FULLNESS OF LIFE

John 1:16-17

From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace... while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

In the coming new year, let’s find a quiet place and start assessing ourselves.  Do we need sharpening as we face new challenges in life? 

Make plans to sharpen our skills, our knowledge and of course, our spirit. 

God will continue to sharpen us, for we are the swords God has chosen to sharpen others for His great work until the end of time.

Almighty Father, sharpen me.  May I continue to grow in You, continually learning Your words, understanding Your will and doing what is right.  I submit myself to Your Son, Jesus so we see Him clearly as His kingdom come in our lives and in the world!

Oh Lord, Your word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  We pray for each other today, as we share Your great work with each other through our friendships.

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands.

REMAIN IN HIM FOREVER

1 John 2:16

For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world.

Seeing those children dressed in new clothes, walking down the street from house to house, at Christmas morning, would bring back memories of my childhood, as we do the same together with my kid brother and some friends. 

We would visit our godfathers and godmothers, expecting to get something in return – a gift or some money.  And we would prefer the latter, for it can be used to buy something that we need.

And in this material world, children would continue to ask for material things as gift during Christmas time.  Are they at fault?  Of course not!  They are just living a life in which they were raised – a life full of materialism, yearning for more that is from this world.

And as parents, we need to start guiding them – teaching them that there is more than just the richness of this world.  We should start teaching them about the richness that is heaven.  Richness that would forever be in them.  Richness that would never be destroyed.

This new year, may we all remember the true gift of Christmas – Jesus Christ, our Lord so that we may forever inherit the richness of heaven. 

Teach that to our children.  Teach that to ourselves.

Let us pray +

Oh Lord, as we look at the vastness of the universe that the You have created, we are overwhelmed with Your love.  What comfort, what peace and what joy do we constantly feel under Your immense greatness.  May the new year brings us more blessings, for in Your name, we put our trust.  Amen +

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

THE TRUTH IN US

1 John 2:3-4

Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him.

As a child, we are all hungry for knowledge.  We would believe whatever our teacher or our parents would tell us.  For us, these are “gospel” truths simply because we trust them and that they are telling the truth.

And yet, when someone starts preaching us about God’s gift of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, we would prefer to think about it the more than just believing on it outright.

We all knew about the commandments of God, and still, we break at least one of them, telling ourselves that one would not hurt.

Why?  Is it because we simply do not believe that God really exist?  Or yes, we do, but our hardened heart simply pushes away God from our being?

Whatever the reasons are, we do need to keep God in our hearts and follow his words and commandments.  We cannot always say that I would just ask for forgiveness tomorrow… for tonight, you may not wake up.

Take that path towards perfection… we may not all be perfect, but with God in our heart, everything would be done in perfection.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, blessed are we, because we have known You!  Blessed are we, because we have believed in You!  Blessed are we, because we bear Your wounds and the sign of Your Blood on our contenances!  Blessed are we, because You are our great hope!  Blessed are we, because You are our God forever!  Amen +

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

RISE AND FLEE

Feast of the Holy Innocents

Luke 21:36

“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you.  Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”

Two-thousand years ago, the devil used Herod to execute all innocent male children in Bethlehem the hope of killing the Child Jesus. 

Today, the devil is using another tool to take that innocence out of our children –

…taking their mind out from godly existence

… and to live a life full of lust and worldly anxieties,

All for this, in the hope of killing Jesus in their hearts.

We can now see it everywhere – the magazines we read, the songs we sing, the music we dance to, the billboards along the busy highways – pictures or themes or messages that promote sex and sexuality. 

And the bad news is that these same messages are picked-up by our children. 

Today’s sex-obsessed culture forces children into roles they are not mentally, physically or emotionally ready to handle.

Innocence is dying in our children.

When will parents act like adults and rise up to say, “enough!”?

Let us pray +

Oh Lord, through our prayers, may we reach purity.  Through our prayers, may we be example of purity.  Through our prayers, may we teach others purity.  Through our prayers, let all things we are become pure.

Amen +

Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

GOD BLESS OUR FAMILY

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Colossians 3:18-19

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them.

Rich or poor, there is no woman or man here on earth who is part of a family.  And in this Christmas season, it is always a great feeling to be with your family to celebrate the season.

And together, we must aspire to be a part of a bigger family – to be a member of God’s family.

I invite you this day to join it without delay. Open your eyes to see the value of your soul, the sinfulness of sin, the holiness of God, and the present danger of your present condition, the absolute necessity of a mighty change.

