Francis(LS32)
Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, livestock farming and deforestation caused
global temperatures to surge, rising sea levels could cause low-lying islands at risk, severe
droughts and super storms will become more frequent and one in six of earth’s species will
be threatened.
In a series of comprehensive reports, the largest group of scientists ever assembled on a

single issue has warned that, unless act now, it is extremely likely the climate change will

have devastating impacts on the future of life on Earth. (e.g. Typhoon Haiyan, the worst storm
ever hit land)
192 nations are in agreement that, to avoid irreversible climate, the global temperature must
not rise more than 2 degrees Celsius, or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Yet if we continue to burn
fossil fuels at the current rate, we will surpass two degrees Celsius by mid-century. To change
this trajectory and stabilize the global climate, it will take immediate unprecedented
cooperation and action by governments, businesses, and individuals.
While people are becoming increasingly aware of the effects of climate change, what’s not as
a well-known is the impact we’re having on other species.
“If we scan the regions of our planet, we immediately see that humanity has disappointed God’s
expectation.”–PopeFrancis-(LS61)
1. What is your personal observation of what is really happening with our

planet/environment lately?
2. What can you do to help?
(Please take a groupie, post in your social media account and tag everyone from your household
and use the following hashtags: #GenChrist #LiveGenesis #ChristProclaimed #iamSFC)
(source: Laudato Si Symposium)

CHASTITY ROCKS
“Avoid immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the immoral
person sins against his own body.” (1 Cor.6:18)
In our society today, Christians find chastity much more difficult to uphold than older
Christians. It has even become a source of ridicule for those who are practicing it, branding
them as updated. As what C.S. Lewis said, “Chastity is the most unpopular of the Christian
values.” But little did they know that chastity is the authentic love.
Chastity is a call no matter what state (single, married) you are in life. It’s more than just
abstaining from sex and remain a virgin. Chastity is the virtue that orients all of our sexual
desires towards the truth of love (Christopher West). Sexual intimacy and sexual relations
must only be between man and woman united in marriage for procreation and love.
Chastity is a virtue that requires real courage. By choosing chastity, we choose more
happiness, not less. It means, we prioritize our Godly-purpose rather than our sexual desire.
And when we abuse our sexuality, we distort the true meaning of love. The relationship will
be jeopardized. Bitterness and hatred will soon crawl in and replace the once happy
relationship.
Chastity is a mark of a Christian. It is going beyond your sexual appetite rather than allowing
it to control you, for what you cannot say no to is your real master; the one controlling your
life. Purity and chastity are the habits that cleanse our hearts and put our sexuality in right
order. So choose purity not for others or for your community, but because you believe that
it is the path that God has called you to.
1. Where do you struggle in your pursuit of chastity?

2. How are you going to deal with your sexual urges?

CHILD ABUSE
"People were bringing their little children to Him to have Him touch them, but
the disciples were scolding them for this." (Mark 10:13)
Jesus says: "Let the children come to Me and do not hinder them." (Mk. 10:14) He will not
only touch the children but embrace and bless them, placing His nail-scarred hands on them.
(Mk. 10:16) In contrast, Satan tries to keep children away from Jesus so his demons can
molest and abuse them. What is Satan using now to keep children away from Jesus?
1. Entertainment mass media, many popular websites, contemporary music, and

especially TV, ignore Jesus, portray Christians in a distorted way, and
promote a secular lifestyle.
2. Education public education thinks it's compelled to ignore Jesus. Even Christian
education is often so highly secularized that Jesus is often little more
than a footnote. How many graduates of our Christian schools are true
disciples of Jesus?
3. Religion the average church is so far removed from authentic New Testament
Christianity that it conceals rather than reveals Jesus.
4. Parents many parents are so lax or confused about their responsibility as
parents that they don't share their love for Jesus with their children
and pray with them. They let their children be bombarded with anti-
Christian propaganda and give Jesus the "silent treatment."
Discussion Starter:
How do you treat your younger siblings/nieces/nephews? What kind of example are
you to them?


CHRISTIAN HOME
We as Christians should understand that it is not homes, but Christian homes and Christian
families that exalt a nation. (Proverbs 14:34)
Family today is under attack and has been for so many years. Being materialistic, selfish, and
disrespectful to God and his word has changed the family and our world. Divorce and
unscriptural remarriage, homosexual relationships, children conceived and born out of
wedlock, single parent homes can and have led to the decay of the family. God established
the first family in Genesis 2 when he created a mate for Adam and commanded them to
multiply. No man has ever improved on this arrangement.
In a speech to diplomats last January 2018 in Vatican City, Pope Francis said that the stability
of the family is integral for the future and that such stability is created when founded upon
the faithful and lasting relationship of a man and woman. Also, sociologists, psychiatrists and
marriage counselors all affirm the value of good homes and families to society. The home is
the foundation of society. The quality and stability of family life directly affect the religious,
moral, educational and governmental facets of our nation. As the home goes, so goes a nation.
When a home is not a Christian home, husbands and wives are left vulnerable to temptations,
deterioration and corruption. Children can also be defrauded of earth’s greatest heritage.
God intends for every family to be of more value and with greater purpose.
1. How is your Family today? How do these current challenges affects your family?
2. How do we attain a Christian home and how can we influence our society?

COME AS YOU ARE
"Who will endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He
appears?" (Malachi 3:2)
The Church celebrates every year the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple at
Jerusalem. In that same spirit, we present ourselves today to the Lord, especially in the Mass.
We present ourselves to Jesus, the great High Priest. Who became like us "in every way, that
He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest before God" on our behalf, to expiate our sins.
(Heb. 2:17) "Since [Jesus] Himself was tested through what He suffered, He is able to help
those who are tempted." (Heb. 2:18)
We have days when things are going so badly that all we can do is come before the Lord Jesus
just as we are and tell Him: "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner." (see Lk. 18:13) We can always
present ourselves to Jesus and tell Him: "Lord, I don't have much to offer You, but what I have
I give You." (see Acts 3:6)
Jesus invites you to present yourself before Him, just as you are. He says: "Come to Me, all
you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you." (Mt. 11:28) Jesus says:
"No one who comes [to Me] will I ever reject." (Jn. 6:37) Jesus became like you so that you
would always know in the depths of your heart that you can "approach God through Him."
(Heb. 7:25; Eph. 2:18) Present yourself to Jesus today, just as you are. Receive His life-giving
love.
1. How honest are you in approaching God? Do you wear different masks for different
occasions?
2. Is your heart open to receive His abounding love and grace?


CONFIDENT-IAL
Jesus "said to them, 'Why are you so terrified? Why are you lacking in faith?'"
(Mark 4:40)
Do you have confidence in the Lord (see Mt. 9:28)? Can you proclaim: "This great confidence
in God is ours, through Christ" (2 Cor. 3:4), and "Our hope being such, we act with full
confidence."? (2 Cor. 3:12) We are tempted to think that Jesus is sleeping and doesn't care if
we're about to drown (see Mk. 4:38). However, Jesus is in control. He is Lord. Therefore, "let
us draw near" to Him "in utter sincerity and absolute confidence". (Heb. 10:22)
Life is "a great contest of suffering" (Heb. 10:32), a battle centering on our faith and
confidence in the Lord. The Lord wants to increase and deepen our confidence in Him (see
Lk. 17:5). The evil one pressures us into surrendering our confidence in the Lord (see Heb
10:35). However, "we are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who
have faith and live." (Heb. 10:39)
The Lord calls us to cry out to Him in the battles and storms of life. As we come to know Him,
we should no longer cry out in doubt and confusion but in great, full, unyielding, absolute
confidence. We know that our Redeemer lives. (Job 19:25) We know the Lord is faithful to
His promises (see 1 Thes. 5:24). We know He will never leave us orphans. (Jn. 14:18) We know
He has conquered the world. (Jn. 16:33) Be confident in Him.
1. Imagine yourself as one of the disciples in the boat with Jesus during the storm. What
emotions were they experiencing before and after Jesus commanded the waves to be
still?
2. What storm is raging in your life or within you that Jesus needs to quiet? How can you
choose faith over fear?


CULTURE OF GOODNESS
Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from
your father's house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless
those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse And in you all the families of the
earth will be blessed." – (Genesis 12:1-3)
Nowadays, there’s a lot of things happening in our world especially in our world. There’s a
lot of divisions and quarrels because of different ideals and goals. We can see in the social
media a lot of hates to one another considering that we are one nation living in this world.
How do these things happen? What should we do about these?
God does bless us to belong in a nation or a country. As Singles for Christ, we are called to
share Christ and allow Him to be experienced through us. We should take part to rebuild and
strengthen the unity as countrymen and as a nation. Let us start to share the goodness of God
and how we are so blessed being a nation.
As Catholics, we are called “pueblo amante de Maria” or people in love with Mary. We forgot
these things nowadays. Let us ask the holy mother to intercede with us in our journey as a
nation. Everyday let us include to our prayers all our leaders to be united in pursuing what
is good for our country. Let us take part in the daily challenge of living a great culture that is
entrusted to us by our ancestors. Try to rediscover our culture as a nation. Try to share it to
others especially if you have friends from other countries. And today before the day ends,
offer at least one mystery of the Holy Rosary for our country and our leaders. May we walk
as a nation in following God’s will.
1. Do we know the rich culture of our country?

2. When was the last time we have visited a museum to understand our history?
3. What are the simple ways we can do to promote the culture of goodness that we
have in our country?
(Please take a groupie, post in your social media account and tag everyone from your
household and use the following hashtags: #GenChrist #LiveGenesis #ChristProclaimed
#iamSFC)

DAILY DYINGS
“He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a
while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no
opportunity even to eat.’” (Mark 6:31)
Jesus tried to take a day off, or at least an hour off. He wanted to stop and eat for a change.
So He got into the boat with His apostles and went off to a deserted place. (Mk. 6:32)
However, hundreds, even thousands, of people ran around the lake, and what was
supposedly a deserted place was packed with a vast crowd. (Mk. 6:33) So there was no rest
and no food for Jesus.
Most people get rather irritable when they don't eat and sleep enough. When our stomachs
are growling and our eyelids drooping, we naturally have a tendency to focus on ourselves
and our own needs. Yet Jesus reacted to the overwhelming demands from the crowd by dying
to Himself and loving the people. Jesus forgot about His needs and "began to teach them at
great length." (Mk. 6:34)
Jesus hung on the cross and died on Calvary, but this was not His first death. Jesus' three
hours on Calvary completed thirty-three years of dying to Himself because of His love for us.
In the same way, let us pick up our cross daily, follow Jesus, deny our very self (Lk. 9:23), and
die to ourselves repeatedly. (Jn. 12:24)
1. In today’s text, Jesus recognized the need to find a quiet place for rest and for prayer,
even when he was busy and people needed his teaching and healing. Think about a
typical day or typical week for you. How many moments of quiet do you have during
the day or week?
2. Why is it important for you to have moments of quiet and rest?
3. Why is it important for you to spend time in prayer?


DAILY PERSEVERANCE NEVER GETS OLD
"When Solomon was old...his heart was not entirely with the Lord."
(1 Kings 11:4)
Solomon's legacy began with great success. This was a direct result of his selfless prayers
and attitude in the early days of his reign as king. (1 Kings 3:6ff) Sadly, Solomon did not
persevere in his faithfulness to God, even though the Lord "had appeared to him twice." (1
Kings 11:9) Despite a glorious beginning, Solomon's "heart was not entirely with the Lord."
(1 Kings 11:4) He "had not obeyed" God (1 Kings 11:10), even though he received clear
instruction from the Lord. The end result of Solomon's reign was catastrophic. His household
fell apart and his nation was divided.
Jesus clearly tells us that the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. (Lk. 21:19) The
surest way to be faith-filled and to have your heart "entirely with the Lord" at the end of your
life is to make sure your heart is entirely with the Lord today and every day.
"Delay not your conversion to the Lord, put it not off from day to day." (Sir. 5:8) "Now is the
acceptable time." (2 Cor. 6:2) Day after day, come to Jesus. (Mt. 11:28) Day after day, "let us
keep our eyes fixed on Jesus." (Heb. 12:2) Then, each day, persevere in staying with Jesus. He
promises that when you persevere to the end, you will be saved (see Lk. 21:19).
1. How important is it to persevere in your journey?

2. Why is it some people started strong in their faith-journey but ended poorly?


DEEP PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure."
(Sirach 6:14)
Committed relationships are the essence of Christianity. The Father "so loved the world that
He gave His only Son." (Jn. 3:16) Jesus is our Blood-brother, who sealed His covenant with us
by the blood He shed on Calvary. The Spirit is committed to us in that He lives within us as
His temple. (1 Cor. 6:19) We respond to God's love by committing ourselves to Jesus as Lord,
Savior, and God. Through Jesus, we commit ourselves to the Father, and live no longer for
ourselves but for Him. (2 Cor. 5:15)
Then the Lord calls us to covenant with others. Some are called to covenant in the sacrament
of marriage. The “two become as one, they are no longer two but one flesh." (Mk. 10:8) God
joins them together inseparably. (Mk. 10:9)
Also, all are called to covenant with other Christians. With some, we are called to a special
unity. Every Paul has his Barnabas or Silas, every David his Jonathan. (2 Sam. 1:26) We should
be very careful about these special Christian friendships but also open to them. God's word
teaches: "Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant. When you
gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him." (Sir. 6:6-7) But God's word
also promises: "A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. A faithful
friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds." (Sir. 6:15-16)
1. List a few of your friends. What makes this person a friend?

2. What kind of a friend are you?
3. Pray for your friends.


DISCIPLINED DISCIPLES
Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an
imperishable one. (1Cor 9:25)
Most of the world’s top athlete’s highlights disciplined as one of their core ingredients. From
Manny Pacquiao who does hundreds of sit-ups a day to Michael Jordan who spent his off-
season taking hundreds of jumpers a day until it was perfect. These and other men spent
hours a day, putting time, effort and energy just to be the finest in their chosen fields.
On the other hand, discipline is a prerequisite for a disciple of Christ. This is what modern
disciples need the most but wants the least. A well disciplined disciple knows how to stay
focused on the most essential things in life, learning to prioritize first the Kingdom of God
and His righteousness in his daily living. He has clearly defines goals and take the necessary
steps in achieving them without jeopardizing his Christian values.
To be a disciplined disciple always starts in small things. You will never develop this
character instantly. It does not happen overnight. One must start in small things, patiently
doing it everyday until it becomes part of your character.
1. In which areas of my life can I apply disciple to better reflect a disciple of Christ?
a) Finances
b) Health
c) Job
d) Prayer
e) Relationships
f) Others
2. What would it mean for you to trust God by allowing His Holy Spirit to work in that
area?

DRINK AND TELL
"The woman then left her water jar and went off into the town."
(John 4:28)
A Samaritan woman brought her water jar to the town well to fill it with water. (Jn. 4:7) Jesus,
sitting by the well, offered her living water instead. (Jn. 4:10) Jesus told her: "Whoever drinks
the water I give him will never be thirsty; no, the water I give shall become a fountain within
him, leaping up to provide eternal life." (Jn. 4:14) The woman, filled with the flowing water
of the Spirit, forgot all about well water, and simply left her water jar sitting by the well. Her
only concern was to tell others about Jesus. (Jn. 4:28)
God created human beings to be physically and spiritually thirsty. We need to physically
drink every day, and need to spiritually drink even more frequently. Even the most hard-
hearted are thirsty for Jesus' living water, whether or not they recognize it. Once the
Samaritan woman drank of Jesus' living water, she couldn't help but bring that water to
others. Likewise, it's up to us to give God's thirsty people a drink of Jesus' living water.
The Samaritan woman teaches us that when we drink fully of the water Jesus offers, we will
start evangelizing. We'll be so filled with living water that we won't be able to help it. If we're
not evangelizing, it's likely a symptom that we're getting spiritually dehydrated. Jesus says:
"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me; let him drink who believes in Me. Scripture has it:
'From within him rivers of living water shall flow.’" (Jn. 7:37-38) Come to Jesus; drink deeply;
tell the world about Him.
1. Share the times you were spiritually thirsty and how God quenched your thirst.
2. When God satisfies your thirst, what is He personally asking you to do next?


EAT ALL YOU CAN
“I am the living bread …whoever eats this bread will live forever”
(John 6:51)
Reading John 6:22-59, the words “eat” and “drink” are repeated many times. John’s Chapter
6 is indeed about “eating and sustenance.” It is about the Holy Eucharist.
When we eat, our body assimilates the food for nourishment. We become what we eat.
Vegetarians have healthy bodies and long life. Meat lovers have high level of cholesterol and
prone to heart problem. While in the Eucharist, when we eat the body of Christ, we are
transformed inside and gain eternal life! “Just as the Father sent me and I have life because of
the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” (Jn. 6:57)
Pope Benedict XVI once said, “The Eucharist is a dynamic Presence that grasps us and makes
us His own.” In the Eucharistic celebration, we receive Jesus saving us now and we are fully
united with Him. Such saving presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is offered to all, but without
faith, the saving grace of the Eucharist evades us.
I used to enjoy smorgasbord dining before. Unlike ala carte dining where the choice of food
is limited, smorgasbord offers a variety of delicious food. The wide range of food is too
difficult to resist and we end up indulging, eating almost everything, and filling all available
space in our stomach. But after we indulged and enjoyed, we end up blaming ourselves for
eating too much. As always, regret comes last. We regret. And we comfort ourselves by
saying, “Better luck next time.”
For the past three weeks, our Sunday gospel readings have revolved around Jesus offering a
different manna to the Jews. After the multiplication of bread, Jesus offered his body as the
bread from heaven - a food to eat. Unfortunately, we are not totally attracted to this bread.
In the midst of the more alluring options being offered by the world, many of us prefer the
bread (wealth, power, and fame) the world is offering; and ignore what Jesus is offering:
union with Him and the Father and the promise of eternal life.
We do recognize the necessity of the material things in our life. But like anything else,
anything excessive will not bring good to us. Moderation in eating lechon (roasted pig) plus
our deliberate decision to eat fish and vegetables will bring us health and long life. In the
same way, dreaming a beautiful house, money, car and other luxuries is natural and
commendable. But if our whole life revolves around these things and we forget God, we
may end up gaining the world but loses our soul. (Mk. 8:36) We regret. But in this context,
there’s no next time or second chance around.
Lets’ keep in mind that Alexander the Great, Napoleon and the Egyptians have established
powerful empires but all have disappeared. Weddings of the rich and famous that we envied
much were already forgotten; but the Sacrament of Eucharist that Jesus instituted remains

with us. Believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Spiritual nourishment is always
available to those who believe in Jesus as the bread of life. Eat all you can! It’s a guaranteed
“soul satisfying experience.”
Survey says that only 10% of the Catholics attend Mass regularly. A good number of us go to
Mass out of obligation and not out of devotion. We should examine and ask ourselves: Do I
look forward to attend Mass? Is it an obligation or a devotion to me? What is the quality of
my participation in the Mass? Do I feel incomplete without receiving communion? Do I have
a “Eucharistic hunger?”
In an “eat all you can” restaurant, we eat to satisfy our palates. In the Eucharist, we eat to
satisfy our souls. For without the Eucharistic meal, we are incomplete.
1. Do you look forward to attend Mass? Is it an obligation or a devotion to you?

2. What is the quality of your participation in the Mass?
3. Do you feel incomplete without receiving communion? Do you have a “Eucharistic
hunger?”

EATING DISORDERS
"The king...refused to eat." (Daniel 6:19)
On this Thanksgiving Day in the USA, a day of great feasting, our Church reading (Dn. 6:1-29)
is about not eating. King Darius couldn't eat out of concern for the doomed Daniel. (Dn. 6:19)
And the hungry lions couldn't eat, since God was protecting Daniel. (Dn. 6:23)
This physical inability to eat has its counterpart in the spiritual life. Spiritually anorexic
people won't eat the spiritual food they need. They have so stuffed themselves with the
things of the world that they fail to realize that their souls are starving to death for lack of
nourishment (see Prov. 13:19).
To remedy our eating disorders, God gives us the Eucharist, Food from heaven. (Jn. 6:31-32,
35) The word eucharist means "thanksgiving." In the Eucharist, the Body of Christ, God
connects giving thanks and eating. This is why for centuries Christians have given thanks to
God before meals.
Many of you are eating a big meal today. Hopefully, that meal will include heartfelt public
thanks to God for all His blessings. As good as such a meal is, the ultimate Thanksgiving meal
is the Mass, and the ultimate "thanksgiving" meal is the Eucharist (see Jn. 6:11). Food and
thanksgiving go together to such an extent that God combined them in the Eucharistic body
of Jesus. Happy are they who eat thankfully at the banquet of the Lamb. (Rev. 19:9)
1. What is the real essence of the Holy Eucharist to you?

2. What are your expectations when attending Mass?
3. What are the expectations God has for you in attending Mass?


EVERY MAN’S BATTLE
“Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting
among holy one.” (Eph.5:3)
Sexual purity is one of the major issues that every person is facing with, especially men. Men
struggle intensely against this. Some even live much of their lives dominated by purity issues.
It has become so prevalent, even within followers of Christ. In 2006, the pornography
industry with its $97 billion revenue, is larger than the revenues of the top technology
companies combined: Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay, Yahoo!, Apple, Netflix and EarthLink
As Christian men, we need to address this with the sense of urgency, since this issue is one
of the most pressing issues in our society today. It has created havoc in the personal lives of
men, destroyed relationships and families, and shattered their dreams. It has even said that
99% of men admit they struggle on sexual purity and the remaining 1% are lying.
We need to pursue purity of heart, mind and soul at all cost. It is not just an option but a
necessity.
There is no point in pursuing God’s will in other areas when you are choosing to live in sexual
impurity in your mind or body. Rather than giving in to sexual impurity for pleasure, instead,
we need channel our desire in building our relationship with Christ – the greatest pleasure
and joy that we can have. We can do this by basking in the presence of God in prayer,
meditating in His words and promises, reading Christian books, singing and listening to
Christian songs, and being with other Christian brethren who can guide and help you in
pursuing sexual purity, knowing that sexual purity is the healthiest physical, emotional and
spiritual choice.
Finally, be determined to seek first God and His righteousness. Loving God and loving others
are the ultimate commandments and the purpose God made us for.
1. Why is sexual purity important?

2. Which area in your sexual purity are you most struggling to?
3. Are you ready to commit or recommit yourself to a life of sexual purity?

FAITH THAT PRODUCES MIRACLES
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has
saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.
(Matthew 9:22)
Matthew 9:18-26 speaks to me of the power of faith. They also speak of doubt and the
contrast between faith and doubt. In the book of Hosea, God writes us a love letter and
speaks to us as a loving husband to his bride. “I will espouse you to me in faithfulness.” (Hos.
2:22) The psalmist proclaims, “The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his
works”. (Ps. 145:8-9) In Matthew 9:18-26, Jesus performs two miracles. He heals a woman
who suffered hemorrhages for twelve years and raises a young girl from the dead. Strong
evidence for the power of faith.
Miracles. They seem to produce strong reactions in people. Some believe and some
don’t. Some think miracles happen on a daily basis. Some think there is no such thing. I
don’t think there is anything wrong with doubt. Jesus did not condemn Thomas when he
doubted. I do think doubt can lead to cynicism, which is bad. The crowd ridiculed Jesus
when he stated the girl was not dead. They did not expect a miracle. Am I like the people in
the crowd? Do I expect miracles or am I cynical? Is my doubt cynicism? Why are some
healed and some not? We are told to resist comparisons to other people. That’s like saying
resist breathing. Do we believe we are part of God’s plan? Do we believe God’s plan is so
great that we simply cannot comprehend it? Do we believe God loves us (even in our
doubts)? Jesus puzzled people then and now.
There is plenty of evidence that faith has great power. Jesus tells the woman suffering from
hemorrhages, “Your faith has saved you”. The father of the daughter who has died tells Jesus,
“Lay your hand on her and she will live”. How can I have such faith?
Recently, I decided that I would like to sing in my church’s choir. I love to sing, but I had not
sung in a choir in over 30 years. I had many doubts and misgivings. Would I be good
enough? Could I even do this after so many years? However, after one practice I realized,
hey, I may be bad, but I’m not as bad as some of these other guys. I’ve got to work on my
humility. And I’ve got to resist those darned comparisons. Then our director gave us the
music we were to sing. Wow! This was ambitious! I think Beethoven might have
complained about the level of difficulty. I had a vision of people running out of the sanctuary
with their hands over their ears…and God following close behind. Our director must have
seen the looks on our faces. He could see our lack of faith. He lead us in prayer and then he
said to us, trust the Holy Spirit, make your goal to glorify God and practice, practice,
practice. Well, as you may have guessed, the music was beautiful. I felt blessed to have been
part it. I expected the worst and God provided a miracle. Amazing!

A strong faith does not just happen. Faith comes from practice - spending time with God and
in God’s word. My prayer today is for those of who, at times, are overwhelmed by doubt -
that we would have the faith that produces miracles.
1. Do you believe in miracles?

2. Why do you think some people are healed while others not?
3. How can you cultivate your faith and make it stronger?
[Taken from Creighton University’s Online Ministries web

site: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html Used with
permission.]

FANTASTIC FOUR
“Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above
Him”. (Mark 2:4)
July 2008, World Youth Day, Sydney, a Filipino priest on his way home to his sponsor family
had a casual conversation with an old Aussie lady standing on the train station. The priest
felt something was wrong and politely asked, “Are you okay ma’am?” The lady said in
surprise, “You know Father, for many years, I don’t go to the Church anymore. I committed a
grave sin. I don’t know if God had forgiven me.” The woman continued, “But when you asked
me if I am okay, it is as if God telling me I am forgiven. I guess it’s time to return to Him.” A
simple question of concern brought back to God a long lost sinner.
Ten years ago, when I was in Kitaotao, Bukidnon, I witnessed how painful for somebody out
there in the middle of nowhere to die of cancer. No medicines. No pain-killer. No extra-
ordinary intervention from a hospital. No air-conditioned room. No nurses and doctors at his
bedside. But he died in peace in the presence of his loving family. Presence matters.
We cannot deny that we are surrounded by people who need help. We do meet them
everyday, sometimes we just don’t care. Yet if we have the “heart of God,” we cannot just
ignore them and live in peace.
Mark 2:1-12 is a classic example of what “reaching out” means. Like leprosy, the Jews
believed that paralysis was also caused by sin. Somehow, the four friends knew that only
Jesus could heal their paralyzed friend. In Mark’s desire to highlight the extra-ordinary effort
of the fantastic four, he gave details of the obstacles they would encounter in their “caring
mission”: “Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even
around the door.” (Mk. 2:2) The situation was very frustrating. Everybody wanted a share of
Jesus’ attention. It was four against hundreds. It was easier for the four to say, “Better luck
next time, my friend” than to go through all those inconveniences of coming near to Jesus.
But the physical obstacles did not discourage them from bringing their friend closer to Jesus.
They were insulted and mocked when they tried bringing their friend through the door, but
to no avail. And they received more curses and insults when they climbed the roof. More or
less they have calculated the risk of doing something unthinkable (make a hole on the roof!)
and they were willing to pay the price, the fury of the crowd. But their detestable action in
the eyes of the crowd gained admiration in eyes of Jesus. Their determination, imagination
and all out support to their friend compelled Jesus to heal their friend: “When Jesus saw their
faith, he said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven." (Mk. 2:5) And the paralyzed man
was healed.
It dawned on me that there are hundreds of “paralyzed people” in our society today. Some of
them are just a “look” away from us. They have the desire to come to God but they do not
know how. Some have heart paralysis – they do not know how to forgive. Some have hand
paralysis – they don’t know how to share. Some have foot paralysis – they can’t move on. And

some have eye paralysis – they see people as “things.” Let’s encourage them to exercise their
hearts and move on.
When was the last time you invited a non church-goer to attend Mass? When was the last
time you visited a long lost friend? Have you ever tried sending a note of thanks to your
favorite retired grade school teacher? What about visiting our forgotten Lolos (grandfathers)
and Lolas (grandmothers) in the home for the aged? When was the last time you watched a
movie with a friend who is an avid fan of Piolo Pascual (actor) or Ai Ai delas Alas (actress)?
A surprise dinner for three - for you and your parents? A new shirt for the school janitor?
The possibilities of doing something “life-giving” for others are innumerable. Be creative. Be
imaginative and we can make others happy. Let’s create a “hole” in their hearts with our
unwavering support, unchanging love, and continuing invitation to move out from their
miseries and woes. Let them feel that we are determined and serious in helping them.
I am eternally grateful to my friend Fr. Pat Falguera, SJ. I owe him my vocation to the Society
of Jesus. When I was in UST and reviewing for my Civil Engineering Board Exam, I used to
see him at the Main Library. He was very “makulit” (persistent) in inviting me to join the
Jesuits, “O kailan ka papasok?” (“When are you joining?”) Because of his untiring invitation,
I finally went to Ateneo de Manila and applied in the Society of Jesus. The rest is history.
Mark 2:1-12 reminds us of our responsibility to reach out, care, and make a difference. Don’t
give up. Transcend the obstacles. Think of the roof and make a hole. Think creatively how
you can bring someone a little closer to God. We do not need magic and heroes to save the
world. Be “makulit” (persistent). Wear that “never give-up” spirit and someday, you will
achieve a breakthrough - a “hole” in their hearts.
When I was in New Bilibid Prison, the most intimate and soul-searching conversations I had
with the prisoners happened in mundane moments, while we are playing chess, dama, and
scrabbles. The best way to bring people closer to God is not through catechism, homilies and
seminars, but in a “friendly walk” with them. A hardened heart and a paralyzed spirit cannot
resist a “faith-full” friend.
1. When was the last time you went the extra mile for a person? What did you do?
2. Think of one person who needs your affirmation or help today? Meet their need this
week. Be God’s little hands to them.

