kerygma jan2011

Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life

No. 248 Vol. 21

January 2011

Liturgical Wish List for 2011 Spell Out Your Love Find Grace in Rude Interruptions

ENJOY

SHORT-TERM

WINS

AND

ACHIEVE YOUR LIFE DREAMS You, Too, Can Be a Miracle Worker by Bo Sanchez

A Young Cancer Survivor Shares Her Bucket List A Servant Learns the Art of Extracting a Blessing There Is Virtue in Stopping, Waiting and Believing KERYGMA BARCODE.pdf

11/16/06

5:43:58 PM

Philippines P60 US $7.00 AUS $ 7.00 Euro 4.00 UK 4.00 CDN $7.00 SING $8.00 HK $45.00 RUPIAH 62000

Spiritual, emotional and chemical toxins can make you physically ill. But here’s the good news: You have the power to heal yourself! Bo Sanchez shares with you the Six Principles to Optimal Health in

Open the pages of this book and let your God-given natural and supernatural healing powers work in your life.

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the

Boss

Wake Up I

by Bo Sanchez

Early!

’m now an early riser.  I wasn’t like this before.  There was a time when I’d wake up at 7 am, sometimes at 8, and it was all rush, rush, rush from there. It’s shameful to admit this to all of you, but in my haste, I even tried brushing my teeth, combing my hair and taking a leak at the same time. (You don’t want to try it.) A long time ago, I thought I was a night person. In college, I read in our psychology textbook that there are morning people and night people. Because I slept late and woke up late, I concluded that I was a night person. Twenty years later, I realized I was wrong. I woke up late because I slept late. Today, I wake up at 5 am. Sometimes, even 4 am. That’s when I do my “inner work.” This sacred time includes my morning Tai Chi, cycling on my stationary bike, reading books, writing on my journal and chats with the Almighty. Picture this: Before 5 am, in the darkness of my backyard, I inhale the cool air and slowly do my Tai Chi movements. It’s just wonderful. By 7 am, I do my preliminary work: planning and answering emails. By 8 am, I bike around the village with my boys. We have breakfast and we horse around the house a bit.  My favorite part of my day. By 10 am, I’m back in my home office working. Man, I just love my mornings! People ask me, “Bo, how can I wake up early?”

I can give you lots of advice, but let me start with the most important one:  Have a big dream that’s so exciting, it’ll wake you up every morning. Some people ask, “What dream? I don’t have a dream…” Perhaps that’s the problem. If you really had BHAG Dreams (Big Hairy Audacious Goals), you’ll have no problem waking up in the morning. Are you excited with life? Do you believe that God made you for greatness? Write down your dreams.  Read them every day. Talk about it with your friends. Get passionate about life! Years ago, I had the habit of waking up but staying in bed for a few more minutes just to rest a bit. I always felt that my sleep wasn’t enough.  Sometimes, because I chose to lounge around the warm bed, I woke up really late. So it was rush, rush, rush again. Not wise.  I’ve now decided to do something very simple: the moment my eyes open, I stand up.  That’s it.  This little habit has worked miracles for my day. I stand up and start my morning ritual. When you study successful people in business, many of them wake up early. I know that my financial mentors, who are either multimillionaires or billionaires, wake up early, too. Why not you? May your dreams come true.

JANUARY 2011 • KERYGMA

1

Mail room

I used to be a writer and editor of sexy magazines, but now I want to make up for that and write something sensible and truly inspiring through your reading materials. Could you help me please?

It uplifts my spirit and boosts my confidence every time I read Kerygma. Aside from being food for the soul, it also feeds my mind. I hope to meet Bro. Bo personally. More power and God bless!

Marvin S. KFam Member

Maria Fatima B. Gonzaga Malolos, Bulacan

Thank God, I found Kerygma on the Internet. I am more alive and happy even if I’m working far away from my family. It keeps me inspired and serves as my guide for my plans and dreams while working here in Saudi Arabia. More power to Bo!

My employer, Breeders Agrinet Supplies, Inc., is one of your subscribers. It distributes your mag to its employees. And because I’m one of them, I get a copy every month. I’m really blessed to have this mag. You inspire the lives of others. And your October issue, “How to Grow in God’s Wisdom,” was tackled during our conference meeting. It touches me when one of our bosses tells us that we’re not working for the company but for God. Your magazine serves as a reflection material for young people. Thanks to Bo Sanchez and all Kerygma staff.

I am a long-time reader of Kerygma but I was unable to buy a copy for about a year. Right now, I am so thankful that a friend sent a copy of your November 2010 issue because I was able to realize and learn many things. Now I acknowledge and celebrate my brokenness, to be what the Lord wants me to be. More power to you, Kerygma staff! May you be blessed more with wisdom and good health so that many will still be touched by your kindness.

Leuqar Gultiano Cagayan de Oro City

Myk Botis Malolos, Bulacan

Cristina Galindez KFam Member “Life Without Hands” by Maricel Apatan (August 2010 issue) made me cry at man’s inhumane acts on fellow humans, especially on an innocent defenseless girl. But Maricel’s tenacious faith is what I envy most. May God pour His mercy and forgiveness to those who harmed Maricel for they know not what they have done. God bless Maricel and her parents.

Evan A. Nayve Tacloban City

Today, my boss asked me to go to the bank, where I first saw your mag. It caught my attention so I asked the manager of the bank if I could have it. I was inspired and it gave me strength to face my difficulties in life.

Lyndy Tapia Maysan, Valenzuela, Bulacan

ERRATUM: In Kerygma’s December 2010 issue, George Gabriel’s testimony on page 30 was truncated. The last two sentences should have read: “It came to a point that I was serving God five days out of seven days a week. Because all I ever wanted to do was sing, speak and think of ways to communicate the love of God.”

We Want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] or text us at 0917-800-5535, or write to The Editor at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109. You can also reach us through KERYGMA Family (simply log on to www.kerygmafamily. com). For subscription-related concerns, text or call Sarah Discutido at 0922-858-9781 or email [email protected]. 2

KERYGMA • JANUARY 2011

just

Breathe living by grace

by Rissa Singson-Kawpeng

RUDE

Interruptions It’s What Makes Our Life Worth Living

Rissa’s clothes courtesy of Ensemble.

I

was numbed by the news. I was chatting on Yahoo with a high school classmate who told me that a common friend had just passed away. He was just a year older than us. An athlete, practically a vegetarian, healthy and fit. Then last weekend, he went to sleep because of a headache. And he never woke again. He left behind his wife and his toddlers. It made no sense. How can someone so healthy go so quickly? I was so bothered by the news that I had to cut our chat short. “Sorry, I have to go,” I told my classmate. “I just have to hug my husband.” And I went straight to our bedroom, kissed him and curled up beside him. Just the night before, I was irritated because my sleep was repeatedly interrupted. I try to go to bed early on Sundays because I co-host Bo Sanchez’s radio program on Veritas at 5 AM on Mondays. That means I get up at around 4 AM and drive to the station some 10 or so kilometers away. My husband decided to let our eldest sleep between us because she had a fever. I had to keep checking her temperature. And every time she woke up, I’d pat her back to sleep. It had been only 1 AM and I’d already woken up a couple of times. Three hours to go and I’d be getting up. As I raced against time to catch some precious shut-eye, I heard some incessant scratching. Dry skin rubbing against dry skin. My husband was wiggling his toes. That’s his sign language for, “I can’t sleep. Can you give me a foot massage?” Normally, I’d be sensitive enough to decode his sign language. But this time I was simply annoyed over the rude interruption to my sleep. “Hon! Shhh! I’m so sleepy,” I hissed at him. And the wiggling stopped. It was the next day when I found out about my friend’s death. That night, without him even asking, I gave my husband a foot massage. And I promised myself that I would never deny him a foot massage no matter how sleepy I am. (Shhhh! Don’t tell him, OK?) Read the Bible and you will notice that Jesus welcomed every disruption to His schedule. A demoniac who blocked their path as they alighted from their boat. A hemorrhaging woman who drew power from Him as He went to cure an official’s dying daughter. A sinful woman who cleansed His feet with her tears and hair while He was having dinner at a Pharisee’s house. I’d like to follow Jesus’ lead. Because life is short. Some wives will never get the chance to give their husbands another foot massage.

And some wives can no longer kiss their husbands and curl up beside them. And some wives do not sleep soundly at night, not because of incessant wiggling toes, but because they miss their husbands. So welcome the rude interruptions. Because without them, life will even be shorter. And less meaningful. I pray that your New Year may be filled with them. Oh, remember that my life is but wind (a puff, a breath, a sob)… (Job 7:7) For comments, email me at justbreatherissa@ gmail.com.

What to Expect This Month: Write Now!, my narrative writing seminar on October 23, 2010, was postponed due to a medical emergency I had. My apologies to those who weren’t informed of the changes. The new schedule is on January 15, 2011 at Santuario de San Antonio parish hall, Forbes Park. Upgrade your skills with this one-ofa-kind seminar that will surely boost your writing prowess. Get the stuff I learned from Poynter Institute, a school for journalists in St. Petersburg, Florida, for a fraction of what I spent. For more info, call or text Noel of Creative House at 6687766, 0915-4493600 or 0928-2109765. Or email [email protected]. Register before the event and you’ll get a discount! JANUARY 2011 • KERYGMA

3

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Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life

What’s

The Bo Files. 1 The Boss Wake Up Early! 40 Point of Contact

1

Inside JANUARY vol. 21 no. 248

Departments. 2 Mailroom 6 New You 7 Real Stuff 9 In the News 10 Dear K 12 Kfam Insider 14 Feast Snapshots 15 Laughingly Yours 17 It Happened Fulfilling My Bucket List 39 One Last Story A Change of Heart

Special Section.

