a different kind of mass

1
A DIFFERENT KIND OF MASS
“Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of
me.” – 1 Corinthians 11:25
HOLY THURSDAY
APRIL
Exodus 12:1-8,
11-14
Psalm 116:12-13,
15-16bc, 17-18
1 Corinthians
11:23-26
John 13:1-15
REFLECTION:
Do your rituals
make you look
more like Jesus?
Dear Lord, shape
me and mold me
through the Mass
and every ritual I
do so that I may
become more like
You each day.
St. Theodora, pray for us.
I go to Mass as often as I can — daily if
possible. But sometimes, my Mass is a bit
different. Once, my wife had severe colds
and Bene, our only son at that time, wanted
so much to play with her. But she quarantined
herself and slept in the living room while my
son and I slept together upstairs that night.
The following morning, I could have
gone to Mass, but my son would wake up
and look for his mom again. So there I
was, trapped in bed with my little captor,
when I could have been receiving Jesus in
communion.
You see, I believe the Mass is the highest
form of worship. But strangely, that morning,
I felt I was attending a different kind of Mass.
I was serving my sick wife. And in bed, with
my child breathing on my face, I felt I was
receiving communion.
I felt that if I wasn’t going to serve my
sick wife at that time, then that only meant I
missed the point: that the Mass was supposed
to make me a more loving person each day.
Religious rituals, including the Eucharist,
are meant to make us look like Jesus.Friends,
don’t just attend Mass. Live it. Bo Sanchez (bosanchez@
kerygmafamily.com)
2
FRUIT SALAD CHURCH
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace….
– Hebrews 4:16
GOOD FRIDAY
APRIL
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13,
15-16, 17, 25
Hebrews 4:14-16;
5:7-9
John 18:1-19:42
REFLECTION:
Do I judge people
who worship God
differently than
I do?
 
Lord,
bless me with an
open heart and
an open mind so
that I can be more
embracing towards
my brothers and
sisters in faith. Amen.
St. Urban of Langres,
pray for us.
Have you noticed the split in the assembly
during the Mass? Like, before the “Our
Father” comes, many of the people remain
standing but a significant number will be
kneeling down. At least, in our parish, this is
what happens in the daily Mass.
In the same celebration, people in the
same Catholic church “approach the throne
of grace” with different charisms in the faith.
Just look at the varied ways we observe Holy
Week and you’ll know what I mean.
I used to frown on this observation.
But come to think of it, it tells a lot about
the openness, flexibility and accepting
characteristic of our Church. The conservative
Opus Dei is in the same boat with the
Charismatic movement which is more
Pentecostal in their worship.
Want to count the different charisms
you can find inside our church? They’re
numerous but they all blend together in the
same worship assembly — the Eucharistic
Celebration — like a “fruit salad.”
I am certain we taste delicious before the
Lord. What other encouragement can we ask
for to be confident before our God? Cristy Galang
([email protected])
3
FREE to obey
… our old self was crucified with him, so that… we
might no longer be in slavery to sin. – Romans 6:6
HOLY SATURDAY
APRIL
Genesis 1:1-2:2
Psalm 118:1-2, 1617, 22-23
Romans 6:3-11
Luke 24:1-12
REFLECTION:
“Don’t just do what
you have to do to
get by, but work
heartily, as Christ’s
servants doing what
God wants you to
do. And work with a
smile on your face,
always keeping in
mind that no matter
who happens to be
giving the orders,
you’re really serving
God.” (Ephesians
6:6-7, The Message)
Grant me,Lord, the
grace to obey the
authorities You’ve set
above me.
St. Fara, pray for us.
Grumbler. Disobedient. Proud. These were
my workplace traits.
As a young professional striving to move
up, I would almost always find a way to
complain about what my boss would tell me.
I’d question his wisdom, thinking, “I know
about computers more than him. I know what
I am doing!”
Consequently, running into trouble
at work was a normal happening. I didn’t
know that when I disobeyed my boss, I was
disobeying the Lord.
As I got renewed in the Spirit, I came
across the Word in Romans 13:1-2 which
says, “Let every person be subordinated to the
higher authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and those that exist have
been established by God. Therefore whoever
resists the authorities resists what God has
appointed.”
I repented.
As I strive to obey the Word now, I am
blessed. The Lord is prospering my work and
blessing all my undertakings (Deuteronomy
28:12).
I am now free to obey my boss! Danny Tariman
([email protected])
4
LOOK HEAVENWARD
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
– Colossians3: 2
EASTER SUNDAY
APRIL
Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 1617, 22-23
Colossians 3:1-4
(or 1 Corinthians
5:6b-8)
John 20:1-9 (or
Matthew 28:1-10 or
Luke 24:13-35)
REFLECTION:
Focus
your eyes on the
eternal. All earthly
things will fade.
Only heaven is
forever.
Lord, help us
remember that our
earthly existence is
not our permanent
state. May we live life
forward-looking to
our heavenly home.
St. Benedict the Black,
pray for us.
How would you feel if your daughter died
in your arms?
My friend Rowin went through that.
He related the anguish that he and his wife
endured as he held Maia. Life-shattering is
too mild to describe it.
Reflecting on these events, he imagined
God asking him: “Am I less of a God for
taking your daughter away from you?”
Rowin knew the correct answer but the
hurt ran so deep. If God had asked him as
his baby girl breathed her last, he admits
he would have faltered. His thoughts were
trained on the temporary.
After asking for forgiveness, he looked to
the eternal. As understanding came by God’s
grace, he focused his mind on the permanent,
and looked forward to the time when he could
embrace Maia again. There they can worship
the Lord together in heaven.
There is life beyond this mortal shell.
That is where we should set our sights on.
Jun Asis ([email protected])
5
MONDAY
APRIL
Acts 2:14, 22-33
Psalm 16:1-2a, 5,
7-8, 9-10, 11
Matthew 28:8-15
REFLECTION:
Are you afraid of
the uncertainty of
things? Remember
Jesus who rose from
the dead. Have faith
and live!
Thank You, Lord, for
the gift of life and for
the grace to live on
with faith, hope and
love. Amen.
St. Becan, pray for us.
daddy again
Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful
yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples.
– Matthew 28:8
“Love, I’ve got good news for you,” my wife
said. “You’re going to be a Daddy again!”
“What? After 13 long years? Wow!”
Miracles do happen. And joy – pure joy
comes.
Then I count my age and compute. I
realize that when my baby starts formal
schooling in elementary I’ll be hitting 50. I
count my wife’s age, too, and think of high
risk pregnancies. I also compute her age
versus my baby growing up. I get a little
worried. Fear comes.
As of this writing, my baby hasn’t yet
come out into this world.
Yet, the joy continues to overwhelm me.
I look up to God. He whispers, “Have faith. I
am the resurrection. I am the life! I give you
life!”
Faith comes. Perfect love drives away
the fear. And there is peace.
I leave my tomb of disbelief and
doubt… and run to tell the world —
our God is alive! Alvin Barcelona ([email protected])
6
TUESDAY
APRIL
Acts 2:36-41
Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19,
20, 22
John 20:11-18
REFLECTION:
When we don’t
know where to
look for God in our
lives, we are often
surprised to find
Him where we least
expected.
Lord, let me see You
even through the
darkness in my life.
St. Brychan, pray for us.
WHOM ARE YOU LOOKING
FOR?
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?
Whom are you looking for?” – John 20:15
It had been three days since Jesus was
crucified shamefully and Mary Magdalene
was in deep grief. To add to her distress, His
body disappeared from the tomb. She was too
busy crying that she failed to recognize the
One for whom she was grieving. She thought
He was the gardener. She heard Him. She saw
Him. And yet she didn’t recognize Him.
Grief, anxiety or any strong emotion has
a way of obscuring our vision of God. We are
so focused on our feelings that it blinds us
from seeing God’s blessing or presence.
Proverbs 4:23 tells us above all else to
guard our heart for it affects everything we
do.
Oftentimes, when we are upset or angry,
we fail to see God’s hand in our situation.
When something bad happens, we allow
fear, distress or anxiety into our hearts which
overwhelms us and clouds our thinking.
The next time some adversity arises,
remain calm so that you can think clearly
and see things in better perspective. In
time, the cloud will clear up and then you
will realize — my God, You were there all
along! Ronna Ledesma ([email protected])
7
WEDNESDAY
THE GREATEST MIRACLE
Peter said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
walk”… and immediately his feet and ankles grew
strong. – Acts 3:6-7
APRIL
Acts 3:1-10
Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4,
6-7, 8-9
Luke 24:13-35
REFLECTION:
God is empowering
you to change
someone’s life.
Go and perform a
miracle!
Lord, use me to
inspire greatness in
others.
St. Celsus, pray for us.
Whenever I read the Acts of the Apostles, I
can’t help but notice that the works of the
first Christians were always accompanied
by great miracles. No wonder people were
converted on the spot!
These days, whenever someone claims
a miracle, I cannot help but respond with
skepticism. More often than not, they turn
out to be from quacks or even downright
criminals looking to trick people into giving
up their hard-earned money.
I tend to believe more from the goodness
of people’s hearts displayed in simple ways:
the works of Mother Teresa in Calcutta,
Operation Smile by volunteer doctors and
Tony Meloto’s Gawad Kalinga. Somehow,
through their charity, these people bring to
life our compassionate and merciful God.
They inspire me to find my own way of
sharing God’s blessings to others.
I think that, maybe, the greatest miracle
that each of them has achieved is to make
us believe that even if we are only ordinary,
we serve a higher purpose. By responding
to God’s call, we can be shining examples
in a world desperate for a miracle. Cecilia Lim
([email protected])
8
THURSDAY
APRIL
Acts 3:11-26
Psalm 8:2ab, 5, 6-7,
8-9
Luke 24:35-48
REFLECTION:
Do I offer kind
words to people I
relate with?
Thank You, Lord, for
reminding me to
offer a blessing or
good wishes to all I
meet. Please guide
me to be a life-giving
person to others.
Amen.
St. Walter of Pontoise,
pray for us.
GOD BLESS
“… and that the Lord may grant you times of
refreshment and send you the Messiah already
appointed for you, Jesus….” – Acts 3:20
For several years now, “God bless!” has
become my usual parting words to people
I communicate with. In e-mails, verbal
greetings, either face-to-face or phone
conversations, text messages or even in some
talks I have given, I end with “God bless.”
A priest friend of mine joked that
my wish for blessing upon him is already
“baduy!” (corny). But just the same, I chose
not to omit it from my habit.
For me, part of following the command
to love one another is to wish others well.
“May a season of refreshment be granted
you by the Lord when He sends you Jesus”
are encouraging words especially for people
who were just rebuked for bad behavior. We
owe each other kind words to help build up
the church. Cristy Galang ([email protected])
9
WHO ELSE COULD IT BE?
So the disciples whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the
Lord.” – John 21:7
FRIDAY
APRIL
Acts 4:1-12
Psalm 118:1-2, 4,
22-24, 25-27a
John 21:1-14
REFLECTION:
What has the Lord
done in your life?
Use it to deepen
your faith and trust
in God’s infinite love
for you.
Thank
You, Lord, for Your
everlasting love. Help
me to live my life
constantly aware of
Your love for me.
St. Casilda, pray for us.
I am now living on my own — well, at
least from Monday to Friday. Since I joined
Shepherd’s Voice Publications, I’ve been
renting an apartment near the office to save on
transportation expense and travel time.
Budgeting has been a challenge,
especially when my co-renter delayed her
transfer for three months. Shouldering
the whole rent was hard. On top of that, I
continued to give my monthly share in our
Parañaque home. And I needed to buy stuff
for the apartment.
But one thing I have learned through the
experience — and am still learning — is how
God cares for me personally. Overtime work
for the 2009 sets provided extra income. By
mid-year, I was regularized and given halfyear allowances. Then, despite hard times,
our management decided to give a mid-year
bonus. And my sister, who owed me some
amount, started paying in installment without
my asking her.
Who else could be behind all these?
Surely it is the Lord! And this gives me
confidence to go on and trust Him more and
more for every detail of my life. Tess V. Atienza
([email protected])
10
christians like christ
“…Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to
every creature.” – Mark 16:15
SATURDAY
APRIL
Acts 4:13-21
Psalm 118:1, 1415ab, 16-18, 19-21
Mark 16:9-15
REFLECTION:
Do I spread the
Gospel of Jesus by
being like Him?
Lord Jesus, help me
to become more like
You so I can spread
Your Gospel more
effectively to others
by Your pure grace.
Amen.
St. Michael de Sanctis,
pray for us.
I write this reflection amidst much tension
around the world — the global economic
crisis, the loss of jobs, poverty, violence,
corruption, terrorism, and the degradation of the
environment and of moral and spiritual values.
The call to spread the Gospel to the world is
urgently needed today more than ever.
Yet, I believe that a more practical
Gospel is what the world needs to see from
us Christians. While solid Christian truths and
doctrines of faith should not be compromised,
peoples of different color, culture and creed
will respond initially to common grounds
such as understanding, respect, peace, hope,
compassion and love.
Above all, people would appreciate the
Gospel of Jesus more if they see Him in us
— if we indeed practice what we preach.
How could we convert a non-Christian
to our faith if he or she sees our own life that
lacks self-discipline and real transformation,
or when we are judgmental and quick to
condemn and hurt others? On the other hand,
living a life of love and service to others will
surely be the best attraction to our faith.
As Gandhi once said, “If all Christians
acted like Christ, the whole world would be
Christian.” Alvin Barcelona ([email protected])
11
SUNDAY
APRIL
Acts 5:12-16
Psalm 118:2-4, 1315, 22-24
Revelation 1:9-11a,
12-13, 17-19
John 20:19-31
REFLECTION:
Nothing is
accidental.
Everything works
out for good
according to God’s
will especially for
those who love
and obey the Lord
(Romans 8:28).
Lord, continue to use
me mightily where
You will be glorified
and Your name be
always exalted.
St. Godebertha, pray for us.
“OH, REALLY?”
“Do not be unbelieving but believe.” – John 20:27
One morning, I hurried into the church where
I pray every day before going to work. I
was surprised to bump into a friend I hadn’t
seen for a long time since my release from
prison.
Ate Susan was just as excited to see
me as we embraced each other. “Beth, our
meeting is not accidental,” she exclaimed.
“God confirmed His message to me. You are
called to evangelize more,” she shared.
“Oh, really?” I replied doubtfully. I didn’t
give much importance to what Ate Susan had
“ prophesied” although, subconsciously, I had
been longing and praying for another ministry
where I could serve the Lord more.
Not long after that, I was invited to give
my life testimony and talks on brokenness
and empowerment in Bangad, Talim Island
and in different communites in Visayas
and Mindanao. These people who were
downtrodden and hopeless were also involved
in prison ministry.
God really is an answering God — He
gave me a new service — prison ministry
(again) but this time all over the Philippines.
Who knows? I may be destined to go around
the world proclaiming the good news of Jesus.
Beth Corral ([email protected])
12
MONDAY
FIRE!
“… enable your servants to continue to speak your word
with all boldness….” As they prayed, they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit. – Acts 4:29, 31
APRIL
Acts 4:23-31
Psalm 2:1-3, 4-7a,
7b-9
John 3:1-8
REFLECTION:
“Find your delight
in the Lord who
will give you your
heart’s desire. Be
still before the Lord;
wait for God.”
