Nutrition

Do Exercise Daily
The best tonic for physical fitness is taking exercise. Regular exercise improves the efficiency of heart and other body parts and we live longer. Without a daily dose of exercise your body becomes weak and lazy. Its wall of immune system becomes weak. Studies show that regular exercise reduces the risk of death due to heart trouble and stroke, prevents diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and some forms of cancer, and strengthens our bones and immune function. Playing outdoor games is also a good exercise.

Control Weight
Obesity is one of the most common diseases of modern world. Overweight people are always at the risk of getting diseases. Regular exercise is the best method to control weight. You also need to change your dietary habits. Use less oil and butter. Take more vegetarian diet like fresh fruits and vegetables. Many clinics or organizations sell quick weight loss programmers or equipments. They are meant to extract money from you. Never go to them without consulting your doctor.

Keep Your Stomach Light
Today if you fill your stomach with all sorts of unhealthy things just because of taste, tomorrow you will get dangerous diseases and repent. So it is better to discipline your dietary habits and keep your stomach light. Always eat less then your hunger. Modern research has also proved that if you starve yourself a little it prolongs our life-span.

Water Is Better
Fresh water should be the best cold drink for you. Keep away from sweetened cold drinks. Many tests have proved that most of the cold drinks contain caffeine and pesticides. You become addicted to them and spoil your health. And alcoholic drinks not only rob you out of your wealth, family peace and health but also drag you to early death.

Break The Shell Of Tension
It is necessary to keep your mind relaxed and positive to maintain a good health. To relax, solve
the problem, pursue a hobby, go for traveling (out of your city) at least once a year, listen to music, talk to your intimate friends.

Meditation
Adopt the habit of doing meditation. It is also becoming a fashion in the high society - and it is a good trend. Meditation twice a day helps you to save on medical bills. You not only get a better body but a peaceful mind too. Hard Work Is Like Nectar
We must learn to work very hard in life. Various emotions in varied degrees rise in our mind all the time. Hard work never harms anyone in life but laziness does kill many. They need to be utilized to keep our mind and body in tune. Therefore we need to work hard to achieve our goals or to fulfill our wishes. It will streamline the functioning of our body and mind, and improves the immune system of your body.

Empower Your Mind
Our mind can not only help us to become successful in life but also heal our body. Faith in the healing powers of our mind is also necessary to keep ourselves healthy and fit. Heart-break, disappointments, negative thinking and crushing tension break the wall of our immune system reducing its defense or healing power.

Use Love Medicine
In his book ‘Love Medicine and Miracles’ Dr. Bernie Seigal declared that hope is the main ingredient in fighting cancer. The hopeful individual appears to be most resistant to cancer or any other serious disease. Love your family and other people. In return you will get their love which will make you emotionally strong and healthy.

Have Fun
Having fun is a good method of relaxing and strengthening the healing power of your body and mind. Every person has his or her own method of fun. Many people pursue some hobbies and enjoy them. There can be various ways of having fun like, playing games, watching TV or movies, talking to children, listening to music, traveling, and sitting in the garden, romancing near a lake, etc. Choose the fun you like and forget everything for some time.

Finding God After Working Abroad

by Nelson Pastor Ajos
...continuation

I joined the Saint Paul Marriage Encounter Pampanga Series. Things started to come into its proper perspective. It was a long struggle. There were moments in our relationship that almost ended up in tragedy, but I believe in the loving forgiveness of our Lord. Forgiveness from my wife was not served in a silver platter. I had to win her back and proving it to her that all of us do some glitches in our lives one way or the other. Likewise our conversion took quite a while. The ME community gave us their full support and understanding that mostly inspired us to give our best without expecting things in return. It is for this reason that we give back our time, talent and efforts to serve others who are in the same fate we have been.

Our marriage journey was never that smooth. I had to bite the bullet for what I had done. Knowing that being an OFW and had been gone for a long time, things could not be that easy in my reintegration with my family, the community, and work. I found it difficult until now to reach out to my children and express myself. I know I am not alone in this predicament. There are lots of OFW parents giving their children the best education and financial stability. But some children fail to consider the sacrifices of their OFW parents to provide for their financial needs. We can never be at the same time at two places. But we can be of use at one place even at a distance.

