Mystery Revealed!

Ave Maria:-)

Have you fallen in love ..then just as quickly fallen out of love..betcha did

Everyone has a passion.Of course we're tempted to think..ahh love? passion..it must be a person..hey, it's gotta be romantic love...where your Walt Disney dreams come true..you wish upon a star..you could start out as poor, ugly, a frog, imprisoned in a tower (you guessed right: (Rapunzel) but almost always, and I have to search for a fairytale love story, a Walt Disney movie that ended tragically -- but 9 out of 10... the hero and heroine defeat all their enemies and live (sigh!) happily ever after.

One of our youth shared at one youth fellowship..she's now working abroad , that she grew up so absorbed in the Walt Disney screenplays.. and along the way believed the Walt Disney myth... as she grew up  ( and especially when she entered the renewal, attended prayer meetings, listened to teachings..and at the same time endured  the reality route of "young girl grows up"--she soon learned " Ayayay..it ain't a simple Walt Disney Technicolor thing" after all.... Real love...real time..real life hurts and can be quite complicated.. You don't get to enjoy the "You take my breath away.. you've stolen my heart.. i' m yours forever..."  BUT COULD BE "You snuffed life out of me...thanks to you my heart is completely broken..I'll never -ever love again, what a stupid mistake to trust and give myself to you." 

then there are other loves... a mother so devoted to her child.. to the point if she doesn't watch out "she lives her life a second time thru her child -- where mom makes sure what dreams/wishes  she didn't pursue will now be fulfilled thru the child."

Anak: "I DON'T WANT TO BE AN OPERATIC SINGER MAMA..I WANT TO BE A DOCTOR." 

Mom : " Oh but you do..you do.. and you have the talent for it.. come now..focus so that you will be oh so successful and rich."

Others will not waste time and feelings, treasure and sacrifice on people - who turn out to be UNRELIABLE  anyways... and would rather give their all to their chosen profession.. "married to my craft, my career..my talent... I don't have time for relationships "

For these souls... there is nothing too painful to endure, to give up, to spend..that they wouldn't do if only to perfect the craft.

this is how we churn out geniuses, artists who will not settle for anything less than perfection -- how scary then ..when one ages.. or is past his prime, and whether you like it or not, your voice cracks... your hand trembles and you cannot perform that delicate operation.. and your mind and body just won't work in perfect rhythm, or someone better comes...truly, if one's heart is not in the right place .. you could end up a basket case... so much so for being married to one's craft.

How wiser it is to offer one's work.. as a form of service .as one's way of contributing for the good of society..as one definitive way to glorify the God who has provided us generously the intelligence, talent and opportunities.

Some are just a-ga-ga over physical health, physical beauty --- one time a renowned plastic surgeon related how he grew afraid everytime a famous Beauty Expert would visit his clinic.Thru the years, she sought out all possible, latest procedures that would make her look younger. Eye tucks, lipo... laser beams... chemicals.. face-lifts.. bust-lifts... even a new mouth ala Angelina Jolie... until her age really caught up , and there was nothing the poor doctor could offer our granny beauty. The passion for pursuit of outer beauty died quite a natural death. SOME THINGS GOTTA GIVE.

but there is a hunger inside of us that cannot be quenched by mere people, possessions, fame and glory...  this hunger stems from our very soul.. and can only be Filled BY GOD HIMSELF.  

It is the way we were "built" -- created in the image and likeness of God ALmighty hence to not have Him..to be alienated from Him..to not experience His presence and love creates this void inside of us too painful and empty for words.... and sadly, many are not even aware that THIS IS THE PROBLEM.. but would rather relate one's UNHAPPINESS to lack of romantic love, friendships, financial success etc... the unhappiness is related to Anything BUT GOD..  it happens all the time.

