Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received,

and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones,

and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

Sapat Na Ang Diyos Sa Kabilang Buhay

Ang mag-asawa ay tinatawag na “magkabiyak”. Ang isa ay “kabiyak” (better half” sa Ingles) ng isa. Samakatuwid, kulang at hindi buo ang isa kung wala ang kanyang asawa. Kahit sa karaniwang karanasan, tila laging kulang ang tao kaya naghahanap siya ng katuwang. Kung may nagkukuwento, may nakikinig. Sa mga kasayahan, may nagpapatawa, at may “taga-tawa”. Sa isports, may manlalaro at may referees, may taga-iskor. Sa basketbol, kailangang dalawang koponan ang maglalaban at bawat koponan ay may limang manlalaro na bawat isa ay may kanya-kanyang posisyon. Sa madaling salita, sa anumang larangan ng buhay, laging kailangan ng tao ng kapwa-tao para mabuhay at maging makabuluhan ang kanyang buhay. Hindi ganito sa langit. Totoo, magkakasama ang mga banal sa muling pagkabuhay ngunit ganap at buo ang bawat isa, dahil binuo at pinaging-ganap na sila ng Diyos na lumikha sa kanila.

Ang ebanghelyo ngayon ay hindi tungkol sa pag-aasawa o sa kasal. Hindi rin nito sinasagot kung may muling pagkabuhay nga ba o wala. Ipinagpapalagay na agad dito na totoong may muling pagkabuhay. Ang tunay na usapin ay kung ano ang muling pagkabuhay.

Sa ikatlong kapitulo ng Aklat na Tobit, nasasaad na pitong ulit na nabalo si Sara at ang kuwentong ito ang ginamit ng mga Saduseo sa ebanghelyo ngayon upang lituhin at siluhin si Hesus. Gusto lang ipamukha ng mga Saduseo kay Hesus, na kalokohan ang muling pagkabuhay kaya ginamit nila ang kuwentong ito at mismong Utos ni Moises tungkol sa pag-aasawa na inilalarawan sa Deuteronomio 25:5-10 at mas pinatingkad sa kuwento ng pag-aasawa nina Ruth at Boaz. Ayon sa Utos ni Moises, sa sandaling mamatay ang isang lalaki at maiwang walang anak ang kanyang asawa, ang kapatid na lalaki ang dapat mapakasal sa balo. At kung pagbabatayan ang nangyari kay Ruth, maaaring pitong ulit ngang mapakasal ang isang babae at sa muling pagkabuhay, malaking gulo nga ito–lalo na’t kung pare-parehong walang supling ang balo sa mga ito.

Subalit, hindi nga tungkol sa pag-aasawa at karapatan ng mga naging asawa ang ebanghelyo ngayon. Sa halip, tungkol ito sa katotohanan-sa ating kamatayan, hindi na tayo anak, asawa, kapatid, kasintahan o kaibigan ninuman. Sabi ng ang Dominikanong si Richard Finn sa kanyang pagninilay, “Hindi nawawala ang pag-ibig at pagkakaibigan sa sandali ng kamatayan; hindi ito napapalitan ng impersonal na uri ng kabutihan. Nananatiling maalab at marubdob ang pag-ibig; nananatili ang pagmamahal ng bawat mag-asawa at naging magkasalo sa buhay at kasaysayan.” Nananatili ang mga relasyon. Subalit ang lahat ng relasyon ay pumapangalawa lamang sa relasyon natin sa Diyos. Sa Muling Pagkabuhay, ang tanging relasyong “that really counts” ay ang relasyon sa Diyos bilang kanyang mga anak.

Itinuturo ni Hesus na sa Muling Pagkabuhay, lahat tayo ay magiging mga anak ng Diyos. Sa kanyang piling sa langit, hindi na natin kailangan ng “ka-partner”; hindi na natin kailangan ng kakuwentuhan. Hindi na. Dahil sa kanyang piling mababatid natin na SASAPAT NA SIYA.

