tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24373804735863484192024-03-13T13:28:33.723+08:00Mind, Heart, and MysteriesThree souls embodied by life's mysteries. Unraveling it's meaning as one mind and one heart.merhimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02799917382538664357noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-13857411090147154832010-10-18T04:45:00.003+08:002010-10-18T04:51:08.782+08:00Our Search for IdentityI believe that the discovery of meaning and values is essentially related to our achievement of identity as persons. The search for identity entails a dedication to give birth to ourselves by<br />scrutinizing the meaning of our uniqueness and humanness. A major problem for many people is that they have lost a sense of self, because they have directed their search for identity outside themselves. In their attempt to be liked and accepted by everyone, they have become finely tuned to what others expect of them but alienated from their own inner desires and feelings. As May observes, "they are able to respond but not to choose." He even sees inner emptiness as the chief problem in contemporary society; too many of us, have become "hollow people" who have very little discernment of who are we and what we feel. May cites one person’s succinct description of the experience of "hollow people": I’m just a collection of mirrors, reflecting what everyone expects of me".<br /><br />Moustakas describes the same type of alienation fr0m self that May talks about. For Moustakas, alienation is the "developing of a life outlined and determined by others, rather than a life based on one’s own inner experience." If we become alienated from ourselves, we don’t trust our own feelings but retort automatically to others as we conceive they want us to retort. As a result, we live a world devoid of excitement, risk, and meaning.<br /><br />In order to find out who we are, we may have to let parts of us die. We may need to shed old roles and identities that no longer give us exuberance. Doing so may necessitate a period of affliction for our old selves. Most people who have battled with shedding sophomoric and dependent facade and presumptuous a more active stance toward life know that such rebirth isn’t easy and that it may entail pain as well as joy.<br /><br />Jourard (1971) makes a point that I find stimulating. He maintains that we begin to cease living when meaning vanishes from life. Yet too often we are encouraged to believe that we have only one identity, one role, one way to be, and one purpose to fulfill in a lifetime. This way of thinking can be figuratively deadly, for when our one ground for being alive is outgrown or lost, we may begin to die psychologically instead of obtaining the challenge of reinventing ourselves anew. In order to keep ourselves from dying spiritually, we need to permit ourselves to imagine new ways of being, to plan new goals to live for, to search for new and more achieving meanings, to acquire new identities, and to reinvent our relationships with others. In essence, we need to allow parts of us die in order to experience the rebirth that is necessary for growth.<br /><br />To me, then, attaining identity doesn’t necessarily mean contentiously adhering to a certain way of thinking or behaving. Instead, it may involve trusting ourselves enough to become open to new potentialities. Nor is an identity something we achieve for all time; rather, we need to be persistently willing to reexamine our patterns and priorities, our habits and our relationships. Above all, we need to develop the ability to listen to our inner selves and trust what we hear. To take just one example, I’ve friends for whom academic life has become stale and empty and who have chosen to leave it in response to their inner feelings. Some have opted to travel and live modestly for a time, taking in new cultures and even digesting into them for awhile. They may not be directly betrothed in preparing for a career and, in that sense, "establishing" themselves, but I believe they are attaining their own identities by being open to new experiences and ways of being. For some of them, it may take real courage to defy the demand to settle down in a career or "complete" their education.<br /><br />Our search for identity implicates three key existential questions, none of which has easy or definite answers; "Who am I?" "where am I going?" "Why?"<br /><br />The question "Who am I?" Is never settled once and for all, for it can be answered differently at different times in our life. We need to transform life, especially when old identities no longer seem to supply a significance or give us guidance. As we have seen, we must decide whether to let others tell us who we are or take a stand and define ourselves.<br /><br />"Where am I going?" this issue relates to our plans for a lifetime and the means we expect to use in achieving our goals. Like the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1287348188_2">previous question</span>, this one requires periodic review. Our life goals are not set once and for all. Again, we do show the valor it takes to determine for ourselves where we are going, or do we look for a mentor to show us where to go?<br /><br />Asking the question "Why" and searching for reasons are characteristics of being a human. We face fastly changing world in which old values give way to new ones or to none at all. Part of molding an identity connotes that we are actively searching for meaning, trying to make rationality of the world in which we find ourselves.Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-59173930666660657742008-12-29T07:47:00.000+08:002008-12-29T07:48:08.898+08:00A Hostage No MoreI ran as to be free,<br /> I hid so as not to be seen,<br /> I kept quiet so as not to be heard<br /> I made myself stupefied so as not to apprehend.<br /><br /> But...no matter what I did<br /> My pursuer never stopped following me<br /> ... it was always behind me<br /> Like a malady that couldn't be healed.<br /><br /> My soul was shivering within me,<br /> Day and night I was trembling with agitation <br /> ...scaredto be castigated<br /> ...scared to be punished.<br /> <br /> I kept on fighting to be free<br /> I submerged myself in vintage<br /> I lost myself in a wilderness<br /> But, just the same, I found myself<br /> A wanderer of my own conscience.<br /><br /> Time came,<br /> When I could no longer endure the strain<br /> When I can no longer withstand the hurting thorns.<br /><br /> Yes, I gave up scourging in darkness<br /> paid my charge<br /> To find myself a hostage no more.Earlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999427642692783121noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-84440779920640118112008-12-29T07:46:00.000+08:002008-12-29T07:47:06.954+08:00ChristmasChristmas - a word evocative of so much in the hearts of all Christians! Christmas - easily the best loved and therefore the most proclaimed of all perennial events.<br /><br />Wherever one goes, in cities, towns, schools, and homes, one finds representations of the Yuletide mood, a spirit which seems to flourish in the twelfth month of every year and which seems to break through into all of us as though it suddenly came to exist in the very air we breath. In the busy downtown sections and in the private recesses of our homes, we hear disc jockeys reviving old popular songs appropriate for the season. These are the Christmas carols, classic but engrossing strains which have stood the transitory of years and without which the celebration of Christmas will probably seem imperfect.<br /><br />At night time, the iridescent glitter of vari-colored lights lends a jubilant air to our metropolis. Big and small stores alike, at times even little stalls, display appealing paradigm Christmas threads. In department stores, the sale of greeting cards and gifts becomes a quick and lucrative business. Once more we greet Santa Claus, the modernized version of St. Nicholas, as the jolly, ruddy-faced oldster with the thick, white beard and with the red cotton-lined suit and cap. The living room of every home is often than not, graced by a captivating Christmas tree decorated with gleaming tinsels, bulbs of red, blue and gold, and cute, bright little what-nots.<br /><br />These are spectacles and traditions amalgamated with Christmas; however, to some people the word has a gustatory supplication. To the rich there are visions of the dinner table crowded with "jamon", "lechon", roasted turkey or "puchero". To the poor, no matter how hard they have to economize for months in their daily meals, there is always a dinner celebration suitable for making a blissful though simple Christmas. There are always native delicacies usually and ordinarily associated with Christmas. The Tagalogs have their puto bumbong and bibingka, the Visayans, their empanada and pancit molo, in Pampanga, reputably known to be the home of good cooks, we have open "calame" and if it is the "pasalubong" type, only a Pampangueno heart can respond to that challenge to the teeth and tongue and palate. The resistant but tasteful and utterly savory delicacy is a pleasure to served more fully for the young who have strong teeth and jaws and to those who can bite crunch and grind it, and the Ilocanos their tupig.<br /><br />But this are only eventual. A true Filipino and Catholic Christmas is one which becomes a fountain of gaiety, delightedness, and satisfaction not only because of the external traditions that have come to be associated with it such as the carollings the gay parties, and the exchange of gifts, but also because it calls for the best in us and reawakens our slumbering Faith. In response to the invitation of the church bells we brave the cold December air to attend the Misa de Gallo for nine consecutive days.<br /><br />The true Filipino spirit of Christmas is not felt in the erroneous feature of Christmas trees and lanterns of different styles and arrangement and gay colors, to the ensuing disregard of the Christ Child in his lonely manger. For us Catholics the veritable spirit is more befittingly revealed in a belen,for the Christ Child Who came to earth for love of man is the pure emblem of love. Christmas to be fully Christmas must be uttered by Love. Christmas is the time to forgive and forget past injuries, to reconcile families than to receive , to be at peace at oneself and with the world - for peace on earth can come only to mean of goodwill.Earlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999427642692783121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-13127586970502729182008-09-16T19:26:00.003+08:002008-09-17T13:16:26.466+08:00Love and Fantasy<span style="font-size:78%;">by ThinkerArian</span><br /><br />I can ascend to the sky,<br />like the well-known Superman;<br />I dunk into the ocean;<br />like the perspicacious Aquaman.<br /><br />I can run so quick,<br />like Robin and Batman;<br />I can mount a spire,<br />like Mr. Spiderman.<br /><br />I can hearken all sounds<br />like Bionic woman;<br />I can behold all things,<br />like six million dollar man.<br /><br />...but why can't I be loved,<br /> like my neighbor in settlement?<br />...but why can't I love,<br /> like an ordinary human?<br /><br />Man is love and love is man.<br />A mortal heart is for the one who loves;<br />I can uniquely love and also be loved,<br />If I hold a heart like that of a man.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-33926794548234740642008-09-16T19:25:00.003+08:002008-09-17T13:20:58.716+08:00Stranger<span style="font-size:78%;">by ThinkerArian</span><br /><br />Why I learn to love you,<br />whom I never see and don't know.<br />Why I fall to someone like you<br />and felt I truly love you.<br /><br />Love is a great mystery<br />hard to resist and fight<br />just for an exchanging messages<br />I was trap and touched.