FIGHTING WITH A TOWEL
“If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to
wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)
In boxing, when a trainer sees that his boxer is being badly beaten by his opponent, he throws
a towel and the fight is over. In boxing arena, throwing a towel is a sign of surrender and
giving up. But in the arena of loving, a towel picks up a different meaning – it is a sign of
commitment to service and genuine loving.
In John 13:1-20, Jesus prepares himself for the greatest fight of His life. It is one person
against the world. He knows that He is facing a dreadful, shameful and painful death. Clearly,
it will be a lopsided victory by the enemy: “Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from
this world to the Father. The devil had already induced Judas to hand him over.” (Jn. 13:2) It
is very tempting for Jesus to throw the towel. In fact, when He prayed in the Garden of
Gethsemane, he entertained throwing the towel and giving up, “My Father, if it is possible,
take this cup of suffering from me. Yet now what I want, but what you want.” (Mt. 26:39)
In our boxing arena called life, for brave fighters like Jesus, throwing the towel is not an
option. He courageously faced His enemies up to the end: “He loved his own…and he loved
them to the end.” (Jn. 13:1). Jesus knows nobody loses in loving. And so, instead of throwing
the towel, He decided to tie the towel on his waist and started washing the disciples’ feet.
The Son of God gladly takes the role of a slave, ever ready to wash dirty things including the
disciples’ dirty feet. It is fighting back with a towel in the name of love.
One of the difficulties in washing things is the likelihood of getting dirty. We don’t want to
clean things because we don’t want to mess ourselves. But when one loves, he/she is willing
to get dirty. A mother finds joy in bathing her soiled child even it means getting soiled. A boy
bathing his dog will eventually get wet. When one cleans things, he/she will likely get some
dirt. The dirty towel becomes the symbol of service.
When Jesus decided to wash the disciples’ feet, He knew that he would be tainted with our
dirt – our sins. But out of His love for us, he joyfully willed it. He died for our sins. His blood
on the cross cleansed and renewed our wretched spirits.
But our periscope today did not end in washing feet. After the washing, Jesus wore his clothes
back and said to the disciples, "Do you understand what I have just done to you? You, then,
should wash one another’s feet.” (Jn. 13:12-14)
Jesus gave us an example to follow. He wants us to tie a towel in our waist - a symbol of our
desire to love and be of service to others. Tying a towel in our waist may mean going out of
our comfort zones and be involved in cleaning others’ mess. In this world of consumerism
where “service without a reward or compensation” is not a popular option, the only way to
fight is to “fight back with a towel” – to be a servant of all like Jesus. To serve and not to be

served. To love and not to be loved…until death. It is a road less travelled and seldom
appreciated. Ironically, it is the only way to victory in the boxing arena called life.
“Somebody did a golden deed; Somebody proved a friend in need; Somebody sang a beautiful
song; Somebody smiled the whole day long; Somebody thought, 'Tis sweet to live; Somebody
said, I'm glad to give; Somebody fought a valiant fight; Somebody lived to shield the right; Was
that somebody you?" – Anonymous
1. When loving service becomes tough do you easily throw the towel and give up?
2. Are you willing to get dirty for love?
3. How will you emulate Christ in ‘washing the feet’ of his disciples?

FOLLOW HIM
“Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.”
(Matthew 10:38)
Today’s reading from Matthew 10:34-39 includes the very familiar warning from Jesus,
“Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” Having
returned from a Holy Land pilgrimage about 3½ weeks ago, Jesus words have a new context
to me. During the pilgrimage, our group made the Way of the Cross through the crowded and
bustling passageways in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem. Groups of six or seven of us took
turns carrying a large wooden cross for a couple of the stations. Though the prayers we said
were familiar, this was a whole different way of experiencing the Stations of the Cross. We
passed by shops and street vendors, who probably witness this on a daily basis, but it was
uniquely poignant and inspirational for those of us who were participating. Although, we did
not carry the cross alone and it was not as big or heavy as the original one, there was an
element of reality to it all. We ended the stations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where
Jesus’ crucifixion and entombment are commemorated. Each time I pray the stations in the
future, my memories of that experience will be rekindled and intensify the meaning of the
prayers.
What is Jesus telling us when he tells us to take up our cross and follow him? He does not
mean it literally nor does he expect us to go looking for crosses to bear. There are plenty that
come our way as a part of life, some small and others that wound us to the core. He wants us
to carry our crosses as he carried his, keeping in mind that he asked his father to “take this
cup away” but ultimately accepted his Father’s will. We also can ask the Father for relief from
suffering for ourselves and for others while being open to his will. As Jesus struggled with
carrying the cross, he fell under its weight three times and understands that at times our
burdens will be too much for us also. His mother was there to strengthen him with her love
and compassion; so also can we derive strength from the love of friends and family. He
needed and accepted assistance from Simon of Cyrene and the comfort offered by the women
of Jerusalem and Veronica. For some of us it may be difficult to accept help and comfort from
others especially strangers, but Jesus shows us the way. It is not just his example of suffering
that he offers us, but he also shows us how to accept the love, assistance and comfort offered
by others so that we might be worthy of him.
1. What is Jesus telling us when he tells us to take up our cross and follow him?
2. How do you respond when someone offers his/her help to you?
[Taken from Creighton University’s Online Ministries web site:

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html . Used with
permission.]

FREEDOM TO LOVE
“For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for
the flesh; rather, serve* one another through love.” (Gal.5:13)
One of God’s special gifts to us is freedom. It is a very powerful gift. A gift He did not bestow
on other creatures but only to us, His most prized possession. He entrusted this gift of liberty.
Only this freedom is not for you, but is for the service of others.
God has set us free to serve others. This may sound illogic but this is the paradox of true
freedom – that is freedom to love like God. It is only in freely giving our love that we can
attain true freedom. God frees us to serve one another not to take advantage of them. He
freed us to love and serve others and through this act we find our greatest fulfillment.
Our call as Christians is to love a life of radical love, a love that is extraordinary, a love like
Jesus. St. Paul describes this kind of love in the book of Corinthians: “Love is patient, love is
kind. It is not jealous…..It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all
things.” This kind of love allows us to participate in the very being of God, for God is love (1
Jn4:8). This is our calling no matter who we are, where we are, whatever state of life we are
in.
1. What are the obstacles that you are facing now that hinders you from freely loving
others?
2. Are you ready to give up these obstacles and leave your comfort zones to love like
Jesus?

GOD’S BELOVED
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so
we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are
God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is
revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope based
on him makes himself pure, as he is pure. – (1 John 3:1-3)
Human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral
vision for society. Every effort to protect and improve our world entails profound changes in
“lifestyles, models of production and consumption, and the established structures of power
which today govern societies”. It presumes full respect for the human person, but it must
also be concerned for the world around. Accordingly, our human ability to transform reality
must proceed in line with God’s original gift of all.
Of all visible creatures only man is `able to know and love his creator'. He is `the only creature
on earth that God has willed for his own sake', and he alone is called to share, by knowledge
and love, in God's own life. It was for this end that he was created, and this is the fundamental
reason for his dignity'.
As Catholic social teaching which is essentials of the faith, we are guided of the affirming
existence of credenda (things to be believed) that become, as a believer, is our basis for the
agenda (things to be done) which the believer must follow. These are the ten keys points that
will remind and guide us.
Ten Points of Catholic Social Teaching
1. Human Person - "Every human being is created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus
Christ, and therefore is invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family".
Every person is created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ. Consequently,
every person is worthy of respect simply by virtue of being a human being. People do not
lose the right to being treated with respect because of disability, poverty, age, lack of success
or race, let alone gain the right to be treated with greater respect because of what they own
or accomplish. “People can never forfeit their right to be treated with respect because God,
not us, assigns it.
2. Human Life - "Every person, from the moment of conception to natural death, has inherent
dignity and a right to life consistent with that dignity".
An implication of the first principle is that every person, from the moment of conception to
natural death has an inherent dignity and a right to life consistent with the dignity that is
ours as human beings. The Catholic tradition sees the sacredness of human life as part of any
moral vision for a just and good society.
3. Association - "Our tradition proclaims that the person is not only sacred but also social.
How we organize our society--in economics and politics, in law and policy--directly affects
human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community".

The human person is not only sacred, but also social. We are born in the image and likeness
of God, whose essence is community, the diverse community of Father, Son and Spirit. There
are three persons in God, but only one God. At the heart of God we find diversity that is a
cause of liveliness rather than of division. To put it bluntly: we are our true selves when we
relate well to others, not when we are isolated individuals.
4. Participation - "We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking
together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable".
People have a right, indeed a duty to participate in shaping a more just and human society,
seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
“All people need to take an active role in the development of socio-economic, political and
cultural life. They should be shapers of history (subjects), not just passive recipients of other
people’s decisions (objects).
5. Preference for the Poor - "In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and
poor, our tradition recalls the story of the last judgment (Mt. 25:31-46) and instructs us to put
the needs of the poor and vulnerable first".
In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the
story of the last judgement (Mt 25.31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and
vulnerable first. The United States’ Bishops put it well: “The needs of the poor take priority
over the desires of the rich; the rights of workers over the maximization of profits; the
preservation of the environment over uncontrolled industrial expansion.”
6. Solidarity - "Catholic social teaching proclaims that we are our brothers’ and sisters’
keepers, wherever they live. We are one human family.... Learning to practice the virtue of
solidarity means learning that ’loving our neighbor’ has global dimensions in an
interdependent world".
We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. Learning to practice the virtue of solidarity means
learning that ‘loving our neighbor’ has global dimensions in an interdependent world. As
Pope John Paul II has said: “Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress
at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and
persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say, to the good of
all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.”
7. Stewardship - "The Catholic tradition insists that we show our respect for the Creator by
our stewardship of creation".
The steward is a manager, not an owner. In an era of rising consciousness about our physical
environment, our tradition is calling us to a sense of moral responsibility for the protection
of the environment--croplands, grasslands, woodlands, air, water, minerals and other
natural deposits. Stewardship responsibilities also look toward our use of our personal
talents, our attention to personal health and our use of personal property. We show respect
for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. We have a responsibility to care for the
world’s goods as stewards and trustees, not primarily, let alone merely, as consumers. The
Pastoral Letter on June 2004: “We are all in the process of learning how to better safeguard
creation, respect the rhythms of nature and live more sustainably. In the interests of planetary
health we are all called to participate in respectful dialogue, to leave a lighter ecological

footprint and firmer spiritual one, so that generations yet unborn will inherit a world, in the
words of the Pope, ‘closer to the design of the Creator’.”
8. Subsidiarity - This principle deals chiefly with "the responsibilities and limits of government,
and the essential roles of voluntary associations".
The word subsidiarity comes from the Latin word subsidium which means help, aid or
support. The principle of subsidiarity means being wide-eyed, clearly determining the right
amount of help or support that is needed to accomplish a task or to meet an obligation: “not
too much” (taking over and doing it for the other: thereby creating learned helplessness or
overdependence) and “not too little” (standing back and watching people thrash about,
thereby increasing frustration and perhaps hopelessness). “Instead of ‘the less government
the better’, the principle might be better summarized as ‘no bigger than necessary, no
smaller than appropriate’.”
9. Equality - "Equality of all persons comes from their essential dignity.... While differences in
talents are a part of God’s plan, social and cultural discrimination in fundamental rights... are
not compatible with God’s design".
Treating equals equally is one way of defining justice, also understood classically as
rendering to each person his or her due. Underlying the notion of equality is the simple
principle of fairness; one of the earliest ethical stirrings felt in the developing human person
is a sense of what is "fair" and what is not.
Given that every human being is entitled to respect and dignity merely because she/he has
been created in the image and likeness of God, it follows that there is a radical equality among
all human beings. After all, as George Cladis points out: “competition is alien within God.”
10. Common Good - "The common good is understood as the social conditions that allow
people to reach their full human potential and to realize their human dignity".
A community is genuinely healthy when all people, not only one or several segments,
flourish. The Russian novelist Doestoevski put it this way: “The degree of civilization in a
society can be judged by entering its prisons”. “Every social group must take account of the
needs and legitimate aspirations of other groups, and even of the general welfare of the
entire human family.” The absence of any concern for or sensitivity to the common good is a
sure sign of a society in need of help. As a sense of community is eroded, concern for the
common good declines. A proper communitarian concern is the antidote to unbridled
individualism, which, like unrestrained selfishness in personal relations, can destroy
balance, harmony and peace within and among groups, neighborhoods, regions and nations.
1. As God’s beloved, which of these points affirm you and leads you as a person?
2. As God’s beloved, which of these points needs work or challenged you to be a better
person?

GIVE AND TAKE
"She anointed Jesus' feet. Then she dried His feet with her hair."
(John 12:3)
Mary of Bethany gladly poured out a year's salary on Jesus' feet. (Jn. 12:3-5) Martha joyfully
spared no labor or expense to throw a large banquet for Jesus. (Jn. 12:2) The magi braved
many months of hardship, danger, and travel to bring expensive gifts of gold, myrrh, and
frankincense to Jesus, along with their love and homage. (Mt. 2:11) For each of these, the
prospect of being allowed to give to Jesus outweighed any cost or inconvenience.
Judas saw things differently. He didn't give to Jesus. Instead, he took from Jesus. He took
Jesus' money, helping "himself to what" others gave to Jesus. (Jn. 12:6) He took advantage of
the position that Jesus gave him as a disciple, saying to the chief priests: "'What are you
willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' They paid him thirty pieces of silver." (Mt. 26:15)
Judas took all the lessons Jesus lovingly taught His disciples during the last precious days of
His life, which we call Holy Week, and trashed them. That's because Judas spent Holy Week
"looking for an opportunity to hand [Jesus] over" (Mt. 26:16) instead of listening to Jesus.
What are your plans for Holy Week? Will you give to Jesus or take from Him? If you're going
to take from Jesus, "take" His Eucharistic body (Mt. 26:26), especially on Holy Thursday. Take
time to adore Him. Take Him at His word. Take your life and give it to Jesus.
1. What are you willing to give to serve Jesus?

2. How can you make this ‘Holy Week’ holy?


GOD CREATED YOU TO HELP OTHERS
“Now you belong to him ... in order that you might be useful in the service of
God.” (Romans 7:4)
Your call to salvation included your call to service. They are the same. Regardless of your job
or career, you are called to full-time Christian service. A "non-serving Christian" is a
contradiction in terms.
The Bible says, "He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but
according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time
began…" (2 Tim. 1:9)
Peter adds, "But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own,
so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light." (1 Pt. 2:9)
You are called to serve God. Growing up, you may have thought that being "called" by God
was something only missionaries, pastors, nuns, and other "full-time" church workers
experienced, but the Bible says every Christian is called to service. (Ephesians 4:4-14; see also
Romans 1:6-7; 8:28-30; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 9, 26; 7:17; Philippians 3:14; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:3)
Anytime you use your God-given abilities to help others, you are fulfilling your calling. The
Bible says, "In the same way, my brothers, you also were put to death to the law through the
body of Christ, so that you might belong to another, to the one who was raised from the dead
in order that we might bear fruit for God.” (Rom. 7:4)
How much of the time are you being useful in the service of God?
In some churches in China, they welcome new believers by saying "Jesus now has a new
pair of eyes to see with, new ears to listen with, new hands to help with, and a new heart
to love others with."

GOD'S FAMILY TREE
"Now will I praise those godly men, our ancestors, each in his own time."
(Sirach 44:1)
Think of your godly ancestors. Think of the person that taught you to pray, of Grandma who
"prayed all the time," of Dad's holy boldness, and of your uncle, who loved the Church (see
Eph. 5:25) and died with Jesus' precious name on his lips.
Remember the virtues of the godly men and women in your life. (Sir. 44:10) Recall Dad's
honesty, courage, justice, and love. Think of Mom's purity, kindness, faithfulness, and love.
Thank God for every Christian you've ever met. Thank God especially for the Christians in
your ancestry and in your more immediate family. "Their wealth remains in their families,
their heritage with their descendants; through God's covenant with them their family
endures, their posterity, for their sake." (Sir. 44:11-12) You are blessed because of those who
have gone before you. "Their bodies are peacefully laid away, but their name lives on and
on." (Sir. 44:14)
1. Remember the virtues of the godly men and women in your life. Silently thank God
for them.
2. What spiritual heritage are you giving to the next generation?
3. Will your children, grandchildren, friends, etc. retell your wisdom at family gatherings
and proclaim your praise at church? (Sir. 44:15)
4. Will God and your family be proud of you and your holy life?


GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE
"How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"

(Mark 10:23)
"You cannot give yourself to God and money." (Mt. 6:24) Although few admit it, money is
God's greatest competition, that thing which we are most tempted to put ahead of God.
Money is the means to pleasure and a life of self-satisfaction. Money facilitates worship of
self.
Consequently, many young rich men and women continue to walk sadly away from Jesus.
(Mk. 10:22) Like Judas, many commonly sell Jesus for a few pieces of silver (Mt. 26:15) or
even for the petty pleasures that money can buy. For example, Esau sold out for just a bowl
of red soup. (Gen. 25:30-31)
"The love of money is the root of all evil." (1 Tim. 6:10) It all comes down to God or money,
lifestyle, and self. We must consider that "wealth is nothing in comparison" with God (Wis.
7:8) and consider God's word "more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces". (Ps.
119:72) We must "put aside everything to follow" Jesus. (Mk. 10:28)
1. How do you treat wealth? Does it cause you to be farther away from God?
2. What does life in abundance mean to you?


GOOD OR GOD?
"Your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts
and give praise to your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:16)
Our good deeds should be recognized as good and should inspire others to give praise to our
heavenly Father, the Source of all goodness. This is not happening as often as it should. Many
good deeds are done, but people don't think of God as responsible for them. Our secular
society focuses on human beings rather than on God when it notices someone's good deeds.
In fact, it's often considered inappropriate to mention God publicly or in the mass media.
To prevent others from using our good deeds to ignore God rather than praise Him, Jesus
told us to put our light on the lampstand. (Mt. 5:15) The lampstand symbolizes the Church.
(see Rev. 1:20) We must do good deeds because we are members of Christ's body, the Church.
We are Jesus' hands and feet. We don't do what we want to or feel is necessary; we do what
the Lord commands as He speaks through His Church. As members of Christ's Church, we
are not merely do-gooders, but witnesses for Jesus and evangelizers. We do good deeds to
practice what we're already preaching.
When we do good as members of the Church, in obedience to the Church, and in service to
the evangelizing mission of the Church, people will not call us "humanitarians" but
"Christians," and will give praise to our heavenly Father.
Discussion Starter:
Do I proclaim who Jesus is through my thoughts, words, and actions?


GUARDIANS OF PARADISE
“…The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden, to cultivate and
care for it.” (Gen 2:15)
What does stewardship means? For most of us we equate stewardship with giving money.
But it is more than just money. The biblical view of stewardship applies to every believer and
in every area of his life.
Merriam Webster dictionary defines stewardship as “the careful and responsible

management of something entrusted to one's care.” God appointed human beings as
stewards of His creation. He put man in charge of His creation (Gen. 1:28), to rule over it and
have dominion. Man is given a special task to be His co-creator. His creations are His and not
ours. We are to take care of it and not to exploit it. Being a good steward means that you
never forget who the owner is.
We must take this mandate to heart. We have a responsibility to live according to the duty
that God has set before us. St. Gregory of Nyssa, one of the three great Cappadocian Fathers,
commented: "God made man capable of carrying out his role as king of the earth.... Man was
created in the image of the One who governs the universe. Everything demonstrates that
from the beginning his nature was marked by royalty.... He is the living image who
participates by his dignity in the perfection of the divine archetype" (De Hominis Opificio, 4:
PG 44, 136).
Unfortunately, if we scan the regions of our planet, we immediately see that humanity has
disappointed God's expectations. Man, especially in our time, has without hesitation
devastated wooded plains and valleys, polluted waters, disfigured the earth's habitat, made
the air unbreathable, disturbed the hydrogeological and atmospheric systems, turned
luxuriant areas into deserts and undertaken forms of unrestrained industrialization,
degrading that "flowerbed"—use an image from Dante Alighieri (Paradiso, XXII, 151)—
which is the earth, our dwelling-place.
We are all God’s, called to be stewards: to nurture, to protect, to guard, and to preserve His
creation…for His greater glory.
1. What is your view of God’s creation?

2. What does it mean to be a caretaker of creation?
3. How important is it for us to be concerned about the environment?
Note: some lines were taken from:

https://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2STWRD.HTM

GUILT TRIPS
"Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they
be crimson red, they may become white as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
The prophet Daniel twice confessed: "We are shamefaced". (Dan. 9:7-8) In the book of Isaiah,
the Lord promises to forgive sins that are "like scarlet" or "crimson red." These scarlet sins
are those of which we are most ashamed. Shame is a form of self-hatred. We feel no-good,
dirty and ashamed of ourselves.
Shame results when we try to deal with guilt by our own power. Guilt is good. It is a normal,
God-given reaction to sin. Guilt is the spiritual counterpart to the physical sensation of pain.
As pain saves us from being seriously hurt or warns us that we need medical attention, so
guilt warns us that something is wrong spiritually. Guilt is part of reality. The question is not:
"Will I go on a guilt trip?" All human beings will go on guilt trips. We can't help it. The
question is: "When and where and for how long will I go on a guilt trip?"
If we deal with guilt by repenting immediately and taking a short guilt trip to Jesus'
forgiveness, we receive love, mercy, and freedom from our sins. If we delay our guilt trip and
hope we won't need to take one, we'll eventually take one anyway. The longer we wait, the
worse it gets. If we wait too long, we finally take a one-way guilt trip to hell. If we take a guilt
trip not to Jesus' love, but to our self-pity, or human efforts, our guilt leads to shame, that is,
self-hatred. Therefore, when we sin, we should repent immediately and take a short guilt-
trip to Jesus' forgiveness.
1. Are there still unconfessed sins in your life?

2. When and where and for how long will I go on a guilt trip


HAIL MARY, PRAY FOR US
“Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste.” (Luke 1:39)
Last Christmas Eve, while preparing food for our family Noche Buena dinner (Christmas Eve
dinner), Louie, my brother in law, had a phone call. His mother requested me to administer
the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for his cousin Ian who was critically ill with a rare
viral infection. We went to St. Luke’s Hospital in haste and anointed Ian with holy oil. To our
delight and amazement, he miraculously recovered from the viral infection and survived
from his ordeal. Later, I learned that Ian’s mother had a dream when they were in the
hospital: our Blessed Virgin Mary told her that she will be visiting Ian on Christmas Eve. It
was Christmas Eve when I administered the sacrament of healing. It dawned on me that Mary
fulfilled her promised. She visited Ian on Christmas Eve and interceded for his healing. She
was with us during those trying moments.
Luke 1:39-45 was another story of Mary’s visitation. When Mary learned from Angel Gabriel
that her cousin Elizabeth was pregnant at her old age, Mary felt the need to support her
during those moments of uncertainty and anxiety. She left her home in haste and
accompanied Elizabeth during those trying moments.
In 1950, Pope Pius XXII declared the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary as an official
dogma of the Church. Here we proclaim that Mary went up to heaven both body and soul.
But the bottom line of this dogma is – Mary gained an everlasting place in heaven. And with
that, Mary can intercede for us and console us – the way she consoled Elizabeth.
The numerous Marian shrines all over the world are manifestations that Mary has a special
place in our hearts. Jesus asked her to take us as her children. (Jn. 19:26-27) Unfortunately,
for some of us, we only come to Mary for her intercession. We failed to see that aside from
being our mediator to Jesus, she is our model in obeying God. Her life is an inspiration on
how to accept God’s will, especially in times of trials.
As our Mother, we can seek her presence for refuge and consolation. We can come to Mary
to intercede for us and ask God to grant our deepest desires. But in all our prayers, we need
to reserve a space for God’s will to work for us; believing that God knows what’s best for us.
When our eyes failed to see the wisdom of God, we should turn our hearts to Mary and listen
to her words, “Do whatever my Son tells you.” (Jn. 2:5) Remember that her total trust to God
led her to say: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.” (Lk.
1:38)
Recent study showed that most cancer patients who sought help in Marian Shrines returned
home unhealed; but their visit to the Shrines gifted them with an unlikely miracle - they went
home with renewed strength, inner peace, and determination to face their daily battle with
cancer. They believe that Mary will be with them in their trying moments.

Mary will always remain as our greatest mediator to Jesus. But we should also listen to her
life-giving wisdom, “Do whatever my Son tells you.” Her Magnificat is a testimony of the joy
that comes from surrendering oneself to the will of God: “My soul proclaims the greatness of
the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior. He has done great things for me. Holy is his
name.” (Lk.1:46-55)
When Mary ascended to heaven, God gave her a reward that all of us should aspire – an
everlasting union with God.
1. How is your relationship with our Mother Mary? Do you constantly ask for her
intercession?
2. How can you model Mary’s obedience to the will of God in your life?

HIS PRESENTS OR HIS PRESENCE
“Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Col.4:2)
One of the most essentials in the life of a believer is prayer. Just as breathing is vital to our
physical being, prayer is vital in our spiritual life. Prayer is our intimate connection to God,
who is the source of our life (Jn. 15:5).
The life Jesus lived is a life full of prayer. Most of the times, His disciples would find Him
praying. Every time Jesus faced a tough trial, an important decision, or after performing a
miracle He devoted time to pray. Before He chose His disciples, He prayed (Lk 6:12). When
the roman soldiers arrested Him, He was praying (Jn. 17). After performing miracle that fed
thousands, He went alone to pray (Mt. 14:23). Just like Jesus, our life must also be a life of
prayer.
Many times, we come to pray because we want to ask for something from God. Though this
isn’t bad, but prayer is more than just asking. It is more than just presenting to God our wish
lists before rushing to our next schedule. Prayer is also about being grateful -- presenting to
Him our ‘thank you’ list more than our ‘give me’ lists. Prayer is really about talking to God
whatever is in your heart, your desire, your longing, your hopes and dreams and more
importantly, it is allowing Him to talk too.
The more we spent time in prayer (talking and listening), we will come to know Him more,
understand Him better, love Him even more, discover His plan for us, in other words, a
deeper relationship with Him.
In the apex of prayer, His presence is the ultimate present. His presence is the greatest gift.
1. How is your prayer life?

2. Which do you present God more, ‘thank you’ list or ‘give me’ list?

HEART CONDITIONS
"Wicked designs come from the deep recesses of the heart."

(Mark 7:21)
Solomon asked the Lord for a wise and understanding heart. (1 Kgs. 3:9) The Lord answered
His prayer and made Him the wisest person in history. (1 Kgs. 3:12) Yet, through his sins,
Solomon turned his heart away from the Lord. (1 Kgs. 11:3) His heart was not entirely
devoted to the Lord. (1 Kgs. 11:4). He died a fool with his kingdom on the verge of civil war.
Solomon died of a spiritual heart attack.
We Christians are greater than Solomon (see Mt. 11:11). Through baptism, we have received
not only a wise heart, but a new heart promised by the Lord (see Ez. 36:26). However, we can
likewise sin and turn our hearts away from the Lord. We can lose our first love (see Rev. 2:4)
and no longer decide to love the Lord with all our hearts (see Mt. 22:37). If we persist in this
lukewarmness (Rev. 3:16), we, like Solomon, will also die and damn ourselves through a
spiritual heart attack. Consequently, we must repent of any sinful compromises with the
ways of the world and keep our new heart beating with pure love of the Lord. We received a
new heart at our baptism and will receive a renewed heart through the Sacrament of
Reconciliation. Repentance prevents spiritual heart attacks.
1. What is your initial response right after you engaged in sinful compromises?
2. Why do you think some people find it hard to humbly admit their sins and repent?