Sa dulo ng ebanghelyo, ginamit ni Hesus ang sinabi ng Diyos kay Moises: “Ang Panginoon ay tinawag niyang Diyos ‘Diyos ni Abraham, Diyos ni Isaac at Diyos ni Jacob.” Kung lilimiin, ang mga lalaking ito ng Lumang Tipan ay nagkaroon din ng mga relasyon, subalit sa pagbanggit sa kanila ni Hesus, binibigyang-diin niya na nabubuhay na sina Abraham, Isaac at Jacob sa presensiya ng Diyos at para sa kanila sapat na ito. Tayong mga nabubuhay ngayon sa makabagong milenyo, sasapat na ba ang Diyos sa atin?
~ Atty. Arnold R. Martinez ~

How Will the World End?

Answers to the Questions of the Catholic Faith
Series LXII

The startling vision of the prophet Daniel, whose apocalyptic language is echoed in Revelation, have provided grist for many a mill of “end times” speculation. Though a number of the book’s passages seem to refer to events now in the past, others clearly point toward “the end of days” (Dn 12:13).

Nevertheless, given the cryptic and often symbolic nature of these and related biblical texts, the countless interpretations of them often contradict one another. So the Catholic Church warns believers to avoid futile speculation on the matter. What, then, can we know for certain about the end of the world?

Here’s a summary of the essentials of Church teaching from the Catechism:
* Jesus will return to earth in glory (see Mt 24:27).
* First, however, the Antichrist will appear to deceive the world and persecute the Church (see 2 Thes 2:3-12).
* The Church will suffer the great tribulation prophesied by her Lord (see Mt 24:3-14).
* The final victory of Christ on earth will not come through a gradual improvement in the world’s spiritual condition, nor by a special period of his earthly reign before Judgment Day. It will take place not within history, but beyond it, after Christ has brought an end to history by his glorious Second Coming (see 1 Cor 15:22-28).
* The Jewish people will come to recognize Jesus Christ as their Messiah before he returns (see Rom 11:25-29).
* The dead will be raised bodily (see 1 Cor 15:20-58).
* Christ will judge the living and the dead, and the Devil and his allies will at last be utterly overthrown (see Jn 5:26-29; Rv 20:10-15; see also “What Does the Church Teach About the Last Judgment?”).
* At the end of time, God’s kingdom will come in its fullness, and all things will be renewed, perfected, and consummated (see Rv 21:1-22:5; see also “What Does the Church Teach About Heaven?”).

Piping Saksi (requested poem)

By: Zack

Bawat gabi'y mahapdi ang aking mga mata,
Sa kakatitig sa imahe ng maamo mong mukha.
Ngunit mas matinding kirot ang sa puso ko'y nananahan,
Alam kong tayo'y walang pag-asang maging magkasintahan.

Sinubukan kong sa iyo ay magpalipad hangin,

Subalit ni hindi mo yata ito napapansin.

Mga papuri at paghanga sa iyo'y patungkol,

Mga pakuwela at akda lahat sa iyo iniuukol.

Minsan natuwa ka sa aking ipinaskil,

Subalit kasiyaha'y agad ding kinitil.

Nilibak ng mga taong walang alam,

Itinatagong pagliyag tuluyan ng nabalam.

Kanina nagmensahe ako ng papribado,

Inilabas damdaming pagtatangi ko sa iyo.

Nakatawang sumagot sa akala mong aking biro,

Pag-asa ko'y dagli-daglian ng gumuho.

Sa darating na engradeng pagkikita-kita,

Ng mga miyembrong tunay na may katangiang iba-iba.

Sa isang sulok ako'y tahimik na tutunghay,

Sa espesyal na taong wagas na pag-ibig sana ay iaalay.

Subalit ngayung gabi'y sadyang kakaiba,

Pilit kang iwinawaksi habang tangan ay serbesa.

Tadtad ng sakit sa di maitatagong katotohanan,

‘Di tayo bagay kahit saang anggulo man tignan.

Kinakausap ko na naman ang ‘yong mga larawan,

Subalit tanging aking buntonghininga ang napapakinggan.

Kinukumbinsi ang aking sarili para makuntento,

Sa pag-ibig na piping saksi'y ang forum na ito.

Maghihintay Ako

By: Blaise

Isang araw nagising umiiyak,
Pinukaw Mo ako’t upang magganyak.
Pasasalamat sa Poong sa aki’y nag-alay,
Buhay Mong payak bagamat laging pumapatnubay.

Ang tangi ko po palang gagawin,
Ang manalangin at Ikaw’y sundin.
Turo Mong pag-ibig sa kapwa ay ibahagi,
Ipaaabot at ilagak ang misteryong Mong pagkandili.