17

21 Introduction Enjoy Short-Term Wins and Achieve Your Life Dreams 22 You Can Be a Miracle Worker 28 Enjoy Short-Term Wins in Your Life

Testimonies.

3

26 Stop, Wait and Believe 32 The Art of Extracting a Blessing

Columns. 3 Just Breathe Rude Interruptions 35 Catholic Soul Liturgical Wish List for 2011 37 K Preacher Spell Out Your Love

publisher BO SANCHEZ • editor-in-chief RISSA SINGSON-KAWPENG • managing editor TESS ATIENZA • creative director REN CORTES • graphics director REY DE GUZMAN • contributing writers JUDITH CONCEPCION, MARJORIE ANN DUTERTE, ALVIN FABELLA, ELEANORE LEE, DINA PECAñA, LEEANNE SY • photographers ED SANTIAGO, DANIEL SORIANO, DAKILA ANGELES • columnists ED DE VERA, OBET CABRILLAS • marketing director JOSEPH MARTINEZ • chairman of the board BO SANCHEZ KERYGMA. A Greek word meaning Proclamation of the Gospel. It is a Catholic inspirational magazine. It aims to be an evangelistic tool to all nations, providing Scriptural, practical and orthodox teachings to Catholics, particularly those in the Catholic Renewal, as an alternative to present-day magazines. It is also committed to fostering the renewal and unity of the whole Christian people. Philippine copyright: Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc. 2011. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission. KERYGMA is published monthly by Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc., whose editorial and business offices are located at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, 1109 Quezon City. Tels: 725-9999, 411-7874, 725-1190. Fax: 727-5615 Email: editsvp@ shepherdsvoice.com.ph. Website: www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph

32 ABOUT OUR COVER MODEL This MD (musical director) will soon have another MD attached to his name. Yes, aside from his musical prowess, Christian “Didoy” Lubaton is a registered nurse who’s also working on his medical degree. Didoy wasn’t particularly interested in taking piano lessons when he was young. When his piano teacher would arrive, he’d either run outside to play basketball or, if successfully pinned down, he’d memorize the teacher’s hand movements instead of read the piano pieces. Things became different when he was 13. He came to know and love the Lord through Bukas Loob sa Diyos Covenant Community. He asked his sister to teach him how to play the piano because, for him, worship is extra special if it has accompaniment. Since then, he has not stopped playing for the Lord. Currently, he serves as musical director and worship leader at the Makati Feast and, whenever his schedule allows it, he leads worship in other Feasts. Didoy hopes to become either a surgeon or an internist. But he takes his dream a bit further. He wants to become a doctor-preacher someday — a healer of body, mind and spirit. JANUARY 2011 • KERYGMA 5

You

new

tips for personal development

health

career

WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE

OVERWEIGHT

— AND HERE’S HOW TO GET SLIM FAST

WORKPLACE

A

fter enjoying all the parties during the Christmas season, most people complain that they can’t fit into their clothes anymore. But becoming overweight isn’t really an overnight thing. It’s usually the result of some bad habits that can be easily corrected. Here are some of those: 1. Overweight people use larger plates. With a bigger plate, you’d think you’re not eating as much. Use a smaller plate instead and get a smaller belly. The same is true for drinks. Opt for a smaller glass or cup. 2. Overweight people eat while looking at the food. Keeping food within your sight makes you reach out for them easily. Keep them instead in the pantry, not out on the countertops. 3. Overweight people dive in. The more overweight people usually charge right in at the buffet table while the leaner ones normally take a longer time choosing what they want to eat. Just because it’s a buffet or an eat-all-you-can diner doesn’t mean you have to eat all the choices. Be more selective of what you eat. 4. Overweight people skip breakfast. You think this will help you lose weight? Think again. Missing this crucial meal increases your risk of obesity by a whopping 450 percent, according to a study. Start your day with some lean protein and fiber. This will jumpstart your metabolism and keep you full.

TO

TABOOS

AVOID

F

alling asleep on the job or committing other workplace taboos have different consequences (or none at all), depending on the company. Some can be forgiven, but others may have serious repercussions, such as an immediate dismissal. A US-based poll of 5,700 workers revealed some top workplace taboos which, if you value your work, you should avoid at all cost: 1. Falling asleep at work. This looks unprofessional and is generally not appreciated by employers. Check your lifestyle or your career choice. If you find yourself drifting off on a regular basis, you are probably spending late nights out or in need of a more stimulating career. 2. Stealing from the office. It may seem like it’s no big deal —bringing home office supplies like bond paper, paper clips and so on — but still it’s considered stealing. And it doesn’t only apply to material things. Stealing could take the form of using office time for personal matters, like spending so much time on Facebook or chatting with a friend. 3. Taking credit for someone else’s work. Again, this can be classified as stealing. You steal an idea from a colleague and make it appear as if it were your own. How to prevent someone from stealing your idea? By keeping your supervisor informed of your ideas and your progress. 4. Spreading a rumor about a coworker. You may think some office gossip is relatively harmless, but it sure is damaging not only to the subject but also to the rumor-monger. You can get the reputation of being untrustworthy or downright devious. And it can lead you to a lawsuit. So watch out! 5. Lying about an academic background. In most companies, this is a ground for dismissal. If you feel you don’t have the required education, it is better to earn a real degree than lie about one on your resume.

Source: http://health.yahoo.com

Source: www.careerbuilder.com

CANTALOUPE

C

Quick Health Tip:

antaloupe is a melon belonging to the family of cucumber, squash, pumpkin and gourd. It is round or oval in shape with a netted skin. Its color ranges from orange-yellow to salmon. Its soft and juicy texture and sweet aroma make for a refreshing snack or breakfast. Cantaloupe is an excellent source of vitamin A owing to its concentrated beta-carotene content. It is also a good source of vitamin C and potassium. Source: www.whfoods.org

6

KERYGMA • JANUARY 2011

real

Things We Shouldn’t Be Paying For

Stuff

T

rimming down your expenses? Don’t just focus on the big ones. So much money is wasted on things you could get for free or, with a little creativity, would not cost you a single centavo. Kerygma surveyed some people and here’s what they said: 1. Credit card annual fees. Many credit card companies waive their annual fee. And when they do charge you, call them up and ask them to reverse the charges. Most of them will waive it on the condition that you charge a certain amount within a given time. Charge your monthly expenses like gas, cell phone bill, groceries, etc. and voila — your annual fee is waived. 2. Drinking water. We didn’t have to buy drinking water years ago, why do we have to do that now? Opt for filtered water in restaurants instead of ordering bottled water. 3. Basic skills seminars. With the Internet, almost every information you need to enhance your competencies (except actual hands-on experience) is available for free. Before enrolling for a seminar, check out free resources on the Internet. Chances are you’ll find a free online course or, at the very least, instructional materials you can learn from. 4. News. By cutting your daily newspaper subscription, you can save more than P6,000 a year. And it’s not like you’ll be missing out on the news because you can read your broadsheet online in their website. 5. Overseas calls via landline. With the availability of Skype, Facebook, Yahoo Messenger, and other applications that allow people to talk online, why pay for overseas calls? Your broadband fee already covers it.

BORN AND DIED: 291 – 304, Rome NOTABLE FACTS: s a young girl raised in a Christian family, St. Agnes made a promise to God never to stain her purity. She hated sin even more than death. Many young men wished to marry Agnes, who was very beautiful, but she would always say, “Jesus Christ is my only Spouse.” This angered one of her suitors, the governor’s son, Procop. Despite being promised of magnificent gifts, Agnes still refused the son’s offer of marriage. The governor had her chained but this did not change her mind. Instead, her face radiated with joy. When she was condemned to death, Agnes was as happy as a bride on her wedding day. She prayed and simply bowed her head to be struck with the sword. Her feast day is on January 21 and she is the patroness of the Children of Mary.

Saints At A Glance

A

St. Agnes of Rome JANUARY 2011 • KERYGMA

7

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News

in the

The New Demography:

ARE WE GETTING THERE? by Tess V. Atienza

“R

emember the population bomb? The new threat to the planet is not too many people but too few.” This is according to Michael Meyer, author and journalist, in an article he wrote for Newsweek back in 2004. He continues, “Across the globe, people are having fewer and fewer children…. The world’s population will continue to grow — from today’s 6.4 billion to around 9 billion in 2050. But after that, it will go sharply into decline. Indeed, a phenomenon that we’re destined to learn much more about — depopulation — has already begun in a number of countries. Welcome to the New Demography.” At this point in our history as a nation, we are faced with the issue of legalizing contraception, which is tantamount to population control. The proponents of the reproductive health bill have raised the argument that the Church should stay out of it as the bill seeks to give women the freedom to decide on the number of children they want to have and to solve the country’s poverty. Demography-wise, this is a cause for alarm. We have seen its ill effects in many urbanized countries and what these countries are experiencing now — a population collapse — is also what awaits us should contraception be legalized in the Philippines. Decline of the Total Fertility Rate The total fertility rate (TFR) is the average number of children that would be born to a woman over her lifetime. In his paper, “World Population Collapse: Lessons for the Philippines,” Fr. Gregory Gaston, executive director of the SAFE Program operating under the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, wrote, “A TFR of 2.1 is necessary to replace a country’s population. In the Philippines, where mortality rates are higher, it is estimated to be around 2.29. Below this level, population could still grow temporarily, because of population momentum (relatively many women of reproductive age), reduced deaths (longer life expectancy due to better health care and less wars, hunger and calamities) and immigration (which is not the case in the Philippines). But some two or three generations after the TFR goes below replacement level, as the country eventually loses its population momentum (as the bulk of its women age) and lifespan reaches its maximum, population decline will take place.” The UN Population Division states, “The primary consequence of fertility decline, especially if combined with increases in life expectancy, is population aging, whereby the share of older persons in a population increases

relative to that of younger persons (World Population Prospects. The 2004 Revision: Highlights).” An Aging Population for the Philippines? Fr. Gaston further writes, “The situation that those in favor of population control wants us to foresee is when there will be few children to care for, and by that time, they say, the Philippines will be well-off. But they never explain what will happen beyond this stage: population aging and decline. By then, a huge number of elderly have to be supported by a smaller number of working people. Families with only a few members will find it more difficult to care for the elderly than those with more members, unless they are extremely rich. The pension fund and the social security system will be overburdened. There will be a decline in the number of new workers, and the labor force will be older and less efficient. Having fewer and older people means a smaller market, especially for certain sectors such as baby food, clothing, vaccines and certain other medicines, sports facilities, office equipment, education, etc. — products and services that the elderly employ less.” How then will the Philippines support its aging population? Are we also going to invite workers from other countries to replace our dwindling workforce? How can we attract immigrants if we have no jobs to offer in the first place? Let us learn from the lessons of the richer countries, which now import workers to support its aging population or which now even give attractive maternity benefits to lure their female population to raise more children. Do we want to follow their footsteps? For the complete text of “World Population Collapse: Lessons for the Philippines” and other resource materials, visit www.safe.ph. JANUARY 2011 • KERYGMA

9

K

dear

Is It a Sin to Share Bottomless Iced Tea?