HEAVEN ON EARTH
Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying,
“This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.”
(Luke 22:19)
Everyone wants a taste of Heaven. We often do not realize that God offers that taste of
Heaven daily through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the Holy Mass. It is truly a
mystery of how Jesus can be truly present in the bread and wine. And, He is. Once we learn
and value this great gift of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, we will never want to go a day without
receiving Him, experiencing the gift of Heaven everyday in the Holy Mass.
Household Activity:
 Agree as a group that each member must go to confession before the next household.
 Instead of starting the household at a host’s house, maybe you could find a common
time to hear Mass as a household group, maybe one Sunday or Saturday (just for that
week).
 After the mass, go to a quiet place, or to the host’s house for worship and household.
 Discuss the realizations you experienced during mass. Things you didn’t know about
the Eucharist before. Share your realizations with the group
1. Did you encounter any harassments or oppressions trying to keep to your promise to
hear Mass daily? What were they and did you overcome them? How? Or if not, why
not?
2. Do you believe you could sustain hearing Mass daily? Why or why not?
3. If you say no, what would you have to sacrifice just to be able to do it? Are you willing
to at least try?

HEAVEN SOON
"I saw before me a huge crowd which no one could count from every nation and
race, people and tongue. They stood before the throne and the Lamb."
(Revelation 7:9)
We know that later we shall be like Jesus. "We shall see Him as He is." (1 Jn. 3:2) After
surviving the great period of trial (Rev. 7:14), we will stand "before the throne and the Lamb,
dressed in long white robes and holding palm branches" in our hands. (Rev. 7:9) We shall
celebrate the ultimate family reunion and be perfectly happy forever, for our "reward is great
in heaven". (Mt. 5:12)
Already many have gone before us and share in the perfect happiness of heaven. It won't be
very long before we join them. This sure hope of heavenly happiness is so overwhelmingly
wonderful that we keep ourselves pure as Jesus is pure (1 Jn. 3:3), live a life of total
commitment to the Lord, "consider the sufferings of the present to be as nothing" (Rom.
8:18), face death fearlessly, make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:19), have peace under any
circumstances (see Phil. 4:7), and rejoice in the Lord always (Phil. 4:4).
We are thrilled (to put it mildly) about the eternal happiness of heaven. We are even more
excited about the One Who made it all possible, Jesus Christ. We cry out "in a loud voice,
'Salvation is from our God, Who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb!'" (Rev. 7:10)
1. How much do you aspire for heaven?

2. Do your actions validate your aspiration?


HEAVILY BURDENED
“I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this
meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned these
innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
(Matthew 12:6-8)
Jesus makes it clear that He himself is more important than the Temple and even the Law
and that he has the power to sweep away all the legalistic accretions that creep into our
human behavior and into the laws that we believe that God is imposing on us --- when such
additions are actually only human. (cf. Matthew 15:6; Mark 7:8; Colossians 2:8)
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus calls us: “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I
will give you rest.“ If we do go to Him as He asks, He can remove these burdens from us. But
we must truly put ourselves in His hands, do not hold back or try to hold on to some things
while asking Him to change our lives. After all, would we be happy with the results if we
hired an interior decorator to turn our living space around and then insisted that there were
many old things we would not let him or her touch? We cannot, then, hold back from Christ
and then blame Him for not giving us that promised rest.
Jesus, and following Jesus, will involve a realigning of our values and principles and a
broadening of the rules or the code we live by. This latter may require our going off the
accepted and safe rails to follow God in truth and in the Spirit, but for two reasons this new
freedom in Christ is far more demanding than merely living such basics as the Ten
Commandments. For one thing, following only Jesus requires that we make sure that it is
truly God that we are following and not our own corrupted wills, and for another it demands
that we be personally responsible for obeying God, not letting ourselves hide behind a
supposedly divine law (cf. Mark 7:9-13).
This way of living, this spirituality, is for the more courageous, the enterprising, those willing
to be self-responsible (but not independent of God!). These people have the courage to be
wrong sometimes but are robust and trusting enough in God's love to make some mistakes.
This is not simply relieving ourselves of the burden of Law only to fall into a self-scrutiny
that is even worse, it is falling in love with God and finding life in a responsible, mature, active
freedom.
Are these the adult people whom we wish to be?
1. What do you continue to do that is not pleasing in the eyes of God?
2. Are you willing to correct your ways?

site: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html Used with permission.]
HERO TALES

Pre-Household Activity: Have your members search beforehand their favorite National Hero,
briefly have them prepare the biography/ life work if their chosen hero.
Discussion Starter:
Share your favorite hero to your household. What aspect in his or her life inspires
you?

HOLD YOUR GROUND
"Certain Pharisees came to Him. 'Go on Your way!' they said. 'Leave this place!'
" (Luke 13:31)
When it comes to spiritual warfare, there is truth in the axiom: "Give him (Satan) an inch and
he'll take a mile." Because God protects His servants when He sets them in their place, Satan
can't budge us when we occupy the position God has for us. Therefore, Satan tempts us to
move, to "leave this place". (Lk. 13:31) If he can manipulate us into stepping out of God's
position for us, then Satan will soon shove us as far away from God as he can.
Notice that Jesus was specifically tempted to "go" out of position and "leave this place." The
Pharisees told Jesus that Herod was trying to kill Him. (Lk. 13:31) Jesus knew that, in His God-
given position, no harm would come to Him until His hour had come. In addition, Satan
tempted Jesus to fear death by Herod. It turned out that Jesus had nothing to fear from Herod,
for when Herod had a golden opportunity to actually kill Jesus, he didn't kill Him or even
harm Him (see Lk. 23:7-12). How often is that true with us? How much energy do we waste
on fears and threats which never come to pass? Notice Jesus' answer to the Pharisees: "I must
proceed on course." (Lk. 13:33) Jesus didn't budge an inch.
Ask God if you are in the place He wants you to be. If not, follow His directions to get into that
place very soon. Then "hold your ground". (Eph. 6:13) "Stand fast". (Eph. 6:14) "Stand firm".
(Eph. 6:11) "Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the Lord will win for
you...The Lord Himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still." (Ex. 14:13-14)
1. What are your fears in life?

2. How much energy do we waste on fears and threats which never come to pass?


HOUSE CLEANING
“I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have
had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?”
(Matthew 18:32-33)
My Nanay Conching cleans our house everyday. Just to sweep the wooden floor, apply wax,
and husk it manually takes more than an hour. But it is always a joy for us to see the floor
shines. But the shining floor won’t last long when her grandchildren come to play at our
house. When they leave the house, Nanay will quietly clean the floor again gladly. She said,
“They are my grandchildren. I am willing to clean their mess because I love them. And
besides, this is my house.”
Our life is like our house. We work hard to keep our life happy. We want peace.
Unfortunately, some people intrude in our life and mess it. Ironically, most of the people that
hurt us are the people we love or close to us. Can I also say, “It’s okay, I am willing to forgive
them and to clean the mess they made in my life because I love them.”
Anyway, it’s my life. I am responsible to fix my own life. It’s fatal to expect those who mess
my life to fix or clean it. I may end up waiting for something that will not come.
Matthew 18:21-35 calls us to render unlimited forgiveness. Peter wants a limit: seven. But
Jesus proposes seventy seven times, which means unlimited. Why? It is to our advantage.
Jesus knows that limiting the number of times we should forgive limits our chance or
opportunity for peace and happiness. He wants us to be happy always via forgiveness.
Forgiveness benefits both parties. But the one who forgives benefits more.
When one renders forgiveness, he is not only gifting his enemy forgiveness and peace, but he
is also gifting himself with the same token. To forgive is to free oneself from the bondage of
anger, hatred, and vengeance. The truth is - the person who forgives is more at peace, freer
and happier than the person forgiven.
Yet how come that it’s difficult for us to forgive? To forgive is easier said than done. I cannot
totally blame anybody from nursing anger, resentment, and hate. I am sure God knows it is
not easy to forgive and forget. The memory of hurt, betrayal and pain lingers in our hearts.
But Jesus knows well our human nature. (Jn. 2:25) He knows that the only way to free our
hearts from anger, hatred, and resentment is by allowing our hearts to remember God’s
goodness and forgiveness: “I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should
you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?” (Mt. 18:32-33)
Generally, the grace of total forgiveness will come to us slowly. Time plays a crucial role in
our healing and forgiving. Time is our friend and companion. We need to respect our own

pace in forgiving people. God knows our human nature and He respects it. But God will ask
us to give 3 (three) initial “down payments” to start the healing process:
1. Never curse or think evil against them.

2. Pray for enlightenment to all parties involved including you.
3. Ask for the grace to forgive.
These are the seeds of forgiveness. And plant them in your heart, and slowly God will ease
your pain, restore your peace and give you happiness. Remember…it’s your life. Happy
cleaning!
"A wise man will make haste to forgive, because he knows the full value of time and will not
suffer it to pass away in unnecessary pain." (Rambler)
Discussion Starter:
Do you have a difficulty in forgiving others?

HOW TO BE HEALED
"He began to call out, 'Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!'"
(Mark 10:47)
It's hard to admit weakness, sin, or even sickness. The blindness of pride often prevents us
from being healed of other kinds of blindness. After Bartimaeus began calling out, "many
people were scolding him to make him keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder". (Mk. 10:48)
After we humble ourselves, the next obstacle to healing is often worrying about what other
people think of us. Often, to receive healing; it is necessary to look like a fool in the eyes of
the world.
"Then Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him over.'" (Mk. 10:49) Bartimaeus "threw aside his cloak,
jumped up and came to Jesus." (Mk. 10:50) His jump was a great leap of faith. Blind people
don't make sudden movements. If they jump up, they don't know what might happen since
they don't know what's above them. Jesus said to Bartimaeus: "'Be on your way. Your faith
has healed you.' Immediately he received his sight and started to follow Him up the road."
(Mk. 10:52)
1. What's standing in the way of your healing? Are you too proud to admit you need
help? Are you too proud to confess your sins? Are you too "cool" to be healed? Are
you paralyzed by the thought of being laughed at? Are you unwilling to become a fool
for Christ?
2. Don't let anything or anyone prevent you from receiving your healing and your
Healer, Jesus.


HUMILITY IS THE KEY
“for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Lk. 14:11)
In this world, there are two ways to achieve high self esteem, the world’s way and God’s way.
The world’s way is to strive and push your way up. Grabbing every opportunity, even if you
step on others, for praise and recognition. Sometimes even manipulating others just to get
their attention.
But God’s way is totally different. It is only by humbling ourselves that we receive recognition
not from people but from Him who created us. We don’t work our way up, instead, we let
God increase and ourselves decrease.
Jesus warned us about striving for position and praise (Lk. 14:7-11). Where a man, while
attending a banquet, tried to take the places of honor. Only to be humiliated because the
owner asked him to move to the least honorable seat. Jesus advised us to take the lowest seat
and allow others to exalt you.
And when we get praises and recognition from others, which is unavoidable, we must not
take the credit. Instead, we are to point to God who is the One who must receive all the
praises. Because when the praises go up, the glory of God comes down on us.
Discussion Starter:
How can I exercise humility in my workplace? In my community (SFC)?

I AM CALLED TO BE A MISSIONARY
“He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 30:3)
“Your calling is not your identity, but My identity in you.” As Singles for Christ, we are called
not just to pray and worship the Lord, but also to live by His example and share the love He
offers to the world. Proclaiming His greatness when others cannot, seeing things from His
perspective even if the rest are focused on the things they don’t have and standing up against
the norm by being a Jesus to everyone.
Mary is our ultimate missionary model. “’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your
word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.” (Lk. 1:38)
M – Moved by His love. “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them
to the end.” (Jn. 13:1)
A – Allowing God’s plan to unfold. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the
LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future.’” (Jer. 29:11)
R – Revealing Jesus to everyone. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those
who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim
salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Is. 52:7)
Y – YES to the Lord every day. “Here I am. Send me!” (Is. 6:8)
This week, share your faith with someone who is not a part of the community. Discern as
well if God is calling you to go on mission.
1. Define the word ‘missionary’ in your own personal way.

2. What are the simple ways that you can be a missionary? May it be in your family, your
workplace, your friends or with your relationship to others.

I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY, CATHOLIC CHURCH
"On this rock I will build My church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail
against it." (Matthew 16:18)
At the Masses of Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, all the Catholics of the world will be asked
to renew their baptismal promises. The last of the baptismal promises is: "Do you believe in
the Holy Spirit, the holy, catholic Church?"
When we renew our baptismal promises, we acknowledge that we were baptized in one
Spirit into one body, the Church. (1 Cor. 12:13) In baptism, we have committed ourselves to
remain faithful to one another as members of the body of Christ. Thus, we are obligated to
celebrate Mass each Sunday with the other members of Christ's body, and to go to Confession
annually to be reconciled with the Church. We must also pray for, support, serve, and obey
the Church. Moreover, it is not an option for a Catholic to join another Christian
denomination or religion. This would be denying our baptismal promises.
Do you love the Church as Jesus loves the Church? If you are to make the last baptismal
promise, you must be willing to lay down your life for her. (Eph. 5:25) In baptism, we have
made the commitment to love the Church unconditionally, even when it is most unlovable.
This is humanly impossible, but the Holy Spirit, Who birthed the Church, will give us the
grace to love the Church. In the power of the Spirit, love the Church and live the new life
through baptism.
1. Do you love the Church as Jesus loves the Church?

2. How do show your love for the Catholic Church?


IMITATORS OF CHRIST
“So be imitators of God, as beloved children.” (Ephesians 5:1)
In St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, he exhorts his readers to be imitators of God. I venture
to say that St. Paul exhorts us to imitate Christ, who is God. After all, Paul had the encounter
with the Risen Lord on the road to Damascus, which changed his life forever.
How do we begin to imitate Christ? We can derive elements of imitation from the accounts
of the evangelists to see how Christ lived His life:
Pray. If you want to imitate Christ, you must become a person of prayer. No less than twelve
times in the Gospels, Jesus went up a mountain or withdrew to a deserted place to pray. It
was in these moments that he prayed to His Father in heaven, to His Abba. Prayer is an
essential component of being an imitator of Christ.
Feed others. Jesus fed other people. Most concretely we see this in the multiplication of the
loaves and the fishes, when Jesus feeds the crowd of over 5,000 people.In the Eucharist we
celebrate, Jesus feeds us with Body and Blood. After Mass we go out into our world and have
the opportunity to feed other people by our works of mercy. Jesus fed others, and if we want
to imitate Him, so must we.
Invite others. Jesus constantly invited people in His ministry. He invited the Twelve to
follow Him, to leave their ordinary lives as fishermen or as a tax collector. Jesus invited
people to come to Him, those who were sick or burdened, and He promised them rest. In our
own lives we have the opportunity to invite others to know Jesus. Invite people you dine with
to join you in a prayer before meals. Invite someone to go to Sunday Mass or join the CLP. Be
a person who invites others to know the Lord, and when you do, you will be imitating Christ.
Die for others. Don’t take this imitation literally. But Jesus did die for us, and so we should
die for other people. This type of dying means giving of yourself to others. Die to your inner
wants and desires, in order to allow Christ to live more fully in you. Jesus died for us, so He
wants us to die to ourselves, in order to serve others, that they might have life!
Teach others. The people who followed Jesus hungered for His teaching. Jesus taught
throughout His ministry in varied ways, especially though parables. He taught people about
the Father and about who He (Jesus) truly was.In our lives, there are concrete ways we can
teach other people: sign up to be a catechist, serve in the Cornerstone, sign up to a mission
trip, initiate the CLP in your workplace, etc. These five ways of imitating Christ are not
exhaustive. There are so many others contained within the Gospels. After hearing all of them,
you might want to do it as an starting point in imitating Christ.
In what area of imitating Christ do I still struggle and how will I grow in practicing it? Suggest
to your household other ways of imitating Christ that you are already practicing.

IN NEED OF YOUR MERCY
“And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the
holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain
are retained.” (John 20:22-23)
We need to reconcile ourselves with God. When we do not receive the sacrament of
Reconciliation often, we are not align with God’s heart and mind. We are not receiving the
fullness of His grace. As we seek for God’s mercy and forgiveness, he calls us to share that
with others too.
A devotion to the Divine Mercy encourages us to seek God’s forgiveness and be merciful to
others and to completely trust in His mercy for us. Grace poured out when we seek
forgiveness and trust in Him. Reciting the Chaplet to the Divine Mercy reminds us that we
need forgiveness and that we need to forgive others. Reconciling with God helps us to remain
in Him.
Household Activity:
 Go to confession before the next household.

 Pray the Chaplet to the Divine Mercy during household.
 Share a time in your life when you have been hurt by someone and forgiven someone.
How did you do it?
 After the household, agree to pray the 3 o’clock Prayer Habit daily together with the
Chaplet to the Divine Mercy.
 List down in your journal all the hurts in your heart that you still find hard to forgive.
(This will not be shared to the group.)
 Then list down in your journal all the hurts you inflicted on others that you are sorry
for. (This will not be shared to the group.)
 For the next few days until the next household, offer the 2 lists you wrote in your
journal to Jesus after praying the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and ask Him to give you
the grace to have a forgiving heart.
Discussion Starters: (for the next household meeting)
1. Look at your list of hurts. After lifting it all up to God, how much more of those still
hurt right now?
2. Look at your list of wrongs. After lifting it all up to God, how much of those still bother
you?
3. If unforgiveness reside in our hearts, we may also find difficulty forgiving ourselves
even when God has forgiven us.

4. Share with the group an area in your life where you need forgiveness so they may
pray for you too.
5. Some hurts are deeper than others are. Continue pray daily the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

IN PURSUIT OF
“… but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken
possession of by Christ. (Phil 3:12)
What is the goal of your life? What do you pursue in life?
The world is offering us a topsy-turvy road to real joy and happiness. It persistently barging
in our way and offer us quick and easy way to achieve what we want. Everyday we are being
bombarded with what we should have and we ought to be. There is a saying that goes; “we
become what we pursue in life.”
As Christians we are to press on toward a prize; a prize that cannot be bought by money nor
cannot be achieve through honor. St Paul relates this to an athlete who’s running a race. As
a runner presses on to reach his goal, we, Christians, are also in a race, a race to win the prize.
Like St Paul, we need to keep our eyes on the goal. Like a runner who keeps his eye on the
finish line, must also fix our eyes on the goal; not letting anything distract us from achieving
it. We should not waste our time from the non-essentials. Time is too precious for that.
Satan will always try to derail us. If we succumb to his bait, we will lose precious time and
energy or worse, we will not be able to finish the race. His main intention is to prevent us
from achieving what God intended for us.
God promised that as long as we remain steadfast and faithful we will surely reach our goal.
And with great hope, we look forward to our Savior’s words, "Well done, my good and faithful
servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come,
share your master’s joy." (Matt. 25:21). Let’s keep pursuing God will all our heart.
1. Have you pursued God with all your heart today? This week?
2. What do you think about the most?
3. Where is most of your time spent?

INSENSITIVE DOLLS
“And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores.”
(Luke 16:20)
A couple married for 60 years had shared and talked about everything. They had kept no
secrets from each other except that the wife had a shoe box in her cabinet that she had
cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about it.
For all of these years, the man had never thought about the box. But when the wife was about
to die, she agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened
it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling Php 100,000.00.
He asked her about the contents. “My grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage
was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and
crochet a doll.” The man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two dolls were in the
box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living together. He
finally cried out of joy. “Honey,” he said, “that explains the doll, but what about all of this
money? Where did it come from?”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you.” she said, “That’s the money I earned from selling dolls.”
We may have laughed with the story. But if God will have to crochet dolls out of our own
insensitivity to others, I’m sure God will also earn a good amount of money.
Luke 16:19-31 is about the sin of insensitivity. In the story, it was not explicitly mentioned
that the rich man was an evil or immoral man. But we were told that the poor man Lazarus
was always at the door of the rich man’s house, begging for food scraps and dogs licking his
sores. Luke gave us a very graphic description of Lazarus’ ordeal and suffering, in the hope
it would make us uneasy and uncomfortable, and turn our eyes to Lazarus in the process.
Unfortunately, the rich man did not.
In general, we are basically good Christians, incapable of committing heinous crimes that
deserve death penalty. But we could fall short often from the devil’s most reliable and
effective trap: insensitivity. Webster describes insensitivity as “asleep, dead, insensible,
numb, unfeeling, and unaware.” Are you like these?
We are surrounded by our own “Lazaruses” in our life. Ironically, we see them everyday. We
frequently mingle with them. We know them well. They are always at our doorsteps begging
for mercy and love; but its either we deliberately closed our eyes on them or we failed to
notice them: a beggar, a neighbor, a co-teacher, an old janitor, a garbage collector. Some of
them are in our house: a bedridden aunt, a sick but very demanding grandfather, an
overstaying jobless relative, an ugly houseboy or katulong. And some of them are so near and
very dear to us but we ignore, hurt and abuse them with our unkind words, uncharitable

action and cold treatment: an under-achiever daughter, a jobless brother, an old smelly
grandfather, an uneducated sister-in-law, or an unforgiven husband or mother.
What they need from us is not our money but mercy and love. They just want a little respect
and care; a smile or consoling words like “How are you? or Thank you.”; a tap to their
shoulders; to be recognized and appreciated; to be accepted; to be listened; to be forgiven;
to be seen.
Who are the Lazaruses in your life? Open your eyes. If you can’t see them, you cannot see
God.
According to Herman Melville, "We may have civilized bodies and yet barbarous souls. We are
blind to the real sights of this world; deaf to its voice; and dead to its death. And not till we
know, that one grief outweighs ten thousand joys will we become what Christianity is striving
to make us."
Discussion Starter:
Who are the Lazaruses in your life? How are you going to respond their need?

JESUS RESTORES FAMILIES
"Go home to your family and make it clear to them how much the Lord in His mercy has done
for you." (Mark 5:19)
David's family was a disaster. His son Absalom became his rival, overthrew his government,
and was seeking his father's life (2 Sm 15:1ff; 17:3). Instead of seeking a reconciliation with
Absalom, David fled. He had no doubt that Absalom was deadly serious about defeating him
(2 Sm 15:14).
David believed the worst of his son. Many of you have likewise experienced serious family
ruptures. Like David, when you hear that a certain family member is set against you,
immediately you believe the worst about that family member and act upon that belief.
Jesus bluntly stated that He came to divide families (Lk 12:51-53). When Jesus delivered the
Gerasene demoniac, this man pressed Jesus to accompany Him (Mk 5:18). Far too many of
us can relate; the spiritual warfare of accompanying Jesus on deliverance ministry is
preferable to the ridicule and rejection you expect to receive from your family if you told
them all that Jesus has mercifully done for you.
However, Jesus sent the delivered man straight home to his family to announce God's mercy
(Mk 5:19). He might be calling you to do the same. May Jesus use your conversion, prayers,
obedience, words, and witness to heal and restore your family.
1. How is your family? Are there some issues that need healing and restoration?
2. Pray for each others’ family.
Reprinted with permission of Presentation Ministries, 3230 McHenry, Cincinnati, OH 45211,

www.presentationministries.com (513) 662-5378

JESUS’ DYSFUNCTIONAL ANCESTORS
The Geneology of Jesus. (Matthew 1:1-17)
To forget something is terrible. We forget things, names, anniversaries, birthdays and many
others. To forget a birthday or anniversaries of your love one is unforgivable to us!
Matthew gave us a roll-call of names of people - the genealogy of Jesus. Most of the names
mentioned are either unknown or known as sinners (Tamar - the prostitute, David - the
womanizer, Jacob - the robber of birth rights, and a list of filthy kings). Instead of forgetting
them, Matthew wanted us to remember that even Jesus’ lineage was not a perfect one, yet it
became the source of humanity’s salvation. The good news is – something good may come
up from “not so good” things in life. God makes all things beautiful in His time.
But such beautiful things may happen only if we know how to accept each other’s
weaknesses, sinfulness and limitations. The first step to change is ACCEPTANCE - to accept
our own and others’ imperfections. There is no such thing as a perfect person, family, and
community. An inmate in the New Bilibid Prison once said, “Because of shame, I decided to
reform my life when I met people who accepted me as I am.”
Remember that all of us are sinners yet loved by God. Christmas is a time to remember the
name of Jesus - which means “God is with us”.
He became like us in everything but sin.
Discussion Starter:
Are you proud of your ancestors? Do you also have dysfunctional ancestors?

JESUS' IMPOSSIBLE DEMANDS
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets."
(Matthew 5:17)
In the Old Testament, the Lord told us to obey 612 commandments. In the New Testament,
Jesus did not abolish even the smallest part of any of the letters of these commandments.
(Mt. 5:18) In fact, Jesus added several hundred other commandments which we are now
responsible to obey. Moreover, we must obey both the letter of these commandments and
their spirit. (2 Cor. 3:6) We must obey not only because of fear, but also because of love.
There is no way we can obey all these commands in the spirit which Jesus expects. We would
have to be a new person to meet Jesus' standards. Only God can do what Jesus expects.
Therefore, God became a human being. He died and rose to give us a new nature and make
us new creations (see 2 Cor. 5:17). He lives within us and gives us His divine power.
Only because of this, we can obey and fulfill all the commands of both the Old and New
Testaments. Only in Christ is there no condemnation (see Rom. 8:1). Only in Christ are His
commandments not burdensome. (1 Jn. 5:3) Only in Christ is can we find obedience and
fulfillment.
Discussion Starter:
Has your relationship with God become empty and routine? Are you experiencing
spiritual exhaustion? Is your Catholic life reduced to a ritual?


JESUS RESTORES FAMILIES
"Go home to your family and make it clear to them how much the Lord in His
mercy has done for you." (Mark 5:19)
David's family was a disaster. His son Absalom became his rival, overthrew his government,
and was seeking his father's life. (2 Sam. 15:1ff; 17:3) Instead of seeking reconciliation with
Absalom, David fled. He had no doubt that Absalom was deadly serious about defeating him.
(2 Sam. 15:14)
David believed the worst of his son. Many of you have likewise experienced serious family
ruptures. Like David, when you hear that a certain family member is set against you,
immediately you believe the worst about that family member and act upon that belief.
Jesus bluntly stated that He came to divide families. (Lk. 12:51-53) When Jesus delivered the
Gerasene demoniac, this man pressed Jesus to accompany Him. (Mk. 5:18) Far too many of
us can relate; the spiritual warfare of accompanying Jesus on deliverance ministry is
preferable to the ridicule and rejection you expect to receive from your family if you told
them all that Jesus has mercifully done for you.
However, Jesus sent the delivered man straight home to his family to announce God's mercy.
(Mk. 5:19) He might be calling you to do the same. May Jesus use your conversion, prayers,
obedience, words, and witness to heal and restore your family.
1. How is your family? Are there some issues that need healing and restoration?
2. Pray for each others’ family.


JOY IN PRAYER
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your
name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us
today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
(Matthew 6:9-13)
Household Activity:
Ask each member of the group what kind or type of prayers do they know and they do. (E.g.
rosary, prayer before and after meal, Angelus, personal prayer, worship -clapping hands,
praising and praying in tongues, Apostle's creed, etc.)
Prayer is like communication. Constant and regular on a daily basis. A two-way process of
speaking and listening. It grows, blossoms, and deepens a relationship as time goes by.
Prayer is our means of communicating with God. This is the time when we pour out our
hearts to Him in praise and worship, in humbling repentance or contrition, thanksgiving and
asking for a simple request or supplication.
In short, we talk out loud our thoughts with God in prayer. Affirmation, encouragement,
advice and solution to our problems come in our hearts and minds in prayer. Knowledge,
discernment and wisdom from the Holy Spirit while in fervent and sincere prayer helps us
become enlightened and relieved. We glorify God in our prayer, faith and action for we know
that He is always present in our lives and loves us unconditionally.
We pray to God to strengthen and build our faith in Him. It is the time we spend
communicating with God, Our Father. Also, we pray to praise and honor God's love and
power over all His creations through clapping our hands, praising and praying in tongues
during worship.
We find joy in praying when we don't consider it a chore. The form of prayer we use doesn't
matter, what's important is the quality time we spend with God in prayer. Prayer can be like
talking to your father or a closed friend, it comes naturally.
Our very lives become a prayer to God through our thoughts, words and actions. When these
reflect our prayers and conviction, then God’s peace brings us inner joy.
Take note of the times when you have prayed more for others. Jot it down in your prayer
journal. Did you feel joy when you have found out that their prayers have been answered?
Give thanks to God for you were a part of why their prayers were answered.
1. Why do I pray?
2. Do I find joy in praying? What must I do to find inner joy in prayer?