Maghihintay ako sa Iyong muling pagdating Panginoon,
Lakas Mo’y sapat na upang matarok.
Ang Iyong ginawang katangi-tangi paghahandog,
Buhay kong may saya’t lungkot,
Sa piling Mo’y di malalagot.

LANDAS NG PAGPAPAKABANAL

Sulat Pastoral ng Kapulungan ng mga Obispong
Katoliko ng Pilipinas-Sa mga Pilipinong Katoliko
(Hulyo 1999)

67. Sa mga karismatikong prayer-meetings, kasama sa pagdiriwang ang huntahan, ang awitan, sayawan, sigawan, iyakan, at tawanan. Dito, hindi lang sila tagapakinig sa isang liturhiyang halos sinasarili ng pari mula simula hanggang katapusan. Dito, may pagkakataon ang mga kasapi upang magpahayag ng sarili, magbigay ng mga patotoo batay sa kanilang mga karanasan sa buhay. Dito, nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon ang kasapi na mapagnilayang mabuti ang salita ng Diyos, sa kanilang mga Bible study. Dito rin sila nabibigyan ng mga pagkakataong makapag-ambag ng kanilang mga kakayahan sa simbahan: sa pagtuturo, sa pamumuno, sa pag-awit, at sa maraming iba pang paraan, bilang mga laiko. Higit sa lahat, marami sa kanila ang nakapagdudulot ng bagong sigla at buhay sa simbahan, lalo na kung nananatili ang kanilang katapatan at kaugnayan sa kani-kanilang mga parokya.

Gabay sa Pagninilay at Diskusyon
1. Anong uri ng landas ng pagpapakatao at pagpapakabanal ang naipamana sa inyong diosesis at papaano pinagtitibay at pinagpapatuloy ito ng Simbahan sa inyong lugar?
2. Sa inyong palagay, papaano nagiging makatotohanan o di-makatotohanan ang paglalarawan ng Sulat-Pastoral tungkol sa kalooban ng Pilipino?
3. Ano ang mga katutubong kasabihan, Gawain, larawan at kaugalian sa inyong lugar at diosesis na nagpapahiwatig sa kalooban ng Pilipino at sa kanyang kahiligan sa Banal?
4. Paano makatutulong ang Pilipinong kalooban para sa ikauunlad ng ating buhay pampulitika, pang-ekonomiya at pangkultura:? At papaano naman nagiging hadlang ang ating kasalukuyang kalagayang pampulitika, pang-ekonomiya at pangkultura sa pagsulong ng Pilipinong kalooban?

II. PAGKILATIS

68. Tayo ay isang bayang may-loob-sa-Diyos. Katatapos pa lamang nating ilarawan ang kaloobang ito batay sa mga kasabihan, kagawian, kaugalian, at mga kahiligan natin bilang mga Katolikong Pilipino. Sinikap nating bigkasin kung sino ba tayo, sino at ano ba ang Diyos para sa atin, at ano ang nasasalamin sa ating kalooban ukol sa Gawain ng pagpapakabanal at pagpapakatao batay sa mga pahayag ng ating mga kaisipan, pananalita, at Gawain bilang mga indibidwal, bilang mga pamilya, bilang mga pamayanan at lipunang naturingang “Katoliko” at “Pilipino.” Batay din sa paglalarawang ito, kahit paano’y naaninag natin kung ano para sa Pilipino ang kahulugan ng pagsunod kay Kristo o ang magpaka-Kristiyano.
69. Sa bahaging namang ito, hayaan ninyong kilatisin naming ang nailarawang mga alahas ng kaloobang Pilipino mula sa lente ng pananampalatayang aming pinanghahawakan bilang inyong mga Obispo at “nakatatanda”. Sa pamamagitan ng pagkilatis na ito, hayaan din ninyong maipahayag naming ang ilang mga puna at agam-agam tungkol sa ating nakagisnan at pinanghahawakang “loob-sa-Diyos”.

... itutuloy

Tips and Resources for Good Health

... continuation

More About Fatigue. 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated. In 37 percent of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3 percent. One glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100 percent of dieters in a University of Washington study. Lack of water is the #1 trigger for daytime fatigue. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day significantly eases back and joint pain for up to 80 percent of sufferers. A mere 2 percent drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45 percent, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79 percent, and be 50 percent less likely to develop bladder cancer.

