Narrow Road

Ave Maria:-)

Have to write it na..might "lose it"  just came from emergency council mtg. ...what might have , could have ended up any of the following :disastrous, "off" , cold... weary/dreary... mechanical --- turned out and ended quite marvelously ..and hey,

 hapee as can be. That has got to be the Holy Spirit...hahaha , kasi pagod nAman kaming lahat who arrived, it wasn't even a quorum... good grief..it might not have even been the "right" persons who should have attended? --yet thru the years... the community has by God 's tender graces survived all discomfitures, all inadequacies, eccentricities, somps (sumpong.. you never know kung may bi polar sa grupo hahaha) , thru thick and thin ... We've coped and only becoz Someone watched from heaven -- you'd think bearing with threats from the outside is the biggest problem? --- oh no --- it's when we break ranks within...that's the bigger threat... pero ...  God is too good, too true He saves us anyway and grants us daily , daily ,daily minute by minute all the graces we will need. THAT IS AN IMPREGNABLE FACT. 

Before the meeting, managed to squeeze in a visit to poor Miko , down with dengue -- there was Aba, Josh , Berto and I -- consoling our brother -- who is quite a big fellow -- robust and strong and utterly cheerful ... but dengue is dengue and we saw him subdued but certainly not defeated. Attaboy , Miko.. Jesus loves you and will heal you...you'll come out stronger

Anniversaries have a way of putting us in instantaneous time warps .... tonite I was with Miko ,  with dear Aba spearheading the visit ... but decades ago ... will remember a departed brother, one of our founding elders, Bro. Hector Garong ... insisting that we go to his home so that we could pray over his twin daughters Melinna and Melissa , A and B for short -- they had egadsss:CHICKENPOX.... How young they were then, probably in high school ... and can't forget A who was rather disgusted that these complete strangers were in their bedroom...ready to pray over them and see then in all their chickenpox glory...hahahaha, bata pa vanidosa na... sanamagan  And now the twins decades later are moms themselves , with their beautiful children...B has two girls and a baby boy ...A has Nana and Inake. ..

You'll have to excuse my time warp... bear with me... it's just a way of expressing my happiness for all the good things God has done for this little group ..my extended family the Living Word.

Instant recall .... 

1) In the 80's... the Philippines and many parts of the world was so on fire with the charismatic movement... those were the years where prayer groups  mushroomed in both Catholic and Christian denominations. The speakers then were so fiery... so anointed by the Holy Spirit, will remember Bro. Joe Rona, Bro. Leny Ibarra, ... even priests ( Fr. De Grandis , Fr. Bertolucci, Fr. Polinar to name a few) and nuns too recieved a tremendous outpouring

 --- those were the times when a single man/woman  could start and finish a whole seminar -- without relying too much on back-up, support systems, sound system... or media stuff ... these men and women would just open their mouth and and preach and it was enough to move the hearts of people to the very core... enough to make a movement toward repentance and returning to Christ... They simply relied on the Holy Spirit...

They sure had no mental block with any promises Jesus made.. if Jesus promised "You will recieve power..!" They took Him at His word.Amen Hallelujah!

2) As we read the Book of Acts and contemplate the miracles and signs that the early church witnessed ... we must acknowledge as well what the Lord has given our community.  Sis. Dori and Mama Lydia with just a nephew Dodong Taba to drive for them thru highways and rough roads... they gave Life in the Spirit seminars , they were just a team of two ( two persistent matronas --  conducting the seminars in  many parishes in Pangasinan, this with the bishop's approval -- as you cannot just preach. They simply took turns, giving the talks ... there was no music ministry, only Mama playing the organ ... they were not the typical speakers you'd expect --- I think you'd only hear Mama's voice 12 times a year .... she was so reserved and shy .... well that was prior to her becoming a charismatic ... becoz after she recieved the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

she not only learned how to give talks ... nampeste pa..nang braso (cajoled, persuaded) others to themselves learn to give talks and bear witness for Christ. As for Mother Dori , this was a businesswoman... she definitely knew how to make a sale, how to close a deal...  but how to win hearts for Jesus was another thoroughly alien matter. Between the two of them, they initated so many outreaches..to Bilibid Prisons... to Leper's colony.... hospitals.