LAY MINISTRY TO BISHOPS
"Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them."
(Acts 2:14)
On the very first resurrection day, the risen Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and sent her
to bring the good news of His Resurrection to the apostles. (Jn. 20:17) He also came to Mary
Magdalene when she was with another Mary. (Mt. 28:1) Once again, He sent them to the
apostles. (Mt. 28:7,10) Then Jesus appeared to Simon Peter (Lk. 24:34) and to two disciples
on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24:13ff). All of these took the Good News to the apostles (see Lk.
24:33).
After sending all these messengers to the apostles, the risen Jesus Himself finally came to
them repeatedly and commissioned them to be witnesses of His Resurrection (see Acts 1:22).
Nevertheless, the apostles did not witness for the risen Christ but stayed locked up in the
upper room (see Jn. 20:26). Only after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost did the apostles
finally get the message of Jesus' Resurrection and proclaim that message (see Acts 2:14).
Although the Lord is working in several ways to announce His Resurrection, one of His main
plans is to work through our bishops, who are the apostles' successors, and through our
priests, who share in the bishops' ministry.
Consequently, the Lord may want you to take a message to some of the bishops and priests.
The Lord may be calling you to lead them to receive a new Pentecost. Pray for your bishop
and priests. Then see if the Lord wants you to say or do anything else to empower them to
serve as mighty witnesses for the risen Christ.
1. As lay or as part of the Church, how can you support our priests, nuns and the
religious?
2. How can you better improve the partnership between the lay and the
priests/religious?


LESSONS FROM NATURE
“But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or
thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.” (Matthew 13:8-9)
“…from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have
watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful…” (Is. 55:10)
After a dry spell, the rains fall like a blessing to soften the cracked earth. Seeds awaken to
push down roots and the dour land springs up green overnight. The long sleep is over but
no one complains. The trek to the harvest begins with water from heaven that brings life
back to the earth.
Sometimes we look no further than our self for salvation. Lured by poetic license, I wonder
if I am the master of my fate, the keeper of my soul. Can I stand alone without anyone to lean
on? Am I the unaided seed that releases its power at will? Like Prospero ruling his
enchanted island, we are tempted by magic.
Our drunken dreams multiply the groanings of nature. When will this species wake up? No
creature makes it on its own. No seed sprouts without spring showers and the long sunny
days of summer. Like the clothes on our body that come from many places, we belong to
each other. I am not the work of my hands. No one carries his load alone.
Even God does not stand alone. As Trinity, the Father begets the Word in Love. This love
pours out into the world. Love invites, it does not coerce. The word is given, but I must open
my hand to receive it. Many times we are forgetful, talky, worried, self-absorbed, and eager
for a quick fix. Then, like rocks, we do not see or hear. The ground grows parched and the
word cannot set down roots.
Jesus’ disciples were perplexed: why speak in parables? They were the chosen ones; they
were supposed to understand, but this story left them puzzled. Which seed am I? What does
it mean? So they asked Jesus to explain the parable. Even his closest companions could not
receive the word unaided. I can open my hand. But we need help to prepare the soil.
1. What kind of soil are you?

2. Name some people who are really helping you in inspiring you in your journey as a
Christian.

permission.]

LET THE LITTLE ONES COME TO ME
"People were bringing their little children to Him to have Him touch them, but the disciples
were scolding them for this." (Mark 10:13)
Jesus says: "Let the children come to Me and do not hinder them" (Mk 10:14). He will not
only touch the children but embrace and bless them, placing His nail-scarred hands on them
(Mk 10:16). In contrast, Satan tries to keep children away from Jesus so his demons can
molest and abuse them. What is Satan using now to keep children away from Jesus?
1. Entertainment — mass media, many popular websites, contemporary music, and

especially TV, ignore Jesus, portray Christians in a distorted way, and promote a secular
lifestyle.
2. Education — public education thinks it's compelled to ignore Jesus. Even Christian
education is often so highly secularized that Jesus is often little more than a footnote. How
many graduates of our Christian schools are true disciples of Jesus?
3. Religion — the average church is so far removed from authentic New Testament
Christianity that it conceals rather than reveals Jesus.
4. Parents — many parents are so lax or confused about their responsibility as parents that
they don't share their love for Jesus with their children and pray with them. They let their
children be bombarded with anti-Christian propaganda and give Jesus the "silent treatment."
As SFCs we need to be involved in the lives of the children in our families (siblings, nephews,
nieces, etc.) and teach them more about what is good and what is of God.
1. How do you treat your younger siblings/nieces/nephews and or children in general?

2. What kind of example are you to them?
Reprinted with permission of Presentation Ministries, 3230 McHenry, Cincinnati, OH 45211,

www.presentationministries.com (513) 662-5378

LET'S OBEY GOD IN DETAIL
"Jesus warned them sternly, 'See to it that no one knows of this.' But they went
off and spread word of Him through the whole area."
(Matthew 9:30-31)
Jesus healed two blind men and "warned them sternly" not to let this healing be known. (Mt.
9:30) It wasn't yet the right time in God's plan to spread the news of Jesus' works. The
groundwork for revealing Jesus' identity hadn't yet been fully laid, and without the
foundation, misunderstanding could result. Nonetheless, the newly healed men "evangelize,"
but in disobedience (see Mt. 9:31). These men had been marginalized in society. Perhaps they
wanted to instantly re-establish their standing in society and weren't willing to wait for
Jesus' physical healing to blossom properly into complete societal restoration. A similar
"evangelization" occurred after Jesus healed a leper (see Mk. 1:44-45), which prevented Jesus
from entering towns openly.
We can disobey Jesus by witnessing at the wrong time or with the wrong motives. We can
also disobey Jesus by holding our tongues when called to spread the Good News of Jesus
throughout the earth.
This Advent, let's "prepare the way of the Lord" (see Mk. 1:3) by obeying Jesus quickly,
completely, and in detail. Let's not obey Jesus only partially, for that can obstruct details of
His plan. By our detailed obedience, we "clear Him a straight path" rather than leaving Him
a rocky road (Lk. 3:4). "Obedience is better." (1 Sam. 15:22)
1. Share an experience where you did not obey totally what God has asked you to do.
2. Are God’s commands a blessing or a burden to you?


LEVI’S CALL
He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and
followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large
crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them.
(Luke 5:27-29)
Contemplating the Lord calling Levi (Lk. 5:27-32), I imagine He is not meeting Levi for the
first time. He has probably walked nearby him several times – maybe often. Perhaps He has
stopped for a friendly talk with him on occasion. For his part, Levi has no doubt heard a lot
about Jesus on the grapevine, and likely studied Him whenever He walked by. It’s also likely
Luke the evangelist starts this story just as Levi is struck with the thought, “Why am I doing
this? Why am I, a Jew, working for the Romans by taxing my Jewish neighbors, cheating them
in the process? This Jesus: He’s a good man. I like Him! I would love to know him better. I’d like
to be with him for a while. That would be great. Maybe He could help me turn my life around.”
I can imagine at this point Christ comes by again, and Levi looks straight at Him. Jesus
responds: “Follow me.” Levi abruptly stops, stands up, and walks away with Jesus, leaving
everything behind. Levi was ready.
These may or may not be like the circumstances of Levi's call, but from the gospel text we
know Levi was indeed ready to follow our Lord. All he needed was the invitation.
I think the story reveals something for us – it does so in particular during moments when
we’re bored to the bone, and especially when we recognize we’re not inspired, not satisfied
with life, and we’ve stopped growing. We’re not fully alive, and we long to be. Imagine
yourself in that state, and that a promising opportunity for a new direction comes along. I
would take a serious look at it. But imagine more. Imagine Christ himself comes along, looks
you in the eye, and says, “Follow me. Come with me. I will show you what life really is, and I
will give it to you. I will teach you what life is about and how to live it.” I think, like Levi, we
would jump at the chance. I think we all would.
In fact, Christ did come along. He did call us, when we were baptized. And He has continually
called us to be and do more, by coming to know Him more intimately and follow Him ever
more closely. He has never stopped wanting us to experience what it is to be fully alive, and
to have the experience as He did by entering with Him more fully into His mission. For most
of us it takes a long time to recognize He's been by our side, calling us this way all our lives.
Luke 5:27-32 asks us to attend to the call now. Our Lord invites us now to leave behind our
greed for material comfort, status, power and control – to let go of it all in favor of the
Kingdom – living in Christ, with Him, and through Him – living unconditionally for God and
for others.
Every mass we celebrate, we are invited to recognize that we can do more for the love of God
and for the sake of others. Whether we are married, single, priests, religious – whatever our
vocation may be, Christ will never stop calling us to be more. To do more for God by living

more for others. To praise, revere, and serve God our Lord by helping the men, women, and
children of our lives realize more fully their dignity, goodness, and God’s love for them, just
as God loves us, unconditionally.
Put yourself in Levi’s shoes. Are we ready?
Discussion Starter:
What is God calling you to do now? Is God redirecting you to a new path? What is your
answer? How are you going to respond?

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html Used with
permission.]

5 LIFESAVING HEROES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
We tend to think of heroes as wearing capes and hurtling through the sky, but real heroes are all
around us, wearing everyday clothes and working mundane jobs like the rest of us. We honor
police, firefighters and soldiers all the time in parades and holidays, but there are so many other
heroes—good Samaritans in the right place at the right time who reach inside themselves and
act selflessly.
5 Hideaki Akaiwa - Japan

Japan’s 2011 Tohoku earthquake was the most powerful known earthquake in the country’s
history, so powerful that it moved Honshu, Japan’s largest island, 2.4 meters (eight feet) to the
east and shifted the Earth’s axis. The earthquake and the resultant tsunami were responsible for
well over 15,000 deaths, a number that would have been far higher if it hadn’t been for the quick,
selfless actions of heroes all over the nation. When towering waves flattened the city of
Ishinomaki, 43-year-old Hideaki Akaiwa thought he
might have lost his family forever. But the surfer threw on some scuba gear and plunged into the
dark waters in search of his house. He descended into what could only have been an undersea
nightmare—icy waters choked with corpses, broken glass, and live wires, and riptides that could
drag him out into the ocean or crush him against submerged buildings. Against all hope, he
reached his home beneath the water. He found his wife on an upper level, gasping on the last bit
of air trapped inside. Akaiwa’s mother was still missing, and he continued to search for her,
eventually finding her days later on the second floor of a flooded house. Even with his family safe,
he continued to help, setting out on a bicycle to search for survivors for a week after the tsunami
laid ruin to his city. Although he received a great deal of media attention for his heroism, Hideaki
was reticent about his role, telling reporters through a translator that he went on his desperate
search for his wife because “She is very important for me.”
4 Bishnu Shrestha – India

The Gurkhas are soldiers from India and Nepal who have proven over hundreds of years to be
warriors of seemingly limitless courage. They are well known for carrying the kukri, a large,
oddly curved fighting knife.
In September 2010, Bishnu Shrestha was on a train after his Gurkha retirement ceremony. He
was on the way to Gorakhpur, a city in Uttar Pradesh, India, when the train was besieged by a
gang of 15–40 armed thugs who began robbing the passengers.
Shrestha was prepared to surrender his valuables, until they grabbed the 18-year-old girl who
was sitting beside him, with the intent of raping her. Bishnu leaped into action, attacking the men
with his kukri. After some 10 minutes of vicious fighting, the robbers fled. They left behind their
haul as well as three of their dead and eight more too grievously injured by Shrestha’s blade to
escape. Bishnu suffered a wound on his left hand that took two months to heal. Grateful to the
veteran soldier for saving the girl, her family offered him a large cash reward, which he declined.
He said, “Fighting the enemy in battle is my duty as a soldier. Taking on the thugs on the train
was my duty as a human being.”
3 Fiona Bainbridge And Anita Smith - United Kingdom

Most heroes are celebrated for their efforts, but the world can be a bizarre place—when bus
terminal employees Fiona Bainbridge and Anita Smith leaped into action, they were insulted and
abused by the people around them. In October 2012, a terrified woman approached janitor

Bainbridge as she cleaned the bus terminal in Rotherham, England. The woman explained that
her five-week-old baby had stopped breathing. Fiona and her colleague Anita Smith rushed over
to the baby, which was blue and limp. The women administered CPR to the infant as a crowd
gathered, hurling insults and claiming they were using the wrong technique. But something must
have worked—just before the paramedics arrived on the scene, the lifeless tot began to breathe
again. Later, Anita, a mother herself, would say, “I’ll never forget that baby’s face smiling up at
me for as long as I live.”
2 Ramona Gibbs - United Kingdom

In 2011, six-year-old Ramona Gibbs and her little sister Trixie were playing on the sidewalk
outside their home in Bristol, England, when a car mounted the curb and hurtled toward them.
The car’s 94-year-old driver had mistakenly stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake.
Ramona selflessly pushed Trixie aside and took the full impact. The car crushed her tiny body
against a parked Land Rover. She suffered a laundry list of injuries, including a broken leg and
rib, damaged liver and lung, a bruised pelvis, a smashed knee, and internal bleeding. Ramona
stayed in the hospital for 16 days and required five surgeries. Doctors
asserted that had three-year-old Trixie been hit, the smaller child would have undoubtedly been
killed.
1 Muelmar Magallanes - Philippines

The Philippines are well-versed in storms—monstrous tropical cyclones called typhoons sweep
over the island nation several times a year. But 2009’s Typhoon Ketsana was an altogether
different beast, one of the most devastating storms in the country’s history, dumping record
amounts of rain. Soon, the streets of
Manila raged with floodwaters. As neighbors were swept away, 18-year-old construction worker
Muelmar Magallanes leaped to their aid. He plunged into the the water again and again, saving
more than 30 lives.
At last, he spotted Menchie Penalosa and her six-month-old daughter clutching a styrofoam box
as the torrent carried them away. Muelmar swam after them, eventually dragging them to safety.
But the teen was exhausted by his superhuman efforts, and moments after rescuing Penalosa
and her baby, Magallanes submerged beneath the water and was gone. The young hero’s corpse
was found the next day, several miles away. When Menchie Penalosa went to pay her respects
beside Muelmar’s coffin, she said, “He gave
his life for me and my baby and I’ll never forget his sacrifice. I’ll be grateful to him for the rest of
my life.”
They are ordinary people living ordinary lives and working ordinary jobs yet they choos to do
their task extraordinarily well. We too can go beyond the extra mile, go beyond our own comfort
zone to be someone extraordinary for our countrymen.
Discussion Starter:
How can you go beyond the extra mile to help your countrymen in need?
(Source: Monday, 12 October, 2015 11:35 AM10 Lifesaving Heroes From Around The World –
Li...http://listverse.com/2013/09/09/10-lifesaving-hero...)

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT
"The disciples could not but be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit."
(Acts 13:52)
Paul and Barnabas suffered "violent abuse" and were expelled from the territory of Antioch
in Pisidia. (Acts 13:45,50) Most people react to abuse with anger, unforgiveness, or other
forms of retaliation. We tend to attack the abuser physically or at least in court. However,
Paul and Barnabas responded to the abusive treatment they suffered by being "filled with
joy and the Holy Spirit." (Acts 13:52)
The Holy Spirit makes us holy. He transforms us and empowers us to act in godly ways. In
the Spirit, we respond to evil with good (see Rom. 12:21), to violence with forgiveness, and
to rejection with love. The Holy Spirit can take someone like Philip, who Jesus said didn't
even know Him (Jn. 14:9), and turn him into a missionary-martyr-saint. The Spirit can turn a
fearful man like Peter into the preacher of Pentecost, the first Pope, and a glorious martyr.
The Spirit can take us in our selfishness and compulsions and make us loving, pure, and free.
On the first Easter evening, Jesus breathed on the apostles and said: "Receive the Holy Spirit."
(Jn. 20:22) The Father and Jesus continue to give us the Spirit. Receive the Holy Spirit now
and live a new life.
Discussion Starter:
What has the Holy Spirit done in your life? Are you now a ‘new’ you?


LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
“Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be

revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness,
speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do
not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be
afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”
(Matthew 10:26-28)
I was sitting at an eighth grade homeroom desk when I heard that President Kennedy was
dead. I remember the exact stop sign where I sat in my parents’ car when I heard that Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. had been killed. My memory is fuzzy as to where I was when I heard
that Bobby Kennedy had been killed but I will never forget that day. And who could forget
where they were when they saw a plane fly into the second of the twin towers on live
television? Traumatic events such as these remain with us for a lifetime. The prophet Isaiah
had such an event. It was the death of the impressive ruler, King Uzziah. Will there be people
who remember the assassination of the Kennedys and Dr. King 2,000 years from now?
Perhaps very few. It is possible, though, that future generations will know as much about
them as we do about King Uzziah. Memory of even the most impressive leaders generally
fades.
However, what Isaiah experienced in the year King Uzziah died will impact the lives of
ordinary people for generations to come. Isaiah saw the Lord. How many times had Isaiah
gone into the temple and not seen the Lord? Then, for who knows what reason, his eyes were
opened and he saw the One who was always present. He saw the Lord high and lifted up,
surrounded by angelic beings who cried out that the Lord is “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Isaiah had
worshiped God many times and had probably even sung psalms and hymns that declared
God’s holiness. But now he realized that his worship paled in comparison to that of the
heavenly hosts. He also knew that no one can see the Lord and live so he cried out, “I am
doomed.” However, the Lord cleansed Isaiah, removed his wickedness, purged his sins, and
commissioned him for ministry. The Lord asked, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”
Isaiah replied, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah prophesied under several different kings and
ultimately received the martyrs’ crown. He saw the Lord and could not refrain from speaking
of it. He saw the Lord and took up the pen and wrote about it. He saw the Lord and nothing
was ever the same.
The psalmist sees the same glorious Lord: robed in splendor and girt about with strength.
God is holy, lives forever, and is the everlasting King. This God scared Isaiah. The psalmist
says that, although God is everlasting and that his throne from which he rules stands firm
forever, God gives the world stability and gives his children decrees that can be trusted. All
of God’s power and might is focused on the good of his children.
Jesus had this same view of the Father. Can he destroy both soul and body in hell? Yes. If we
deny Jesus before others, will he deny us before his Father? Yes. But Jesus tells us not to be
afraid. Two sparrows are not worth much at all but the Father knows when each one of them

dies. He knows the number of hairs on our head. So, Jesus says, do not be afraid. Do not be
afraid to proclaim the good news from the housetops. And do not be afraid of the Father.
Jesus calls him “my heavenly Father.” He also calls him “your Father.” He is your Father and
my Father. He is powerful, mighty, holy, the great King. He is worthy of worship, honor, and
praise.
World leaders come and go; the Lord reigns forever.
Discussion Starter:
1. Share an experience where you hid your being a Christian rather than showing it.
2. Do you think that because of our lukewarmness, we are partly to be blamed for the
troubles around us?
3. How will you increase your conviction as a follower of Christ?

permission.]

LITTLE BIG HORN
"This horn had eyes like a man, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly."
(Daniel 7:8 )
In Daniel's vision, the horn that sprang from the fourth beast was the Seleucid kingdom. (Dn.
7:8) The big mouth of the little horn was King Antiochus Epiphanes. This man was so
arrogant (see Dn. 7:11) that, after a reign of mass murder, terror, and torture (see 1 Mac. 1:54-
63), he remarked about what a nice guy he was. (1 Mac. 6:12)
King Antiochus would feel at home with us today, for arrogance is rampant in our society. It
is not unusual for a minister or priest to flippantly contradict the Bible and thousands of
years of Spirit-filled people to justify artificial contraception, homosexual activity, or
abortion. Professors, seminarians, and amateur theologians think nothing of ignoring the
Pope's teachings and dismissing him as a chauvinistic, authoritarian relic. Too many
Catholics turn up their noses at Jesus in Holy Communion. They don't have time to receive
the body and blood of Jesus, except maybe on Sundays. Jesus doesn't fit into their weekday
schedule. Are we mocking God? (see Gal. 6:7)
The Lord's judgment on our arrogance is: "All you can do is make arrogant and pretentious
claims. All such boasting is reprehensible." (Jas. 4:16) "The haughty eyes of man will be
lowered, the arrogance of men will be abased, and the Lord alone will be exalted, on that day.
For the Lord of hosts will have His day against all that is proud and arrogant, all that is high,
and it will be brought low." (Is. 2:11-12) "God 'is stern with the arrogant but to the humble
He shows kindness'." (1 Pt. 5:5; Prov. 3:34)
Repent of arrogance and submit to God's word, His Church, and the pope.
1. Are there some stands or beliefs of the Catholic Church that you are still in doubt?
2. If there are, visit a priest (if possible as a household group), talk about it and get to
know our faith deeper.


LIVING THE IMPOSSIBLE
"I tell you, unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees you
shall not enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 5:20)
Jesus has higher standards than anyone who has ever lived. He has the highest standards for
harmony in relationships (Mt. 5:22), purity in sexuality (Mt. 5:28), faithfulness in marriage
(Mt. 5:32), truth in speech (Mt. 5:34), and love for enemies (Mt. 5:39, 44). In Jesus, we don't
just control our tempers but crucify them. (Gal. 5:24) Jesus commands us to destroy our
bodies rather than look lustfully at someone else's body, and to divorce ourselves from
unforgiveness and sin rather than from our spouses. Jesus commands us to express the truth
rather than express our own agenda. We are to treat our enemies even better than we treat
our friends (see Lk. 15:20).
Jesus' standards are intentionally impossible. Humanly speaking, we cannot meet these
standards, no matter how hard we try. To do so, we would have to be born over again into
new creatures. Jesus is not into self-improvement, but self-denial. We're not concerned with
behavior modification but rebirth. We don't try to educate our old nature but drown it in the
waters of baptism. We're not trying to make ourselves better, but to let Him make us new.
1. Are you still “for Christ” in your workplace, family, special relationship?
2. What do you continue to do that displeases God? Are you willing to change your ways?


LOVE IS FORGIVENESS
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Leviticus 19:18)
Jesus surprised the religious leaders of His day by teaching that an obscure commandment
in Leviticus was the second greatest commandment and, together with the first
commandment, was the basis of the whole law and the prophets. (Mt. 22:35-40)
The Biblical context for the second greatest commandment is another commandment: "Take
no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen." (Lev. 19:18)
Consequently, when Jesus commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves, He is telling us to
hold no unforgiveness. Thus, love as expressed in forgiveness indicates whether or not we
truly love God with all our hearts. A forgiving love is part of the basis of the whole law and
the prophets.
When we understand the Biblical context of the second greatest commandment, we see
forgiveness not only as an aspect of Christianity but as the essence of it. This helps us
understand why Jesus taught us to pray: "Forgive us the wrong we have done as we forgive
those who wrong us." (Mt. 6:12) In the light of Leviticus, we can better appreciate one of
Jesus' last words on the cross: "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing."
(Lk. 23:34)
When God says: "Love," He means first of all: "Forgive." God is Love, and they who abide in
forgiveness abide in God and God in them (see 1 Jn. 4:16).
1. Are there still people in your life whom you haven’t forgiven and/or you find difficult
to forgive?
2. Pray for the grace to forgive.


LOVE LETTERS
"This, remember, is the message you heard from the beginning: we should love
one another." (1 John 3:11)
Love is laying down our lives for our brothers and sisters. (1 Jn. 3:16) If we have this love, we
know we have passed from death to life. (1 Jn. 3:14) If we do not love, we are "among the
living dead." (1 Jn. 3:14) Love is not just talk, but actions. (1 Jn. 3:18) If we have love in action,
we know "we are committed to the truth and are at peace before" God. (1 Jn. 3:19) Therefore,
love is a sign of true commitment to God and true peace in Him.
Because God is Love (1 Jn. 4:16) and love is the essence of the Christian life, "love never fails."
(1 Cor. 13:8) Therefore, "seek eagerly after love." (1 Cor. 14:1) Seek the Holy Spirit, Who pours
out God's love in our hearts. (Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22) Then we will be able to love others, even
our enemies (Mt. 5:44), for we "love because He first loved us" (1 Jn. 4:19).
1. Who are the people in your life whom you find difficult to love? Why?
2. When was the last time you told your parents and/or siblings that you love them?
Show them that you do.


UPLIFTING THE LEAST, GUIDING THE LOST, PRIORITIZING THE LAST
Jesus is the judge of the entire world. It reminds us that a day will come where we will stand
before the Lord to give an accounting of our own life. Then we will either be invited to join
Jesus’ flock?
Our battle cry is to serve the least, the lost, and the last. This is not our usual practice. We are
comfortable serving those who we love and those who are close to us. It makes sense to us
to love those who we like or who will love us in return. But Jesus is asking us to serve the
least, the lostand the last, and that means we have some searching out to do. Because the
truth is that you and I do not usually live surrounded by the least, the lost, and the last.
We have to find out where they are. For some of us, the search is close at hand. It might be in
our very families. There might be our parents who is always lost, who struggles to keep up
or the brothers and sisters that falls time and time again by abusing drugs or alcohol. When
we think so much of family, Jesus is telling us that it is our role to feed and to clothe the least,
the lost, and the last in our own families.
Who is the least at school or at work? Jesus is asking us to do more than simply love our
friends and care for those who everyone admires. Who is the person that people reject, the
person that they avoid? That is the person that Jesus is asking us to care for and to visit.
Who is the last? It might be ourselves, we must seek the inner peace in our hearts. We need
to find and see God in everything that we do, Jesus is asking us, we cannot share ourselves to
others as we are not empty of Him.
Nowadays, the people with this kind of stage in their lives, is like a life is full of uncertainty,
insecurity and anxiety. Because they know, deep down, that they really don’t deserve
anything from God. There’s the constant worry of whether they’ve done enough. Enough to
impress God. Always focusing of what others will say. The list of achievements. Unsure
whether balanced out the bad deeds with the good deeds. Unsure whether they’re unworthy.
But God isn’t interested in those who are worthy, or those who’ve got it all together. He’s
come for the LEAST, for the LOST and for the LAST. God is revealed as the one who seeks out
the lost, who brings back those who have strayed, who binds up the injured, who heals the
sick. This is why we must go out and search for the least, the lost, and the last. When we find
them, we will find God, we trust, and we will also find eternal life.
1. Who are the poor in your life that needs help?
2. How can you can be an uplifting to the least, a guiding to the lost, to prioritizing the
last?

MAKING TIME FOR GOD
My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek.
(Psalm 27:8)
One of my bad habits involves turning on my email early each morning and spending way
too long checking my inbox. Why is it a bad habit? Because, instead of spending time with
God first, I cozy up to my computer and focus on what's temporary rather than eternal.
It takes more than inner yearning (which I believe is the Spirit wooing us back from our busy,
dry lives) for us to enjoy God. It takes a conscious decision of our will to follow through on
the words, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."
For God to work inner transformation and produce a deeper sense of His presence in us takes
time and some level of self-discipline. But it is possible even for those of us who are more
spontaneous free-spirits! We CAN discipline our bodies and our time, and Scripture tells us
God IS ABLE to change us. I know it's true because I've experienced it in many ways. But I'm
also aware of many more areas that need some applied discipline before I see needed
changes!
On a recent Sunday I decided to practice some self-discipline. I wanted to see if I could break
my addiction to checking email. Instead of merely avoiding looking at my inbox for the day,
I determined to not even turn on my laptop. I knew I'd been responding like Pavlov's dog to
every ring from my email, so I deliberately fasted: I gave up one thing to give time to another.
That's my definition of fasting, whether it's food or anything else that has control over me.
As the hours went by I was amazed. By committing my little exercise to the Lord, I
discovered that I could control myself and spend more time in His presence. I discovered
that I don't have to allow email, or any other habit, to gobble up the hours in my day. For
someone who isn't naturally self-disciplined, this was a major victory! Now I'm pumped to
try something a little more challenging to help me grow some more.
Discussion Starter:
How about you? Is there a habit, attitude, or hard-to-break behavior that needs
kicking out of your life? It won't happen by magic, but it can be overcome if you ask
God for help and follow through with your part.

MONEY TALKS
"This poor widow contributed more than all the others." (Mark 12:43)
The widow of Zarephath and the widow in Mark 12:41-44 both gave all that they "had to live
on". (Mk. 12:44; 1 Kgs 17:13ff) When Zacchaeus accepted salvation, he gave half his
possessions to the poor. (Lk. 19:8) Barnabas donated his farm to the Church. (Acts 4:37) It
became so common to do this that Ananias and Sapphira lied and said they gave to the
Church all the money they received from selling a piece of property, although they had only
given most of it. (Acts 5:2-3) Paul even had to caution the Macedonians about over-giving! (2
Cor. 8:13) They gave to the point of impoverishing themselves. We don't seem to have this
problem today.
Christians today seem light-years away from the financial giving we see in the Bible,
especially in the New Testament. Many Christians aren't even tithing, and tithing is B.C. It is
2,000 years behind the times. We're a few light-years behind New Testament Christianity.
We must repent of watering down our faith. We have become lukewarm not only in financial
matters, but also in many other areas. (Rev. 3:16) We must repent, even if we're the first one
or the only one to repent.
1. Do you tithe? Or just even contribute to the missions financially?

2. Why is it that money (treasure) is one of the most difficult things to entrust God?
3. “Where your treasure is, there will be your heart too.”