Why Risk Alcohol?There is nothing in wine that isn't in grapes, except for the alcohol. You can add a variety of red and purple table grapes to your diet instead of the wine. In addition, berries, plums, currants, and other deep red-blue fruits are also excellent sources of the anthocyanin phenols found in wine. And quercetin, another phytonutrient in wine, is actually more plentiful in apples with skin. Onions, whole buckwheat, oranges, and grapefruits provide some too.

A healthy dose of colorful fruits and vegetables provides an abundance of other health-protective nutrients not found in wine.--Environmental Nutrition.

Change Your Behavior Today! I do not want to be the person I am (fat, sick, medication dependent, lethargic, incapacitated, etc.). I want my health and personal appearance back.

1. Recognize that you are worth the effort--you deserve the best life possible.

2. Make a list of personal reasons you want to change.

3. Remove obstacles to change--like avoiding friends and family who sabotage you and removing junk food from your surroundings.

4. Surround yourself with healthy foods--stock your kitchen right, find an accommodating restaurant.

5. Commit yourself to change--pick the specific day and do it.

6. Gather all your strength--everything else in your life must be secondary to this effort.

7. Never give in to the old ways--not even once. But, if you make a mistake--it's only one meal (if it is food) --start right in again.

8. Tell others about your changes--they will help keep you on track.

9. Associate with like-minded people--find friends with good habits.

10. Appreciate your success for beating the most powerful enemies in your life.

...to be continued

Finding God After Working Abroad

By Nelson Pastor Ajos

Like any other million Filipinos seeking for a beautiful and bountiful future for their families, I also left for abroad. My reason for looking for greener pasture outside our country was so simple, to be able to buy a BMK bike for my eldest daughter Aprille, who has been nagging me since she was 5 years old. My salary from the Coca-Cola Bottlers, Phil, Inc. and that of my wife, as a teacher was enough, but because we are still struggling as a new family, we decided that it was time for one of us to work abroad as the salary was much better than here in our country. The task was on me.

It was a painful and horrifying morning of December 2, 1983, when I boarded flight Air Niuguini bound for Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, ETD 0845 hrs. Despite my daughter’s request not got ahead even at the expenses of her bike, I was thinking if I could still comeback knowing that the project would be in Kiunga, of Eastern Province, Papua New Guinea, the heartland of the cannibals. The last reported cannibalism incident was just a year before the year I left. It was also my first time to go outside the country. Worst, I had no experience as a Material Specialist, knowing that I would be working with the world’s largest construction company, BECHTEL. But because of my desire to change the future course of our lives, I went ahead. I was ready though for this scenario for I was a street fighter, a survivor. In the past, I experienced rejection from my in laws, but after years of wooing and humility I was finally accepted, although sometimes the pain of rejection still lingers in my heart up to the present.

While I was at the project site, at first I felt the boredom, and I wanted to go home, but with a few new friends who mentored me, the good salary and the best facilities to compliment our hard work, I felt I was in heaven. I was driven by my goal of giving the best education to my kids. My wife’s daily letters boosted my morale and kept me in high spirits. Of all the Filipinos, I got the most number of letters, mostly from my wife. The usual voice tape and songs from my kids came regularly. In other words, my communication with my family was satisfactory.

What was scary was the danger that lurks everyday in the workplace was much real. There was a time when our client, OK TEDI MINING CORPORATION failed to fulfill their promise of royalty money to the natives of the whole province. This caused an uproar that almost cost the lives of 5,000 expatriates and us Filipinos. That was 3:00 a.m. in the morning, the second year of the second month from arrival; when we were awaken by war shouts. I went out to investigate what was the commotion about, but a horrifying experience almost caused me my life because a few inches from my left at the level of my heart struck a thud. Later I realized that it was the famous tribal arrows laden with poisons. Our mess hall and other vital facilities were also destroyed and our airport at stand still with huge timbers crossing the very runway. Nobody could leave the project nor could somebody come in.

The project site was under siege by the rough natives. But knowing that they were doing this because their rights were being trampled, I salute them. Our project site was at stand still for a week although at this point in time the wives and children of all the expatriates were repatriated to Port Moresby, the capital city of PNG for a possible attack.

