Flash of the Eyebrows

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

29 August 2021 

 

First Reading: DT 4:1-2, 6-8

Responsorial Psalm: PS 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5

Second Reading: JAS 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

Gospel: MK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

 

Reflection

By: Gary Tulabut

 

Before I became active in my charismatic community, I was a smoker. In fact, even while I was already serving, I just couldn't stop that bad habit.

There's no question it is bad for me. And I knew I couldn't continue to be like that forever. I wanted to stop. But whenever I crave, I just thought it was a lost case. I still prayed that God would help me though. Sometimes I was able to lower the number of sticks I burn per day. But that's the best I could do...for fifteen years!

I went back to Pampanga after my employer of eleven years in Cavite closed its operations in the Philippines. My family who are in Pampanga then, didn't know anything about my vice, still I was able to hide it from them.

On the other hand, there was I, serving at the Feast, our prayer meeting. I was the social media manager of The Feast in Pampanga then. Whenever I had the opportunity, whether through social media in person, I would invite my friends or acquaintances to attend the Feast. I did this even in my classes when I switched career from the corporate to the academe. I would always tell stories to my students about the Feast. And my laptop wallpaper, which I flash through the projector in every class, was always an invitation to attend the Feast.

One time, I had the urge for a smoke. Because smoking is prohibited inside the campus, I went outside into what I thought was a safe hiding place--a parking garage for rent.

After a few puffs, I saw in about three meters in front of me one of my students who gave me an eyebrow flash (kindat sa kilay).

That signal was God's answer to me to quit smoking. There was so much judgment I read from that simple gesture. What I read from the eyes of that student was "Look at this hypocrite talking about the Feast every time, yet here we are both destroying the earth, destroying our lungs, as well as those people around us."

This is the third time today (as of this writing) thay I encountered the word "hypocrite". It was asked in one Bible study and in a caring group where I also shared my smoking story.

Hypocrisy is also the theme in this Sunday's Gospel, but I was struck more by this verse in the second reading which says, "Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves." I was not a mere hearer, I was a speaker, a spreader of the Word and I did not delude my students. But the problem is I was a mere speaker, I was not a doer. I didn't walk the talk.

Going back to that eyebrow flash that saved me. You probably heard a number of stories about how hard quitting is. Well, because of that incident at the parking garage, I was able to quit without any difficulty, no withdrawal, no cravings, none at all.

God answers prayers in His own mysterious ways and His own perfect time. What I prayed for fiteen years, including five years in service, He answered in a blink of an eye, or make that in a flash of eyebrows.

Prayer

 

We are sorry Lord if many times we do not walk out talk. We ask Your forgiveness, Your help, and Your mercy to lead us back to the right track whenever we go astray. Amen.

 

Bawal ang Nakasimangot

Ash Wednesday 26 February 2020
First reading Joel 2:12-18

“Now, now,” says the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.”

Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil. Who knows whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, a cereal offering and a drink offering for the Lord, your God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants.

Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, `Where is their God?'” Then the Lord became jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.

Second reading                                                         2 Corinthians 5:20 — 6:2

We are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!

Gospel                                                                         Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Reflection

By Pietro S. Albano

It seems to me that the humorous warning Bawal ang nakasimangot (No frowning allowed) posted in some public places in the Philippines originated from God. In Genesis (4:5-8), God asked Cain why he scowled when Abel's offering were accepted by God instead of Cain's. In today's Gospel, Jesus criticized the hypocrites for disfiguring their faces to make it obvious that they were fasting.

Lent is upon us once again! Indeed, the practices of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting come into the fore. And as the weeks go by, our Lenten observance becomes more intense and reaches its climax in Holy Week.

Jesus doesn't see any problem with these practices. What displeased Him was the hypocrites using these practices to advance their own agenda, as though ticking a checklist of things to do. They practiced these noble works out of obligation, nothing more, nothing less. And because "It's just obligation", I would imagine them feeling napipilitan (forced) to do these. With this kind of feeling, comes unhappiness. And what better way of showing unhappiness? Sumimangot (frown)!

Jesus' warning to His followers is still relevant to our times. There is a danger that our Lenten practices would turn us into hypocrites, that we behave "holier than thou". Let's ask for the grace to understand why we are doing these practices and to weed out the wrong from the right reasons. Doing so, we will be filled with happiness. And if we are happy in our prayer life, in reaching out to the poor, and in doing sacrifices such as fasting and abstinence, that just means one thing: we love God.

Prayer

Merciful Father, cleanse our hearts from pride and hypocrisy so that we may observe this holy season with a smile in our faces and love in our hearts. In Jesus' Name.  Amen. 

Selective Perception

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 03 March 2019
First reading Sirach 27:4-7

When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears;
so do a person’s faults when he speaks.

