The MOST effective way to mend a broken heart: SEEK THE LORD!

Based on my observation, the most common dilemma of our youth today is HEARTBREAK, specifically caused by broken "romantic" relationships. I've been in that situation long before, and I can say that moving on from that painful and bitter experience is very hard to do. In my case, it took me several years to totally recover and build a whole new life. During those times, I was like a "crying" lost sheep seeking for a way back to the Shepherd. I tried so many routes, but failed so many times.

Good thing, the Shepherd was also in search of me and my "crying voice" made it easier for Him to locate and rescue me. With His gentle arms, He consoled and carried me safely back home. Truly, the cry of desperation and brokenness pierces the Merciful Heart of the Good Shepherd. He, indeed, came to "seek and save what was lost."

**********************************************************The momentous encounter was a result of a "MUTUAL action of seeking" both by the sheep and the Shepherd. Finding the Shepherd made me whole again. His assurance that I am safe in His tender arms gave peace into my heart.

I was once lost, but now found.

I was once in the brink of death, but now I have life.

I was once susceptible to the predatory tactics of the enemies, but now I am secured.

To all who are currently experiencing the painful aftermath of a break-up, I have one suggestion: SEEK THE LORD, the Good Shepherd! Everything is in Him!

The following activities helped me a lot in amplifying my "crying voice" and guiding my every steps in search of the Good Shepherd:

1. Reading the Bible.

2. Meditation on the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.

3. Attending the Holy Mass Daily or more frequently.

4. Involving myself to Church-related activities.

Prayer to the Holy Child Jesus

 

Holy Child Jesus, You are God. You are Lord. You are the Redeemer. You are the Prince of Peace. Have mercy on us all and forgive our sinfulness and waywardness. O Sweet Lord Jesus, we humbly come to You because we are weak and in need of saving help. We are nothing without You. We are hopeless without You. Please come into our hearts, Lord, and lead us to where You will. Grant us the grace to be obedient and to be faithful to You and You alone. 

Holy Child Jesus, we also come to You to pray for our families, friends and loved ones. Please protect them from all harm and guide them into the way of peace. We also ask You, Lord, to please reconcile all broken relationships and restore them so that true and lasting harmony can be achieved in our homes and in our society. Amen. 

Te Deum Laudamus (God, we praise You) !

 

We praise Thee, O God: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.

All the earth doth worship Thee: the Father everlasting. To Thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens, and all the Powers therein. To Thee Cherubin, and Seraphin: continually do cry, Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty: of Thy Glory.

The glorious company of the Apostles praise Thee.

The noble army of Martyrs: praise Thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world: doth acknowledge Thee;

The Father: of an infinite Majesty;

Thine honourable, true: and only Son.

Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory: O Christ.

Thou art the everlasting Son: of the Father.

When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man: Thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.

When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death: Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God: in the Glory of the Father.

We believe that Thou shalt come: to be our Judge.

We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants: whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood.

Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints: in glory everlasting.

O Lord, save Thy people: and bless Thine heritage.

Govern them: and lift them up for ever.

Day by day: we magnify Thee;

And we worship Thy Name: ever world without end.

Vouchsafe, O Lord: to keep us this day without sin.

O Lord, have mercy upon us: have mercy upon us.

O Lord, let Thy mercy lighten upon us: as our trust is in Thee.

O Lord, in Thee have I trusted: let me never be confounded.

PRAYER FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the hope of the nation. You are the light in the midst of darkness. You are the sure help of the needy, the sick and the dying. You are the powerful protector of those who trust in You. Lord Jesus, as we joyfully prepare for Your coming, please increase our hope in You. 

Forgive us our sins and help us to become more like You each day. Remove in our hearts all kinds of hatred, malice and pain. Heal our brokenness, Lord, and guide us towards our way to Eternal Life in heaven. Amen. 

Nagbigay ang Diyos, pero bakit hindi ka pa rin masaya?