...to be continued

Pagpapakabuti: Gawa ng Diyos, Gawain ng Tao

Sa isang patalastas sa telebisyon, matatandaang sinabi ni Andre Agassi, isang sikat na manlalaro ng tennis: “Image is everything.” Ibig niyang sabihin, napakahalaga ng pagkakakilala sa atin ng ibang tao at ang pagkakakilanlan sa atin ay batay sa mga sinasabi at ginagawa natin. Sa madaling salita, nakikilala tayong mabuti o masamang tao depende sa mga naririnig at nakikita ng ibang tao sa atin.

Subalit ang pagpapakatao o pagpapakabuti (pagpapakabanal) ng tao ay hindi lang sariling kagagawan niya. Una sa lahat at higit sa lahat, nagmumula ito at bunga ng kabutihan ng Diyos na nagkaloob ng lahat ng biyaya o charis upang mabuhay ang tao bilang tunay na larawan at kawangis ng Diyos na lumikha sa kanya.

Sa ebanghelyo ngayon, makikita natin sa dalawang pangunahing tauhan ang dalawang uri ng larawan: si Hesus, ang larawan ng mapagpatawad na Ama, at si Zaqueo, ang larawan ng isang taong pinatawad.

Ang Matandang Tipan ay puno ng patotoo na nag Diyos ay mabuti at maawain. Sa aklat ng Karunungan ay nasusulat: “Maawain ka sa lahat sapagkat sa iyo ang lahat, O Panginoon na mangingibig ng buhay” (11:25). Ganito nga kalawak ang sakop ng pag-ibig at awa ng Panginoon na kahit ang mga nawawala at naliligaw ng landas ay mahalaga sa kanya at nararapat lang hanapin. Kaya naman hindi nakapagtatakang ito rin mismo ang naging misyon ni Hesus ang Diyos na nagkatawang-tao: ang “hanapin at iligtas ang nawawala” (Lc 19:10).

Si Hesus ang larawan ng mapagmahal, maawain at mapagpatawad na Diyos. Ngunit hindi ito maunawaan at lalong hindi matanggap ng mga Hudyo na ang Kaharian ng Diyos ay para din sa mga makasalanang nagsisisi at nagnanais tumahak sa tamang landas. Hindi nakapagtataka na pagdudahan ng mga tao si Hesus dahil sa paglapit niya sa mga makasalanan (bas. Lc 19:7). Sa paningin ng marami, si Zaqueo ay makasalanan. Siya ay naglalarawan sa dalawang mundong kanyang ginagalawan: ang mundo ng tiwaling kolektor ng buwis at ang mundo ng mga mayayaman na alipin ng luho at yaman ng daigdig. Subalit sa pagdulog ni Hesus sa kanyang tahanan, nabuksan ang puso at isip ni Zaqueo sa pagsisisi at pagbabago. Nang marinig niya ang mga taong nangungutya sa Panginoon dahl sa pagpasok niya sa tahanan ng makasalanang tulad niya, pinatunayanni Zaqueo na tama si Hesus: “ Panginoon, ibibigay ko sa mga dukha ang kalahati ng aking ari-arian;at kung may nadaya ako, apat na beses ko siyang babayaran”(Lc 9:8)

Noong mga sandaling iyon sa harap ng ating Panginoon, pinagsisihan ni Zaqueo ang kanyang mga kasalanan at nagpasyang magbago. Nagawa niya ito dahil una sa lahat, nakita niyang mapagmahal at mapagpatawad ang Diyos (sa katauhan ni Hesus) maging sa katulad niyang itinuturing na makasalananng lipunang kinabibilangan niya.

Ang pagpapakabanal ay gawa ng Diyos at gawain ng tao. Sabi nga ni Apostol San Pablo: “Tuparin nawa (ng Diyos)...ang lahat ng inyong mabubuting pakay at ang gawa ng inyong paniniwala”(2 Tes 1:11). Nagiging mabuti at banal tayo sa Malaya at bukas-loob na pagtugon natin sa paanyaya ng Diyos (sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo) na makibahagi tayo sa kanyang kabutihan at kabanalan, una sa lahat sa bias ng mga sakramento ng Iglesya.

Nagkakamali ang taong nagsasabing hindi niya kayang magbago at magpakabuti. Ang Panginoong masuyong tumawag kay Zaqueo ay tumatawag din sa bawat isa sa atin ngayon: “Bumaba ka agad. Sa bahay mo nga ako dapat tumigil ngayon” (Lc 19:5).

