I lost my mother when she was 47 only, at the time I was 27. I grieved for the loss for two years. I thought I would never be able to recover. It was a mixed emotion of the feeling that I had never showed her the love, by showing her through gestures like hugs, giving her something on birthdays and other occasions (I was not demonstrative) and the rewards she would have gotten by seeing her ten children successful and on their own, especially seeing a grandchild.
Second only to God, we owe our lives to our mother, of course, including our father.
The first commandment of God says Love God above all else. The fourth commandment says love and respect your parents.
This means our love for our parents is preceded by our love for God.
Grieving for a lost love is ok, but we still have God to comfort us. We have to move on.So, when I read the news about Alexander McQueen, a British fashion designer) who died from hanging himself, it is so sad. His attachment to his mother (who was buried the day after finding his body) was so great that he forgot about God’s loving comfort if he only sought it.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Philippine election
Some people are so disgruntled with the way things are happening in the Philippines, the stench of corruption that is permeating in the Philippines that they are saying: "what's the use of voting, it would not matter anyway".
The more that we should get involved. We should not rely however, only on our strength, seek the help of God. If the majority of the people will pray for the turn around of the country, He will listen to us, but we have to be guided by His commandments. The ten commandments is summarized as: Love God above all else and love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Do you know that it's a sin to lose hope. Meaning, we do not have faith in God.
"Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. 8 He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit."
The more that we should get involved. We should not rely however, only on our strength, seek the help of God. If the majority of the people will pray for the turn around of the country, He will listen to us, but we have to be guided by His commandments. The ten commandments is summarized as: Love God above all else and love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Do you know that it's a sin to lose hope. Meaning, we do not have faith in God.
"Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. 8 He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit."
Sunday, February 21, 2010
What is Love
What is love? This is a forwarded message from an email that I'd like to share with everybody.
What Love means to a 4-8 year old.. ..
Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it.
Touching words from the mouth of babes.
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to
8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?'
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have
imagined See what you think:
'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint
her toenails anymore.
So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands
got arthritis too. That's love..'
Rebecca- age 8
'When someone loves you,
the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
Billy - age 4
'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving
cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5
'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French
fries without making them give you any of theirs..'
Chrissy - age 6
'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4
'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip
before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 7
'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of
kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.
My Mommy and Daddy are like that.. They look gross when they kiss'
Emily - age 8
'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening
presents and listen.'
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend
who you hate,'
Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)
'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it
everyday.'
Noelle - age 7
'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still
friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6
During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked
at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8
'My mommy loves me more than anybody You don't see anyone else
kissing me to sleep at night..'
Clare - age 6
'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
Elaine-age 5
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is
handsomer than Robert Redford.'
Chris - age 7
'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him
alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4
'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old
clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
Lauren - age 4
'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little
stars come out of you.' (what an image)
Karen - age 7
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think
it's gross.'
Mark - age 6
'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you
mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'
Jessica - age 8
And the final one
The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an
elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's
yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little
boy said,
'Nothing, I just helped him cry'
When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that
God is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do
is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you
this.
Heavenly Father, please bless all my friends in whatever it is that
You know they may be needing this day! And may their life be full of
Your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer
relationship with You. Amen..
What Love means to a 4-8 year old.. ..
Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it.
Touching words from the mouth of babes.
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to
8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?'
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have
imagined See what you think:
'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint
her toenails anymore.
So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands
got arthritis too. That's love..'
Rebecca- age 8
'When someone loves you,
the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
Billy - age 4
'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving
cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5
'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French
fries without making them give you any of theirs..'
Chrissy - age 6
'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4
'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip
before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 7
'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of
kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.
My Mommy and Daddy are like that.. They look gross when they kiss'
Emily - age 8
'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening
presents and listen.'
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend
who you hate,'
Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)
'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it
everyday.'
Noelle - age 7
'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still
friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6
During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked
at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8
'My mommy loves me more than anybody You don't see anyone else
kissing me to sleep at night..'
Clare - age 6
'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
Elaine-age 5
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is
handsomer than Robert Redford.'
Chris - age 7
'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him
alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4
'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old
clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
Lauren - age 4
'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little
stars come out of you.' (what an image)
Karen - age 7
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think
it's gross.'
Mark - age 6
'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you
mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'
Jessica - age 8
And the final one
The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an
elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's
yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little
boy said,
'Nothing, I just helped him cry'
When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that
God is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do
is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you
this.
Heavenly Father, please bless all my friends in whatever it is that
You know they may be needing this day! And may their life be full of
Your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer
relationship with You. Amen..
