The Starfish

via

I awoke early, as I often did, just before sunrise to walk by the ocean's edge and greet the new day. As I moved through the misty dawn, I focused on a faint, far away motion. I saw a youth, bending and reaching and flailing arms, dancing on the beach, no doubt in celebration of the perfect day soon to begin.

As I approached, I sadly realized that the youth was not dancing to the bay, but rather bending to sift through the debris left by the night's tide, stopping now and then to pick up a starfish and then standing, to heave it back into the sea. I asked the youth the purpose of the effort. "The tide has washed the starfish onto the beach and they cannot return to the sea by themselves," the youth replied. "When the sun rises, they will die, unless I throw them back to the sea."

As the youth explained, I surveyed the vast expanse of beach, stretching in both directions beyond my sight. Starfish littered the shore in numbers beyond calculation. The hopelessness of the youth's plan became clear to me and I countered, "But there are more starfish on this beach than you can ever save before the sun is up. Surely you cannot expect to make a difference."

The youth paused briefly to consider my words, bent to pick up a starfish and threw it as far as possible. Turning to me he simply said, "I made a difference to that one."

I left the boy and went home, deep in thought of what the boy had said. I returned to the beach and spent the rest of the day helping the boy throw starfish in to the sea. 

source

God's Coffee

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. 

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. 

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: 

"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. 

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. 

What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups. 

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live. 

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us." 

God brews the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee! 

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything." 

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

source

photo from here

MUKHA AD Recollection 2014

As we commemorate the forthcoming Silver Jubilee of MUKHA AD, we invite all MUKHA AD graduates to reflect, reconnect and recollect this Palm Sunday, 13 April, 1-5pm at the Sto. Domingo Studentate AVR.

ADMISSION IS FREE.

Feel renewed and rejuvenated this season of Lent.

Walk Humbly: The Unlikely Tale of a Coor-Gen

Let me share with you my unlikely, if not miraculous, tale that catapults me into the most-coveted post of MUKHA AD, the Coordinator General. I need to unveil a little secret. Actually, I was not the first choice of the group; not even the second one. Br. Jestoni Porras, OP was the man chosen to be the voice of MUKHA AD. Unfortunately, after several weeks in the office, he decided to step down for several valid reasons. Then, in briskly haste, the electoral body once again convened and elected another brother. Yet again, for several valid causes, he could not accept the most desirous office in the universe. Now, it seemed that the electoral body would not have much choice left. My name was the last possibility. Thus, without any necessity of gravity’s force, it fell on my lap.

Before I continue, let me insert this little confession. I have to admit that among the five apostolic groups in the Studentate, MUKHA AD is my last pick. The reason is so simple yet so fundamental: I don’t want to give up my whole Sundays for this apostolate. I believed that after the backbreaking weekdays, I deserve my Sabbath, my Lord’s day. But, God seems to play a little joke on me. Before I entered my second year in Coristado, Fr. Rodel Cancansio, OP asked me to join MUKHA AD. I was caught unguarded, but luckily, I came out with a powerful excuse: “Father, I could not speak Filipino yet”. Then, I requested to stay for another year in KAPATID. He gave his nod and I was saved by the bell. However, before I proceeded to my third year in Coristado, the same person approached me bringing the same demand. I knew that I was running out of luck. With a bitter smile, I said yes and whispered in my heart, “This too will pass.”

Together with Br. Mark Ampis and Jessilito Pelimer, we were part of Batch 23. I think none of us really took the MUKHA AD formation seriously. I marked my first year stay in MUKHA AD with notable number of absences. I even failed to attend the culmination activity and graduation rite. Please, don’t ask me where I place my graduation certificate! Here comes the second year. Originally, I was elected as the Doctrinal animator. Happily, I accepted the post because I knew I could commit more absences.

However, God was not yet done with His joke on me. In the most bizarre circumstances, what I did not like most became a reality. I wished to be out of MUKHA AD, but God has just made me the first person who opens the MAD office, the last one who closes its door and someone who stands in between (a taste of being a security guard!). I desired to be invisible and be seated at the back every meeting and session, but God has thrown me into the place where every eye would gaze at, sometimes subjected to criticism, frustrations, and gossips (a foretaste of being a celebrity!). I dreamed of escaping responsibilities, but God has bestowed on me one of the greatest responsibilities in the galaxy: from critical decision making to floor-waxing the MAD office (at least, I know why they called the coordinator “general”, like in general service).