(Psalm 37:4,7)
Lord, use us to bring
Your Word and Your
presence to the
world.
When I arrived in Port Moresby, the capital
of Papua New Guinea, I prayed, “Lord, open
doors for me to share Your Word!” There,
I met all sorts of Filipinos — influential
persons, priests and nuns, and people in the
Renewal movement. I even told some of them
of my desire to serve. All to no avail.
A year later, I went home to Manila for
my annual holiday. That’s when I got my
“break.” I was able to speak at a Life-in-theSpirit type of seminar.
When I returned after my vacation, I
spoke to an ordinary Papua New Guinean
warehouse worker about the Lord. I mentioned
to him that I write for Didache and I gave him
a copy. He introduced me to his uncle, who in
turn invited me to attend and give a sharing
at their weekly gathering.
The following week, they gave me
a chance to give a teaching. As I prayed
for them during the altar call, people fell
down — slain in the Spirit! Others trembled
uncontrollably. Some even wailed out loud.
I know that the fire of the Spirit filled
these people, me included. Danny Tariman (danny@
dtariman.com)
St. Damian, pray for us.
13
WE ARE ONE
The community of believers was of one heart and mind.
– Acts 4:32
TUESDAY
APRIL
Acts 4:32-37
Psalm 93:1ab,
1cd-2, 5
John 3:7b-15
REFLECTION:
Family, kindness,
generosity, love,
faith, hope:
Look to these
similarities that will
overshadow any
difference.
Lord, may I find
common ground
to build a loving
relationship with
those of different
beliefs, especially
those in my family.
Amen.
St. Caradoc, pray for us.
I have an uncle who is a Mormon and a cousin
who is a member of Ang Dating Daan. There
was a time when we would challenge one
another’s beliefs during reunions, trying to
“convert” one another or at least come up on
top in the debate.
No one has ever left the table a winner.
Why?
Instead of focusing on what we commonly
believed, such as living upright, praying,
giving and loving, we chose to focus on what
made us different.
After a while, we realized the futility of
arguing. And what do we now focus on during
reunions?
Eating heartily and having fun.
Now there is laughter and joy as we catch
up with each other’s lives. We serve food to
one another and honor the presence of our
elders. Our children play games and dance
and sing.
After all we are family and that is the
reason for reunions. It reminds us that we
have more sameness than differences.
We can be one, even if we have different
beliefs. Jun Asis ([email protected])
14
WEDNESDAY
APRIL
Acts 5:17-26
Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5,
6-7, 8-9
John 3:16-21
REFLECTION:
Are you giving
others the message
of life?
Lord, let me live
to proclaim Your
message to the
world.
St. Lambert of Lyon,
pray for us.
MESSAGE IN A BODY
But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the
doors of the prison, led them out... – Acts 5:19
Twenty seven years ago, I was healed and
saved all because someone took the time to
share the message of Jesus with me.
In today’s reading, the high priest had the
apostle Peter thrown in jail for preaching that
the man whom they had just crucified was the
Messiah sent by God. He probably thought
that killing Jesus would stop whatever He
was sent to do. But now, His apostles were
continuing to spread His teachings and they
were even displaying more miracles, signs
and wonders as they preached in His Name.
If death did not stop the message of Jesus
from being preached, then neither will the jail
cell. An angel opened the jail and commanded
the apostles to “go to the Temple and give the
people the message of life!”
All of us carry that message of life within
us. Yup, even that grumpy saleslady or your
stingy old landlord. That message was meant
to be shared, not kept. When the apostles
shared and preached it, thousands were healed
and saved in one day alone!
The message is simple: God so loved
the world that He gave His only Son so that
everyone who believes in Him will not perish
but have eternal life. It’s time to share it and
touch another soul. Ronna Ledesma (ronnaledesma@email.
com)
15
THURSDAY
APRIL
Acts 5:27-33
Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-18,
19-20
John 3:31-36
REFLECTION:
Are you
preoccupied with
worldly matters just
for their own sake
or do they lead you
to understand God
more and bring His
message effectively
to others?
Lord Jesus, help me
to focus my heart,
mind and soul on
heavenly things,
yet see what I have
now around me as
a means to show
You to others more
effectively. Amen.
St. Hunna, pray for us.
earthly matters
“… The one who is of the earth… speaks of earthly
things.” – John 3:31
Do you know the newest love interest of
Piolo Pascual? How about the latest twist in
the telenovelas of the Kapuso and Kapamilya
channels?
Aahh… these are earthly matters. No
connection whatsoever to my spiritual growth.
But you know what? I know of a priest who’s
so in-the-know with these so called “earthly
matters.” And he gets people’s attention. He
makes them laugh as he talks of common
things his parishioners easily relate with. And
then, slowly, beautifully and masterfully he
works his way to the message of the Gospel
with his listeners now glued to him.
Jesus spoke of heavenly matters but
using “earthly stories.” He spoke about sheep,
birds, fish, nets, the yeast, the mustard seed
and other trivial and common things. People
easily related to these things because they
were part of their daily, ordinary lives. And
then Jesus related them to the Kingdom of
God. Beautiful! Masterful!
Talk about earthly matters and end there
and, yes, you may just be one worldly person.
But talk about these earthly matters because
they can lead you to understand God’s
Kingdom better, then by all means, let’s be
“worldly.” Alvin Barcelona ([email protected])
16
FRIDAY
APRIL
Acts 5:34-42
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
John 6:1-15
REFLECTION:
Do I
allow the Holy Spirit
to perform miracles
through me? Do I
have enough faith
and trust in the
Lord to make this
happen?
My Jesus, thank You
for reminding me
of the great things
You can do in me
or through me — if
only I will trust You
enough. Oh please
increase my faith
and openness to
Your Spirit. Amen.
St. Encratia, pray for us.
MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES
REVISITED
…and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from
the five barley loaves. – John 6:13
Almost 10 years ago, I spent four days in a
retreat with Pascal Pingualt, the founder of
the Bread of Life Community in France. He
shared with us one event when the Bread of
Life brothers received this idea of organizing
a Pentecost for the poor.
They invited everybody without any
registration even though they didn’t have
money. They planned the affair to last for
three days. They didn’t know how many
would come. Yet they organized everything,
pitched tents and so on.
Five thousand came. It was a lot of people
to feed by a community that didn’t have any
money. And there was no registration fee!
But they simply prayed. Miraculously, all had
enough to eat during the three-day affair. A
butcher gave one ton of cooked rice. Someone
else brought a truck of chocolate. With the
many poor people, they ate and prayed and
had a big feast for three days.
Miracles preached in the Gospel can
happen today in our midst — if we exercise
enough faith and obedience to what the Holy
Spirit prompts us. Cristy Galang ([email protected])
17
SATURDAY
APRIL
Acts 6:1-7
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5,
18-19
John 6:16-21
REFLECTION:
Don’t
worry about
tomorrow (or later).
God is already
there.
Lord, open the eyes
of my heart so I can
see You even when I
am afraid.
Blessed Wando, pray for us.
SCARED SENSELESS
They began to be afraid, but he said to them, “It is I. Do
not be afraid.” – John 6:20
When was the last time you were scared
senseless?
It was the day of our thesis proposal
defense. It was the day I had been worrying
and dreading about for the longest time. But
it was also the day I wanted to get over with,
since I was already tired of having to review
and argue about everything over and over
again. I knew we were prepared but I didn’t
know if it was enough for the panelists to give
us a passing verdict.
The morning before the defense, I
couldn’t concentrate. I was dead scared. We
had already failed once. What if this one isn’t
good enough again? What if we mess up?
What if I mess up?
And then it was time. As the four of us
scrambled to get everything ready, I suddenly
felt an odd sense of calm. I felt like I was at
the point of no return, and the only way to
go was forward. I guess it was then I finally
let go and let God. I didn’t know what was
going to happen, but God assured me that
there was nothing to be afraid of because He
was already there. He was with me and He
will be with me.
By the way, we passed our defense. Tina
Matanguihan ([email protected])
18
SUNDAY
APRIL
Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6,
11-12, 13 (2a)
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19
REFLECTION:
Resolve to obey
God in all things,
in all ways, all the
time.
Lord, help me to obey
and not complain, to
follow and not ask
why. Amen.
St. Laserian, pray for us.
OBEY BEFOREYOU
COMPLAIN
“Find.. Cast... Bring... Come... Tend... Feed... Follow me.”
– John 21:6 -19
During our ROTC days, we followed the rule,
“Obey before you complain.” The idea was
that “officers knew better” and we were just
to follow even if we didn’t understand.
I often resort to a similar rule with our
kids. When I ask Iani to read or Tesa to
practice writing, they ask “Why, Daddy?”
I admonish them saying, “Please obey first
before you ask why.” And then proceed to
explain my reasons. Sometimes.
Jesus gave orders to His followers, many
times without explaining. Cast the net. Find
something. Bring some of the fish. Come have
breakfast. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep. In
many instances, the apostles just carried out
His orders. His authority surpassed that of
a military officer or a parent. Even demons
obeyed His commands. But the most profound
order that Jesus gave us is: Follow me.
We know we should. We even know
why. Despite our knowledge, in our hearts
and mind and actions, we choose to disobey.
Even when we know the consequences of our
disobedience.
Obedience to God should be a way
of life, not a passing whim or a matter of
convenience. Jun Asis ([email protected])
19
MONDAY
NO TO FREEBIES
“You are looking for me, not because you saw
miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves were
filled.” – John 6:26
APRIL
Acts 6:8-15
Psalm 119:23-24,
26-27, 29-30
John 6:22-29
REFLECTION:
When you look
at the signs, are
you getting the
message?
Lord, nourish us with
food that endures for
eternal life.
St. Anthony of Pavoni,
pray for us.
I’m often given “freebies” such as free dinner,
a fully-paid airfare or gift items, usually as
an incentive for me to get a credit card or
join a seminar where they sell membership
for hotels.
I used to take advantage of such offers
until I realized that I cancel the credit
card anyway and end up not buying the
membership. After a while, the freebies lost
their appeal and I now prefer to turn them all
down.
Jesus knew very well that pleasing
the crowd is not the way to elicit faith. He
recognized that they are after Him not because
they believe in Him, but only because of what
He can provide for them. It’s such a shame
that people do not realize that by taking the
time to listen and accept Jesus, they would
gain the richness of His kingdom and not just
plain bread and fish.
Similarly, our faith should not be
dependent on signs and wonders. Like the
freebies, they might someday cease to be
interesting and we’ll be much poorer for
losing the message that the Giver is sharing.
Cecilia Lim ([email protected])
20
ANCHORS OF FAITH
“What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in
you?“ – John 6:30
TUESDAY
APRIL
Acts 7:51-8:1a
Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6,
7b, 8a, 17, 21ab
John 6:30-35
REFLECTION:
Are we still waiting
for something
before we reform
our lives according
to His word?
Father God, grant me
the grace to remain
steadfast in my faith
in You.
St. Marian, pray for us.
In 1948, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared
as the Our Lady, Mary Mediatrix of All
Graces, to novice Teresita Castillo at the
Carmel Monastery in Lipa City, Batangas.
Accompanying the apparitions were showers
of rose petals that had images of Jesus. As
many as half a million devotees, including then
President Elpidio Quirino, flocked to the site.
My grand aunt, Sr. Elizabeth OCD, a nun
at the monastery and a witness to the events,
shared with me her testimonies during my
regular visits. I believe. To this day, I treasure
one of the rose petals from the shower that
she gave me.
My cousin Raymond recently became
a devotee after he was miraculously cured
of cystic nephroma, a rare renal tumor. His
physical healing ushered in his spiritual rebirth and that of his family.
Teresita saw. Sr. Elizabeth witnessed.
Raymond experienced. I learned. Devotees
heard. We each have different levels of
exposure and experience but we all believe in
Our Lady. Our Catholic faith, unlike science,
is not about what we see, touch, smell, hear
or taste. We simply believe and trust in God.
A miracle to affirm it should just be a bonus.
Marie Franco ([email protected])
21
WEDNESDAY
JUST LET GO!
“Whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you
that although you have seen me, you do not believe.”
– John 6:35-36
APRIL
Acts 8:1b-8
Psalm 66:1-3a, 4-5,
6-7a
John 6:35-40
REFLECTION:
To believe is to see.
Jesus, help my
unbelief!
St. Beuno, pray for us.
When a newborn’s eyesight fully develops
around the fourth month, only then can the
baby see clearly. In the meantime, the baby
relies heavily on his sense of hearing.For one
who has lived for nine months in the security
of the womb hearing only muffled sounds,
the noise of the real world can be frightening.
When a baby is alone in his crib hearing lots of
strange sounds, he becomes afraid and starts to
cry. But when he hears the soothing voice of his
mother followed by the sound of the shaking of
milk in a bottle, he knows that in a little while,
warm arms will scoop him up and his hunger
will be satisfied.
“Seeing is believing” holds no water for
newborns. In their helplessness, all they can
do is to trust in the one who loves them.
I believe this is the earthly model that God
has installed into our life so that our limited
minds would be able to understand how He
loves and cares for us. Jesus had to remind us
that if our earthly parents do not withhold any
good thing from us, how much more will our
heavenly Father give us all good things?
It’s time we let go of all our doubts and
just believe. Ronna Ledesma ([email protected])
22
HEARING AND LEARNING
“Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from
Him comes to me.” – John 6:45b
THURSDAY
APRIL
Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17,
20
John 6:44-51
REFLECTION:
Do I open my heart
and mind to the
Spirit so that I learn
and grow from His
teachings? Or do I
listen to Him with a
prejudiced heart?
Lord, please instill in
me a pure heart, free
from all biases and
human needs that
can stand in the way
of Your expectations
from me. As I listen
to You, guide me
towards Your truth.
Guide me towards
You. Amen.
St. Miles, pray for us.
I was invited to attend a Gender Sensitivity
Seminar by a nun. Most of the participants
were nuns from different congregations. On
the third day, when we prayed the Lord’s
Prayer, instead of saying “Our Father,” they
changed it to “Our Mother.”
After the prayer service I reacted to it.
What they said revealed to me one thing.
I was with a feminist group. I told a priest
about my “discovery” after the seminar and
he confirmed that they were rebel nuns.
No one can discount the fact that these
“religious” people heard the Lord’s teachings.
Apparently, it’s one thing to “hear the
Father” and another thing to “learn” from the
Father.
Today’s Gospel is very explicit.
“Everyone who has heard the Father and
learned from Him comes to Me” (italics
mine).
The Lord teaches us many things through
His Word, but only if we truly grow and learn
from them do we come to Jesus. Cristy Galang
([email protected])
23
PETER AND PAUL
“This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name
before the Gentiles, kings, and Israelites.” – Acts 9:15
FRIDAY
APRIL
Acts 9:1-20
Psalm 117:1bc, 2
John 6:52-59
REFLECTION:
Regardless of
whether you’re a
Peter or a Paul, God
loves you just the
same.
Lord, give me the
same devotion as
that of Sts. Peter and
Paul.
St. Felix, pray for us.
St. Paul is considered as one of the Fathers of
the Church, next to St. Peter, but they’re very
different. While Peter had been with Jesus
from the start of His ministry, Paul came after.
Peter was devoted to Jesus’ teachings while
Paul was dedicated to persecuting Christians.
In the end, God worked through Paul and he
became a saint.