<br /><br />Stranger, you possess a magnetic charm<br />a strong-willed that I am<br />carried away by your saccharine approach<br />gives a bit change and colors my world.<br /><br />Your being God fearing attracts me most<br />your rich ideas full of His words draw me more close<br />lifting our spirits to Him are your words<br />to feel His presence at the midst of our repose.<br /><br />Stranger, why I can't resist you?<br />Why I can't ignore you?<br />Why I can't freed myself from thinking of you?<br />Though I wish to get out of your life and totally forget you.<br /><br />You open my heart to this kind of love,<br />and let me feel more that my life showered with love.<br />But why this time I feel the emptiness<br />and letting me feel a chaos life.<br /><br />I don't know here to put myself and where to stand<br />for you're not giving me an assurance of love<br />ignoring my queries makes me feel sad<br />tormented heart is what I have.<br /><br />Oh, stranger, I feel a bloody heart<br />you're really a valiant warrior and struck my heart<br />hitting my life with that killing shot<br />and pampering me with your venomous delight.<br /><br />'Til when I'll be in this cage of pain<br />'til when I'll wait for your answers to give me light<br />'til when I'll understand your demanding routine<br />'til when I"ll wait to see you real.<br /><br />You're a stigma that marks my being<br />strong force I can't understand keeps me pulling<br />reminding me of you and communicate often<br />and never give up loving you.<br /><br />we build strong relationship with powerful faith<br />God-centered we are what we believe<br />He is at our midst you always uttered<br />protecting us and make believe.<br /><br />I feel Hid presence in my agonizing moment<br />comforting me in my loneliness<br />"don't give up" and "cheer up" from a voice I heard<br />favored blessing I heard and granted.<br /><br />Stranger, God truly loves you<br />because you're always with Him and in him<br />He doesn't want us to stop serving<br />and do something great for Him.<br /><br />Our relationship is really blessed<br />but it's within us to fight trials and adversities,<br />we both promised to love each other 'til out last breath<br />and made a vow to the Lord with sweet promises.<br /><br />Things happened through exchanging messages<br />uniqueness of relationship we have you said<br />made us free; it's realness and faithfulness<br />with the Lord we owe our life and respect.<br /><br />You and me with the Lord<br />what a great and wonderful moment we shared<br />despite the distance, miles apart we couldn't easily reach<br />still go on and fight over battles of life we encounter and felt.<br /><br />'Til when we'll be like this?<br />will you fight for me and stand to your promises?<br />How I wish you'll not give up and fulfill it<br />to make dream come true and fell its true happiness.<br /><br />Will there be a chance for us to meet?<br />Will there be time for us to live together?<br />Will you be forever a stranger to me?<br />Ah! whatever will be...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-47544767509309216252008-09-14T15:06:00.003+08:002008-09-28T00:47:48.395+08:00Romantic FallaciesWhat springs normally to the mind of young readers when the word "romantic" is mentioned? Certainly the prevailing opinion is that this word conveys aesthetic feelings compelling balanced reformer aspiring to overthrow the institutions the words of love and song enunciated with upturned eyes and a febrile forehead, romantic adventures, valorous knights in spotless white, passionate proposals to ladies pining with love, all culminating in a march to the enchanting tune of Lohengrin, etc., etc.<br /><br />However, one must accept that this is a one-sided and almost entirely contorted image of romanticism. The romantic authors of the early nineteenth century in England too sincerely and regarded themselves reformers and innovators -- they thought of themselves as very wise, but unluckily, some of them lacked almost wholly the essence of wisdom.<br /><br />Take Wordsworth for instance. He regarded the world's eminent interpreter of nature, sometimes called the high priest of nature. The beginning of this nature love may be search out back at Hawshead, the unroofed school of nature, where he has said to have "learned more eagerly from flowers and hills and stars than from his books." His aesthetic poems, the shorter ones especially, with lines that procrastinate ever in our memories bear his notable attributes - his sensitiveness as shown in the Prelude; the genuineness of his expression as he gives us the bird, the wind, the flower and the rivulet just as they are; his sight and insight into the lavishness of loveliness in the common world and the full acknowledgment of life in nature. He has given us lines which strike us intensely and impressively. Out of a heart full of compelling love he wrote:<br /> <br /> "The sounding cataract<br /> Haunted me like a passion; the tall rock,<br /> The mountain and the deep and gloomy wood,<br /> Their colors and their forms, were then to me<br /> An appetite; a feeling and a love..."<br /><br />With a certain flourishing wisdom he heard "the still sad music of humanity"; he learned:<br /><br /> ....The nature never did betray<br /> The heart that loved her; 'tis her privilege,<br /> Through all the years of this our life, to lead,<br /> From joy to joy:..."<br /><br />With powerful almost disturbed emotionalism he gave us the lines:<br /><br /> "Great God! I'd rather be a Pagan suckled in a creed<br /> So might I, standing in this pleasant lea<br /> Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;<br /> Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;<br /> Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn."<br /><br />There you have a romanticist, a composite of good and bad, a mortal who tried to scale the "gateway of the stars" but could not enter the "golden bar" of heaven because his feet were decidedly of clay.<br /><br />Wordsworth's philosophy of nature seems, at first sight, very appealing, but examine his lines further and you shake your head in censure and outright dispute. As Catholics we cannot fail to see how his true and genuine paganism crops out constantly and mars the radiance of many of his more purposeful poems. The reader, upon serious deliberation of his works will find doctrines which are for us indefensible. In the keenly sensitive ode "Intimations of Immortality" the doctrine of pre-existence is alluringly shown:<br /><br /> "Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting,<br /> The soul that rises with us, our life's Star,<br /> Hath and elsewhere its setting<br /> And cometh from afar;<br /> Not in entire nakedness,<br /> But trailing clouds of glory do we come<br /> From God, who is our home.<br /><br />Sounds enticing, does it not? But then he follows this with ideas.<br /><br /> "Earths fills her lap with pleasures of her own;--<br /> To make her foster child, her innate man,<br /> Forget the glories he has known<br /> In that imperial palace whence he came."<br /><br />Later still in the same poem he says:<br /><br /> "Hence in a season of calm weather<br /> Through the land far we be,<br /> Our souls have sight of that immortal sea<br /> Which brought us hither,<br /> Can in a moment travel thither,<br /> And can see the children sport upon the shore."<br /><br />How peculiar this is! He is impressing us that there is an authentic occurence before our temporal life. He says nature can make us forget God and is a supplant for the magnificence of God. Romantic fallacies! Yes and very serious ones for us Catholics; and these ideas do seriously mar the works of Wordsworth.<br /><br />Very far from Wordsworth is Shelley, the visionary, the radical, the revolutionary, and anarchist. We see in him the incapability to see men and society as they are. He is the unhinged reformer searching to topple the institutions he obscurely identified only in the later years of his life.<br /><br /> His poems are filled with a strange sadness- - -<br /> <br /> " Out of the day and night<br /> A joy has taken flight;<br /> Fresh spring and summer and winter hoar<br /> Move my faint heart with grief, but with delight<br /> No more - - oh! never more!"<br /><br />Shelley's revolutionary works like "Prometheus Unbound," "Revolt of Islam," "Hellas," etc., depict a decided revolutionary radicalism. The reforms they encourage are both stupefying and imaginable. One can only speculate at the widespread beauty that abounds in his passages. He should, I suppose, not be remembered for his vain, foolish rebellion. He shows himself a true poet - a wanderer aspiring perfect beauty though forever sad. The spirit of nature which appeals to us in the sweet-scented flower, the blowing wind, the amber sunset, the magic moonrise - we find reflections of these in his poetry. The emotion that rises and harmonizes into the object beheld, because of the transcendent power of love:<br /><br /> Make me thy lyre even as the forest is<br /> What if my leaves are falling like its own!<br /> The tumult of thy mighty harmonies<br /> Will take from both a deep, autumnal tune<br /> Sweet though in sadness! Be thou spirit fierce<br /> My spirit! Be thou me impetuous one!<br /><br />He indented himself against all authority. Down with the laws, these only serve to limit the actions of men and cause impediment and happiness; down with religion, priests from ancient times have led men astray; down with the conventions of society; down with the authority of parents over their children! Let us do away with marriage - the marriage contract, all forms of contract are at the root of all social evils. One cannot take this part of Shelley seriously. He appears like a disrespectful, grumpy, narrow-minded, unpleasant, child moved by such vehemence of indignation as he cannot restrain.<br /><br />The tragedy of Shelley is the tragedy of the Romanticists - thinking themselves so wise but so inappropriate; trying to voice a philosophy fashioned by the commands of fancy not the lucid light of the intellect.<br /><br />But he was a lyric poet of aesthetic and comely nuances.<br /><br />Bombastic Byron forever parading his grief and his loss, weaving out of his disenchantment a texture of poetry and beauty - the romantic pilgrim forever sad, yielding in Comus-like rejoicing in an attempt to forget all. Alternating between satiety and contrition. Such a proud sardonic disillusioned man. What bitterness and grief he reveals in the lines:<br /><br /> "My days are in the yellow leaf,<br /> The flowers and the fruits of love are gone;<br /> The worm, the canker and the grief<br /> Are mine alone.<br /><br />A strange indescribable nature. Byron was. Capable of reliable remarkableness (notice his death) but rarely utilizing the regal privilege..<br /><br />So there you have the romanticists. More bad than good? Surely not. Although their works have some very intricate faults. This might be because they inspired themselves to discern too much and speculate too little; that they, although philosophers, were all too often improper; that out of frustration with human commonality, they wanted to rip up and shatter that society. If one's house leaks, one must repair it, wisely and economically. Surely there is no need to shatter a house just because it leaks here and there.