Claret Explodes

Ave Maria:-)

May the peace Jesus obtained for us cover us all , hello!

At fifty sumthin' you must had your share of experiences, highs, lows, noble, foolish... mah-turrr moments, awakenings.. drought.. more drought.. learning.. more learning whether in the classroom venue or elsewhere... complacency, euphoria.. inclinations to revert to fetal position and consciousness... hehehe... after 5 decades you more or less begin to understand what an endless cycle life is.. we have those phases that absolutely explode with success , richness, color...ahhh ...we go: " Mamma Mia...This eezzz L-i-f-e!!!Bring it on!"  and then we have our either doldrum or agonizing dark moments.... " Awww, I won't commit suicide for sure.. but I kinda wanna die.. because it seems more peaceful and a kinder state to be in." 

If you haven't been in any of the above..or none of the above...will begin to wonder if you are existing in this exciting planet.

It's Lenten season... recieved an e-amil form a dear cousin that had the 40 days of LENT as its theme..Forty days............hmmm ...what would I do in 40 days.

Well we could either proceed as tho' the Church's teaching on seasons didn't matter .. or hey... we could choose to be refreshed.. reminded..about what Lent is all about.

Contrary to what Catholics have long been accustomed to ..maybe a misconception that developed in Spanish times ..under the Spanish yoke... we as a people thought Lent was all about being utterly quiet, watching people walk in processions , wear gloomy faces... abstain and fast... and if you have the stomach for it.. try to get some scourging yourself or be nailed to a cross for a few minutes... after which the medics are ready to resuscitate you.. this and mind you, with a lot of tourists and paparazzi to cover the event.

But is this Lent?

And is this the way our Lord would want us to remember and celebrate Lent? All of the rituals and practices would be worthless if Jesus and His Essence were taken out of the picture.

For sure, of course we must dwell on what Jesus did ever so willingly for us..to suffer for our sake and ultimately lay down His life , dying as tho' He were a criminal , shamed , rejected, tortured and forsaken by many He had helped. As it is.. the banner cry of most folks in whatever century it is ... is : "Nobody  loves me...I am all alone."

But Lent shatters this myth.  Someone does love us..to the extent  that He gave His life that we might live..and that is Christ.

We have just come from a most strengthening Life in the Spirit Seminar , invited by Claret Formator Fr. Ama to give an LSS to young seminarians...1st to 3rd year...about almost 50.the 4th yr seminarians were in typhoon stricken areas.

Initially we thought... "oh my.. what could we possibly share with them... they know it all... theology probably coming out of their ears... they have listened to the best speakers... they are 20 x more prayerful and behaved than us..hahaha."

but then again it is not about theology.. it is not about knowing more.. it is not about being holier .... it is simply about sharing what experience we have about Jesus and the Holy Spirit.. the truth of the charismatic renewal. It is about sharing generously our faith experience so that we build up others... in return we get blest as well..how good our Lord is.

the seminar lasted : Sat.evening 7:45 to 10:45 whole of Sunday  .

For good measure...Fr. Ama allowed both seminarians and the Outreach Team to go to confession, several priests were available... and He allowed the Blessed Sacrament to be exposed for vigil before the start of the Sat.evening session.

With a preparation like this..and the a beautiful, serene venue..how could the Lord not come?

the seminarians were a joy to be with.so open, so humble ... so hungry for the Lord.

Sometimes , we feel we know it all.. especially when one has attended a Catholic school..has  had a strict religious upbringing... but we soon find out.. there is another dimension, the Lord wants to expose to us.

and this is the very same experience that the Blessed Mother and the Apostles had on Pentecost. When after praying together for 50 days... the Holy Spirit descended 

upon Mary and the Apostles ..changing the apostles from "Can't do"  to "Can do" men of GOD.

From fearful to courageous, from unsure to men of faith, wisdom and understanding.. when the Holy Spirit came, they were given a full anointing of power, love and all gifts needed to proclaim the gospel! In the Book of Acts..we can read how the early Christian community grew... how so on fire with love and zeal for God they were.. how miracles, healings , powerful preaching could now be done in the Lord Jesus's Name.... this was the power of the Holy Spirit, and this the young seminarians as  well as every avowed Christian will need in his/her own lifetime and vocation.

Claret chapel exploded with God's love especially on Sunday.. when the highlight was the renewal of Baptismal Vows and Commissioning of the seminarians :" Be the salt of the earth ..be the light of the world . The seminarians and Living Word fellowshipped  during group sharing sessions..and during meal times .. both  strengthening each other.

In truth -- to just be with these young boys   , uprooted from their families their homes...  to listen to them (some had parents who did not want them to become priests..) to be moved by their own faith experience makes one's heart  expand in love and thanksgiving... Oh may many if not all of them become good priests, in Jesus Name I pray!

Lent is thus remembering from whence we came.. it is remembering a bit ruefully..in the middle of our angst, stress and negativities that " Wait a minute.. I was meant for better things!"  God did not give me a life on earth to waste on worldliness and sin.. God did not want me to be inutile and helpless when faced with adversities and temptations.  


God has given me the Son as my Saviour..and the Son has baptized me in the Holy Spirit..there is simply no way I'll remain unchanged. For the Lord transforms us with His love and grace.  And a brighter , more abundant life in Christ unfolds before us.

In closing.. when Cebu folks believed that false tsunami alert... hundreds scrambled...left their expensive cars..stores.. building and homes... and just ran as fast as they could to higher ground...this is instinct..this is gut feel.... 

Indeed..when we face certain death.. we soon find out the things we hold onto on earth we must leave behind... in a manner of speaking our percieved riches become worthless.And all we have is our little soul to present to our Father and Creator... we face Him in His Throneroom and say timidly: "Father, I'm home."

This Lent let us make a safe return to our Heavenly Father thru his Son Jesus Christ. God bless us all! May the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph all angels and saints in heaven pray for us............................................................................te myeActs 2:1-4 (NIV) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.