MORE OR LESS?
"Give, and it shall be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken
together, running over, will they pour into the fold of your garment. For the
measure you measure with will be measured back to you."
(Luke 6:38)
In Jesus' time, most people worked the land as farmers. Modern farm mechanization didn't
exist. Recall that people wore ankle-length robes at the time. The method of sowing seeds in
Jesus' time was for each person to go to the seed pile, grab their garment at the knees, and
pull the garment up toward their waist. This created a "pocket," into which the landowner
poured as much seed as the person and garment could hold. The person carried the seeds
into the field and sowed them by hand until the "pocket" was empty of seed. Then he
returned to the seed pile for the next load of seeds. This process was repeated daily until all
fields were completely sown.
Jesus promised that those who give will receive in "good measure, packed together, shaken
down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.” (Lk. 6:38; see also Ruth 3:15; Mal 3:10)
This means that you who give to Jesus will receive even more work to do. However, you will
be given more resources with which to serve Him, and your work will result in a great
harvest, even a hundredfold. (Mk. 4:20)
Jesus challenges each of us to work for Him more than ever before. His heart yearns for all to
be saved and know the truth. (1 Tim. 2:4) He longs to gather His estranged children under
His wings. (Lk. 13:34) Jesus says to all His disciples: "Listen to what I say: Open your eyes and
see! The fields are shining for harvest!" (Jn. 4:35) "Do whatever He tells you." (Jn. 2:5)
1. Why do you serve God? Check your motives.

2. Pray for purity in serving the Lord.


MULTIPLICATION TABLE
"How can anyone give these people sufficient bread in this deserted spot?"
(Mark 8:4)
Some Christians believe God no longer multiplies food, money, or time. Other Christians
believe God still does His multiplication-miracle, but that He doesn't do it for them.
Jesus' multiplication of loaves and fish for the Gentiles specifically contradicts this. In Mark
6:34-44, Jesus multiplied loaves and fish for thousands of Jewish people. In Mark 8:1-9, He
does the same thing for the Gentiles, thereby showing the miracle of multiplication is for all,
not just for a certain group.
We deprive ourselves of the miracle of multiplication by our lack of faith. We don't believe
our heavenly Father will provide; so we provide for ourselves to the point that we leave God
little opportunity to father us in practical ways. We don't believe in the Spirit's gift of miracles
(1 Cor. 12:10); so we confine ourselves to the natural and scorn the supernatural.
By faith and in obedience to the Lord, risk, simplify, and give to the point that you need a God
who still multiplies loaves and fish. Then you will see the miracle of multiplication.
1. Share an experience where God multiplied with the little that you gave.
2. What areas (time, talent, treasure) in your life that you find difficulty in being
generous with?


NEVER ALONE
“The Lord is my Shepherd, there’s nothing I shall lack.” (Ps. 23:1)
There are a couple of things that single women ask today: “What will I do to make myself
more beautiful and attractive? When will my knight in shinning armor ever come? Is he the
right one? How will I know if he’s the one? How do I know if God has prepared someone for
me? How long will I have to wait?”
Many times single women think that marriage will complete them, that by marrying their
prince charming will finally make the jigsaw puzzle complete. We dream that one day God
will let them walk the aisle – as if their sole purpose in life is to get married. Even at times,
the emphasis communities put on marriage is so great that the single life is deemed as second
best life. This often leads to Christian women to settle for men who are selfish, insecure and
mediocre just to fulfill ‘God’s will’ in their life.
Whether you’re single or married, you can still be complete. It’s all about Finding God in your
pre-marital state. Your singleness is part of your journey and not a dungeon where you need
to get out as soon as possible. This moment is God’s moment for you. This is His perfect
moment for you. Don’t waste this season. Don’t throw this moment. Live this day fully
knowing that as long as you God in you, you’ll be complete. It doesn’t matter what season
you are in right now. What matters most is God is always present in every season of your life.
It’s not about enjoying or doing anything while you are single, it’s really about savoring every
moment of your journey because you know that Jesus is waking with you. This is the time
where God is molding you, building your faith and making you more ready for His plan;
devoting your life to Jesus and serving Him faithfully. Learn to find joy in Him more than
anyone else. Once you have Him by your side, you will never walk alone, ever.
1. Are you happy and contented in you being ‘single’ right now?
2. How do you feel when you hear and/or witness your other women friends
marrying? how do you deal with the sometimes excess pressure towards married
life?

NEW SIGNS AND WONDERS
"Give new signs and work new wonders; show forth the splendor of Your right
hand and arm." (Sirach 36:5)
The writer of Sirach prayed for God to give new signs and new wonders. Micah prayed: "As
in the days when You came from the land of Egypt, show us wonderful signs." (Mic. 7:15) The
early Church prayed: Lord, "grant to Your servants, even as they speak Your words, complete
assurance by stretching forth Your hand in cures and signs and wonders to be worked in the
name of Jesus, Your holy Servant." (Acts 4:29-30)
Jesus promised that signs and wonders would accompany those who profess their faith. (Mk.
16:17) He also promised that we would do works greater by far than even His glorious works.
(Jn. 14:12) Why? It's because whatever we ask for in His name He will do. (Jn. 14:12-14)
Therefore, we should ask the Lord to do signs and wonders in our lives and through us in the
lives of others. "Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or
high as the sky!" (Is. 7:11) May the Lord "enlighten your innermost vision that you may
know...the immeasurable scope of His power in us who believe…" (Eph. 1:18-19) His "power
now at work in us can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, by the power at work
within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus through all generations, world
without end. Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21)
Discussion Starter:
Recently, what signs and wonders God has shown you? Have you shared these to
others?


NO CONDEMNATION
"Then perhaps it will bear fruit. If not, it shall be cut down."

(Luke 13:9)
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus bluntly states that if we don't bear fruit, we will suffer a
tragic end and be cut down like a barren tree. In other words, if we don't lead people to Christ,
or at least try to lead them, we sin. We will be punished, unless we repent.
Most of us believe we should share our faith. We agree that if many people gave their lives to
Jesus, this world would be a much better place. We realize that somebody shared their faith
with us. So we see why we ought to pass on the favor. Consequently, hardly anyone is against
missionary work or evangelization. Yet we still don't do it. What's the problem?
One of the obstacles to evangelizing is self-condemnation. When we feel condemned,

worthless, unforgiven, and guilty, we aren't aware of any "good news" to share. Even if we
theoretically believed in the good news of Jesus, we wouldn't feel adequate to express it. To
come out of self-condemnation, we must renew our baptism, for when we were baptized into
Christ (Rom. 6:3), we were freed from condemnation (Rom. 8:1). We must also repent of sin.
When we are guilty of sin, we expose ourselves again to condemnation. We may also need to
be healed. Many of us have repented, confessed our sins and are forgiven, but may not feel
forgiven. We need healing to come out of self-condemnation. Then we will be more likely to
go out and share our faith, the faith by which we have been healed.
1. Which aspect of your life (thoughts, words, actions) needs pruning from the Lord?
2. Are you willing to be pruned to bear fruit?
[Reprinted with permission of Presentation Ministries, 3230 McHenry, Cincinnati, OH

45211,www.presentationministries.com (513) 662-5378]

NO VENDORS ALLOWED
“Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a Marketplace”
(John 2:16)
We rarely see Jesus in rage in the Scripture. But in John 2:13-25, we see Him making a whip
out of cords and driving all those vendors and money changers away from the temple. And
he said, “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” Why compare the temple into a
marketplace? A marketplace is dirty, chaotic, and noisy. It is exactly the opposite of a temple:
clean, orderly, and quiet. Jesus gives deep respect and devotion to the temple because it is
the house of God. We can easily understand Jesus in his rage against the vendors and money
changers. They are the source of the temple’s desecration.
It reminds me of our own Quiapo and Baclaran Church in Manila. Vendors selling candles,
anting-antings, medicinal leaves and pirated DVDs literally occupy the church’s outer walls.
I think if Jesus would be here, he would not allow those unruly vendors and hawkers to
occupy the outside walls. He would want the church’s premises to be clean, orderly and quiet.
In the spiritual realm, we are not far from the unruly vendors and money changers. But we
don’t desecrate physical temple but people’s hearts – which is also the temple of God’s Spirit.
How? We do hurt people. We make them sad. Sometimes we make their life miserable
because of our uncharitable words and actions. We intentionally hurt others because of
anger, hatred, envy, rivalry, competition and biases. When we criticize people, give damaging
comments, laugh at other’s mistake, accuse others falsely, when we respond sarcastically,
when we ignore people or give them a cold treatment, or inflict them with emotional and
physical pain, we are actually desecrating the temple of God in others.
Deeply rooted in our hearts is an unruly “vendor-like” attitude that sees others as
“appliances” or “things” that can be used or abused. We don’t see them as our brothers and
sisters. We don’t see them as temples of the Holy Spirit.
The Ten Commandments are precepts given to Moses – for us to know what true worship
means. Worshipping God is intrinsically connected to respecting others. Respecting others
is respecting God. That’s true worship! Honor your father and mother. You shall not kill. You
shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witnesses against your
neighbors and etc. Jesus summarized them in two commandments, “Love God with all your
heart, soul, and mind. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
If Jesus was deeply affected when the Jerusalem Temple was desecrated by the vendors and
money changers, how much more when we offend and hurt others? We should be more
careful with our words and actions. Well thought words and actions could console and lift a
heart while harsh words and actions could destroy a soul. We are not unruly vendors and
money changers by nature. We are children of God - born to love and destined to care.

In heaven, a big signage hangs on the gate: “NO (unruly) VENDORS ALLOWED”
1. Whom have you hurt recently? How?

2. Do you sometimes treat others as “appliances” or “things” that can be used or abused
rather than temples of the Holy Spirit?

NOT ABANDONED
“At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because
they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.”
(Matthew 9:36)
I am sure Jesus the man must have been overwhelmed sometimes at the numbers of people
who sought him out and at the extent of their suffering. Matthew 9:35-38 tells us that his
“heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned.” We all
feel that way sometimes. Lost. Wandering. Vulnerable. And you can bet that if you feel that
way, others do too. Jesus says there is a need for more laborers for the harvest. He can’t do it
all. We all must play a part in the community that is our faith. We can’t just wait for someone
else to do it.
It’s my turn. My turn to step up and help those who are lost and wandering. Little everyday
acts can make such a difference in someone’s life: visiting someone who may be lonely;
starting up that difficult conversation after someone has lost a loved one to death; pitching
in to help with the parish potluck or the bake sale or the multitude of things that make up a
community within our churches.
The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. It is your turn and my turn to do something
to help people feeling troubled and abandoned. We may not be able to solve their problems,
but that feeling of connection and a feeling that someone cares can offer renewed hope.
Those acts of reaching out strengthen our own bonds of community. We are not abandoned.
1. How can I lead others to Jesus?

2. Who are the persons in my life that are “troubled” and “abandoned”? What is God
asking me to do?

permission.]

NOW OR NEVER?
"Even now, says the Lord, return to Me with your whole heart, with fasting, and
weeping, and mourning." (Joel 2:12)
As we begin this Lent, our God's word for today is "now." "Now is the acceptable time! Now
is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor. 6:2) The Lord wants us to complete through repentance and
healing the unfinished business of the past and to live in the present, now. He also wants us
to quit putting off important decisions to a future time. Let's live for God now.
As we begin this Lent, God's word for us is also "even now". (Joel 2:12) What seems hopeless
to you? Where is the destruction so great and the time so late? Jesus promises: "Even now,"
your marriage can be restored. "Even now," you can recover your health. "Even now," our
country can be freed from the curse of shedding the innocent blood of aborted babies. "Even
now," our lukewarm and sinful loved ones can be renewed. "Even now," Jesus can free us
from years of compulsive behavior. "Even now," we can repent of the sins we have always
rationalized. "Even now," we can accept God's grace to forgive.
The ashen crosses on our foreheads are not marks of passivity or despair, but signs of hope.
We believe that "now" is "new" and that "even now" there is hope. Lent means "springtime."
Repentance evokes rejoicing. (Lk. 15:7, 10, 32) Fasting leads to freedom. (Is. 58:6) The cross
is the tree of life. Therefore, "now" and "even now," let us return to the Lord with all our
hearts. (Joel 2:12)
1. What seems hopeless in your life now?

2. What could be God’s message for you? Find God even in the most difficult time in your
life.


OPTIMUS PRIME AND JESUS (Feast of the Lord’s Transfiguration)
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to him.”

(Matthew 17:5)
In the Anime World, children and those who love cartoons learned to love Optimus Prime
and all those ordinary and unassuming cars and trucks that suddenly become huge,
powerful, indestructible but lovable robots. They are the Autobots. They are robots made of
steel but they have good hearts to save the world against the forces of Megatron and the evil
Decepticons.
All of us love heroes because they are cool, kind, and in the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola,
‘they are persons for others’. But heroes do not come handy. Heroes are made by other
heroes - by LISTENING to their masters.
In Matthew 17:1-8, we see Jesus in the midst of conversation with His Father, Elijah and
Moses. And while conversing with the Father, He was transfigured and transformed! His face
changed in appearance and His clothes became dazzling white. Then the Father said, “This is
my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to him.” And so Jesus became like His
Father who cares and loves the world and became our savior, our hero. Transformation
comes from listening to God always.
Jesus wants us to become heroes too because we are His disciples. He wants us to become
little heroes, not in the Anime World but here in our own world. We can be little heroes in
our own world. But like Jesus, little heroes need transfiguration or transformation by
listening to God in our prayer. In prayer, we hear what Jesus wants us to do: we hear the will
of God. It is in prayer that we hear Jesus telling you to help your classmates with his
homework. It is in prayer we hear to love our Muslim brothers and sisters. It is in prayer we
are moved to pray for peace in Mindanao. It is in prayer we hear to forgive one another and
reach out to somebody that needs help.
When we listen to Jesus and do what He wants us to do, we are transformed and we become
His “little heroes”. Heroes are happy people because they can hear God telling them in their
hearts, “This is my beloved son or daughter, with whom I am well pleased,” because they did
something good and lovely to others.
In the Anime World, Optimus Prime, Superman, Spiderman, and company are our heroes.
We love watching them save the world. But they are not real people. What the world needs
now are real heroes to imitate. Jesus tells us to pray always, listen and imitate Him and you
will become God’s “little heroes.”
Jesus is telling us, “I do not need the Transformers, Superman and Wonder Woman. I want
you to become My little hero.”

1. Who are your ‘little heroes’ in life?

2. How can you become one?

PEACEMAKERS
“Blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be called sons and daughters of God.”
(Mt 5:9)
The Church respects the political authority, especially of democratically-elected government

officials, as long as they do not contradict the basic spiritual and moral principles we hold dear,
such as respect for the sacredness of life, the integrity of creation, and the inherent dignity of
the human person. We are not political leaders, and certainly not political opponents of
government. The Church has, throughout history, coexisted with countless forms
of government. The Church has always been and will always be a partner of government
(especially in the LGUs and barangays) in countless endeavors for the common good, especially
in addressing the needs of the most disadvantaged sectors of society. Sometimes we
qualify the collaboration as “critical”, mainly to distinguish our differences in terms of ultimate
goals, even as we partner in some shared endeavors. Needless to say, on some specific issues,
collaboration might not be possible because of our spiritual and moral beliefs, which we
persistently propose, but never impose on the unwilling. In such instances, we can only invoke
our right to conscientious objection. We do recognize the constitutional provision of the
separation of church and state, mainly in the sense of distinction of roles in society. When we
speak out on certain issues, it is always from the perspective of faith and morals, especially the
principles of social justice, never with any political or ideological agenda in mind.
(Excerpt from the CBCP Pastoral Exhortation: Rejoice and Be Glad! July 9, 2018)
Nowadays, it’s rampant to just look at the mess that the appointed Political leaders are doing
or should have been doing, sometimes we cannot help but ask: “What’s up with our leaders?
What’s going through with their minds? Why are they like that?” Due to our human nature,
we tend to judge people easily. We instantly judge them in every single word they say and in
every act they do. We tend to forget the good things they’ve done. We immediately think that
it has to be like this, it has to be like that. Sometimes, we find ourselves locked into the need
to be right that lead us to be unkind. It challenges us to act like a true Christian. As Dr. Wayne
Dyer famously wrote, “When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose
kind.” Let us be one with our Church, who never judged even if they are being ridiculed.
Let us be one with our Church, who continues to respect even if some are being disrespectful
with them. Let us be one with our Church, who always understands even if sometimes they
are being misunderstood. And lastly, let us be one with our Church who never stops loving
even if they are not being loved back.
1. When was the last time I prayed for my Church and government leaders?
2. Am I being a peacemaker of my Church and government or not? If not, what concrete
ways can I do bring peace in my Church and my country?

PEACE BEGINS WITH ME
“They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they
train for war again.” (Isaiah 2:4)
It did my heart good to read the words of Isaiah for today. The world often does not seem
like a peaceful place. I have seen places where the lives of children break your heart. I have
met young people whose lives are scarred by war and violence. My spirit is sometimes
devastated at the cruelty of people toward other human beings. But the world does not have
to be that way.
We all need to try to bring peace to the world, and we can start in our own little corners. We
can try to walk in the paths of the God of Jacob. We can all try to turn whatever our own
weapon is into plowshares. Instead of cutting people with words and deeds, let’s sow love
and understanding. Instead of using a spear to deflate someone else, let’s turn that spear into
a pruning hook and help someone grow and develop. Let me turn that sharp retort, a raised
voice into something reasonable. Let me take a deep breath and practice patience when the
phone rings, when I’m interrupted for the umpteenth time. Let me realize that sarcasm and
laughing at others can hurt or injure someone. When my day becomes crowded and busy, let
me make time for someone who just needs a kind word or a friendly smile.
War and violence are not just in war zones between soldiers. Violence can erupt anywhere,
fueled by resentment and hate. Turning swords into plowshares is something we can all do,
where we are. As we begin the season of Advent, let each of us try to live out that lovely song:
“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”
1. How can I bring peace in my family, neighbors and workplace?

2. Can true peace exist without God?

permission.]

PLANNING TO DIE
"By manfully giving up my life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age,
and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and
generously for the revered and holy laws." (2 Maccabees 6:27-28)
Today it is fashionable to plan ahead for old age and death. Many have already bought their
burial plots, prearranged their funerals, and made their wills. The Lord wants us to plan
ahead for old age and death. However, He's not so concerned about the economic and
medical plans as He is about the spiritual ones.
Most people plan to live a long time and die painlessly surrounded by the comforts of home.
However, it doesn't matter how long we live as much as for Whom we live, that is, for the
Lord. It doesn't matter if we die at home, in a nursing home, or even on the street, as long as
we die in the Lord. Whether or not we are in pain isn't the most important aspect of our
death. For instance, Eleazar suffered terrible pain, being tortured, scourged, and beaten to
death. Nonetheless, Eleazar's death was a "happy death" pleasing to the Lord because he left
"in his death a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue not only for the
young but for the whole nation". (2 Mac. 6:31)
Plan to live your life and your old age in the Lord, to suffer and die in the Lord. Plan to use
your death as a forum for proclaiming Jesus as the Lord of life and the Resurrection from the
dead.
1. How is your life plan? Is it according to God’s plan?

2. Now that you’ve found God, are you going to give your life to Him until the last breath
of your life?


PROPHET-ABLE
"Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary. It was of her that Jesus
Who is called the Messiah was born." (Matthew 1:16)
The coming of Jesus the Messiah was the fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies over
hundreds of years. For example, it was prophesied centuries before Christ that the Messiah
would come from the tribe of Judah and the line of David. The coming of Jesus into the world
this Christmas is also preceded by prophecy.
We find many "dry bones" in this world, even among our immediate family and closest
friends. If life is to be restored and Christmas to come, we must "prophesy over these bones,
and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!" (Ez. 37:4) When we do this under
the inspiration of the Spirit, we begin a revival, a resurrection, a return to life. The bones
begin to rattle, come together, and re-form into Christ's body. (Ez. 37:7-8)
Christmas is a celebration of life, not death. We must prophesy life in Jesus to the "living
dead" (1 Jn. 3:14) or they will not have Christmas. Prophecy is the gift to be sought above all
others, especially at Christmas time. (1 Cor. 14:1) For the Word to become flesh, it must first
be proclaimed. (Jn. 1:14)
Prophesy and rattle the bones. Speak the Word of life to the people of death. Prepare the way
of the Lord this Christmas.
1. Who are the people in your life that need the Word of God the most?
2. Share it to them and you’ll give them the greatest Gift this Christmas!


RAIN LOVE ON YOUR ENEMIES
"My command to you is: love your enemies." (Matthew 5:44)
Jesus commands us to love our enemies. This proves we are God's children (Mt. 5:45),
because only those who have a share in God's nature (2 Pt. 1:4) have the power to love their
enemies.
When we realize we can't love our enemies by our own power, we often change Jesus'
command from "love your enemies" to "don't hate your enemies." This is a big change. The
Lord commands us to do much more than not insult or hurt our enemies. The Lord wants us
to actively love them. For example, God the Father doesn't just refrain from sending
tornadoes, lightning bolts, and floods against His enemies. He gives them beautiful sunny
days and life-giving rains. (Mt. 5:45) We too should actively bless our enemies with beautiful
days. Like the father of the prodigal son, we should show affection to our enemies. (Lk. 15:20)
We should honor them with gifts and a special celebration. (Lk. 15:22-23) We should be
sunshine for them and rain down presents on them.
Since we don't have the power even to not hate our enemies, loving them as God does is
obviously impossible. God, however, lives in us and has adopted us as His children.
Therefore, by His grace we can give love to our enemies.
1. From whom have you withheld your love?

2. What can you do while you still have a chance to give?


RATTLE SNAKE
"In your prayer do not rattle on like the pagans." (Matthew 6:7)
Jesus commanded us not to rattle on in prayer. Some people think that when we repeat
prayers, we are rattling. However, repetition is often an expression of love. For instance, I
hope you repeatedly say to your family: "I love you." Jesus Himself repeated His prayers. For
example, the exact translation of Luke 23:34 and Mark 14:36 are "He kept saying." Rattling
on is not mere repetition.
If we haven't forgiven those who have hurt us, we curse rather than bless ourselves when
we pray: "Forgive us the wrong we have done as we forgive those who wrong us". (Mt. 6:12)
If we haven't forgiven, we rattle on rather than truly pray.
The first word of prayer taught by Jesus is "Abba," "Father". (Mt. 6:9) Prayer is a matter of
relationship. Jesus said: "This people draws near with words only and honors Me with their
lips alone, though their hearts are far from Me". (Is. 29:13; Mt 15:8) Rattling on in prayer is
the same thing as "lip service." We rattle on in prayer when our hearts are far from the Lord.
Until we obey the first of all the commandments and therefore love the Lord with all our
hearts, how can we obey Jesus' teaching on how to pray?
A hardened, closed, divided, unrepentant heart turns our prayer into a "death-rattle."
However, "a heart contrite and humbled" God "will not spurn". (Ps. 51:19) "A clean heart
create for me, O God," so I can pray. (Ps. 51:12)
1. How is your prayer time?

2. Do you see it as an obligation or a special time with God?


REBUILD MY CHURCH
"I have truly built You a princely house, a dwelling where You may abide
forever." (1 Kings 8:13)
Everything Solomon created — the magnificent Temple building, the great architecture,
ornate decorations, and countless sacrifices — pointed toward the moment of the arrival of
the Ark of the Covenant. When the ark was placed in the Temple, it meant that God now dwelt
within its walls. (1 Kgs. 8:11-13)
The people of Israel were caught up in the excitement of God dwelling in their midst. The
dedication of the Jerusalem Temple was the apex of Israel's history; from that point,
everything went downhill. They delighted in the trappings of worship, but their lifestyles
showed that they were interested only in giving the Lord "lip-service" rather than "life-
service" (see Mk. 7:6; Is. 29:13). Solomon's pride and disobedience mirrored that of all Israel
and sowed the seeds of civil war. The Lord Who dwells with His people delights in humility
and obedience; Solomon and many other worshippers instead gave the Lord pride and
disobedience.
It is good that our Church buildings contain beauty befitting the glory and majesty of
Almighty God. It is also fitting that those who enter the Church buildings worship God with
hearts full of love and lives of obedient faith. (Rom. 1:5) Jesus reveals that God is seeking
people who will worship Him in spirit and truth. (Jn. 4:23) Humble yourself in God's sight (1
Pt. 5:6), especially by obeying His commandments (Jn. 15:10). Rebuild the Church by your
loving reverence and obedience.
1. What is a ‘Church’ to you?

2. How can you contribute in making her how God meant Her to be?


RELIGIOUS PRIDE
"The scribes and the Pharisees have succeeded Moses as teachers; therefore, do
everything and observe everything they tell you. But do not follow their
example." (Matthew 23:2-3)
The religious leaders of Jesus' time were bad examples (Mt. 23:3), frauds (Mt. 23:13, 15, 23,
25, 27, 29), blind guides (Mt. 23:16, 24), and blind fools (Mt. 23:17). They were a "viper's nest,"
a "brood of serpents" (Mt. 23:33), "like whitewashed tombs" (Mt. 23:27).
The religious leaders merited such condemnations because:
1. Their words were bold but their deeds few (Mt. 23:4),
2. They burdened people more than unburdened them (Mt. 23:4),
3. All their works were performed to be seen (Mt. 23:5), and
4. They were fond of being honored and respected (Mt. 23:6-7).
In summary, Jesus condemned the religious leaders of His day because they exalted
themselves. (Mt. 23:12)
Most of you reading this are religious by the standards of our time. Moreover, many of you
are religious leaders in your own right. Unlike the Pharisees of old, take Jesus' words
personally.
Repent. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of your sins. Go to Confession.
"Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord: though your sins be like scarlet, they may
become white as snow." (Is. 1:18)
"If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; but if you refuse and
resist, the sword shall consume you: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken!" (Is. 1:19-20)
1. Were there times that you became like the scribes and Pharisees?
2. How can you be an effective evangelizer?


REPORT CARD
"Give me an account of your service, for it is about to come to an end."

(Luke 16:2)
Whether or not you accept Jesus as Lord of your life, He is still your Lord and Master. As your
Owner, He has purchased you at the costly price of His outpoured, precious blood. (1 Cor.
6:19-20) He is entitled to receive your lifelong service. He expects a fruitful harvest from you
(see Jn. 15:16).
Before you die, Jesus will eventually say to you: "Give Me an account of your service, for it is
about to come to an end". (Lk. 16:2) He will then settle accounts with you (see Mt. 25:19).
What will your grade be? Will Jesus say to you: "I find that the sum of your deeds is less than
complete" in My sight? (Rev. 3:2) Or will He say to you: "Well done, good and faithful
servant"? (Mt. 25:21)
Jesus exhorts us to always be ready to settle accounts with Him (see Mt. 24:43ff; 25:13, 19).
Therefore, "in whatever you do, remember your last days, and you will never sin". (Sir. 7:36)
"Do not grow slack but be fervent in spirit; He Whom you serve is the Lord." (Rom. 12:11)
"Let us not grow weary of doing good." (Gal. 6:9) "While we have the opportunity, let us do
good." (Gal. 6:10) "Continue, my dear ones, to stand firm in the Lord" (Phil. 4:1) and to serve
Him with gladness (Ps. 100:2).
List some of the resources God has given you to use. How are you faithful and
unfaithful in the use of them?


RESTORING EDEN
“…then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!” (Gen 1:31)
When God created the world it was a paradise. Everything was meant the way God designed
it to be. God created the Garden of Eden and said, “It is very good.” Our Creed begins also
with the creation of heaven and earth, for creation is the beginning and the foundation of all
God's works. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 198) But because of sin everything
started to veer away towards God’s original intent. Things were no longer the way God meant
them to be. How are earth is turning into a huge waste of land is not part of God’s plan. We
abused mother nature. Our greed is destroying our earthly home.
But there is still hope. Let’s remind ourselves that we are called be God’s stewards, His co-
creators.
Once we start to think about the kind of world we are leaving to future generations, we look
at things differently; we realize that the world is a gift which we have freely received and
must share with others. Since the world has been given to us, we can no longer view reality
in a purely utilitarian way, in which efficiency and productivity are entirely geared to our
individual benefit. Intergenerational solidarity is not optional, but rather a basic question of
justice, since the world we have received also belongs to those who will follow us.
As individuals, as institutions, as a people, we need a change of heart to preserve and protect

the planet for our children and for generations yet unborn. It is to the Creator of the universe,
then, that we are accountable for what we do or fail to do to preserve and care for the earth
and all its creatures.
1. How do we as individuals and in our families, workplaces, communities contribute to

environmental damage by our
2. own energy use, consumption, waste, etc.?
3. How are we called to care for God’s creation?
4. How can we apply our social teaching in protecting and restoring the earth, our
common home?
Note: Some notes are taken from Laudato Si’ On Care for Our Common Home – A study guide on the
encyclical of Pope Francis and (Renewing the Earth: An Invitation to Reflection and Action on
Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching, 1991)

SALT LICKED?
"What if salt goes flat? How can you restore its flavor? Then it is good for
nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
(Matthew 5:13)
We've had much snow this year. As I walked to Mass this morning, I had to walk over large
quantities of salt on the streets and in the Church parking lot. That salt had been trampled
upon by many people (see Mt. 5:13ff) and was dirty and disgusting. No one would ever
consider sprinkling it on their dinner.
Similarly, in the time of Jesus, when conquering armies had vanquished a nation, they spread
salt on that nation's croplands and trampled it underfoot to work it deep into the soil. This
degraded the soil so that crops planted in that soil would wither and not bear fruit, thus
making it unlikely that nation would prosper again.
When we became disciples of Jesus, we received His Word with great joy. (Mk. 4:16) We
became the salt of the earth (Mt. 5:13), and this kind of "salt is good". (Lk. 14:34) We literally
put a "good taste" in the mouth of those who are hungry for God's love. If, however, we fall
away from Jesus, we go flat. We become to hurting people that salt which degrades. The
enemy has used our "flat" lives to trample people underfoot.
Jesus teaches us: "Salt is good, but if salt loses its flavor what good is it for seasoning? It is fit
for neither the soil nor the manure heap; it has to be thrown away. Let him who hears this,
heed it." (Lk. 14:34-35) "Keep salt in your hearts and you will be at peace with one another."
(Mk. 9:50)
Every day, draw closer to Jesus. Let Him refresh you with His love. Be salt that refreshes and
not salt that degrades.
1. How is your seasoning? What do you do to be a positive influence to those around

you?
2. Why is salt and light essential to life? Why is it essential to the life of the Church?
3. What do you need to do if you feel that you have lost that flavor or light?