<br /><br />The final tragedy of the three English Romantic poets we have taken up in this disquisition is that their best work lies in their minor works. Their major works are marred by unreal thoughts, prodigious, extreme narcissism, and hypocrisy. But their lyric power is above reproof. What loveliness in the common place revealed by Wordsworth; what melting liquid word consistencies in Shelley; what vibrant, oscillating emotions in Byron; what a prowess of consonant values and vowel sounds in all of them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-24931458360742674992008-07-15T09:57:00.003+08:002008-07-15T10:01:43.248+08:00Inspiring Story on EnduranceA son asked his father, "Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?" The father who, despite having a heart condition, says "Yes". They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying "Yes" to his son's request of going through the race together.<br /><br />One day, the son asked his father, "Dad, let's join the Ironman together." To which, his father said "Yes" too. For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island .<br /><br />Father and son went on to complete the race together. <br /><br />You may watch the video below:<br /><br /><embed name="godtube" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" src="http://godtube.com/flvplayer.swf" width="330" height="270" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513" wmode="transparent" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain"></embed>Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-74036596173510406562008-03-18T01:34:00.003+08:002008-12-09T09:30:42.742+08:00Preparing a Family Easter Candle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnYst2hpLqNIu5K4g6kQvBpMPRMHEZIWH0j6YQfReSNmAfYM_6i9JTXUmSOqBMCvhKDT0WaWfBiNSTOwvF5snYy2P0ZLOCKNckZwlV2vClwjM6hqYhA90S7ZI3notV0F01OJyX5UG728/s1600-h/candle.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178767593677625746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnYst2hpLqNIu5K4g6kQvBpMPRMHEZIWH0j6YQfReSNmAfYM_6i9JTXUmSOqBMCvhKDT0WaWfBiNSTOwvF5snYy2P0ZLOCKNckZwlV2vClwjM6hqYhA90S7ZI3notV0F01OJyX5UG728/s320/candle.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#993300;">Hello everyone! </span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">During the Lenten Season, my family prays together using a purple book entitled "The Lenten Prayer Guide for the Family". I don't know if you can still find that in Christian bookstores in the country so I will share with you a special section on preparing and blessing an Easter candle as well as blessing the Easter family meal.</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">Wishing you a meaningful and spirit-filled Holy Week.</span><br /><p>********************</p><p><br />One of the special and important elements of the Easter Liturgy is preparing and lighting the Easter candle, a symbol that Christ is the light and the center of our world-<br /><br />“I am the light of the world; anyone who follows Me will not be walking in the dark; he will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)<br /><br />Each home can have its own paschal candle, made and decorated by the family on the evening of Holy Saturday. This is to be left on the dining table, and lit on Easter Sunday during a family meal.<br /><br />Materials:<br />A tall vigil candle ( to represent Christ)<br />5 thumb tacks or drawing pins ( to represent His five wounds)<br />Greek Letters Α (Alpha) put on top of the Cross and Ω (Omega) placed<br />below the cross.<br /><br />Prayer: (to be recited as the thumb tacks or drawing pins are inserted into the candle, one at a time, in the for of a Cross)<br /><br />1. By His holy<br />2. and glorious wounds<br />3. may Christ our Lord<br />4. guard us<br />5. and keep us. Amen.<br /><br />Put your Family Easter Candle on the dining table, and light it on Easter Sunday during a family meal.<br /></p>Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-82729150025265130902008-03-18T01:32:00.000+08:002008-03-18T01:33:24.764+08:00Blessing of the Easter Family Meal<div align="left">Leader: O Lord, bless this food created by You, that it may be a means of nourishment and festivity for us as we rejoice over the Easter victory of Your Son. May each of us who partake of this food be renewed in body, mind and spirit. And may we be strengthened to share the good news of Easter with others. This we ask through Jesus Christ, risen, now and forever.<br /><br />All: Amen.<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">LET THERE BE PEACE </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000099;"><br />Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me<br />Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be<br />With God as our Father, brothers all are we<br />Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.<br /><br />Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now<br />With ev’ry step I take , let this be my solemn vow<br />To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally<br />Let there be peace on earth , and let it begin with me.<br /></span><br />Continue lighting your family Easter candle daily at meals during the 50-day period of rejoicing of Easter . ( Easter ends on the day before Pentecost) The following prayer may be said as you light your candle.<br /><br />Leader: Father, You give us food to share that we might be nourished and strengthened. Above all, You have given us Your Son, Jesus, who gave His life and continue to give His life as food to many. May our gratitude for this food give You praise, through Jesus, the Bread of Life.<br /><br />All: Amen. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#666666;">(from the "Lenten Prayer Guide for the Family")</span></div>Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-442522225874676122008-03-18T01:20:00.004+08:002008-03-18T01:32:28.271+08:00Blessing of the Family Easter CandleWhen all have gathered for the Easter family meal, light the Easter candle which you prepared last night, and make the sign of the cross.<br /><br />Leader: Christ our Light!<br />All: Thanks be to God.<br />Leader: Blessed are You, God, Father of all nations. You are the God of light. In You<br />There is no darkness. As we gather to rejoice in the risen life of Your Son Jesus Christ, may our home be bright with laughter and warm with love. We ask this in Jesus’ name.<br />All: Amen.<br /><br />Reading: Luke 24:1-6<br /><br />Leader: Christ our Lord has been raised:<br />All: He is truly risen!<br />Leader: Death no longer has a hold over Him:<br />All: He is truly risen!<br />Leader: He lives a new life:<br />All: He is truly risen !<br />Leader: Alleluia, Alleluia<br />All: He is truly risen!<br />Leader: Praise to You, Lord of Life:<br />All: He is truly risen!<br />Leader: Peace be to you:<br />All: He is truly Risen<br />Leader: May the Light to Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and<br />Minds.<br /><br />Heavenly Father,<br />Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God. Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning to dispel the darkness of the night! May the Morning Star which never sets find flame still burning. Christ that Morning Star who came back from the dead<br />And may He shed His light of peace on all mankind, Your Son, who lives and reigns forever and ever.<br /><br />All: Amen.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#666666;">(from the "Lenten Prayer Guide for the Family")</span>Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-33918591830436413352008-03-15T13:17:00.000+08:002008-03-15T13:19:17.234+08:00Benedict XVI's Lenten Address<div align="center"><span style="color:#666666;">"Almsgiving, According to the Gospel, Is Not Mere Philanthropy"<br /></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI FOR LENT 2008</span></strong><br /><br />"Christ made Himself poor for you" (2 Cor 8,9)<br /><br />Dear Brothers and Sisters!<br /><br />1. Each year, Lent offers us a providential opportunity to deepen the meaning and value of our Christian lives, and it stimulates us to rediscover the mercy of God so that we, in turn, become more merciful toward our brothers and sisters. In the Lenten period, the Church makes it her duty to propose some specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal: these are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. For this year's Lenten Message, I wish to spend some time reflecting on the practice of almsgiving, which represents a specific way to assist those in need and, at the same time, an exercise in self-denial to free us from attachment to worldly goods. The force of attraction to material riches and just how categorical our decision must be not to make of them an idol, Jesus confirms in a resolute way: "You cannot serve God and mammon" (Lk 16,13). Almsgiving helps us to overcome this constant temptation, teaching us to respond to our neighbor's needs and to share with others whatever we possess through divine goodness. This is the aim of the special collections in favor of the poor, which are promoted during Lent in many parts of the world. In this way, inward cleansing is accompanied by a gesture of ecclesial communion, mirroring what already took place in the early Church. In his Letters, Saint Paul speaks of this in regard to the collection for the Jerusalem community (cf. 2 Cor 8-9; Rm 15, 25-27).<br /><br />2. According to the teaching of the Gospel, we are not owners but rather administrators of the goods we possess: these, then, are not to be considered as our exclusive possession, but means through which the Lord calls each one of us to act as a steward of His providence for our neighbor. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, material goods bear a social value, according to the principle of their universal destination (cf. n. 2404)<br /><br />In the Gospel, Jesus explicitly admonishes the one who possesses and uses earthly riches only for self. In the face of the multitudes, who, lacking everything, suffer hunger, the words of Saint John acquire the tone of a ringing rebuke: "How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help?" (1 Jn 3,17). In those countries whose population is majority Christian, the call to share is even more urgent, since their responsibility toward the many who suffer poverty and abandonment is even greater. To come to their aid is a duty of justice even prior to being an act of charity.<br /><br />3. The Gospel highlights a typical feature of Christian almsgiving: it must be hidden: "Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing," Jesus asserts, "so that your alms may be done in secret" (Mt 6,3-4). Just a short while before, He said not to boast of one's own good works so as not to risk being deprived of the heavenly reward (cf. Mt 6,1-2). The disciple is to be concerned with God's greater glory. Jesus warns: "In this way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven" (Mt 5,16). Everything, then, must be done for God's glory and not our own. This understanding, dear brothers and sisters, must accompany every gesture of help to our neighbor, avoiding that it becomes a means to make ourselves the center of attention. If, in accomplishing a good deed, we do not have as our goal God's glory and the real well being of our brothers and sisters, looking rather for a return of personal interest or simply of applause, we place ourselves outside of the Gospel vision. In today's world of images, attentive vigilance is required, since this temptation is great. Almsgiving, according to the Gospel, is not mere philanthropy: rather it is a concrete expression of charity, a theological virtue that demands interior conversion to love of God and neighbor, in imitation of Jesus Christ, who, dying on the cross, gave His entire self for us. How could we not thank God for the many people who silently, far from the gaze of the media world, fulfill, with this spirit, generous actions in support of one's neighbor in difficulty? There is little use in giving one's personal goods to others if it leads to a heart puffed up in vainglory: for this reason, the one, who knows that God "sees in secret" and in secret will reward, does not seek human recognition for works of mercy.