The kiln tests the potter’s vessels;
so the test of a person is in his conversation.

As its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree,
so does our speech discloses the cultivation of our mind.

Do not praise anyone before he speaks,
for this is the way people are tested.

Second reading                                                         1 Corinthians 15:54-58

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where thy victory? sting?” The sting of sin, and power sin law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, steadfast, immovable, always abounding work Lord, knowing that your labour not vain.

Gospel                                                                         Luke 6:39-45

Jesus told them a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil;
for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”

Reflection

By Bernard M. Borja

When I was 5 years old, my kindergarten teacher taught her class not to say bad words. One day after class, I saw her talking loudly with her friends using words I did not know of. I asked my mother what those words mean. Since then, I knew what bad words are.

I was 9 when I saw my grade school teacher talk to the parents of my classmates very politely. I remembered the time she was shouting and almost throwing things at us just to make us learn to speak politely not only to elders, but to everyone. The next school day, I cannot even speak to my classmates.

In my childhood I was taught to properly dispose off trash. When I have small wrappers, I put those in my pocket when there were no bins around. It was a habit developed even to this day. But I also got used to leaving the place where I ate with all the trash and waste still on the table especially at restaurants. I always say, “May maglilinis naman nyan (Someone will clean those.)” I never realized that cleanliness is a responsibility of everyone in all places, not just in one.

Some time ago, I saw posts in the social media from one of the people I look up to. It was about taking care of employees and subordinates properly, treating them as part of the family towards reaching success. I felt very confused because I did not feel “family” being a “student” of this person. It made me ask myself, “Am I a bad fruit of the tree I came from? Or do I ever belonged to be considered a fruit?”

These may be common confusions of people today. We think we can tell others what the right ways are, but never consider looking within ourselves first. As I write this, I remember how I have been so much of a “teacher” to those who I look at through their mistakes. I even think of myself how “better” I do things compared to their ways. But I realize that I am looking mostly of my own reflection. I feel ashamed. And this may be the reason why I do not look within myself before I look at others’ mistakes. The very common but worse excuse that we can come up with is to blame others for something that we can actually do something about, but we chose to give the responsibility to other people, so we won’t feel ashamed if it turns out wrong.

Jesus reminds us to take responsibility in taking the “log” from our own eyes to see clearly,
before deciding to point out others’ mistakes and help them change. Coming from the words of the greatest teacher, Jesus wants to perfect us as we look out for each other and lead one another. He constantly takes us back on track to remind us that we all come from the good tree which produces good fruits. We may often look at others through their mistakes, but Jesus invites us to discern first how we can help ourselves in realizing our own mistakes, so that we can accompany others and learn from one another.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,
We thank You for opening our hearts to see clearly the good in each other. Teach us to be humble like You so that we may be with each other in our journey as You perfect us to be good fruits of Yours. We also pray to our dear Mama Mary to intercede for us, guide us in the right path, and draw us closer to You. Amen. 

Puso!

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

02 September 2018

First reading                                                                   Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Moses said to the people: “So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you.
You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!” For what other great nation has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him? And what other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this entire law that I am setting before you today?”

Second reading                                                     James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Gospel                                                                     Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

When the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.)

So these Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”

Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Reflection

By  Arthur B. Reyes

I was heartbroken when our national basketball team lost a very close game to China and Korea in the recent Asian games. But I knew that they gave everything they’ve got. We may have disadvantage in size and heft but we obviously have the bigger heart. They say that as long as you pour your heart out to everything you do, you are already a winner! Their battle cry – Puso!

And speaking of “puso”, I remember a story about a man who has a heart attack and is brought to the hospital emergency room. The doctor tells him that he will not live unless he has a heart transplant right away. Another doctor runs into the room and says, "you are a lucky guy, two hearts just became available from the donor. You will get to choose which one you want. One belongs to a politician and the other to a social worker".

The man quickly responds, "the politician's!". The doctor, surprised by the quick answers blurted out - "Wait! Don't you want to know a little about them before you make your decision? The man says, "I already know enough. We all know that social workers are bleeding hearts and the politician's probably never used his. So I'll take the politician's!"

In today’s Gospel (Mk. 7, 1-8, 14-15, 21-23), Jesus speaks about the importance of the heart. All our words and actions are futile except if they are results of what really is in our hearts! If there is no integrity in what we do, say, or think, we are guilty of hypocrisy. Our Lord sees the heart!

There is no denying that most of us are not heart-driven. One good example is in our job place -we work but we don’t commit. With our friends and at home - we care but we don’t show the love. Most of the time we speak a lot and follow it with hollow actions. In our society many people are money-driven and fame-driven. What people now want is instant power, instant fame, instant success no matter how it is achieved, putting morality and righteousness aside in the process.