I know that I was not at my children’s sides when they needed me most. I was not there when they marched receiving their diplomas. I was not there when they were jilted by their friends nor was I there when they wanted to share their triumphs. I was not there when they sick. Painful as it was, we could not do anything about it, for me we were far away earning money to provide exactly for their daily needs, school; tuition and other needs which for a fact could not have been provided had we stayed in the Philippines.

Do I feel morally right when providing the best for my family was my first priority? I was hoping I was right. But after finding and experiencing it first hand and knowing what it costs, keeps me pondering, possibly also the parents who are planning to work abroad, that not a chance that I would exchange the money for the destruction of my relationship with my family. For until now I am still wooing my children to be close to me.

As I have said time and again, we are traveling in the destiny of our own for the rest of our lives. My wife and I never realized that we would be involved in an apostolate for the Catholic Church until we were called upon by then Msgr. Robert Mallari, now a Bishop as the Director of the Commission for Family and Life in the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga. We were invited to represent the Archdiocese in the EXODUS 4th Wave: Asian Seminar for Pastoral Workers of the Migrants’ and Itinerant People held at Tagaytay on March 21-27, 2004. From here, the new apostolate called the Migrant's Desk came to life. The Bishop’s simple yet sacrosanct approach could not make us say No. From that point on we decided to stay and help him and the CBCP-ECMI to form the Diocesan down to the parish level of organizing the Migrants’ Desk.

It is rough sailing, sometimes knowing that the stressors in our mission are the very people in the parish we are trying to help, giving us hard times and at some points putting us in awkward situations. But we already have pledged an oath to the Lord that we are giving our best time and efforts to help other OFW families. What makes us different from the missionaries giving themselves for the Glory of God? To some extent, we became fired up by the inspiring words of our very own Archbishop Paciano Aniceto to move on undemanding for this is where the Holy Spirit comes in as an inspiration.

To us, the work ahead has just started. A small difference is looming up so that we can make the dysfunctional families of OFWs perform their best in spite of the odds. We are working hard to discourage them in forming up a culture of money in the future. A long shot? It is. But it is not impossible with God’s help.

And looking back at all these experiences, I can’t but say I owe these all to my wife that in spite of the pains I gave her, she remained loyal to me. They way she raised my children, all performing well in school and of good moral standing in spite of the peer pressures besetting this teenage world now. They themselves have their own families now and eventually will have children to become future migrants “disciple.”

As we continue to struggle to be a good couple, we sustain our strength by clinging to each other’s strength and remembering always that God’s love to us is greater than our own frustrations.
— END —

Narito na Siya!

Sinisimulan natin ngayon ang panibagong taon ng liturhiya sa Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento . Ang Adbiyento ay tumutukoy sa “pagdating” ng Diyos. May tatlong “mukha” ang pagdating na ito ng Diyos. Una, hinihintay natin ang maluwalhating pagbabalik ni Hesus sa wakas ng panahon. Ikalawa, ginugunita natin ang unang pagdating ni Hesus mahigit na dalawanglibong taon na ang nakararaan– ang pagdiriwang ng unang pasko ng pagsilang ng Anak ng Diyos. Ikatlo, ang pagdating ni Hesus sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay.

Inaalalayan tayo ng mga pagbasa sa Unang Linggo ng Adbiyento sa muling pagdating ni Hesu-Kristo sa wakas ng panahon. Sa ating pagsisimula, ipinaaalala naman sa atin ng ebanghelyo ang wakas. Nakakatakot na paalala ang nangyaring Baha noong panahon ni Noe na pumatay at pumawi sa lahat ng nabubuhay at umiiral sa balat ng lupa maliban kay Noe at mga kasama niya (tingnan Gen. 7). “Gayundin sa pagdating ng Anak ng Tao,”magiging mga abala ang mga tao sa napakaraming mga bagay at Gawain at wala silang kamalay-malay sa darating na wakas (tingnan Mt 24:37-41). Kaya nagpapaalala ang ebanghelyo tungkol sa paghahanda: “Kaya magbantay kayo sapagkat hindi ninyo alam ang araw ng pagdating ng inyong Panginoon” (b.42).

