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