People can be classified as Peters and
Pauls today, too. There are the Peters, who
have always been a believer, have always
known God, have been trying to be good ever
since they were young. These are the people
who grew up knowing Jesus early in life, so
following Him is the natural thing to do. And
then there are the Pauls, who start out knowing
Jesus but in a different and a bit negative way.
They’re the ones who couldn’t grasp who
Jesus was, and in turn either persecute the
Peters, or just plain ignore them. But when
God reveals Himself to them, they’re just as
devoted to Him as the Peters are.
I think that’s why God chose the two
saints to be the Fathers of the Church, to show
that whatever your background, God works in
you and through you. Tina Matanguihan (tina.matanguihan@
gmail.com)
24
A DIFFERENT KIND OF
HEALING
He gave her his hand and raised her up. – Acts 9: 41
SATURDAY
APRIL
Acts 9:31-42
Psalm 116:12-13,
14-15, 16-17
John 6:60-69
REFLECTION:
Look out
for those people
you are called to
heal.
O Divine Physician,
use me to become
a healer. Make me
Your conduit of
healing love.
St. Egbert, pray for us.
Jean has made it her mission to help cancer
patients. Her parents, father-in-law and,
more recently, her husband passed away
with the same illness. She now uses her own
experiences to comfort others who are in a
similar situation.
She goes out of her way to counsel those
who are terminally ill. She listens. She cries
with them. Her presence eases the pain and
suffering. Moreover, she helps prepare them
for what is to come.
Many are in denial. Some are angry.
Others bargain with God. Still others just
give in to hopelessness and say, “I don’t care
anymore.” Jean helps them through these
stages. She should know. She went through
the same.
She is an avenue of non-physical
miracles: relationships with God are restored;
emotional needs are understood; and prayer
life is re-discovered. The promise of heaven
for those who are about to face death renews
their spiritual life.
God made Jean an instrument for a
different kind of healing.
What kind of healing can you give to the
world? Jun Asis ([email protected])
25
SUNDAY
APRIL
Acts 13:14, 43-52
Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5
Revelation 7:9,
14b-17
John 10:27-30
REFLECTION:
Are you
shedding tears
of sorrow and
pain, anger and
bitterness? Let God
wipe them away.
Today.
Lord God,
I offer to You my
past. Let me live in
the present in Your
Presence! And let me
be excited about the
glorious future You
have for me forever.
Amen.
Blessed William Marsden,
pray for us.
let god wipe away your
tears
… God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
– Revelation 7: 17
A lot of things that happened to my life only
made sense when I found God.
Before, they just seemed to be
unexplainable, unwanted and undesirable
events.
My parents separated when I was just
a kid. I was sick of epilepsy when I was in
high school. My father died when he and my
mom were about to reconcile. And a host of
painful, traumatic events happened one after
the other. The heaviest was when I almost
died of a possible incurable disease.
Yet, now I always proclaim, “I have a
great life!”
I really do.
Because when I found God, my life
changed — from seeing only the sad, ugly
and painful things to noticing the happy,
beautiful and victorious events that were also
happening to me. I just didn’t see it until God
wiped away my tears.
With God in your life, the tears from
your eyes will be tears of hope, peace and
joy! Alvin Barcelona ([email protected])
26
do you know his voice?
“... the sheep follow him, because they recognize his
voice.” – John 10:4
MONDAY
APRIL
Acts 11:1-18
Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4
John 10:1-10
REFLECTION:
Get to know the
voice of the Lord
today.
Lord, deepen my
knowledge of You
and Your will for me.
St. Aldo, pray for us.
In a news article I read, a caller claiming to
be the amo or employer ordered his maid to
get all their money and jewelry and bring
it immediately to an appointed meeting
place because they got into an accident. The
victimized maid had been serving the family
for 20 years and still she failed to recognize
that it wasn’t her amo she was talking to!
Sad to say we all have fallen prey to this
kind of trick. We’ve been Christians since birth
but, until now, we still fail to recognize God’s
voice. Maybe because we don’t spend enough
time to get to know Him. Or maybe because
we think we “know “ Him too well that we
put our beliefs ahead of Him. “I’m still sick
because my faith is not strong enough.” “I’m
poor because this is God’s will for me.”
God is too unfathomable and magnanimous
for us to place Him in a box called our
“mind.” If He would be predictable, then
He wouldn’t be God at all. We need to
take time to get to know our God so that
we will be able to discern if something is
really coming from Him or from the enemy.
Start now. So the next time the enemy calls
pretending to be God’s voice, we can say
“Sorry, but you’ve got the wrong number.”
Ronna Ledesma ([email protected])
27
TUESDAY
THE REAL MIRACLE
“The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me, but
you do not believe because you are not among my
sheep.” – John 10:25-26
APRIL
Acts 11:19-26
Psalm 87:1b-3, 4-5,
6-7
John 10:22-30
REFLECTION:
“Faith does not
spring from the
miracle, but the
miracle from
faith.” (Fyodor
Dostoevsky)
Lord, I do believe.
Help me overcome
my unbelief!
St. Zita, pray for us.
When I was a child, the magic of David
Copperfield was all the rage. While my
siblings and I marveled at the show, my older
cousin would be busy making side comments
on how the trick was probably being done.
It makes me think of the way the
unbelievers must have explained away the
miracles in Jesus’ time. Even though no
trickery was involved, they refused to trust
their senses and even concocted a story about
how the apostles must have stolen Jesus’ body
during the resurrection.
I guess that’s why, with all the powers
at His disposal, Jesus never used miracles as
the focus of His ministry. He cured physical
ailments but His aim was to heal diseased
souls beset by sin.
Author Philip Yancey put it this way:
“Jesus never met a disease he could not cure,
a birth defect he could not reverse, a demon he
could not exorcise. But he did meet skeptics
he could not convince and sinners he could
not convert.”
The real miracle is God’s forgiveness and
our subsequent repentance and conversion.
Are you letting Jesus work His miracle in
you? Cecilia Lim ([email protected])
28
WEDNESDAY
MY LIFE’S WORK
The Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and
Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
– Acts 13:2
APRIL
Acts 12:24-13:5a
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
John 12:44-50
REFLECTION:
Do
you know God’s
purpose for your
life? Take the time
to discover it.
Lead me to my
life’s work, Lord,
and grant me the
courage to walk
into it.
Can you do this exercise?
Substitute your name in the passage
above.
How does it sound to you?
And the “work” — are you doing that
which God has called you to do? Do you even
know what it is?
Looking deeply into my own life, I can
say that it was only in the last 15 years (I’m
now in my early 50s) that I began to seek
God’s purpose for my life. And no matter how
late, it has been an exciting journey.
I now know that the Lord has set me
apart to do some work for His kingdom. He
has given me talents that, as I use them now,
are blessing other people. He has even used
my weaknesses, such as my being a quiet
person and my preference for small groups
rather than big ones, as building blocks for
His purpose for my life. Writing, counseling,
small group facilitating — these are among
the means by which God wants me to help
inspire and heal other people.
Knowing this has made a lot of difference
in the way I live my life now. Tess V. Atienza (svp_
[email protected])
St. Valerie, pray for us.
29
THURSDAY
GOD’S REFLECTION
“Whoever receives the one I send receives me, and
whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
– John 13:20
APRIL
Acts 13:13-25
Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22,
25, 27
John 13:16-20
REFLECTION:
In everything we
do, do we reflect
the love of Christ?
Lord, transform us so
that people may see
You in us.
St. Peter of Verona,
pray for us.
In the movie Mulan, part of the theme song
goes, “When will my reflection show who I
am inside?”
Normally, I am a jolly person who greets
and smiles warmly, who willingly lends a
helping hand, who’s appreciative, who keeps
things in order, who is obedient and kind and
generous and everything nice. Well, that’s
what I am — at times.
But assessing deeply, there are also
times when I can be sarcastic to a saleslady
or judgmental of friends or irritable towards
other passengers at the MRT or discouraging
to my husband or harsh to our son. Other
times I can be idle, complacent or lazy. I can
tell lies or mishandle my finances. During
these times, my reflection shows someone I
don’t know.
We are created in the image and likeness
of God. He sends us to be bearers of His light,
of His goodness and of His love. If our lives
reflect Jesus in us, then people would find it
easy to receive Him and offer their lives to
Him. Sol Saura ([email protected])
30
VALENTINE SURPRISE
“In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places…
I am going to prepare a place for you.” – John 14:2
FRIDAY
APRIL
Acts 13:26-33
Psalm 2:6-7, 8-9,
10-11ab
John 14:1-6
REFLECTION:
Are you ready for
your date with
Jesus?
Bring me to where
You are, Lord Jesus.
St. Adjutor, pray for us.
When Tommy brought me home from our
first Valentine’s date, a wonderful surprise
awaited me.
The first thing I noticed was the wonderful
scent of flowers when I opened the door of
my bedroom. One look at my bed explained
why — it was covered with balloons and
rose petals! A big bouquet lay in the middle
alongside his Valentine’s gift and a note.
My dad told me later that Tommy
arrived at our house in the afternoon and
asked permission to go to my room. He then
proceeded to lovingly redecorate my bed
before fetching me for our date. Is it any
wonder that I married this guy?
If Tommy’s love for me brought about
such amazing results, imagine what awaits
us when Jesus prepares a place for us in His
Father’s house.
We must remember not to get too
attached with what we have in this earthly
life. Living our lives faithfully for God and
serving others will bring greater treasures. I’m
sure that you’ll be in for a marvelous surprise
when you see Jesus’ preparations made just
for you. Cecilia Lim ([email protected])
1
THE POWER OF ASKING
“And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the
Father may be glorified in the Son…” – John 14:13
SATURDAY
MAY
Acts 13:44-52
Psalm 98:1. 2-3ab.
3cd-4
John 14:7-14 (or
Matthew 13:5458)
REFLECTION:
Is there something
that I sincerely
want to happen or
have in my life? Do
I persistently pray
for it or do I easily
give up?
Lord, grant me the
grace to persevere
in prayer, knowing
that You are there,
listening to me, and
that You will grant
what I ask for in a
way that’s best for
me.
St. Marculf, pray for us.
One suppertime, my eldest son, Bene, asked,
“After dinner, can I play on the computer?”
My wife replied, “Son, read a book.”
My son’s facial expression didn’t change.
With a big happy smile, he asked, “Mommy,
after I read the book, can I play on the
computer?” My wife answered, “Son, after
you read the book, go straight to bed.”
Still with a grin on his face, he asked,
“Mommy, after reading the book, before I go to
bed, can I play on the computer for 30 minutes?”
“No, I want you to sleep right away.”
“Mommy, how about if I play just for 15
minutes?” The negotiation continued until my
wife conceded.
My son expected to get what he wanted.
He used his smile, his puppy eyes and his
cuteness. He used compromise. But the
important thing was he got what he wanted.
As adults, we don’t do that anymore.
We go to God and say, “Lord, please give
me….” And when we don’t get it, we say,
“OK, never mind.” We quit. Easily. But the
universe adjusts to your expectations. If you
expect nothing, you get nothing.
Ask. Not for a bit. Not for a little. Ask
for a double portion! Bo Sanchez (bosanchez@kerygmafamily.
com)
2
CHRISTIAN WITNESSING
“This is how all will know that you are my disciples: if
you have love for one another.” – John 13:35
SUNDAY
MAY
Acts 14:21-27
Psalm 145:8-9, 1011, 12-13
Revelation 21:1-5a
John 13:31-33a,
34-35
REFLECTION:
What can I do to be
a constant witness
to the world of the
call to love others?
Jesus, please teach
me to love You and
to love others as
You want me to.
I desire to preach
Your Gospel with
my life but I need
You because I am so
weak. Amen.
St. Zoe, pray for us.
Part of the community teaching was how to
relate with each other especially in public. We
were supposed to hug or kiss when greeting
sister to sister.
Brothers were to greet each other with
side hugs or pat each other’s shoulder. Our
leader even demonstrated how this should be
done.
For a brother greeting a sister, the
mode of greeting depended on the latter’s
preference. The rationale was to be a witness
in front of others.
Although it was rather “canned,” our
leader had a point. As a Christian community,
we had to show that we were disciples of
Jesus. We were to love one another. It’s
true that we sometimes fall short of this
commandment and that is why we have
to “script” our behavior so that we can be
witnesses. But the goal ought to be towards
maturity in the Lord and towards removing
the script and becoming true witnesses of
love coming from the heart. Cristy Galang (cristy_cc@
yahoo.com)
3
GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE
“If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it”
– John 14:14
MONDAY
MAY
Feast of Sts. Philip and James,
Apostles
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5
John 14:6-14
REFLECTION:
“All that you ask for
in prayer, believe
that you will receive
it and it shall be
yours.” (Mark 11:24)
Thank You, Lord, for
giving us the key to
answered prayers
— Your name.
St. Ansfrid, pray for us.
“So how did you manage to check in your
overweight baggage?” asked the guard who
was harassing me at the entrance of the
Jackson’s International Airport.
“There is nothing impossible with the
Lord!” I replied. “What?” came the puzzled
reply from the guard. “I said, ‘there is nothing
impossible with the Lord!’”
Earlier at the check-in counter of Air
Nuigini, I was informed my baggage was
overweight by 11 kilos. My head ran through
the computations. I had to pay over P9,600
for a box of Ox & Palm corned beef. Way
too much! But instead of giving up, I said a
silent prayer, in the name of Jesus, to make
it possible for me to check in my baggage
without having to pay a single toea (Papuan
equivalent of a cent).
After about 20 minutes, an assistant
working at the check-in counter approached
me. “Sir, my boss is asking you to come
and check in your baggage.” After a few
questions, my baggage was accepted without
me paying a single toea.
He is indeed the God of the impossible!
Danny Tariman ([email protected])
4
HOPE IN YOUR HEART
“Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
– John 14: 27
TUESDAY
MAY
Acts 14:19-28
Psalm 145:10-11,
12-13ab, 21
John 14:27-31a
REFLECTION:
May God be your
first recourse. He’ll
always see you
through.
I lay every concern
I have at Your feet,
Lord. I will not let my
heart be troubled
anymore.
St. Augustine Webster,
pray for us.
In the movie Prince Caspian, the heroes battle
an enormous army. They know they need the
help of Aslan (the lion), King of Narnia, who
said he would come when they needed him.
Not seeing him, they abandon hope and rely
on their own strength.
They fight but are held back by an
overwhelming force. Now facing certain
defeat, they had no other recourse but to
believe in Aslan. With hope in their hearts,
Aslan came as he promised and saved the
day.
When I was in high school, there was
a time that my parents had no idea where
to get the next meal. They tried borrowing
and making things happen but nothing came
of it. Suddenly, my uncle came from out of
nowhere and handed some money to see us
through. My father broke down and related
how he prayed for God’s intervention. Only
when he could do no more did he try asking
the Father.
If only we rely on God in the first place,
we’d probably have less worries. Jun Asis (mabuting.
[email protected])
5
great lives
“By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much
fruit…” – John 15: 8
WEDNESDAY
MAY
Acts 15:1-6
Psalm 122:1-2, 34ab, 4cd-5
John 15:1-8
REFLECTION:
When people see
our work and the
lives we live, do
they see how great
God is?
Lord God, by Your
grace, let Your
goodness and
greatness be seen in
my life. Amen.