Sa pagdating ng Panginoon, ano ang mga bagay na dapat “wakasan” sa ating buhay upang maging ganap ang paghahari ng Diyos? Malinaw na ipinahahayag ni Propeta Isaias sa Unang Pagbasa na “sa huling araw...isasaayos (ni Yawe) ang mga bayan...Wala nang bansang magtataas ng tabak sa kapwa bansa; wala na ring magsasanay pa para sa digmaan”(bb.2,4). Samakatuwid, magkakaroon ng kapayapaan at kasaganaan dahil sa ang mga tao ay magtatanim sa halip na pumatay (“gagawing asarol ang kanilang mga sibat”). Magkakaisa na ang lahat ng bansa sa pagsamba kay Yawe at pagsunod sa kanyang landas at mga aral (tingnan b.3).

Makatotohanan ba ang pahayag na ito? Nasaan ang katuparan ng pangako habang patuloy nating nararanasan ang digmaan, kahirapan, at karahasan. Nananatiling watak-watak ang mga tao, nagkakagulo, nalilito, nagdurusa. Dumating na ang Anak ng Diyos. Natupad na ang ipinahayag ng Banal ng Kasulatan sa bibig ng mga propeta. Ano pa ang kulang?

Sa pagdating ng Diyos, kinakailangan ang pakikiisa ng tao upang maging mabisa at mabunga ang pakikipagtagpo ng Diyos sa tao. Pinangangaralan ni San Pablo ang mga taga-Roma at ang bawat isa sa atin “dito at ngayon”na “itakwil ang mga gawa ng kadiliman...huwag isantabi ang mga sandata ng kaliwanagan; mabuhay ng marangal...nang walang katakawan at paglalasing, walang kalaswaan at kahalayan, walang pagtatalo at inggitan; huwag sumunod sa hilig ng laman at sa mga pagnanasa nito” (13:12-14)

Walang nakaaalam sa tiyak na oras ng maluwalhating pagbabalik ng Panginoon sa wakas ng panahon. Ang pinakamabisang paghahandang magagawa natin ay ang pagiging mulat sa kanyang pagdating sa bawat yugto ng ating buhay sa araw-araw. Laging handa ang taong nakakakita at tumatanggap sa makapangyarihan at mapagpalang pagkilos ng Diyos sa bawat karanasan ng kaligayahan at kalungkutan, ng tagumpay at kabiguan, ng kalusugan at karamdaman, ng buhay at kamatayan.

Sa panahon ng Adbiyento, nagsusumamo tayo; “Halina, Hesus, halina! Marana tah!” Ang totoo, dumating na SIYA. Narito na siya! Handa ka na bang tanggapin siya?
- P. Alex Balatbat

Series LXV: Why Do Catholics Have Crucifixes?

Answers to the Questions of the Catholic Faith

Many non-Catholic Christians are uncomfortable with the display of a crucifix — a cross with an image of Christ’s crucified body. They prefer to display an empty cross. If Jesus was raised from the dead, they reason, why would we depict him still on the cross?

First, we shouldn’t forget that Catholics also sometimes display simple crosses without the corpus (image of Christ’s body). Next, we must note that historically, discomfort with the crucifix has often had more to do with anti-Catholic sentiment than with genuine concern that Jesus’ resurrection is being forgotten. Despite clear references throughout the New Testament to the importance of the cross as a sign of Christ’s victory over evil (see 1 Cor 1:17-18), many early Protestants rejected any use of the cross at all — even an empty one — as a sign of “popery.”