<br /><br />4. In inviting us to consider almsgiving with a more profound gaze that transcends the purely material dimension, Scripture teaches us that there is more joy in giving than in receiving (cf. Acts 20,35). When we do things out of love, we express the truth of our being; indeed, we have been created not for ourselves but for God and our brothers and sisters (cf. 2 Cor 5,15). Every time when, for love of God, we share our goods with our neighbor in need, we discover that the fullness of life comes from love and all is returned to us as a blessing in the form of peace, inner satisfaction and joy. Our Father in heaven rewards our almsgiving with His joy. What is more: Saint Peter includes among the spiritual fruits of almsgiving the forgiveness of sins: "Charity," he writes, "covers a multitude of sins" (1 Pt 4,8). As the Lenten liturgy frequently repeats, God offers to us sinners the possibility of being forgiven. The fact of sharing with the poor what we possess disposes us to receive such a gift. In this moment, my thought turns to those who realize the weight of the evil they have committed and, precisely for this reason, feel far from God, fearful and almost incapable of turning to Him. By drawing close to others through almsgiving, we draw close to God; it can become an instrument for authentic conversion and reconciliation with Him and our brothers.<br /><br />5. Almsgiving teaches us the generosity of love. Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo forthrightly recommends: "Never keep an account of the coins you give, since this is what I always say: if, in giving alms, the left hand is not to know what the right hand is doing, then the right hand, too, should not know what it does itself" (Detti e pensieri, Edilibri, n. 201). In this regard, all the more significant is the Gospel story of the widow who, out of her poverty, cast into the Temple treasury "all she had to live on" (Mk 12,44). Her tiny and insignificant coin becomes an eloquent symbol: this widow gives to God not out of her abundance, not so much what she has, but what she is. Her entire self.<br /><br />We find this moving passage inserted in the description of the days that immediately precede Jesus' passion and death, who, as Saint Paul writes, made Himself poor to enrich us out of His poverty (cf. 2 Cor 8,9); He gave His entire self for us. Lent, also through the practice of almsgiving, inspires us to follow His example. In His school, we can learn to make of our lives a total gift; imitating Him, we are able to make ourselves available, not so much in giving a part of what we possess, but our very selves. Cannot the entire Gospel be summarized perhaps in the one commandment of love? The Lenten practice of almsgiving thus becomes a means to deepen our Christian vocation. In gratuitously offering himself, the Christian bears witness that it is love and not material richness that determines the laws of his existence. Love, then, gives almsgiving its value; it inspires various forms of giving, according to the possibilities and conditions of each person.<br /><br />6. Dear brothers and sisters, Lent invites us to "train ourselves" spiritually, also through the practice of almsgiving, in order to grow in charity and recognize in the poor Christ Himself. In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that the Apostle Peter said to the cripple who was begging alms at the Temple gate: "I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk" (Acts 3,6). In giving alms, we offer something material, a sign of the greater gift that we can impart to others through the announcement and witness of Christ, in whose name is found true life. Let this time, then, be marked by a personal and community effort of attachment to Christ in order that we may be witnesses of His love. May Mary, Mother and faithful Servant of the Lord, help believers to enter the "spiritual battle" of Lent, armed with prayer, fasting and the practice of almsgiving, so as to arrive at the celebration of the Easter Feasts, renewed in spirit. With these wishes, I willingly impart to all my Apostolic Blessing.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.zenit.org/article-21640?l=english">From the Vatican, 30 October 2007 </a><br /></div>Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-77058828293572303802007-12-16T18:23:00.001+08:002007-12-16T18:29:37.871+08:00Christmas Gift List<div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman';font-family:Arial;color:#333333;" >by <a href="http://www.siyanganaman.blogspot.com/">Msgr. Ruben Dimaculangan</a></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"></span></strong> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman';font-family:Arial;color:#333333;" >Resurrection narrative preceding the Infancy narrative.</span></b><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman';font-family:Arial;color:#333333;" > Regarding the dates of Gospel episodes, you must have heard more than once in your home parishes that the birth of Christ was written after the story of the Resurrection. </span></i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman';font-family:Arial;color:#333333;" >This indicates that though Christ's messianic birth was prefigured and expected, our rising with Him in the last day to be with the Father is the center of our faith.<i> For that, we proclaim it in every Mass as the Mystery of our Faith: </i>"Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again."<i> That is why, during this Giving Season, while you are contemplating about your gift-list, let me tell you about some epochal figures whose lives remind us that after all, their authentic gift-giving, offered in union with the Lord, was the best for Christmas and for as long as they lived:</i></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><i><span style="color:#333333;"> </span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b><span style="color:#333333;">Death as a fulfillment.</span></b><i><span style="color:#333333;"> Alexander idealized Achilles, who preferred a shorter life in return for eternal fame. Almost like his idol, Alexander died young at thirty-two. No one knows whether his shortened life was caused by typhoid or by a conspiracy of his officers who got tired of his conquests, alleged unreachable dreams and unreasonable slavery to his power and megalomania. Meanwhile, in another civilization, we see another figure, Solomon, whose gift-list registers his love of God as his top priority. For choosing wisdom over power and wealth, he was rewarded with both. Truly, "our strength is shown in the things we stand for; our weakness is shown in the things we fall for."</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><i><span style="color:#333333;"> </span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><i><span style="color:#333333;">Surprisingly, some prefer death to life because of the fear to face life. At times, seduction to death comes from boredom in success or from fatigue in trying. Dag Hammarskjold, along this regard, left lasting advice: </span></i><span style="color:#333333;">"Do not seek death. Death will find you. But seek the road which makes death a fulfillment."</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><i><span style="color:#333333;"> </span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman';font-family:Arial;color:#333333;" >Resurrection as a guarantee<i>.</i></span></b><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman';font-family:Arial;color:#333333;" > Two weeks before his assassination, Oscar Romero, Archbishop and martyr of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">San Salvador</st1:city></st1:place> , said: </span></i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman';font-family:Arial;color:#333333;" >"I have frequently been threatened with death. I must say that, as a Christian, I do not believe in death but in the resurrection. If they kill me, I shall rise again in the Salvadoran people. Martyrdom is a great gift from God that I do not believe I have earned. But if God accepts the sacrifice of my life then may blood be the seed of liberty, and a sign of the hope that will soon become a reality A bishop will die, but the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Church</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> the people will never die."</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b><span style="color:#333333;">Being a saint in secret defines the uniqueness of our meaningful role</span></b><span style="color:#333333;">.<i> Not everybody can be a Solomon or an Archbishop Romero. Besides, martyrdom is a gift only to some. The purpose of this Christmas article is just to affirm your daily sacrifices. I have met people who become "like a fish crazily searching for the sea, not knowing he is already swimming right there." </i>They constantly search for the meaning of life, not knowing that its meaning is in finding meaning in the daily-ness of their gift-list. <i> My dear Readers, just by being a saint in secret you become the best saint that will ever happen to the people around you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!</i></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-22487959324733571372007-12-16T18:03:00.000+08:002007-12-16T18:32:10.261+08:00A Self-Interview about Christmas<div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;">by <a href="http://www.siyanganaman.blogspot.com/"><strong>Msgr. Ruben Dimaculangan</strong></a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#333333;"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Visit</span></strong> his blog at <a href="http://www.siyanganaman.blogspot.com/"><strong>http://www.siyanganaman.blogspot.com</strong></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><strong><em><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#333333;"></span></em></strong> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><strong><em><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#333333;"></span></em></strong> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b><i><span style="color:#333333;">What can you say about Christmas?</span></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;"></span></em></strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;">Well, this being my 52<sup>nd</sup> Christmas, the first I can say is that it's the time when people "go back home". </span><span lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT;color:#333333;" >In Italy they say, <i>"Natale con i tuoi; la Pasqua con chi vuoi"</i>. </span><span style="color:#333333;">Loosely, it means, "Christmas is spent with your family; Easter Sunday, with whomever you want". </span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;">Reunion with the family on Christmas is yet a strong tradition in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place> . To the Filipino migrant worker, the <i>noche buena</i> is always a dream, if not an obsession. Some are given to the extent of self-sacrifice during the whole year just to be able to come home for Christmas. </span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;">Christmas is a "going back home". I love it. Christmas is also a happy return to <u>where</u> and <u>to whom</u> I belong. For me, it's more than a recurrence of christmas rituals, steadfastness to tradition or a passion for soft memories. It is a <u>reunion with those significant loved ones who have gone ahead of us.