LANDAS NG PAGPAPAKABANAL

85. Inilalarawan sa atin sa ebanghelyo ang Espiritu bilang ibon. (Markos 1:10; Mateo 13:16; Lukas 3:22) Marahil ipinahihiwatig lamang ng paglalarawang ito na tulad ng ibon, mailap ang Espiritu, hindi basta dumadapo, hindi basta namumugad. Kailangang akitin upang manatili ito at mamalagi sa ating piling. Humihinga ng ganap na pagbabago - isang buhay na kaakit-akit pamugaran ng Espiritu. Kung gayon, hindi ang wisik ng tubig na nabasbasan ang magpapalayas sa masasamang espiritu, kundi ang isang uri ng pamumuhay sa pananampalataya, pag-asa, at pag-ibig ang magtataboy sa mga ito sa pamamagitan ng pamumugad ng Banal na Espiritu sa ating piling.

Ang Mahal na Ina
86. Walang duda, tayo’y isang bayang maka-ina. Ang likas na pagpapahalaga, paggiliw, at pagsuyo sa ating mga inang makalupa ay madaling nalilipat sa gayunding pagpapahalaga, paggiliw at pagsuyo sa ating inang makalangit: ang Mahal na Birhen. Pati ang turing sa kanya bilang Mama Mary ay pagpapahayag ng isang payak na kaugnayan ng paslit sa kanyang nanay. Maraming beses na tayong napuna tungkol dito, lalo na ng ibang mga kapwa Kristiyanong hindi-Katoliko. Maraming beses na rin nating naitanong sa ating mismong sarili, kung di ba tayo nalilihis, kung di ba tayo nalalayo kay Kristo dahil sa malabis na paggalang at pagpipitagan sa Mahal na Birhen. Binigyan din ito ng masusing pansin ng ating Katekismo (CFC # 45-48), na sa kabutihang palad ay nakatulong ng malaki upang maipaunawa sa atin itong likas nating pagmamahal sa Mahal na Birhen.

87. Simula’t sapul, bahagi na siya ng kasaysayan natin, at hindi siya kailanman maihiwalay sa ating pananampalataya sa kanyang Anak. Patunay dito ang mga nabanggit na nating mga tradisyon tuwing Pasko—ang Panunuluyan, at tuwing araw ng muling Pagkabuhay—ang Salubong. Parang hindi kumpleto ang mga pagdiriwang na ito kung wala siya, kung paanong laging kasama ang ina sa mga mahalagang sandal ng ating sariling buhay bilang mga pamilyang Pilipino. Kung may isang bagay na namumukod-tangi sa landas ng pagpapakabanal ng Katolikong Pilipino, ito marahil ay walang iba kundi ang paglapit natin kay Kristo sa pamamagitan ni Maria. At dahil tanggap na natin ito, hindi na natin ikinababahala. Sa katunayan, sa maraming sulok ng bansa, naging isa sa mga pinaka-epektibong paraan ng paghubog at pagpapalaganap sa Mabuting Balita ng Panginoong Hesukristo ang debosyon sa Mahal na Birhen, ang pagtitipon ng mga mananampalataya upang magrosaryo. Ang malalim na debosyon sa Mahal na Ina ay nananatiling isa sa mga pinakama-tinding lakas na nagpapanatiling buhay sa pananampalatayang Pilipino at Katoliko. Si Maria, kumbaga, ay parang pataba sa lupang inihahandang matamnan ng binhi ng Mabuting Balita ng Kaharian ng Diyos. Madalas, tayo rin ang nagkukulang sa pagbibigay-panahon upang mahasikan ng binhi ang matabang lupa na matagal nang inihanda ng Mahal na Birhen.

Gabay sa Pagninilay at Diskusyon
Itutuloy…

Nutrition and Alzheimer's Disease

WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with The Cleveland ClinicWebMD Medical Reference.

Alzheimer's Disease:
Nutrition: While there is no special diet required for people with Alzheimer's disease -- unless they have another condition, such as diabetes, that requires a particular diet -- eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet is extremely beneficial. With the proper diet, our bodies work more efficiently and we have more energy. This article addresses the basics of good nutrition.

