When Life, Himself, was Announced

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, of the Annunciation of Life. When the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Our Lady with an important announcement.

Click here for Today's Readings and Gospel.

We first saw the hands-on work of the Holy Trinity "in the beginning" when God made man.

Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. (Gen. 1:26; Emphasis mine.)

Prior to the creation of man, the words of God were: "Let there be ...". But at the moment of man's creation, God said, "Let us ...".

And in the Gospel today, we see again the hands-on work of the Holy Trinity for the salvation of man, starting with cooperation of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

God the Father finding favor with Mary:

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (Lk. 1:30)

God the Son being conceived by Mary (and born of her):

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. (Lk. 1:31)

God the Holy Spirit conceiving Jesus in Mary's womb:

And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. (Lk. 1:35)

Archangel Gabriel's started his announcement to our Blessed Mother with, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." (cf. Lk. 1:28). Our Lord found favor with Mary; and He is with Mary. And through Mary, our God came to be with us: Emmanuel, "God is with us" (cf. Is. 8:10, CCB).

Our Blessed Virgin Mary, with her free will, gave her "Yes" to God. She can say "no"; but she gave her "Yes", totally, freely, and selflessly. Her "Yes" was in total obedience, with total trust, and with total courage of heart for God. Her "Yes" was in the state of full and encompassing Grace from God: Rejoice, full of grace ... (cf. Lk. 1:28, CCB). Like Mary, we must always allow ourselves to be in the zone of saving, sufficient, and sanctifying GRACE. For the Grace of the Lord allows Man to say "Yes" to Him.

Out of his unfathomable Love did God choose to create man. And out of this same Love do God allows men to love him back. We love God because God loved us first. And God wants that this union of God and Man in perfect Love be a Grace from Him, with Man cooperating in full obedience of choosing God and of choosing Life. It happened to our Blessed Mother; it can happen to us. This is possible, for nothing is impossible with God, that's why he is God (cf. Lk. 1:37).

Let me get back to this: "that th[e] union of God and Man in perfect Love be a Grace from Him, with Man cooperating in full obedience of choosing God and of choosing Life". In Deut. 30:19, God asks us to choose: Life or Death; and in the same verse, God taught us to choose the best choice: Choose Life. When Life, Himself, was announced to the Virgin full of grace: Mary chose God by obeying his will. Mary chose life by allowing Life, Himself, to be conceived in her womb.

And this could be the very reason why the culture of death attacks the womb of a woman--abortion, contraception, etc.--because it is through the womb of a Woman is Jesus, the Source of Life, and Life, Himself, was born.

Therefore, for man to experience Life's fullness is for man to choose God, to choose Life.

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The Angelus
V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary;
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary ...

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord:
R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail Mary ...

V. And the Word was made flesh:
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary ...

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech  Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts,
that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son,
was made known by the message of an angel,
may by His passion and cross
be brought to the glory of His resurrection,
through the same Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Most Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Mother of Divine Grace, pray for us.
St. Gabriel, the Archangel, pray for us.
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Grace

*

My Life Verse is in the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 12:9

but [the LORD] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.

It is about God's sufficient, saving, sanctifying Grace.

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But even before my 2 Cor. 12:9 life verse, one of Matt Maher's songs is already my favorite, i.e., Your Grace is Enough.

Sorry. I can't find a video that I want, so I'd just give you the lyrics.

Great is your faithfulness O God of Jacob

You wrestled with the sinner's restless heart

You lead me by still waters into mercy

And nothing can keep us apart

[So] Remember Your people

Remember Your children

Remember Your promise

O God

[For] Your Grace is enough

Your Grace is enough

Your Grace is enough

Your Grace is enough

For me

Great is Your love and justice God of Jacob

You used the weak to lead the strong

You lead us in the song of Heaven's victory

And all Your people's sing along

[So] Remember Your people

Remember Your children

Remember Your promise

O God

[For] Your Grace is enough

Your Grace is enough

Your Grace is enough

Your Grace is enough

For me

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And just recently, I learned that my patron saint:

Bishop of Hippo and Doctor of the Church

Aurelius Augustinus, or most known as St. Augustine of Hippo, is a Doctor of the Church and named DOCTOR GRATIAE (Doctor of Grace).