.. we must not forget this  because this is how our community was founded.It is a legacy worth continuing.

3) Each community will have its pronounced gifts - some exercise powerful healing gifts... others are called to teaching /formation .... Mother Teresa heard the Lord's call to reach out to the poorest of the poor.... we must rejoice and always be grateful for whatever gifts the Lord has bestowed and allowed to grow thru the years... We must take care never to stagnate.

4) T--I-R-E-D-N-E-S-S is a non- existent  word  in a Christian's dictionary... we will have the proverbial physical tiredness , but the tiredness of spirit (which is the real killer) ...that will never happen for as long as we let the love of JESUS penetrate our whole being. His love suffices and His love urges us on... even when we think we can no longer go on.Praise You Lord.

5)Last nite we sang for the nth time in a mass for the dead, again another member who has left this life --- in God's perfect time you and I will have our own turn being laid at the coffin. May it be that we lie down peacefully with a treasure of memories knowing, loving and serving JESUS. .. my beloved...true love requires obedience.. love grows an obedient heart, please understand this - that our hearts will naturally conform to the wishes of Christ Jesus, amen.

You and I are given a choice of the road we want to take ... remember .. the narrow road that leads to salvation ?

The choices we make can spell our future  happiness or misery...  If we have found ourself a bit unhappy..unfulfilled...irritable... downright angry for the longest time...then perhaps it's a good time to check if we're still on the right road...? the one that leads all the way to JESUS...for apart from Him there simply is no lasting happiness.. 

July being both fiesta month for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and the Living Word can usher a joyous rainfall of blessings from our Lord... but only if we approach it with  grateful, humbled hearts.... and only if we renew our promise to take the narrow road... no short-cuts Living Word.... okay?  Choose life in Christ, chose to be truly happy. 

God bless all..................................... ta mye  

TO LOVE SOMEBODY

Ave Maria:-)

Baby you don't know what it's like... baby you don't know what it's like... to love somebody ...to love somebody, the way I love you... who hasn't fallen in love with this classic rock song.... especially the chorus You don't know what it's like babehhhh you don't know what it's like...!  Rather  us singing those lyrics .... it would be more like Jesus singing this song to usand not just to us but to the whole world.

Imagine of all songs this keeps ringing in my mind -- as we enter into the 30 sumthin' anniversary year of our charismatic community...Living Word ...

Praise God for starters, there's a recollection that the core group will have June 30 at one of our fave spots: Claret Madres , Sanville. Thank God for religious groups who open and share their facilities to the laity -- talk about "damayan" and having the right friends :

SOMETIMES THE BIGGEST BLESSINGS WE HAVE RECIEVED IN LIFE ARE RIGHT IN FRONT OF US, AT THE TIP (ALMOST) OF OUR NOT SO TALL NOSES ---  and we haven't really paid much attention, or worse plain taken it for granted --- as we are constantly in search of other " blessings" not knowing we've landed the HUGE AUTHENTIC ONE.

Ok will help..blessings could be any of the following : your imperfect sometimes difficult spouse ... good health... education and opportunities to carve a better life out there.... trusted household helpers/yayas/loyal staff...  a great sense of humor and positive attitude in life.... living in the Phillipines (no kidding).... friends, friends and moreee true friends... a roof over our heads and 3 meals a day .... etc.

But for this sharing ...will have to zoom in on one giant blessing given since 1981 ( year varies for each member)

SUPER-DUPER BLESSING? Belonging to a Christian community for the longesttttttt time :-)

Faith hope and love for God , the desire to serve Him and obey His commands are probably written in our hearts .... but finding a practical, healthy venue to practise this --- what easier way could there be than to belong to a religious group.? Hopefully a good one..with a mission vision... and the will to fulfill it.

That being said ... it is easier saying it and mouthing all those pretty words but to actually do it .. ahhh there starts the exciting journey.