SEARCH IS OVER
“Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 Jn 4:8)
Everyone wants to love and be loved. Love is a human need. But there are still so many of us
who don’t feel loved or don’t want to give love. Many go through life looking for love in the
wrong place. We hop from one place to another searching and hoping to find love.
As we look in our society, it reveals how much we are desperately looking for love or at least
cheap substitutes for it. Some of us even stay contented with the cheap imitation of it – going
for temporal love rather than the true essence of it. We turn to money, sex, vices, to
beautifying our outward self, to fancy cars, up to date phones, to fame, power and honor. All
these things lead to failure in our search simply because these cannot fill the space hunger
in our heart. All these things are mere substitutes and substitutes are not the real thing. They
don’t last for a long time and sooner or later we will loose all those things.
The Good news is that we can have this kind of real love and that there is Someone who
deeply love us. God’s love is the most uplifting, life-giving and life-changing love: “but God
shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom.5:8” His love for
us is infinite. It never changes. It doesn’t diminish. His love is perfect just as He is. There’s
nothing we could ever do to make Him love us, and there’s nothing we could ever do stop
Him from loving us. He never stops.
He never takes a break.
When we grasp the reality of God’s love, we will no longer search it in material things and
other cheap imitation of it. We will rest in Him, believing that when we have Him, we have
everything: “the Lord is my shepherd, there’s nothing I lack.” Ps.23:1
1. Have you experienced God’s love today?

2. Do you still search love in the wrong place?

SEPARATED BRETHREN
"Jesus said in reply: 'Do not try to stop him. No man who performs a miracle
using My name can at the same time speak ill of Me. Anyone who is not against
us is with us.'" (Mark 9:39-40)
Jesus says all those who use His name and oppose the devil are "with us." This does not mean
using Jesus' name in a casual way but being committed to Him as Lord, Savior, and God. No
matter how many differences we have with other followers of Jesus, we should not be
fighting with each other but together fighting the evil one, for "our battle is not against
human forces," especially fellow Christians. (Eph. 6:12)
Our denominations and petty divisions within denominations are not in accord with God's
will. They are a scandal. They play right into the hands of the devil, and assist him in
sabotaging the building of God's kingdom.
First and foremost, Christians of all groups and denominations are brothers and sisters in
the Lord. If we go to heaven, we will all be together forever. So we ought to start getting along
here on earth. Our unity under our one Lord should overshadow our differences.
God's word commands and proclaims: "Make every effort to preserve the unity which has
the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force. There is but one body and one Spirit,
just as there is but one hope given all of you by your call." (Eph. 4:3-4)
1. Looking at other Christian denominations, do you focus more on the differences they
have on Catholicism rather than the similarities?
2. How will you promote unity among other Christian denominations?


SETTING OUR HEARTS ON THE PRIZE (Part 1)
“Then He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it , and gave it to them, saying,
‘This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.’”
(Luke 22:19)
Household Activity:
During household worship, go through the usual ACTS, then before closing, ask everyone to
spend 15 minutes sitting down, gazing at the CRUCIFIX and listen to God’s messages. You
may write them down. Share afterwards.
Discussion Starter:
What keeps you from doing that same activity in front of the Holy Eucharist in the
adoration chapel?

SETTING OUR HEARTS ON THE PRIZE (Part 2)
“When the hour came, He took His place at the table with the apostles. He said
to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I Suffer...’”
(Luke 22:14-15)
Household Activity:
Read Luke 22:14-20. Reflect on the privilege of receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.
1. What personal miracles or faith stories can you share about the Holy Mass or the
Eucharist? Or how did these help you in any way?
2. Share your favorite faith story about the Holy Mass or the Eucharist that you may
have heard or read about.

SIGN LANGUAGE
"Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God." (Isaiah 7:11)
When we want a sign from the Lord, He often says: "This is an evil age. It seeks a sign. But no
sign will be given it." (Lk. 11:29) However, when we don't want a sign because we already
have our minds made up, the Lord often commands: "Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God;
let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!" (Is. 7:11)
We may already have our Christmas made up. We've planned it to go a certain way. We don't
want to even entertain the thought of Christ changing things at the last minute and messing
up our Christmas plans. Yet, the Lord commands: "Ask for a sign. Let Me start to change your
mind and open your eyes to My plans for you this Christmas season." When the Lord speaks
to us like that, we hope we aren't hearing Him. The Lord realizes this, so He tries to draw us
into conversation with and conversion to Him with "sign-language."
Ahaz refused to ask for a sign. (Is. 7:12) Mary, on the other hand, accepted God's signs and
said: "I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say." (Lk. 1:38) Are you going
to be an Ahaz or a Mary this Christmas? Let Christ be Lord of your Christmas.
1. How can you make Jesus’ love and holy presence felt among those who need the most
love and compassion this Christmas?
2. This Christmas, choose someone whom you can be the sign that ‘God is with us
(them)’.


SIGN OF THE CROSS
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us
who are being saved, is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18)
The great Catholic tradition - the making of the sign of the Cross - is mocked and teased today
by some anti-Catholic media because of the latter’s ignorance about the Biblical basis of this
spiritual tradition. We make the sign of the cross on our foreheads, decorate our churches
with the Cross and administer sacraments with the same sign.
The Biblical basis: When we make the sign of the cross, we proclaim the message of
salvation purchased by Jesus through the cross. The Bible clearly states: “For the message of
the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, is the
power of God.” (1 Cor. 1: 18)
The Bible teaches us to be proud of it as the message of the cross is the power of God; “But
God forbid that I should boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world
has been crucified to me and I to the world.” (Gal. 6:14)
The Cross symbolizes our day to day sufferings without which there is no crown for
Christians. When Peter tried to keep Jesus away from the Cross, He called Peter “Satan.” So
it is clear, Satan is afraid and keeps himself away from the cross as it is through the Cross
that Jesus destroyed the devil’s kingdom and saved mankind from the slavery of sin and
death. We should not forget the warning of Saint Paul, “Brethren, join in imitating me, and
mark those who so live as you have an example in us. For many, of whom I have often told
you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the Cross of Christ. Their end is
destruction, their God is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with mind set on earthly
things.” (Phil. 3:17-19)
The Historical Basis: Early Christians, even before the Bible was formed, kept this spiritual
practice, to keep Satan away and to save themselves from the power of evil.
Cyril of Jerusalem wrote in AD 386: “Let us therefore not be ashamed of the cross of Christ;
but though another hide it, do thou openly zeal it upon thy forehead, that the devils may
beheld the royal sign and flee trembling far away. Make then this sign at eating and drinking,
at sitting, at lying down, at rising up, at speaking, at walking: in a word, at every act.”
Ephrem of Syria testifies in AD 373: “Make all your actions with the sign of the life giving
Cross. Do not go out from “the doors of your house till you have signed yourself with the
cross. Do not neglect that sign whether in eating and drinking or going to sleep, or in the
home or going on a journey. There is no habit to be compared with it. Let it be a protecting
wall around all your conduct, and teach it to your children that they may earnestly learn the
custom.”

Thousands of saints used this sign to be victorious over satanic attacks as it is through the
sign that Jesus made possible the forgiveness of our sins. In the Christian world, the Sign of
the Cross was widely used very effectively in exorcism throughout the centuries. Christians
must use this sign proudly as it terrifies Satan and the Bible proves it.
Jesus says to us: “Take your cross and follow me.” Centuries old spiritual experiences of holy
people show that Satan is afraid of the sign of the Cross and he hates it. Iglesia Ni Cristo,
Dating Daan and some other sects also hate the Sign of the Cross! ‘Remove all crosses’ is one
of the commands of ‘Pandoktrina’, the official teaching of INC. (page 14).
1. What was the meaning of the ‘Sign of the Cross’ to me before?

2. Now, what is God telling me about it? How can it bring me closer to Him?
[Source: Know the Truth: A Publication to defend the Catholic Faith, p.5.]

SKY-DIVING
"It was from that place that He scattered them all over the earth."
(Genesis 11:9)
We are divided, fragmented, even shattered. Even our divisions are divided and sub-divided.
Our different languages, nationalities, and denominations have cut the human race and even
the body of Christ into hundreds of thousands of pieces.
Pride is the cause of our divisions and divisiveness. Like the builders of the tower of Babel,
we want to make a name for ourselves and make monuments to ourselves reaching high into
the sky. (Gen. 11:4) We want to be better, superior to others, to stand apart, that is, be divided
(see Lk. 18:9ff).
Jesus contradicts human pride. He made a name for Himself by dying on Calvary, and His
monument in the sky was a cross. By the blood flowing from His crucified body, Jesus
reconciles us and makes the two of us one. (Col. 1:20; Eph. 2:14) As we deny ourselves and
take up the cross (Mk. 8:34), we possess "the one love, united in spirit and ideals" (Phil. 2:2).
In Jesus, we "never act out of rivalry or conceit". (Phil. 2:3) "Let all parties think humbly of
others as superior to themselves, each of you looking to others' interests rather than to his
own. Your attitude must be that of Christ." (Phil. 2:3-5)
1. Do you get envious when a close friend gets an achievement?

2. Are you a source of unity in your family, workplace, SFC?


SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
"The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. He leads me besides

restful water. He revives my soul. Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me all
the days of my life. And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come."
(Psalm 23)
Teacher, they say counting sheep could make us sleep. Is it really true?
The teacher just smiled and replied, "It may be true to some of us, but not for all. But if you
are worried, stressed and burdened and you cannot sleep, try my medicine."
The student said, "What is your medicine?"
And the master replied, "Instead of counting sheep, try counting God's GRACES. It will
definitely dispose you to sleep. Our awareness of God's presence in our life will give us
PEACE. It is a very powerful ANTIDOTE AGAINST SLEEPLESS NIGHTS."
Count your blessings!
Focus on Jesus, the Shepherd. He knows His sheep.
1. When was the last time you allowed Jesus to shepherd you? The sheep know their
shepherd.
2. If you cannot recognize the voice of Jesus, maybe you are not listening to Him in your
prayer always. How frequent do you pray?
3. If you're to rate the quality of your prayer life from 1 to 10. What is your rating?

SPECIAL EFFECTS
"We have seen incredible things today!" (Luke 5:26)
Our society, and our human nature, is fascinated with the sensational. Movie and TV
producers understand this, and so they frequently substitute special effects for substance
and quality content, knowing that sensationalism attracts people.
The Lord, on the other hand, Whose ways are so high above our ways (Is. 55:8-9), focuses on
internals rather than on the outward appearance. (1 Sam. 16:7) He knows that the most
spectacular events can't cause a hardened heart to change (see Lk. 16:31). The Lord will not
comply with a faithless request for signs, which springs from a desire for entertainment
rather than a sincere quest for the truth (see Mt. 16:1-4; Lk. 23:8ff).
However, God, Who is "rich in mercy" (Eph. 2:4), does attract millions of people with His own
"special effects." He has provided His Church with seven sacraments. The sacraments are
outward "signs of grace". (Catechism, 1131) Each sacrament is a miracle which cannot fail to
attract those with faith (Lk. 5:20), who seek the truth rather than entertainment.
Look not so much for the signs of the Lord; look rather in faith for the Lord of the signs.
Receive the Eucharist in Mass frequently, even daily. Repent! Make a Confession and let Jesus
forgive your sins. (Lk. 5:20, 24) In His sacraments, you "will see the glory of the Lord, the
splendor of our God". (Is 35:2)
1. Share about the beauty of our Sacraments.

2. Thank God for the Sacraments.


TAKING OR MAKING THE CUT?
"He prunes away every barren branch, but the fruitful ones He trims clean to
increase their yield." (John 15:2)
Jesus is the true Vine; we are the branches. (Jn. 15:5) We must bear fruit abundantly or be
thrown into the fire and burnt. (Jn. 15:6) We bear fruit not primarily through our own efforts
but by living in Jesus and letting Him live in us. (Jn. 15:5) We bear fruit after being pruned by
God's Word. (Jn. 15:2-3) Thus, bearing fruit is a simple matter of our relationship with Jesus
and our purification by Him.
Although bearing fruit is simple, it is not easy because a relationship with the Lord requires
denying our very selves, taking up our daily crosses, and following Him. (Lk. 9:23) Likewise,
the purification necessary to bear fruit abundantly is very difficult. When the Lord prunes us
through His Word, He cuts back so much of our lives that we wonder if there will be anything
left when He's done. Thus, many people reject having a relationship with Jesus and being
purified by Him. These people do not bear fruit and thereby cut themselves off from God.
There's going to be some cutting in our lives. We either let God cut us back, or we cut
ourselves off from Him forever. Take the cut; don't make the cut.
1. What areas in your life that need some ‘cutting’? Why do we need to be pruned?
2. Share an experience where God did some pruning on you. What did you feel during
the process of pruning? What happened after the pruning?


TEAM PILGRIMS
“We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay
away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the
more as you see the day drawing near”. (Heb. 10:24-25)
God designed to belong in a community.
We are not created for isolation but to be together in a community. Our families are our
communities, where we work is our community, our school is our community, in our hobbies
and sports our team is our community.
As followers of Christ, we are also to be belonged in a community – a community who has

the same belief in God, a community who desires in seeking God’s will in their lives. This
community of believers can build us up, inspire us to continue the good fight, correct us when
we sin, celebrate with us in our victories and comfort us in our defeats.
God did not create us for isolation. We cannot live and function well alone. We cannot fulfill
our purpose without a community. God’s mandate to us is more revealed as we participate
in the life and mission of the community were we belong. St. Paul reminds us to ‘not absent
ourselves from the assemblies’ because he understands the guidance and support from the
community can help us in becoming the person that God meant us to be.
But we also need to understand there is no perfect community. If we will search for one, we
will never find one. This is because communities are composed of imperfect beings. Each
community has its own strengths and its own weakness. We must not focus on the flaws;
instead, focus on God and how He is using imperfect people for His glory.
Aside from what we can get from taking part in a community, we can also give and share our
spiritual gifts. Our time, talent and treasure will help build up the church and make it even
stronger.
1. What benefits do you receive in being part of a community?
2. On the other hand, what are you doing in building up your community?
3. How will you positively respond to the imperfections of your community?

TRUE BEAUTY
“Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be
praised.” (Prov. 31:30)
What it means to be a woman of beauty? We’ve seen how much the world has redefined
beauty. From television, movies, magazines, billboards all are picturing the perfect beauty. If
a woman wishes to be beautiful, she has to follow certain standards. And when women look
at themselves in the mirror, they can so easily find a part of their body that is not beautiful.
Most women, in some point of their life, wished that they could change at least one part of
their physical body that is not up to the standard: the type and length of their hair, the shape
and color of their eyes, their body shape, their weight, color of the skin, their height, they can
easily spot their individual flaws.
This does not mean that women should not be beautiful from the outside and there’s nothing
wrong about physical beauty; however, the physical appearance is just a part of what makes
a woman truly beautiful. It will be useless if you are beautiful physical but deep inside you
are decaying – that is your values and your character stink.
The Scripture says God looks beyond the visible, “But the LORD said to Samuel: Do not judge
from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. God does not see as
a mortal, who sees the appearance. The LORD looks into the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Our hearts
are definitely more important to God than our physical appearance.
It doesn’t matter how people see you. What matters most is how God sees you. You are
wonderfully made by God (Ps 139:14). You are not a mistake (Jer.1:5). You are created in his
image and likeness (Gen 1:26). You are not a junk. You are His most prized possession (Jam
1:18), His masterpiece (Eph 2:10).
1. How do you see yourself? Are you happy about your physical appearance?
2. Does your focus on your appearance take your eyes off the Lord?
3. Are you more focused on your weight, clothes, or makeup than you are on God?

THE AGONY OF DEFEAT
"It was a disastrous defeat." (1 Samuel 4:10)
I've been gazing at a statue of the Pieta. Mary has just suffered a disastrous loss. Before her
very eyes, her Son Jesus was brutally tortured and crucified. She stood near His cross (Jn.
19:25), pierced with a sword of sorrow (Lk. 2:35) far more painful than any spear. Now she
is holding the body of her Son, looking heavenward in a gaze of docility tinged with
unspeakable suffering. Though Mary suffered a disastrous loss, she suffered in righteousness
and faithfulness.
The Israelites under the priesthood of Eli and sons were steeped in sin and idolatry. By their
hardness of heart, they "defeated God's plan in their regard". They were defeated in battle,
losing four thousand men. (1 Sam. 4:2) Then they brought God into the picture without
bringing their lives under His lordship. They fought again, and were defeated disastrously,
losing thirty thousand men. (1 Sam. 4:10) Israel's defeat was suffered in faithlessness, not
righteousness.
If we live as faithful disciples of Jesus, storms (Mt. 7:25), futile labor (Mk. 6:48; Is. 49:4), and
trials (Jas. 1:2; Sir. 2:1) will come our way, in addition to our daily crosses (Lk. 9:23). If we
live in sin, we will suffer its consequences and defeats. Let's make certain our sufferings come
in righteousness rather than sinfulness. Repent immediately! Live in faithfulness.
1. Living by faith involves pain. If you give up when life isn’t going well, you never learn
to trust God. Why do you think this is so?
2. It’s easy to love God and serve him when life is going well. Will you trust him when
it’s not?


THE DANGER OF COMPROMISE
“So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin.” (James 4:17)
We live in a world of compromise. Businessmen compromise to keep profit margins high.

Politicians compromise their principles to secure votes. Christians compromise God’s
teachings to achieve promotions, land better jobs or achieve honor and fame. We
compromise our values just to be accepted by our friends. This is the dilemma that every
believers face. How can we live in this world without compromising our faith?
Time and again, God is reminding us not to compromise His word with the values of the
world. We are to uphold His righteousness and seek His kingdom no matter what. We must
not sell out our Christian values either for fame, pleasure, acceptance, honor and power.
One tiny concession may appear irrelevant, but it can lead to total destruction. Most of our
downfall started in little things. This is how Satan is deceiving us – telling us that little things
don’t matter, small sins don’t hurt. Little sins slowly push us away from God, until we are far
from shore and realize that we already in the middle of the ocean.
Though there are things that we can give in to, God’s word is not one of them. We are to love
God with all our heart, with all our strength and with all our mind (Mt. 22:37). In everything
you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success (Pro 3:6).
Christ’s presence should be real in our lives that people around you are drawn to you. God’s
light must shine in us; it shines so bright that the darkness around us will be dispelled. That’s
why, when we refuse to compromise and seek His kingdom first, all these things will given
unto us (Mt. 6:33).
1. How can we live our faith without compromise?

2. Is it possible to maintain our integrity, when external pressures are constantly
alluring us to put aside our Christian values/beliefs?

THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD
“Everyone should live as the Lord has assigned, just as God called each one…
everyone should continue before God in the state in which he was called.”
(1 Corinthians 7:17, 24)
I am doing the best job in the world! Yes, I really believe so! I’m a full-time preacher leading
The Feast in SM (Mall) Marilao, Bulacan where hundreds of people are being blessed. I also
speak, sing, write, host on radio and TV, travel, minister and meet a lot of wonderful people
that show me God’s amazing love and goodness every time.
But you know what? I believe you are doing the best job in the world, too! No, I’m not
presuming that you are a preacher, too, or a priest or nun, or a church or community servant.
In fact, I know that you may be an employee, a businessman, a professional, an overseas
worker, an artist, a freelancer, a student, a full-time mother, or something else.
And I’d still say and proclaim that you are doing the best job in the world!
Why? Because that’s where God called you to. Well, at least for now, and for the rest of your
days, until and unless a new “mission” comes up for you.
Because I am happy and fulfilled with what I do, many people tell me, “I would like to do the
same thing too, Brother Alvin. I would like to serve the Lord full-time. But right now I’m tied
up with being a teacher and I don’t have time to do God’s work.”
“Hey,” I would tell that person, “you will be a full-time preacher someday, if that’s what you
really want. But right now, you’re doing God’s work — full-time. You’re serving and
ministering to others as a noble and hardworking teacher. You’re doing the best job in the
world!”
Another guy approaches me and says, “You are very blessed, bro. You have God as your Boss
while I’m here serving my company as a salesman. How can I serve Him when I’m serving
men?”
“Oh! Thank you,” I answer quickly, “but you are serving God and working for Him, too! You
work hard to sustain and love your family whom God has entrusted you to. You serve your
customers by selling good products. You serve your company by doing things excellently and
honestly. God is pleased with that.”
Every time I declare these truths to people with jobs, their faces beam up — affirmed and
excited to work again — doing their job “for God’s glory.”
Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, retreat master and confessor to the papal household for the last
30 years, spoke last January to thousands of Filipino priests and, separately, to the laity at

the Araneta Coliseum. He simply, but strikingly, proclaimed that “the vocation and mission
of the laity and the religious are exactly the same — holiness and evangelization.” The
difference lies only in the expression and application.
And where and when can we become holy and spread God’s Word? Anywhere and anytime.
And in any condition and state we are in.
No wonder St. Paul wrote, “Everyone should live as the Lord has assigned, just as God called
each one…everyone should continue before God in the state in which he was called.” (1 Cor.
7:17, 24)
I’m not saying you’ll be a teacher or a salesman forever, though that’s not a bad idea at all. (I
worked as both in different stages of my life.) But while you’re in that job, know that God
calls you to grow and shine in that calling.
Believe that what you are called to do now is the best job in the world!
1. Do you believe where you now is where God wants you to be?
2. How will you make your job as “the best job in the world”?

THE BROKEN POT
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)
There was once a Potter who visited a shop.
The shop owner was very happy to have him there and wasted no time in showing him his
most prized pots. They were indeed beautiful. Some had unusual designs or figures on them.
“These are my best pots,” the shop owner proclaimed, proudly.
But the Potter shook his head. “They are very nice,” he said. “But this is not what I want.”
Perplexed, the shop owner led him to another shelf. “How about one of these?” he asked.
“They are a bit chipped, but surely, they can be used for something…”
Again, the Potter shook his head. “This is not what I want.” Then, looking past the shop owner
towards the back of the shop, he asked, “What about that one?”
The shop owner followed his gaze. “Oh, no, sir…you don’t want that pot. Can’t you see? It’s
shattered. It’s useless.”
“Are all the pieces there?” the Potter asked.
The shop owner shrugged. “Well…yes.”
The Potter took a step towards the broken fragments.
“Why do you want that pot,” the shop owner asked, “When there are so many others here?”
A smile crossed the Potter’s face. “Because the strongest pots of all are the ones that have
first been broken,” he answered.
And that night, with great care and gentleness, the Potter carried the broken pieces home
and began his work.
Many, many weeks later, the king of all the land held a great feast for all his subjects. Both
the Potter and the shop owner were present. They greeted one another warmly and talked
for a while.
Then, the shop owner looked at one of the pots on the kings table. “It’s a beautiful pot,” he
remarked. “But for some reason, it seems as if I’ve seen it before.”
“Do you remember a certain broken pot?” the Potter asked.

“Yes.” Then a look of shock passed the shop owner’s face as he looked again at the pot, the
one he had seen no use for. He gave his head a shake, seeing with new eyes. “You don’t
mean…that broken pot…?”
“Yes.” The Potter beamed. “That broken pot.”
Just like the broken pot, God can take our lives and make them into something beautiful, if
we give Him all the pieces.
Written by Julia Khoury

1. is there brokenness in us that the Lord has restored into something more beautiful
lately?
2. How has the Lord used our broken self to magnify His love to others?

THE CHURCH'S WORD
"Philip ran ahead and heard the man reading the prophet Isaiah. He said to
him, 'Do you really grasp what you are reading?' 'How can I?' the man replied."
(Acts 8:30-31)
Like the Ethiopian eunuch, we need the Bible. "Faith comes through hearing, and hearing by
the word of God." (Rom. 10:17) Without the Bible, we cannot hear God very well. "Ignorance
of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ." (Catechism, 133, St. Jerome) Without the Scriptures,
we will not live our Baptism (see Acts 8:35-37) and recognize the risen Lord in the breaking
of the Eucharistic bread. (Lk. 24:31) We need the Bible to open us to repentance and renewal
(see Neh 8:8-9). We need God's Word to be healed, for healing accompanies the proclamation
of God's all-healing Word. (Wis. 16:12; Mk. 16:20)
Like the Ethiopian eunuch, we need the Church, "the pillar and bulwark of truth". (1 Tim.
3:15) The Lord used the Church to write the Bible. Without the Church, there would be no
Bible. Without the Church, there would also be no clear understanding of and obedience to
"certain passages" of the Bible which are "hard to understand". (2 Pt. 3:16) Because "there is
no prophecy contained in Scripture which is a personal interpretation" (2 Pt. 1:20), we need
the Church. Therefore, even people as intelligent as the Ethiopian eunuch need teachers like
Philip sent by the Church to preach God's Word. (Acts 8:31; Rom. 10:14-15)
If you love the Word, you will cherish the Church. If you love the Church, you will cherish her
word.
1. Do you believe in all the teachings of the Church?

2. Can you say that you are 100% Catholic?


THE CROSS SANDWICH
“And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.” (John 19:30)
Good Friday is the summit of the Holy Week celebration. In my six years as a priest, I
observed that churches overflow with people on Palm Sunday and the Easter Vigil
celebrations. The churches during these times are vibrant and alive! But there is a notable
decrease in attendance when Maundy Thursday and Good Friday liturgies come. Is it because
of the summer heat? Or is it because we are unconsciously not at ease with Maundy Thursday
and Good Friday liturgies? We are not Good Friday Christians. We welcome happiness and
love victories in our life; but not pain, suffering and death.
But we’ve never learned. We are living in a reality that life is not a bed of roses and parties.
Life is not only celebrations. It is not only victories nor health nor of plenty. It has its thorns
also. We are surrounded by the realities of pain and evil. Poverty is around us. People whom
we know and close to us are dying of cancer. There is no peace in Mindanao (island in the
Philippines). Families are in the brink of separation. My Tita (Aunt) Pilar is in coma after an
accident. And we have our own battle within us against evil, temptations, hopelessness and
unbelief.
But we don’t want to face our own darkness. We are always running away from our cross
because we don’t want suffering. We don’t want to die. But the irony of life is – we are formed
by our cross. We are transformed by facing our own crosses. Jesus’ final transfiguration did
happen when people saw him hanging on the cross (in that seemingly defeated situation)
and they exclaimed. “Truly, this was the Son of God.” (Mt. 27:54) He gained the real
admiration from the Jews and non-believers, not in his triumphant entrance to Jerusalem,
not in His resurrection on Easter, but when he was there on the cross - helplessly hanging
and dying. They saw Jesus and declared Him as the Son of God in that seemingly humiliating
and defeated situation.
As followers of Jesus, we need to face courageously our own crosses in life. What makes us
genuine Christians is the cross; and not on our own moments of Palm Sunday or Easter
experiences. There is no resurrection without the cross. There is no Easter joy without
faithfully embracing our own Good Fridays. There’s no fullness of life without dying from
ourselves in the name of love.
Sandwiches are named from their “palaman” (filling/spread). We called it tuna sandwich
because there’s tuna in between the two slices of bread. It is what’s in between the two slices
of bread that defines the sandwich.
Christians are defined not by our Palm Sunday and Easter moments, but by the cross we are
carrying. It is our lived-moments of Holy Thursdays and Good Fridays that defines us.

“He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a
Cross between two thieves. When He was dead He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave
through the pity of a friend. Such was His human life—He rises from the dead. I am within the
mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built,
and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not
affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that One Solitary Life.” -James C.
Hefley
1. What are your crosses in life? How is the Lord asking you to carry it?
2. Journey with Christ with your cross this Holy Week.