St. Augustine is designated as a Doctor of the Church on September 20, 1295 by Pope Boniface XIII.

Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until it rests in You. --St. Augustine

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Prayer of St. Augustine

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy;

Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy;

Draw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy;

Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy;

Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.

Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Most Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

St. Augustine of Hippo, pray for us.

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Wow! Isn't that amazing? Isn't that an affirmation? And isn't that GRACE?

Make or Break?

Do not arouse, do not stir up love before its own time. (Song of Songs 2:7b)

The HEART can either Make you or Break you.

LOVE is more than just a feeling; it is more than an emotion.
LOVE, driven by COMMITMENT, is a DECISION.

Love's antecedent is preparing and waiting.
Love in correct timing is lasting.

Preparing one's self to be the Right One,
While waiting for God at His Right Time.

Are you in love with the feel-good emotion of love?
Or in love with the person you love?

Having the Right Reason in Loving
Defies treason you don't want having

DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO SETTLE FOR LESS.
FOR GOD MADE YOU OUT OF HIS IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

E.S.

This happened one Thursday night, last November of 2011. Note that I am writing from memory.

I was sitting alone at a fast food chain, waiting for my best friend to arrive. Beside me was a man, maybe at his 50's or 60's. Just by sitting there and looking at him something in me whispered: "You'd be talking to that man; you have to speak with him". He was eating; and I'm not. With him are books about Math and an abacus. He was cleaning one of his books when he looked at me (and he caught me looking at him as well) and he smiled. I smiled back.

Then the conversation starts.

We talked about Math and the books he has with him that night, they are all about Math and Numbers. I asked him if he's a professor in Mathematics or a Mathematician; he just simply said, he's a retired accountant. I asked him about one of the things that struck me that was with him: the abacus. He told me that it's different than the others; that it is actually a Filipino Abacus. I asked him to teach me how to use it. I learned a lot. Actually, just the basics. But it's "a lot" for me already. And my sister-best friend arrived.

He asked us what we are doing with our lives? I understand it with regard to "work". I was to say that I'm a nurse and that I'm a lecturer/ reviewer for NLE. Then I got reminded: Before anything else, I am a Missionary. And that's what I told him. And him knowing my answer, we take on from Math to Religion and Philosophies. Man, that's way far from one another!

God taught me that to every man I meet, I am responsible for that man's soul. I am a Catholic missionary. He said he's Catholic but not anymore practicing. And I get perplexed. How can that be? If one is a Catholic, one is either a Catholic through and through or not Catholic at all. The way I see it, he's a humanist-relativist.

There was this question he asked, "Hindi ko ba matitibag ang mga pinaniniwalaan ninyo?" We answered, "Hindi po." This answer of ours, allowed us to be engaged in a deeper conversation. The very word I could give to describe the man's reaction to our answer of "hindi po" is: "Nang-gigil" siyang makipag-usap sa amin. With this, you'd think that he's trying to break the very foundation of the Faith that is in us. But. Podering from his reaction, we (my sister and I) arrived at two conclusions:

1. He wants to test us and our adherence to our beliefs; or,
2. He just wants to share his thoughts with us without bearing the responsibility of him changing our beliefs.

He poses questions on us, about our faith and our beliefs. The moment I felt this was going to happen, right then and there I prayed. I prayed to St. Michael the Archangel for defense in battles like this (not that this is a debate; but it is a spiritual warfare). I prayed to St. Anthony de Padua for eloquence of words. And to St. Augustine of Hippo as well, because he's my patron saint. And I know my sister is also praying.