The Basics
· Eat a variety of foods from each food category.
· Maintain your weight through a proper balance of exercise and food.
· Choose foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
· Try to limit sugars.
· Moderate your use of salt.
· Drink eight 8 oz. glasses of water per day (unless you are fluid restricted due to another medical condition, such as congestive heart failure).
· You may drink alcoholic beverages in moderation (but always consult your doctor).

Medications
· Ask your doctor if any foods can interfere with the medicines you're taking.

Preventing Constipation
· Eat foods high in fiber. Good sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fiber and water help the colon pass stool. Most of the fiber in fruits is found in the skins.
· Eat bran cereal or add bran cereal to other foods, like soup and yogurt.
· Drink eight 8 oz. glasses of water and other fluids a day (unless you are fluid restricted).
· Exercise
· Move your bowels when you feel the urge.

Tips to Relieve Constipation
· Drink 2-4 extra glasses of water a day.
· Add fruits and vegetables to your diet.
· Eat prunes and/or bran cereal.
· If needed, use a very mild stool softener or laxative. Do not use mineral oil or any other laxatives for more than two weeks without calling your doctor.

Dining Environment
· Minimize distractions in the area where you eat.
· Stay focused on the tasks of eating and drinking.

...To be continued

Why Iraq?

by Edwin Corros

In the mid-eighties when I entered the seminary to check if ever I really had the vocation to the missionary life, one of the reasons why I decided to join the Scalabrinian Congregation was due to my family situation. My father was then working as a mechanic in Saudi Arabia. I also had a brother in Kuwait and another brother who was a seafarer. That time, there were also my aunties who were working as nurses in Canada who later on asked their families to join them as immigrants. Later did I realize that we will become a family of migrants.

We are nine siblings and only one did not have a chance to travel outside the country. After my ordination, my eldest sister decided to migrate to Canada while my second youngest brother after finishing his contract in Kuwait decided to move to the US with his wife. So migration has almost been a part of our lives. Sometimes, we go to the airport without anyone accompanying us. Except for my youngest sister, all of us have our own stories to tell about living, working or vacationing in other countries.

What then is the big deal about working abroad? It was the recent unpleasant experiences of my younger brother who was in Dubai as an OFW, and later moved to Iraq that gave us many problems. Why Iraq? Let me tell you the story of the ordeals of my younger brother.

Domeng, my younger brother was contracted to work in a factory in Dubai last February 2005. This is his nth time to go abroad as an OFW,. He left just a week before our second eldest brother died of a lingering illness in 2005. He was a seaman and it was in fact Domeng who took care of him before he met his Creator. But I am not going to tell the story of my seafarer brother even if his was another interesting one, but my story is about Domeng who was posted in Iraq against his will. Being a newly deployed contract worker he was not allowed to go home to attend the burial of an elder brother.

Four months after working in Dubai, he was requested to go to Iraq along with two other Filipinos and a Canadian supervisor. A week before he was moved to Baghdad, he called by long distance informing us that he will be moving to that turbulent country. As I listened to him, he was voicing his concern. He had never shown any fear in his life as he was strong and a brave man. However, listening to him over the phone made me feel he was a different person. His voice was more solemn and serious yet subdued when he called all of us, particularly myself. I asked him if he could back off from the assignment. He responded he could, but if he did he was likely to lose his job. He had no choice, but to accept the illegal deployment to Iraq. On my part, I really wanted him simply to pack up his luggage and return to the Manila, but I had nothing better to offer him once he comes back in terms of a job. I just assured him our prayers as we ended the long distance conversation.