Who amongst us has not heard that distinct calling within our hearts? Perhaps  to study a particular course... to apply for a job overseas and even migrate... to marry this complete stranger ... to choose a career than everyone around you is dead-set on discouraging you from pursuing it - yet you still go for it ........  yes I have heard that tiny persistent voice -- it is not audible in a physical sense -- but you hear it clearly just the same, it never goes away... it inside your head, your heart, your intestines... it follows us wherever we go...and until we give a definite answer : a Yes or a No , the "voice" won't leave us.

Not all voices come from the Lord.. oh haven't we discovered that the painful way? -- bruises and all  but at one point or another God does ask something from us, something so very specific. Take heed.

These past 30 yrs. I would like to believe that many brothers and sisters have heard this voice .. in this manner :

"Come child, we have many things to do... serve thru this community .. it is not perfect,not materially rich..  you'll be with members of varying personalities , you will be parish-based  ( now that is challenging, hehe) ... but with my love and grace ... you can do great things in my Name...  just persevere, be focused."

Jesus can ask us to do a thousand and one things for Him... or just one thing... it does not matter.... what matters is that we listen to Him and say YES to Him.

If we had our whimsical way we'd probably barter with the Lord and say : Ok I'll do it Lord but give me these resources... or let it be in this condition... or make sure I work with so and so.... and be sure I'm physically strong... also please don't allow storms /trials/persecutions to come .... HAHAHAHA....so many silly conditions ! Really!

But nobody barters with the Lord... we must walk in faith and completely trust Him.

Mother Dori who founded our little community with the late Sis. Lydia is turning 70 sumthing this July 1. She should be resting but she is still at it... praise God. Dori and Lydia:They were 2 of the unlikeliest persons to found a charismatic community -- one was too quiet and shy...the other too forceful and worldly.

But they heard this voice and praise God that they opened their hearts and chose to trust the Lord.

When Jesus calls us ...we don't say :OKAY LORD... BUT PROMISE ME THIS WILL BE OH SO SUCCESSFUL.. AND I WILLNEVER BE HUMILATED OR HURT IN ANY WAY.

If we have that mind-set we cannot serve the Lord. Ayaw nya nang maarte.

So Lydia and Dori , two very stubborn women  found good use for their stubborness -- it was channeled into stubbornly serving Jesus Christ no matter what. 

What a long route it has been.

Mama Lydia's earthly journey has ended, other brothers and sisters too have joined her like Brothers Orly, Hector, Rene, Kuya Nato, Bro. Louie, Sis Myrna, Sis.  Mary Abelita  ... but I would not be surprised if they continue to intercede for their Living Word family. Perhaps up to now Mama Lydia  prays :" Dori...Dori... please be patient ... listen to Jesus...trust and obey Him... obey first, ask questions later" ... (ha,ha,ha).

We cannot measure the spiritual progress in terms of membership... no. of outreaches .. financial assets...  it is so much more deeper than that.

What God has given us is a wonderful avenue of growth, our unique spot , our field to sow God's seed....

   What we find  so hard to practise in our homes, in the outside world ..the Lord sometimes allows us to learn and practise this within the community ( forgiveness, understanding, hard work, endurance, humility ...) and then we find it easier to practise this everywhere.! We pursue community life because it should make our life with others outside of the community- a richer life.

If Jesus were a King fighting a war ... He would have many encampments , with generals and soldiers assigned to protect their turf. This is our turf. This is our fort .We protect it not so much for our own interests but so that Jesus wins the war and souls and territories can be reclaimed for Him. 

By joining a community we are given a chance to accept and love those whom we not related to by blood -- and we discover that there is indeed a family bound by the Spirit! And that these ties can even be stronger. Pray hard to the Lord , ask Him to guide you to the Christian community or religious group that can spiritualy nurture you ...seek and you will find. 

To the Living Word:  The sweetest blessing is right here, matagal nang naibigay satin, let us be good stewards.... how I pray we realize just how much God has blessed us .... and how this blessing must be shared with others , yes until God claims us for heavenly duty.  Let's have a meaningful anniversary month, shall we?

God bless us all...................................................................... te mye