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Human Power & God's Power in Phils election
We get awed by people in authority and people whose lives are decorated by achievements. We respect them, especially if they get humbler when they ascend to higher positions. But if he is one who turns away from God and believes that he can do all things without the help or other people and God, then we should have second thoughts about him. Let's remember these character traits when we get to the Philippine polls this May 2010.
"Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. 8 He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit."
"Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. 8 He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit."
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Jaycee Duggard
Losing a child, not in her teens yet, because of kidnapping, is an emotion parents or siblings would find very difficult to handle.
Take the case of Jaycee Duggard who was kidnapped at age 11, molested and then became a mother at age 13 and 16. She was in captivity for 28 years.
See more of her story below:
Jaycee's journal: 'I want to be free'
By Ann O'Neill and Stephanie Chen, CNN
(CNN) -- Jaycee Dugard kept a journal during 18 years of captivity, at times writing about how she yearned for freedom, court documents filed Thursday reveal.
"It feels like I'm sinking," she wrote in 2004, when she was 24 and being kept with her two daughters in the backyard of Phillip and Nancy Garrido's northern California home.
"I'm afraid I want control of my life," she wrote. "This is supposed to be my life to do what I like."
A journal entry a year earlier reads, "How can I ever tell him I want to be free? Free to come and go as I please. ... Free to say I have a family. I will never cause him pain if it's in my power to prevent it. FREE."
The entries were revealed in court papers filed by prosecutors, who are trying to keep Dugard's current location from the Garridos and their lawyers. A hearing is scheduled on February 26.
Dugard was 11 when she was abducted in 1991 from the street in front of her house in South Lake Tahoe, California. She was 29 when she was found in August at the Garridos' home in Antioch, about 120 miles away.
The Garridos were charged with her abduction, and Phillip Garrido, 58, is also charged with sexually abusing her. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors allege that Phillip Garrido's attorneys are attempting to contact Dugard, and she wants nothing to do with them. They contend he has been trying to send a signal to her not to cooperate.
"It is clear that the defendant is attempting to use the media and his own attorneys to continue to control [her]," Deputy District Attorney James Clinchard wrote in the court filing. The prosecutor repeatedly referred to Dugard as "Jane Doe" or "Ms. Doe."
Phillip Garrido's lawyer, Susan Gellman, said she was just doing her job.
"For the District Attorney to hint that it is somehow improper or nefarious is disingenuous to say the least," she said. "I am not the 'tool' of any man."
But manipulation and control were themes prosecutors struck repeatedly in their court papers, which refer to Garrido as "a master manipulator." They cited an earlier journal entry, written when Dugard was 13, that they allege shows a young girl under her captor's spell.
"I got [a cat] for my birthday from Phil and Nancy," she wrote in July 1993. "They did something for me that no one else would do for me, they paid 200 dollars just so I could have my own kitten."
But in later entries, she wrote of her frustration with her situation.
"I am afraid he doesn't see how the things he says makes me feel like a prisoner," she wrote in July 2004, about 13 years into her captivity. "Why don't I have control of my life! I feel I can't even be sure my daughters are my own."
According to the court documents, Garrido first sexually assaulted Dugard on the day she was abducted. She was pregnant for the first time at age 13, and gave birth at age 14. She was pregnant with her second child at 16 and gave birth at 17.
The girls, who were 11 and 14 when they were found, were named Angel and Stardust.
In their court papers, prosecutors objected to Phillip Garrido's attempt to arrange visits with Dugard's daughters.
"Incredibly, the defense attempts to support their motion with claims that 'the children were raised as the children of Nancy and Phillip Garrido and all five held themselves out to be a family,' " the prosecutor wrote.
Also in their court papers, prosecutors took exception to Garrido's statements to the media that he had a heartwarming family story to tell. He has told media outlets that his family went to the library together, ran a business, took vacations, kept pets and tended a vegetable garden, the court papers state.
"Incredibly, the defense fails to recognize that [Dugard] and her children were not their 'family' but were in fact captives -- they were victims," prosecutors wrote.
The papers revealed new details about Dugard's years in captivity behind the Garridos' ramshackle home. During her first year of captivity, Dugard never left the shed where she was held. She didn't leave the backyard for the first four years.
Last month, the defense wrote Dugard a letter, according to court declarations from District Attorney Vern Pierson and Clinchard, a deputy prosecutor.
"Mr. Garrido has asked me to convey that he doesn't harbor any ill will toward [her] or the children and loves them very much," the letter stated, according to Pierson's declaration.
The letter upset Dugard, Pierson wrote, adding that she told him she saw it as "another way of manipulating" her.