The man poses questions of which questions I also asked myself back then; of which questions I also failed to answer myself. Instead of worrying what I have to say, I held on to God's promise:

When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of the Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:19-20, NAB)

Truly, our God inspired me with His wisdom. I was able to speak, for God's glory, for that man's questions. I don't want to just nod with everything he says; if I did that it would be a burden for me whenever I'd recalled the event. I don't want to be left hanging without even answering for my Faith and what I believe in. I remembered what St. Peter said:

... Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. (cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16, NAB)

When someone asks you an answer for your faith, our first Pope made it clear: when you answer you do it with gentleness and reverence (respect). Your goal is not to win the conversation, but to win the person and his soul for Christ. Before you answer, you pray for God's wisdom, knowledge, and presence. After you answer, you pray in thanksgiving and you pray for the man's soul.

The man told us, "Believe, not because it's true, but because it is beautiful". That's quite good. But isn't it that the fact that it is beautiful is because it is true? It is the truth that is why it is beautiful. It is not the truth that is why it is not beautiful.

I learned from him to always seize the moment, to enjoy the moment. Well, that's true. He enjoyed our talk. We also enjoyed talking to him. He thanked us. We also thanked him.

There's also one thing I can be proud of, that if ever the Filipino Abacus subject be added into the primary education curriculum, then I can say that I have met and actually spoke with the man who finds it essential for basic Mathematics.

Lord, I am a Catholic; and I will die a Catholic.

*NAB - New American Bible

Latin Title

This blog post is written by the author to simply CONGRATULATE HER BELOVED SISTER!!

MARIA ELEANOR P. ASEJO

For being one of Class 2011's

CUM LAUDE

I am so proud of you kapatid!!

Kaya pakainin mo na ako!!

This blog post is, as well, written by the author to GIVE PRAISE AND GLORY to our

AWESOME GOD

who had given this blessing simply because HE IS STRONG!

Possible 'to dahil sa Lakas Ng Diyos!

* "Cum Laude" are Latin words meaning "with praise".

** Cum Laude: a grade-point average of 1.75-1.50 with no grade lower than 2.50.

Unto the Very Last Day

Friday, 31 December 2010.


Click here for the readings of this day.


The Gospel today: [1 John 1:1-18 (NAB)]

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him,and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.

As I reflect for today's readings and Gospel, I heard God whispered: "Isn't this LOVE?"
Unto the very last day, God's message is LOVE.
His unfathomable, unconditional LOVE.


All of these are because of LOVE:

• All things were made through Jesus Christ.
• Whatever has come to be, found life in Jesus Christ.
• Jesus Christ is the light, which darkness can never overcome.
• Jesus Christ came for his own; for what is his.
• Those who received Christ, he empowers to become children of God.
• Who Jesus Christ owns are born of God; and not because of anyone's will, but God's.
• In Jesus Christ, we have received grace after grace.
• In Jesus Christ, we have truth and grace.
• No one has seen God, but through Jesus Christ, God has been revealed.

GOD loves us so much. And so, as his sons and daughters, we, like John, should respond to Him in love:

• Bear witness to introduce the Light, who is Jesus Christ, that others might believe.
• Testify to the Love of God.
• Share God's love and not our love.
• Live in the light. Live a pure life.

"GOD is the essence of life, the energy of grace, the reason of our existence, and the purpose of life. It is in this GOD that we live and move and have our being." --Bible Diary 2010


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Man 1: I love you so much.
Man 2: Why?
Man 1: I don't know. I just love you.

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GOD: I love you so much.
Man: Why?
GOD: Because I, your GOD, is love.


GOD has all the reason to love us. This is because He is, in Himself, LOVE. And He only has not all the reason to love us, but that He loved us first and His love is perfect. (cf. 1 John 4). And nothing can separate us from this love of God in Christ Jesus. (cf. Romans 8:38-39).
And He had proved His love for us in this: that while we were still sinners, Jesus Christ died for us. (cf. Romans 5:8).
Instead of us dying for our sins, Jesus Christ paid the price.
This is GRACE.
This is LOVE: unfathomable and unconditional

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Lord, I do understand your love and your grace; but I just cannot comprehend its greatness.
I just cannot even imagine it.
It is more than myself. It consumes me.
It is so uncontainable. You, oh Lord, is uncontainable.
Thank you Lord! Amen.
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