</u> The family table glee, the Yuletide colors and carols, the values that the gospel and secular Christmas characters re-project, the joy of giving and expressing goodwill - they all shepherd me back "home". Christmas is a return to my God, who is so <u>simple</u>, but made complicated unfortunately, by my complicated past. </span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;">Christmas is being at home. It's a personal renewal and proclamation of the collective <u>rootedness</u> of my existence. That rootedness gives me strength... just as how much my late visit to my loved ones (Inay, Tatay, Kuya Ben, Kuya Fr. Joe) at the cemetery, some hours before my flight back to my mission, added me life. I want to believe that Pinoys start playing Christmas carols as early as October not so much to give way to their commercial bent as to haul off for strength, inspiration and for the authentic experience of Christmas.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b><i><span style="color:#333333;">Is that so? Well, do you find anything peculiar about Christmas?</span></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;"></span></em></strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;">The <u>waiting</u> and the <u>preparation</u>. It's peculiar that people are just so excited waiting and preparing for Christmas. In real life, waiting and preparing appears to be the most exacting and boring piece of experience. So, I see, Christmas teaches me <u>patience</u>. But patience here does not mean cynicism, indifference, apathy, inactivity and senseless surrender. Christian patience means active waiting, persevering hope, a constant prayer that the Lord of history bless my consecrated effort. <st1:city st="on">St. Augustine</st1:city> says that <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">St. Paul</st1:city></st1:place> 's admonition to pray constantly does not only mean the bending of one's knees. Rather, it is an interior disposition of not ceasing to desire to do perseveringly the will of God while bearing in faith the pain of growth.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;">For some of us it's easy to be impatient because we might have a different measure of time and a different criterion of victory. My impatience occurs when my time does not harmonize or cohere with His time; also, when I restrict time to my own perspective and measure victory mainly in the measure that it compensates my effort.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b><i><span style="color:#333333;">To spend an authentic Christmas do you think we</span></i></b><b><span style="color:#333333;"> <i>should really do away with the christmas tree and with Santa Claus?</i></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><em><span style="color:#333333;"></span></em></strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;">It was not only this year that many, from the pulpit and from the communications media, have strung together criticisms against commercialized Christmas. Many have come to suggest eliminating the christmas trees and poor Santa Claus. But, why should we jump in to the idea when it's just barking plainly at the wrong tree. In fact, Santa Claus is but just a symbol and an extension of a God whose joy is self-giving, incarnated as Jesus. Equally, the Christmas tree is but a leg up to heighten the thrill of the Christmas ambience that normally features the crib. So, rather than eliminate them I can "<u>christianize" Christmas</u> again just as what the Catholic Church did to the feast of the Roman pagans when the latter used to worship the Invincible Sun on the first day that daylight started to be longer than night time.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><b><i><span style="color:#333333;">Is it true that Christmas is just for kids and for the rich?</span></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;">On the contrary it's for everybody. Christmas is for adults who can "christianize" Christmas. I can start it up by <u>deepening</u> on my act of giving. I should remember, what Yahweh wants is not the ritual sacrifice but our love. Rather than <u>agonize</u> because I don't have anything to share on Christmas I can determine to <u>organize myself</u> by being convinced that the giving on Christmas is just a symbol of what I can do and what I can give the rest of the year. When I say "giving" I speak not only about the exchange gifts and the <i>aguinaldos</i>; I refer as well to the performance and integrity of a public servant, voluntary, elected or appointed.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;">I can "christianize" Christmas by being convinced that I am God's instrument. Like Mary and Joseph after the angel's announcement of the part they can do in the plan of salvation, I should not be paralyzed by fright. It's just normal to be afraid of our littleness, to feel insecure of the little gift that we can best afford. After all, it's only in our powerlessness, in being less than Harry Potter, that the saving act of God happens through us. Only he who is convinced that the mission he is doing is for God and for the greater family of God, can afford to put up with all sorts of antagonisms. He could live with almost anyhow; he would not even be afraid of death, much less of rejection. He knows and feels he is not alone. For trusting a God who knows what he is all about, he knows everything has a purpose.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#333333;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 14.4pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Christmas is for the poor. It's for the "little drummer boy" who could offer nothing to Jesus except his drumming. It's for John the Baptist who said he was not even worthy of undoing the straps of the Messiah's sandals. It's for Mary, a simple housewife, who confessed how she was but a handmaid of the Lord. To "christianize" Christmas I should not be afraid. Whether I am a plain housewife, a public servant, or a technocrat dwarfed by my particular mission, in my poverty and powerlessness I should hope. I should pluck up more courage and be more determined. But in all this, the secret of my perseverance and a meaningful Christmas and New Year is when I believe more in the Lord of history than in myself.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Visit </span><a href="http://www.siyanganaman.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Msgr. Ruben's blog </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">at </span><a href="http://www.siyanganaman.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">www.siyanganaman.blogspot.com</span></a> <p></p>Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-51543712663532850412007-11-21T10:28:00.001+08:002007-11-21T10:28:45.737+08:00Thoughts on a Rainbow<span style="font-family:comic sans ms;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">How long have I dreamt<br />to surmount the rainbow's end?<br />how long i have sought<br />to ascertain a colorful realm?<br />how long have I wished<br />to reach unforeseen beauty?<br /><br />I am just one -<br />who thirsts for a morning,<br />who seeks for new assurances.<br />far beyond the corners of heaven<br />far beyond the corners of heaven<br />lies the glorious existence,<br />I may ascertain peace,somehow.<br /><br />This very being<br />can't stand the pain and the noise<br />beneath the burning hell,<br />this ebbing world -<br />where wandering souls are suspended<br />in a dark shadow of transgression.<br /><br />O' glorious rainbow come not<br />only after the rain!<br />be not deaf to my cries<br />I beg thee to reveal the mystery<br />of thy immortal splendour,<br />and show thy gates to me!<br /><br /><br /></span></span>Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-4579816670309977192007-11-19T19:47:00.001+08:002007-11-21T10:31:33.294+08:00A TEACHER...AN EDUCATOR<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#660000;">"If we work upon marble, it will perish; if on brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds and imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God and the love of fellowmen, we engrave on those tablets something that will brighten to all eternity."<br /></span><br />Every educator must also be a teacher and every teacher must also be an educator. Let me shed some light regarding this topic. Actually, this was one of the absorbing and informative subject taken up in Philosophy of education. When we speak of the word teacher, we confer to someone who has excellent know-how thus she has the skill to convey information. By an educator, we confer to someone who takes care of the development of the character of the individual. He is the one who actualizes the possibilities</span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> and capabilities of the child as well as leads him/her towards the right way of life. Education embraces not only the ingestion of information but also the development of character. Therefore, a teacher has to be an educator and an educator has to be a teacher.<br /><br />There are certain requisites so that the teacher-educator can live up to the sincere sense of the role she has to delineate. First and foremost is the vocation. an inclination or a wanting to be such must be perceivable. A vocation is a special call from God therefore to really have oneself all out to carry on such vocation requires special grace as well. The spirit as well as the flesh must really be responsive. Thus the wanting for such magnanimous responsibility to teach must also be associated with the purposefulness of character to carry on such vocation.<br /><br />The presence of love is imperative. Anything done out of love and for love's sake is a remarkable achievement. Such love is rooted in the love of God. Thus the teacher sees God in her pupils. Love is sacrifice. The teacher-educator will be self-giving and consecrated. She is someone who is not for material richness but much more for spiritual value. With this love goes the concern which is typified by the need to know the educands so as to utilize to their needs, to make teaching as well as learning more competent.<br /><br />Lastly, we have authority. let me first clarify the term authority. By authority, it does not mean to control or insist on from others but rather it confers to service and for the teacher-educator that would mean to facilitate her students to grow. We have certain attributes to acquire in order to attain authority. They are five: </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">1) physical, </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">2) psych-social, </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">3) intellectual, </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">4) pedagogical, and </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">5) moral. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">For the physical aspect, it involves a generally good physical appearance. This does not impose one to be extra-beautiful but simply to have a pleasing personality. The voice regards a lot too. A teacher-educator with either monotone or high-pitch voice abate eagerness among learners thus well-modulated voice (which can be developed) is important. There must be abilities in movement. For the psych-social qualities, ability relating to others a well as being receptive has to be taken into account. In order to guide our students to maturity, the teacher-educator must be the first to be matured. Intellectual aspects implicates the acquirement of the comprehensibility of ideas as well as expression so the communication arts have to be developed. Pleasant and objective judgment must prevail in her. Ingenuity which comes from a vivid imagination must be enhanced. The teaching competencies or what is known as the didactic qualities of a teacher-educator are all under the pedagogical aspect. Lastly, we have the moral aspect. The teacher educator must also serve as a model. She has to be a living exemplification of someone who employs frugality, valor, providence, and integrity. Veracity and simplicity must be her notable rules.