Monday 16 November 2015

The Route of Peace in A Bloodied Trail

The terror never ends.

The trail of blood has encircled the world and led to France again on November 13. Paris became a target as terrorists orchestrated a series of bombings and shootings that resulted in the death of at least 128 people with about 180 others reported injured. Five separate locations were the targets of the attacks with the Bataclan concert venue accounting for at least 80 dead. The US rock group Eagles of Death Metal was performing in a sold out concert in the 1,500-seat hall.

Paris has yet to get over the Charlie Hebdo killings where Islamist gunmen murdered 18 people in a span of three days in January 2015. And now this?

French President Francois Hollande, described the killings "a horror" and promised a "merciless" fight against terrorism.

Initial reports claim that one of the gunmen in the Bataclan concert venue was overheard saying: "It's the fault of Hollande, it's the fault of your president, he should not have intervened in Syria".

Syria, as we know, has become a battle zone for some time as its president Bashar al-Assad continues to hold on to power and pound upon rebels. As a result, the civilians caught in between have crossed the borders to seek refuge in hospitable countries.  In September, President Hollande said France would accept 24,000 Syrians over the next two years.

There is now a sense of wariness among countries that have accepted refugees from Syria. Many ask the question, “How sure are we that there are no terrorists embedded among those seeking asylum?” The answer: There is no guarantee.

The civilised world knows that it has responsibility over peoples who are victims of war, terrorism and oppression.  It will not allow suffering especially for the elderly and the children.

As we advocate for peace, the peoples of the world must in the strongest terms condemn terrorism.  We must not cower in fear. We must continue to tend to the helpless and vulnerable.  We must pursue the route of peace along its bloodied trail.

To the people of Paris, we say, ‘Stay Strong’.

Tuesday 10 November 2015

Life According to Jobs

As one gets older, the significance of birthdays dwindles. I know.  I’ve marked the yearly count for 59 years. What brought joy to my heart were the loving gestures of my family and countless friends. Life is a journey that finds meaning in the people we meet along the way.

When I was about to write this piece, I stumbled upon a Facebook posting of Steve Job’s Last Words.  We know how Jobs changed the world with his ideas of products that peoples of the world can’t live without.  His life, as he admitted and many cannot argue, was “an epitome of success.”

The Apple co-founder was a year older than I, and I’ve followed his career from the beginning until his untimely death.  Many of us would want to follow his footsteps; yet we may not realize that the greatest reward we can attain in life is just in our midst and not in a high position, not in a bank account, not in possessions.

Let us listen to the late Steve Jobs:

I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world.

In others’ eyes, my life is an epitome of success.

However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to.

At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death.

In the darkness, I look at the green lights from the life supporting machines and hear the humming mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of god of death drawing closer…

Now I know, when we have accumulated sufficient wealth to last our lifetime, we should pursue other matters that are unrelated to wealth…

Should be something that is more important:

Perhaps relationships, perhaps art, perhaps a dream from younger days ...

Non-stop pursuing of wealth will only turn a person into a twisted being, just like me.
God gave us the senses to let us feel the love in everyone’s heart, not the illusions brought about by wealth.

The wealth I have won in my life I cannot bring with me.

What I can bring is only the memories precipitated by love.

That’s the true riches which will follow you, accompany you, giving you strength and light to go on.

Love can travel a thousand miles. Life has no limit. Go where you want to go. Reach the height you want to reach. It is all in your heart and in your hands.

What is the most expensive bed in the world? - "Sick bed" …

You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone to bear the sickness for you.

Material things lost can be found. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost – "Life".

When a person goes into the operating room, he will realize that there is one book that he has yet to finish reading – "Book of Healthy Life".

Whichever stage in life we are at right now, with time, we will face the day when the curtain comes down.

Treasure Love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends...

Treat yourself well.

Cherish others.

Monday 2 November 2015

Family Light

Most Christians gather in the cemetery on All Soul’s Day to remember and pray for their loved ones who have gone to the afterlife. We reminisce our times with them, and there are those who can’t help but cry to express how much the dear departed are missed.

As we implore for God to welcome those who have died to His glorious kingdom; let us cherish the company of those who are still with us, especially our parents and siblings.  For the truth is that we have so little time to be with each other as life rushes faster than a wink of an eye.

Spend quality time with each other. Enjoy the moment. Be helpful and considerate at home. Converse more often. Love and defend the family. Pray together.

Today, many families struggle not just financially, but also spiritually. The latter is more serious as the loosened morals of society are taking a toll on families. In one of his homilies, Pope Francis said, "families are not a problem, they are first and foremost an opportunity. An opportunity which we must care for, protect and support."