 As I walk through my life in MUKHA AD, I am gradually humbled. My vulnerability is exposed and my weakness is unmasked. I am not capable, prepared and fit for the job. However, here comes the miracle: God’s joke is much more superior to the best of human wisdom. Or, in the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, “God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom (1 Cor 1:25).” When things seem to fall apart, there are always brothers or lay friends who come to my rescue. When I am falling, the built-in support-system of MUKHA AD catches me. When I lose sight, the inner structure sheds its light. It is slowly revealed that it is not about me, but God doing wonders in every young heart. Note that it is just one month in the post, and things have gone beyond my wildest imaginations. Honestly, I am really excited to see the jokes God has prepared for me and for you, my dear MUKHA ADers. Let us celebrate and walk humbly with Him as we laugh at His jokes on us.

Would you like to share your MUKHA AD experience, too? Please send your articles, literary pieces, photos (with caption), or art work to mukhaad[at]gmail[dot]com.

BUHAY KO: A Perfomance By The MAD Bros :)

I guess everyone would agree that the most anticipated performance in the annual Mukha Ad Grand Opening is that of the brothers'. It is always something to look forward to because it never fails to make the audience smile, laugh and cheer. :)

The video does not cover the entire song but still, enjoy watching!

The Blessing in Serving

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

Bata pa ako nang magsimulang maglingkod sa aming parokya bilang isang sakristan. Pero dahil mas hilig ko ang pag-awit, nag-shift ako to being a choir member. Natatandaan ko, in one of our practice, nagalit ang aming choir master. Kinuwestyon nya ang dedikasyon ng bawat isang choir member kaya't itinanong nya sa amin-- 'Ano ang dahilan kung bakit kayo nag-choir?'

Kinabahan ako kasi wala akong nakahandang sagot sa tanong nya--kasi ang alam ko lang, mahilig ako kumanta kaya sa choir ko gustong sumali. Gusto ko lang kumanta--ganong kababaw, ganon kasimple! Pero parang invalid yung sagot na yun. Buti na lang sumagot yung katabi ko ng- 'Para maglingkod sa Diyos.' 

Mukhang magandang sagot yun..kaya yun na din ang sinabi ko. :)

Lumipas ang maraming taon, halos lahat na yata ng ministries at organizations sa parokya namin ay nasalihan ko na. Akala nga ng mga pinsan ko noon, magpapari na ako.

So, ano ang punto ko sa pagkukwento ko sa account na ito ng buhay ko? 

Marahil, sa matagal na pag-serve ko sa aming parokya at presently sa MUKHA AD (naka-sampung taon na ako sa grupong ito--palakpakan naman!), ang nagpanatili sa akin ay ang kagustuhang i-profess ang gawain ng Diyos.. maging minister ng faith. Siguro, to become like Christ. Ang bigat na mga salita, ano? Minsan, may mga nagugulat na meron pala akong side na ganito.. :))

Meron akong good news at bad news. Ang good news, all of us can become like Christ. Ang bad news, it is hard to become like one.

Siguro, kung tatanungin ako ulit ng choir master na iyon ngayon kung bakit ako sumali sa grupo--ibibigay ko ulit ang sagot ko noon--para makapaglingkod sa Diyos. Pero ngayon, mas malalim na ang kahulugan ng salitang paglilingkod. Lagi ko ngang sinasabi na I'd  like to be God's instrument to touch other people's lives.. to become the human touch.

We could all get busy with our schedules, pero it's a joy in me to share an ample of my time. I'd like to use this chance to let others experience the wonders of God's work. Gusto kong maging mulat rin ang nakakarami sa paglilingkod.

Katulad nga ng nabanggit ko, it's hard to become like Christ. Kahit si Kristo nga mismo ay maraming hirap na dinanas di ba? When you accept the challenge to be of service to God and to others, expect that it's not always smooth sailing. Isa pang natutunan ko, kasama sa paglilingkod ang krus--ang pagpasan nito. Yes, we all have our low moments, but the great news is, we have the Lord!

May nabasa ako: I'd rather be a small fragment of mirror where others can draw light. I hope that one day we all can produce a bigger light because we have reflected a smaller light from each other. 

At ang isa pang good news, yes, I see Christ in you. :) Be a blessing by serving others.