We are now living in a world where we do everything just to be beautiful and attractive physically. This is true especially in social media! We hide by the “filters”, our inner beauty covered by smoke. Let us not be deceived. For us, the bottom line is still the heart.

Today is also the first Sunday of the month of September! It is the first Sunday of the “ber” months. Christmas is around the corner. Carols will be on the radio soon or they already are. There is one Filipino song that is immensely popular among us as the message is catchy and compelling! And I want to share the last line of this song - “And may the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts”.

Prayer

Lord, I come into Your presence now. I give myself to You—body, soul, and spirit. I give my heart to You, in every way—including the broken places in me. I declare Your authority over my heart, for You made my heart and You have redeemed my heart.

Heal our hearts so we may know and love you more. Amen.

Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo

First Reading: Malachi 1:14, 2:2, 8-10

Cursed is the deceiver, who has in his flock a male, but under his vow sacrifices to the LORD a gelding; For a great King am I, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

And now, O priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen,

And if you do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts, I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse. Yes, I have already cursed it, because you do not lay it to heart.

But you have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction; You have made void the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts.

I, therefore, have made you contemptible and base before all the people, Since you do not keep my ways, but show partiality in your decisions.

Have we not all the one Father? Has not the one God created us? Why then do we break faith with each other, violating the covenant of our fathers?

Resp. Psalm: Psalm 131:1, 2, 3

Second Reading 1Thess. 2:7, 9, 13

Although we were able to impose our weight as apostles of Christ. Rather, we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children.

With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.

You recall, brothers, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.

Matthew 23:1-12

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens  (hard to carry) and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Reflection
By Patty de la Rosa-Paat


I think most of us are familiar with the song “Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo” this is a classic Filipino folk song by Yano a Folk/Punk rock band here in our country it was released and became popular in the 90s. Yano band being known to their social and political theme they came up with this song which attacks religious hypocrisy.

After 16 years, in May of 2010 the song was popularized again by a semi-finalist contestant of Pilipinas Got Talent named Joel Amper a.k.a “Big Mouth” who is an animal impersonator and stand-up comedian. This guy has a unique interpretation of “Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo”; he made the song sound funny, scary and weird as he sounds like a horse. His performance is a remarkable one and made him known all over the world.

The song may vary in different ways, in different interpretations but its meaning will be the same. It shows the true color of the so called “ Godly Person”.

In Holy Bible Scribes and Pharisees are the hypocrites in Jesus’ time. As Jesus said “For they preach but they do not practice.” These religious leaders pretend to be more righteous than others. They love to be recognized and praised by other people. These people I think are the biggest headache of Jesus during His time.

Unfortunately, this is true and it’s still happen nowadays. There are some followers of Christ who look holy before others, but in reality they do things of which God and conscience disapprove. They claimed to know the right way, demand others to live it, but not live it themselves.

Jesus Himself showed dismay to Scribes and Pharisees for being deceitful and for having egotistical attitude. Jesus said to His disciples “ Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” In God’s eye we are all in equal footing regardless of who we are and what we have or what we achieved in life. We have all sinned and deserve God's judgment. And as we do the right thing before Him and we are faithfully following the teachings of Christ, the kingdom of heaven will be open to us.

The Gospel reading reminded me of Andoy’s story which has caught the attention of many on Facebook:

Somewhere in Milaor, Camarines Sur, there lived a fourth grader boy who would follow this route to school every day: He has to cross the rugged plains and cross the dangerous highway where vehicles are recklessly driving to and from. Once past this highway, the boy would take a short cut, passing by the Church every morning just to say Hi to God, and faithfully say his, "Magandang umaga po" in Bicol dialect. He was faithfully being watched by a Priest who was happy to find innocence so uplifting in the morning,

Kamusta, Andoy? Papasok ka na?"

"Opo padre ... "he would flash his innocent grin, the priest would be touched. He was so concerned that one day he talked to Andoy.

"From school...", he advised "Do not cross the highway, you can pass through the Church and I can accompany you to the other side of the road...that way I can see that you are home safe...."

"Thank you father ... "

"Why don't you go home ... why do you stay in this church right after school?"

"I just want to say 'Hi' to my friend, God," and the priest would leave the boy to spend time beside the altar, talking to himself, but the priest was hiding behind the altar to listen to what this boy has to say to his heavenly FATHER.

"You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I did not cheat although my seatmate is bullying me for notes... I ate one cracker and drank my water, Itay had a bad season and all I can eat is this cracker. Thank you for this! I saw a poor kitten who was hungry and I know how he feels so I gave my last cracker to him ... funny but I am not that hungry.