While there are many who work hard for the spiritual renewal of world, let us be conscious that we can contribute to making God’s presence felt in society through our family. As Satan seeks to cover the world with his darkness, the family holds the light to conquer evil and sin. If God reigns in the family, in the home, the devil will flee. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)  (Bro Mel B Libre)

Wednesday 21 October 2015

Clean the Earth

Everyone wants to live in a peaceful, orderly and clean community.  Who doesn’t?

I live in an inner street named “Danube Lane” that turns pinkish during spring as cherry blossoms bloom.  For years, we’ve not heard of reports on crimes as people of different ethnicities live in harmony with one another.  There is just one tricky issue – tidiness.

Generally the road is clean; but there are a few areas that are noticeable unkempt.  Every Wednesday, the rubbish and recycling trucks collect the organic and non-organic wastes and as they leave, a few unwanted items are left at the roadside.

Enter our little family program, “Clean the Earth”.  During Thursday or Friday, my grandchildren (aged 2 and 7) join me as we pick up litters and place these in plastic containers.  Our usual harvest includes fuzzy drink cans; beer bottles; advert papers; and other sundries.  We place these as part of our home rubbish that are collected on Wednesdays. On days that I announce that we are going to “clean the earth”, Emjey, the younger grandchild, would speedily wear her boots, put on her jacket and ask for gloves. The exercise has become more of a fun activity than a task.

Usually, we show our love for the earth when we participate in ‘Clean Up” drives or Tree-Planting excursions.  One time we pursued a clean-up drive in one of the beautiful beaches in Auckland where we collected so few rubbish, as the area had no residents.  That experience made me think about doing something in my neighborhood where many people lived, and where trash at times are left uncollected until the arrival of the garbage collectors.  The result: the little program, “Clean the Earth”.

Danube Lane is clean most often.  I’d like to think of the place as my Garden of Eden that I work on and keep. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15) 

Monday 12 October 2015

Unexpected

It is always best to plan out things in advance to ascertain better outcome.  But then there are times that our plans are not realized; as the unexpected happens.

Two servant leaders of TawagAwit and their spouses had been gifted by God with children as they had prayed for.  But the Lord had more to give. 

Bro Peter and Sis Jamelle had two little girls as they had planned, and they thought that was enough. 

Bro Cyril and Sis Rose had longed for a child for years and God answered their prayer with the birth of a baby girl. Thankful for the child, they not only showered her with love, but also offered their services to the Lord in two ministries, TawagAwit and Couples for Christ.

Then the unexpected happened.  Sis Jamelle and Sis Rose became pregnant. Both were overwhelmed with joy. And the fathers? They were ecstatic when their newborns turned out to be boys!

Zachary could not believe that his wife, Elizabeth who was beyond child-bearing age, could conceive of a child who would become John the Baptist.   Doubting God’s plan, Zachary was struck dumb.

While we may think we have the best plan; we must surrender to God’s plan that is better than our best. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

When I met both Bro Peter and Bro Cyril during the christening celebration, I could feel the immense happiness in their spirits for they had accepted God’s plan. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) (Bro Mel B Libre)

Sunday 4 October 2015

Long Distance

It is incredible how people make sacrifices to be present in special occasions, if not see important persons. One of the activities that Pope Francis attended in the United States during his visit in September was the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

The Walker family from Argentina travelled 11,000 miles in their Volkswagen camper van, passing through 13 countries in 194 days reaching Philadelphia in time for the special event for families.  Little did they know that the Pope had learned of their journey and wanted to meet them. 

When they met, the Holy Father asked them, “Are you the family who travelled from Buenos Aires? You’re crazy,” then laughed.   When told by the family that they really wanted to greet him, he responded, “(W)hen I found out that you were here I said I wanted to meet you, I was following (your travels). It’s great we got to meet each other!”

The Pontiff was then overheard saying in Italian, “This is really important: a young family who had the courage to take off in a camper van and live life with joy comes out to meet other families.”

In many instances during the ministry of Jesus Christ, people traveled long distances to hear his words or to seek healing.  And Christ, like a shepherd to his lambs, responded with Godly teachings and wondrous miracles. “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)

Yet we must realize that we need not travel thousands of miles to find refuge in God. There was this sickly woman who longed for healing in Medjugorje; but could not afford the trip. She sought the intercession of Mary; and to her amazement, she was healed.


God is omnipresent; he knows our needs; and if we have the courage and humility to seek him, he responds with his power and goodness. What God measures is not the distance of travel in seeking him, rather it is the depth of our faith in him. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3) (Bro Mel B Libre)

Sunday 27 September 2015

Beyond Letting Go

You cannot please everyone.  