Children's lives, are so precious. Yes, we feel that we can do our best in bringing them up to adulthood with the human's way. However, we should not forget our God. Ask Him for support!
Take the case of Jaycee Duggard who was kidnapped at age 11, molested and then became a mother at age 13 and 16. She was in captivity for 28 years.
See more of her story below:
Jaycee's journal: 'I want to be free'
By Ann O'Neill and Stephanie Chen, CNN
(CNN) -- Jaycee Dugard kept a journal during 18 years of captivity, at times writing about how she yearned for freedom, court documents filed Thursday reveal.
"It feels like I'm sinking," she wrote in 2004, when she was 24 and being kept with her two daughters in the backyard of Phillip and Nancy Garrido's northern California home.
"I'm afraid I want control of my life," she wrote. "This is supposed to be my life to do what I like."
A journal entry a year earlier reads, "How can I ever tell him I want to be free? Free to come and go as I please. ... Free to say I have a family. I will never cause him pain if it's in my power to prevent it. FREE."
The entries were revealed in court papers filed by prosecutors, who are trying to keep Dugard's current location from the Garridos and their lawyers. A hearing is scheduled on February 26.
Dugard was 11 when she was abducted in 1991 from the street in front of her house in South Lake Tahoe, California. She was 29 when she was found in August at the Garridos' home in Antioch, about 120 miles away.
The Garridos were charged with her abduction, and Phillip Garrido, 58, is also charged with sexually abusing her. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors allege that Phillip Garrido's attorneys are attempting to contact Dugard, and she wants nothing to do with them. They contend he has been trying to send a signal to her not to cooperate.
"It is clear that the defendant is attempting to use the media and his own attorneys to continue to control [her]," Deputy District Attorney James Clinchard wrote in the court filing. The prosecutor repeatedly referred to Dugard as "Jane Doe" or "Ms. Doe."
Phillip Garrido's lawyer, Susan Gellman, said she was just doing her job.
"For the District Attorney to hint that it is somehow improper or nefarious is disingenuous to say the least," she said. "I am not the 'tool' of any man."
But manipulation and control were themes prosecutors struck repeatedly in their court papers, which refer to Garrido as "a master manipulator." They cited an earlier journal entry, written when Dugard was 13, that they allege shows a young girl under her captor's spell.
"I got [a cat] for my birthday from Phil and Nancy," she wrote in July 1993. "They did something for me that no one else would do for me, they paid 200 dollars just so I could have my own kitten."
But in later entries, she wrote of her frustration with her situation.
"I am afraid he doesn't see how the things he says makes me feel like a prisoner," she wrote in July 2004, about 13 years into her captivity. "Why don't I have control of my life! I feel I can't even be sure my daughters are my own."
According to the court documents, Garrido first sexually assaulted Dugard on the day she was abducted. She was pregnant for the first time at age 13, and gave birth at age 14. She was pregnant with her second child at 16 and gave birth at 17.
The girls, who were 11 and 14 when they were found, were named Angel and Stardust.
In their court papers, prosecutors objected to Phillip Garrido's attempt to arrange visits with Dugard's daughters.
"Incredibly, the defense attempts to support their motion with claims that 'the children were raised as the children of Nancy and Phillip Garrido and all five held themselves out to be a family,' " the prosecutor wrote.
Also in their court papers, prosecutors took exception to Garrido's statements to the media that he had a heartwarming family story to tell. He has told media outlets that his family went to the library together, ran a business, took vacations, kept pets and tended a vegetable garden, the court papers state.
"Incredibly, the defense fails to recognize that [Dugard] and her children were not their 'family' but were in fact captives -- they were victims," prosecutors wrote.
The papers revealed new details about Dugard's years in captivity behind the Garridos' ramshackle home. During her first year of captivity, Dugard never left the shed where she was held. She didn't leave the backyard for the first four years.
Last month, the defense wrote Dugard a letter, according to court declarations from District Attorney Vern Pierson and Clinchard, a deputy prosecutor.
"Mr. Garrido has asked me to convey that he doesn't harbor any ill will toward [her] or the children and loves them very much," the letter stated, according to Pierson's declaration.
The letter upset Dugard, Pierson wrote, adding that she told him she saw it as "another way of manipulating" her.
Children's lives, are so precious. Yes, we feel that we can do our best in bringing them up to adulthood with the human's way. However, we should not forget our God. Ask Him for support!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Philippine Politics
In this morning's debate organized by the Daily Inquirer and held in University of the Philippines (UP), eight candidates for presidency showed up. Estrada did not show up because he said that the Daily Inquirer is biased against him.