Open your eyes to see these things, and repent this very day.  See how Jesus has loved you, lived for you, died for you, risen again for you, and obtained complete redemption for you. See how he offers you free, full, immediate pardon, if you will only believe in Him.

Open your eyes to see these things.

Seek Christ at once.  Come and believe in Him, and commit your soul to His keeping this very day.

Almighty Father, we thank You for the gift of family. We acknowledge that our image and name as family come from you.

We believe that within our family lies a homemade holiness. 

We are Family.

We give thanks to You for the many joys and blessings that have come to us by being a part of Your family.

Amen +

Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

BECAUSE OF MY NAME

Matthew 10:22

You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.

A day after Christmas, we commemorate the life and death of the first saint – St. Stephen, who died at the hands of Saul (who later became Paul, and became a great defender of the Christian faith).

This tells us that in our Christian life, not everything is fun, merry-making and celebration.

Yes, we can have Him more and more and more, overflowing from our hearts so we can have the chance to share Him with others.

But be reminded also that we would be hated because of Him, and yet we must endure everything for His name.  He came to the world not to enjoy life, but to suffer and die for our sins. 

So, we, too, did not come to the earth to enjoy it, but rather so others may enjoy life with God.

That is why we have the Holy Spirit, to help us through these trials and tribulations.  We must remember Who we are, Who’s we are with, and What we have.  We have the Spirit of God Himself living and breathing in us.

We are built to last.

God will never put more on us than we can bear.  And always remember that Christ’s suffering on our behalf is infinitely far greater than our suffering on His behalf will be.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, receive my spirit and do not hold this sin against those who hates me.  We love you because You loved us first.  Amen +

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

CHRISTMAS TIME

The Nativity of the Lord

Titus 3:4-6

He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE AND ALL!!!

Amidst the giving of gifts, the excitement of children and the cooking of traditional dinners, it is easy to miss “the reason for the season”, the birth of God's son, Jesus Christ.  There are several ways of bring Jesus back into our family celebrations of Christmas, including masses and church services. 

Oh Lord Jesus, it's Your birthday! 

Let's praise You, the king we adore.  We raise our hands, loudly sing, praise and honor to the King of Kings who is born today to be our light, our life, our way!!! 

Let us rejoice in Your love with the joyous heart of a child. And then, like a jolly laughing Santa, we go out and share it with the whole world.

And as we await Your second coming, may we live our lives in total surrender to Your love, mercy and compassion. 

A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

MIGHTY SAVIOR

Christmas Eve

Luke 1:68-69

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free.  He has raised up for us a mighty Savior…”

A Christmas Prayer

Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men. 

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.  Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.  Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. 

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.   Amen+

Speak from your heart.

Thank Him.

Praise Him.

Glorify Him.

 I encourage you to think about what Jesus means to you and your family.

The favors of the LORD I will sing forever…

SILVER AND GOLD

Malachi 3:3

Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.

Gold and silver…

Symbol of excellence…

… metals that cannot be tarnished.

And to achieve that luster and quality, they were subjected to continuous purification in the hands of an experienced silversmith.

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

You are being continually subjected to continuous purification.  And in turn, you must allow Him to mold you, change you, purify you. 

Let Him take away the tarnish so you may exudes that luster that everyone can see.

Almighty Father, keep my heart pure for You.  You have created me in Your likeness and image. 

You are the absolute example of purity, and to be with You, I must also be pure.  And yet, You still love and take care of me, in spite of being impure and disgusting. 

Always keep me under the warmth of Your love – molding me, turning me around, heating me up – under Your watchful and caring eyes, until You see clearly Your own image in me.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, search our heart and cleanse us of all that would keep You from being our “first love” always and in all things. For You are everything to us, for You alone can fulfill our deepest needs.  We seek Your mercy, we seek Your compassion as we glorify and praise You forever and ever.

Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

MARANATHA

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Luke 1:45

Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.

The long wait is coming to an end.  As the celebration of our Lord’s birthday approaches, our hearts grows fonder – full of joy, hope and merriment.

Maranatha.  “The Lord has come!”

And God has sent Him to be with us because only He can undo what we have done.  Only the One who created us in the first place can restore us again.  Only our Creator can break down the wall of sin that separates His creatures from Him. 

Only He can give their lives the meaning and completeness they were supposed to have. 

Only "God with us" can rescue us from the oblivion and death in spirit that we are all heading toward.