A person with the purest intention can be subject to scorn, gossip and hostility.

How many of us have thrown ourselves to serve organisations or causes without thought of gaining anything in return; yet are stabbed at the  back? Why do people cast doubt on the work of those who selflessly labour?

If one pays attention to intrigue and ridicule; nothing positive can be subsequently accomplished.   One can follow Elsa’s anthem, “Let it go,” in Disney’s “Frozen”.

Jesus Christ, though, teaches us to go beyond ‘letting go’; he tells us to respond with kindness, prayer and love. "But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27-28)

It goes against human nature to respond gently to sword words cutting to pieces your character and reputation; but God wants us to be worthy of his perfection.  To attain freedom from human bondage, pray to the crucified Christ.  Augustine of Hippo prescribes, “Only the cross of Jesus Christ can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment and gives us the courage to return evil with good.” (Bro Mel B Libre)

Sunday 20 September 2015

Supreme Testimony

The persecution of Christians today is no different from those following Christ’s crucifixion.

One after another, the apostles (with exception to St John) died as martyrs as did St Paul.  Through the centuries, so many believers were killed for their faith. In 2015, 21 Christians were beheaded by Muslim terrorists in Libya. Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church on February 21 announced that the 21 murdered Copts would be commemorated as martyr saints. According to Pope Francis, “Martyrdom is the supreme testimony.”

Yet persecution can come in many forms. For instance, Christians who stand up for the rights of the unborn children and who oppose gay marriage have been subjected to attacks, as being insensitive, politically incorrect and biased.  When has righteousness become wrong; when has God’s commands become incorrect?

Should faithful believers bend to the whims and caprices of those who think they are supreme to God, of those who deny God?  No. Every day, we are to testify through our lives, our actions and our words of God’s truth. We must remain unafraid so like the martyrs who defended and died for their faith rather than renounce Christ.

For unlike unbelievers who are of this world, we look beyond this life. “I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. . . . This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection.” (Revelation 20:4-6)

Sunday 13 September 2015

Refugees from Violence

The violent response of the Assad regime brought about the Syrian Civil War that has left more than 220,000 dead, half of them civilians. Other than the rising death toll, a far bigger problem has ensued: mass displacement. Four million people crossed the borders, while 7.6 million are internally displaced. In total, 12.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of the war in Syria.

The number is staggering, and if the photos could speak, these should be screaming through everyone’s conscience: a dead child washed ashore, men climbing over barbed wires and mothers with children running for their lives while being chased by border guards.
Along with refugees from Iraq and Afghanistan, the influx of people from Syria wanting to find decency in living, education for their children and freedom from violence has reached a crisis level that the rest of the world cannot simply ignore.

The United Nations has its hands tied because as media focuses their attention on the Arab refugees, it has to address as well other refugees including Palestinians (4.8 million), Somalis (700,000), Congolese (456,000), Myamarese (407,000), Colombians (390,000) and Sudanese (370,000).

While films romanticize the lives of refugees, the horrors and fears of those affected are in real time. Powerful statements and heated debates in august halls and press conferences can help. But more important than lip service is tending to the hungry, the thirsty, the naked and the helpless in ground zero.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared, “Refugees have been deprived of their homes, but they must not be deprived of their futures.” If I may add, refugees must not be denied of the present.

We commend the United Nations, humanitarian organizations and volunteers for doing their best to address the plight of refugees..

What can one individual do to help? Offer your prayers. Donate to humanitarian organizations.  Lend your voice for governments to take in more refugees.  And for those where the refugees are seeking sanctuary, open your homes.

For we, brethren, are God’s servants, and we must do what He would do to the least of our brothers: defend the helpless and the needy in distress. “For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall.” (Isaiah 25:4)

Sunday 6 September 2015

No to Mr Robot

If God wanted to make the world perfect, He could have simply made robots that would blindly follow His commands.  Instead, He created human beings, made in His own image, yet with a gift of conscience.

God talked directly to a few chosen prophets and messengers; if only to set straight the path of humanity. He sent the Messiah to bring us the Good News and convey hope to an imperfect world. Jesus provided humanity a glimpse of what is to come in the life thereafter; and still giving us free will either to follow His teachings or fall into damnation. “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

Do not expect God to talk to you in every move you make.  The Lord lets you plan out what you want to do with your life. “All that your hand finds to do, do with your very power.”(Ecclesiastes 9:10) You are meant to make the best life decisions following Jesus’ example and guided by the Holy Spirit.  Each one of us must endeavor to lead a life in harmony with God’s perfection.  (Bro Mel B Libre)

Sunday 30 August 2015

Satan Lives

Satan lives and he has prevailed over societies and peoples. So dominant has the Evil One become in Mexico that Catholic priests gathered together on May 20, 2015 in Metropolitan Cathedral of San Luis Potosí to perform a “Magno Exorcismo’ (Great Exorcism).

Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez, Emeritus Archbishop of Guadalajara, said that the Great Exorcism “is a prayer to God to drive away the enemy, and keep him from these places—San Luis first, and then all of Mexico.” It was important, he expounded, for people to be aware “of the seriousness of the situation that we live in Mexico, which has very deep roots, beyond human evil, which is the devil, who is closely connected with death and has been a murderer from the very beginning.”

Not only has Mexico become the base for some of most dangerous drug-cartels in the world, it has also seen 100,000 abortions since the legalization of the practice in 2007. Father José Antonio Fortea, the Spanish exorcist and demonologist, said that “undoubtedly the abortion, Satanism, corruption, the cult of ‘holy’ death and the legalization of sexual aberrations have caused great satanic infestation throughout Mexico.”

Fr Fortea admitted that it was impossible to drive away demons with just one ceremony but "if with the power we've received from Christ we expel the demons from a country, this will certainly have positive repercussions, because we'll make a great number of the tempters flee, even if this exorcism is partial."

When Jesus exorcised a possessed boy, he addressed the father. “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”  (Mark 9:23-24)

Though there are many who question the priests’ ritual against demons; we who are followers of Christ must be one with the clergies in their effort.  We must proclaim the power of God over evil and declare, “I do believe!”  As we pray for the people of Mexico, let us ask God to protect us from Satan whose presence may be closer than we think. (Bro Mel B Libre)

Sunday 23 August 2015

Angry Heart

Why the anger in your heart?  Isn’t it such a sad condition for an individual to carry a burden in life, with the bountiful gifts God have for us?

Anger is the opposite of love. An angry person is a fool. “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.”  (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

Worse, that person does not know God.  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

According to John C Boger, “Anger and bitterness are two noticeable signs of being focused on self and not trusting God’s sovereignty in your life.” Rightly so, for to be loving and caring is to be selfless and to place God’s will above one’s own.

Let us pray for those who are angry and bitter; that they be unburdened and rediscover the love that God sowed in their hearts at the moment of birth. (Bro Mel B Libre)

Sunday 16 August 2015

Hiroshima Miracle

When Hiroshima was bombed on August 6, 1945, Jesuits priests Hugo Lassalle, Hubert Schiffer, Wilhelm Kleinsorge, and Hubert Cieslik were at the rectory of the church of Our Lady of the Assumption in the Japanese city. The nuclear weapons caused the deaths of 130,000 people. Three days later, the American military killed 40,000 instantly as it dropped its bombs in Nagasaki. In both instances most of those killed were civilians.

According to Fr Cieslik, they only had minor injuries caused by broken windows, but not from the fatal atomic energy.  In 1976, Fr Schiffer confirmed that after 200 times of examinations by doctors through the years not any of the clergies had any trace of radiation in their bodies.

The four religious acknowledged the protection by God and the Blessed Virgin Mary.  They said, “We were living the message of Fatima and we prayed the Rosary every day.”

One of the promises granted to those who recite the rosary is: “The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.” Surely, the atomic energy that flattened Hiroshima was hell on earth; yet the armor of God protected His loyal servants.


For whoever seeks God’s protection; he shall be protected. “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14) (Bro Mel B Libre)

Sunday 9 August 2015

The Fault of Man

If we thought that man is less savage than jungle animals, think again.

Disney’s “Lion King” tells of the “Circle of Life”: “There's more to see than can ever be seen/ More to do than can ever be done/There's far too much to take in here/ More to find than can ever be found/But the sun rolling high/Through the sapphire sky/Keeps great and small on the endless round.” The animated film among others explains that while animals feed on other animals, they do so for survival and to keep the balance of nature.

But for human beings, we feed not just our physical hunger.  We hunger for enjoyment, wealth and recognition.  For instance, on July 1, 2015, American dentist Walter Palmer, a big game hunter and animal trophy collector, killed Cecil, a 13-year old lion that had been studied and tracked by the University of Oxford for years. He paid US$50,000 to a professional hunter so he could kill a lion. Cecil was lured outside of the sanctuary to be killed. The lion was later found skinned with its head removed.

There lies the fault of man – selfishness that is “being concerned, sometimes excessively or exclusively, for oneself or one's own advantage, pleasure, or welfare, regardless of others.”  “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:2-4)


To be selfish is to be worldly, and to be worldly is to be damned. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17) (Bro Mel B Libre)