- David O. Reyes, Jr.-

Answers to the Questions of the Catholic Faith

Series LXI:Why Do Catholics Make the Sign of the Cross?

The prophet Ezekiel has a vision in which he sees great sins committed by God’s people. But at the urging of a heavenly messenger, the godly men and women who lament the wickedness of their people are marked with an “X” on their foreheads. Bearing that mark, they will be spared the divine judgment that is to come (see Ez 9:1-7).

St. John’s vision in Revelation includes a close parallel to this scenario. Before the angels of judgment are allowed to devastate a wicked world, a seal is placed on the foreheads of “the servants of our God” (see 7:1-3; 9:4). Later, this seal is described as the name of Christ and of his Father (see 14:1).

In light of these parallels, many early Christian teachers not surprisingly saw in Ezekiel’s vision a foreshadowing of the ancient Christian rite of Baptism. Baptism, after all, is given “for the forgiveness of … sins” (Acts 2:38), so that those who have been forgiven may escape the wrath of God (see 1 Thes 5:9). In addition, the baptismal rite included - as it still does today - the making of a cross with blessed oil on the foreheads of those baptized. (In the Greek version of Ezekiel, the mark is actually the letter tau, which was written more like an upright cross.)

The corresponding scene in St. John’s vision most likely reflects the Christian baptismal ceremony of his day. This rite included (again, as it still does) the spoken words” in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19). The Sign of the Cross on the forehead may also have been part of the rite by that time. As early as the second century, making the Sign of the Cross was a common and well-established custom.

Today, this gesture is usually made by drawing the hand from forehead to breast and then from shoulder to shoulder. When Catholics apply holy water to themselves with the Sign of the Cross upon entering a church, they are recalling their baptism “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” With the ancient Christians, they use the gesture at other times as well, such as when they begin and end prayers. Each time, they point to Christ’s cross, the Holy Trinity, and the need to sanctify every action.

Gahaman

Ni L. V. L.

Sinaktan mo ako,
At iniwang luhaan.
Nang ‘yong mga salitang,
Pinag-isipan, di man lang.
Ipinitik nang dila mo,
Mula sa utak mong tigang.
Wala man lang pasintabi,
Kung ako ay hinusgahan.

Nagtatanong ang isip,
Bakit ako ang sinisisi.
Ang iyong mga paratang,
Lagi na lang walang pasubali.
Ang bawat kilos ko,
Sa mata mo’y laging mali.
Hanggang kaylan kaya ,
Poot ko ay maikukubli.

Lahat nang mali mo,
Ay aking pinalampas.
‘Wag mo na sanang paguluhin,
Buhay kong pinapantas.
Sa iyong paglalakbay,
Ako nang lalayo sa ‘yong landas.
Iwanan mo na ko,
Aalisin na kita sa ‘king bukas.

Nais ko lang naman,
Ay ‘wag mo kong pahirapan.
Sa mga salita’t kilos mo,
Mula sa utak mong animo’y
walang laman.
Sa mga naisin at gawain ko,
Ako sana ay iyong pabayaan.
Kalayaan ang nais ko,
Ibalik mo ang buhay ko,
‘Wag kang masyadong gahaman.

Scribbled Secrets (wordplay)

By: ZacK

Find the hidden message

it will free you from all bondage

not everybody can see

denial is not a ticket for free

Try to search your mind

hindrance will put your doubts behind

every letter of every word

hurting like a heart stabbed by a sword

It’s not easy being green

decode the meaning which is unseen

doodling crayons of your past

erupts cold thunders without a blast

Never search me on Google

mingling daily with a smuggle

even the wizard named Harry

scantily runs for it is scary

Should you quit easily on deciphering

all hopes lost while head is aching

gypsy tips me with a grin

exact answer is vertically seen.

LANDAS NG PAGPAPAKABANAL

Sulat Pastoral ng Kapulungan ng mga Obispong Katoliko ng Pilipinas -Sa mga Pilipinong Katoliko
(Hulyo 1999)

Para sa nakararami, hindi kumpleto ang Linggo kapag hindi nakasimba, kapag hindi nakapulot ng aral, kapag hindi nakapakinabang. Nagiging mapili na rin ang iba sa mga paring sisimbahan: kung mahusay ba o malaman ito kung mag-homiliya. Sa katunayan, kapansin-pansin na sa maraming mga simbahan, ang aral ng pari ang nagiging tutok ng pagdiriwang, kaya’t nagiging malaking kabiguan para sa ilan sa kanila kapag parang hindi sila nakadama ng kabusugan ng kalooban sa homiliya ng pari.