Nevertheless, those who are genuinely concerned that, in the crucifix, the resurrection is unduly overshadowed by the Crucifixion should read the messianic prophecy of Zechariah: “They shall look on him whom they have thrust through, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a firstborn” (Zec 12:10). St. John confirms that this passage represents a foretelling of Christ’s crucifixion (see Jn 10:37).

When the people look on their crucified Lord, the prophet says, God “will pour out” on them “a spirit of grace and petition” (Zec 12:10). Catholics have long found this to be true whenever they gaze with love on this image of Jesus’ sacrificial death. The crucifix inspires in them the graces of a deeper gratitude for this greatest of gifts (see Ps 116:12-13), as well as a more intense aversion to sin, which led him to the cross (see Rom 6:1-12).

No wonder, then, that in the old legends, the demons, vampires, and other evil creatures cannot bear to look at a crucifix. It reminds the forces of darkness that they have been defeated by Christ’s death on the cross (see Col 2:13-15).

Finally, we should note that when we are suffering, meditation on a crucifix comforts us by recalling that Christ suffers with us (see 2 Cor 1:5-7). Our sufferings have great value when we join them to his (see Col 1:24).

Inspirational

by Kaycel

I love looking at those expressive eyes which are now staring blankly at me...I tried to say something...but instead, I uttered a sigh...so many words I wanted to tell him......so many questions I wanted to ask...but I never had the courage to put them into words....I was deeply mesmerized by his blank stare....then memories of yesteryears filled my heart and mind…``````I met Sachee in 1999...he was so kind…and being good-looking is an add-on. I was never surprised when I saw how all girls drool over him....he was such a looker……….I was the exception because I know he won't even bother to look at me and give me at least a second glance....I would not talk to him...and not even look at him. But when I needed someone to talk to and all my friends were so busy...he was there...ready to listen to me....from that time I opened up myself to him we would talk often whenever we had the chance to……..and by knowing him deeply, in my young heart...I secretly fell in-love with him...We would spend time together with our friends talking and I can feel the fondness he has for me...but I guess it was not love....it was just a brotherly affection for his sister....I would often catch him staring at me but I was afraid to preempt and give meaning to those glances....he would not even tell me why....Until we had to go our separate ways...to pursue our own careers...to find our lives...and the people we want to share our days with....until I never saw him again........And now after seven years...with just a simple twist of fate, our paths crossed again....and I couldn't believe that what I felt for him 8 long years ago was still here in my heart for I know I have already forgotten about it. And now, right before my very own eyes is my Sachee....nothing changed…….only we've become more mature. He was still MY SACHEE....more good-looking...more sweet...more caring........We talked and talked and spent time together making up for the lost times.....it was the happiest day of my life...being with him even just for a short time...with him I feel happy...I feel safe and cared for...no one has put a sweet smile on my face except him……. no one has ever made me very happy except him......and if there's one person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with…...I know it would be Him, my Sachee.......my friend whom I fell in-love with in the past........the friend I am falling in-love with again......but this time…...deeper. Many things happened with our lives, I know…but am I to blame if I felt this way? I was even surprised to know that he feels the same way for me too...even in the past..............most especially today........right now that we're together, I can feel that our hearts beat as one...........our two hearts crying out each other's names…….I know I should be happy………we should be happy….because so many questions and issues in the past were clarified were answered….I regret the lost times......the days we were both victims of our cowardice and pride...but I know this time, this is it.......that we can be together in each other's arms finally.......But I guess love alone is not enough to be back into each other's arms.......it's been 8 long years...so much have happened....Now, simply by just staring at him...with those eyes blankly staring at me,,, I can see LOVE…….regrets.......happiness and most especially, sadness…...we love each other now, yes……but it has to be stopped......it has to end.........because of the WHITE ENVELOPE I am holding in my hand that he gave me before we part ways....
- Without even opening it, I can guess that it's an invitation to a special event that will happen in his life...a very important occasion which is a reminder for me to stop loving him and just be friends with him...it's a wedding invitation...meaning, he's not free anymore.....I tried so hard not to cry in front of him...I tried so hard to hide the tears in my eyes because I don’t want him to feel sad...I don’t want him to see me hurting....I managed to smile and told him I’ll be coming to witness that event...to see him for the last time.....he held my hand and said " you know I want you to be happy...your happiness is mine.....On my way to the church...I cried my eyes out and promised myself that it would be the last time I’ll cry...I have to be happy for him...there are many "what ifs" in my mind...what if I told him what I felt before? What if he told me what he felt? Maybe we're both happy now....OR ARE WE? But as I was looking at him now...at the altar...all dressed in white....celebrating his first wedding mass....I know Father Sachee made the right decision. I know he would be happier and happiest serving the Lord. I was hurt because we were not given the chance to share the love we had for each other...but I'm even happier because he chose to share that love with the Lord who made Sachee be a part of my life....Before the wedding mass ended, Father Sachee caught my eye and we smiled at each other...slowly I walked away while whispering these words..."Goodbye Father Sachee...you will always have a special place in my heart....thanks for the love....." ......I know you know it's for you.