2 Cor. 4:5- It is not ourselves that we are proclaiming but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 

by: Aleckx MUKHA AD   B14

BURST OF COLORS (Video Shoot Behind-The-Scenes)

MUKHA-AD has a way of making things, experiences and life even more colorful. It brings different people together to create lasting friendships. MUKHA AD allows you to see other people in the likeness of God, even with their imperfections.

Above all, MUKHA AD teaches you to...

love.

Engrandeng Pagbubukas, Malapit Na!

Mukha-Ad Welcomes the Newest Members of the Family!

“To all of you, dear young people, who hunger and thirst for truth, the Church offers herself as a traveling companion. She offers the eternal Gospel message and entrusts you with an exalting apostolic task: to be the protagonists of the new evangelization.”
 - Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day, Vatican City, 1993

And so the journey has just begun. For a graduation is a door that leads to another and the rewards and challenges that come next are just as special as the ones previously experienced. 

WELCOME BATCH 23!

Click here to see more pictures taken during the retreat and graduation  last March 1-3 at Matabungkay, Batangas. 

Like the new Mukha-Ad shirt? 

Email us at mukhaad@gmail.com for orders and inquiries.

Daily Survival Kit

Today, I am giving you a DAILY SURVIVAL KIT to help you each day..

Toothpick
to remind you to pick the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.

Rubber band
to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it can be worked out.

Band-Aid
to remind you to heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else's. 

Eraser
to remind you everyone makes mistakes. That's okay, we learn by our errors.

Candy Kiss
to remind you everyone needs a hug or a compliment everyday.

Mint
to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family & Me.

Bubble Gum
to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.

Pencil
to remind you to list your blessings every day.

Tea Bag
to remind you to take time to relax daily and go over that list of blessings.

This is what makes life worth living every minute, every day
Wishing you love, gratitude, friends to cherish, caring, sharing, laughter, music, and warm feelings in your heart. 

(post seen on net)

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

And yes, we can dance too!

Enjoy the video. :)

Every Person Is A Gift

by Eena Joyce Estores

[January 20, 2012 at Cottolengo Filipino in Montalban, Rizal]

Today, I've experienced a different kind of feeling, a feeling that I never thought I'd feel, when I spent almost three hours with those wonderful persons in Cottolengo.

Cottolengo Filipino is a generous institute in Montalban, Rizal where mentally challenged children are taken care of. I am very blessed to be part of the MUKHAAD (Masiglang Ugnayan ng nga Kabataang Hinuhubog sa Anyo ng Anak ng Diyos) batch 23 who had the honor of accompanying them even just for a while.

Every simple gestures that we execute made them smile, made them feel that they're not alone, that they're not different from us. Those smiles from their lips touched my heart. I couldn't help but stare at them, smile and at the same time, be teary-eyed. 

I couldn't take away the feeling of guilt. Those little things that we did for them gave them happiness. But what about me? What about us? We, ourselves with a family and with good health never felt content. Happiness for us is different from what it means to them. But what really is true happiness? Have you ever asked that question to yourself? I, myself, have no clear answer to that yet. But with what I have felt earlier, I think that I already have a clue to what true happiness is. And I'm sure that no material thing will ever contribute to that kind of happiness.

Also, I realized how lucky I am to be with my family. Those children in Cottolengo were abandoned by their own family. It is very frustrating to think that there are persons in this world who take away the right of their own children to be with them, with their family. They have never done anything wrong to be treated like that. They are also human beings like us. We are all persons who deserve all the love we can get. In the eyes of the Lord, we are equal. We should treat other people the way we want us to be treated.

Do you think that you are more human because you are healthy, handsome or pretty, intelligent, skillful, etc.? Well, think again. In fact, most of us are less of who they are. 

"Every person is a gift. And we should not only be a gift to ourselves but also, to other people." - Ate Joyce

Angat sa Lahat!

 pagbabahagi ni Weldann 'Bitoy' Panganiban (Batch 23)

Tandang-tanda ko ang hapong iyon. Galing ako noon sa Manaoag sa aking pagraradyo (Segue: U-Speak po sa 102.3FM Radyo Manaoag, Saturdays, 6:30-8:00 PM), dumiretso ako sa Santo Domingo para sa Faith Sharing ng Mukha Ad para sa Module 2 – Family. Sa pagtatapos ng pagbabahagi, ibinalita sa amin na kami ay magkakaroon ng Team Building sa susunod na dalawang linggo. Nagising ang lahat sa balita... Lalabas kami ng Santo Domingo!