63. Subalit kahit napupuno ang ating mga simbahan kapag Linggo, hindi pa rin maitatatwa na nakararami pa rin sa mga Katolikong Pilipino ang hindi nagsisimba tuwing araw ng Linggo. Sa marami sa kanila, walang particular na dahilan ang hindi pagsisimba: hindi lang nakagawian; hindi lumaki sa pamilyang pala-simba, o walang nagpakilala sa kanila sa kahalagahan ng pagsisimba tuwing Linggo. Subalit Katoliko pa rin ang turing nila sa sarili, dahil nabinyagan sila, at may mga pinaniniwalaan—kahit paano—sa mga turo ng Simbahang Katolika. Kung hindi man nagagawang magsimba ng Linggo, bigla naman silang sisipot sa simbahan sa mga araw ng pinahahalagahan ayon sa nakagawian: piyesta ng patron, Pasko, Mahal na Araw; atbp.

64. Sa gustuhin man natin o hindi, pangunahin pa ring silbi ng Misa sa mga Katolikong Pilipino ang magdulot ng pagkaing pang-kaluluwa sa indibidwal na mananampalataya. Hindi pa ganoon kalakas ang kamulatan sa Misa bilang mahalagang pagpapahayag ng pamayanang Kristiyano ng kanyang sarili bilang katawan ni Kristo.

H. ANG PAGSULPOT NG MGA CHARISMATIC RENEWAL MOVEMENTS AT IBA PANG KILUSANG LAIKO

65. Dulot na rin marahil ng kakulangan ng personal at pangpamayanang ugnayan sa ating mga simbahan, at maging sa ating mga pagdiriwang, unti-unting nagsulputan ang mga kilusang malakas ang diin sa mga nasabing aspeto ng pananampalataya. Sa marami, hindi na sapat ang pagsisimba at iba pang mga pansariling debosyon lamang. Dumarami na ang naghahanap ng samahan, ng mas mainit na kapatiran, ng mas maliliit na pamayanan. Marami nang iba’t ibang mga kilusan ang sumulpot upang tugunan ang pangangailangang ito.

66. Sa maraming mga bagong kilusan sa simbahan, hindi maitatatwa ang mahalagang kontribusyong naidulot ng mga kilusang karismatiko sa Simbahang Katolika. Kung dati’y tumitiwalag muna ang ilang mga Katoliko at napapasama sa mga sektang fundametalista para mapagbigyan ang hangaring ito, ngayo’y hindi na sila kailangang lumayo pa. Sa loob ng bakurang Katoliko, nakakatagpo na sila ng mga samahang nakakatugon sa pangangailangang ito. Dito napagbibigyan ang kaloobang Pilipinong hindi nakukuntento sa napaka-pormal at may pagkadayuhang liturhiya ng Simbahan.

... Itutuloy

Tips and Resources for Good Health

Enjoy Improved Health.

Want to live longer? Then eat less. When animals (as reported in a journal of the National Academy of Sciences) were fed a nutritious, calorie-restricted diet (about 30 percent fewer calories than normal), they experienced less sickness, reduced rates of cancer, less heart disease, and less diabetes, and lived longer.
Researchers believe that if humans would cut out their usual amounts of saturated fats, hydrogenated vegetable oils, pastries, cookies, and other junk food and help themselves to sensible portions of fruits and vegetables instead, they, like the animals in the study, would enjoy improved health.--HealthWise.

Sodas Settle Around the Waistline.
Drinking just one can of sugary soda per day, without adjusting the amount of food eaten or increasing one's exercise level, can add 15 pounds of body weight over a year's time. A 12-ounce can of sugary soda has 150 calories. Americans now drink twice as much sugared soda per person as they did 25 years ago.
Fruit and vegetable juices, and water with a bit of lemon, are great alternatives to the soda habit.--University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

Pure Water Can Be a Wonderful Doctor!
If you are suffering from fatigue, you feel depressed or too stressed, and you are looking for more energy, water could be just the ticket. Also, if you are interested in losing weight and/or controlling your appetite, if you suffer from dry skin, indigestion, backaches, or headaches, drinking more water might be the solution, at least partly. Water makes up between 70 and 80 percent of our bodies--the blood and brain are 90 percent water! Your cells need it to do everything they're assigned by God, and your kidneys use it to filter out harmful elements. It also helps to lubricate our joints, metabolize fat, keep the brain thinking, and a host of other life-sustaining processes.