It is interesting to note the responses of the candidates on these topics: law and politics, social issues, and economics and budget.
1. Noynoy Aquino -if elected, he would not recognize the Justice of the
Supreme court appointed by GMA, that he would uphold the Constitution
2. Richard Gordon - that he would do what he did in Subic, but he would start
on a smaller scale. He criticized other candidates saying that they are poor,
but their records show the opposite.
3. Jamby Madrigal -that she should not be hiding under executive privilege, and
that her husband would not be involved in her office.
when asked what she likes about Manny Villar, she responded with: she liked
the way Villar's hair is dyed.
4. Manny Villar - when asked about his roots, he retorted:"Bakit naman ho
napakahirap na sabihin or isipin na ang isang mahirap ay pwedeng yumaman ng
malinis na paraan?" (It is not difficult to say that the poor cannot get rich
in an honest manner)
5. Gilbert Teodoro - when asked about the order of importance of his mother-
in-law, GMA, and Danding Cojuangco, he said his mother -in-law is number one
because there would be no daughter and no wife without the mother-in-law.
Cojuangco and GMA are co-equal. And if any of the three are faced with criminal
charges, he would not interfere.
6.Eddie Villanueva - favors gays in the politics saying that:"Everyone has equal
status before the eyes of law, regardless of sex, religion. I am against all
forms of discrimination,"
7. Nicanor Perlas - if elected, he will create a civil society groups, to show a
balance of power between the three sectors: business, civil society and
government.
8. JC de los Reyes - his stand on the Supreme court's granting of city status of
16 municipalities. He said that he is against it because they failed to pass
the requirements for city.
Based on the above answers, are we ready for the best candidate for the highest position in the land. One may project a different person and not show his true heart. We can only do the proper discernment through the help of our Lord, Jesus.
It is interesting to note the responses of the candidates on these topics: law and politics, social issues, and economics and budget.
1. Noynoy Aquino -if elected, he would not recognize the Justice of the
Supreme court appointed by GMA, that he would uphold the Constitution
2. Richard Gordon - that he would do what he did in Subic, but he would start
on a smaller scale. He criticized other candidates saying that they are poor,
but their records show the opposite.
3. Jamby Madrigal -that she should not be hiding under executive privilege, and
that her husband would not be involved in her office.
when asked what she likes about Manny Villar, she responded with: she liked
the way Villar's hair is dyed.
4. Manny Villar - when asked about his roots, he retorted:"Bakit naman ho
napakahirap na sabihin or isipin na ang isang mahirap ay pwedeng yumaman ng
malinis na paraan?" (It is not difficult to say that the poor cannot get rich
in an honest manner)
5. Gilbert Teodoro - when asked about the order of importance of his mother-
in-law, GMA, and Danding Cojuangco, he said his mother -in-law is number one
because there would be no daughter and no wife without the mother-in-law.
Cojuangco and GMA are co-equal. And if any of the three are faced with criminal
charges, he would not interfere.
6.Eddie Villanueva - favors gays in the politics saying that:"Everyone has equal
status before the eyes of law, regardless of sex, religion. I am against all
forms of discrimination,"
7. Nicanor Perlas - if elected, he will create a civil society groups, to show a
balance of power between the three sectors: business, civil society and
government.
8. JC de los Reyes - his stand on the Supreme court's granting of city status of
16 municipalities. He said that he is against it because they failed to pass
the requirements for city.
Based on the above answers, are we ready for the best candidate for the highest position in the land. One may project a different person and not show his true heart. We can only do the proper discernment through the help of our Lord, Jesus.
The Coming of the Lord
I can remember the days when as a young child in the Philippines, women donned ankle-length dress, men should not touch the women, not even their finger tips.
When the black and white movies were introduced, one couldn’t see any kissing scene. When it was introduced to the motion picture later on, there were loud shouts from the audience. I didn’t know what the emotion was. Was it shout of shame or shout of excitement?
The motion picture had progressed or regressed into a more lustful scenes slowly conditioning the minds of the young and the adult. It is now a common scene, and if you comment that it is obscene, the younger generation would comment that their parents are not up with the times or do not go with the modern technology.
Before, every member of the family was home at the strike of six for the day’s “oracion” or the six o’clock prayer before dinner time.
Now, seldom can you see the members of a family getting into this habit. Either they are out with their “barkada” or friends or you cannot move them from the computer games. Some families no longer eat together.
Stories of child abduction or molestation were not heard. One felt safe at home. But now, families are being massacred. Very young children are being brought into prostitution houses. Children are sold for money.