THE DEBT OF SIN
"Afterward, however, David regretted having numbered the people, and said to
the Lord: 'I have sinned grievously in what I have done.'"
(2 Samuel 24:10)
David sinned by taking a census against God's will. This sin caused the deaths of 70,000
people in three days by pestilence. (2 Sam. 24:15) The wages of sin is death, in fact, thousands
of deaths. (Rom. 6:23) Moreover, this was probably not David's worst sin.
This shows us the devastating effect of one sin, and why one sin is a tragedy much greater
than the worst natural disasters. In this passage, we see the measurable results of one sin.
This gives us some idea of the astronomical debt of sin amassed by the accumulated sins of
all times.
This helps us understand how heavy was the cross Jesus carried. "He was pierced for our
offenses, crushed for our sins, upon Him was the chastisement that makes us whole." (Is.
53:5) "The Lord was pleased to crush Him in infirmity." (Is. 53:10) The word "crushed" is a
great understatement, but it's the best the English language can do.
We can see why Jesus screamed on Calvary: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
(Mk. 15:34) No one has ever suffered to a degree that was even remotely comparable to Jesus'
suffering. Jesus says: "Come, all you who pass by the way, look and see whether there is any
suffering like My suffering." (Lam. 1:12)
1. Do you sometimes under estimate the devastating power of sin in your life?
2. What are some ways you can resist the devil this week?


THE GIFT OF FAMILY
“If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” (St. Teresa of Calcutta)
When you look at your social media feed, what do you usually see? People going out to eat or
watch a movie, attending a fun event or traveling to some faraway land. These photos signify
what we enjoy doing most of the time. Perhaps, if we had our way, we’d like to be doing these
things all the time.
In contrast, when we stay at home to serve our families, it’s a different story. There isn’t a lot
of glamor in mopping the floors or taking care of your ill relatives. We don’t get paid to do
these things. Sometimes you don’t even get a ‘thank you’. But in these humbling
opportunities, when we can serve our loved ones without anyone knowing or rewarding us
for it, we can honor God all the more. So we praise Him for the gift of our families, regardless
of what state they are in, and lift up how we can love God all the more through them.
(Depending on time available and need of members, the household head may have the
members answer just some or all of the questions listed.)
1. Who are you closest to in your family? Who are you least close to?
2. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?
3. Share a favorite memory from your childhood.
What are your prayers for your family?*

*required
Synthesis
The concept of ‘Home’ and ‘Family’ is not only often repeated in Sacred Scripture, but it is
clear that it is through these two that God blesses us and reveals Himself to us!
Think of the story of The Prodigal Son, where we learn of forgiveness and new beginnings.
Or about the man who was healed and wanted to follow Jesus, and yet Jesus told him to
return to his family. From that story we are reminded that we have a simple mission that we
can accomplish right where we are.
And there is no greater sign of the importance of home and the family than in the Holy Family
itself. When Joseph took Mary into his own home, we are taught to trust in God’s
unfathomable plans. We learn from their example how to honor our parents and love our
children. Even until the moment on the cross when Jesus entrusted Mary and John to each
other, we ourselves were given a mother to take care of and to rely on as well.
Truly God’s plan for our salvation is revealed in the family.

Closing Activity:
As family has been a gift to us, so let us be a gift to our own family. Think of one project you
would like to do for your family this year, towards your dreams for them (based on your
answers to Guide Question #4). Share this within the household and set a specific deadline
so that the household can follow each other up.

THE HEART OF A PASTOR
"My purpose in leaving you in Crete was that you might accomplish what had
been left undone." (Titus 1:5)
Paul and Titus had apparently been on a missionary journey to Crete, a large island south of
Greece. Paul decided to leave Titus in Crete to accomplish "what had been left undone" (Ti.
1:5), which apparently was quite a lot. The people of Crete, as one of their own prophets
testified, "have always been liars, vicious beasts, and lazy gluttons". (Ti. 1:12) With a
reputation like that, it's likely that Paul didn't get many resumes from young pastors
applying for the position at Crete!
Titus had a huge task ahead of him. He had to admonish people sharply, in an attempt to keep
them close to being sound in faith. (Ti. 1:13) He had to teach Christian behavior to young and
old, men and women — in a real sense, to change their lifestyle from pagan to Christian (Ti.
2:2-9) by very practical instruction (Ti. 3:1-2, 14). It's likely that Titus received a lot of
backlash in this ministry.
How did Titus ever handle this ministry to "disgusting" (Ti. 1:16) beasts? Titus had the heart
of a pastor. As on his earlier ministry to Corinth, God put zeal for the people of Crete into his
heart (see 2 Cor. 8:16).
Thus, not only was Titus eager to go to Crete, but he went freely (cf 2 Cor. 8:17). As Titus'
heart embraced the Corinthians, a disgusting lot in their own right, "with an expanding love"
(2 Cor. 7:15), so his heart embraced the Cretans.
Whatever your vocation, God has given you a flock to pastor. Be a Titus.
Give your heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Receive a great heart of love for your flock, "and
more besides". (Mk. 4:24)
1. Were you able to lead others to God this week?

2. How have you gone out of your way to help someone in need?


THE HEART OF DARKNESS
"All these evils come from within." (Mark 7:23)
Jesus said: "Wicked designs come from the deep recesses of the heart" (Mk. 7:21), and not
from eating the wrong foods (see Mk. 7:19). He denied the old saying: "You are what you eat."
Food is not the issue; the heart is.
What affects us permanently is not so much what we put in our mouths, but what enters our
lives through our eyes and ears. Jesus said: "The eye is the lamp of your body. When your
eyesight is sound, your whole body is lighted up, but when your eyesight is bad, your body
is in darkness." (Lk. 11:34)
Paul taught: "Faith, then, comes through hearing". (Rom. 10:17) What we believe and don't
believe has been affected by what we have heard with our ears. Therefore, Isaiah described
a righteous person as "stopping his ears lest he hear of bloodshed, closing his eyes lest he
look on evil". (Is. 33:15) We must guard our eyes and ears. Otherwise, our hearts will be in
great danger of defilement. If defiled, they will spew forth "acts of fornication, theft, murder,
adulterous conduct, greed, maliciousness, deceit, sensuality, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, an
obtuse spirit". (Mk. 7:21-22)
Consequently, you can see how dangerous a TV is. It can bombard our hearts with thousands
of pictures and words which, unless extremely good, will be extremely devastating in their
effect on us. TV can destroy our hearts.
Guard your heart (see Phil. 4:7).
Discussion Starter:
Do you choose what to watch in the television? Do you let yourself be swayed by what
you see in the television or read/watch in the internet?


THE LENTEN FAST
"They shall not eat." (Jonah 3:7)
During Lent, the Lord calls us to imitate Him when He fasted forty days in the desert. (Mt.
4:2) Fasting is limiting our intake of food and/or drink. A diabetic, an elderly person, or an
expectant mother can fast by just skipping dessert or not eating between meals. Fasting is
not a matter of quantity but of obedience to the Lord.
Nevertheless, the Lord often calls His people to fast extensively. For example, the king of the
Ninevites proclaimed to his people a fast in which nothing was eaten or drunk for
presumably a short time. (Jon. 3:7) Esther and the Jews of the city of Susa were called to eat
and drink nothing for three days. (Est. 4:16) The soldiers of Judas Maccabeus fasted to the
degree that they felt too weak to fight. (1 Mac. 3:17) Paul mentioned his "frequent fastings"
(2 Cor. 11:27), and Jesus began His public ministry by fasting for forty days and nights.
For most Christians, Lent is the kind of fast in which we substantially limit our intake of food.
What the Church has taught for centuries — only one full meal for each of the forty days of
Lent — is probably still God's will for most Christians. Make this your way of fasting during
Lent unless the Lord has specifically given you other directions on fasting.
Discussion Starter:
Why is fasting important in our Christian life?


THE PAIN AND PROMISE OF FAMILY
"The Child's father and mother were marveling at what was being said about
Him." (Luke 2:33)
Many people idealize the Holy Family. Because Jesus is God, Mary is immaculate, and Joseph
is holy, their family relationships must have been almost perfect. However, that's not the
picture the Bible gives us of the Holy Family. The only scene from Jesus' childhood that we
are told about is when Mary and Joseph lost Jesus for three days. You can imagine the peasant
couple frantically searching for their twelve-year-old boy in the metropolis of Jerusalem.
When they finally found Him in the Temple, they asked: "Son, why have You done this to us?
You see that Your father and I have been searching for You in sorrow." (Lk. 2:48) You can
almost hear the pain and bewilderment in Mary's voice.
Most people can relate to this trauma more easily than to the holiness of the Holy Family.
Many of us are likewise searching for members of our families. We're searching for lost loved
ones and for lost love. In sorrow and in pain, we search for acceptance, respect,
encouragement, or hope. We can understand the pain of a three-day separation or even of
three days in the tomb.
God's Word to us promises us that our searching and sorrowing will end when we find Jesus.
Then we will find love and peace for us and our families.
1. What is your family going through right now?

2. Pray for each other’s family.


THE PEARL OF THE GREAT PRICE
“When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”
(Matt.13:46)
There is practically everything to substitute what God intended us to have but it will always
not be the real thing. In our lifetime, we will encounter hundreds of situations that will
confuse us from what is most important in life. Most of us become so preoccupied with
acquiring things which we thought are important but later in life realize that we just wasted
so much time and energy in acquiring those things. Each of us struggles with conflicting
desires that we find within ourselves. We get so distracted that we easily exchange the best
from just the second best.
The driving desire of men for earthly riches is the complete opposite of the desire of the soul
for heavenly riches. The Kingdom of God is like finding a pearl of great price in the field and
selling everything in order to have it. Jesus reminds us to discern what is of lasting value and
commit our whole lives to it. There is a hunger in us that only God can fill. There is something
we need that only God can suffice. When we become aware of this hunger, we realize that
nothing is too great to sacrifice for this fulfillment.
This is the reason why we need to continually remind ourselves of who we are and whose
we are. What we truly long for and to whom we only belong. We are created by God and for
God alone (“so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” Rom 14:8). And there we
discover that it is Christ who is our only and real treasure. He is the only who can quench our
thirst and satisfy our need.
So, today, may we ask Jesus for the grace to keep our hearts and minds conformed to what is
important in His eyes – the things that have everlasting value. We can only find the pearl of
great price when we earnestly seek it. “When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you
seek me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13).
1. Have you found the pearl of great price? What are the things in life that distracts you
from buying it?
2. What are we willing to do for Him? Can we “sell all that we have”? (e.g. give up
unhealthy relationship, vices, or a job to be able to serve God’s people)

THE PELICAN (Solemnity of Body and Blood of Christ)
“Take it, this is my body…this is my blood…” (Mark 14:22-23)
One of the oldest symbols for Jesus in Christian art is the pelican bird. In Medieval Europe,
the pelican was thought to be particularly attentive and caring to her chicks. When a mother
pelican failed to catch fish, she would strike her breast with her beak and feed her young
with her blood to prevent them from starving to death.
This is precisely what Jesus did on the cross. His blood saved us. But He wanted more. He
made a promise of continuing presence, “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt.
28:20) and a promise, “when I go, you will not be left alone, I will come back to you.”(Jn.
14:18) And He fulfilled these promises by instituting the Eucharist.
Whenever we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, we thank our Lord for
His unconditional generosity of sharing Himself - by feeding our spirits with His body and
blood in the form of bread and wine.
The Eucharist satisfies our spiritual hunger and thirst each time we partake in the Holy
Communion. Each time we receive the body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist, we allow
ourselves to commune with Him, and Him with us. The Eucharist nourishes us and gives us
life. Such realization of Jesus living in our hearts should console and transform us into His
likeness.
Unfortunately, we have taken for granted this wonderful sacrament. The celebration of the
Eucharist becomes so ordinary and routine to us that we failed to see its importance in our
lives. It is ironic that we are always asking for signs of God’s presence and yet we failed to
see that the body and blood of Jesus we receive in the communion is the greatest sign of God’s
real presence in our midst. We have taken for granted the Holy Eucharist, thus we’ve never
fully experienced the hidden saving power of the sacrament in our life.
Think about these: If we say we believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, how
come we are not excited to attend a Sunday Mass? Is attending Mass out of obligation or out
of our heart’s desire? When was the last time you attend a weekday Mass because of your
great desire to receive communion? If we believe that it is Jesus we receive in the Eucharist,
how come we are still sad after communion and go home feeling empty?
We are like the disciples “they worship him but doubted.” (Mt. 28:17) We are like
shipwrecked sailors who died of thirst without realizing that their boat had drifted into a
fresh water cove. They failed to dip their bucket into the fresh water. In our case, we failed
to dip ourselves in faith into the mystery of the Eucharist. Thus, some of us, in spite of
attending the mass, still went home with an empty heart and broken spirit.

We need to rediscover the importance of the Eucharist in us and in our families. The
Eucharist is our home. It is in the Eucharist that we are forgiven, loved, and fed. When one
cannot feel God’s presence in the Eucharist, we should not put all the blame to the priest for
his unprepared homily, to the choir’s lousy singing or to the lector and commentator’s wrong
pronunciation.
We should transcend all human limitations and faults that may distract our participation in
this saving mystery unfolding before us… the bread and wine becoming the body and blood
of Jesus - for our spiritual nourishment.
Our human senses cannot help us see the real presence of Christ in the bread and wine. Faith
will help us. Believe in Jesus, “This is my body…this is my blood…” Participate prayerfully
and listen attentively. And you will see and taste the goodness of the Lord in the Eucharist.
One monk says, "Being close to Christ is not a prize. He challenges us not to earn. It is a gift. He
invites us to accept."
1. If we say we believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, how come we are
not excited to attend a Sunday Mass?
2. Is attending Mass out of obligation or out of our heart’s desire? When was the last
time you attend a weekday Mass because of your great desire to receive communion?
3. If we believe that it is Jesus we receive in the Eucharist, how come we are still sad
after communion and go home feeling empty?

THE PROMISE OF A HUNDREDFOLD
"We have put aside everything to follow You!" (Mark 10:28)
Who will be great evangelizers, begetting hundreds of children into God's kingdom? Those
who have given up natural children become great evangelizers by deciding to be celibates
for God's kingdom (Mt. 19:12), for Jesus has promised them a hundred times as many
children. (Mk. 10:30)
Who will be gifted to build Christian community — to help us practically live out our
baptismal brotherhood and sisterhood? Those who have given up their brothers and sisters
for the sake of Jesus and the Gospel have special graces to build community, for Jesus has
promised them a hundred times as many brothers and sisters. (Mk. 10:30)
Who will be good at raising money for church or ministry? Those who have given up property
for Jesus has received this charism, for He has promised them a hundred times as much in
this present age and everlasting life in the age to come. (Mk. 10:30)
Jesus' promises are true, but some promises are only for those who qualify for them. It is
such a privilege to be called by the Lord to give up someone or something for Him and
thereby qualify to receive His promise of a hundred times as many in this age and everlasting
life in the age to come.
1. What have you set aside for you to follow God?

2. How far have you given your all to God?


THE RELENTLESS SUITOR
“But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Rom.5:8)
Why does God love us so much? This questions seems to very difficult to comprehend that
we are so precious in His eyes. In Jeremiah 31:3, the Lord says, “With age-old love I have loved
you; so I have kept my mercy toward you.” Can you imagine what kind of love can this be? A
love that is so much greater than any other love, Jesus tells (John 15:13) “No one has greater
love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” There really no greater love than this.
It is breathtaking to know that the One who created us is on a relentless pursuit of each of
us. Throughout the Bible, we can see how God pursues His people, wanting to establish a
covenant relationship with them. Jesus said he was like a shepherd who has lost a sheep, and
left the ninety-nine just to find the one; He is like a woman who lost her coin, who searched
all over the house to find it. And it was to their joy that the sheep and the coin were found.
God is relentless in His pursuit of us.
God loves us so much that He pursues us every second of our lives. He is in a constant pursuit
of an intimate relationship with us. No amount of sin can stop Him from loving us. No ifs, no
buts. His love cannot be diminished by our mistakes, failures and sins. Jeremiah 31:3, “I have
loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving-kindness I have drawn you.”
In the scripture it tells how Jesus is the groom and we are His bride. He has chosen you. He
is wooing you and He wants to take care and love you like his precious bride. Whether you’re
broken, in deep pain, rejected or just committed sin, He longs to take you in His loving arms.
He will never get tired of pursuing you until you’ll come home to where you really belong.
“For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live
or die, we are the Lord’s.” Rom.14:8
1. How do we respond to Someone (God) who loves us beyond our failures and sins?
2. Evidently, God is showing us how to love. Are we ready to love like Him?

THE SAD RICH YOUNG MAN
"If you wish to be perfect, go and sell your possessions and give the money to
the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
(Matthew 19:21)
Have you ever wished of going to heaven? The usual answer is, "Sure, but not at this
moment." I can understand. That's also my answer. When one is young and strong, going to
heaven is one of our least priorities. But surprisingly, Matthew 19:16-30 allows us to see a
young man dreaming of gaining heaven. In spite of being rich, the young man knows the
importance of gaining a place in heaven.
But how do we gain a spot in heaven? The gospel reveals that following the ten
commandments is not enough. Following the law is just the first step of the many steps ahead
of us. Jesus said to the rich young man, "Sell all your possessions, give it to the poor and follow
me." This is indeed a tough one to follow - especially for us now. Like the rich young man, we
have also accumulated many possessions in our lifetime - material things, status and
comfortable lifestyle. It is not so easy to let go of these things. We earned them for years.
They are basically our everything and our comfort zones. Thus, we may end up following the
footsteps of the rich young man. Walking away sad.
But what God wants from us is not to literally sell everything and follow Jesus. Maybe this
more or less literally true to young men and women who are aspiring to become priests or
nuns. But for the majority of believers, it may mean a DISPOSITION AND OPENNESS TO
DETACH OURSELVES FROM ANY ATTACHMENTS INCLUDING PEOPLE, WEALTH AND
LIFESTYLE to freely follow God's will.
When the rich young sadly left after realizing the impossibility of Jesus' requirement, it also
revealed his "not so pure" motivation in faithfully following the commandments - just to gain
eternal life. None of his desire to know Jesus more or any desire to establish relationship
with Jesus was mentioned.
There is nothing wrong with the motivation of meriting heaven by following the
commandments. We should aspire for it also. But if this is our one and only motivation, then
there's something wrong. WE NEED TO CORRECT OUR MOTIVATION AND PURIFY THEM.
Heaven must not be our main motivation but God himself.
Jesus wanted the young man to move to the next level of loving God - through TOTAL
DETACHMENT AND AVAILABILITY TO FOLLOW JESUS ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME. When
we do these things regularly, we unite ourselves with Jesus, and when we are one with Jesus,
we gain heaven as well.

We should ask ourselves now, "Like the rich young man, do you faithfully follow God's
commandments? What is your motivation? What are your daily intentions in your prayer?
Include in your daily intentions a deeper relationship with Jesus.
1. Like the rich young man, do you faithfully follow God's commandments? What is your
motivation? What are your daily intentions in your prayer? Include in your daily
intentions a deeper relationship with Jesus.
2. What are your inordinate "possessions" that you need to let go? Things that hinder
you to follow God's will.
3. Ask the Lord to give you the necessary strength to let go of these sinful attachments
or excessive attachments to things, people and even beliefs.

THE SECRET JEWEL OF JOSEPH (Solemnity of St. Joseph)
“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.”
(Matthew 1:24)
Saint Joseph is one of the least visible characters in the scripture. A friend of mine who is a
devotee of Saint Joseph defines him as the hidden jewel of the New Testament. Reading
through the first two chapters of Matthew, three common characteristics described Saint
Joseph: Dreamer – Frustrated – Obedient.
He was a dreamer, but a frustrated dreamer. He dreamed of having a happy family with his
lovely wife Mary. But the angel appeared to him in a dream and proclaimed she was already
pregnant by the Holy Spirit. He planned to break off the engagement in private, but the angel
told him to take Mary as his wife. (Mt. 1:18-25) When Jesus was born, he dreamed of Jesus
growing in Nazareth. But the angel appeared again in a dream and told him to take Jesus and
Mary to Egypt. (Mt. 2:13-18) When they were already settled happily in Egypt, the angel of
God appeared again and told him to bring his family back to Israel. (Mt. 2:19-23) Just imagine
the frustrations of Saint Joseph. And yet, in all these events, I am touched how Saint Joseph
lovingly obeyed God, “Your wish is my command.”
Looking back, the life of Saint Joseph is more or less similar to our lives. We are also
dreamers. We have many plans in our life and for our families: a retreat in Baguio this
summer, to migrate in the United States, to pass the board exams, to get married in two years,
to win in an annulment case, to buy a new house, a new Philippine president, and many other
plans and dreams. And like Saint Joseph, some of our small and big dreams remain a dream
– unfulfilled and unanswered. We are frustrated. We blame God. We stop going to Mass and
attending prayer meetings. We question God’s existence. We rebel against Him. Some of us
change and become a non-believer. Worst of all, we slip through anger, depression, and
hopelessness. It pains us because we tried controlling our destiny but to no avail.
God wants us to plan and dream. God is always giving us a hand in our life. But sometimes,
when our plans are not working the way we want it to be, or the way we want to see it, let’s
be open to the possibility that God is offering us a better option. In times like this, learn the
art of letting go and letting God. Have faith and trust God. He knows better than us. Learn
from Saint Joseph. Be obedient.
My Tatay Francisco was a frustrated engineer. In my desire to fulfill the dream of my father,
I took the Civil Engineering at the University of Santo Tomas and passed the board exam. But
God made a turn-around in my life and I found myself as a Jesuit priest after saying yes to
God’s promptings. Like my father, I ended up a frustrated engineer. But looking back, when
I decided to follow the will of God and let go of my dreams, I realized that God gave me a
better life. A friend of mine told me, “You are still an engineer – and a successful one, because
you are helping the church build a spiritual bridge between God and His children.”

Sometimes, we may think that God is unfair for telling us to plan our life only to be told, “Do
this and not that one.” But in the end, when we allow ourselves to follow God and cooperate
with Him, we discover that God is not thinking of His own capriciousness but our own
happiness: A life to the fullest! God has a greater plan for us. Saint Joseph discovered it. This
is his most precious jewel!
What happens happen for a reason.
1. What are your dreams/plans in life?

2. Are you ready to exchange it for something better from God?

THE SPIRIT OF HUMILITY
"As Peter entered, Cornelius went to meet him, dropped to his knees before him
and bowed low." (Acts 10:25)
Cornelius and his family were the first Gentiles to receive the Holy Spirit because they were
humble. When Peter, a common Galilean fisherman, entered the home of Cornelius, the
powerful Roman centurion, Cornelius humbly dropped to his knees and bowed low before
Peter.
Pope John Paul II taught that the Holy Spirit is received "by the humble and docile heart of
the believer" (The Splendor of Truth, 108). At the first Christian Pentecost, those who received
the Holy Spirit were those humble enough to ask: "What are we to do?" (Acts 2:37) At
Ephesus, twelve men received the Spirit quickly because they were humble enough to admit:
"We have not so much as heard that there is a Holy Spirit." (Acts 19:2) When Mary conceived
Jesus by the power of the Spirit, she humbly called herself the servant girl, the handmaid of
the Lord. (Lk. 1:38) Before the Spirit descended on Jesus, He humbled Himself before His
creature, John, by asking John to baptize Him. (Mt. 3:13ff)
The Holy Spirit often comes to us even when we only "crack the door" of humility. We will
receive the Spirit anew, if we at least humble ourselves a little. A new, although very
imperfect, humility precedes a new outpouring of the Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit, to the humble and docile hearts of believers!
Discussion Starter:
Why is humility important if we are to receive the Holy Spirit?


THE VIEW FROM THE DESERT
"Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit." (Matthew 4:1)
In the stark desolation of the physical desert, you can:
 See clearly without distraction.

 Live simply, in a "lean and mean" lifestyle. Only the basic necessities for survival are
valuable.
 Discern value clearly. We tend to overvalue the things the world affords. (1 Jn. 2:16)
In the desert, a cup of water has far more value than a diamond necklace.
In Lent, the Holy Spirit leads us into the desert to speak to our heart. (Hos. 2:16) This spiritual
desert is similar to the physical desert:
 Temptations can be seen more clearly for what they are, without distraction.
 Things that seem so important in the world, such as the regard of others, fade into
obscurity in the spiritual desert.
 Things that seem obscure in the clutter of society, such as God's opinion of you, are
critically important in the desert.
 Your need for God's provision and protection is acute in the desert. The consequences
of rebelling against God's direction can be fatal.
Most of all, the desert is a place of love. (Jer. 2:2) In the desert the Lord allures us (Hos. 2:16)
by pouring out His love into our heart through the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 5:5) The Israelites
grumbled in the desert (Ex. 16:2), but in the Lenten desert, we will rejoice. (Is. 35:1) "In the
desert prepare the way of the Lord!." (Is. 40:3)
Discussion Starter:
Have you experienced a spiritual desert? What have you learned?


THIS IS THE DAY
"The fervent petition of a holy man is powerful indeed." (James 5:16)
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it." (Ps. 118:24) It's beyond
our power to imagine what the Lord can do with this day. (Eph. 3:20) He can make this day
as eventful as a thousand years. (2 Pt. 3:8)
Today we can pray in faith and heal the sick. (Jas. 5:15) Like Elijah, today we can dramatically
change our economy and government by the power of prophecy and prayer (see Jas. 5:17-
18). Today we can bring back sinners strayed from the truth. This will save them and us
"from death and cancel a multitude of sins". (Jas. 5:20)
Today "is the day of salvation!" (2 Cor. 6:2) Today we can leap forward in our relationship
with the Lord and our service to Him. We can go to sleep tonight and say we've never loved
the Lord more than we do today. We can repent of every sin, obey every command, and grow
more in this one day than we have grown in months. Today can be a day we'll never forget
simply because we have decided to love the Lord today and every day with all our hearts, all
our souls, all our strength, and all our minds. (Lk. 10:27)
Discussion Starter:
What are your top 3 prayers at present?


TIME WELL SPENT
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love
the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”
(Matthew 22:36-38)
In a romantic relationship, we don’t just jump into the relationship when it knocks on our
door. There is the process called “courtship” to get to know the other person. And this
process of knowing the person doesn’t stop when the girl answers the boy. It is a continuous
and conscious effort for both people to be able to make their relationship better and stronger.
That is why they spend more time with each other. It is the same with our relationship with
God. We need to make a continuous and conscious effort to know Him more to strengthen
our relationship with Him. God wants us to experience the life that is surrounded by His love.
And to experience it, we must first know and believe in Him.
In order to have a better relationship with God, we must spend more time with Him in prayer,
not only in speaking to Him but also listening to His leading. Learning about God through the
bible (scripture reading), supplemented by media (radio, TV, internet) and experiencing God
in the sacraments as we transition to each phase in our lives help us to know and love God
more.
1. In what stage are you now in your relationship with God?

2. What are the things you do to know God more?

TITHING PRAYER-TIME
Jesus "told them a parable on the necessity of praying always." (Luke 18:1)
God, the "all-powerful word," wants to bound "from heaven's royal throne" into our land
(Wis. 18:15), but He's waiting for us to ask for His coming. He's waiting for us to pray — to
pray always and not lose heart. (Lk. 18:1)
The Lord does not call us merely to pray more, but to pray always. We should schedule
prayer to the point that, even when not formally at prayer, we will still keep praying always.
For most people, this means devoting a "tithe" of our day to prayer, using whatever means
of prayer that are possible according to one's vocation and state of life.
Jesus called it a necessity to pray always. He meant that without this constant prayer,
necessary parts of God's work will not happen in our lives. For example, the Lord will not
bound into our land to transform us, as He intends to do. Pope John Paul II teaches: "We feel
not only the need but even a categorical imperative for great, intense and growing prayer by
all the Church" (The Redeemer of Man, 22). "Never cease praying, render constant thanks;
such is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thes. 5:17-18)
1. How much important is your prayer time for you?