Emmanuel.  “God is with us.”

In this one name, everything humankind needs and the entire plan of God's salvation has come into being.  How blessed we are that Jesus Christ became Emmanuel, GOD IS WITH US.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, so great was Your love for us, Your fallen creation, that  You let Your glory to come here.  And through His perfect life and death on the cross He broke down the wall of separation that our sin had built and reconciled us to Himself.  Through Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, our sins are forgiven and we have fellowship with You, our Creator again.  Amen +

Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

OUR HEARTS REJOICE

Psalms 33:20-21

Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield.  For in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust.

It has been a year since we first arrived in Tijuana to work on a project.

And, I am glad I am still alive – physically and spiritually.

Although, sometimes I feel that the loneliness of being away from your family is eating me alive, and yet I survived.

And going back home for Christmas, thinking of it would give be reason to rejoice and be glad.

For the season of Christmas is a season of joy, of love, of giving and of hope.  It shows how God loves us so much that He was willing to give His begotten Son so we would all share with Him is eternal life.

There are still a lot of questions in my heart.  But I know God already has the answers to all of them.  And all I have to do is believe and trust in Him.

It’s hard to trust sometimes – especially, if you are just putting that trust to a person or something… but knowing that it is to God whom you are putting your trust, is enough reason to persevere.  I know, it’s enough.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, blessed are we, because we have known You!  Blessed are we, because we have believed in You!  Blessed are we, because we bear Your wounds and the sign of Your Blood on our contenances!  Blessed are we, because You are our great hope!  Blessed are we, because You are our God forever!

Amen +

Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

GREAT THINGS

Luke 1:49

…the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name.

In our life, we tend to expect more from someone or something good based on first impressions. 

We would befriend fair-complexioned person because he would be rich.

Men would be better managers than ladies. 

Marry a handsome guy or a lovely woman. 

In the end, when our choice fails to meet our expectations, we become disappointed, disgusted, with that person or thing.  But in reality, we become frustrated with ourselves.

Almighty Father, teach me to be contented for all the great things you have done for me.

We are all your lowly servant, and we should all rejoice for just a mere mention of your name.

Teach me to appreciate everything and everyone that You have given and provided me.  Moreover, if anything does not go well – based on how I look at it, and not based on what You want – teach me to trust in You, for You are a faithful God.

You have done so much great things for us, Oh Lord.  May we always recognize that as we await the celebration of the birth of Your Son.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, our trust is in You, forever.  Grant us the patience and the ability to accept the consequences of our choices.  May we forever be grateful for all the blessings that You have given us.  May we see true beauty in everything we have and everyone we love, for they are part of the plan You have laid out for each of us.

My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

GLADNESS AND REJOICING

Luke 1:13-14

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.
And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth…

We all know who St. John the Baptist is…

But do you know who his mother is?  She is no other than St. Elizabeth.  And she has undergone some ridicule herself.  She bears no son until the advance age.  In a patriarchal honor-and-shame culture, the ultimate blessing for a woman was to have a son, and the ultimate disgrace was not having one.  In those days, people assumed that the woman was sterile and at fault.

And yet, Elizabeth is portrayed as the first prophetic figure of the new era, the first to announce the blessing and the blessedness of Mary. 

In the story of Elizabeth and Mary, even women in a very patriarchal culture become vehicles of grace, conveyors of the truth, and bearers of the two most crucial figures who announce and bring in the new era of salvation.

Do you love?  Do you obey? 

Friends, we do not need an angel coming to us in a dream to challenge us to follow God.  Instead, we have God’s greatest messenger, His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ to follow, to serve, to depend upon, and to love. 

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, let me enjoy the miracle of waking, when it comes to me; and the miracle of being aware that I am alive—a breathing, walking, thinking proof of Your love and mercy.  It is a miracle that You made us, Lord.  It is a greater miracle that You tolerate us.  We thank you, Lord, with a full heart, for everything.  Give us the gift of appreciating You, and all You do.  Amen +

My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

YES TO GOD

Matthew 1:23

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”

An angel came to you, telling you that you will bear the Son of God.  Imagine the very dire consequence if Mary had not accepted the proposal from God.  Or Joseph running away after knowing that his fiancée is pregnant and the father is not him!

Most people agree that if someone says no and they have a good reason, then, that makes the “no” more acceptable. 

But for Mary and Joseph, there is really no point in saying “No”. 