<br /><br />That is the teacher-educator. For the young aspiring teacher-educators, let us not be afraid of the requirements, shall I say, imposed upon us but rather to look at them as a challenges and guides so that one day we can be real teacher-educators. Success and gratuities do not come first. So little by little let us develop ourselves. For well-determined persons with lofty hopes and dreams, nothing is inconceivable. If we really desire to be benevolent teachers as well as educators, then let us start now, let us not delay and run through any minute. This maybe a tall order for us yet that quotation from Plato rings on my ears "THE ROOTS OF EDUCATION ARE BITTER YET THE FRUIT IS SWEET."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-31115988119713313032007-11-17T15:59:00.000+08:002007-11-17T16:01:42.560+08:00The Art of IllnessWhat makes you sick? Find out by clicking the link below:<br /><br /><table style="BORDER-RIGHT: #353535 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: #353535 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: #353535 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #353535 1px solid; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #5d7cba" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px" align="middle"><a href="http://www.esnips.com/doc/6615d31c-2eab-4980-9320-4b482772e0f2/The-Art-Of-Illness/?widget=documentIcon"><img title="click to ViewThe Art Of Illness" alt="The Art Of Illness" src="http://www.blogger.com/images/thumbs/thumb.pps.gif" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px" align="middle"><strong><a style="COLOR: #333333" href="http://www.esnips.com/doc/6615d31c-2eab-4980-9320-4b482772e0f2/The-Art-Of-Illness/?widget=documentIcon">The Art Of Illness...</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; FONT-SIZE: 9px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; COLOR: #ffffff; PADDING-TOP: 5px" valign="bottom">Hosted by <a style="COLOR: #ffffff" href="http://www.esnips.com/">eSnips</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-38480776275637290132007-10-12T17:14:00.000+08:002007-10-12T17:25:38.559+08:00October is the Rosary Month<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.stepehncuyos.com">Fr. Stephen Cuyos, MSC </a>and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.mabutingbalita.net">Jun Asis </a>collaborated to record the holy rosary in Tagalog and posted it online so anybody can download it for free. Their aim is to get more people to pray the rosary, specifically in Tagalog (though any language would be fine as long as the devotion is practised.). October is the month of the Holy Rosary and we figured that this would be a timely resource for anybody who would like to pray/know "Ang Santo Rosaryo".<br /><br />Wouldn't it be great if mp3 players contained these files too - praying while commuting or waiting? How about the Filipinos abroad who would like to teach their kids Filipino prayers? Or maybe some parish or organization would need assistance to teach praying the rosary? Or maybe hospital patients listening to the prayers during their trying times.<br /><br />After downloading the files, let us also help spread the word and devotion!<br /><br />May our Mother, Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary watch over you and intercede for your concerns.<br /><br />You may download the file by clicking the link below:<br /><a href="http://www.archive.org/details/HolyRosaryTagalogVersion">Holy Rosary (Tagalog Version)</a>Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-36314986058711461482007-09-30T17:59:00.003+08:002007-10-04T11:04:35.395+08:00LIVE FOR LIFE<span style="font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:100%;">Live more openly inside of yourself. </span><br /><span style="font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:100%;">Keep in mind that you're in a remarkabe force</span><br /><span style="font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:100%;">take this force as your intrinsic energy,</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">count for succor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:100%;">Never concede less than the best of yourself</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">that may seem banal, but mean to embrace taking time for exquisiteness.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Be a more exquisite soul to stare at and converse to,</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">not through self-glorification, but for the ascendancy of the art of individuality.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">This is not merely a mundane thing,</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">but a soulful power when you utilize aptly</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Believe me,</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">exquisiteness is a gratuity, very invaluable, very ephemeral.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Live for life.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Take the maple tree as an exemplification</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">It is gratifying and distinct to behold.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">It is like a radiant effigy</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Yet full of existence.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Maples bestow subsistence to man in their sap;</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">bestow radiance to man in their veil and serene.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">They time their pursuit according to the urgency that breathes in the seasons.</span><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"><br />They are as enchanting in autmn as in spring or summer.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">They reckon on the sun to warmth their sap.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Concievably they muse of existence to arise,</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">but they endure as if they were in that existence now.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">They know the tranquility of unfolding in their own condition of being,</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">and live, not for tomorrow or today,</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">But for the eternity that roost in the degree maple.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">The gratifyingness of their sap is the insignia of enjoyment.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">They have the birds for dwellers.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">They are the majstic abode of fun-loving amusing squirrels.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Maples have no regard for the petty effects that agitated human beings.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Perpetuate yourself as a radiant maple tree</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">In traquility and dignity at all times.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Have the image of tranquility before you</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">So that you may obtain it yourself.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-39162693797364486642007-09-30T17:59:00.001+08:002007-10-04T11:03:08.419+08:00GOD'S VERDURE KINDNESS<span style="font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:100%;">The patches of green dotting this creation of neoteric constructions and lights live unrecognized and inconsequential to mostly a preponderance of inhabitants. During a sunny day, God's authority, hidden, is actually presented in the wondrous modifications being showed in just that one bardic tree.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">I'd like you to evoke for a while what your high school biology teacher taught you. What is the vital use of the plants stirring humanity? Don't take too long, now. Have you the answer? That's right. Photosynthesis! Definition please.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Photosynthesis is the manufacture of carbohydrates out of carbon dioxide and water by the chlorophyll bodies in the presence of sunlight wih the incidental release of oxygen. Plants obtain their raw materials in two ways: water from the soil, absorbed by their positively geotropic often-branching roots; and carbon dioxide from the air penetrating through their breathing organs, the stomatas of their leaves. God has given plants a certain machinery - the chlorophyll bodies the leaves bestowed with the capability to generate food and transmogrify the kinetic energy of the sun into a possible configuration. The plants also supply us the component oxygen they accidentally release for us to be able to oxidize our food and transmogrify the possible energy into kinetic energy for the sustenance of our lives.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Oh, let's not go in too much into the systematic iota. Anyway, these green plants manufacture carbohydrates which they blend into other organic substances such as protiens, fats and oils, vitamins, etc. Yes absolutely, the superior food supplier is Mother Nature's transcendent and venerated greens. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">If plant existence were annihilated the catastrophe of humanity would eventuate. Just think, the need of oxygen supplied by plants would in very minimal space of time strangle the existence out of humanity. One might emulate that if animal existence were absent, plant life would also die because of lack of carbn dioxide, one of the raw materials for food-making. It is true that plants rely on for existence on inorganic substances which we and the animals use if we are to live. We oxidize these organic substances to emancipate energy for the prolongation of the essential proceedings going in our bodies. We transmogrify them into inorganic substances which are still too complex for plant use. The bacteria links the gap between the animal nutrition and plant nutrition and act on the complex inorganioc materials generated by transmogrifying it into a configuration ready for plant use. And the eon goes on.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Even if animal existence were to stop, the plants would still have their provenience of carbon dioxide which is one of the inorganic substances they demand. On the death of the plants the bacteria of decay will act upon them and during the process of decomposition, carbon dioxide is emancipated. Water, another inorganic substance plants demand is no problem, for there are the vast oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes; the steady evaporation from these water beds would provide them with the fine liquid. A double gargantuan conspiracy of existence is very concievable: the plant holophytic nutrition hand in hand with the bacteria saprophytic nutrition. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Thus it certainly is a propel to man's awareness of conceit to have to accept that in this cosmos in the Gargantuan Triad conspiracy of Existence, he is the least important.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">Plants are so abundant that they give human being not only food, air, and medicine but also perfumes, dyes, oils, rubber, paper, etc. Plants have a path of getting into human beings colorful existence too. Flowers for the delicate girl and diamonds fo the lover. A diamond is the solidified carbon of plants from geologic era. Idealize houses and buildings gracing this humus are made from the gratuity of trees - lumber. Coal and petroleum which provide for large industries, running into billions of dollars are also of plant origin. All these grants particularly in dormant consfiguration have been used by human being and he has taken benefit of them so that he has precocious himself to the atomic age.