St. Brito, pray for us.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.
The greatest and most effective testimony
of our being Christians is when we live great
lives.
Now we may fail and we may stumble
and we may fall and we may have continuing
problems.
I said great lives, not perfect lives…
though God is working on that, too.
We can talk and teach and preach and
debate and argue and convince and even
strangle each other in the name of faith and
religion.
But unless people see the fruits in our
lives, they won’t know what kind of tree
we’re talking about.
And the fruits are in the work we do and
the life we live.
Do we do our work honestly and well,
no matter how big or small the task?
Do we live a faithful life by God’s grace,
becoming a more loving person every day?
When we do so, then people see God’s
glory in us.
Glory to God! Alvin Barcelona (alvinbarcelona@gmail.
com)
6
self-righteous holiness
“As the Father loves, so I also love you. Remain in my
love.” – John 15:9
THURSDAY
MAY
Acts 15:7-21
Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3,
10
John 15:9-11
REFLECTION:
it is better to love
than to be right.
Lord, in our effort to
be holy, teach us to
love truly. Amen.
St. Benedicta, pray for us.
After doing some postgraduate studies
in Europe, my eldest sister came home
announcing that she was getting married
to an Italian she met there. My sisters and
I didn’t accept the news too well because
their relationship was not “discerned” and
“prayed over” according to our community
norms. When he came over to the Philippines
to meet our family, my sisters and I had our
self-righteous noses so high up in the air that
you could actually have a clear view of our
brains. A non-renewed Christian was going to
contaminate our blood line! In an effort to be
accepted, he even attended a Life in the Spirit
Seminar during his short stay in Manila. But
it still wasn’t enough to satisfy our standard
of holiness.
Well, thank God he was more Christian
than we were. Otherwise, my sister might
have missed out on marrying such a fine
Italian all because of her three bratty sisters
who called themselves passionate Christians.
After many, many years, we finally got it right
— that being a Christian is all about loving
like Jesus did and not about following or
fitting into a set of norms. Praise God He did
not discard us just because we didn’t fit into
His standard of holiness. Ronna Ledesma (ronnaledesma@
email.com)
7
AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP
“I no longer call you servants…. Instead, I have called
you friends.” – John 15:15
FRIDAY
MAY
Acts 15:22-31
Psalm 57:8-9, 10, 12
John 15:12-17
REFLECTION:
Come and be a
friend of Jesus
by doing His
commands.
You’re my friend and
my brother even
though You’re a
King! I love You more
than any other!
St. Villanus, pray for us.
In 1971 at Durham, North Carolina, racial
tensions were running high. Afraid at how the
situation was affecting the youth, Bill Riddick
organized a 10-day community meeting to
find a solution. Among the leaders were Ann
Atwater, a black activist, and C.P. Ellis, then
president of the local Ku Klux Klan (KKK),
known to harass blacks in order to establish
“white supremacy.”
Ellis was transformed when he realized
that his and Ann’s children face the same
issues in the public school. At the end of the
meetings, he tore up his KKK membership
card and that decision started a close
friendship between him and Ann. Together,
they devoted their lives to establishing fair
and equitable education for all students in
Durham’s schools.
What an unlikely friendship! It started
with the reformation of one and the forgiveness
of the other. It reminds me of what we must do
to become Jesus’ friend. He already showed
us His forgiveness and love by dying on the
cross. We need to love Him back and allow
Him to transform our lives.
Like Ann and Ellis, the resulting bond
will last our whole lifetime… and beyond.
Cecilia Lim ([email protected])
8
ONLY GOD’S INSTRUMENT
“They kept my word, they will also keep yours.” – John
15:20b
SATURDAY
MAY
Acts 16:1-10
Psalm 100:1b-2, 3, 5
John 15:18-21
REFLECTION:
In what you do
and say, do others
see you as an
instrument of the
Lord? How can you
make your “image”
more fitting as
God’s ambassador?
Make me a faithful
and effective
servant, Lord. One
that people will trust
and respect because
they can feel You in
me. Amen.
St. Wiro, pray for us.
Virgie called to remind me that there was a
bukluran at Mars-Polaris. They meet every
Tuesday night for a Bible sharing session.
As the coordinator of these small cell
groups in the parish (we have 13 areas as of
this writing), what I do is attend for the first
few months or even up to a year of their cell
gathering until they are able to run it among
themselves.
Here at Mars-Polaris, they’ve been
meeting for almost two years and I’m trying
to wean them little by little by not attending
every week. Yet, they would call or even
come to my house to pick me up because they
prefer that I be there. By virtue of being the
representative of the Church, they give me
this recognition. And I’m aware that it is His
Spirit in me that draws them to me.
We need to be God’s instrument of His
presence in our world. Cristy Galang (cristy_cc@yahoo.
com)
9
SUNDAY
MAY
Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6,
8 (4)
Revelation 21:1014, 22-23
John 14:23-29
REFLECTION:
Don’t be afraid to
take the trip of a
lifetime — to your
inner self. Face
whatever you’ll find
there.
Dear God, be with
me as I face the
many unknowns
inside me.
St. Vincent, pray for us.
THE REAL JERUSALEM
The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem…
– Revelation 21:10
It has been 13 years now and I have not
traveled anywhere else outside the Philippines
again.
My last foreign trip was to the Holy
Land.
It was not a trip that I planned for — but
which I gladly took when the opportunity
came. I was then struggling with my spiritual
life and it was probably God’s way of setting
me off to a more serious relationship with
Him.
I didn’t know it then, but His grace was
working in me as we visited the holy sites.
In the Church of Nativity, I cried buckets of
tears for no reason at all or maybe for a reason
I didn’t know then. As we prayed by the Sea
of Galilee, I had a vision of God waiting for
me at the other end of a long bridge. I was too
high from the experience that as we headed
back home, my heart was filled with the desire
to give my life to God as His bride.
Looking back now, the experience
opened for me the real city of Jerusalem
— the one that lies inside my heart. The
trip led me to me, where God truly dwells.
Tess V. Atienza ([email protected])
10
MONDAY
MAY
Acts 16:11-15
Psalm 149:1b-2,
3-4, 5-6a, 9b
John 15:26-16:4a
REFLECTION:
Talk to Jesus now.
He wants to be
your personal
friend. Accept His
friendship and
start living a great,
fantastic life!
Lord Jesus, thank You
for calling me to be
Your friend. I accept
this friendship and
will keep it forever.
Amen.
St. Aurelian, pray for us.
friends of god
“… I call you friends…” – John 15:15
One of the greatest joys and pride in my life
is that I have great friends. Bo Sanchez, for
one, often introduces me as his close friend.
He may not know it, but every time he says
that, it lifts me to high heavens.
I even have famous and influential
friends. Freddie Aguilar once greeted me on
TV in one of his rare guestings. Actually, he
greeted my son, his godchild. It made me
mighty proud.
Former Bulacan Governor Obet
Pagdanganan would always single me out
even among a crowd and call me by name. It
makes me stand taller.
Now imagine God as my friend — as
your friend!
Wow! Allow that to sink in for a
moment… God, your friend.
How that happens and how that at all is
possible is simply a miracle! But it’s true.
Jesus offers His personal friendship to you.
A friendship that won’t only make you jump
with joy and stand tall with pride.
It is also a friendship that will lead you
to an everlasting life of love — starting here
and now.
Only a blind fool would reject that
friendship. Alvin Barcelona ([email protected])
11
ARE YOU SAVED?
“. . . believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your family
will be saved.” – Acts 16:31
TUESDAY
MAY
Acts 16:22-34
Psalm 138:1-2ab,
2cde-3, 7c-8
John 16:5-11
REFLECTION:
Never doubt that
you are saved. It’s
not our good works
that saved us but
Jesus’ saving grace.
Let us deepen
our personal
relationship with
Him.
O Lord
Jesus, thank You
for Your saving
grace — that my
household and I are
saved.
St. Francis Jerome,
pray for us.
“Are you saved?” Ate Susan asked the leaders
gathered in one of our trips to Cagayan de
Oro. Her question lingered on my mind. My
weaknesses and wrongdoings flashed back,
including those I’m still guilty of despite my
best attempts to follow Jesus.
As I looked back at my past life, it was
clear how I depended so much on my own
ability and knowledge to do what I wanted.
Until I got incarcerated.
At the Correctional Institution for
Women, I became very prayerful and active in
spiritual and other activities which primarily
paved the way to a deeper relationship with
the Lord. I learned to acknowledge Him as the
source of everything — that without Him, my
physical imprisonment would be traumatic
and difficult to overcome.
I offered my pains and sufferings for my
family, particularly the stigma of being an
“ex-con,” and claimed His promise that for
the one who believes, his whole household
will be saved.
Today, I am overwhelmed by God’s
love and provision. My household and I are
bountifully blessed and are now renewed and
in the service of God. Beth Corral (bethcorral_0330@yahoo.
com)
12
AVAILABILITY, NOT ABILITY
“He will not speak on his own, but he will speak…”
– John 16:13
WEDNESDAY
MAY
Acts 17:15, 22-18:1
Psalm 148:1-2, 1112, 13, 14
John 16:12-15
REFLECTION:
Do you feel that the
Lord is calling you
yet you feel you
have no ability? Just
say yes and He will
empower you!
Lord, thank You for
calling me to serve
You. May Your Spirit
continue to lead
me as I deliver Your
Good News! Amen.
St. Pancras, pray for us.
In his early years, he was so shy, timid,
reserved and quiet. The thought of standing in
front of people to talk would send chills down
his spine. “It is just not my forte,” he would
say. A few years after he met the Lord in 1995,
he was called to serve Him in a very “special”
way: to proclaim the Good News!
Mustering all his courage, he answered,
“Here I am Lord, I’m available. Send me!” That
was the breakthrough in his life. From a timid
and shy person to a Spirit-filled lay preacher.
As I write this reflection, the Church
celebrates World Mission Sunday. Earlier
today, I was speaking at the Catholic
Charismatic Renewal gathering of the
Archdiocese of Port Moresby exhorting
people to serve the Lord, to go on mission.
I told them this story — my story of
transformation. I had no ability. I only had
the availability. I relied on the Lord, and He
enabled me. “Do not worry how you are to
speak or what you are to say, you will be given
at that moment what you are to say” (Matthew
10:19).
In that gathering, about 30 people, young
and old, committed themselves to serve the
Lord. Danny Tariman ([email protected])
13
WITNESSING
Many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were
baptized. – Acts 18: 8
THURSDAY
MAY
Acts 18:1-8
Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab,
3cd-4
John 16:16-20
REFLECTION:
Our life is our
witnessing. Do
others see God’s
Word in us?
Lord, let my life be
a living testament
to Your Good News.
Amen.
St. Abban, pray for us.
Agnes, our housekeeper, was baptized,
confirmed and had her first communion
during Easter 2008. My wife and I stood as
her godparents, together with a brother in
Ligaya ng Panginoon, Jodean, who headed
her Bible study group in our kids’ school.
She had been with us for a few years.
Though we knew she was not a Catholic, we
didn’t try to convert her. What she saw and
heard from us and from the people around her
was more convincing than any preaching we
could do.
She went with us during our community
gatherings and saw how we lived our lives for
God. She would catch conversations on how
God has been blessing a brother. She would
hear how a sister went through the pain of
losing a loved one and yet still clung to the
Lord. She observed how we prayed. She
appreciated how we treated her. Her Bible
study group gave her opportunities to learn
more about God’s Word. These acted as the
seed. God’s grace did the rest.
It is how we live that others would hear,
believe and be baptized. Jun Asis (mabuting.balita@gmail.
com)
14
FRIDAY
MAY
Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4,
5-6, 7-8
John 15:9-17
REFLECTION:
 “For God disciplines
those He loves…”
(Hebrews 12:6)
Thank You, Lord, for
choosing me to bear
these battle scars for
Your greater glory.
St. Maria Dominic
Mazzarello, pray for us.
THE LEGACY
“It was not you who chose me… I chose you and
appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last.”
– John 15:16
 
 
In my unguarded moments, I’d ask the Lord
why I am the only one in a brood of six who
experienced the loss of two children plus a
special child to take care of. Couldn’t I have
been spared? Or couldn’t the burden have been
shared with others? At a young age, I feel I have
so many battle scars to show for.
Then I met someone who lost her entire
family in a fire. And another one with only two
children but both are severely autistic. Then
there was my best friend who suffered through
painful cancer before she left her three young
children behind. And a mother who lost her
only daughter to a rare brain condition.
      Suddenly, my battle scars seem like tiny
pimples. Like Job I say, “I will put my hand
over my mouth in silence.  I have said too
much already. I have nothing more to say.”  
       Because of what I’ve been through, my
faith has been fire-tried.  This is my legacy
to my children — not money or a house but
a rich inheritance of knowing that God is
everything the Bible says He is, and that He
is head over heels in love with us! This they
will also pass on to their children and to their
children’s children and so on and so forth.
Ronna Ledesma ([email protected])
15
ASK!
“… Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be
complete.” – John 16:24
SATURDAY
MAY
Acts 18:23-28
Psalm 47:2-3, 8-9,
10
John 16:23b-28
REFLECTION:
Do you tell Jesus
specifically what
you want Him to do
for you? Tell
Him now. He
is waiting.
Lord Jesus, I ask
(say your specific
need). Thank You
for making my
happiness complete.
In Your name. Amen.
St. Hallvard, pray for us.
“Lord, you know what I need. I will receive
anything you have for me. Amen.”
Sounds like a humble, good prayer,
right?
But notice that Jesus repeats this tip
— this secret — to us many times.
Ask. Ask. Ask.
He even assures us that we will
receive.
“Ask… so that your happiness may be
complete.”
“Ask in my name… and it shall be
done.”
Notice, too, that Jesus would even
specifically ask those whom He would heal,
“What do you want me to do for you? Do you
want to get healed?”
And what would you answer if Jesus asks
you these questions? “No, thank you. Thanks
for your offer but I’m OK.” Wow! You must
be a candidate for the mental institution if you
answer this way.
I have a son and I regularly ask him what
he wants. If it is good for him, I give it. I love
him. I want his happiness to be complete.
Now what are you waiting for?
Ask! Alvin Barcelona ([email protected])
16
IN HIS TIME
“Stay in the city until you are clothed with power from
on high.” – Luke 24:49b
SUNDAY
MAY
Solemnity of the Ascencion of
the Lord
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7,
8-9 (6)
Hebrews 9:24-28;
10:19-23
Luke 24:46-53
REFLECTION:
Do I try to seek
God’s plans in what
I do? Am I ready to
“wait” if His call is
not “now”?
Show me Your path,
Lord, and I’ll follow.
I live only to do Your
will. Amen.
St. Brendan, pray for us.
It’s been several months since I asked the
Lord where He wanted me to serve Him. In
my prayer time, I kept receiving a “call” to
serve in the parish although I didn’t know
what I was to do there.
One day, I decided to attend the Simbang
Gabi (Christmas dawn Mass) in the chapel
of a depressed area of our parish to see what
ministry I can start there. That’s when I
discovered that the Vedruna sisters, whom
I had met in the Simbang Gabi, had a fullblown ministry with the poor mothers in the
area already.
I opted to “wait for further instructions”
and accepted a part-time job in a nearby
school in the meantime. Three years later,
I was invited to serve in the Basic Ecclesial
Community of that parish. It turned out to be
a much bigger job than any ministry I could
have started on my own.