T

his may be a trivial question to some, but I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. I figure, if I bought the drink, I can drink it, give it to the poor, share it with a friend, etc., but the restaurants apparently say that we’re not allowed to share bottomless iced tea. I have this friend who’s against music or movie file sharing because it’s a sin, but when I went to eat with his family in a restaurant, I saw him sharing with his sister the bottomless iced tea that he ordered. I asked him about it later and he said it’s not the same. Can you please enlighten me on this? Zach

Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL, is the spiritual director of the Light of Jesus Community and the Elim Communities. Fun-loving and ever ready for anything, this Australian cleric is presently the parish priest of St. Benedict’s Parish in Don Enrique Heights in Quezon City.

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Dear Zach, Technically speaking, these are two different situations. The music thing has to do with intellectual property rights while the bottomless iced tea has to do with the commitment one makes when buying a particular product that has certain provisions. Given the state of modern technology, both practically deal with questions of honesty. The person who writes a piece of music or creates a product has the right to be rewarded for his effort in providing the public with the music they want. File sharing denies a person that recompense. In a sense, it is stealing. The sharing of a glass of bottomless iced tea is also a form of stealing because it deprives the restaurant owner of the cost of the drink. If you want to share a drink with another person, then buy him a glass of that drink. The restaurant will not have a problem with this as when the glass is empty, you just have to buy another one. The owner is paid the right price for what is consumed. On the other hand, if one brings the example to the extreme, such that an unlimited number of people could share from one glass of a drink but the proprietor of the restaurant is paid for only one glass, is that just recompense? Of course not!

The two examples are different as we are dealing with slightly different materials, and yet also similar in the sense that the ultimate judgment is that a form of theft is going on in both cases. The end-user has a responsibility, indeed a duty, to pay a just price for what he is consuming or using and in neither case is this done. The filesharer knows that he should pay for a copy of the DVD or whatever it is that is being shared and he does not. This is a form of theft. Similarly, the person buying the bottomless iced tea knows that one of the restrictions is that such a drink is not to be shared. He does not comply with the reasonable and just conditions and shares it. This, too, is theft. In both cases, we may be talking about small amounts of money, but ask any businessman or even child who is trying to save money to buy something and he will tell you that lots of small amounts of money eventually add up to a large amount. Neither of these practices can be condoned as morally justifiable. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

Email your questions to [email protected]. Or if you need to talk to someone, call (632) 726-4709 or 726-6728 to contact a Light of Jesus counselor. Telephone counseling is 24 hours from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sundays. Face-to-face counseling is by appointment. For correspondence counseling, email [email protected] or go to www.kerygmafamily.com.

Or Call

(632) 725-9999

Pregnant? Confused? Abortion is not the answer. Contact Grace to Be Born at 0927-501-0605 or email [email protected]. You may also contact Sr. Pilar Versoza at Pro-life Philippines. Call (632) 733-7027 or text 0920-945-5494 or email [email protected].

Why Do We Pray to Mama Mary and the Saints?

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am a Catholic. I am active in the Charismatic renewal movement and a regular attendee of the South Feast. I just want to ask a question that has never been clear to me: Why do we pray to Mama Mary and the saints if they are not omnipresent like God? With the billions and billions of Catholics all over the world, how can they (Mama Mary and the saints) listen to our prayers? Please enlighten me. Rey

When Fr. Rudy Horst came to the Philippines in 1984, he was first assigned to the Immaculate Conception Parish in Cubao. It was here where he came in contact with the still young Light of Jesus Community. In 1990, he moved to Christ the King Mission Seminary where he still serves as one of the spiritual directors of the seminarians and teaches Religious Education. He also teaches Holy Scriptures at the Maryhill School of Theology and the Divine Word School of Theology in Tagaytay.

Dear Rey, Your question is interesting because it is one of the questions always asked by nonCatholics but nearly never by a Catholic. But it is always better to ask and clarify things and so be prepared to answer when you will be asked the same questions. First of all, let me quote the Bible. Luke tells us that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit when she told Mary, “Most blessed are you among women...” (Luke 1:42). And Mary replies with her song of praise and thanksgiving, “From now on will all ages call me blessed” (Luke 1:48). Here we have the biblical basis for honoring Mary in a very special way. As the Mother of our Savior, she plays a vital role in our salvation and deserves all honor and praise. Even the Muslims honor her. Mary’s name appears more often in the Koran than in the Bible. When I visited the “House of Mary” outside Ephesus, where she is said to have spent the last years of her life and where she died, I was amazed to see countless Muslims going there, praying devoutly to Mary inside her house. The practice of praying to the saints goes back to the first centuries of Christianity. In the Roman catacombs and near the tomb of St. Peter, ancient graffiti had been found made by Christians who asked the saint

buried there to pray for them. There was an absolute certainty that saints are with God and so beyond time and space, and can intercede for us who are still living. If this is true with the saints, how much more with Mary? The apparitions of Mary also show that she is with God and therefore not anymore bound to a certain place. The miraculous healings experienced by the faithful who prayed to a certain saint also confirm that once we leave this earth and are with God, we are no longer confined to time and space. The doctrine of the “Communion of Saints,” therefore, teaches that all who are baptized belong forever to one community, whether we live or have died. The Catechism calls this the “Church Militant” (we on earth struggling and fighting against evil), the “Church Triumphant” (the saints in heaven), and the “Church Suffering” (the souls in Purgatory). That is why we can pray to Mary and the saints who are still part of our great community held together by Christ. They hear us and intercede for us as countless examples prove. I hope and pray that this answer will help you and that you pray, of course, first of all to Christ, but then also the saints, our friends in heaven, and especially to Mary, the Mother of our Lord and our Mother, too.   Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

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fam K insider

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hat d o you want to do when you graduate from college?” Rey Ortega, executive director of Pag-asa ng Pamilya Scholarship Foundation, asked the scholars in one of their annual gatherings. One by one, they gave the usual answers. “I want to be a teacher.” “I want to be an accountant.” “I want to be an engineer.” “I want to be a social worker.” But one scholar’s answer floored Rey and the Pag-asa volunteers present at the meeting. The girl said, “I want to go around the world and I want to do it all for free and with a salary to boot.” Wow! “And how do you plan to do that?” Rey asked her. She said, “Kasi po, I am now taking a course in Hotel and Restaurant Management with specialization in cruise tour operations.” Again, wow! No longer imprisoned by the poverty mindset, these poor children are now dreaming big not only for themselves but, more so, for their families. And this is made possible by Pag-

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Dreaming Possible fo Ch

g Big Is or Poor hildren by Tess V. Atienza

The scholars get to meet one another during their annual gathering.

asa. They not only provide scholarships — they inspire the children to go beyond the ordinary, to achieve greater things not for their own personal gain and glory but to bless others and to give glory to God. More than a Hundred Graduates The number of combined graduates of Pag-asa has reached more than a hundred since its inception as Alay Foundation in 1980. Some of them are now working abroad. The graduates are requested to pay it forward — meaning, to help one of their immediate relatives to go to school or to sponsor one scholar in the foundation. Profile of Scholars As of the current school year, 80 percent of the scholars are in college, while the rest are in high school and elementary. Courses, previously limited to Education, Elementary Education and Accountancy, now include Science, Business Administration and Engineering owing to the preference of a major sponsor who wanted his 10 scholars to enroll in those fields. Scholars come from all over the Philippines: Nueva Ecija, Abra, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Antipolo, Cavite, Visayas and Mindanao. Aside from regular scholars, Pag-asa also supports seven seminarians and two novices. Two seminarians are in the Christ the King Seminary of the Divine Word Society in Quezon City, two are in the San Jose Seminary of the Jesuits, one in San Carlos Seminary, and one each in Bicol and Dumaguete. The two novices are with the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Baguio City. Pag-asa, a Christian organization, does not limit itself to sending poor Christian or Catholic children to school. It concretizes its love for the poor without regard for race or religion. At present, it has Muslim scholars in Basilan and Zamboanga.

