Wednesday 31 July 2013

Happy Wedding

How time moves so fast. When I started writing an opinion column for Sun*Star Cebu from way back my children were still in elementary school. On July 27, 2013, my eldest son Kim got married to Krizia Ledesma of Iloilo City.

Kim and Krizia didn’t know each other a year ago. But when they met during a concert in Auckland in November 2012, they knew they were meant for each other. I could remember myself when Kim courted Krizia: weather, distance and time were no deterrent to visiting.

For the past few weeks, we were busy preparing for the wedding, as we didn’t hire any wedding planner, just family and friends helping out to make a momentous event happen for Kim and Krizia. It was hard work, but for us it gave more meaning to the solemn church ceremony and the festive reception that followed.

As parents, my wife, Debbie and I were tasked to deliver a speech, and we’d like to share the message we gave:

“We are filled with joy that you have committed to love each other with God’s grace, and welcome you to the next important stage in your lives, as a married couple.

“We have prayed for Kim to meet his one true love. We have journeyed with him in heart aches and frustrations. And we cherished the moments when he first met Krizia during the Rivermaya concert and their getting to know each other.

“The road that led towards this day wasn’t a total bed of roses; there were difficulties and struggles along the way, but as St. Paul wrote, ‘Love never fails.’

And love they found.

“Today is one of the best days for the rest of your life; enjoy this moment. Henceforth, you are no longer two but one. Let this unity of spirit propel you to becoming better individuals, wonderful parents and loving couple.

“There is no magic potion to assure a good marriage. But surely, if you put God as the corner stone of your marriage, nothing can go wrong. Pray together, go to church together, recite the rosary together, and attend marriage enrichment seminars together. It is God who nourishes the marriage.

“In closing, as you both worked hard to make this event successful, we know that you noticed that your entire family has been behind you every step of the way. For as we are with you now we will always be there for you as you raise a family together.

“We know that being such a beautiful couple, you will have beautiful children. We look forward to many of them.

“Happy wedding, mga anak (my children).”

Monday 22 July 2013

Identity Thief

This blog has reached quite a number of people in different countries since we started.  I’d like to thank brethren of the top 10 places where this blog is viewed: United States, New Zealand, China, Philippines, United Kingdom, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Canada and Australia. China as the third ranked is most surprising as I write in English and about the Christian faith. I ask everyone to pray for our Chinese brothers and sisters who are touched by our sharing of God’s Word.

Since last week though, the number of viewers came to an all-time low, and I wondered. Were my writings no longer inspired by the Holy Spirit as only so few cared to read? Further investigation revealed though that the site that I used for Blotfree had been bought by another entity when we failed to renew the contract on time. The name Blotfree is now being used to sell items, with no relation to God’s Word whatsoever. Sad, isn’t it?

I didn’t realize that somebody would find interest in taking away the site identity, but I was wrong. I may have to start from scratch to connect once more to regular viewers and potential readers.

It’s one of those risks that we encounter in pursuing our faith. There are always people who take the Word of God in their lips, yet twist these for their own personal benefit. Thus we are warned: "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)

We are never safe from the devil and his minions: “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.” (Acts 20:29)

Always we must be alert on the possible ambush that Satan pursues along the paths that we take, whether in the physical world or the worldwide web. We are in a spiritual war and each battle is important in every front.

Sunday 14 July 2013

Seeing in Others

“You look like a pig,” said the pig hunter, when he saw Buddha meditating at the roadside. When Buddha looked up, he saw this man riding on a horse.  Buddha responded, “You look like God”. The man was surprised at the response, and so he asked Buddha why he thought he looked like God. “Is it because I am riding on this beautiful horse?” he asked. “No” answered Buddha. “Is it because I am handsome?” he queried. “No,” said the holy man. “Is it because I have a sword and a spear?”  “No,” was the response. Finally, he asked, “Why?” Buddha softly said, “Because you are searching for a pig, you see people like pigs. I search for God and I see God in people, including you.”

It is the same with individuals who are obsessed with money; they look at people as opportunities to make money.  Worst is that as they look at themselves in the mirror, they see money instead of their own faces, their own selves.


Whoever comes first in your life is the life that becomes of you.   When Christ comes first in our lives, Christ lives in us and us in Him.  And if Christ is in us, then we verily we see Christ in our neighbors. "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you -- unless indeed you fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Sunday 7 July 2013

Intercession of Blessed John Paul II

A miracle has been confirmed by the Vatican paving the way for the canonization of Blessed John Paul II. Admirers of one of the longest serving Pontiffs of the Roman Catholic Church are elated about this announcement, more so the Costa Rican woman who was healed of brain aneurysm.

Floribeth Mora was told that she was doing to die, after doctors diagnosed her of aneurysm in 2011.  She sought the late pope’s intercession at the time when he was beatified, and for no apparent reason, she was totally healed.   She testified that while viewing the beatification of Pope John Paul II, she saw his photo in a magazine, and heard a voice saying, ‘Get up, don’t be afraid’. She stood up and felt better. When she had herself examined by the doctors, nobody could explain how the aneurysm disappeared.

For TawagAwit, the ministry that I founded, the announcement of the Vatican is such welcome news. Blessed John Paul II is our ministry’s patron, and our members have asked favors from him.  Two of the most significant were:  for the healing of our sister Elvie who was in advance stage of cancer and the victory of New Zealand’s All Blacks in the last Rugby World Cup.  In the latter we had 40-days prayer, and on Sundays said the rosary in Blessed John Paul II Mass Centre, Albany, Auckland. Our prayers were heard.

I have asked fellow members to continue seeking the intercession of Blessed John Paul II using the following words: O Blessed Trinity, we thank You for having graced the Church with Blessed John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of Your Fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Spirit of love, to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with You. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among Your saints. Amen.


Blessed John Paul II unceasingly intercedes for us. Should you need healing or are in a difficult situation, recite heartily the prayer above.  Your prayer will be answered. Believe me.

Monday 1 July 2013

In Accord

Every morning, I receive in my email a quotation under the title, “Wisdom of the East” from a fellow worker who is of Indian ancestry. I have found these enlightening, and in all instances, in harmony with Biblical principles.

For example on July 1, 2013 this is the quote from Paramananda: “If we have anything in our life that is not in accord with spiritual principles, no amount of sitting still and trying to meditate will bring us the blessing of contemplation.”

Jesus Christ during His ministry often exposed the hypocrisy of the Jewish priests: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.” (Matthew 23:27) 

Christ must be saddened if He read the news today: “A Vatican official (Monsignor Nunzio Scarano) already under investigation in a purported money-laundering plot involving the Vatican bank was arrested in a separate operation. Prosecutors allege he tried to bring €20 million ($33.4 million) in cash into Italy from Switzerland aboard an Italian Government plane, his lawyer said.”

It was further reported that before the news broke out, Pope Francis named a commission of inquiry into the bank to get to the bottom of the problems that have plagued it for decades and contributed to damaging the Vatican's reputation in global financial circles.

The Pope is encountering a similar situation that Jesus had with Judas. “He (Judas) did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” (John 12:6) 

We are told: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18) How difficult it is to live up to the Word, for even holy men can succumbed to the expectations of the world.

We must strive to be humble, selfless and be happy with the grace that God bestows upon us. If we do that then what we do will be in accord with the spiritual principles meant to bring us to perfection: love.