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;">These possessions may startle or electrify the ordinary layman, but in truth they are only indications of what we convey when we enunciate of "GOD's VERDURE KINDNESS."</span><br /><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-2916125620898020752007-09-29T13:50:00.000+08:002007-09-29T17:41:00.127+08:00Moral or Immoral: The Assessment<span style="font-size:130%;">Here, The Scholar presents the moral assessment on the case about Mario and Susan.<br /></span><br />Holding marriage as the total and indissoluble intimate union of love and life of two consenting partners, man and woman, the church teaches and pronounces that remarriage, with one of the partners still bound by previous marriage, is a marital infidelity and adultery. The sixth commandment and the New Testament forbid it because it “contravenes the plan and the law of God as taught by Christ” and which establishes and govern it (1). It is also considered as an infectious evil that must be faced immediately and with careful discernment (2). Yet, with these, the couple involved is not separated from the church and is highly encouraged to participate in the church practice and celebrations. They must be helped to live Christian lives and be able to share in the life of the church (3). However, they are not allowed to receive the Eucharist for two reasons: [a] The couple’s state and condition breaks the union of Christ and the church signified by the Eucharist. [b] It might lead others into error and sin regarding the indissolubility of marriage. Moreover, reconciliation through the sacrament of penance may be granted but only to those who are truly repentant and ready to live as brothers and sisters that is, precisely without sexual intercourse that should only take place within marriage. Pastors too are forbidden to do any services for any remarried couple (4).<br /><br />Nevertheless, with the church’s teaching on hand, people still vary in reactions and opinions about remarriage. People who are so called conservatives and those who understand morality and law interchangeably [not to mention their lack of genuine knowledge on the matter] see it as sinful, immoral and adulterous. They get scandalized. On the other hand, there are people who are open-minded and view it in a case-to-case [‘it depends’] basis taking into account what really happened and what lies beneath the real story. Also, there are those who are unaffected, either seeing the case as normal or considering it as none of their business to scrutinize and judge. Others find the drawback in the church which they see incapable of understanding people’s actual plight. Indeed a case like this provokes differing reactions from various groups of people or communities.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />I, on the other hand, given the position of the church, the different perspectives of the people plus the enlightening and liberating learning in my moral theology course believe and would argue that the situation or relationship or Mario and Susan is not immoral, adulterous and sinful.<br />Allow me to present some factors and considerations that would support my argument. First, Mario and Susan’s relationship did not cause any scandal. They were understood and accepted by their immediate family, kinsfolk and local community. Second, Mario is not the one at fault in the separation that happened in his first marriage. The separation too is not in any way detrimental to their children since they had none. Third, Mario’s first marriage is irreparable due to the grave reason of their separation and the fact that Linda had already remarried beforehand. Lastly, the quality of faith, community and family life of Mario’s second marriage exhibit the couple’s love, unity and fidelity not only to themselves as couple but also to their commitment and responsibility as parents, as members of their community and as Christians (5). Their marital state did not hinder them to live normally as a couple and family.<br />What the church teaches and affirms opens itself to questions and counter arguments. Primarily, the church is right to say that remarriage breaks that relationship of union signified and effected by the Eucharist. However, the Eucharist is beyond that. The Eucharist does not only reinforce and affirm relationships of communion but also heal and strengthen broken relationships (6). Jesus said “This is my blood, the blood of the Covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”[Matthew 26:28] “To reconcile and be reconciled is a major effect of the Holy Eucharist as the ‘sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity” (7). It reveals God’s own redeeming love which unconditionally reaches out to us.<br /><br />Secondly, the church’s condition (ie. that reconciliation through the sacrament of penance may be granted if the Mario and Susan are truly repentant and ready to live without sexual intercourse unless after being married) for reconciliation in this particular case may be considered unpastoral and insensitive (8). There exists a limited and narrow understanding of the couple’s act of sharing their being and life in fidelity and love to each other. Marriage is not merely limited to the sexual act of conjugal love but it is also and most importantly, the sharing of the couple’s entire life. The sexual relationship that exists between Mario and Susan is a critical issue too difficult to judge. We are talking here of the person’s being as well as the relationship’s totality. We are talking neither about acts merely singled out nor of certain absolute law or norms. It is here that the question of fundamental option, core freedom, conscience and values come forcefully.<br /><br />The 10 whole years of Mario and Susan’s life as a couple points back to a positive fundamental option that each of them have, underscores the values they uphold, and crystallizes the clear conscience they had upon their decision to remarry and still believe to be right. They live a humanizing life and nurture their relationships within their small family, with their community and with God through the church in spite of what it deprives them of. They witness to the fact that it is possible to grow and still become a better person in and through their relationship as a remarried couple. Held though by Mario’s marital past, the two of them were able to transcend and go beyond laws without causing damage or any harm to anybody. They might appear violating the law established by the church but the spirit of the law is embedded and alive in their lives. Their actions, decisions, interpersonal relationships, their simple and peaceful life reveal a clean heart. They emanate a happy, free and authentic relationship with God who alone knows what is truly in their hearts. I can say therefore that their family, particularly Mario and Susan’s relationship as a couple, epitomizes a typical happy family in the midst of daily struggles and endeavors as well simple successes and joys.<br /><br />Mario and Susan need not be judged but must be guided constantly and given concrete pastoral considerations so that they can live a better life, socially and spiritually, more than what they have now. For instance, somebody has to inform and explain to them that their daughter can receive baptism, confirmation and the first communion. Another is to make them aware of or to grant them internal forum that would allow them to take part not only in the celebration of the Eucharist but also in receiving communion. As to the question of scandal, moral theologians deny the church’s position that it can cause a scandal and suggest that document must be provided first for it to be established (9).<br /><br />At the bottom of all these is the simple but profound question about our right to judge them. Do we have, particularly I for this matter, have an absolute say and answer whether they are immoral or not? Certainly none. We can only try to understand them and give their rights to fully become who they positively choose and want to be as persons and live their lives to the fullest possible, in their own context, in co-existence with their community, and in deeper and growing relationship with [their] God. The truth is totally known only between Mario/Susan and God. We too can ask others and ourselves on what Jesus would say or do had He been here and met Mario and Susan. Would He cast and shun them away because they are sinners, immoral, and adulterous? I strongly believe that He would rather dine and share time with them.<br /><br />In brief, the case of Mario and Susan helped me to approach and understand their relationship in and from the different perspectives first of the church and then of the people. Following closely still their differing arguments, I pushed for and highlighted my own personal judgment of the case as moral and not adulterous. This I did by invoking some criteria with the support of the counter arguments of moral theologians and by laying the ground to the question of fundamental option, core freedom and conscience of the very person of the couple involved. The person as a whole and adequately considered becomes the departure and not his/her acts.<br /><br />I realized that any moral issue is a very crucial affair to study and reflect upon. It also entails careful discernment. It is an issue that would oftentimes, if not always, provoke and receive different reactions and judgments depending on the capacity and evaluative knowledge of the one making the judgment. Thus, I believe that no one ever has the right to make a close and unqualified judgment regarding the subject. No one can search and know the person’s heart but God alone.<br /><br />We cannot end this study without asking, “What does this one-in-a-million case implies?” This should eventually challenge us in order to have a better grasp and understanding of the various situations that we encounter in our pastoral work and in the life of the church. Let me share some:<br /><br />First, the education of the person engaged in pastoral work is basically important. At stake in every case is the well being of the person involved and this thing is not a joke. To embark in this kind of ministry requires a thorough and careful preparation. We cannot trivialize people’s experiences. We must do justice to them.<br /><br />Second, when we are actually confronted with a moral case, fundamental is the knowledge of the centrality of the whole human person. The person’s acts and institutional laws must not be taken independently of the whole human person. The being of the human person is far greater than and beyond his/her acts and laws. Sin and morality is not absolutely bounded, defined and determined by laws.<br /><br />Third, the church must provide people with an informed education on its laws and decrees and not just merely impose them. It must be quite realistic in whatever it teaches. This is a need that must be taken seriously today.<br /><br />Finally, the church must be a true Mother of the people with whom every person can feel love and compassion and experience a flourishing of their humanity as they grow in relationship with God, people and creation.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Endnotes:<br /><br />1. John Paul II, “Familiaris Consortio,” In Vatican Council II Vol. II ed. Flanerry, A. (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1982), 823; Catechism of the Catholic Church (New York: Doubleday, 1995), 462-3, 632.