Since then, my other siblings and myself decided to…

… to be continued

Simbang Gabi and Mass Sched

Venue:.. Priest Presider:.. Sponsors:

December 15 ..Catholic Center.. Fr. Dong Marcaida,MSP ..- Shiony & Shiela
December 16 ..Catholic Center.. Fr. Gerry Matalamban,CFIC ..- Mely & Mel
December 17 ..Catholic Center.. Frs. Froilan Cruz/Sebastian..- G.Dombi,Cindy,
PJ,Armel& Arman
December 18.. Catholic Center.. Fr. Alvin Parantar,MSP ..- Helen & Bong
December 19 ..Catholic Center ..Fr. Dong Marcaida,MSP.. - Monet & Friends
December 20.. Chasan-ri.. Fr. Alvin Parantar,MSP.. - Conching&Danah
December 21.. Catholic Center.. Fr, Jun Nohara, OSA.. - Lyka & Harold
December 22 ..Kagumni.. Fr. Dong Marcaida,MSP ..- Rannie & Tess
December 23 ..Catholic Center.. Fr. Dong Marcaida,MSP.. - Liezl & Josie
December 24 ..Catholic Center.. Fr. Dong Marcaida,MSP ..- Community (All)

SIGAW-TUGON SA SARIWANG USBONG

“Magbagong-buhay kayo…!” Ito ang sigaw-paanyaya ni Juan Bautista sa ebanghelyo natin ngayong ika-2 linggo ng Adbiyento. Si Juan Bautista ang tinutukoy ni Propeta Isaias—isang tinig sa disyerto na sumisigaw na maghanda ng daan para sa Panginoon.

Noong nakaraang lingo, narinig natin ang babala ni Hesus na magbantay at maghanda sapagkat darating ang “Anak ng Tao” nang hindi inaasahan tulad nang dumating ang baha noong panahon ni Noe. Ang sigaw paanyaya ni Juan Bautista na “Magbagong-buhay kayo…”ay isang propesiya sa babala at paalaala ni Jesus. Paanyaya ito sa pagsisisi sa kasalanan at pagbabalik-loob sa Diyos—isang tawag na lumayo sa landas ng paghahanap ng kaligayahan at kapayapaang makalupa. Hinahamon ni Juan Bautista ang mga Pariseo at Saduseo na patunayan ang kanilang pagbabagong-buhay, at “sibakin” ang anumang “punong hindi namumunga nang mabuti.” Magbibigay ng hatol ang Panginoon hindi ayon sa panlabas na anyo., o sa mga sabi-sabi (Is 11:3). Hahatulan tayo batay sa ating kalooban.

Ang pagbabago ng isang tao ay isang desisyon–isang salitang nagmula sa Latinong “decidere” na ang kahulugan ay “putulin” o “sibakin”. Ang bawat desisyon ay may katumbas na “pagpuputol”ng mga hindi mabuti at kung kinakailangan, kahit na ng mabuti. Ito ay ang pagtanggi rin o pagbitiw maging sa magagandang pagkakataon, upang makamit ang mas makabubuti para sa nakararami. Ang pagputol o pagsibak ay laging may kalakip na sakit at may hinihinging pagtitiiis o pagpapakasakit. Halimbawa na rito ang pagsusuot ni Juan ng balahibo ng kamelyo at pagkain ng balang. Ang pagpapasya ay isang pagpili. Ayon nga kay Padre James Alberione, ang tagapagtatag ng Pamilya Paolino, anumang pinili mo (bokasyon) sa buhay na ito ay siya na ring pinili mo para sa kabilang buhay.

Matagal nang dumating ang usbong ng pagmamahal ng Panginoon upang sa atin ay matanim at manirahan. Dahil nga sa kagandahang-loob ng Diyos ay paulit-ulit siyang bumabalik sa ating kaloob-looban bagamat nalilihis tayo ng landas. Walang sawa niyang pinatitibok ang ating mga puso upang ang pag-ibig niyang doon umusbong ay lumago at magkabunga sa atin at sa pamamagitan natin. Ito ang diwa ng Emmanuel—”Diyos -kasama natin.”
Ngunit mangyayari lang ito kung una sa lahat, magpapasya tayong maghanda sa pagpasok ng Diyos sa ating buhay: ang pagpuputol ng mga talahib ng sama ng loob at pagdidilig ng tubig ng pagpapatawad upang ang sariwang usbong ng pagmamahal ng Diyos ay magkaroon ng puwang sa atin. Ang pagbabagong-buhay ay nangangailangan ng katapatan at katatagan sa desisyong ating pinili.