I am not surprised that disasters and calamities are happening. These disasters could still be vividly remembered: tsunamis in Indonesia and the neighboring countries, landslides in the Philippines where a school with children were buried, the Pinatubo eruption which killed hundreds and thousands of homes were buried.
The flooding and deaths caused by Ondoy and Pepeng was really tragic.
My son and my sister’s house was flooded, the water reaching almost to the second floor of their house. My son and his family, with two young children, aged two years and one month had to wade through waste-deep water with strong current, for fear of another rain. Besides they were short of food and communication was nil. Thank God they were able to pull through it all. Other families stayed on their rooftop for two days, waiting for the rescue. Some were able to take with them plastic covering to protect them from the drizzle and sun, were so pitiful.
One writer criticizes some faithful about their prophecies on the weather, saying that we have to stick to science. Haven’t you wondered what is happening to our climate that even some scientists are perplexed.
Morality has gone so low, that we have forgotten our God. We don’t care about other people. We tend to be self centered.
Read Ezekiel 6:8-10
“8But I will spare some, for some of you will escape the sword when you are scattered among the lands and nations.9Then in the nation where they have been carried captive, those who escape will remember me—how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for their detestable practices. 10And they will know; that I am the Lord. I did not threaten in vain to bring this calamity on them.”
(I prayed for guidance from the Lord on what is happening to the world.)
When the black and white movies were introduced, one couldn’t see any kissing scene. When it was introduced to the motion picture later on, there were loud shouts from the audience. I didn’t know what the emotion was. Was it shout of shame or shout of excitement?
The motion picture had progressed or regressed into a more lustful scenes slowly conditioning the minds of the young and the adult. It is now a common scene, and if you comment that it is obscene, the younger generation would comment that their parents are not up with the times or do not go with the modern technology.
Before, every member of the family was home at the strike of six for the day’s “oracion” or the six o’clock prayer before dinner time.
Now, seldom can you see the members of a family getting into this habit. Either they are out with their “barkada” or friends or you cannot move them from the computer games. Some families no longer eat together.
Stories of child abduction or molestation were not heard. One felt safe at home. But now, families are being massacred. Very young children are being brought into prostitution houses. Children are sold for money.
I am not surprised that disasters and calamities are happening. These disasters could still be vividly remembered: tsunamis in Indonesia and the neighboring countries, landslides in the Philippines where a school with children were buried, the Pinatubo eruption which killed hundreds and thousands of homes were buried.
The flooding and deaths caused by Ondoy and Pepeng was really tragic.
My son and my sister’s house was flooded, the water reaching almost to the second floor of their house. My son and his family, with two young children, aged two years and one month had to wade through waste-deep water with strong current, for fear of another rain. Besides they were short of food and communication was nil. Thank God they were able to pull through it all. Other families stayed on their rooftop for two days, waiting for the rescue. Some were able to take with them plastic covering to protect them from the drizzle and sun, were so pitiful.
One writer criticizes some faithful about their prophecies on the weather, saying that we have to stick to science. Haven’t you wondered what is happening to our climate that even some scientists are perplexed.
Morality has gone so low, that we have forgotten our God. We don’t care about other people. We tend to be self centered.
Read Ezekiel 6:8-10
“8But I will spare some, for some of you will escape the sword when you are scattered among the lands and nations.9Then in the nation where they have been carried captive, those who escape will remember me—how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for their detestable practices. 10And they will know; that I am the Lord. I did not threaten in vain to bring this calamity on them.”
(I prayed for guidance from the Lord on what is happening to the world.)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. I had mass at Espiritu Santo at Tayuman St. in Manila where I used to live.
I'd like to share a part of the homily of the priest.
The priest related the story of Mother Theresa of Calcutta.When Mother Theresa was still alive, she heard that a family did not have food on their table. She went to the place and offered the family a piece of bread. What the mother of the family did was that she went to the neighbor and shared half of the bread with them.
She asked the mother why she gave half of the bread to the neighbor. What about your own children? The woman responded that the neighbor did not have food either.
The story is liken to our God who gave his only begotten son to save us.
What about us, can we share something with someone even if it means depriving ourselves?
I'd like to share a part of the homily of the priest.
The priest related the story of Mother Theresa of Calcutta.When Mother Theresa was still alive, she heard that a family did not have food on their table. She went to the place and offered the family a piece of bread. What the mother of the family did was that she went to the neighbor and shared half of the bread with them.
She asked the mother why she gave half of the bread to the neighbor. What about your own children? The woman responded that the neighbor did not have food either.
The story is liken to our God who gave his only begotten son to save us.
What about us, can we share something with someone even if it means depriving ourselves?
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