Of the more than 100 scholars at present, only around 20 have sponsors. This means that a sponsor has committed to send the scholar to school until he graduates. How Much It Takes to Send a Scholar Scholars receive fixed subsidies of P10,000 per semester provided they maintain a required general average in the preceding year or semester. Aside from being poor as one of the qualifications for scholarship, the student must be persevering and this he can show by maintaining good grades. Rey, who considers himself a perpetual beggar for the ministries he heads (Grace to Be Born, Tahanan ng Pagmamahal and Pag-asa ng Pamilya Scholarship Foundation), needs to raise at least P1.5 million a year to be able to continue supporting the scholars who don’t have fixed sponsors. While God has not failed him and the ministries, Rey believes that more fund raising efforts need to be done. It takes P20,000 a year, or P2,000 a month to send a poor child to school. If two or more friends or family members would group themselves and raise P2,000 a month for 10 months, they can already make a difference in the life of a poor child — and, eventually, of a family.

If you feel you are being called to support this ministry in whatever way, you may contact Rey Ortega at 0922-859-7035, 0927501-0605 or reylindo. [email protected].

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east Fsnapshots

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hile hundreds of thousands came in droves to join the fun run for the restoration of the Pasig River on October 10, 2010, another event was happening in Imus, Cavite. The grand launch of the Cavite Feast, dubbed “October Feast,” was held at Cinema 4 of Robinsons Imus along Aguinaldo Highway. The event started with a blessing by Fr. Allan Valero. Bo Sanchez and Hermie Morelos sent video messages to greet and inspire the more than 500 people who attended the event.

“OCTOBER FEAST”

By Joanne Lejos and Tess Atienza

in CAVITE

Campus missionaries Carlo Lorenzo and John Ben Rodriguez led the people in a Spirit-filled worship. Servants wore Filipiniana attire and this added to the festive atmosphere. In his talk, Cavite Feast Builder Rex Robillos enjoined his listeners to give wholeheartedly in everything they do — whether in work, prayer or service — and not to lose faith because God’s abundance is on the way. An enthusiastic and dedicated council supports Rex. Its members are Domie Fernandez, Jomar Mondejar and Peter Fariscal. Ministry heads and servants run the different ministries to make the Cavite Feast — “Ang Pinakamasayang Fiesta sa Cavite” — not only a truly enjoyable and uplifting experience for everybody, but more importantly, a way to grow spiritually. Cavite Feast is now held regularly with a celebration of the Holy Eucharistic Mass every Sunday at the Cinema 5 of Robinsons Imus. It is open to the public.

For inquiries, contact Joanne Lejos at 0921-632-5457, 0917-5268154, 0922-354-9433 or email at [email protected]. 14 KERYGMA • JANUARY 2011

Testimony

The Difference a Caring Group Makes By Mickey Alcain

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e started the year right by focusing on God — serving Him through The Feast in Valle Verde, Pasig, and joining a caring group (CG). My husband and I joined the married couples group under Bro. Ness and Sis. Zosie Nuguid. Our Sundays were never the same again since then. With all the food and the sharing of experiences, it was like having a mini-feast after the big Feast. Everything was going smoothly. I thought that when I serve God, I would have an outpouring of blessings, or if trials would test my amateur faith, I would be shielded by His loving embrace. But I was wrong. Refuge from the Storm As I grew in my service and my relationship with God, I discovered that my husband was having an affair. I tried to convince myself that I could handle this trial on my own. Still, I found myself sharing the devastating news to my CG head, Zosie Nuguid, knowing she wouldn’t be judgmental and would be a Godgiven solace that I badly needed. True enough, she found every opportune time to talk to me and offer consolation in different ways. One day, I broke down when I was at the office. I called again my CG head. She gave me a generous heaping of godly words and comfort. Her prayers and counsel eased the hurt I was feeling then. My boss and colleagues also showed their understanding and support. I calmed down after a while and I was able to complete my shift. It helped so much that my CG head and coworkers helped me focus on forgiveness and love. The following days weren’t easy. I was firm in my decision to separate from my husband. It wasn’t God’s plan, I guess. One day, as I was praying the rosary, I realized how I missed my husband, that I still loved him, and how I was willing to forgive him and ask forgiveness for my own shortcomings. When I reached the office, I got a text message from my husband asking for forgiveness and saying how foolish he was for his infidelity. He said he couldn’t afford to lose me. So I texted him back saying that I forgive him and that he should treat me for lunch. The ice broke and I was overcome with joy. I immediately shared the good news with my CG head. She was delighted even more saying that the Holy Spirit was with me. My husband and I just celebrated our 12th year of togetherness. Our relationship has become stronger and deeper as we have asked forgiveness from each other and most especially from God. We’ve started on a clean slate. People Need People I have learned that people need each other. And that’s where my CG comes in. With them, I share not only my problems and trials, but also how God is touching my life. Doing so made a lot of difference. And I thank God that He made a way for me to get closer to Him through The Feast and CG gatherings.

Laughingly Yours

A big, burly man visited a woman well known for her charitable impulses. “Madam,” he said in a broken voice, “I wish to draw your attention to the terrible plight of a poor family in this district. The father is dead, the mother is too ill to work, and the nine children are starving. They are about to be turned into the cold, empty streets unless someone pays their rent, which amounts to $400.” “How terrible!” exclaimed the woman. “May I ask who you are?” The sympathetic visitor applied his handkerchief to his eyes. “I’m the landlord,” he sobbed.

An old preacher was dying. He sent a message for his banker and his lawyer, both church members, to come to his home. When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room, the preacher held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of the bed. The preacher grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled and stared at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything. Both the banker and lawyer were touched and flattered that the preacher would ask them to be with him during his final moments. They were also puzzled; the preacher had never given them any indication that he particularly liked either of them. They both remembered his many long, uncomfortable sermons about greed, covetousness and avaricious behavior that made them squirm in their seats. Finally, the banker said, “Preacher, why did you ask us to come?” The old preacher mustered up his strength and then said weakly, “Jesus died between two thieves, and that’s how I want to go.”

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16 KERYGMA • JANUARY 2011

IT

happened

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y heartbeat stopped for a moment when I heard the word cancer.

How can I have cancer when I’m so young?

Am I going to die? I cried a bucket of tears. I had just been through a major operation in September 2006 to remove a tumor in my right ovary. It turned out malignant. But my doctor assured me that I wouldn’t die because it was an early-stage cancer: 1C. Still, I had to undergo chemotherapy for six months.

Suddenly I was faced with a reality I wasn’t prepared to accept. It was painful not only for myself but also for my family, friends and my boyfriend. They kept me

By Gemms Pasimio

Fulfilling My Bucket List Cancer pushed me to pursue my dreams

Gemms fulfills one of her life’s dreams: visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

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company while I recuperated from the surgery. My boyfriend of three years promised to walk with me throughout my ordeal. Their love and God’s grace helped me to accept that I have cancer. I’m going to fight this, I said to myself. But my first chemo session left me completely bald and feeling ugly. I looked like a freak and didn’t want to go out of the house. My insecurity hit rock bottom after my second chemo session in November of that year. The man who promised to stand by me at the most crucial time of my life broke up with me to be with another woman. I was emotionally stressed — who wouldn’t be? Cancer and a breakup — God must be punishing me! All the people around me got worried. My doctor talked to me and said, “A lot of cancer patients die not primarily because of their illness but because of depression. Don’t let this heartbreak affect you. That man doesn’t deserve your tears.” Right there and then, I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and focus instead on being healthy and getting better. I decided to fight cancer with positive thoughts. I was determined to win this battle. I completed my chemotherapy treatment in March 2007. In May, just before my birthday, my active cancer cells dropped from 300 to eight — the biggest miracle and the greatest birthday gift God had ever given me! I started living a normal life again. My hair started to grow back a few months later. With my doctor’s go signal, I went back to my sports — running, swimming, snorkeling. I took long drives with friends. I went back to my old life — parties, gimmicks and nightlife.

proposed medical procedures, I told them, “No to operations, no to chemo.” Everyone — family and friends — pleaded with me to reconsider my decision. They said it was suicide, that I was letting myself die quickly. I was even given a timeline — I’d be lucky to still be alive by Christmas 2009. I stood pat on my decision. If it was God’s will to take me at a young age, then so be it.

Gemms runs for her health — and for fun.

Preparing My Bucket List I went out with my high school friends that same week. We planned for an out-of-town trip. I wanted to go back to Boracay one last time. I simply wanted to enjoy the beautiful beach, to parasail and go snorkeling. I wanted to drink lots of fruit shakes at the popular joints there. My friends made it happen. For once, I didn’t think of my illness. When I went back home, I made a list of things I wanted to do and places I wanted to visit before I die. It was a long list. Among the things I wrote were: · go to Binondo and explore Chinatown, and to eat in the estero; · tour Intramuros, including Fort Santiago, and ride a calesa; · eat street foods like kwek-kwek, isaw, Dying Young? betamax and the like (I grew up sheltered In April 2008, my cancer spread to my remaining ovary and my and wasn’t allowed to eat street food when I abdomen. This time it was an advanced stage: 3C-4A. The MRI was growing up); revealed a five-centimeter tumor in · ride the MRT, the LRT, the my left ovary and a 10.9-centimeter jeepneys and the bus with confidence tumor in the abdomen, resting on and without fear at all (I drive a car, the vena cava, leading directly to you see); the kidney and the heart. My doctors · go scuba diving again and try said that once the bigger tumor hits other extreme sports; any major organ, the clock would · explore the beauty of the start ticking. In other words, I could Philippines and see lots of beaches; die soon. · see Europe, specifically Paris and The doctors proposed two major visit the Eiffel Tower; operations and another round of · go back to the US to spend time chemo afterwards. I asked them if with my brother and sister-in-law and these procedures could assure me play with my niece, their first baby. that I would be completely free from At the bottom of my long list, I In front of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. cancer. As expected, there was no wrote: I want to be close to God and guarantee. build a relationship with Him. I went home alone crying, furious with God. Why did He allow me to feel victorious after the first treatment only to Checks on My List take it back so soon? I should have died in 2006 when I was Amazingly, the things I enumerated started happening one at my lowest point. It didn’t make sense to me. by one. I took it as a sign that, indeed, I was going to die My parents were out of the country on mission work for young. the Light of Jesus Family. I informed them the following day A friend invited me to the Christian Life Program (CLP) and they went back to Manila immediately. They talked to of Singles for Christ in Makati. I attended but I didn’t take my doctors. When they asked me for my decision about the it seriously. If there was a conflict between a Friday night 18 KERYGMA • JANUARY 2011