Marami na rin akong sinamahang Team Building session, at doon ay nabibigyan ako ng pagkakataong makilala ang mga taong pinili kong makasama sa organisasyon. Marami akong nalalaman tungkol sa kanila, lalo na ang halaga ng tiwala at pakikisama. Subalit nang dumating ang Team Building ng Mukha AD, nag-iba ang pananaw ko tungkol sa dalawang salitang ito. Hindi lang tiwala at pakikisama ang tinuro nito sa amin, kundi ang halaga ng salitang pagkakaibigan at pagtutulungan. Tunay ngang Angat sa lahat!

September 09, 2012, ang araw na pinakahihintay ng buong Batch 23. Sa sobrang excitement, kahit ang mga ka-batch kong nagigising ng late (lalo na ako) ay pinilit na magising ng super aga para makarating bago ang call time na 8:30. Kahit nga sa aming mga postura, halatang pinaghandaan ng mga kasali ang araw na ito.

Handa na ang lahat, kaya sugod-sugod na rin sa aming destinasyon, ang La Mesa Ecopark.

TO ACT JUSTLY...

Sa pagsisimula ng Team Building, ginawa namin ang kontrobersyal (^^) na Shibashi na pinangunahan ni Kuya Aaron. Kontrobersyal, kasi Grand Opening pa lang naririnig na namin ito, subalit wala kaming ideya kung paano ito gagawin. Iyun naman pala, ito ay isang breathing exercise na nagbibigay ng dagdag na lakas sa katawan at focus sa isipan, parang Tai Chi at Kung-fu na pinagsama.

Sa totoo lang, umpisa pa lang ay feeling bored na kami dahil inhale-exhale lang ang nangyayari with matching moves, subalit nang nakita na namin si Kuya Aaron na tagaktak na ng pawis, na-realize namin na kami man ay pinagpapawisan na rin ng wagas. Nakaramdam kami ng dagdag na energy para magawa ang mga challenges sa araw na iyun. Kailangang makipag-ugnayan rin pala sa aming kalikasan at kapaligiran upang makita ang biyaya ng Panginoon, tulad ng pakikipag-ugnayan namin sa aming kapwa Mukha AD-er, tulad ng paggawa natin ng mabuti sa kapwa kabataan.

TO LOVE TENDERLY...

Hinati kami sa tatlong team: Team Matatag, Team Gwaping at Team Muscle. Maraming challenges na dapat gawin, at kita sa lahat ng miyembro ng bawat team ang determinasyon na magawa at mapagwagian ang bawat hamon. Tulung-tulong ang bawat isa para malagpasan ang bawat challenge at magwagi sa race. Teamwork at determination nga talaga ang puhunan upang manalo sa bahaging ito ng Team Building.

Pero para sa team namin, nagkaroon pa ito ng mas malalim na kahulugan. Biglang inatake ng hika ang isa naming teammate, kaya nawalan kami ng isang kasama. Subalit imbes na manghina at mawalan ng lakas, lalo pa kaming nagsumikap na matapos ang bawat challenge at mapagtagumpayan ito. Kung baga nga, dito namin nakita ang halaga ng pagsasama-sama at pagtutulungan. Sa isang team pala, hindi tama ang sabihing ‘buti nga sa iyo,’ o ‘bahala ka sa buhay mo;’ mas magandang marinig mula sa ating kasama ang mga salitang, ‘magkakasama tayo, magtutulungan tayo.’ Di ba nga ito ang hangad sa atin ng Diyos, na maging magkakasama sa bawat pagsubok, magtulungan sa hirap at ginhawa?

TO WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD...

Pagkatapos ng charade, hinanda na kami para sa second part ng Team Building, ang Trust Walk at Trust Fall. Sabi nila, di ka daw certified Mukha Ader kung di mo ito pagdadaanan. Simple lang ang instruction, walang bibitaw sa pila at sundin lang ang instruction ng leader. Naka-piring ang mata, binagtas namin ang buong kagubatan ng La Mesa. Marami kaming narinig at naramdaman sa kapaligiran, hanggang sa pahintuin kami at isa-isang patihulugin samantalang may sumasalo sa amin.