In the Catholic setting, depending on which group you are affiliated with , there is spiritual  formation.. Some lay groups like the Mother Butler, CWL...hold regular retreats... The Couples for Christ/Marriage Encounter hold live-in retreat seminars for married couples.. Neo Catechumenate is centered in bible teachings and celebration of the Eucharist..the Opus Dei -- oh my this is one group that will not lack in nurturing.. but for charismatics..both Pentecostal, Protestants and Catholics..there will always be the Life in the Spirit (LSS) seminar.

I can't help but thank GOD for one anointed speaker who was a "regular" at our LSS in the 80's.. Bro. Joe R. He never failed to zoom in on the 1st chapter of Colossians, St. Paul's teaching about Jesus , His Supremacy and Mission --- everytime Bro. Joe would give his talk ---I'd wait for the highlight WHEN HE'D DRAMATICALLY POUNCE ON THE GREAT MYSTERY..THE GREAT MYSTERY KEPT THRU THE AGES.... I thought back then that I fully understood what Bro. Joe was trying to impart: how Jesus Christ -God and Saviour was this Mystery hidden for ages and generations but now disclosed to God's people ---  BUT MUST ADMIT TIS' ONLY MANY MANY YEARS AFTER..PERHAPS THESE LAST 10 YRS. THAT THIS WONDERFUL REVELATION OF ST.PAUL HAS FULLY DAWNED ON ME.

The impact of Jesus... the glory of Jesus ..the purpose of Jesus... His victory over sin and all evil and how this changes our destiny.... AND OF HOW IMPOSSIBLE IT WILL BE FOR US TO DREAM, ASPIRE , HOPE OF ANY LASTING JOY APART FROM HIM.

So when Bro. Joe would talk...I'd tease a sister : " Hey there he goes again about the Mystery..... why oh why is he so entranced by this passage.? " 

thank God for the Holy Spirit who patiently makes us understand.

there is no new life for mankind without Jesus.

With all due respect to Mr. Steve Jobs, many attribute to him how he improved the quality of life..but I beg this proposition:
human being can help improve quality of life BUT..
only Jesus ....

JESUS GAVE US BACK REAL LIFE! 

A LIFE IN UNION WITH GOD, free of sin.. A LIFE THAT ENJOYS FELLOWSHIP, INTIMATE FRIENDSHIP WITH THE GOD OF THIS UNIVERSE, awesome, awesome.. A LIFE WHICH GIVES US A BUILT-IN NEW HEART AND NEW SPIRIT.. A LIFE THAT SEGUES FROM HERE TO ETERNAL LIFE... it is ours to claim

HOW I WISH PEOPLE WOULD MOURN MORE WHEN THIS GREAT MYSTERY remains  A SECRET TO MANY. 

For as long as Jesus is "hidden"... we will not only suffer poor quality of life..we have NO LIFE WHATSOEVER. Here is the passage from 
Colossians 1.. it would be great if we could read the beginning of this chapter, but read with the heart of Bro. Joe and THEN BELIEVE..! 

Paul’s Labor for the Church

 ²⁴ Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. ²⁵I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 ²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

We have a Life in the SPirit seminar Oct. 15 (8-5pm), Sun.Oct.16 (8-11am) at National Kidney Hospital.. You are all welcome as participants, just e-mail. Or if you wish to serve contact Margarette Pangilinan or Faith Santos thru Facebook...For our brothers and sisters based abroad, even if we have different affiliations but share the basic Christian belief , be our splendid prayer warriors.. this is the battery of the seminar..all undertakings for the Lord rely on prayer...It is our prayers of faith and repentance that make the angels send us grace upon grace upon grace TILL GOD'S LIGHT FILLS AND EMPOWERS US. You are not without duty... you can pray for us, you can donate time or food, bibles, rosaries. It'll be wonderful, Jesus will be there..Hallelujah!How good Thou art oh Lord!

God bless you all...........always remember how so very near Jesus is..right in your aorta 

Just thinking about that makes us feel invincible.

Enjoy these videos..............

Because of who you are - Martha Munizzi

...................................... te mye