gimmick and the CLP session, I’d skip the latter. I thought, what’s the use of attending it if I’d die soon anyway? Then three weeks before my birthday in May 2008, my dad told me, “Gemms, we have a birthday gift for you! We’re joining a Marian pilgrimage so we can ask God and Mama Mary for a miracle. The last leg will be Paris. You will see Eiffel Tower. Isn’t that exciting?” I froze at the mention of the Eiffel Tower. This is it, I thought, I’m really going to die soon! During the entire pilgrimage, we heard Mass and prayed the rosary every day. Though I enjoyed the trip, I was scared at the same time. I was afraid that the clock would start ticking the moment we returned to Manila. My parents kept reminding me to ask God and Mama Mary for a miracle. Perhaps God wanted to tell me something so I should listen. But how do I listen? Would God really talk to me? During our Mass in Spain, I felt that the homily was especially meant for me. The priest said, “It’s OK to beg from God. If we are in a difficult or painful situation, we can beg God to help us. If we are sick, we can beg God to heal us.” Parasailing gives Gemms a natural The thing is, it’s not like me to beg. Why would I beg God to high. heal me if He allowed this to happen? For some strange reason, I began to cry silently. And for a much stranger reason, I started to beg. I begged God to heal me from cancer. I begged God to grant me a longer life. I asked Him for forgiveness. Then I became still. In my silence, something very beautiful happened. For the first time in my life, I heard God speak to me. He said, “Be not afraid, be not afraid, be not afraid.” The words were crystal clear. It was God speaking to me in my heart. I embraced God’s words and no longer felt afraid. We returned to Manila on the day of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the CLP I had attended. Even if I had a bad jetlag, I still went. When it was my turn to be baptized, I decided to surrender everything to the Lord and completely trust in His name. Three sisters prayed over me and the experience was overwhelming. It was a perfect moment and I cried tears of joy. I felt so calm and at peace. If I received my miracle and lived a longer life, then praise God. If not, I would continue to be grateful. After all, God has given me a wonderful life. 

Gemms with her karting group

tranquility. I was finally allowed to scuba dive again! What a joy to swim with the fish or simply feed them while snorkeling. With God’s grace, I’ve emptied myself of all the negative feelings in my heart. I’ve learned to forgive. I’ve forgiven the man who left me when I got sick. Today, because of my faith and positive attitude towards life, and without unnecessary stress, I am receiving God’s healing power. Medical tests show that even without chemo or surgery, both of my tumors have been shrinking slowly but surely. God is truly amazing!

Life Is Beautiful Despite Cancer It is now my advocacy to help, encourage and inspire people with cancer. Having cancer is not the end of life. In my case, I only started living in the real sense when I got sick. With God at my side, I live one day at a time. Every day is a beautiful gift from the Lord and I enjoy each one Growing Closer to God: Big Check! to the fullest. I am Today, I am a member of Singles for Christ (Makati chapter) and happy and I am at I also attend The Feast at the PICC. I love God and have grown peace. God is my much closer to Him. Sharing her life story in a Singles healer and I give my for Christ conference. Until now I am in awe. I never imagined myself praising life to Him. I want to God amidst my sickness. I can’t explain how and why, but I am love and serve Him genuinely happy and at peace. God is my Lord and Savior. He until my last breath. loves me. And oh, by the time you read this, Despite having cancer, I’m enjoying God will have granted me another wish my life to the fullest, doing the things from my bucket list. I’ll be in California Gemms in Avila, Spain with her I love. I regularly swim and can do 50 visiting my brother. The last time I saw parents, Roy and Rory. laps, freestyle. I go to the gym and run him was in 2006 when he got married marathons. (and before I found out I had cancer). Now I resigned from my job in December I’m back and the whole family is together 2008 to be free from the stress of the again. More importantly, I get to play with corporate world. I’ve been exploring my lovely niece. beautiful places for relaxation and It’s great to be alive! JANUARY 2011 • KERYGMA 19

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pecial S section

H

ENJOY SHORT-TERM

AND

WINS ACHIEVE

YOUR LIFE

DREAMS By Bo Sanchez

appy New Year! We’re given another year to celebrate life. What are you going to do with the next 52 weeks? Here’s my suggestion: Get 52 marbles or pebbles. Put them in a jar. Each marble or pebble represents one week. Make a list of the 52 things you want to do this year. For example, you can say, join a marathon, or go for an annual retreat or visit an orphanage. Anything your heart desires. For each week that comes, check your list and decide on what you will do for that week. Then do it. And when it’s done, get one marble or pebble from your jar and throw it away. (You can also keep it in another jar so you can reuse it next year.) Towards the end of the year, you’d be surprised. While your marbles are almost all gone, you’d have lived a fuller life. Do it year after year. And you will have achieved your life dreams. Big dreams, broken down into small doable dreams, can create wonderful things in your life. Miracles don’t always have to come down from heaven. You can work your own miracles. As the year starts, ask yourself: What miracles do I want to happen in my life this year? Then start working on them — one miracle a week. Enjoy the year! JANUARY 2011 • KERYGMA 21

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year ago, I took up tennis. For weeks, all my instructors taught me were the basics. So when the ball approaches, I’d still think: step no. 1: look at the ball; step no. 2: take two steps; step no. 3: hit the ball from the bottom and swing the racket all the way up.

It was confusing. And then I got busier with my other activities, so I quit. But I knew that if I persisted, a day would come when I wouldn’t think of every step anymore. It would all come automatically. The same thing is true with miracles. The five things I’m going to teach you may confuse you at first. But a day will come when it will become automatic and you will have more miracles and wonderful things happening in your life. When I say miracle, I mean the literal translation of the word, which comes from Latin. It means “something wonderful.” There are two kinds of miracles — the obvious ones and the not-so-obvious ones. The obvious ones are like those that we read in the Bible, such as a dead person raised to life again, the lame walking or the blind seeing. But there are many miracles happening in our lives right now that we are probably not aware of. Do you know that in the entire world, there are 232,000 people who were alive yesterday but did not wake up this morning? You and I cannot be totally sure that we will wake up the next day. That’s why I believe that every day, every morning is a miracle. Award-winning director Marilou Diaz-Abaya, a cancer survivor, told me about her friend who makes a beautiful bird origami every morning as a symbol that each day is a special gift from God. She now has more than a hundred hanging from her ceiling. It reminds her that she is given another day to live, to love and to enjoy life. What the Bible Says About Miracles These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages… They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed. – Mark 16:17-18 But saying all that, we also need smaller miracles. What should we do if we want a small miracle in our life, like a financial blessing, a relationship restoration, a successful career or a huge business success? 22 KERYGMA • JANUARY 2011

YOU MIRACLE By Bo Sanchez

CAN BE A E WORKER

Five Steps to Create More Miracles in Your Life 1. Desire It Ask and you will receive… – Matthew 7:7 When we were growing up, we received wrong messages, sometimes from our parents, or friends, or even our religion. Message No. 1: “Don’t desire. It’s wrong to desire anything. It’s not good to desire too much. You don’t deserve to desire.” When I was starting to invest in the stock market, my mentor told me, “You know, Bo, I’ve been teaching people to invest in the stock market these past 30 years. There are two kinds of students that I meet. The first student is the one who goes to the stock market just for the sake of earning a little bit more. But the second student is someone who, when I show him the stock chart, would open his eyes wide. There’s almost like fire in his eyes. There’s passion.” And he continues, “Bo, I see that in you.” “Really?” I smiled. “Yes, that’s you,” he said. And then I remember, when I was seven years old, our teacher asked us, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” One by one, my classmates raised their hands and said, “Fireman! Soldier! Doctor!” Then the teacher looked at me and asked, “How about you, Bo, what do you want to be when you grow up?” “A stock investor,” I said confidently. You know why? Because when I was seven years old, I’d sit beside my father every day as he looked at the stock market in the newspaper. “Dad, what are you reading?” I asked him one day. “I’m looking at the stock market prices because I’m investing in some companies,” he replied. “What’s that?” I became curious. “Oh, you own a little bit of the company and you earn,” he explained. “You earn?” I asked again. “Yes, you earn,” my dad repeated. “You’re not working and you’re earning? Wow, I like that!” At that age, I didn’t know that I was already thinking about having passive income. And then I forgot all about it. I removed it from my mind when I was 12, 13, 15, as I came to know God, as I started serving the Lord and giving myself to God as a preacher and a missionary. Why? Because the message I received then was JANUARY 2011 • KERYGMA 23

that if you think about money, you’re bad. If you think about trying to earn money and multiplying it, that’s evil. So I forgot all about that for the next 20 years. Until I realized that it wasn’t money that was bad. It’s our hearts. Money is neutral. If you use money for good, it’s going to be a blessing. And that’s my dream — to earn money not only for myself. I just want to keep on earning because I want to bless people. I want to bless the Kingdom of God. I desired something but I received the wrong message that it wasn’t good to have desires. But thanks be to God, He corrected my theology about money. And now, He’s honoring my desire. It’s God’s will that you desire certain things — He gave you the power to desire it. The only problem is if that desire will destroy your life. But if it will make you a better person, why not? Message No. 2: “You don’t deserve what you desire.” Some people pray like this: “Lord, heal me, please.” But at the back of their mind, they’re saying, “I don’t think I’ll get healed.” You think a person like this will get healed? You need to believe that you will receive what you ask for. The Bible says that your faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can move mountains. For many centuries, no one was able to run a mile in less than four minutes. But in 1954, a medical student by the name of Roger Bannister beat the four minutes. He set a record of three minutes and 59 seconds for a one-mile run. You know what happened in 1955? Thirty-seven runners were able to finish under four minutes. The following year, 300 runners beat it. Before Roger Bannister, no one believed that a human being could beat the four-minute mile run. But because of Bannister, people started thinking, “If somebody can do it, so can I.” You have to believe. If you don’t believe that it’s possible, it will not happen. Declare this: I’m worthy. I deserve to be blessed. God wants me blessed. God wants me to be happy. Write it down! 2. Believe It Many people desire a miracle, but they don’t believe they can have what they desire. Message No. 1: You can’t do it. According to your faith will it be done to you. – Matthew 9:29