I heard the Lord correctly three years
earlier but it was only prophetic. It was not
yet His time. I’m glad I chose to “remain in
the city” — working only in the vicinity and
ready to be uprooted anytime. So when He
called, I was available. Cristy Galang (cristy_cc@yahoo.
com)
17
GROWING UP CATHOLIC
“We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
– Acts 19:2
MONDAY
MAY
Acts 19:1-8
Psalm 68:2-3ab,
4-5acd, 6-7ab
John 16:29-33
REFLECTION:
Have you
allowed God into
your life today?
Lord, be
in my life.
St. Thethmar, pray for us.
Having grown up in a Catholic environment,
I was familiar with almost all the traditions:
Mass, confession, confirmation, feasts, etc.
I knew I had to hear Mass on holy days of
obligation, and I knew that confession is
an important sacrament. When I joined a
Catholic youth community, I started doing
other things like serving in camps and singing
in worship. And I thought that was that.
Although I believed in God, I didn’t
really let Him in my life. I was satisfied
only to meet Him whenever I needed to. I
prayed, yes, but I couldn’t pray for myself
because I felt like God was more concerned
that I thought about the “bigger things,” the
ones that affected more people. I drew the
line where my life ends and my faith starts; I
thought it wasn’t right to mix them. Having
God involved in my personal life doesn’t feel
right — after all, why would He bother about
someone as small and insignificant as me?
Boy, was I wrong! As I grew up, I learned
that when you get to know God, He’s not
satisfied to be on the sidelines. He wants to
be in your life. How silly of me to think that
God doesn’t care about the details of my life.
Tina Matanguihan ([email protected])
18
CORRECTION
“And I did not at all shrink from telling you what was for
your benefit.” – Acts 20:20
TUESDAY
MAY
Acts 20:17-27
Psalm 68:10-11,
20-21
John 17:1-11a
REFLECTION:
Corrections done
with love and
logic will help
you improve your
relationship with
God.
Lord, may I be
able to accept my
limitations and work
toward improving
myself and not be
blinded by pride.
St. Venantius, pray for us.
I was practicing for a presentation and asked
my wife for her opinion. She gave me high
marks on the content and praised me for the
delivery. She added, “I have a suggestion.
Observe your pauses, your “ahhs” and
“uhms.” When you are thinking of the next
thing to say, just stop. It’s not that bad but it
can improve your delivery.”
Getting that feedback was a little painful
at first. After all, I’ve been doing this for 20
years. But in the end, I knew it was done out
of love and for my benefit. I decided to pause
during lulls and minimized my “uhms.” I have
not totally gotten rid of it yet but I’m a whole
lot better now.
When a brotherly or sisterly correction is
given to you, you have two choices. Dismiss
it entirely using your pride or look at it as a
gracious gift from God to make you a better
person. Jun Asis ([email protected])
19
WEDNESDAY
DEATH WISH
“I do not ask that you take them out of the world but
that you keep them from the evil one.”
– John 17:15
MAY
Acts 20:28-38
Psalm 68:29-30, 3335a, 35bc-36ab
John 17:11b-19
REFLECTION:
God sent us into
this world to
help establish His
Kingdom. What can
you do to help?
Holy Father, protect
me as I complete my
journey to heaven.
Blessed Alcuin, pray for us.
When I first became a Christian, I wanted to
die, literally. I saw no point in continuing to
live and be vulnerable to sin when I could be
with God in heaven as promised by Jesus.
But then years went by and I’m still alive
and well. So I decided that since I cannot be
in heaven now, I might as well find ways
to be closer to God here on earth. I started
serving in church as a member of the choir. I
shared my faith and gave hope to discouraged
friends. I sought to purify myself by leading
my thoughts to God even as I struggle with the
daily realities of living in a material world.
Little by little, although the longing for
God remains, the yearning to die has waned.
And one day, it dawned on me. The kingdom
of heaven may be out of sight for now, but the
Kingdom of God is already here, and I helped
establish it.
By living my faith, instead of just dying
for it, I brought God closer to myself and to
everyone I shared Him with. I think I may like
to live for many more years, after all. Cecilia Lim
([email protected])
20
THURSDAY
witness
“Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my
cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in
Rome.” – Acts 23:11
MAY
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
Psalm 16:1-2a, 5,
7-8, 9-10, 11
John 17:20-26
REFLECTION:
Did God allow me
to cross paths with
a non-believer to
bear witness?
Use me, O Lord.
St. Aquila, pray for us.
“If there is a God, why would He let so many
horrible things happen? I wonder why when
a child is saved from a burning building or
gets a miracle cure for cancer, people praise
God. But when a 9/11 happens, He does not
get the condemnation. If I can get around
these questions, I will have a better chance of
restoring a faith long since lost.” This e-mail
came from my Irish colleague Derek based in
Singapore, who was still grieving the death
of his toddler son.
Can I lead him back? We had animated
debates at work but managed to talk about
life whenever he was in town. In between, I
would forward inspirational text messages.
He would be amazed how each message came
as a timely answer to a dilemma.
Before he left the company, he wrote, “In
many ways, Marie, I have a very deep respect
for people like you who have been through
personal challenges and have come out the
other side with the help of your faith.”
I did not preach. But if in the process of
walking my faith his would be restored, what
a blessing! Marie Franco ([email protected])
21
FRIDAY
MAY
Acts 25:13b-21
Psalm 103:1-2, 1112, 19-20ab
John 21:15-19
REFLECTION:
Jesus came that we
might have life and
have it abundantly.
Lord Jesus, thank
You for blessing
me with a mama
sheep who loved
her wayward sheep
unconditionally just
as You would.         
St. Gollen, pray for us.
BLEACHED BLACK SHEEP
“…when you were younger, you used to dress yourself
and go where you wanted…” – John 21:18
 
I was the black sheep among the girls in our
family. I love my mom very much but I was
young and incredibly stupid with the I-wannado-whatever-I-want attitude.
Mom was just so understanding that I
took advantage of that. Even if she was livid
with rage, I knew that deep down she loved me
unconditionally. I don’t think she prayed as hard
for anybody else as she did for me. I actually
hold the bragging rights over my siblings that
my mom loved me the most since she prayed
for me more and cried for me most.
It could only be by God’s grace and
awesome power that my rebellious heart
was tamed. I was the first one to follow my
mom in accepting Jesus into my life early
in college. Now I was answerable to God
alone.  Even if my mom wasn’t watching, I
knew that He was.  
After some time, Mom probably knew
her job was done. She lost her memory
to Alzheimer’s disease shortly after I got
married to the guy who would often bring her
home after their prayer meeting. Even while
she is still alive in this world but unable to
communicate, I’m sure God has already told
her, “Virgie, well done. We did it.” Ronna Ledesma
([email protected])
22
A GOOD WAY OF SAYING IT
I do not think the whole world would contain the books
that would be written. – John 21:25b
SATURDAY
MAY
Acts 28:16-20, 30-31
Psalm 11:4, 5, 7
John 21:20-25
REFLECTION:
Am I aware that
Jesus did so many
things before He
returned to the
Father? Did I ever
doubt the Church
He built more than
2,000 years ago will
stand forever?
Lord Jesus, I believe
in You. And I am
certain no power
on earth can ever
destroy You or Your
Church. Amen.
St. Helen, pray for us.
After one prayer meeting, a brother asked me
how many blessings from the Lord I could
name. I told him that if I were to answer his
question, I’d finish the next day.
We both laughed. But I was able to drive
home the point that the Lord blesses me over
and over again. And He blesses abundantly.
I’m surprised and awed to realize the blessing
I can get even in unpleasant experiences.
My style of describing the Lord’s
awesome blessings was not original. St. John
drove home his point that Jesus did a plethora
of great things through a more profound
style.
He wrote, “I doubt there would be room
enough in the entire world to hold the books
to record them.”
What better way to describe the plentitude
of Jesus’ works! Cristy Galang ([email protected])
23
TRUE SERVICE
There are different forms of service, but the same Lord.
– 1 Corinthians 12:5
SUNDAY
MAY
Solemnity of the Pentecost
Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104:1, 24,
29-30, 31, 34
1 Corinthians
12:3b-7, 12-13 (or
Romans 8:8-17)
John 20:19-23 (or
John 14:15-16,
23b-26)
REFLECTION:
Are you living your
life in service of the
Lord?
I will continue, my
God, to do all my
actions for the love
of You. (La Sallian
prayer)
St. Ivo, pray for us.
When I was still new in Youth for Christ
(YFC), I treated it as a separate part of my
life, just like how I treated school and my
family. You could say I “compartmentalized”
the different aspects of my life. School is
entirely separate from family, and the two
are separate from other extracurricular things
I was busy with. I liked it that way because it
made prioritizing easier.
Whenever the word “service” was
mentioned, I automatically think of YFC,
and nothing else. It came to a point that I was
ready to drop everything else in favor of my
service in YFC, since I saw it as something
I was giving to the Lord. After some time,
though, these other aspects of my life that I
did not consider as “service” suffered because
I didn’t find them important enough to be on
high priority.
When God asked me to give my life in
service to Him, He didn’t mean just serving
the community I’m a part of, but actually
giving the best in every single aspect of
my life. After all, He gave all for me; why
shouldn’t I give Him my all? Tina Matanguihan (tina.
[email protected])
24
NOT SEEING
Although you have not seen him you love him.
– 1 Peter 1: 8
MONDAY
MAY
1 Peter 1:3-9
Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6,
9, 10c
Mark 10:17-27
REFLECTION:
Have you seen
Jesus lately? And
moreover, have
others seen Jesus in
you?
Dear Jesus, give me
eyes and a heart that
see Your love in all
things. Make others
see You in me in the
way I live my life for
You.
St. Joanna, pray for us.
“Two red stripes.”
When Gina tested positive with our first
child, we were very excited as most first time
would-be parents. There were no telltale signs
yet. No bulging tummy, no morning sickness,
not even a change of feeling. Yet we knew that
we were going to have a baby. Even if we had
not seen.
There are those who say that Jesus was
just a figment of imagination, a fairy tale
conjured by long-ago deceivers to gain wealth
or spread the Roman empire.
Despite the historical evidence that Jesus
lived, many still deny Him. Nobody in our
lifetime or even several lifetimes ago have
seen Jesus, yet we believe in Him. I asked
myself why.
In His words in the Bible, I hear Him
speak to me. In the Catholic Church, keeper
of the Faith, I abide in His authority. In
our community, Ligaya ng Panginoon, His
nourishment for me and for brothers and
sisters sustain us. In my family and those
around me, I feel His love. In my heart, He
lives. Jun Asis ([email protected])
25
don’t miss the blessing!
Live soberly and set your hope completely on the
grace… – 1 Peter 1:13
TUESDAY
MAY
1 Peter 1:10-16
Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab,
3cd-4
Mark 10:28-31
REFLECTION:
What are you
setting your
hopes on today
— blessings or
curses?
Dear Lord, make me
believe that You pour
out blessings on me
every day. Give me
the eyes of faith,
hope and love to see
and receive them.
Amen.
St. Zenobius, pray for us.
“Praise God! Prices of gasoline went down,”
I once remarked to a friend. “Naah! Wait ‘til
it goes up again next week. That’s just their
gimmick before they double the increase in
prices,” he quickly retorted.
Many have become cynical these days.
They think that every good thing that happens
is just a façade or an intro to something worse
that’s sure to come.
As a result people anticipate the curse
instead of the blessing.
“It’s raining! Darn! I’m sure to catch a
cold again.”
“Haaay, it’s so hot! I’ll get a heat stroke
with this!”
“Oh no! It’s Christmas time again. Where
do I get the money to spend?”
With this attitude, you even see your
birthday as yearly burdens.
Why not try, “Wow, it’s raining, it’s
gonna be a cool day!” Or, “The sun is up.
What a great time for the beach!”
Peter tells us to keep alert on setting our
hopes completely on the blessings.
Otherwise, the blessings might be staring
us in the face and we completely miss it.
God bless you! Alvin Barcelona (alvinbarcelona@gmail.
com)
26
WEDNESDAY
MAY
1 Peter 1:18-25
Psalm 147:12-13,
14-15, 19-20
Mark 10:32-45
REFLECTION:
If God will call us
now, will He hear,
“The number you
are calling is not yet
in service”?
Lord, only by Your
grace will we be able
to follow You.
Blessed Eva of Liege,
pray for us.
OUT OF SERVICE?
“Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with
the baptism with which I am baptized?” – Mark 10:38  
 
Oftentimes, we are like the two disciples
in today’s Gospel who seem to be walking
and talking with Jesus but are actually not
listening to Him at all. They want the places of
honor but are not willing to pay the price.
During prayer meetings, we sing that we
want to give Him our hearts and souls but
when the love offering basket is passed around,
we can’t even give the Lord more than our
smallest bill. We only want to give our heart
and soul but not our money. Or, maybe while
we are deeply worshiping and praying, we tell
the Lord to have His way with us. We pray,
“Speak Lord, Your servant is listening.” The
Lord responds by whispering to our heart to
give up a relationship that is not pleasing to
Him. Suddenly, our heart becomes “deaf.”  
When we enter into a relationship with
God, we cannot choose what part we want to
give or what part we want to take. We cannot
love God without serving Him and we cannot
choose how we want to serve Him. Definitely
we can choose how we want to serve but
that is not real love. Out of His great love
for us, God gave us His very best… His only
Son.  Don’t you think it’s time we also give
our very best to Him? Ronna Ledesma (ronnaledesma@email.
com)
27
THURSDAY
BABY STEPS
Like newborn infants, long for pure spiritual milk, so
that through it you may grow into salvation.
– 1 Peter 2:2
MAY
1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12
Psalm 100:2, 3, 4, 5
Mark 10:46-52
REFLECTION:
No matter what
stage of spiritual
growth you’re
in, enjoy God’s
pampering and give
yourself a chance to
learn more.
Lord, let Your words
nourish me and help
me grow.
St. Bruno, pray for us.
When my son Lance was born, I got so
excited to see him grow that I had to remind
myself to take it one step at a time. Newborns
are not yet fully developed and their diet
should depend on their developmental stage.
No iron in their milk for the first six months.
Begin feeding solids at six months but only
with pureed foods. No honey, egg whites or
spinach at least for the first year.
So much to consider! But now, when I see
Lance so healthy, I know that my diligence
paid off.
When I first became a Christian, my
relationship with God filled me with so much
joy that I wanted to give up everything. But
because I was not ready, when I received His
calling I thought the task was too much and I
quit even before I began.
I learned from my mistake. I got back to
basics and took baby steps. First by getting
to know Him again through readings and
prayer, then by looking deep into myself and
discovering who I am. After I had done these,
God gave me opportunities to serve and this
time, I said yes. Cecilia Lim ([email protected])
28
FRIDAY
MAY
1 Peter 4:7-13
Psalm 96:10, 11-12,
13
Mark 11:11-26
REFLECTION:
How do
you look at your
suffering or those of
the people around
you? Do you find
meaning in them?
Lord, there is so
much suffering
around us and in us.
Grant us the grace
to see Your purpose
in allowing them to
happen.
St. Wiliam of Gellone,
pray for us.