Look, this is my last pair of slippers ...I may have to walk barefoot next week, you see this is about to be broken... but it is okay....at least I am still going to school.... Some say we will have a hard season this month, some of my classmates have already stopped going to school .... please help them get to school again, please God?

....Oh, you know, Inay hit me again, it is painful, but I know this pain will pass away, at least I still have a mother.... God, you want to see my bruises? I know you can heal them.... Here... here and .... oh ...blood ....I guess you knew about this one huh? Please don't be mad at Inay, she is just tired and she worries for the food in our table and my schooling that is why she hits us....Oh, I think I am in love ... there's this pretty girl in my class, her name is Anita ... do you think she will like me? Anyway, at least I know you will always like me, I don't have to be anybody just to please you, you are my very best friend! Hey your birthday is two days from now!!! Aren't you excited? I am! Wait till you see, I have a gift for you . But it is a surprise! I hope you will like it! Oooops, I have to go ..." then he stood up and calls out, "Padre, padre, I am finished talking to my friend ....you can accompany me to the other side of the road now"

This routine happens every day. Andoy never fails. Father Agaton shares this every Sunday to the people in his church because he has not seen a very pure faith and trust in God, a very positive look at negative situations. One Christmas day, Father Agaton was sick so he could not make it in the Church, he was sent to the hospital. The Church was left to 4 manangs who would chant the rosary in 1000 miles per hour, would not smile and would always find fault in what you do, they were also very well versed in cursing if you irritate them! They were kneeling, saying their kilometric rosary when Andoy, coming from his Christmas party, playfully dashed in.

"Hello God! I ......"

"P----!! (a curse) bata ka!! Alam mo nang may nagdadasal!! Alis!!"

Poor Andoy was so terrified, "Where's Father Agaton? He is supposed to help me cross the street ... and to be able to cross the street I will have to pass by the back door of this church not only that, I have to greet Jesus. It is His birthday, I have a gift right here....

" Just as he was about to get the gift out of his shirt, the manang pulled his shirt and threw him out of the church. "Susmaryosep!!! (does the sign of the cross fervently) Alis kang bata ka, kung hindi matatamaan ka!!! So the boy had no choice but to cross the dangerous side of the road in front of the church. He crossed. A fast moving bus came in.

There was a blind curve. The boy was protecting his gift inside his shirt, so he was not looking. There was so little time. Andoy died on the spot. A lot of people crowded the poor boy, the body of a lifeless young boy ... Suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man in a pure white shirt and pants, a face so mild and gentle, but with eyes full of tears... He came and carried the boy in His arms. He was crying. Curious bystanders nudged the man in white, and asked, "Excuse me sir, are you related to this child?

Do you know this child?"

The man in white, His face mourning and in agony, looked up and answered, "He was my best friend . " was all he said. He took the badly wrapped gift in the bloody chest of the lifeless boy, and placed it near His heart. He stood up and carried the boy away and they both disappeared in sight.

The crowd was curious ... On Christmas Eve, Father Agaton learned of the shocking news. He visited the house, and wanted to verify about the man in white. He consulted the parents of Andoy.

"How did you know that your son died?" "A man in white brought him here." sobbed the mother. "What did he say?" The father answered, "He did not say anything. He was mourning. We do not know him and yet he was very lonely about our son's death, as if he knew our son very well. But there was something peaceful and unexplainable about him.

He gave me my son, and then he smiled peacefully. He brushed my son's hair away from his face and kissed him on his forehead, then he whispered something..." "What did he say?"

"He said to my boy..." the father began, "Thank you for the gift .... I will see you soon ... you will be with me..." and the father of the boy continued, "and you know for a while, it felt so wonderful ... I cried, but I do not know why....all I know is I cried tears of joy .... I could not explain it, Father, but when that man left, something peaceful came over me, I felt a deep sense of love inside ... I could not explain the joy in my heart, I knew my boy is in heaven now but...tell me, Father, who is this man that my son talks to everyday in your church, you should know because you are always there ... except at the time of his death ......"Father Agaton suddenly felt the tears welling in his eyes, with trembling knees, he murmured, " ... He was talking to no one ..... but .. GOD...."

Now ask yourself: Are you the child Andoy? Fr. Agaton or one of the Manangs who prayed the rosary?


REMEMBER: “ HYPOCRISY… IS THE LIE, IS THE TRUE SISTER OF EVIL, INTOLERANCE AND CRUELTY ”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we believe that there is only one Church establish by Christ with Your Divine providence. And now we pray for the unity of all believers of Your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ. May the power of Your Spirit heal us. Help us to strengthen our faith in You so that we may understand the purpose of Your will and to make our love fruitful in service for we are here not to be served but to serve You and Your people. Amen.