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What is impossible in your mind is impossible in reality. Believe that everything is possible. When you have a dream, believe that you can achieve it. When Francis, my youngest son, was still a toddler, he’d often sit beside me in our living room while I wrote on my laptop. He’d come up to me and say, “Daddy, can I watch Barney?” And I’d say, “Sure, son, just give me two more minutes and I’m going to finish this up.” In less than one minute, he’d say again, “Daddy, I want to watch Barney.” He wouldn’t stop until I attend to him and let him watch Barney. Children have not forgotten the power of asking and believing that they will get what they want. Don’t stop desiring and believing. 3. Declare It “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:20 When we were setting up Kerygma Family, I told my team, “No one has done this yet, but it’s a virtual family where people all over the world will sign up. We’ll share with them the Word of God, and they will support our ministries, our work for the poor, for media evangelism and all that we do.” And then I told them, “We’re going to believe that God will give us P1 million a month in donations.” When I said that, I didn’t know how that would happen. We had just launched the website and we were receiving maybe just around P50,000 donations a month. But I was declaring what I believed. And guess what? After one year, it happened. We began to receive P1 million in donation every single month. We want to do more work for the Lord. We want to send more poor children to school. We want to do more evangelism. So I’m claiming and I’m declaring to you now that the day will come when we will be getting P10M a month from Kerygmafamily.com. Declare it. Don’t be afraid. 4. Act on It Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9 Don’t just pray. Act on it. I want a miracle — for my kids to grow up loving, wise,

happy and successful. So I spend time playing with my kids. I walk with them around the block. I take them out on trips. I’m acting on what I desire. The strategy is to build momentum. Don’t leave the site of your dream without doing one thing that will bring you closer to fulfilling it. 5. Let Go of It And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. – Romans 8:28 What does letting go of your dream mean? You’re not letting go of the desire. You’re not letting go of the expectation. You’re letting go of your attachment to it. For example, you pray, “Lord, this is what I desire. I need a house. I’ve been renting all these years. I believe you’re going to give me a house. I’m declaring that I’m going to have a house. And I’m going to act on it. I’m going to save money and try to earn more. But at the end of the day, Lord, I surrender my dream to you. I surrender my attachment to it, because whether or not it happens, I’m going to be a happy person.” That’s what I mean by letting go. Your happiness doesn’t rest on that event, or person, or the fulfillment of what you’re praying for. Even if it does not happen, you’re happy. God is with you and you have the greatest treasure. That’s what it means to “let go.” One reason why we need to let go is that sometimes we outgrow our dreams. There are dreams in your life that you think are important. But a few years from now, they will not be important anymore. As you grow and mature, your dreams mature with you.

I have many dreams that didn’t come true because they were not connected to my soul. If your dreams are connected to your soul, they come with superb energy, passion and endurance. I know someone who wanted a Jaguar and a huge mansion. He got rich and he also met the Lord. Today, even if he could afford a Jaguar and a mansion, he doesn’t buy them. He says, “I no longer desire them. I’ve come to know the Lord and now I want to fund the Kingdom of God.” His dreams have changed. Let go and believe that the best is yet to come. When you are more aware of the wonderful things that are happening in your life and are grateful for them, guess what happens? You are ready to receive more miracles. Friends, flex your muscles and be ready to work on your miracles. For comments and reactions, email me at [email protected].

Bo’s Action Steps:

1. What do you desire in life? Is it a soul dream? 2. Follow the steps mentioned in the article and see what happens.

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pecial S section testimony

W

e had a long day and we needed a breather from the preaching course we were attending in Baguio City. My two best friends and I decided to take a walk at Burnham Park. Their boyfriends accompanied us.

STOP, WAIT AND

BELIEVE

By Minette Yuson-Tapia

We were having a lively banter when, suddenly, a cold wind blew. Automatically, my friends clung to their boyfriends. Me? I pulled my jacket closer to keep myself warm. That incident opened my eyes to the reality of my singleness.

It was a test of faith for me — to continue waiting and believing that God would soon send me a lifetime partner even with no one in sight.

The Stop In 1994, I felt a strong desire to discern my state of life. I thought that if God wanted me to get married, stay single or even enter the religious life, I wanted to be sure — or else I would have a lifetime of regret ahead of me. I sought the help of a Salesian lay affiliate who patiently guided me in my discernment for almost three years. She told me, “Outside of prayer, there is no real discernment.” I kept this in my heart because it

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Minette is a picture of contentment as she follows her calling as a wife and mother.

reminded me to always pray, especially when making important decisions in life. For three years, God gave me the grace to deepen my prayer life and to be attuned to Him. Finally in 1997, I realized God was calling me to marriage. While Waiting A particular verse, Isaiah 62:1-5, became my battle cry during the time that I waited for the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise that I would marry the man He intended for me. Every day, I prayed for a good partner in life — one who would love me and take care of me and our future children, who fears the Lord and would work hard for our family. It was difficult to wait. At 26, opportunities for meeting men my age were limited. My life was almost confined to the house, the school where I worked, and church. My social life was almost non-existent. My close friends were already committed so I felt alone in my journey. Still, I trusted and waited. I plunged deeper into service. I was chosen as coordinator of our prayer community, whose members were much older than me. In my career, I was appointed as Christian Living Education coordinator and in-charge of the outreach activities of the high school department. In between, I studied ballroom dancing and developed myself to be the right partner for God’s intended husband for me. I also saved a lot of money to be able to join the World Youth Day in Rome in 2000. Believing My friends were on the lookout for possible guys to match with me. A month before I left for the World Youth Day, my friend, Cathy Paras, introduced me to her choir mate and good friend, Ed. We first started talking to each other over the phone. Then the day before my departure, he visited me at home for the first time. I was surprised at the ease he displayed as he chatted with my mom and sister. I also enjoyed talking to him. He must have enjoyed my company, too, because, before he left, he said that he hoped that it wouldn’t be the last time we’d see each other.

Minette with her God-sent husband, Ed

On my two-week pilgrimage during the World Youth Day, I prayed for my calling and for the new man in my life, Ed. I prayed that the Lord would guide us if it was a relationship that would please Him. When I returned, Ed lost no time in courting me. He eventually became my boyfriend. Finally, the long wait was over. After four years, the Lord fulfilled His promises to me. We got married in December 2001 and now we have two energetic boys — fruits of years of stopping to discover God’s will and my deepest desires, of waiting actively, and of believing that He would turn what seemed impossible to possible — all in His own good time.

Minette and Ed with their two energetic boys: Pao (left) and JM (right). JANUARY 2011 • KERYGMA 27

pecial S section

ENJOY SH TERM WIN YOUR

28 KERYGMA • JANUARY 2011

HORTNS IN R LIFE By Bo Sanchez

T

here’s this song that I love to sing every morning: Something good is going to happen to me this very day, this very year. Something good is going to happen to me. Jesus is blessing my way.

Every morning, I tell myself, great things will happen today. I walk out of the house and tell myself, great things will happen today. People will bless me today. I will learn new things today. I will be able to serve God today. I say those things again and again. And guess what? Those things happen. God meets us in our expectations. Your expectations limit the possibilities in your life. So let me ask you this question: What do you expect from God? “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:31-33 How many of you want all things to be provided for you? God didn’t say, “Guys, you put me in the top 10 priorities in your life and I’ll provide you with everything.” No, He wants to be first. God wants you to give your complete, total trust and commitment to Him. He wants you to give all to Him so that He can give all things to you. If your commitment is small, He cannot give you all. Big Dreams Require Big Change Is there something you want to change in your life? There are two things you have to do: 1. Have big dreams 2. Make big change

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What does it mean to have big dreams? Donald Trump, a billionaire from New York, said, “If you are to dream, you might as well dream big.” There’s this husband who goes to his wife and says, “Sweetheart, I’ve been watching our wedding videos and I love it.” “Oh, that’s sweet, darling,” the wife says, elated. And the husband says, “But I watch it in a particular way — on rewind.” I’ve met a lot of married people who wish they were still single. They feel trapped and they want out. Me? I see myself celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary together with my children and my grandchildren. This is my big dream for my family and for my marriage. And because I have a dream, I work on it every day. When you dream, don’t just say, “I want to have an OK marriage.” Say, “I want to have a great marriage. I want to grow old with my spouse.” Have a big dream for every area of your life. Sometimes I ask people, “What’s your dream for your finances?” Some would say, “Oh, I just want to be able to pay the bills and eat three times a day.” That’s not a dream. And these people would defend their answer by saying, “I’m just a simple person.” It’s good that you’re detached from material things. But how about your poor neighbor who runs to you for help? Life is not just about you. You’re able to eat three times a day but what about the poor who can’t even eat a decent meal every day? Why not have a dream that includes other people? Why not say, “Lord, I want more than enough so I can help others”? Small dreams won’t excite you so you won’t go anywhere. But big dreams will motivate you and, chances are, you will fulfill them. But having a big dream isn’t enough. You also need to have big change. And that’s what Matthew 6:31-33 talks about. 30 KERYGMA • JANUARY 2011