LANDAS NG PAGPAPAKABANAL

78. Sa aspetong ito, may punto rin ang mga pumupuna sa ating kahiligang itampok ang krus na para bang sa Biyernes Santo nagtatapos ang Mahal na Araw at wala nang muling pagkabuhay. Hindi kailanman inaayunan ng ating pananampalataya ang isang malagim na pagyakap sa sakit, dusa, at kamatayan na hiwalay sa matagumpay na gawaing pagliligtas ng Panginoong Hesukristo. Hindi rin kailanman pinahahalagahan ng ebanghelyo ang karukhaan at kadustaan na hiwalay sa pagtuklas sa kayamanang isinasagisag ng Kaharian ng Diyos. (Mateo 5:1-12; 13:44)

79. Sa marami sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino, kung gayon, nararapat lamang na ipahayag na hindi kalooban ng Diyos na sila’y isilang na api at naghihikahos. Hindi tamang ayunan ang “isip-dukha” na dali-daling yumayakap sa dusting kalagayan bilang kapalaran: “mahirap lang po kami, wala po kaming pinag-aralan, walang-wala po kami…” Sa ganitong pag-iisip, magandang babala ang talinghaga ng mga katiwalang pinagkatiwalaan ng iba’t-ibang halaga. “Sapagkat napagkatiwalaan ka sa maliit na halaga, ngayon nama’y pagkakatiwalaan kita sa mas malaki…” (Mateo 25:14-30)

Kabayanihan
80. Hindi “karaniwang tao” ang tingin natin sa mga bayani at martir. Malakas sa atin ang kahiligang itampok sila sa pedestal bilang kakaiba sa atin. Kaya marahil mas marami sa ating mga Pilipino ang “tagasunod” lamang. Madali sa atin ang sumunod sa mga pinunong nagpapakita ng kabayanihan at pagka-martir. Mahirap ang tumalima sa isang “kapwa” lamang natin sa kahinaan at karupukan. Marahil isang dahilan ito kung bakit isang bagay na kinatatakutan ng marami ang maglingkod bilang lider o pinuno, kahit na may kakayahan pa sila. Mataas ang inaasahan sa pinuno kung kaya’t iniiwasan ang pananagutang ito. Malakas din sa atin ang takot na magkamali at mapahiya. Hindi madali para sa atin ang tanggapin ang kahinaan, pagkakamali at kahihiyan ng mga itinuturing nating bayani at martir.