2. Do you protect your prayer time?


TRAVEL LIGHT
“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure
the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have
received; without cost you are to give.” (Matthew 10:7)
Jesus’ instructions to His apostles as He sends them on the road are amazing. On the one
hand, He sends them endowed with great power, able to drive out unclean spirits and to cure
every disease and every illness, even to cleanse lepers and raise the dead. On the other hand,
they are to go about this mission in a most vulnerable way: they are to take no money or
backpack, to walk those rocky roads of Palestine without sandals (!) or walking stick. Food
is not mentioned in Matthew’s version of the instruction, but since they are told to stay where
people receive them, presumably they are to depend entirely on the hospitality (room and
board) of those who take them in. Since they are told to combine their healing activity with
the proclamation, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” the healing and the deliverance from
evil spirits is apparently a demonstration of the presence of God’s end-time reign present
right there in their midst.
It is clear enough why Matthew would include this stunning combination of healing and the
announcement of the kingdom’s presence, for that is exactly what Jesus did, and Jesus is
sending them as His successors, carrying out the mission that He had begun. But what was
Matthew’s audience (or readership) to make of the unusual way of moving about the
countryside, so poorly equipped and so dependent on the hospitality of strangers? We know
from reading the letters of Paul and the Acts of the Apostles that most of the early Christians
were not itinerant preachers and healers. Some of them—like Paul and Barnabas, Aquila and
Prisca—surely were. But most of Matthew’s readers were probably settled urbanites living
in places like Antioch and Corinth and gathered in homes once a week to celebrate the Lord’s
Supper and enjoy fellowship. What was the message for them as they heard these Gospel
instructions about traveling and spreading the good news?
I suggest the message was something like this: whether you are called to be a missionary or
to be an ordinary stay-at-home disciple, following our Risen Lord is always a special
“journey.” Therefore, travel light!
Don’t burden yourself with things and stuff. Human life on planet Earth is short. Remember
that relationships—with God (Father, Son and Spirit), with other human beings and animals,
and with the gifts of the earth—are what it is all about.
Whatever we think of our freedom, we are thoroughly interdependent. And our primary
dependence—for existence and life—is on God, Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer. Cultivate, live
and act in the awareness and you will be profoundly free. Jesus continues to enlighten and
heal us, and through us. He invites us now to enter the Reign of God, now and forever. Travel
light.

1. Do you witness the truth and joy of the gospel by word and example to those around
you?
2. Do you pray for the work of the gospel and support it with your material resources?

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html Used with
permission.]

THE UNEXAMINED ASSUMPTIONS
In our action-oriented culture, when we see something is wrong, the immediate reaction is
often to rush in to try to do something, to “fix” it. But if we try to change our behavior without
becoming aware of the root causes of our conduct, it probably won’t be long before we’re
doing the same thing over again, in a different way! “…inasmuch as we all generate small
ecological damage, we are called to acknowledge “our contribution, smaller or greater,
to the disfigurement and destruction of creation (Pope Francis LS 8)
How did an intelligent, well-meaning species who for the most part only wanted to make the
world better and more secure for their children, end up in such condition? What could
possibly explain how we got in our current predicament? How did we get here? “The great
work of our times, I would say, is moving the human community from its present situation
as a destructive presence on the planet to a benign or mutually enhancing presence. Its’s that
simple.” (THOMAS BERRY)
“Although it is true that we Christians have at times incorrectly interpreted the

Scriptures, nowadays we must forcefully reject the notion that our being created in God’s
image and given dominion over the earth justifies absolute domination over other
creatures. This implies a relationship of mutual responsibility between human and
nature.” (Pope Francis. LS 67)
According to Thomas Berry, our industrial age could be characterized as a period of

technological entrancement in which our obsession with progress has us marching towards
an ill-defined magical paradise somewhere in the future—a future in which we have
mastered the Earth and everything on it – without limits.
In modern society, many of us believe that our job as “smart shoppers” is to get the highest
level of comfort and convenience at the lowest possible price. We assume that when we buy
something, the price we pay reflects the full cost of making it.
Since the market tends to promote extreme consumerism in an effort to sell its products,
people can easily get caught up in a whirlwind of needless buying and spending. (Pope
Francis. LS 203) Obsession with a consumerist lifestyle, above all when few people are
capable of maintaining it, can only lead to violence and mutual destruction. (LS 204)
We’re interdependent, and that interdependence flows at many levels: It’s spiritual; it is
psychological; it is economic. The notion that we can exist and prosper just individually
based purely on what we do and what we earn is a rather new notion in history, and it doesn't
work. The mindset which leaves no room for sincere concern for the environment is the
same mindset which lacks concern for the inclusion of the most vulnerable members of
society. (Pope Francis. LS 196)
“When you say you’re going to throw something away, where’s “away”? There’s no such thing.
And where “away” actually is social justice issues and environmental justice issues. Every plastic
bag, plastic cup, plastic to-go container—that is the petroleum complex in Africa, Ecuador,

Colombia, Alaska, you name it. Every paper bag, paper plate, paper napkin—that is a forest.
Everything that is called waste or disposable is the ways in which we are saying that it is
acceptable to throw our planet and its people away.
Disposables are one of the huge magnifiers of how we've lost our connection to the sacred. We
just take it for granted that we're going to go to the coffee shop and get coffee that came from
an exploited community somewhere where a forest was destroyed for a monoculture, put it in
a paper cup that used to be a forest, put a plastic lid on top of it that used to be an indigenous
community somewhere in a beautiful area, drink it, and then throw it away where it goes back
and pollutes a nature community or a human community at the end.” (JULIA BUTTERFLY)
“The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of
filth.(LS 21) “These problems are closely linked to a throwaway culture…” -Pope Francis-
(LS 22)
The dream of the modern world is constructed almost entirely out of assumptions that have
simply been accepted for generations. And, over time, these assumptions have become part
of the fabric of society, profoundly embedded in our institutions. Questioning these
assumptions, and the systems that perpetuate them, is a powerful way to begin to awaken
from our collective trance.
Today, in a word, “the issue of environmental degradation challenges us to examine our

lifestyle. (Pope Francis. LS 206)
Unexamined Assumptions:
• Human is separate from Nature.
• Nature has no rights as humans have.
• Technological advancement is progress.
• The Earth's resources are limitless and are there for us to use as we see fit.
• The price we pay for something reflects the full cost of making it.
• Happiness lies on having more.
• There is some place called away.
• We have throwaway resources, species, and people.
GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1) Which of the unexamined assumption do you feel have been or still remain your very own
assumption?
2) What change of lifestyle you will do to answer the cry of Mother Earth?
and use the
following hashtags: #GenChrist #LiveGenesis #ChristProclaimed #iamSFC)
(Source: Laudato Si Symposium)

TREASURES IN HEAVEN
“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” (Matt 6:21)
Where is your treasure? So many things come to mind when we think of what Jesus is saying
in this verse that begin our passage. Are you earthly-minded or heavenly-minded? Are you
investing in the future eternity to come, or are you investing in the here and now? Are you
enthralled with the temporary versus the permanent? Jesus uses examples to show how the
things we deem most important are only temporary.
What do you deem as valuable, because what you deem as valuable shows you where your
heart is? Maybe it is money and wealth; maybe it is power and the desire to be recognized as
a leader; maybe it is looking spiritual on the outside so that people think you have it together.
Maybe it is popularity and acceptance through nice clothes, a home, or an X-box gaming
console. Maybe it is your family and how you will raise great kids. Here, Jesus is calling us to
change our minds from the temporary to the eternal, from the things that are passing by to
the things that are permanent.
What an awesome thing to know that as believers our inheritance is waiting for us, that as
children of God, we will inherit eternity! Being with Christ that is our reward! Those who
strive to store up treasures here on earth will be disappointed because those treasures will
only fade away. But if we are serving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength; and if
we share our blessing to those in need, we will not be disappointed.
Discussion Starter:
How am I managing my treasure to serve God and share to those in need so as to gain
treasures in heaven?

UNDER THE INFLUENCE
"Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod."
(Mark 8:15)
I worked in a bakery long ago. The baker would break up a solid block of yeast into small
crumbs. Next he painstakingly kneads the crumbs of yeast all throughout the batch of dough.
Then he set aside the dough on the baking table for a while "until the whole mass of dough
began to rise". (Lk. 13:21)
It was amazing to watch such small crumbs of yeast cause the dough to rise so much. "A little
yeast can affect the entire dough." (Gal. 5:9)
Jesus told us to be on guard about what we allow to influence our lives. (Mk. 8:15) The secular
culture constantly sprinkles its crumbs of yeast into our lives, such as:
 "If you're cool, you'll watch this movie." --- The sprinkling of immorality from the
ungodly movie leads from shock to neutrality to a life of sin.
 "Stop going to Mass now that you are in college. Otherwise, no one will go out with
you." --- That crumb of yeast leads to a lack of faith, sexual sin, and unfaithfulness.
 "Don't pray with your children. That's too boring for them. Let them decide for
themselves about God when they grow up." --- This yeast leads to broken families and
lost vocations.
Jesus says: "Be on your guard." (Mk. 8:15) "Do you not know that a little yeast has its effect
all through the dough? Get rid of the old yeast to make of yourselves fresh dough." (1 Cor.
5:6-7)
Let the unleavened bread of the Holy Eucharist be your bread. Receive the Eucharist
frequently, even daily if possible. Toss out the yeast of the world. Let the Eucharist raise you
up.
How can you live a righteous life without being self-righteous?


UNLEASH THE LION
“Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.” (1 Cor.16:13)
Let’s be real, it is very hard to be a real man, much less a Christian man. In our world today
were there are so many distractions, quick fixes and all those ‘instant’, real men seems hard
to find or to be. We see men destroying instead of building; harming instead of protecting;
taking advantage instead of self-giving. Satan has seems to be successful in concealing the
Godly man in us.
Since time immemorial, God has been looking for real men to lead His people. He has been
searching them to be His guiding light from Abraham to David, from John to Paul; Real men
who will stand up for Him whether it’s popular or unpopular thing to do; Men who are not
just pretending to be followers of God, but men who will stand up for God and His people.
If there ever was a time when we needed the true men of God to stand up and be counted,
this is that time. Deep inside us is a lion that sleeps. Within our heart is a passion waiting to
ignite. God has placed in us a powerful desire to take charge with passion, stand firm in the
faith, fight the good fight, serve and protect, give and sacrifice. God has intended us to be
lions who take charge of the jungle. We are meant to be warriors, taking lead in His mission.
The real roar of the true man of God should be "whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer
and to the ministry of the word." (Acts 6:4).
The real gauge of real manhood is what St. Paul describes it “until we all attain to the unity of
faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of
Christ, so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of
teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming”
(Eph.4:13-14). We are to be real men of faith, integrity, and uncompromising character. Men
who will be stand firm in the truth, disciplined and anchored in the Spirit, faithful and
devoted in prayer. The men who build Christ’s church are warriors, fighters, and defenders
who lay their lives on the line and teach us how to run His race.
Unleash the victor in you. Unleash the lion in you. Stand up and be counted. Be what God has
intended you to be.
1. Think about a challenge or opportunity you currently facing (or may face in the
future) that will require courage. What steps are you going to make in order to
prepare yourself?
2. Consider the consequences you may face as a result of doing what is right and just.
Are you willing to pay the price

WAIT IN JOYFUL HOPE
"Hoping for what we cannot see means awaiting it with patient endurance."
(Romans 8:25)
"In hope we were saved." (Rom. 8:24) Jesus saved us by dying on the cross, and He saved us
"in hope". (Rom. 8:24) While dying "in agony" (Rom. 8:22), Jesus could only see horrible
suffering. He couldn't feel the presence of His Father, and cried out loudly to express His
feeling of abandonment. (Ps. 22:2) "Hoping for what" He could not see, the glory of a reunion
with His Father in heaven and the salvation of those who were presently killing Him, meant
"awaiting it with patient endurance". (Rom. 8:25)
As Father Al Lauer, the founder of this booklet often proclaimed on these pages, Jesus is our
only Hope, and He is the only Hope we need. Jesus hoped so perfectly that, in a sense, He was
Hope incarnate. Are you trapped in a situation that seems hopeless? Jesus is your Hope. Are
"the sufferings of the present" (Rom. 8:18) overwhelming? Then compare them "with the
glory to be revealed" (Rom. 8:18) when we join Jesus, our "Hope for glory" (Col. 1:27), in
heaven. Our citizenship is in heaven. (Phil. 3:20) We must live with one foot in heaven (Col.
3:1) and the other on earth. (Mt. 28:19; Jn. 17:11)
The best way we can live in hope is to go to Mass as often as possible. At Mass, "heaven is
wedded to earth". (Easter Vigil Exultet) We eat at the banquet of the Lord while still on earth.
Jesus "encourages those who are losing hope". (Sir. 17:19) Are you losing hope? Go to Mass
today, receive Hope, and "wait in joyful hope."
1. Are you in a hopeless situation?

2. How do you recognize God’s presence amidst a desperate situation?


WAITING
“Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD! “ (Psalm27:14)
We are living in society who loves instant. What we desire, we want it right at our doorstep.
From instant food, to instant beauty, to instant pleasure, we want everything at our
fingertips. Waiting and having patience is no longer the norm. We think waiting has no
material and discernable value. And it seems that in our Christian faith, we also expect God
to act instantly the moment we request or ask something from Him.
The Scripture tells us that there are great blessings in waiting. In the book of Psalm 40:1
David says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry.” God delights
to who trust in His ways. But oftentimes, we believe that if we are ready for something, God
must immediately answer and grant our request. We see God as an ATM machine where He
will instantly dispense answers to our prayers. Waiting is hard if you are longing to be
married. You begin to compare yourself with your friends who are already dating, engaged
or happily married.
God is a sovereign God. He is in control. He knows what’s best for you. We may not
understand Him sometimes; we just have to trust Him. He knows you better than you know
yourself. He knows every detail of your life. He knows what your longing. He knows how you
are feeling and the worries and frustrations you may have. He knows your future and He is
preparing you for it.
God wants you to focus on Him, to fix your eyes on Him. He’ll take you from where you are
to where you are supposed to be. Wait on the Lord and trust that His perfect time is the best.
Devote your time in serving Him. Be on your best while waiting on God’s best.
1. Do you feel pressured when your friends are starting to get marry or are already
engaged or is in a special relationship?
2. What do you do while waiting on the Lord?

WHO IS IN CONTROL?
“For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.”
(2 Tim 1:7)
Emotions, we all have it and they are here to stay. We may hide it, ignore it or even fake it,
but sooner or later, if not handled properly will take its toll on us. They are ever present in
us. They are present as the weather surrounding us. That’s why, it is vital that every believer
must strive to be emotionally stable. Not handling it properly, may not only hurt us but also
the people surrounding us.
We must be above our emotions and not the other way around. We must not be easily get
affected with or stirred by emotion; neither have a tendency to heavily rely on emotion. We
must not be easily swayed by it or make any major decision while we are experiencing
‘emotional high.’ While wisdom says wait, our emotions say hurry.
God designed our emotions to be gauges and not guides. They are meant to reveal to you and
not to dictate you. How we deal with it reveals so much about us. If we believe that we are
not able to manage our emotions properly, we need to begin to pray, seek God and ask for
His grace for emotional maturity.
Emotions cannot be avoided, but surely through the Holy Spirit we can learn to manage them.
As the saying goes, “he who lives by emotions lives without principle.”
1. Cite an experience where you did not able to control or manage your emotion(s).
How did it affect you and other people?
2. How will you handle if it will happen again?

WHY CATHOLICS CONFESS TO A PRIEST?
“He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit, if you forgive sins of
any, they are forgiven, if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
(John 20:22)
Only God can forgive sins. Christ who came from God and who is God Himself has this
authority which he exercised while he was here in this world. (Mt. 9:5-8, Mk. 2:8-11) Apostles
can forgive sins as Jesus conferred this authority to forgive sins to His apostles. “He breathed
on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit, if you forgive sins of any, they are forgiven, if you
retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (Jn. 20:22)
The Church upon Peter, has the power to forgive sins as it is given to her by its Master, Jesus.
“And I say to you, you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of
hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever
you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mt. 16:17-19) So we can ask pardon from the
Church as it has the authority to forgive sins.
This authority to forgive sins, which is given to the Church in the Confessional or in the
Sacrament of Reconciliation, was exercised by the apostles and was transferred to their
legitimate successors through the imposition of hands. The Bible clarifies it: “And all this is
from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and given us the ministry of
reconciliation. God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ…so we are ambassadors
for Christ, as if God is appealing through us.” (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
‘Confess directly to God only’ is an anti-Christ teaching to destroy the salvific plan of Jesus, and
is written nowhere in the Bible. When the prodigal son repented, he confessed to God and at
the same time to his father: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” (Lk.
15:18)
The Bible questions the ‘Confess directly to God only theory’ in St. James’ letter: “Therefore,
confess your sins to one another.” (Jas. 5:14-16) When we commit sin, we sin against God and
against society, as we are the members of same body, the Church. So it becomes a proper
way to get forgiveness, to ask pardon from God and from the Church.
The priest in the confessional is the representative of the Church, the body of Jesus (2 Cor.
5:18) who is validly ordained by the successors of the apostles, and who has the authority to
forgive sins, not like ministers of Manalo or Eli Soriano who received an invalid ordination!

1. Have you experienced confessing to a priest? If yes, how was the experience? If no,
why?
2. What is God teaching you about the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
[Source: Know the Truth: A Publication to defend the Catholic Faith, p.18.]

WHY FAST?
"Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?"
(Matthew 9:14)
Tragic news made us sad yesterday. A Grade IV student from Ateneo de Manila University
died on the spot when a speeding car hit him at the school’s parking area. Everybody knows
that it was not intentional. Maybe the lady driver, out of panic, stepped on the gasoline pedal
instead of the break. It was a fatal mistake that caused one life. But it was not intentional.
I might not commit a big mistake and unintentionally kill somebody. But in my own little
way, I may have hurt people unknowingly with my unkind words and harsh action because
of my insensitivity and selfishness.
Matthew 9:14-15 is not discounting the value of fasting. In fact, Jesus tells us that fasting
must be done in the right context and understanding.
Some of us abstain from eating because they want to lose weight. That’s not fasting but
dieting.
Some of us do fast as a form of penance for their sins. It’s not really fasting but mortification
– a self denial that helps a person overcome both psychological and physical weakness, and
helps him grow in virtue.
But real fasting is when we consciously or intentionally deny ourselves of our needs and think
of the need of other people. That’s fasting! It must always be an “other-oriented” action.
God said, “This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the
thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with
the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see
them, and not turning your back on your own.” (Is. 58:6-7)
In this Lenten season, let’s purify ourselves with our self-centeredness; and think “others.”
The more we think of others, the more we become sensitive to their feelings and needs, and
the more we avoid unintentionally hurting others.
Today, let' set aside our habit of “unintentionally hurting each other.” Let’s try the habit of
“INTENTIONALLY LOVING EACH OTHER.” That’s the best way to fast.
1. How can you experience real fasting this Lent?

2. What acts of denying yourself will you do to meet the need of other people?

WITNESS STAND
"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."
(Psalm 118:17)
Those witnessing for the risen Christ are a sign of contradiction (see Lk. 2:34) to the culture
of death in which we live. Therefore, those who have not met the risen Christ and are
enslaved by the devil, the prince of death (Heb. 2:14-15), oppose those proclaiming risen life
in Christ. They will threaten us with punishment, violence, or death if we continue to speak
of risen life.
However, because we are not afraid to suffer or die, we will say: "Judge for yourselves
whether it is right in God's sight for us to obey you rather than God. Surely we cannot help
speaking of what we have heard and seen." (Acts 4:19-20; see also Acts 5:29) Then we will
have an even better opportunity to proclaim risen life since the threat of death will make our
proclamation of life in Christ even more credible.
Thus, for us "life means Christ; hence dying is so much gain." (Phil. 1:21) "Death is swallowed
up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" (1 Cor. 15:54-55)
As witnesses for the risen Jesus, we are willing to "face death every day". (1 Cor. 15:31)
If we miraculously escape death, even more people will believe in the risen Christ. If we don't
escape death, we will be raised from the dead. Therefore, witness for Jesus in the face of
death and be raised by Jesus after death. Witness and rise!
Discussion Starter:
Share an experience where in spite of the odds you still stood up for Christ.


WORRY NOT
“Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea” (Matthew 8:24)
There are two kinds of storms in Lake Galilee. One originates from the outside, like the
continental wind storms that are common in the Mediterranean area. It is seasonal. The
second originates from Lake Galilee itself. The natural geographical set-up of the lake and
the nearby mountains creates a unique movement of cold and warm air that produces
storms. They are potentially dangerous to seafarers but they don’t usually last.
In Mark 8:23-27, Jesus and his disciples were confronted by this local storm. They were well-
seasoned fishermen. But because of fear, they panicked and forgot who they were and who
was sailing with them.
Think about this: We have two kinds of storms in our life. The first storm is the “outside”
storm. We cannot control them but they are legitimately important in our life: political,
social, economical, ecological and other concerns. The second storm is an “inner” storm, this
is our personal, family or community concerns that we normally encounter: family feud,
broken relationship, financial difficulties, health concerns, community or work related issues.
They are not life-threatening storms but they are life-defining opportunities that we need to
face. Like the disciples, sometimes we lost our bearings in the middle of the storm because
of fear and failure to trust God.
But I realize that one of the things that contributed to this fear factor is our bag-full of
worries. Many of us are worriers. We love to say, “We’ll never make it.” We forget that Jesus
is with us. The funny thing is, much of what we worry about doesn't matter at all! Take a look
at these statistics about worry:
 40% of all things that we worry about never come to pass.

 30% of all our worries that involves our past decisions that cannot be changed.
 12% focus on criticism from others who spoke because they felt inferior.
 10% are related to our health, which gets worse when we worry.
 8% of our worries could be described as "legitimate" causes for concern.
 It means that 92% are useless and unnecessary worries!
I guess “worry” is one of the devil’s most powerful weapons in his armory against us. When
worry rules our hearts, we lost our identity. Worrying robs our now. It is either we are
trapped in our past mistakes or anxiously living in the future. Thus we failed to enjoy the
“beauty of the now” and “the gift of each moment” that God is giving us.
The man who is free from worries can leisurely eat and enjoy his breakfast of dried fish, red
eggs, tomatoes, and fried rice. He can immerse himself in the morning sunlight and breathe
the fresh morning air. He takes a bath and enjoys the water gently flowing to his body
without thinking what he will do in the office or school today. He can close his eyes and count
his blessings. He can afford to smell a flower. He can work well under pressure. He can laugh
at his mistakes. He can set aside his voluminous work when weekend comes and waste his

time with his family. And when evening comes, they pray, leave everything to God, and sleep
in peace.
Worry not. God is with us.
"The moment the little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no
longer see the birds or hear them sing." - Eric Berne
1. What lesson is the relationship between following Jesus and experiencing life’s
“storms”?
2. What are your worries at present? What storms are you facing right now?
3. In what ways have I allowed my fears to warp my perspective of Jesus?

WORRY-FREE LIFE
And He said to his disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about
your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
(Luke 12:22-23)
What is worry?
Worry is an emotion in which a person feels anxious or concerned about a real or imagined
issue, ranging from personal issues such as relationships, health or finances to broader
issues such as environmental pollution and social, technological change. Most people
experience short lived episodes of worry in their lives without incident; indeed, a moderate
amount of worrying may even have positive effects, if it prompts people to take precautions
(e.g. fastening their seatbelts or buying fire insurance) or avoid risky behaviors (e.g.
promiscuous sexual relations or cliff diving). However, about one in four people, have
chronic worry, an anxiety disorder which requires professional treatment. Chronic worry
can cause heart attacks, high blood pressure, ulcers, gastrointestinal problems, muscular
aches and pains, skin rashes, eczema, respiratory problems and asthma.
When we fill our minds with worries, fears and anxieties, we show to God that we do not
trust Him. When, in fact, we should trust that He has a perfect plan for us and will provide
for us. He promises to take care of us and when we do not believe in those promises, we are
saying that God is a liar. And, He is not. God encourages us to fill our minds of the basic truth:
He sent us Jesus to die for our sins so that we may have eternal life; a full life of hope and joy.
Let’s be free from our worries and trust in that truth.
1. What are we most worried, fearful, or anxious in our lives today?

2. In confidentiality, is there someone you know who has expressed his or her fears and
worries? How is the best way we can free from this and/or help the person you know
from their worries?

YOUR ID, PLEASE
“This is how all will know that you are my disciples…” (John 13:35)
John 13:31-35 brings us to the last moments of Jesus where he bids goodbye to his disciples.
It is very human that when we leave, we want to be remembered. He wants to give his
followers a lasting sign that will distinguish them from the rest of the world – the ability to
love one another. (Jn. 13:35) A passport allows us to know each others’ nationality; but our
love for one another will allow others to recognize us as disciples of Jesus.
Let’ stop for a while and reflect the following paradox of life I recently read:
“We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses and
divided families. More conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less love;
more knowledge, but less good judgment. We have more experts, but fewer solutions; more
medicine, but less health. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We
talk too much, but don’t know how to listen. We have learned how to make a living, but not
a life; we have added years to life, not life to years. We have been all the way to the moon and
back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We have higher
incomes, but lower morals; we’ve become long on quantity, but short on quality. These are
the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of
food, but less nutrition. We have cleaned up the air, but polluted our soul.” – Anonymous.
This paradox of life simply tells us that some of us have lost their Christian I.D.
In John 13:31-35, Jesus wants us to wear our Christian identity: our capacity to love one
another. When we know how to love unconditionally, we become effective messengers of
God’s love. People remember us not because we did great things for them; but because they
felt our presence when they need us most. Anything done with great love – listening to your
son, a good evening family meal, serving a cup of coffee to your dad or mom, stroll at the park
with grandma, a warm morning greeting to a homeless, a surprise visit to a friend, a phone
call just to say hello, a thank you note to your teacher and other small act of kindness – is
worth remembering. Love spells T-I-M-E.
Do you still remember your favorite teacher in grade school or high school? I do. Her name
is Miss Maria Calica. Her lovely face is still vivid in my memory. She gave me a bar of chocolate
and a hug to ease my fear on my first day in school. That small act of kindness left a wonderful
memory in my heart; that’s love – the disciples’ I.D.
It’s fun to walk in the famous Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Viewing the names of more than
2,000 movie stars engraved along the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard is interesting and
entertaining; but everything ends there. But each time I walk through my own memory lane,
it gives me joy and gratitude remembering people who touched my life - their kindness is
deeply engraved in my heart. I will never forget them for the rest of my life.

1. Reflect on Jesus’ statement in John 13:35 that it is our love for one another that proves
we are His disciples.
2. What are the implications of this statement?
3. What are some small acts of love that you can do this week?

YOUR LIFE SAVING INVESTMENT
"Invest this." (Luke 19:13)
In Matthew's version of the parable of the sums of money, the master lavishly praises his
servants and invites them to share in his joy. (Mt. 25:21, 23) However in Luke's account, the
master is demanding, severe, and unwilling to act with patience toward his servants, much
as we would act toward an investment broker to whom we had entrusted thousands of
dollars.
One message of this passage is that God expects performance from us. He invested the
precious gift of life within us. Then He invested spiritual gifts and natural talents in us.
Though He created us out of sheer love, He also expects a lasting return from us (Jn. 15:16)
and commands us to "invest" our lives in His service until He returns. (Lk. 19:13) In fact, the
context of this parable in Luke's Gospel is Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (Lk. 19:28): it's the time
of visitation (Lk. 19:44) and settling accounts (Lk. 19:15; 20:10).
Investing our "all" is not an optional extra in the Christian life. It's a matter of life and death.
The servant who did not invest his life for Jesus was judged as "worthless" (Lk. 19:22) and
was cast out into hell (Mt. 25:30).
Are you holding back on giving anything in your life to Jesus? Jesus is "coming soon". (Rev.
22:20) The day of visitation may be sooner than you think. "Why delay, then?" (Acts 22:16)
Give your all to Jesus. Lay down your life in total service to Him now.
Discussion Starter:
Are you holding back on giving anything in your life to Jesus?


SFC Household Topic Compilation (2020 Version)

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CFC SINGLES FOR CHRIST

OVERVIEW OF THE SFC HOUSEHOLD TOPIC COMPILATION

Ingredients of a Household Meeting

A household prayer meeting involves three indispensable ingredients:

1. Praise and Worship

a. The format of worship is as follows:

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 Closing prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be)

b. Members should be exhorted by the household head to participate actively in

Some advantages of this arrangement are as follows:

a. Members are freer to share, especially of their difficulties, when members of

c. It is an opportunity for the men to be supported by the brothers as Christian

3. The last part, fellowship, is the time for socializing.

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b. The host says the grace before the meal.

c. Absolutely no alcoholic beverages are to be served in the household prayer

For any inquiries and feedback, please email us at sfcpfo@couplesforchristglobal.org

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- The Debt of Sin ……………………………………………………………….………………………….171

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- Tithing Prayer-Time …………………………………………………………………………………..191

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- Your ID, Please …………………………………………………………………………………………...209

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- The Lenten Fast …………………………………………………………………………………………176

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- Your Lifesaving Investment ………………………………………………………………………..211

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Index of Formation Weekend

Covenant Orientation Weekend

Christian Character Weekend

Christ Pursuit Weekend

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Mark 9:39-40 - Separated Brethren …………………………………………………………150

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ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

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3-D TICKET TO HEAVEN

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1. Do you wear your dress of righteousness and charity regularly?

[Reprinted with permission from Fr. Wilfredo Manalo Samson, S.J.]

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Here is my personal guide how to STOP in prayer.

S – Silence: Seek God in silence and listen to His will.

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1. How is your prayer time?

[Reprinted with permission from Fr. Wilfredo Manalo Samson, S.J.]

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[Reprinted with permission of Presentation Ministries, 3230 McHenry, Cincinnati, OH 45211,