Hindi namin alam kung saan kami dadalhin o kung ano ang gagawin sa amin, subalit ginawa pa rin namin, dahil alam naming di kami mapapahamak. Tiwala ang puhunan upang magkaroon ng isang mabuting samahan. Tiwala, ibig sabihin, isang malalim na pagkakilala sa iyong kasama, pagtanggap sa kanyang kahinaan at pakikibahagi sa kanyang kaligayahan. Parang si BRO, di natin alam kung ano ang darating sa buhay natin, subalit tuloy lang tayo sa pagsunod sa kanya, dahil nagtitiwala tayong dadalhin tayo ng Panginoon sa kabutihan at di niya tayo pababayaan.

Naalala ko yung unang beses na magkakasama kami. Hindi kami magkakakilala (liban sa mga talagang nasa Santo Domingo na), di namin alam kung ano ang aming papasukin. Ngayon, makalipas ang walong linggo, eto na kami, nagtatawanang sama-sama, nakikinig ng sama-sama, nakikipag-ugnayan sa bawat isa. Dating tahimik at ilag sa kasama, ngayo’y mas malalakas pa ang boses pag nagkita-kita. Sa ibang salita, talagang maraming bagay na ang nagbago. Narito na ang ugnayan, isang magulo, kakaiba at MASIGLANG UGNAYAN na nagbubuklod sa amin sa bawat isa, at kaming lahat patungo sa Diyos.

Ito nga siguro ang hiwaga ang Mukha Ad: ano man ang iyong pinagmulan o kinamulatan, kaya nitong pag-isahin ang ating mga kakayahan at maging epektibong tanda ng pakikipag-ugnay ng Diyos sa lahat. Tinuturuan tayo dito na marunong makibahagi ang Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pakikibahagi natin sa kapwa. Kabataan man tayo, hindi ito hadlang upang ipakilala ang Panginoon sa lahat. Kung tayo ay iisa, wala tayong magagawa; subalit kung kasama ang Diyos at ang kapwa, marami tayong magagawa!

Hindi lamang ito isang Team Building para sa akin, ito ay isang karanasang hindi malilimutan, angat talaga sa lahat! Sa lahat ng aking mga pinagdaanan sa araw na ito, masasabi kong tunay na biyaya sa akin – at sa amin – ng Diyos ang Mukha Ad.

MAD FOREVER! ^^

==

sirbitz.blogspot.com

urdose.blogspot.com

Ang Tao at ang Anak ng Diyos (Ikatlong Bahagi)

mula sa pagbabahagi ni Fray Aaron Reyes sa Man Session 1

AB DEO: Mula sa Diyos

Kawangis ng Diyos

Ano nga ba ang Diyos?

Sabi ni San Juan: “Deus Caritas est.” God is love. Diyos ay Pag-ibig sabi ng isang sikat na awit sa simbahan.

Sinasabi na tayo ay kawangis ng Diyos, hindi dahil sa pisikal na kamukha natin ang Diyos, kundi dahil tulad ng Diyos nagtataglay tayo ng kapangyarihang makaalam o intellect at kapangyarihang pumili ng malaya o freewill.

Ngunit bakit nga ba tayo pinagkalooban ng Diyos ng ganitong kapangyarihan? Sinasabi sa pilosopiya na: nil volitum quin precognitum. Ibig sabihin, walang ginugusto o ninanasa ng hindi muna nalalaman kung ano ito. Kung hindi mo alam na may MUKHA A.D. magagawa mo bang magdesisyon na magpunta ng MUKHA A.D?

Pwede rin natin sabihin na ang kahulugan nito ay ganito: “You cannot love whom you do not know” at “the more you know the more your love grows.” Kung madidiskubre mo na ang taong minahal mo pala sa simula dahil nagandahan ka lang ay naghihilik pala o isang beses lamang naliligo sa isang linggo, ngunit sa kabila nito e pinili mo pa ring mahalin, hindi ba mas wagas na pag-ibig ‘yon kaysa sa pag-ibig sa simula na dahil lamang alam mong maganda sya.

Sa principle na ito ipanapakita ang dalawang mahalagang sangkap ng pag-ibig. Ang volitum ay galing sa salitang volere na sa ingles ay to choose, at precognitum ay galing salitang cogitare na sa ingles ay to know.

Samakatuwid, masasabi natin na dahil sa mga kapangyarihang ito naging posible sa tao ang magmahal. At sa tuwing nagmamahal ang tao siya’y nagiging mas kawangis ng Diyos dahil sabi nga kanina: Deus Caritas est.