81. Sa Kristong Hari, sa Mahal na Birhen, sa mga santo’t santa, nakakatagpo tayo ng mga bayaning huwaran sa buhay. Subalit napakalakas din ng kahiligan nating ipakalayo-layo sila sa ating sarili, itampok sila sa napakatayog at makalangit na pedestal na hindi natin maabot at sapat nang haplusin natin upang tayo’y mabahiran man lamang ng kanilang kabanalan at kabayanihan. Sa aspetong ito’y malayo pa tayo sa tunay na diwa ng pagkakatawang-tao ng Anak ng Diyos; sa kanyang pakikiisa sa ating abang kalagayan. Sa madaling salita, dahil nagsimula tayo sa pagpapalagay na ang Panginoong Hesukristo ay Diyos, kaya nating tanggapin na siya’y naging tao. Ngunit kung tayo rin marahil ay nalagay sa sitwasyon ng mga sinaunang Hudyo, hindi malayong mahihirapan din tayong tulad nila na maaninag kay Hesus ang Diyos dahil sa isang abang “kapwa-tao” lamang ang tumambad sa kanilang paningin. “Hindi ba ito ang karpintero, ang anak ni Maria, kapatid nina…” (Markos 6:3)
Itutuloy…

To Improve Nutrition:

1. Buy whole foods -- whether canned, frozen, or fresh from the farm -- and use them in place of processed foods whenever possible.2. Reject foods and drinks made with corn syrup, a calorie-dense, nutritionally empty sweetener that many believe is worse for the body than sugar, says Katz.3. Start each dinner with a mixed green salad. Not only will it help reduce your appetite for more caloric foods, but it also will automatically add veggies to your meal.

To Improve Physical Fitness:
1. Do a squat every time you pick something up. Instead of bending over in the usual way, which stresses the lower back, bend your knees and squat. This forces you to use your leg muscles and will build strength. 2. Every time you stop at a traffic light (or the bus does), tighten your thighs and butt muscles and release as many times as you can. (Don't worry, no one will see it!) This will firm leg and buttock muscles, improve blood flow -- and keep you mildly amused! 3. Whenever you're standing on a line, lift one foot a half-inch off the ground. The extra stress on your opposite foot, ankle, calf and thigh, plus your buttocks, will help firm and tone muscles. Switch feet every few minutes.

To Improve Stress Control:
1. Give your partner a hug every day before work. Studies show this simple act can help you remain calm when chaos ensues during your day, Katz says.2. Have a good cry. It can boost your immune system, reduce levels of stress hormones, eliminate depression, and help you think more clearly.3. Twice a day, breathe deeply for three to five minutes

To Improve Sleep:
1. Sprinkle just-washed sheets and pillowcases with lavender water. The scent has been shown in studies to promote relaxation, which can lead to better sleep.2. Buy a new pillow. Katz says that studies show that pillows with an indent in the center can enhance sleep quality and reduce neck pain. Also, try a "cool" pillow -- one containing either all-natural fibers or a combination of sodium sulfate and ceramic fibers that help keep your head cool.3. Eat a handful of walnuts before bed. You'll be giving yourself a boost of fiber and essential fatty acids along with the amino acid tryptophan -- a natural sleep-inducer.

Finding God After Working Abroad

By Nelson Pastor Ajos
...continuation

I went home on the last day of November 1990. After eight years of honey and butter, I had to be home with my family to repair the damage I did.

Today, I believe that we journey in our own destiny, which is assigned to us by GOD. Why? Here is my proof. I am a barrio lad from the province of Surigao del Sur, who knows only the whistles of all the native birds and the common features of our water buffalos endemic to the Philippines. Never been used to the city life until I saw the dawn at UST in the mid-quarter storm during the Marcos regime. Then I met a beautiful yet simply alluring lady by the name of Mirasol McCrann Macapagal. Our lives crossed as we crossed enrolled in one of the summer classes at UST. In short I was mesmerized by her simplicity and candidness. I courted her not for months but years, yet with bad results. I gave up with a sad heart and I went home to earn a living.

I worked as a company guard at PICOP until things turned sour. In fact, I almost lost my life there as I caused the ire of one of the leaders of the province by giving a hard time to his bus line plying the province. I resigned and had to move on and decided to take up Law where I met a roommate Joel Dizon from Angeles City. Of all people, he was a former student of my wife, and believe it or not, she was still single according to him. Is this not the beginning of my destiny? I made my first letter to her which was delivered personally by Joel. The process of our relationship was in itself a long story worthy of possible exploration for a love story because of its pain and glory. And the rest was history. Truly I was not expecting it to be that easy unless HE wants it that way.