Water is a great way to help control one's physical body--as more water consumption typically results in less food consumption. In addition, drinking adequate amounts of water will significantly reduce the daily calories so readily consumed when drinking juice, soft drinks, and milk.

There are several ideas about how much water we need to consume to maintain good health. One rule of thumb is eight ounces a day for every 25 pounds of body weight. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet, but it is a fact that for most people more water will greatly benefit their health. Your body recycles water in a way only God could have devised, but you will naturally lose water through breathing, sweating, and elimination. To avoid losing excess water, stay away from alcohol, caffeine, and sugar, which slow the absorption of water.--Adapted from Amazing Facts, Inside Report, May/June 2003, p. 30.
...To be continued

Was Working Abroad for a Quarter of a Century Worth It?

by Mike Bolos, Jr.
...continuation

Interaction with my Community in Pampanga

When already financially better off in the mid 80s, I started helping my hometown, particularly my high school, the Betis National High School in Guagua, Pampanga, I contributed financially to improve some school facilities (e.g. basketball court, rooms.). I also arranged for the shipment of books from the US through the Books for the Barrios Program.

Later, I gave scholarships to high school students and college students, the last batch of whom will be graduating this year. These college scholars, from poor but deserving families and who have to pass qualifying exam, only had to study and did not have to worry over their tuition fees, books, uniforms and school materials and were given P3000 monthly allowance for their transportation and miscellaneous expenses. My daughter, Michelle, managed it for me. In return, they had to maintain 1.75 grade average. I also had scholars whom I did not even get the chance to meet in person like the scholar from Bulacan, endorsed by Center for Migrant Advocacy, who graduated cum laude.

I also donated to social programs like the Bahay Kalinga and the Bantay Bata. I once paid for Bahay Kalinga’s TFC subscription and provided tools and materials (e.g. computers, sewing machines, pots and pans, etc.) for its livelihood training program. The Bantay Bata used my donation for its anti-child abuse program. I also provided medicines for the embassy’s medical missions. I supported individual medical cases like cancer patients and contributed tickets for stranded OFWs needing repatriation.

I come from a poor family. This is my way of paying back society—my way of showing my appreciation for what I have accomplished.

Is it Worth Working Abroad?

Was working abroad worth it? I do not know. At my personal level, I know what I got out of it and what I achieved. I know I tried hard and proved I could do it. I worked hard in my profession and I think I was a financial success, But my marriage and my children suffered. But life is not all that perfect.

Hence, to me, working abroad doesn’t seem really worth it. If you were to ask me, I think it is still best to work here, close to one’s family. This is the best situation because money is not everything, especially for women. It is tough enough for a family when the father is not there. It is even tougher when it is the mother who is not around to hold the family together.

In terms of our country, ideally, we should find jobs here. There should be no need to go abroad. At the same time, people should be free to make choices, to travel and to find jobs when there are none here. But the social costs are just too great. The greatest advantage of working abroad then seems to be the financial gains.

OFWs should maximize their stay abroad. They should not waste their time and resources because they can do something, in fact a lot, with their time abroad that can contribute to their early return to the Philippines. They should continue learning and improving themselves so that they do not have to work abroad forever. They should maximize their stay abroad because they are paying such a high price for it. They should preserve and not squander their earnings (e.g. on consumers goods like electronics, cell phones, and signature goods). They should save invest their earnings well so that when they return home they would not have to start from zero. Savings no matter how small will eventually amount to something over time if done consistently and invested wisely.

Based on my experience, I would enjoin the OFWs now to exert everything possible to preserve their families at all costs. Knowing then what I know now, I would have done things differently to preserve my own. Despite the distance, The OFWs should try to be as close to their children as possible so that they will not become delinquent children. It appears to me that the risk is high and the probability is great that the children may not grow up like those with both parents around them most of the time. In which case, is the social cost worth it? Most OFWs would say they had no choice. - The END -