Gaano Katindi ang Kalayaan ng Tao?

Ito English ‘to para sosyal.

A philosopher (Rene Descartes if I am not mistaken) once said that if there is anything that make us somehow at “par” with God it is our freewill, our capacity to make our own free decision. The freewill is something either one has or has not. There is no such thing as you have a little freewill or more freewill than others. If it happens that we make mistakes in our use of our freewill it is not because it is defective, rather it is because of the limited range of our ability to see the whole picture of a situation, and hence we make mistakes in our decisions just as an archer misses his mark when his vision is impaired. Now, regardless of our mistakes, it remains true that the freewill is one of the reasons for our dignity and at the same time the reason for our responsibility regarding our own acts.

Sabi kapag nagmahal ka raw binibigyan mo ng kalayaan ang taong mahal mo. At kapag nagbibigay ka raw ng kalayaan nagbibigay ka ng mapagpipilian.

Ang Diyos, sa laki ng pagmamahal niya sa tao, binigyan n’ya ito ng kalayaan at mapagpipilian. Bawat isa sa atin ay tinatanong ng Diyos kung “Gusto mo ba ako o ayaw mo?” ‘Yon nga lang sa oras na hindi natin piliin ang Diyos nagdurusa ang ating katauhan hindi dahil sa pinarurusahan tayo ng Diyos kundi dahil gaya ng nasabi natin sa simula ang panlasa natin ay hinahanap-hanap ang lasa ng Diyos. Sa oras na hanapin natin ang lasa ng Diyos sa mga bagay na hindi Diyos, natatabangan tayo. Hindi tayo ganap na natutuwa. Parang may kulang.

Sa tingin ko, ganoon ang impyerno. Sa oras na maging buo at maging pangwalang-hanggan ang pasya natin na “bastedin” ang Diyos at hanapin ang lasa n’ya sa mga bagay na hindi s’ya, doon tayo nagsisimulang magdusa. Para bang uhaw ka kaya ka kumain ng asukal; pagod ka kaya ka nagjogging ng limang oras; hinahanap mo ang lasa ng Diyos kaya nagtungo ka at nagpakasasa sa mga bagay na hindi naman Diyos o walang kinalaman sa Diyos. Ang impyerno ay walang hanggang pagkain ng matabang: walang hanggang paghahanap sa lasa ng Diyos sa mga bagay na hindi naman Diyos.

Tayo ay malayang tumanggi sa alok ng Diyos. Ganoon katindi ang kalayaang kaloob ng Diyos. Kahit s’ya kaya nating tanggihan. Ang Diyos nasa lahat ng lugar at panahon. Pero dahil sa laki ng pagmamahal niya at paggalang sa kaloob niyang kalayaan sa tao, kahit gusto niya na makasama tao, ipinahintulot niyang magkaroon ng maaari nating sabihing “lugar, “oras,” “estado o kalagyan” kung saan hindi siya makikita o mararamdaman ng mga may ayaw sa kanya. If you tell the Lord, “I need space and I need time.” There you will have all the space you want and the eternity you desire.

Hindi namimilit ang Diyos. ‘Pag namwersa s’ya, hindi na pag-ibig ‘yon. Rape ‘yon! 

Ang Tao at ang Anak ng Diyos (Ikalawang Bahagi)

(Click here for the first part)

mula sa pagbabahagi ni Fray Aaron sa Man Session 1 

Ang Lasa ng Diyos

Gusto mo ba ng pangit? Ok, ipagpalagay natin na wala kang pakialam sa pisikal na kagwapuhan o kagandahan, gusto mo ba ng pangit ang ugali?

Gusto mo ba ng masarap na pagkain? Ok, ipagpalagay nating wala kang pakialam sa lasa, syempre, gusto mo ‘yong nakakabusog di ba? 

Kapag masaya ka, di ba parang gusto mong huwag nang dumating ang bukas, at huwag nang matapos ang kasiyahang ito?

Di ba kapag may mabuting taong namatay tayo ay nalulungkot at sinasabi natin sana ‘yung presidente o mayor o ‘yong kaaway ko na lang ang namatay?