From Papua New Guinea, I went home to my family, and fixed my problem with my wife with success. I came home as sort of triumphant because I Had millions. I built a boarding house near the University at Angeles City, bought lots in top-class subdivisions, bought a Pay Loader and other equipments. And a fat dollar account with the Bank of America. My wife was a good financial manager. Our trust in God was not enough. In other words, I was never too close with the Lord whom I learned later to be the provider of all I earned in my lifetime.

From time to time, I felt the karma I had done to my family. One at a time my properties and money started to dwindle. At first, I thought that the reason was mismanagement. Until I realized that the causes of the disappearance of my properties were part of the wrath of God to me. I know He allowed this to happen to make me realize that indeed He is in control over me. Likewise, for me to be humbled. It took me a long time to realize that this was the message of God to me. Had there been a church entity like the migrants’ Desk to guide, counsel and inform all the parishioners about Migrants’ Desk concerns, things could have been different. I remember in one of my talks at the San Matias Parish when one of the participants who was a seaman asked us why it took so long for the Archdiocese of San Fernando to set-up this desk. He and his wife could not have been through some problems. I opted not to asked him what was it about because it could have been far worst than ours.

I joined the Saint Paul ….. ... to be continued

Ang Paghahari ni Hesus mula sa Krus

Si Kristo ay tunay na hari. Pinatututnayan ito ni Padre Gabriele Amorth, isang kilalang Exorcist sa Roma. Ayon sa kanya sa tuwing nagsasagawqa siya ng exorcism (pagpapalayas ng demonyo o anumang masamang espiritu) sa mga tao, napapaluhod pati ang mga demonyo sa tuwing dinarasal niya ang bahagi ng awit na hango sa Sulat ni San Pablo sa mga taga-Filipos: “Anupat ang lahat ng nilalang na nasa langit, nasa lupa at nasa ilalim ng lupa ay maninikluhod at sasamba sa pangalan ni Hesus” (2:10).

Ang paggunita sa Maringal na Kapistahan ni Kristong Hari ay pormal na itinatag ni Papa Pio XI noong ika-11 ng Disyembre 1925 sa kanymag sulat-ensiklikal Quas Primas. Isinulat ito bilang tugon noon sa lumalaganap na erehiya ng anti-clericalism na nagsasabing hindi kailangan ng tao ang pananampalataya o relihiyon sa kanyang pang-araw-araw na buhay. Ang maling paniniwalang ito ay nagdulot ng maraming malagim na pangyayari sa kasaysayan ng Iglesya kung kalian maraming mga pari at mga relihiyoso ang ikinulong at pinatay. Maraming mga simbahan at mga gusaling pangrelihiyon ang ipinasara at ipinagiba. Sa gitna ng mga ito, nangibabaw angtinig ng Santo Papa na nagbigay-diin sa pangangailangang kilalanin at tanggapin si Hesu-Kristo bilang Hari ng mga puso dahil Siya ang Haring nag-uumapaw sa pag-ibig at awa.(QP,7).

Nasasaad pa sa Quas Primas na si Kristo ay Hari dahil siya ang Tagapagligtas at Tagapagbigay ng Batas. Sa Sulat ni San Pablo sa mga taga-Colosas, sinasabing iniligtas tayo ng Diyos “sa kapangyarihan ng kadiliman at inilipat sa kaharian ng kanyang minamahal na Anak” (1:13). Hindi na tayo hari ng ating sariling kasakiman, at sa halip ay nasa paghahari na tayo ng Tagapagligtas na siyang nagbigay sa atin ng Batas ng Pag-ibig. Tulad ng mga Israelita nang kilalanin nila si David bilang hari, kinilala rin natin si Hesus bilang tunay nating Hari sapagkat tayo ngayon “ay laman ng (kanyang ) laman at dugo ng (kanyang) dugo” (2 Samuel 5:1). Ngunit hindi tulad ni haring David na namatay rin, Si Kristong Hari natin at ng buong nilikha ay “ nabubuhay at naghaharing kasama ng Ama at ng Espiritu Santo, nagyon at magpakailanman.”