THERE IS LIFE — EVEN
WITH CANCER
But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings
of Christ… – 1 Peter 4:13
With tears in her eyes, my cousin said, “Si
Lord na ang bahala sa akin (I am in God’s
hands).” The dreaded big C had spread to her
ovaries, intestines and pancreas. Her words
keep coming back to me.
These past years, I have seen so much
suffering at close range. Many friends in our
neighborhood have cancer. A few have passed
away; some are still battling with it.
And yet, too, I have seen people who,
though suffering with cancer, continue to live
joyfully and meaningfully, finding purpose in
their illness. Their suffering has blessed the
people around them —just as Jesus’ suffering
and death blessed us all.
Maybe it’s time to act soon on the
inspiration that’s been nagging at me for three
years — to form a cancer survivors support
group that will not only be a haven for those
afflicted with the illness but will also provide
support for caregivers.
An inspiration, a prayer, a willing
spirit.
As I write this, I know that God is
moving things for His will to happen. Tess V.
Atienza ([email protected])
29
WHO ARE YOU?
“By what authority are you doing these things? Or who
gave you this authority to do them?” – Mark 11:28
SATURDAY
MAY
Jude 17, 20b-25
Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6
Mark 11:27-33
REFLECTION:
Do
you know that all
authority in heaven
and on earth has
been given to you?
Go therefore and
make disciples
of all nations.
(Matthew 28:18-19)
Lord, amidst
persecutions, allow
me to keep living my
life for You.
St. Conon, pray for us.
We were invited to attend a prayer meeting in
a chapel at a nearby village. We were around
12 attendees. Since there was still an ongoing
youth choir practice, someone motioned that
we just hold the prayer meeting inside the
sacristy. Because we were displaced, some
were pissed off until a heated discussion
started. Then my husband spoke up, “We all
came to attend the prayer meeting. I believe
arguing won’t do us any good so maybe we
could just start with what we came here for.”
Then an already angry couple responded in a
loud, sarcastic voice, “What are you saying?
Who are you anyway? We don’t even know
you!”
A nun was there and she introduced
us, then invited the group for a short prayer
session. Afterwards, she and the others
apologized for how the couple treated us.
During Jesus’ time, people questioned
His authority. In our lifetime, there will
always be those who will question our
identity, our service, our faith. But we can
hold on to the fact that we are God’s beloved
children and we can just keep moving and
doing as He commands. Sol Saura (solmsaura@gmail.
com)
30
THE LITTLE FISH
“From of old I was poured forth, at the first, before the
earth.” – Proverbs 8:23
SUNDAY
MAY
Solemnity of the Holy Trinity
Proverbs 8:22-31
Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7,
8-9 (2a)
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15
REFLECTION:
“Stop searching,
little fish. There isn’t
anything to look for.
All you have to do is
look.” (Anthony de
Mello)
You are my God!
In the name of the
Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
One story from Anthony de Mello’s The Song
of the Bird goes like this:
“Excuse me,” said the little fish,
“can you tell me how to find this
thing called the ocean?”
“The ocean,” said the older fish, “is
the thing you are in now.”
“Oh, this? But this is water,” said
the disappointed fish as he swam to
search elsewhere.
Sometimes, we are just like the little
fish, going around trying to find God. What
we don’t immediately recognize is that God
is everywhere. He is the Creator who made
everything that surrounds us, from the vast
universe to the tiniest grain of sand. He is the
Christ who emptied Himself to become like
us, made of flesh and blood, vulnerable and
weak. He is the Spirit that dwells within us,
constantly guiding us though we may choose
not to heed Him.
Aren’t we lucky that wherever we look,
be it our surroundings, our fellow men, or our
own selves, we see the reflection of God? Cecilia
Lim ([email protected])
St. Hubert, pray for us.
31
TURNING 50
“The Mighty One has done great things for me, and
holy is his name.” – Luke 1:49
MONDAY
MAY
Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed
Virgin Mary
Zephaniah 3:14-18a
(or Romans 12:9-16)
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd,
5-6
Luke 1:39-56
REFLECTION:
What has the Lord
done in your life? Be
thankful for it.
Lord, help me to see
Your work in my life
and to trust that You
know what’s best
for me.
St. Vitalis, pray for us.
While writing this reflection, I chanced upon
an email I wrote to a dear old friend before
I turned 50.
It read, “As I was walking home from
Church this morning, my heart welled
into a prayer of thanksgiving. He has done
wondrous things in my life and I told the
Lord, ‘Please help me to surrender my life to
You each day, my will to Your will, so that
Your glory may be made more manifest in
me.’” I wrote further, “Days before today, I’ve
been introspecting and a significant feeling
arose — that of a sense of letting go of old
dreams, old wishes, even prayers that God
has chosen not to answer the way I wanted
Him to. Maybe I am being more content with
what is in my life now rather than hoping for
the things that are not truly meant to be.”
Turning 50 has made me see the landscape
of my life and appreciate every blessing,
every trial, every difficulty, every crossroad,
every failure and every success that happened
in my life.
Turning 50 has made me relax in God’s
abiding presence and work in my life,
knowing that my life is in His hands. Tess V. Atienza
([email protected])
1
TUESDAY
JUNE
2 Peter 3:12-15a,
17-18
Psalm 90:2, 3-4, 10,
14, 16
Mark 12:13-17
REFLECTION:
What is it in my
outer world that is
influencing me in
the wrong way?
Dear Lord, grant
me the grace to
detach myself
from anything
and anyone that
obstructs me from
becoming who You
want me to be.
St. Iñigo, pray for us.
SHAPE YOUR WORLD
BEFORE IT SHAPES YOU
But according to his promise, we await new heavens
and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
– 2 Peter 3:13
My friend “Jim” was a drug addict. He lived
in a rehabilitation center for a year. He went
back home a new man.
But a few days after, an old friend who
was a user visited him at home and offered
him shabu. Jim refused. But he kept on
meeting his old friends. After only three
months, Jim relapsed and his addiction was
more severe than before.
What caused his downfall? He shaped
his inner world, but he didn’t shape his outer
world. He needed a new set of friends. He
needed a new itinerary. He also needed new
hobbies, new music, new activities.
It’s pretty obvious. If you’re an alcoholic,
stop hanging out with friends who drink. Hang
out with new friends who don’t. If you’re a
gambler, cut friendships with other gamblers.
Hang out with people who don’t gamble.
Many people don’t use their power to
choose their friends. They just accept the
people who call up, visit and appear on their
doorstep. Big mistake. Go out and choose the
kind of people you like to become.
And then fulfill you dreams. Bo Sanchez
([email protected])
2
REFUSING TO BE MISLED
“Are you not misled because you do not know the
Scriptures or the power of God.” – Mark 12:24
WEDNESDAY
JUNE
2 Timothy 1:1-3,
6-12
Psalm 123:1b-2ab,
2cdef
Mark 12:18-27
REFLECTION:
Do I read
Scriptures? Do I call
on the Holy Spirit
to guide me so that
I will understand
accurately what the
Lord is telling me
from His Word?
Speak to my heart,
Lord, especially
through Your Word.
Shield any deceit of
the enemy that I may
hear You and obey
You. Amen.
St. Eugene, pray for us.
One of her pains is the conversion of her son
to a cult — Jehovah’s Witness. But even more
painful is her son’s repeated attempt to bring
her to that sect.
“That’s why I keep attending our
weekly Bible sharing session as well as other
opportunities to understand the Scripture
from the Catholic point of view,” she often
says.
In several of our cell meetings, she would
narrate the most recent verbal battle she had
with her son, who grabs every opportunity
to interpret a verse to her. And little by little,
she is learning to identify how different it is
from how she was taught as a Catholic.
Unlike her son, this God-fearing woman
refused to be misled in her faith. Not even
her own son could sway her away from the
truth. How contrary to the witnessing of the
Pharisees who failed to understand what
Scripture teaches because of their impure
motives. Cristy Galang ([email protected])
3
THURSDAY
EVERYDAY MASS,
EVERYDAY SUCCESS
Be eager to present yourself acceptable to God, a
workman who causes no disgrace. – 2 Timothy 2:15
JUNE
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Psalm 25:4-5ab, 8-9,
10, 14
Mark 12:28-34
REFLECTION:
Do you have a
difficult task in your
workplace? Try
seeking the Lord in
the Eucharist.
Thank You, Lord, for
Your guidance. You
are my Wisdom. You
are my Strength.
St. Kevin, pray for us.
“Do I hear right that you go to church
every day?” quipped my boss during a gettogether.
“Yes, I do.” I answered hesitantly,
wondering how he got the information.
I told him that I need it for my work;
it’s where I get my strength, my wisdom, my
guidance and my protection.
As an IT manager overseas, there are lots
of challenges that try my patience, wisdom
and focus. It can be wearisome without the
Lord in my life.
But more than my need for Him, it’s my
deep longing for God and my love for Him
that drives me to seek Him each day. The
Gospel reading today says, “You shall love
the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind and
with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).
As I present myself to Him daily at Mass,
I receive His guidance that brings me success
in my workplace. Danny Tariman ([email protected])
4
FRIDAY
words of life
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for
teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training
in righteousness. – 2 Timothy 3:16
JUNE
2 Timothy 3:10-17
Psalm 119:157, 160,
161, 165, 166, 168
Mark 12:35-37
REFLECTION:
Have you quoted
the Bible to uplift
somebody today?
Lord, You alone have
the words of eternal
life. Grant that I may
be Your witness.
St. Breaca, pray for us.
You’ve seen them on TV.
Each one professes to be right. Both
quote the Bible expertly, using God’s Word
for defense and offense.
Yet, what they seem to achieve is more
divisiveness. Insults and provocations are their
primary weapons as they tear down each other
on different channels. It’s saddening to note
that the Good News is used for destructive
debates and un-Christian misinformation.
They seem to just one-up each other.
Overuse, misuse and abuse of Scriptures
will never lead to God.
My friend Rene sends me text messages
that contain God’s Word of hope regularly.
Often, they will strike me at the heart. They
are just the right words at the right time.
That’s what Scriptures should do: become a
source of inspiration and personal words of
God to you. Jun Asis ([email protected])
5
my secret in giving
“… all contributed from their surplus wealth… has
contributed all she had…” – Mark 12:44
SATURDAY
JUNE
2 Timothy 4:1-8
Psalm 71:8-9, 1415ab, 16-17, 22
Mark 12:38-44
REFLECTION:
What are
the things that you
have been holding
on to? Are they due
to be given away?
Take and receive, O
Lord, my mind, my
heart, my soul, my
strength, my every
being. Let me receive
You fully in my life.
Amen.
St. Adalar, pray for us.
Let me share with you my secret in giving.
The less I have, the more I give. The more
hesitant I am to give, the more I give. The
more I struggle to give, the more I give.
Because that’s when I believe I’m really
giving.
Of course, I know that you cannot give
what you do not have. But I know, too, that
no one can be totally empty that you have
nothing to give. Run a checklist of your three
T’s — treasure, time and talent — and you
know you must have one of these to share.
Giving can also be “giving up” of some
things for a higher cause. You can “give up”
your pride by admitting your faults and asking
for forgiveness. You can “give up” your
anger and stubbornness by wearing a genuine
smile. Or “give up” a recurring sin that you’re
attached to and is hurting yourself and people
you love and finally decide — enough!
It may not be easy… because giving is
dying a little — or a lot. But then again, it is
in this kind of giving of ourselves that we find
real joy, peace and so much freedom in our
hearts.
Learn from the widow who gave all she had
— and be free. Alvin Barcelona ([email protected])
6
SUNDAY
JUNE
Solemnity of the Body and Blood
of Christ
Genesis 14:18-20
Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4
1 Corinthians
11:23-26
Luke 9:11b-17
REFLECTION:
When you need to
be reminded how
much God loves
you, just look at the
Cross.
Forgive me, Lord,
for the times I allow
worry to overwhelm
me.
DO YOU REMEMBER…
“Do this in remembrance of me…” – 1 Corinthians 11:24
As a parent, there are times when I have to
remind my children again and again about
something that I’m trying to teach them.  And
if they forget, I can only do one thing — remind
them again.
When my eldest daughter was three years
old, she would throw a tantrum in the mall if
she didn’t get what she wanted. She’d cry at the
top of her lungs and just sit there until the next
millennium. When she would run out of tears
and voice, I will tell her lovingly but firmly,
“Remember this, Dana.  Even if you cry until
your eyes pop out, my no will still be no.”
The next time she goes into a fit, I will
ask her, “Remember what Mommy said?  That
even if you cry…”  Then she would finish my
sentence even while wailing, “…till my eyes
pop out.” After five minutes, her crying would
subside. She’d stand up and we’d continue
malling as if nothing happened.  
In the same way, God uses different
ways to remind us how much He loves us.
We just have to open our eyes, our hearts and
our Bibles to see those reminders. Let us not
focus on the times of disappointment, but
instead, focus on the times when He reminds
us of how special we are to Him. Ronna Ledesma
([email protected])
St. Agobard, pray for us.
7
HAPPY THE UNHAPPY
“Blessed are they who mourn; for they will be
comforted!” – Matthew 5:4
MONDAY
JUNE
1 Kings 17:1-6
Psalm 121:1bc-2,
3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Matthew 5:1-12
REFLECTION:
In spite of this trial
which robs me of all
sense of pleasure, I
can still say, “Thou
has given me, O
Lord, a delight in
all my doings.” (St.
Therese of the Child
Jesus)
Lord, is there any
greater joy than to
suffer for love of You?
St. Gottschalk, pray for us.
I have been re-reading the autobiography of
St. Therese of the Child Jesus and I realize
how far I am from being a saint.
Saints don’t just endure suffering, they
actually embrace it. Like for instance, when
an irritable nun was assigned to their convent,
St. Therese would willingly attend to this nun
and go out of her way to please her even if all
she receives are complaints.
I would have left the nun to fend for
herself and sought other means to serve
God. But I pondered on all the times I was
miserable and realized that I always survive
the experience with a stronger faith in God.
I think suffering makes us realize that we
can’t make it on our own, and so we lean on
God. And instead of remembering our trial
as a time of failure, we recall it as a time
of triumph where God’s providence saw us
through a rough time.
Someday, there will be an everlasting
triumph when Christ returns to end all
suffering. Until then, I hope that I learn to
welcome suffering for God’s sake and for
other sinners as well. Cecilia Lim ([email protected])
8
LETTING MY LIGHT SHINE
“Your light must shine before others.”
– Matthew 5:16
TUESDAY
JUNE
1 Kings 17:7-16
Psalm 4:2-3, 4-5,
7b-8
Matthew 5:13-16
REFLECTION:
Have I kept to
myself information
that can help
others?
My God, thank You
for the many good
things You are doing
through me that
shines like a light to
others. Amen.
St. Bron, pray for us.
When I was still in grade school, I would put
money that I saved from my baon in mom’s
handbag when I would hear her complain
about our finances. That was one of several
good things I did in my past which I never
revealed to anyone.
I must have learned early in life the rule
to keep my good deeds to myself. But later
in life, I realized that it doesn’t always work
that way.
In my assignment as a Didache writer,
for instance, I can connect some verses from
experiences of good things I have done. I
feel I have to share these good deeds also so
I can witness to others. Not to mention that
we had this teaching in community that we
can be guilty of “false humility” if we do not
share what can be of help to others.