Why would Jesus tell us to seek God first? Why didn’t He just say, “OK, why don’t you try making God no. 5 in your life today”? Then next month, maybe you can make Him no. 4. Then work up to making Him no.3? God wants you to take massive action. Let’s say you want to quit smoking. There are two ways you can go about this. One way is to do it slowly. If you smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, when you wake up in the morning, you take one stick and throw it away. Then you go to work and smoke one pack minus one stick. The next day, when you wake up in the morning, you get two sticks and throw them away. On the third day, you take three sticks and so on. That’s the slow way of quitting cigarettes. There’s another way, which is total, complete, 100 percent radical. You quit smoking completely and say, “That’s it.” You quit cold turkey. Which do you think is the best way of giving up cigarettes — the slow way or the radical way? Research after research reveals that slow change rarely works. Do you know that rockets consume 80 percent of its fuel upon take-off? It takes massive action at the beginning so that it will blast off. And then it flies to the moon with only 20 percent of its fuel. The same is true when you want to change something. Take radical action now and things will be easier later on. Radical Action Equals Short-Term Wins When you quit smoking slowly, you begin to feel better. You breathe easier. Your clothes don’t stink anymore. It happens right away. These immediate benefits are called shortterm wins. That’s what happens when you take radical action. Big change produces immediate benefits. Small change produces delayed benefits. Dean Ornish, an American doctor known for his lifestyledriven approach to the control of coronary artery disease, would gather patients

scheduled for a bypass operation and angioplasty. He’d invite them to undergo his program with the promise that they won’t need a procedure after that. His program involves holing up his patients in a hotel for 30 days. There, he would control their food intake and put them on a vegetarian diet. They exercise daily, do yoga and learn breathing exercises to manage their stress. After 30 days, 91 percent of his patients would no longer have chest pains. That’s a short-term win. They made a survey of all his patients three years after completing his program and 70 percent of them have permanently changed their lifestyle. Think about it: Thousands upon thousands of cardiologists tell their patients, “You’re going to have a heart attack if you don’t change your lifestyle. You’ll need an angioplasty, a bypass at worst. Why don’t you lessen your meat and exercise more?” But do they change? No. So why does Dean Ornish’s program work and others don’t? Because there’s nothing radical in what the other cardiologists advise their patients. Because there’s no massive action, it doesn’t work. Do you want to change anything in your life? Maybe it’s your temper. Maybe it’s a stubborn bad habit in your life. Maybe it’s your diet. Whatever it is, take massive action now. That’s the only way you can change. And the only way you can take massive action every single day is to be in a relationship. Relationships Help Dean Ornish would be with his patients for 30 days. That relationship gave them hope to take massive action every day. I’m a believer in small groups. You need relationships to support you as you change your life. I cannot count the number of people who came up to me and say, “Bo, The Feast changed my life.” Sometimes, these men and women come up to me with tears running down their cheeks. Why do people change through The Feast? First, we bring them into a relationship with God. And that relationship with God changes people. Second, when you come to The Feast regularly, we develop a relationship. We may not sit together for coffee, or drink in a restaurant, but every Sunday you see me and I see you. That’s a relationship and it brings hope because I believe in you. I believe you can change. But you also need a close-knit group

of five to 10 people with whom you meet every week to pray together and encourage one another. That’s where our caring group comes in. Dream Big, Start Small Now let me clarify. If you have dreams where you want to add something new to your life, the formula is to dream big and start small. You want to put up a business and you’re not a businessman, then dream big and start small. You want to be a marathoner and you don’t even run around the block, then dream big and start small. But if you want to remove something old in your life — let’s say a nasty habit you want to get rid of — the formula is to dream big and start big. You want to change something in your life now? Take massive action and enjoy shortterm wins. Comments? Email me at bosanchez@kerygmafamily. com.

Bo’s Action Steps: 1. Identify the changes that you want to happen in your life. 2. If it’s to remove something old in your life, what radical action can you take? 3. If it’s to add something to your life, what small steps can you take? JANUARY 2011 • KERYGMA 31

pecial S section testimony

H

ave you ever felt that getting your prayer answered is like pulling out teeth using a pair of tweezers?

Imagine how that goes. You are sweating and doing all sorts of contortions to get the right grip. You even stand on a chair to get leverage. The owner of the tooth has a mouth that’s already as wide and deformed as that of Batman’s nemesis, the Joker, from all the fruitless maneuvers.

For years, I felt that way about my prayer for my livelihood. I even used to say in jest that if my dream were a person, she’d be about to graduate from college soon. It has been that long.

After over a year of attending and serving at the Feast in Alabang, I learned that I had been going about it the wrong way. I was using the wrong tools. Yes, exactly like using a pair of tweezers to pull teeth. Confused Dreams Let me illustrate. I got my Novena to God’s Love in 2007. In it, I was supposed to write my seven dreams and pray for them every day. The novena said they have to be specific. For two years, all that was written in my novena was my name. I could not get my dream for my career/business down pat, so I could not complete my novena. Before 2007, I had gotten into the habit of writing down my prayer petitions at the beginning of each year. I have pages upon pages of dreams written over the years. My prayers have been constant except for this area. My dream would morph into something else as the year progressed. My prayer for my business 32 KERYGMA • JANUARY 2011

THE A

EXTRACTIN

BLES

ART OF

NG A

SSING By Lella Santiago

Lella’s field of blessings has become more abundant as she cocntinues to serve the Lord.

would get crossed out, written over in red ink, pink ink, orange ink as situations changed. Once in a while I’d modify something. That’s not exactly what I want. Or there’s something else more promising. In short, my vision was fuzzy. Can you imagine the confusion the universe had in trying to deliver this dream? I can picture God indulgently waiting on the side till I could get it right. After all, He knows the dream He has written in my heart. Finally Getting It Right It was only in 2010 that I finally wrote down my seven dreams. The mere act of writing them down in that tiny prayer book gave me laser light focus. Suddenly, things became clearer and I was able to move with a purpose. It was easier to eliminate steps that would keep me from my goal. Like, will taking a job as a transcriptionist propel me to my goal of becoming a writer? Not if it will keep me from writing — the difficult accents make my ears bleed and turn my brain to soup. It robs me of creativity and the time to write. Any job I take from now on must enhance my ability to reach my aspirations. Although I had been frenetically, obsessively working for years to make my wishes come true, the fluidity of that dream prevented it from becoming a concrete reality. When I finally decided on what I wanted, I was able to take the right steps. In just a few months, my novena has become colorful. There are now pink tick marks on it. My prayers are being answered one by one. My elder son graduated from college. Several months after graduation, he got a job even if it was out of season for teachers to be hired. He also auditioned for the Feast Alabang Music Ministry. Those are checks for my dream numbers one and two. My younger son finally finished his thesis after being delayed for two terms. Not only that, his thesis won the bronze for animation in the TBS DigiCon 6 1st Philippine Awards for 2010. In Jesus’ name, he will be graduating this year. Another check for dream no. 2 coming. Dream no. 3.a.1 in my novena is to become a writer. Dream no. 3.c is to bless others with my writing and inspire them to improve their lives. When my religious gifts business floundered in 2008, I co-founded Proudly Filipina.com, an online magazine and social network for Filipinas. I got to meet, interview

and write about celebrities and other accomplished Pinays. Although it was not a rousing success financially, it did bag the Digital Filipino Web award for Best Community in 2009. More importantly, it honed my talent as a writer and gave me a clearer picture of what I wanted to be. That vision allowed me to finally write down my dream for my career. The clear career path that I drew guided me in choosing the right incomegenerating activities. I concentrated on writing for Insight Magazine, which brought on a new development this year. My new Insight calling card now has the words “Feature Editor” added under my name. I was also motivated to revive my blog, “My B.A.G. of Miracles” — another avenue for my writing. But the biggest check in my dream no. 3 is the fulfillment of a 12-year-old dream: to be a Didache writer. I became a straw through which God’s blessings flowed. It warms my heart to receive emails thanking me for my reflections. One particular email floored me. The sender said that after saying a prayer I wrote, God empowered him to find the P35,000 he needed to fund a check that day. It was a quirky little prayer borne out of my business frustrations that God used to bless someone. The Right Tools I believe that I have been “pulling more teeth” this year because I was given the right tools. First is the mindset that my stories and prayers flowed from my woundedness. I learned to mold the different trials life throws at me every once in a while to create small victories. Second, the image of what I want my life to be is now in high definition — no longer fuzzy and conflicted. Third, I finally learned God’s will for me. It is not about the minute details but a vision to love like Jesus. He has given me the freedom to decide the “how.” And lastly, when I bloom where I am planted, God will shower me with all the things that are needed to make my dreams come true.