Tunay na isang dakilang kaloob (biyaya, pagpapala) ang paghahari ni Hesus sa ating buhay. Ngunit kailangan pa rin ang Malaya at buong pusong pagtanggap natin sa kaloob na ito. Sa ebanghelyo ni Lucas, makikita natin ang negatibo at positibong pagtugon ng Israel kay Hesus bilang Hari. Maging ang mga alagad ay nagkamali kung sino ang tunay na dakila at hari sa pamantayan ng kanilang Panginoon (22:24-30). Habang nakapako si Hesus sa Krus, nilibak siya ng mga tao: Kung ikas ang Hari ng mga Hudyo, iligtas mo ang iyong sarili” (23:27). Ang pinakamabuting pagtanggap kay Kristo ay nagmula pa sa isa sa mga salaring hinatulang ipako rin sa krus: “Hindi ka ba natatakot sa Diyos?...Matuwidlamang na tayo’y parusahan nang ganito dahil sa ating mga ginawa;ngunit ang taong ito’y walang ginawang masama...Hesus alalahanain mo ako kapag naghahari ka na” (23:40-42). Nakita niya at buong pananampalatayang tinanggap ang Paghahari ni Kristo kasabay ng taos-puso niyang pagsisisi sa kasalanan.

Maaaring magpatuloy at lalo pang tumindi ang paniniwala ng maraming tao ba sila ang hari ng kani-kanilang buhay at hindi na kailangang maghari pa si Kristo sa kanilang buhay. Patuloy din silang mabibigo sapagkat walang bagay o tao sa mundo na makatutugon sa pinakamalalim nilang paghahangad sa kapayapaan, kaligayahan at kaligtasan. Ang mabuting balita, ang tugon ni Hesus sa criminal na iyon ay tugon din niya sa sinuman at sa lahat ng naniniwala at tumatanggap sa Kanyang Paghahari: “Sinasabi ko sa iyo, nagyon din ay isasam kita sa Paraiso” (23:43).
~ David O. Reyes, Jr.

Series LXIV:What Is the Second Coming?

Answers to the Questions of the Catholic Faith

Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah (Christ) tells of a suffering Servant who was “pierced for our offenses, / crushed for our sins” (Is 53:5; see Is 53:1-12). Jesus fulfilled this prophecy when he died on the cross for us (see 1 Pt 2:24-25). But there are other prophecies of Christ, still unfulfilled, that point to a different scenario: a glorious King, a powerful Judge, who comes to rule the earth (see Rv 19:11-16).

The prophet Daniel, for example, foresaw “One like a son of man coming, / on the clouds kingship; / nations and peoples of every language serve him. / His dominion is an everlasting dominion” (Dn 7:13-14).At Jesus’ ascension into heaven, angels confirmed what he had earlier promised: He will return one day to earth (see Acts 1:10-11). Why is it necessary for him to return? Because his mission on earth is not yet complete: He came the first time as our suffering Redeemer, but he must return as our holy Judge (see also “What Does the Church Teach About the Last Judgment?”).

Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension form only part of the gospel, the “good news” of our redemption. The rest of the gospel is the good news that God is not only merciful but also just. One day Christ will come back to set the world aright, and the evil one will at last be rendered utterly powerless to harm those who love God (see Rv 20:10, 14). (See also “Do the Devil and Demons Really Exist?”).

Even now Jesus reigns as Lord of all at the Father’s right hand in heaven (see Eph 1:20). But when Christ returns, God’s kingdom will finally come to us in all its fullness, and God’s will at last will be done “on earth as in heaven” (Mt 6:10).

Yet another aspect of divine justice will be fulfilled when Christ returns: He will be vindicated and honored in the eyes of all the world. Even those who have “spurned and avoided [him]” (Is 53:3) will be compelled to bend their knees before him at last and “confess that / Jesus Christ is Lord, / to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:10-11).