That is why in writing reflections, I have
courage enough to talk about my good works
— to let my light shine before men and bless
them. Cristy Galang ([email protected])
9
WEDNESDAY
JUNE
1 Kings 18:20-39
Psalm 16:1b-2ab, 4,
5ab, 8, 11
Matthew 5:17-19
REFLECTION:
Can you see God’s
work in the events
of your daily life? In
the major events of
your life?
Lord, increase my
sensitivity to the
work of Your hands
in my life so that I
may proclaim it to
the world.
Blessed Diana, pray for us.
LESSONS FROM KERYGMA
CONFERENCE 2008
“The Lord is God!” – 1 Kings 18:39
As part of the secretariat for Kerygma
Conference 2008, I was aware of the
difficulties as well as the miracles that
went into producing the event. As the
conference drew near and hitches came here
and there, tensions ran high. Many were getting
sick, including me. But you know what the
experience taught me?
That when it is the Lord’s will, He makes
things move beyond our human capacity.
Things fall into place despite the hitches — and
always just in time. That when it is God’s work,
He touches people’s hearts to support the event.
Sponsors and donors were coming in even up
to the week before the event.
And when I got to talk to a number of
people who attended the conference, the
more I was convinced that no one went there
by accident. Each person who was there was
called by God. Each one had a story to tell
on why and how he came to the conference.
Each attendee has a story to tell on how the
conference touched him or her.
So, if I were to be asked to be involved
again in future Kerygma Conferences, will I
wholeheartedly give my yes again? You bet!
Tess V. Atienza ([email protected])
10
THURSDAY
JUNE
1 Kings 18:41-46
Psalm 65:10, 11,
12-13
Matthew 5:20-26
REFLECTION:
Are you
at peace? If not,
what is the source
of your “unpeace”?
Dialogue with and
understand more
– yourself, others,
and God – and
rediscover true
peace!
“Lord, make me an
instrument of Your
peace. Where there
is hatred let me sow
love…”
Blessed Olive, pray for us.
peace be with you
“… go first and be reconciled with your brother…”
– Matthew 5:24
I have been to places in the country where
peace is such a priceless, precious, yet
seemingly elusive dream.
I visited Jolo, Sulu many times. I led a
peace rally in Iligan the day before it was
bombed and attacked. I sat down with priests
and peace advocates of the Silsilah Dialogue
Movement in Zamboanga where Christians
and Muslims live together in a haven called
Harmony Village.
This is what I discovered: that peace is
attained through continuous dialogue and
understanding. And that ignorance, prejudice,
unforgiveness, revenge and a narrow-minded,
closed attitude bring “unpeace.” Because
peace is in the mind, heart and soul, more than
just the absence of war or external aggression.
And these truths aren’t only for inter-faith
dialogues.
In our homes, our neighborhood, our
workplace or in our church communities,
when there is no dialogue and understanding,
there is no peace. No wonder the Gospel says,
“If you are about to offer your gift to God…
(first) make peace with your brother.”
If we are all indeed children of God, then
there is so much goodness in each one of us.
Peace is connecting to that innate goodness.
Alvin Barcelona([email protected])
11
FRIDAY
WONDERFUL LIFE
“ I will lead them out from among the peoples and
gather them from the foreign lands; I will bring them
back to their own country.” – Ezekiel 34:13
JUNE
Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Ezekiel 34:11-16
Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b4, 5, 6 (1)
Romans 5:5b-11
Luke 15:3-7
REFLECTION:
We must be
sensitive to
God’s calling and
messages for us
to know what He
wants us to do for
His greater glory.
Lord Jesus, please
let me be holier
each day so I will be
sanctified the way
You want me to be.
St. Tochmura, pray for us.
The foggy mountains and the blue skies were
so close to each other that I imagined seeing
God amidst the blue horizon, smiling with
His outstretched arms, gently whispering to
me of His unconditional love.
“My God, how awesome is Your creation!”
I uttered as I watched the marvelous scenic
spots we passed by in Bukidnon on the way
to Cagayan de Oro. I wouldn’t be enjoying
the beauty of God’s creation if He didn’t give
me the gift of freedom as well. Moreover, I
wouldn’t have the heart of Jesus if He didn’t
let me pass through the Correctional Institute
of Women (CIW) for 20 years.
As I reminisce on my stay in the CIW,
my heart overflows in thanksgiving for what
happened to me there. Mingling with people
who came from all walks of life, has equipped
me with people skills that are valuable in my
job now as a sales person.
Indeed, the Lord’s ways are not our ways.
While being locked in jail may seem to be a
dead-end experience to many, God used it to
mold me into His likeness. It was His way of
taking me out of my sinfulness and bringing
me back to His fold. Beth Corral (bethcorral_0330@yahoo.
com)
12
Business as Usual
“Did you not know that I must be in my father’s house?”
– Luke 2:49
SATURDAY
JUNE
Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of
the Blessed Virgin Mary
Isaiah 61:9-11
Psalm 113:1b-2,
3-4, 5-6, 7
Luke 2:41-52
REFLECTION:
Are you
ashamed of sharing
the Lord to your
officemates and
peers?
Lord, I am sorry for
the times I passed up
the opportunity to
share Your goodness.
Empower me to
witness for You!
St. Christian, pray for us.
I have been out of “service” for 12 months.
Since I had set my foot in Papua New Guinea,
I had not a chance to proclaim the Good News
the way I did in Manila.
I was enjoying my secular work
as manager of Information Technology
department of one of the country’s biggest
retail chain. There was, however, a void
deep inside of me. It was about my Father’s
business.
When I left Manila for this job, I knew
there was something I needed to do. I knew
that my new workplace and the new city
I will live in is my mission field. I did my
best to share the Lord at every opportunity;
I tried to witness for Him, even in the most
difficult situations. I spoke of the Lord to my
peers, fellow managers, guards, janitors and
whoever I had the chance to meet. Person-toperson, one by one, sharing the Good News.
I was not “ashamed of the Gospel” (Romans
1:16).
Until one day, the Lord opened up a
bigger audience: I was given the task to do
the teaching for the archdiocesan Catholic
Charismatic Renewal weekly gatherings.
After the long wait, it is now “Business
as Usual.” Danny Tariman ([email protected])
13
the man!
Then Nathan said to David: “You are the man!
– 2 Samuel 12:7
SUNDAY
JUNE
2 Samuel 12:7-10,
13
Psalm 32:1-2, 5,
7, 11
Galatians 2:16,
19-21
Luke 7:36-8:3
REFLECTION:
We should always
look at our
successes as God’s
providence and
grace.
Thank You, Lord,
for all my successes.
All these things
are possible only
because of You.
St. Aquilina, pray for us.
“You are the man!” It was sweet music to
Steve’s ears.
His colleagues were congratulating him.
There was a party in his honor. His idea is
now a product. The president of his company
even went to him personally, heaping praises
on him to high heavens. Steve felt good.
He felt so good that it went to his head.
He treated his friends like they were second
class. He dumped his girlfriend for a more
glamorous one. He was living the life.
And then the product bombed.
Everyone around him disappeared.
The boss blamed him and fired him. The
glamorous girlfriend found a richer man. No
co-worker dared to help him.
He came back to his friends, who, in the
end, understood. He went on his knees and
his former girlfriend took him in.
Sometimes we attribute our successes to
our own doing and forget God in the equation.
It’s only when we fall that we realize why all
these things came to be in the first place.
Let us always remember who is the
Source of the man. Jun Asis ([email protected])
14
MONDAY
JUNE
1 Kings 21:1-16
Psalm 5:2-3ab, 4b6a, 6b-7
Matthew 5:38-42
REFLECTION:
Be as meek as lambs
but as cunning as
serpents.
Lord, let Your
Word continue to
empower me and
transform me.
St. Elgar, pray for us.
VICTIM OR VICTOR?
“When someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the
other one to him as well.” – Matthew 5:39
 
I caught my boyfriend cheating on me for
the nth time. By then I had committed to
memory the passages, “How many times must
I forgive my brother… not 70 times but 70 x
77 times,” and the passage above from our
Gospel today.
“I know about Miss X,” I told him. The
moment I mentioned her name, he began his
usual routine of denial. He just finished his
first line when I put up my hand, signaling him
to stop, followed by the dramatic line: “It’s
OK. I’ve already forgiven you.” I could never
forget the look on his face followed by a long
pause of guilt which gave way to a flood of
tears down his cheeks.  Aaaah… the power of
forgiveness.
But that didn’t stop him from his infidelity.
A friend of mine managed to put some sense
into me when she said that I can forgive him
but I didn’t have to stay with him.
The words of Jesus are meant to empower
us and to teach us to love even when it is
inconvenient. It’s not meant to turn us into
a victim, but instead, to transform us into
a victor  as we learn to give up our right
to ourselves and allow Him to live His life
through us. Ronna Ledesma ([email protected])
15
blessings for all
“… for he makes his sun to rise on bad and good…”
– Matthew 5:45
TUESDAY
JUNE
1 Kings 21:17-29
Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab,
11, 16
Matthew 5:43-48
REFLECTION:
Have you judged
others as hopeless?
Have you thought
of yourself as
hopeless? Look
around. Look up.
God never gives up
on others… and
on you.
Lord, let
me see Your deep
and unending love
for all of us so that
I, too, may have the
same love for You,
for others, and for
myself. Amen.
St. Alice, pray for us.
Have you noticed how that lazy, stubborn,
good-for-nothing bum breathes the same air
that you breathe — for free?
Do you see how that loudmouth, backstabbing, slandering neighbor or classmate or
officemate of yours get warmed by the same
sun and showered by the same rain?
Observe how all people are blessed by
God every day. Why? Because God loves
them all. God loves us all.
But here’s the catch.
Notice how loving, generous, forgiving,
grateful, peaceful, prayerful and happy people
seem to get “more of God’s blessings”? It’s
because they are the ones who are more open
to receive them.
But realize that God never stops blessing
those who are seemingly “closed” to these
blessings. Grace, mercy, healing, miracles
are there for the taking — anytime — if they
open themselves to God. In fact, many of
God’s supply — like the air, the sun, the rain
— just keep on coming. And only fools will
close themselves to these. Which means God
does not stop loving them.
Now why should you give up on them…
or give up on yourself? Alvin Barcelona (alvinbarcelona@
gmail.com)
16
A TESTIMONY ON FASTING
“When you fast, do not look gloomy….”
– Matthew 6:16
WEDNESDAY
JUNE
2 Kings 2:1, 6-14
Psalm 31:20, 21, 24
Matthew 6:1-6,
16-18
REFLECTION:
Do I fast or perform
sacrifices for the
Lord to showcase
them? Or is it a
secret between God
and me?
Lord Jesus, thank
You for reminding
me today to do some
acts of sacrifice to
season my Christian
life. Lead me to what
offering I can do
to strengthen me
spiritually and let it
be just between us.
Amen.
Blessed Guy Vignotelli,
pray for us.
Years ago, we would gather every Friday
night at the prayer room from 8:00 p.m. till
the wee hours of the morning to intercede for
souls and pray for all the petitions submitted
during prayer meetings.
In preparation for this spiritual warfare, it
was my practice to fast every Friday. I would
take nothing but water until 3:00 p.m. I can
still remember how the Lord strengthened
me physically to survive it all amidst heavy
schedules like counseling elementary and
high school students and other activities.
One of the tough times I hurdled with no
food was a volleyball game with teachers and
co-counselors. At one point I felt the chills
and thought I’d pass out. But with the grace of
God, I pulled through and felt so victorious in
the Lord that evening during our prayer battle.
People who did not know the sacrifice I was
going through added spice and flavor to my
offering. Cristy Galang ([email protected])
17
WORLD PEACE
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans…”
– Matthew 6:7
THURSDAY
JUNE
Sirach 48:1-14
Psalm 97:1-2, 3-4,
5-6, 7
Matthew 6:7-15
REFLECTION:
“It is a revelation of
pure joyousness in
which the child of
God pours into the
Father’s bosom the
cares which give
pain and anxiety
that He may solve
the difficulties.”
(Oswald Chambers)
Lord, help
me to remember
that You care for me
as much as You care
for the world.
St. Emily de Vialar,
pray for us.
One time, after visiting a friend from the
hospital, my friends and I passed by St. Joseph
Church in Cubao to pray for a while.
My friend knew it was my first time
there so she told me to make a wish. I closed
my eyes and asked something for myself…
and then I realized how selfish I must be for
making that wish when there were so many
people suffering out there, not to mention our
friend who was still in the hospital. I took my
wish back and asked for something for the
good of all mankind. Like world peace.
I carried that same attitude when I started
having a regular prayer time. I would pray
more for “world peace” than for the things
that concerned me.
Yes, those things are noble and I do
believe that God wants us to pray for them.
But I believe that God also wants to hear from
us — our concerns, our joys, the things we
want, the things we worry about.
Just like a parent listening to his child, I
believe it brings God great joy when we bring
our cares to Him. Tina Matanguihan (tina.matanguihan@gmail.
com)
18
FRIDAY
storing up wealth
But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth
nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
– Matthew 6:20
JUNE
2 Kings 11:1-4,
9-18, 20
Psalm 132:11, 12,
13-14, 17-18
Matthew 6:19-23
REFLECTION:
What can I do to
load up treasures in
heaven?
Lord, I offer my
talents and resources
to You. Use them as
You please. Amen.
St. Alena, pray for us.
When I started writing for Didache a few
years ago, Bo Sanchez sent me a message of
thanks. He also explained that it will not make
us rich but quoted the passage about “storing
treasures in heaven.” It was half-serious, yet
very profound, if you think about it.
Many of us work hard to fulfill our
dreams. A dream home, cars, gadgets,
properties, travel and a comfortable lifestyle.
There is nothing wrong about striving to reach
these goals. The irony is once we achieve
all these things, we immediately chase after
another one. No amount of money or material
wealth satisfies. After the initial excitement
of “making it,” the emptiness stays.
The only way to fill that space is with
God. If you want to be satisfied, look to
saving up treasures in heaven. It may be
profound or simple. Volunteer your time and
resources to ministries like He Cares and
Anawim. Sing in your parish choir. Teach
catechism. Be honest in your business. Have
integrity at work. Speak God’s Word in your
actions.
Write about God’s love. That’s what I’m
doing. Jun Asis ([email protected])
19
STOP PARANOIA
“Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to
your life-span?” – Matthew 6:27
SATURDAY
JUNE
2 Chronicles 24:1725
Psalm 89:4-5, 29-30,
31-32, 33-34
Matthew 6:24-34
REFLECTION:
“Do not worry
about tomorrow; it
will have enough
worries of its own.
There is no need to
add to the troubles
each day brings.”
(Matthew 6:34)
Deliver us from all
anxiety as we wait
in joyful hope for the
coming of Your Son,
Jesus Christ.
St. Gervase, pray for us.
I have the most paranoid parents-in-law.
Once, I came home early and asked
my mother-in-law where my son was. She
panicked and said, “He’s not in his room?
The babysitter must have kidnapped him!”
When I brought my son to the beach, my
father-in-law called more than five times to
tell us to be wary of sharks that might eat his
grandchild alive.
I asked my mother-in-law once why
they worry so much. She said, “Well, what
if something really bad happens?” I replied,
“Then that’s the time you worry. But until
you actually get the bad news, you just have
to believe that all of us are all right.” She
looked at me with a bemused smile and said,
“That’s not the way we think.”