Sa paghihintay at paghahanda natin sa pagbabalik ng Panginoon sa ating “ka-loob-an” suriin nating muli ang ating mga puso. Ano nga ba ang kailangan nating baguhin sa ating buhay upang mangibabaw ang kabutihan at kagandahang-loob ng Diyos? Ano ang kailangang putulin o sibakin upang ang sariwang usbong ng pag-ibig ng Diyos ay magkaugat at mamunga sa atin? Ano ang bagong landas na dapat tahakin upang matagpuan ang tunay na kaligayahan at kapayapaan? Mangyari nawang maging bahagi naman ito ng ating sigaw-tugon sa Panginoon.
~ Sr. Mary Anthony E. Basa, PDDM ~

Series LXVI: Why Are There Four Gospels?

The New Testament begins with four books that proclaim “the gospel [good news] of Jesus Christ” (Mk 1:1): Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Though they are not biographies of Jesus in the strict sense of the word, they provide accounts of his earthly life and an interpretation of its meaning for the world.

Why are there four such accounts instead of one? Jesus wrote no autobiography, nor did he designate any of his followers to write an “official” biography. Rather, the primary mission he gave his apostles was to “make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19) through preaching, teaching, and providing the sacraments of the Church (see also Mk 16:15-18; Jn 20:21-23; 21:15-17). This first “witness” to Christ (see Acts 1:8) was thus oral rather than written, with an emphasis on the demonstration of its truth through the holy lives of believers and the wonders worked among them (see 1 Cor 2:1-5).

In time, however, several of the first Christians concluded that it would be useful for the new community to have a written account of Jesus’ life and works. Luke’s statement of method and intention in producing his gospel suggests how they went about the task:

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you… so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. [Lk 1:1-4]

Not surprisingly, the four evangelists (gospel authors) used some of the same sources. But each seems to have drawn as well from sources not employed by the others, and each seems to have drawn as well from sources not employed by the others, and each arranged his material in a distinctive way. At the same time, no one of them could tell the whole story; as John’s gospel notes: “There are also many other thins that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written” (Jn 21:25).

The result is that the four gospels, though telling essentially the same story, differ in many ways in content, perspective, emphasis, and style. The resulting variety provides the Church with a wonderful richness of insight that would be lacking if only one of the gospels had come down to us.

My Story

By: Stupid girl

As I try to look back at my life,

memories of hardships and sorrows embraces me once again...

I've lived my life here alone with no one to lean on
I thought I couldn't make it on my own
Sacrifices been made and lies been told
Secrets been kept not to unfold

Life's not been so easy and kind
Makes you overwhelmed and unbind
Leaving your heart broken
And your mind kept unspoken

I've loved but all I’ve given are not enough
'Coz loving and caring is quite tough
Loving should not blindly believing
For heaven sent it truly unpretending

Been cheated and didn't complain
Deep pain and tear drops fall like rain
My world's been torn and apart
Wishing every misery has its ending part

My soul's been to hell and back again
Was tired of life's inescapable den
Took some wrong turns and faith was tested
But courage's been busted and wasted

I've lost and missed half of my life I know
Gave one more shot no matter how it goes
For each day is a constant battle
Filled with hopes and dreams uncontrolled

... all of these I wouldn't have made it through

if there hadn't been God, my true best friend.

You Are What You Repeatedly Do

First you make your habits,

and then your habits,

make you.

You become a slave to your constantly repeated acts.

What at first you chose,

at last compels.

Your thoughts lead you to a purpose.

Your purpose moves you to take action.

Your actions form your habits,

Your habits determine your character,

and your character fixes your destiny.
Your habits are either the best of servants

or the worst of masters.

Once in motion,

a pattern tends to stay in motion.

How Strong Is Your Desire For Success?

You accomplish things by directing your desires,

not by ignoring them.

You're always motivated to the degree

that the decisions you make are your decisions.

To be honest with yourself,

to sincerely knowwhat you really want,

is the key to your motivation.

You're always in a position to decide.

You can decide to do something

or you can decide to do nothing.

The choice will always be yours.

It's so hard when you have to,

and so easy when you want to.

