Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

    

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

31 May 2024

 

First Reading: Zep 3:14-18a or Rom 12:9-16

Responsorial Psalm: Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

Gospel: Lk 1:39-56

 

Reflection

By: Anabelle P. Balla

 

The title is actually a chant I sing every time I feel like singing it, which is several times a day. When I am happy, when I am sad, when I am anxious, worried, scared, or angry. I was inspired to compose this very simple, yet powerful chant, when I experienced deep longing to encounter Jesus again.

I craved for the same experience I had when I went to the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel in St. Joseph de Gagalangin Parish. I wept, openly, convulsively, for minutes. And it felt great! I felt Jesus' embrace. It was very comforting and liberating. I felt a great sense of peace and an incomparable feeling of happiness. It felt like I unloaded a truck load of negative emotions and bad memories, and I was set free! One of my most treasured encounters with Jesus. I pray and I seek more of that kind of experience. And I get a taste of that when I sing His name.

Seek Jesus, be in His presence and be filled with overflowing joy. And with Mama Mary, let us magnify His name.

Prayer

The Song of Mary

My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

And holy is His name.

And His mercy is on those who fear Him

From generation to generation.

He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

Ans exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

And the rich He has sent away empty.

He has helped His servant Israel,

In remembrance of His mercy,

As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and to his sees forever."

Amen.

What Pain?

    

Fourth Sunday of Lent

10 March 2024

 

First Reading: 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

Second Reading: Eph 2:4-10

Gospel: Jn 3:14-21

 

Reflection

By: Gharri Tulabut

 

One of the great practices that my charismatic community, Light of Jesus Family, started practicing recently is culminating its big events with the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This was also the case last November at the Feast Conference.

At the adoration, I decides to kneel the whole time the Blessed Sacrament was venerates—from the moment the procession started, up until the lights were put off. And the whole time, my knees ached. Because the event took like what, 30-45 minutes? (And I forgot I have a leg handicap.😁)

Several worship songs were sung at that time, contemporary and traditional; even Latin like Tantum Ergo.

And as the pain on my knees' became unbeable, tears continue to fall from my eyes like water falls (hagulgol ba?), epecially when these lyrics were sang:

"You left the glory of Your throne

And chose to make a home

Here in the mess so You could walk with the unworthy

Almighty Son of Man

You chose a crown of thorns

So by Your blood we are redeemed and be made worthy" (Worthy, Holy be Feast Worship)

What is the pain in my legs compared to what the Son has endured for me?

What is an hour of sacrifice compared to what the Father endured looking at His Son's suffering?

That night, I was crying and smiling at the same time. I was crying asking for forgiveness for my sins after what He has done. Smiling knowing that God truly loved me so much that He gave His only begotten Son for me, for us.

Prayer

Thank You God for everything!

Glory be You Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Amen.