And God, being all-knowing, knows that they will say “Yes”.  This is one of the reasons why Mary and Joseph are regarded with great respect by many people. They showed what the ultimate obedience was. 

And the rest, as they say, was history. 

Jesus was born, suffered, died, resurrected, ascended to Heaven – all for our salvation; as we await for His second coming. 

And this all because Mary and Joseph SAID “YES” TO GOD!

Let us pray, as Advent draws to a close for the faith that opens our lives to the spirit of God +

Almighty Father, all-powerful God, Your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of Your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces His glory
and open our minds to receive the Spirit Who prepares us for His coming.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen +

And blessed forever be His glorious Name…

PERFECT LOVE STORY

Matthew 1:16

Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.  Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

God had promised long before Abraham that a Redeemer would come. 

Had Christ not redeemed us from the power of the devil, the work of redemption would not be perfect. 

And in doing so, God had used two obedient individual – Joseph and Mary.

Imagine the gossip, the rumors, the pointing fingers, the whispers behind the back, the judgment and rejection that faced this young couple, on the verge of beginning their life together. 

Joseph was a righteous man.  He was a man of character, integrity, and the highest of moral standards.

Mary was an obedient woman.  She was a woman of humility, loving and caring.

Joseph loved Mary enough to stay with her despite her being pregnant.  He loved her enough to raise God’s Son as his very own.  She had faith in him and in God that what the angel had predicted would indeed come true. 

And together, they raised Jesus in total obedience to and love of God.

Theirs is a perfect love story.  So perfect that it gave us salvation so we can be with our Heavenly Father forever and ever.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, Who loved us so much that You sent Your Son, born of a virgin who was engaged to a righteous man, we are so grateful for Your unselfish act of creation.  We offer to You our lives, our beings, our obedience, and we ask that You would help us to live as You call us to live.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen +

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

THERE IS NO OTHER

Isaiah 45:22

Turn to me and be safe, all you ends of the earth, for I am God; there is no other!

In the Philippines, as in some other places around the world, tomorrow morning is the start of the Midnight (or early morning) masses called “Simbang Gabi”.  And for the next nine (9) days, a daily novena will be offered as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is our God and there is no other.  He is worthy of our praise.

Lord Jesus, You are the way, the truth and the life.  As the celebration of Your nativity draws near, may we continuously prepare our hearts to fully accept You as our Lord and our King. 

And as we wait for Your glorious second coming, may we continuously prepare ourselves, through Your mercy and grace, to join You in eternal life.

Oh Lord, we are Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which You prepared beforehand. 

This Christmas, may we let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave us.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, blessed are we, because we have known You!  Blessed are we, because we have believed in You!  Blessed are we, because we bear Your wounds and the sign of Your Blood on our contenances!  Blessed are we, because You are our great hope!  Blessed are we, because You are our God forever, and there is no other!  Amen +

I will hear what God proclaims…

BAPTIZED (12-15-13)

Third Sunday of Advent

Luke 10:16

John answered them all, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

The Lord has come and He is knocking.  Let us welcome Him in our hearts.  Let our ears be opened so that the full meaning of what he did and said becomes evident to us, and we personally see that it involves us.

He gave us a new life, by sacrificing His life on the cross.  May we think about the greatness, the glory, and the wonder of God. 

When we come and believe in Him, and keep coming and keep believing in Him, we grow into an intimate relationship with God.  And when that happens, we would never let go, for withdrawing away from Him would be unthinkable.

Learn how to share your work, your family life, your personal life with Jesus, to operate in dependence upon his wisdom, grace and forgiveness. 

Learn to bring all of your life constantly back into connection with Him.

Learn His Words, read the Bible.  Pray constantly and without ceasing.  Let Him know what you heart desires and He will give it to you.

Learn to be with Him, always.  Totally surrendering your life to Him, for He alone is the Lord, and He alone can give us totally rest and joy.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, You give us all the gift of faith.  You give us all the gift of life.  Enable and empower us to see you in all we touch, hear, say, and do.  May we not take the obvious for granted but, through you, see all of our lives as sacred and a gift from you.  Through our Savior, in the Holy Spirit, we pray, one God, forever and ever.  Amen +

Cry out with joy and gladness: 

for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

ENTERING THE KINGDOM (12-14-13)

Matthew 21:31

Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you.

I pray everyday…

I write daily devotions…

I hear Sunday masses… attend bible studies

Try not to fall into temptations…

And Jesus is saying that “tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you”. 

I would say this is unfair.

But God is NEVER unfair. 