LANDAS NG PAGPAPAKABANAL

82. Kay Kristo, ang kabayanihan ay hindi na panawagan sa iilan lamang kundi para sa lahat. Ito’y nagsisimula sa pagtanggap sa ating abang kalagayan bilang karaniwang tao at mamamayan na hinahamon niyang tumulad sa kanya sa pagpapakumbaba, sa paglilingkod, at sa pag-aalay ng buhay alang-alang sa kapwa. (Filipos 2:6-11) Katulad ni San Pablo, tayo rin ay nasisiraan ng loob sa ating mga kahinaan sa gitna ng paghahangad sa kabayanihan. “Ang alam kong mabuti ay hindi ko magawa, at ang alam kong masama ang nagagawa ko… Sino ang magliligtas sa aba kong kalagayan?” (Roma 7:19,24) Dahil hindi natin mapagsama ang kahinaan at kabayanihan tulad niya, nais nating hilingin na mawaksi sa atin ang kahinaan. “Binigyan ako ng tinik sa laman, upang hindi ako maging hambog… Tatlong beses kong hiniling sa alisin niya ito sa akin, ngunit ang sabi niya sa akin: sapat na sa iyo ang biyaya ko, sapagkat sa kahinaan nagiging ganap ang lakas.” (2 Corinto 12:7-8).

Espiritu
83. Bahagi ng ating abot-tanaw bilang Pilipino ang paniwala sa mga espiritung sumasanib sa mga lugar, sa mga tao at mga bagay-bagay. May mga espiritu sa kalikasan, mga espiritu ng yumao na bumabalik at nagpaparamdam, espiritu ng mga ninuno, espiritu ng mga santo’t santa na sumasanib sa mga makagiliwan ng mga ito at nagdudulot ng lakas na magpagaling sa maysakit. Mayroong mabuti at masamang espiritu. Nabanggit natin sa naunang bahagi ng sulat na ito ang kahiligan ng Katolikong Piliupino sa pagpapabasbas ng halos kahit ano, na ang karaniwang hangarin ay ang pagpapalayas pa rin ng maligno, tikbalang, aswang, multo, kamalasan at iba pang masasamang espiritu. Para sa atin, ang mga banal na larawan na nabasbasan ay nagtataglay na ng mabuting Espiritu kung kaya’t nagiging mahalagang sangkap ng ating buhay, tulad ng palaspas sa mga bintana ng bahay, mga istampita ng Holy Name sa mga pintuan, rosaryong nakalawit sa may salamin ng sasakyan, eskapularyo sa leeg, panyolitong El Shaddai sa bulsa, atbp. Noon pa man, bago dumating ang mga misyonero, taglay na ng ating mga ninuno ang pangamba sa masasamang espiritu at kahiligan sa mga anting-anting bilang panlaban sa mga ito. Ang pakikihamok sa mga espiritu sa paligid bilang normal na bahagi ng ating mundo ay isang bagay na hindi kailanman binura ng Katolisismo. Bagama’t may agam-agam tayo tungkol sa bagay na ito, nabanggit na natin na hindi rin marahil angkop na basta na lamang itatwa ito bilang pamahiin ng mga walang pinag-aralang mga Katolikong Pilipino, sapagkat kapansin-pansin ito kahit na sa mga Pilipinong mataas ang pinag-aralan. Sa kabila ng ating hindi-pagkapalagay sa ganitong umiiral na kaisipan sa modernong panahon, kailangang aminin na ang mismong Banal na Kasulatan ay puno ng ulat tungkol sa tunggalian ng masasamang espiritu at mabuting espiritu.

84. Sa malakas na kontekstong animista, na ating kinabibilangan bilang Pilipino, marahil nararapat lamang na mapalalim pa ang ating pag-unawa sa pangunahing papel na ginagampanan ng Banal na Espiritu na ating natanggap sa binyag bilang kaloob ng Diyos Ama sa pamamagitan ng Panginoong Hesukristong muling nabuhay: na ito’y Espiritung nagdudulot ng paglaya mula sa pagkaalipin na bunga ng pagkakasala (Roma 8:14-17), Espiritung nagbubuklod sa atin bilang isang pamayanang kumakatawan kay Kristo (1 Corinto 12:4-31) at nagpapatuloy sa kanyang gawaing pagliligtas.

Itutuloy…