<br />2. John Paul II, “Familiaris Consortio,” 888.<br />3. Ibid., 888-9 “…listen to the Word of God, to attend the sacrifice of the Mass, to persevere in prayer, to contribute to works of charity and to community efforts in favor of justice, to bring up their children in the Christian faith, to cultivate the spirit and practice of penance and thus implore, day by day, God’s grace.”; CCC, 463.<br />4. Ibid., 822, 888-9; S.C.D.F., “Personae humanae,” In Vatican Council II Vol. II, 490-1.<br />5. Notes on Moral Theology course. “Criteria on the questions of justice, irreparability of the first marriage and quality of life.”<br />6. Ibid.<br />7. E.C.C. C. E., The Catholic Faith Catechism (Makati: Word and Life Publications, 1994), 370,376; A. Flanerry, ed., “Sacrosanctum Concilium,” In Vatican Council II Vol. I (Pasay City: Paulines, 2001), 16; CCC, 390-1.<br />8. Notes.<br />9. Notes.<br /><br /><br />Bibliography:<br /><br />E.C. C. C. E. The Catholic Faith Catechism. Makati: Word and Life Publications, 1994.<br /><br />Flanerry, A. ed. Vatican Council II Vol. II. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1982.<br /><br />Flanerry, A. ed. Vatican Council II Vol. I. Pasay City: Paulines, 2001.<br /><br />_______. Catechism of the Catholic Church. New York: Doubleday, 1995.<br /><br />Notes on Moral Theology course.<br /><br /><br /></span></span>Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-51663535853760299182007-09-27T15:31:00.001+08:002007-09-27T15:31:47.537+08:00LETTER TO OUR READERS AND MHM REACTORSHello Friends,<br /><br />Recently, there was a heated discussion on homosexual relationships between readers under the article "Immortal Bond Between Man and Woman" by ThinkerArian. We have also been receiving apologies from reactors for commenting on statements and questions posted by other readers. In this regard, we would like to address to everyone that as long as the reactors do not use foul words/expressions or treat other reactors with disrespect, we are continuously encouraging everyone to send us their comments. If you think you have questions or ideas which are slightly off the topic, it is okay :) as long as everyone understands that the purpose of discussion is to exchange thoughts or ideas and not necessarily to find closure on the topics. We understand that most of religious and societal issues are debatable, however, we believe that discussing these issues in a healthy and peaceful manner will help stimulate each one to reflect on these issues based on their own belief systems. <br /><br />We are happy that our readers are interacting and exchanging ideas. We also appreciate your never-ending support and encouragement. <br /><br />Thank you very much. <br /><br /><br />Best Regards,<br />MHM BloggersEarl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-26958491996113601242007-09-27T15:16:00.000+08:002007-09-27T15:30:56.247+08:00Developing Internal StrengthStress is all around us. It is inevitable... a part of our existence. Nowadays, we are filled with troublesome realities and everyday, our energies are spent on vices and meaningless activities such as smoking, drinking, worrying, lying, etc. How do we replace wasted energy? Are we even concerned about this?<br /><br />We are not aware that the things that are supposed to make our lives easier, such as technology, are actually putting a burden on our shoulders. Problems are solved in order to encounter a more challenging ordeal. Today, physical strength is futile and in order to survive we need to develop our internal strength.<br /><br />How do we attain inner strength? To have inner strength we have to primarily go through the processes of awareness, acceptance, openness, and discipline.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">1st Process: Awareness</span></strong><br />Awareness simply means waking up from slumber. We have been bombarded by so many information and because of this, the basic and significant essence of living slowly became unknown to us. We have been busy upgrading the quality of life by developing different kinds of technology when in fact, all we need to do is be simple and "empty" to get in touch with our being. The being made in the image and likeness of God. Our inner self. The master within us. Our conscience. The God who resides in our hearts.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">2nd Process: Acceptance<br /></span></strong>This must follow after your eyes have been opened to "what is", to the present, the now. Because acceptance places us to the point when we will make a decision. Acceptance will move us into acting or not acting.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">3rd Process: Openness</span></strong><br />If awareness is the opening of the mind, the 3rd process is the act of openness itself. To be open is to be able to let go and receive. This is when we are able to listen within. This is listening beyond the physical sense... with openness, we are even able to hear silence.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">4th Process: Discipline</span></strong><br />This drives us to do what we have to do and not to do what is unnecessary. This may seem the hardest of the 4 steps but in reality, the 3rd step (Openness) is the most challenging of all. If you find this part the hardest, it means you have to go back to one or all of the first 3 processes before going through this final step.<br /><br />These four processes are not experienced by any person on a one time basis. We can get to the fourth process and go back to the first at one point in our lives. What is important is that you learn how to move forward from the 1st to the last process during difficult situations in your life. Getting through these processes and learning how to stay tranquil inside during turmoil is a way to train yourself to become a stronger person. Developing internal strength is a continuous process and to tread the path of upgrading the self is not easy. But the fruits of learning to be aware, to accept, to be open and to have discipline is endless.<br /></span>Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-52194483387257034592007-09-21T17:11:00.000+08:002007-09-21T17:30:25.784+08:00SubscriptionHello Everyone!<br />Unfortunately, we had to make a new feed and delete the old one :( If you subscribed to receive our feeds through email before September 21, 2007 or if you are new to this page and would like to subscribe to our feeds, kindly send us your email addresses at <a href="mailto:mhm_tri@yahoo.com">mhm_tri@yahoo.com</a> or you may click the link below:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=1203920&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Mind, Heart, and Mysteries by Email</a><br /><br />If the link won't work, there is another form on the right side of this page (below the Blog Archive). Thank you very much!Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-32328000148555529172007-09-17T13:58:00.000+08:002007-09-17T14:26:30.107+08:00Moral or Immoral?<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Read and answer the question at the end of the story and get a FREE gift!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Story</span></strong><br /><br />Mario and Linda got married but parted ways after three years. The problem started to arise when Mario discovered that Linda, wanting not to get pregnant, was taking medicines every time her menstruation was delayed. The arguments went on for a few months because the two of them were unable to make an agreement on having a baby. Linda was far too stubborn and seemed not in any way convinced to conceive. In effect, Mario stopped insisting to discuss the matter with Linda in order to give his wife some space. Eventually, the issue died down for a while until a more sensitive problem arose. The rumors about Linda flirting with another man gradually spread in their place. This was an issue that Mario and his family ignored and considered as mere gossips. The rumors continued until one day, Mario discovered for and by himself Linda's infidelity. The rumors have been confirmed. It was the last straw in their relationship that Mario asked for separation.<br /><br />When the families of both parties discussed the matter, Linda went back to her parents' house. From then on, no communication existed between them. After two years, news came that Linda was already living with another man. Another year passed when Mario met and had a regular contact with Susan, a widow with two children. After some time, the two finally decided to live together and treated Susan's children as his own. After a year, they were blessed with a child. They are now living as a couple for 10 years with Susan's children and their daughter, Angelica.<br /><br />Mario tries his best to give Susan and their children a decent life. As a jeepney driver, he works hard to provide for the needs of his family as well as for the education of his children. Mario is a faithful husband, a loving father and a responsible head of the family while Susan, a loving mother and wife, remains at home to take care of Mario and the children. They maybe poor but they are a happy family.<br /><br />Even if they wish to marry in church and become a legally married couple, Mario and Susan cannot be married because of Mario's previous marriage. Annulment was out of the question since it is costly and Mario cannot afford it. They belong to a below average bracket in society that the sustenance of their basic needs has been an everyday struggle. Unfortunately, because they are not married, their only daughter was never baptized and confirmed. In addition to that, Angelica was not able to receive her first communion, something they consider as a great deprivation. No one have helped or advised them on the possibilities regarding the matter and left them clueless and unguided.<br /><br />Despite these, particularly their marital situation, Mario's second family is faithful and active churchgoers. They participate in Parish activities and in the celebration of the Eucharist but receiving communion had remained a mere desire. They have a good relationship with their community and their relationship is well accepted by their families and relatives.<br /><br />Are they immoral? Adulterous? Living a sinful life all those years?<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Answer the questions and receive a free copy of </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">the</span> <span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">"Angel Whispers" compilation!</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Please place your answers/comments by clicking the "comments" link below this post. If you are unable to post a comment through this page, you may email the answers/comments at </span><a href="mailto:mhm_tri@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family:arial;">mhm_tri@yahoo.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> :) Don't forget to give us your email addresses to <span style="color:#660000;">receive a free PDF copy of "Angel Whispers" by MHM</span>. Thank you! We will be waiting for your posts :)</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">Note: N</span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#666666;">ames of the persons in the post, "Moral or Immoral?" have been altered for the secrecy of the identity of the persons involved.</span>Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2437380473586348419.post-68107484482362716812007-09-17T08:27:00.004+08:002008-03-15T13:11:22.084+08:00Angel WhispersLove and the eternal wonder of love are enough. A dynamic growing thing, not a deadening, delaying emotion like awe.Earl Spartanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15988014765841039562noreply@blogger.com0