Nagbigay ang Diyos, pero bakit hindi ka pa rin masaya? Bakit hindi pa rin ganap ang iyong kasiyahan? Hindi pa ba sapat ang iyong natanggap?  Bakit naghahanap ka pa rin? Bakit nakatingin ka pa rin sa mga biyaya ng iba?  

Hindi naman masama ang maghangad at humiling ng mas marami para sa iyong pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay. Hindi masama ang umunlad sa buhay. Ang masama ay yung maghangad ka ng sobra-sobra. Ang masama ay yung nabigyan kana, nagrereklamo ka pa. Ang masama ay yung naiinggit ka pa sa iba. Ang ganitong pag-uugali ay hindi magdudulot ng kaligayahan sa puso ng tao. Ang kawalan ng utang na loob sa kabutihan ng Diyos ay magbubunga ng mas marami pang pagkakasala katulad ng pagmamataas, kasakiman, at iba pa. Kailangan natin matutunan na wala sa mga biyaya ang seguridad ng tao. Ang seguridad ng tao ay ang Tagapagbigay ng biyaya, si HESUS. Siya lamang at wala ng iba pa.  

Ang taong hindi marunong makuntento at magpasalamat sa mga biyayang natatanggap ay walang kapayapaan at katahimikan sa kanyang puso. Sa kabilang banda, ang isang tao na kuntento at marunong magpasalamat sa mga biyayang natatanggap, maliit man o malaki, ay lubos ang kasiyahan sa puso.  

Ang pagpaparangal kay Maria ay hindi idolatriya.

Ang natatanging pagtingin at pagkilala ng mga Katoliko sa Mahal na Birheng Maria ay hindi maituturing na idolatriya sapagka't, una, malinaw sa mga Katoliko na hindi Diyos si Maria. Ang pagpaparangal na ibinibigay sa kanya ay naka-ugat sa katotohanan na "siya ay punong-puno ng grasya (Lucas 1:28)," "bukod siyang pinagpala sa lahat ng mga babae (Lucas 1:42),"  at "ang Panginoong Diyos ay sumasakanya (Lucas 1:28)." 

Ang mga katotohanang ito ay malinaw na inihayag ng Diyos sa tao. Kung kaya nga noon pa man ay makikita na natin ang pagpaparangal at pagtangkilik na ito kay Maria bilang isang natatanging hinirang ng Diyos. Sa mga salita ni Elizabeth noong dalawin siya ni Maria ay mababasa natin ito: 

"Sino ako upang dalawin ng Ina ng aking Panginoon?" (Lucas 1:43)  o sa salitang Ingles, "But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

Sa madaling sabi, ang makasama pala si Maria ay isang napaka-laking karangalan. Pagpapakita ito kung paano pinagpipitagan si Maria simula pa noon.  Maaaring sabihin ng ilan, "opinyon lang yan ni Elizabeth."  Hindi po. Kung babalikan po natin ang naunang talata (Lucas 1:41), mababasa natin na si Elizabeth ay napuspos ng Espiritu Santo. Nangangahulugan ito na ang mga salitang lumabas sa kanyang bibig ay mga rebelasyong mula mismo sa Diyos. Ito po ay tugma noong ihayag ng Banal na Kasulatan na si Maria ay tatawaging mapalad o "blessed" sa lahat ng salin-lahi (Lucas 1:48). Hindi na ito kataka-taka sapagkat sinsabi mismo ng Panginoong Hesus na kung sinuman ang naglilingkod sa Kanya ay pararangalan ng Ama (Juan 12:26) at kabilang na nga dito si Maria na naging tapat na alipin ng Diyos, Ina ng Tagapagligtas. Kung ang Diyos mismo ay kayang magbigay parangal sa Kanyang mga tapat na nilikha, sino tayo para hindi tumulad sa Diyos?  Ang pagpaparangal kay Maria ay pagpaparangal sa Diyos na Siyang pinagmumulan ng lahat ng karangalan. 

Thank You, Lord, for the lessons and blessings of July!

PSALM 100

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.