On the Basis of Love
“Faith without action is dead.” It is really true that if we don’t work out what we firmly believe it is useless. Faith in action is sometimes perceived as a faith being developed in order to make it known. But let us look on the perspective of what is action referred to by the faith itself in the scenario. For me, this action is tantamount to love which is the main virtue of all virtues. We cannot do a thing without putting our own selves into it. Yes, there are times when we do a thing without our consent into it but that action is not an action categorized by propagating the kingdom of God but a lukewarm manner which is categorized in propagating the kingdom of the world. In addition, the perception of people towards this action is too narrow because they jump into a conclusion that action is just as it is (with labor) but action categorized in Christianity perception is something that is with love in it or something that you put your whole being into it without any grudges. So now, action merely is on the basis of love. But what does it mean when we say that action on the basis of love? In here I have three propositions. (1.)This is an act of reaching out our hands to the fullest. (2.)This is also an act of total denouncement of oneself in the service for others.(3.) And this is an act of filial entrustment to God who alone is above all every thing here on earth and in heaven.

I sighted that this action is an act of reaching out also taking into consideration that it must be to the fullest. For me, when we want to act we must put a certain effort on it. We must extend always our hands to fullest. What does it mean when we say extending arms to the fullest? Again this means that when we act it must be without any hesitation or without any doubt or contradiction. We must be an open person to everyone. So, it must be that when we act or do something we must not be hesitant in the first place. We must dive ourselves into the shoes of the people whom we help into. In addition we must extend our hands to the fullest to them because it is only in it that we find joy. “Let us serve the Lord with joy!”

Secondly, I sighted that in acting we must have this total denouncement of ourselves. Yes it is very true because we can never be effective in reaching out unless we don’t level ourselves to the person we help into. If we are indifferent enough to them we will not be fruitful enough in a sense that we can never mingle with them in an ordinary way or manner. In addition, we must not put a gap to the person we help into because true giving means total denouncement of oneself. So, it is right and fitting to say that we must deny ourselves in order to have the view of essential value of giving which is love.

We could never win the race without putting God first in everything that we do. In our own lives sometimes we forget that God is the main reason of everything. As what I have learned on the proofs of the existence of God, God is referred as the uncaused cause and the unmoved mover. He alone is the reason of everything and the primary promulgator of the many happenings here on earth. So, in reaching out we must put always God in the center of everything for if God is in our works there would be no impossible in it. In addition, we can only have God in our midst if we steadfastly pray for his guidance. Without praying before working it is absolutely of no value.

“If you want to follow me…deny yourselves…take up your cross daily…and follow me.” This is the integral points in order to follow the footsteps of God. This will be the main reasons of love. Action is tantamount to love. So in acting or working out we (1.)must extend our arms to its fullest length, (2.) we must level ourselves to the people whom we helped or simply deny oneself and putting ourselves to the shoes of others(3.) in everything that we do we must put God in the center of everything and we can only do this by calling God’s guidance through prayer.
“Let us serve the Lord with joy!”

BEHIND THE SCENE

There could be only one option left for me to do. One thing enormously profound to upheld. I think that it is beyond question that I started to make a turn of myself. I know sometimes I could be rough and sometimes to indifferent. There and then I owe something from everybody. I have a debt to pay in order to make up the loses. I had just have my prayer but the toils were left forgotten. How could I make it up for the rest of my brethren? How could I make a step with due certainty that I don't step one's pride? How I can do things without making myself responsible for the discouragement of others?

You know what it's very hard for me to comprehend the said situation above. Upon requesting many advices and counsels from different persons I was left willy-nilly about the things I didn't do but was entrusted to me as a contracted fault. Am I wrong when I do something good for God? Am I wrong when I clean the mess and all peripherals so that the beauty of the living land could be reaped? Am I wrong when I participate in the class? Am I wrong when I don't smile to green jokes (which left me in their eyes so indifferent)? I am doing the best of my capabilities in order top achieve the ends. I am making to the best of my effort to make everybody worthwhile. But all hope has gone away and I am left trodden on.

My life is like a boat sailing in the sea. I am the one who make the turns of it. Maybe this time, in this juncture of my life I experience tsunami. I felt so bereaved upon the quest of everybody. I want to ask sorry if ever I have done wrong but the doors of their hearts are very closed. They are so closed to the point that they are so blind to see and so deaf to hear.