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34 KERYGMA • JANUARY 2011

Soul Catholic

Liturgical Wish List for 2011

W

hat is the end of a year and the start of another without a resolution or a wish list? We will not offer resolutions in this issue but convey matters in our liturgical celebrations which head the list of parishioners’ concerns that need to be addressed. 1. Better Homilies During the conclusion of the retreat of Asian Bishops, Cardinal Arinze exhorted the clergy to stick to sermons on the liturgical readings, morals and catechesis, instead of using the pulpit to delve on the irrelevant and mundane, politics and fundraising. The latter can be reserved as a parish announcement. Priests were reminded to prayerfully prepare for their homilies since they have to elaborate on the Word of God. 2. A Relevant Choir Sometimes parish choirs miss out on their purpose: to lead the congregation in singing. They are not there to perform. Some have a knack for choosing the most difficult melodies for sung parts of the Mass that only trained cantors or those with inborn singing ability can follow in the Gloria, Our Father, Sanctus, etc. St. Augustine once said that singing a prayer is twice

praying. But what if we cannot be in sync with the choir? 3. Bossy Commentators The liturgical reforms introduced by Vatican II saw the need for commentators to guide the faithful in the new form of the Mass. Today, a generation hence, overly eager commentators still dictate when to sit, kneel or stand rather than restricting themselves to introductions of the Mass, priest, readings and announcements. 4. Quiet Time A brief period for quiet personal meditation is mandated following the homily and communion. Few parishes observe this (especially by the choir). 5. Proper Decorum Three years have passed since parishes all over put up posters on proper attire but many have ignored the message. Maybe parish priests ought to be more emphatic and regularly remind parishioners to worship the Lord in holy attire (1 Chronicle 16:29). In our area, there are two places of worship within a stone’s throw of each other. One is a Catholic school run by a religious congregation with regular Sunday Masses; the other is a vibrant evangelical community. It is fairly easy to guess which congregation people belong to as they walk towards the

by Edgardo C. de Vera

same direction. If the person is shabbily dressed or in shorts, that individual is going to Mass. If dressed in “Sunday best,” that person is most likely headed for the evangelical worship. 6. Respect for the Word of God Latecomers filling up pews right in the middle of the readings is a common bad habit. Can’t they wait till after the proclamation? Better yet, come before Mass? And how many of us have seen parents hand their children missalettes to play with? These get crumpled, torn, strewn on the floor to get trampled on like doormats and discarded candy wrappers. Does anybody care? Whether called missalette, Sambuhay, Euchalette or whatever, the liturgical leaflet is the Word of God and deserves respect. 7. A Meaningful Sign of Peace Wouldn’t it be nicer if strangers smiled at one another and made real eye contact during the Sign of Peace rather than the robotic nodding, swiveling heads every which way, and blank expressions that actually don’t acknowledge people around? 8. Proper Disposition This applies to us all. How? That’s for you to answer. Email me at [email protected].

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Join the Force. Change the World. We’re looking for volunteers who want to bless others with God’s love.

Be a Shepherd today.

36 KERYGMA • JANUARY 2011

Call 725-9999

KPreacher

by Obet Cabrillas

SPELL OUT

YOUR LOVE

Experience, Enjoy and Express Godly Love

L

et me share with you my Alphabet of Love:

ABC: Always Be Caring DEF: Develop Enduring Friendships GHI: Grow Happily Inspiring JKLM: Just Keep Loving More NOP: Never Omit Patience QRS: Quietly Render Service TUV: Think Unlimited Virtue WXYZ: Welcome X-treme Youthful Zeal Kidding aside, every person must spell out his love. Why? I have a friend who is a cancer survivor. No, she is not depressive. She is extremely unexpressive. When I asked her, “How about now, are you learning to be expressive?” She energetically replied, “You bet!” then she threw her arms around me. My friend, listen to me: Be expressive. Learn to spell out your love. And let healing take place — in you and in the one you are giving love to. Harold Bloomberg, MD, said in his book, The Cure for Depression, “The

cure for depression is expression, emotional literacy and assertiveness.” How do you express your love, feel your emotion and assert feelings? By spelling out your L-O-V-E: Listen to the Person. Paul Tillich said, “The first duty of love is to listen.” More than the grandiose expression of love, the beloved needs to be heard and listened to. Voltaire was right when he said, “The road to the heart is the ear.” Indeed it is. Place both the ears side by side and they will form the shape of a heart. Spell out HEART. Remove T then you have HEAR. Remove H and you spell EAR. Because the best way to listen is not just from the ears but from the heart. Overlook Offenses. People who keep a record of wrongs get sick along the way. Choose to overlook offenses, ignore mistakes, forgive wrongdoings. Former Nazi German prisoner Corrie Ten Boom said, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and that prisoner is you.” Forgiving is not in the feelings, it is in your decision to move on. It’s not about whether the person deserves your forgiveness or not. It is because you are a loving person who chose to live and grow rather than to sulk and stagnate. Forgive, forbear, forego and forget. Value the Person. Max Lucado said, “What makes us special is the signature of God in our lives.” Instead of collecting signature clothes and items, hunt for the unique Godly signature in people. Only then can you learn how to value, know, understand, love and ultimately serve them. “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather regard

others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests but also of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). Express Your Love. Proverbs 27:5 counsels, “Better an open rebuke than a love that remains hidden.” Until when will we imprison the love God has planted in our hearts? I challenge you to unleash your love and feel the healing, liberating, rejuvenating grace of God to flow through you and the people you love. Rick Warren even gives a follow-through when he said, “The best use of life is love; the best expression of love is time; the best time to love is now.” As I write this article, it’s exactly midnight of November 17, 2010. It’s my birthday! Hours ago, friends from The Feast gave me a heartwarming surprise birthday party. I looked around and felt so loved by God that He surrounded me with these wonderful and loving people. Then it dawned on me. People are willing to serve God side-by-side with you when you have spelled out God’s love to them. Before heaven above, there must be heaven within. When you love fully, heaven becomes tangible. When do you start? Now na! Spell out your love and let heaven begin. Kpow! Email me at [email protected]. JANUARY 2011 • KERYGMA 37

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Story

One Last

A Change of Heart

my family. He gave my husband and me two more beautiful angels — Rose Angeline and Ammia Angela. I gave birth to all of them via caesarean section. A year and a half after giving birth to my third daughter, I got a heart enlargement. It required open heart surgery at the soonest time possible because I was already in my 30s. My heart enlargement was detected through my annual physical examination. If the doctors didn’t detect my heart’s condition early enough, I would only live until my late 30s or early 40s because of secondary pulmonary hypertension, a serious condition if left untreated. Where I Got My Strength My husband, Rhonnie, is a seaman, but I didn’t ask him to come home anymore. That way we’d be able to save and have money after the operation. Though we were miles apart, my husband’s love helped me through the operation. I was not alone in my predicament for I had the support and love of my family and friends. I drew strength from them and, most especially, God.

My Cardiac Condition Gave Me the Opportunity to Encounter Christ By Arlene Batislaong as told to Leeanne Sy

W

hen I was about to be wheeled to the operating room, bright rays of light came flashing in front of my eyes as if I was in front of a window. A voice inside me said that it was the Divine Mercy. My heart was replete with joy and peace. It was an assurance that everything would be all right. It was like saying that the Lord Jesus Christ always resides in my heart. He is always there, every step of the way. I was the typical Sunday Christian prior to my operation. I just went to Mass every Sunday, on first Fridays when I felt like it and prayed the novena whenever I had petitions. My life changed when I encountered Jesus in a personal way after my open heart surgery.

My Adult Congenital Heart Disease I was diagnosed with ASD or atrial septal defect late in my life. I had a congenital opening in the heart because of the failure of the atrial septum to close normally after birth. When my doctors learned that I had a hole in my heart after giving birth to my firstborn, Angelika Rholene, they advised me not to conceive anymore. But God had other plans for

Miracle Time I was an ordinary employee while my husband’s salary was just enough for the family’s needs. But monetary help overflowed from my husband (he still sent the money), family, friends and even from the company I am working for. Truly, God touched a lot of people. I was very fortunate since I didn’t need to worry about money. I also didn’t have any problems with my blood transfusion because God sent blood donors. I also sensed the guidance of the Holy Spirit when I chose my doctors at the Heart Center. I was not familiar with any of them, so I just browsed the Net before making my choice. Little did I know that the doctor I chose was the first to perform an open heart surgery here in the Philippines. He had great credentials not just in the country but also in Southeast Asia. The four hours of operation were the longest hours of my life. I tried to hide my apprehensions and fears from my daughters. I felt like I had to be strong for them. I thank God for I had a successful operation without any complications. Giving Back My Life to God Before my operation, my sister brought me to the Feast. I had no intentions of attending again because I didn’t feel it was my cup of tea. But when the music ministry played my favorite song, it was a sign for me to go back the following Sunday. My life was never the same again. Months after I was completely healed, I attended a seminar of the Light of Jesus Family. A year later, I served at the Valle Verde Feast as a care group head and a member of the intercessory ministry. Today, I serve in the kids ministry at the PICC Feast where my children attend the teachings that are apt for their ages. God has given me a new heart — a heart of service in Christ — such that when I sing, “Lord, I give you my heart,” I truly mean it. JANUARY 2011 • KERYGMA 39

Contact point of

by Bo Sanchez

I pray that you receive your miracles in Jesus’ name!

I

pray that God lift your trials, heal your diseases, bless your problems and direct you to the path He wants you to take. I pray that God remove your fears and give you the courage to surrender your burdens to Him. So place your hand over my hand, and let’s pray with trust, together with our prayer team of intercessors praying for you right now… This page is our Point of Contact, our spiritual connection. Say after me… In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Lord, I surrender to You my worries and anxieties. I surrender to You my needs, my problems, my trials. I place them all in Your big hands. And I open myself to all that You want to give to me. On this day, I say yes to Your love, to Your blessings, to Your healing, to Your miracles. And Lord, specifically, I ask for the following miracles for my life... I believe that You answer my prayer in the best way possible! And I thank You in advance for the perfect answers to my prayers. I also ask for the special intercession of Mama Mary. I pray all this in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

SPECIAL INTENTION FOR THIS MONTH: Bless the readers of Kerygma, Lord. You know the desires of their hearts. You have big dreams for their lives. Help them grasp those dreams and set them aflame to pursue them with passion. Some may need to do big changes in their lives before they can fulfill Your dreams for them. Grant them courage to face them and to take concrete steps to remove the obstacles that prevent them from achieving their dreams. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Praying for you, Email your prayer requests to me at [email protected] or write to me at Shepherd’s Voice Publications, #60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109.

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