I don’t know if my assurance is born out
of being a Christian or because I just happen
to be optimistic. But I do know that as I
grow older and have more responsibilities,
I make it a point to lift all my troubles to
God. I find that if I want to be free of my
worries, I turn my thoughts to the next life
and what do you know? Everything else
becomes trivial. Cecilia Lim ([email protected])
20
SUNDAY
JUNE
Zechariah 12:10-11;
13:1
Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6,
8-9 (2b)
Galatians 3:26-29
Luke 9:18-24
REFLECTION:
Are you ready to
stand up for your
beliefs no matter
what the cost?
Lord, give me the
courage to be a
bold witness for
You amidst a sinful
world.
Blessed Anthony Turner,
pray for us.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
– Luke 9:24
Rough times with my religious gifts business
pushed me to try a new venture. The projected
income looked promising. But transitioning to
a “worldlier” business was a bit tricky. Early
on, my principles were tested.
Deciding on forum topics for our women’s
website caused a minor upheaval in the
company. Someone suggested sex to give
members a venue to discuss related concerns.
Although not bad per se, I was afraid this would
create an opening for inappropriate discussion.
I was told I had a 19th century mentality. Other
sites for women had this and it brought much
needed members and page views.
I was pointed to another site with this
topic. The lewd postings there horrified me.
Although I had no other prospects, I was
ready to quit if this happens in our website. I
believed that professing my love for the Lord
and getting involved in something like this
is contradictory. I remembered reading that
sometimes our life is the only Bible other
people read.
Thankfully, the Lord allowed me to stay
with a clear conscience. The noncontroversial
topic of love, dating and romance was used
instead. Lella Santiago ([email protected])
21
MONDAY
JUNE
2 Kings 17:5-8, 1315a, 18
Psalm 60:3, 4-5,
12-13
Matthew 7:1-5
REFLECTION:
Can an echo ever
give a different
sound other than
the original one? 
Lord, let those who
see me see You.
St. Lazarus, pray for us.
ECHO
“...and the measure with which you measure will be
measured out to you.” – Matthew 7:2
 
When she heard something unfortunate
happen to one of her friends, she gossiped
about it to other people. She did it with the
seemingly good intention of letting others
know so that they can pray for the person.
One day, she received the bad news that she
had cancer. She didn’t want anybody to know.
She already imagined how other people would
feast on talking about her because that’s
exactly what she does.
I read that our knowledge of God’s
character is dictated by our own character. If we
see God as a vindictive God, it is because we are
vindictive. We see God through the same eyes
we use to see others.  But it doesn’t have to be
that way.  We can enjoy a loving relationship
today with a God who’s so in love with us if
only we would change the eyes of our hearts
through which we see ourselves and others.  
The Bible says, “As He is, so are we.” We
are supposed to reflect our Father through
us.  The word “person” comes from two Latin
words “per” and “solare” which means “to
sound through.”  God has intended to sound
through or to echo or reflect Himself through
us. Let us therefore be faithful echoes of our
Heavenly Father to this world. Ronna Ledesma
([email protected])
22
TUESDAY
I’M A 10
“How narrow the gate and constricted the road that
leads to life. And those who find it are few.”
– Matthew 7:14
JUNE
2 Kings 19:9b-11,
14-21, 31-35a, 36
Psalm 48:2-3ab,
3cd-4, 10-11
Matthew 7:6,
12-14
REFLECTION:
Am I walking the
path of the Lord? Is
there a call to turn
back and find His
path?
Lord Jesus, I want to
celebrate the victory
of following You.
Lead me to Your path
for I believe it is only
there I can find real
joy. Amen.
St. Aaron, pray for us.
If I were to rank my life today from one to 10
where “1” means unfulfilled and “10” is very
fulfilled, I’d confidently give myself a “10.”
I feel a deep joy in my heart being in God’s
service and living a life totally for the Lord.
Had the same question been asked
of me 12 years ago — a time when I was
experiencing God’s pruning and testing — I
wouldn’t even have scored a “5.”
The road that led to where I am now was
a rough and difficult one. I remember the
time Dad succumbed to depression because,
among other reasons, he couldn’t take my
choice of life. That’s how unattractive and
resistible in the eyes of the world the “narrow
road” is.
It was only the words of a bishop who
assured me,“You have chosen well,” that gave
me strength at that time to continue walking
where the Lord led me.
Now, I have no regrets. There may still
be rough seas ahead but they can never take
away the peace and joy of being in the Lord.
Cristy Galang ([email protected])
23
BOOKS
…the Book of the Covenant, that had been found in the
temple of the Lord. – 2 Kings 23:2
WEDNESDAY
JUNE
2 Kings 22:8-13;
23:1-3
Psalm 119:33, 34,
35, 36, 37, 40
Matthew 7:15-20
REFLECTION:
Don’t forget to read
the Bible today.
Lord, help me to
discern what is true
and what I should
believe in all that I
read.
St. Walhere, pray for us.
I’m an avid reader of books. Most of the things
I know came from the books I read. When I
was younger my mom would buy me a book
a month, and when I started earning my own
money, I’d buy books with my salary.
The things we read can really influence
what we believe in. When I first read The Da
Vinci Code, I almost believed in what Dan
Brown wrote about Jesus’ life and His alleged
relationship with Mary Magdalene. Although
it did not make me believe in God less, it made
me wonder if what was written was somehow
real, especially since the author mentioned he
did some research.
After much thinking, it hit me that it’s a
work of fiction so why would I put my faith
in a fictitious novel? And if it was based
on research, then why should I believe in
whatever Da Vinci may have said about
Jesus Christ, when I don’t think he even had
a personal relationship with Him?
When it comes to matters of the faith,
there is only one book I will choose to believe:
the Bible. Tina Matanguihan ([email protected])
24
THURSDAY
JUNE
Solemnity of the Nativity of John
the Baptist
Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 139:1b-3, 1314ab, 14c-15
Acts 13:22-26
Luke 1:57-66, 80
REFLECTION:
There is a gem in
each person. Look
for it in others and
in your self.
Lord, let me look
beyond my sight
and recognize Your
divine presence in
other people and in
myself.
St. Barthlomew of Fame,
pray for us.
unique genius
“What, then, will this child be?” – Luke 1: 66
A teacher once told Michael’s mother that
he’d never be able to focus on anything in
his life because of his difficulty in focusing
on the lessons in the classroom.
As a boy, he was diagnosed with ADHD.
He’d often stand up and can’t stay quiet. It
was very hard for him to concentrate.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Michael
Fred Phelps won eight gold medals in various
swimming events — the most gold reaped by
anyone in a single Olympics. That’s aside
from the various awards and records he still
holds.
Often, we hold biases and beliefs about
how a child would grow up based on what
they are now and what they do.
We tend to box a child (or other people
for that matter) with what we see or of our
impression of what they do. We relegate them
to the sidelines. The cruelest thing we do is
give up on them.
God made us great with our own unique
genius. We should treat others and ourselves
as such. Jun Asis ([email protected])
25
come and ask
“… if you wish, you can make me clean….”
“I will do it.… Be made clean.” – Matthew 8:2–3
FRIDAY
JUNE
2 Kings 25:1-12
Psalm 137:1-2, 3,
4-5, 6
Matthew 8:1-4
REFLECTION:
Believe that God
wants to heal you.
Come to Him in
faith — today!
Jesus, I do want
to be clean. Heal
me. Change me.
Transform me. And
turn my sufferings
into my blessings. In
Your most powerful
name. Amen.
I do not enjoy seeing my son being injected
with a syringe needle. It hurts me to see
him being hurt. But I allow it because of the
greater healing or cure that comes with it. I
don’t allow him to suffer for suffering’s sake.
It’s a suffering that would be a blessing.
In the same way, God doesn’t enjoy
seeing us suffer. But He may allow us to go
through pain and suffering, only because there
is a greater blessing that will come out of it.
But as in the leper’s powerful prayerencounter with Jesus, the secret is we have
to approach Jesus and give ourselves to Him.
We tell Him we want to be clean — to be
healed, to be forgiven, to be saved and to be
blessed!
God loves us so much He respects what
we want for our lives. So we have to come to
Jesus with boldness and faith.
It wasn’t easy for a leper to come out
publicly and approach Jesus. Yet he chose
and decided to change his life. He believed
that Jesus can change him.
And Jesus wanted to cure Him.
And he was healed. Alvin Barcelona (alvinbarcelona@
gmail.com)
St. Prosper of Aquitaine,
pray for us.
26
THE SECRET
“... only say the word and my servant will be healed.”
– Matthew 8:8
SATURDAY
JUNE
Lamentation 2:2,
10-14, 18-19
Psalm 74:1b-2, 3-5,
6-7, 20-21
Matthew 8:5-17
REFLECTION:
“I came that they
might have life and
have it abundantly.”
(John 10:10)
Lord, give me a childlike faith.
St. Anthelm, pray for us.
Simply faith (not simple faith). That’s all this
gentile Roman official had. Being an officer,
he knew what authority was all about. And he
knew the kind of authority that Jesus had. He
didn’t demand any signs from heaven like the
Pharisees did. Jesus knew who He was and
this Roman official knew that.
This reminds me of a popular healing
priest, Fr. Suarez. He heals so quietly without
much fanfare just by touching and conversing
casually at times with the people asking
for healing. None of that demon whipping,
casting out screams and mantras as if the
demons inside the sick person were deaf. If
that’s the kind of healing session you’re used
to, you are in for a surprise when you watch
Fr. Suarez at work. It’s seemingly effortless
but the number of healings speaks for the
power at work.  
When you know who you are and
whose you are, life will suddenly cease to be
complicated. Life only becomes hard when
you are trying to live it out on your own.
When you recognize the true source of life
and power, everything becomes real simple.
Ronna Ledesma ([email protected])
27
ABSOLUTE GRACE
For the flesh has desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh... – Galatians 5:16
SUNDAY
JUNE
1 Kings 19:16b,
19-21
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8,
9-10, 11
Galatians 5:1,
13-18
Luke 9:51-62
REFLECTION:
We are all
desperate, but
mercifully, God
offers us His
abounding grace.
Lord, I am not
worthy. But only say
the word and I shall
be healed.
St. Emma, pray for us.
I have an uncle who had lung cancer. When
my husband visited him in the hospital
where he was undergoing chemotherapy,
my husband had to find Uncle through the
haze of smoke coming from his continuous
smoking.
Stupid, you might say. But I find that
all of us are guilty of the same thing when it
comes to our faith. We keep going to church,
even partaking of the sacraments, only to
repeat our sins.
Should we stop trying to be good then
and blame it on human nature? I searched for
answers and here’s what I realized.
God’s ideal is too high because He is God
and is perfect by nature. But by realizing that I
cannot ever reach that Ideal, I come face to face
with the only solution that God offers — His
absolute grace – the unmerited, generous favor
that forgives all sins and accepts all repentant
sinners. And because I am forgiven, because I
am loved, I find that power within me to keep
striving for His ideal no matter how many
times I may have failed.
Quitting is not an option. To do so
would make me fall from His grace and into
oblivion. Cecilia Lim ([email protected])
28
MONDAY
JUNE
Amos 2:6-10, 13-16
Psalm 50:16bc-17,
18-19, 20-21, 22-23
Matthew 8:18-22
REFLECTION:
Following Jesus is a
daily commitment.
Lord Jesus, I want to
follow You. Please
hold my hand.
St. Almus, pray for us.
NOT WITHOUT PAIN
“Follow me…” – Matthew 8:22
High from my Holy Land pilgrimage
experience, I had wanted to enter the religious
life. I wanted to give God my whole life, to
love only Him and serve Him. I thought it was
the best way I could follow Him.
But when subsequent search-in retreats
and discernment process revealed that God
wasn’t calling me to the religious life, I told
the Lord, “Just tell me what to do or where
to go, I will follow You.”
It was a simple sentence — though not
really simple, I found out later. It involved my
whole life. It led me to face my hidden issues
and weaknesses as well as give glory to God
with my strengths and talents. It led me to
different routes and ways of serving God.
It led me to simplify my lifestyle and to
be grateful for even the tiniest blessing.
The above didn’t happen without pain.
There was a lot of push and pull, and many
times I wanted to take back my word.
It’s a good thing the Lord knows how it
is to be human. Whenever I want to give up,
He’s there to comfort me and whisper to me
what He wants me to learn in each difficulty
and trial. And when I’m ready again, He gives
me a pat on the back and tells me once more,
“Follow me.” Tess V. Atienza ([email protected])
29
TUESDAY
GOD, MY SAVIOR
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will
bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.
– 2 Timothy 4:18
JUNE
Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul,
Apostles
Acts 12:1-11
Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5,
6-7, 8-9
2 Timothy 4:6-8,
17-18
Matthew 16:13-19
REFLECTION:
Whom do we call
when we are faced
with danger?
If I should ever walk
in the valley of
darkness, no evil will
I fear. Lord, You are
always there to show
the way.
St. Cocha, pray for us.
My brother-in-law arrived home past midnight.
He alighted from his vehicle and opened the
gate. Two masked men approached him and
declared a carnap. His wife and their teenage
children heard the commotion and went out of
their house. They begged the men not to get
the van. When I heard their shouts and cries, I
decided to go out to see what was happening.
Then there was a gunshot. Then silence. Then
their van and the other car sped off.
Thank God, even if the van was taken,
the Lord covered us all with His protection.
Some neighbors planned to help but backed
out when they saw the armed men. My
brother-in-law just had bruises on his arms
and upper back. The carnappers pointed the
gun at his wife and kids but fired up in the air.
I was just about to go out of our house when
the gun was fired.
It took some time before we all fully
recovered from that incident. What saw us
through? We continuously called upon the
Lord and trusted in His saving power.
There was no trace of the van so the
insurance company covered it. My in-laws
are now blessed with a new car. God is good
… all the time! Sol Saura ([email protected])
30
WEDNESDAY
JUNE
Amos 5:14-15,
21-24
Psalm 50:7, 8-9, 1011, 12-13, 16bc-17
Matthew 8:28-34
REFLECTION:
“I will not sacrifice
to the Lord my God
burnt offerings that
cost me nothing.”
(2 Samuel 24:24)
Take my life and let it
be consecrated, Lord,
to Thee.
Blessed Raymond Lull,
pray for us.
GREATER SACRIFICE
“Your cereal offering I will not accept.” – Amos 5:22
Gail and Carla’s mom is in the final stage of
liver cancer. To ease her last days, Gail agreed
to shoulder the expenses and bring their mom
to the hospital.
Gail sent her driver to pick up her mom.
During her short visits to the hospital, she
tried to keep the expenses down. She chose
a private room in the hospital’s old building
where it’s cheaper. She selected a doctor
who is a family friend. She limited the
medications, stressing there’s no need for
heroic efforts. Indeed, she’s generous and
practical at the same time.
Carla, for her part, never left her mom’s
side. She took a leave from work and hardly
slept every night. She gently eased her mom’s
fears on the way to the hospital. She cleaned
her wounds and kept her comfortable. She
monitored her labored breathing and adjusted
the oxygen mask when it slips.
Though both gave up something for love
of their mom, I think Carla’s sacrifice is the
model of Christian love.
Jesus died on a cross to redeem us from
sin. Our love for Him should compel us to
respond likewise, by giving up our lives for
others and for Him. Cecilia Lim ([email protected])
* Names have been changed