I am writing this one as a way to pour out my feelings. I want to pooh-pooh this thing right now and I am sure I can do this by sharing it to unknown lads. Here I shall remain!

LOVE

...LOVE...
reflection:

"Love looks through a telescope, envy through a microscope."

Our world today is experiencing many downfalls in it's economical state. The progressive ambiance is staggering to end. We are very knowable about this thing because of primarily the newspapers. But the world today isn't only experiencing this global economic crisis but more it experiences lack of peace. Now why is there lack of Peace here on earth?

Upon questioning myself and pondering upon this problem I theresay conclude that the reason why injustices are very evident today is only because of not loving what must be love. By not being sensitive to the needs of others. By not responding to the call of God and that to love our enemies.

Now I would like to share to you my resolutions in order we can love our enemies:
These are the steps to love our enemies:

1. Accept him/her with all your heart
2. Serve him/her when he/she is in need
3. Offer your life (just die) for him/her when he/she is in danger

The above steps are shared to me by Fr. Cresenciano Ubod when I hear mass at the Gasa sa Gugma. It is very superb to tell you these steps. You know what I made to lice these things and to tell you I won the game. Many hates me and I don't know what's the reason. Many envied me and I don't know the reason. Many people try to insult me and also I don't know the reason. All these things I encountered these past 3 months. There was a saying that goes man seeks always a revenge. YEs in the first place I wanted a revenge. But I am very thankful to these things above because it helps me to win the battle.

FAITH

reflection:

"Faith without action is dead."

Faith has a significant connection to the divine. In our day to day living here on earth we encounter many trials and difficulties that can make us decide to pursue a drastic move which will eventually lead us to the wrong path. Sometimes we feel that the world is on our shoulders making us very tired, which will eventually lead us to discouragement.

Upon entering into this world God already knows us of what we are and what we are to be. "He wanted to test us like a gold in the furnace," St. Jerome Emiliani said. Yes it's true that we are to be tested by God. He permits evil in order to test our faith. So by now what is faith based on the above sentences?

Faith is our self-manifestation to God believing that He is everything. Secondly, Faith is our unwavering contracted trust to God that He will be our light in our darkest days. And lastly , Faith is the endless doing of good things acting like what Christ manifested here on earth.

In the The Sisters of Mary School-Boystown in Mingalnilla wherein I was an Alumnus we had a group installed there namely THE LEGION OF MARY. I wonder what really made it stand amidst the trials and difficulties it encountered. Is it prayer? It is beyond question that it rises because of this. Prayer is the oxygen of soul so to as Legion of Mary is a body it continues to operate because of prayer. But the big question is these, what is it's backbone? Would it be faith?
Absolutely it is! In an organization installed whether it has a connection to the divine or not, the backbone of it is no other than faith. Imagine your body without a backbone. I can further say your body is useless without faith. It would likely be a crumpled paper being thrown in the garbage can, so useless that the one who sees it would not hesitate to get rid of it.

So in conclusion, what I would like to emphasize is that Faith is believing, trusting and doing in God. Faith is our backbone so that we can stand up straight. Now we are called to extend fully our feet and hands to the horizon to help those in need. It is our calling today to act. But how can we look straight if our body has no support(backbone)? So now, I hope that my reflection could touch your hearts. I hope Christ is within this writing telling you about this thing. Remember this I am not the one who made but it is alone and only God.

With my prayers and petitions offered to all of you I would like to say," Good day and may God bless us all!"

" May God be glorified above all things for his kindness endures forever!"

Lesson for the day

August 13, 2009

gospel( Mt. 18:21-35)

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked "Lord, if my brother keeps on sinning against me, how many times do i have to forgive him? Seven times?"

"No not seven times,"answered Jesus,"but seventy times seven."

reflection:

The gospel today tells us about Jesus answering the question of St. Peter of how many times should we forgive those who had sinned against us. Jesus said "Seventy seven times seven". Jesus doesn't mean it literally but He stresses that we must forgive those who had sinned against us to the infinity or without limitation. Jesus calls us to forgive everyone without limitation. Jesus, in the gospel depicts one essence so that we can be truly Christians...He calls us to be forgiving always no matter what happens. Sometimes in our life, we will say to our enemies," I will only give you 3 deadlines... don't you ever resolve to hurt me anymore or else...(a rude word). We must resolved not do this thing anymore like the parable sighted by Jesus today. We must not dare do the wrong thing because,"that is how my Father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart,"says the Lord.

Sem. Alberto D. Cabag Jr.