He is a justly God… He is the god of Justice!

For entering heaven is not just those things I mentioned above.

It is opening our hearts to Him and responding to His every words and following His every will.  In Jesus time, these people found life as it was meant to be.  Jesus offered hope to the tax collectors and sinners, hope they never before had.

We must now open my heart FULLY to God.  And then share this joy with others so they may also fully understand the gift of salvation, the gift of heaven.  Only then would I be entitled to it, joining the sinners, like me, who came to know Jesus fully in my life.

Do you only know about Jesus or do you know Jesus in your heart?  Have you met Him?  If not, tell him you want to meet Him – before it’s too late!

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, please be patient with me as your Spirit seeks to do his work of transformation in my life.  I do want to live to honor you and more closely reflect the character and grace of Jesus.  Please give me wisdom to know your will, courage to stay away from sin, and a willing heart to seek after you.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen +

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

TEACH ME, O LORD (12-13-13)

Psalms 25:4-5

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me…

Life is a continuous learning process.  Our parents are our first teachers… then comes our teachers.

We learn so we would grow in life.  There are some painful experiences, but we know that these should make us stronger and better.

Lord Jesus has taught and loved us through examples and parables.  All we need is to accept His teachings and practice them in our lives.  And, as god’s creation, we must humbly ask Him to guide us and teach us.

To be humble means to depend on God, on His grace, to keep ourselves under His guidance, like Jesus, without leaning on ourselves but uniquely on His all-powerful and merciful might.

And through the power of the Holy Spirit, we must learn to be less proud, less greedy, less envious, less anger, less lust… to clean out our soul, in order to fill us with Jesus, with his humility, love, joy and peace.

The Lord Jesus Christ was no religious hypocrite. 

He always practiced what He preached and preached what He practiced.  He was totally consistent in all of His ways.  No legitimate fault could ever be found in Him.

May we, His servants today, become more and more like Him!

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, may we forever embodies humility – make the esteem effort to listen, accept others - no matter what their race, their religion, their education – or lack of it, or their station in life.  And we can only show this through service, with great love, to others.  May You see the humbleness in our hearts from this day forward.  Amen +

Teach me your ways, O Lord.

MAGNIFICAT (12-12-13)

Luke 1:28

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

Mary's "yes" becomes joy to all who were in darkness and the shadow of death.  Indeed, through her the Lord of life came into the world. 

The words of the Magnificat are as it were the spiritual testament of the Virgin Mother. Therefore they quite rightly constitute the heritage of all who, recognizing themselves as her children, decide to welcome her into their homes.

*My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;

He has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed;

the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is His name.

He has mercy on those who fear Him,

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with His arm

and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

Casting down the mighty from their thrones

and lifting up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good thing

and sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,

to remember His promise of mercy,

The promise made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and his children for ever.

O Mother Mary, help me to keep to my purpose of living as a faithful disciple of Jesus.

I greet you, Mother, morning and evening; from you I hope for the inspiration and encouragement that will enable me to fulfill the sacred promises of my earthly vocation and win eternal salvation.  Like you in Bethlehem and on Golgotha, I too wish to stay always close to Jesus.  He is the eternal King of all ages and all peoples.

You are the highest honor of our race.

DELIGHT IN THE LORD (12-11-13)

Psalms 1:1-2

Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners… But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night.

I grew up in Tondo, a district of Manila.  Tondo is notorious for being the poorest and most underdeveloped district of the country.  Many of the city's slums are found in this area.  And the environment I was in has some bad influence on my formative years.

I learned how to drink alcoholic drinks at an early age.  And I would sometimes go home drunk and nauseating. 

Later on, I would be enjoying myself going to girlie’s club and watched naked woman frolicking in the stage.  All because of curiosity, as what my friends would say… and that was what I believed.

And one day, I found myself asking my own self if I want to continue with this kind of life and totally waste my life altogether.  And so 20 years ago, I totally surrendered my life to God… asking Him to totally lead me though life.  My life is in His hands from that day forward.

There are still problems, temptations and sinning… but it is a delight to know that God is always looking after me, waiting for me, whispering words of encouragement in my heart.  And 20 years after that fateful day, my life is still in His hands.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, blessed are we, because we have known You!  Blessed are we, because we have believed in You!  Blessed are we, because we bear Your wounds and the sign of Your Blood on our contenances!  Blessed are we, because You are our great hope!  Blessed are we, because You are our God forever!

Amen +

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.