Gusto mo bang niloloko ka? S’yempre hindi ‘no? Gusto mo alam mo ‘yong totoo. Gusto nating malaman ang totoo, kahit sa bandang huli pwede tayong masaktan ng katotohanan, sabay magsisisi tayo na sana hindi na lang natin inalam. Pero bago mangyari ‘yon di natin naisip ang ganoon. Basta ang mahalaga malaman natin ang totoo.

Mahilig ka ba sa tsimis? Meron bang tsimoso’t tsismosa na nagtsimis ng tingin nila ay di totoo? Parang wala ‘no? Kahit tsimis ‘yon naniniwala sila na kahit papaano ay may katotohanan doon. At bentang- benta sa atin ‘yang mga tsimis na ‘yan. Kahit pa nga fictional character sa libro o sa manga.

Kapag nanood ka ng teleserye, o nagbabasa ka ng fiction novels, hindi ka makapaghintay na matapos ito o kaya ay ipalabas na agad ang susunod na kabanata. Hindi sanay ang utak natin sa mga ideyang bitin. Dapat makita ang ending, dapat makita ang kabuuan ng kwento, dapat makita ang katotohanan sa likod ng masalimuot na takbo ng mga pangyayari. Ganoon ka-obsessed ang tao sa katotohanan. Kahit pa ito’y patungkol sa mga gawang kathang-isip lamang.

Aminin na natin. Gusto natin ng mabuti, totoo, maganda, nakapagpapaligaya at walang katapusan. Ngunit sino o ano nga ba sa buong sansinukob ang tunay na mabuti, totoo, nakapagpapaligaya, walang katapusan at sakdal ang kagandahan? May kilala ka bang ganoon?

Mayroon! Syempre ang Diyos.

Kanina nabanggit na itinakda tayo ng Diyos sa sarili niya. Dahil dito hindi ba’t natural lamang na maghanap tayo ng mabuti, totoo, maganda, nakapagpapaligaya at walang katapusan? Nilikha tayo ng Diyos na hindi “poor taste.” Hindi “cheap” o “bakya” ang trip ng pagkatao natin. Tayo ay may panlasa na naghahanap ng lasa ng Diyos. Kung baga ang lasang ito o kaya ang amoy na ito ang gagabay sa ating paghahanap sa Diyos.

Ganoon din naman, lahat ng nilikha ng Diyos, kahit papaano’y nagtataglay ng lasa ng Diyos. Kaya nga nasasarapan tayo sa pagkain, nasisiyahan tayo sa mga bagay na pinagkakalibangan natin, nagwagwapuhan tayo o nagagandahan tayo sa kapwa natin, o (para doon sa mas mature na) nagagandahan tayo sa ugali ng kapwa natin kahit ano pa ang anyo nila. Iyon ay dahil sa Diyos sila galing. Sabi nga sa pilosopiya, Omne agens agit simile sibi. Kung ano ang gawin mo ipinapakita nito kung sino ka dahil mayroon itong pagkakatulad sa iyo. Kaya nga masasabi natin na sa mga taong ating minamahal at sa mga bagay na nagpapasiya sa atin, sa kanila natin nalalasap ang “patikim” ng lasa ng Diyos, ‘pagkat sila ay gawa ng Diyos.

‘Yon nga lang, dahil pawang lahat ay likha lamang ng Diyos, wala sa kahit isa sa atin ang nagtataglay ng ganap na kabutihan, kagandahan, katotohanan, kaligayahan, at kawalang hanggan.

Lahat ng kayamanan nauubos;

Lahat ng masarap na pagkain, nauubos o napapanis;

Lahat ng gwapo’t maganda, tatanda, kukulubot at babantot;

Lahat ng kaalaman, katotohanan, at tsimis sa mundo nagtatapos sa mas maraming tanong;

Lahat ng kasiyahan may katapusan, tulad bukas Lunes na naman;

Lahat ng mabuting tao, kahit anong buti pa niya, balang araw siya’y mamamatay.

Kaya nga ang pinakamahalagang utos ng Diyos sa tao ay ganito: IBIGIN MO ANG PANGINOON MONG DIYOS NG BUONG PUSO, BUONG KALULUWA, AT BUONG LAKAS, dahil S’ya lamang ay nagtataglay ng tunay na lasa na hinahanap natin. Hindi naman sinasabi ng Diyos na itakwil na natin ang lahat ng nilikha Niya. Ayos lang namang matuwa tayo sa kanila dahil kaloob sila ng Diyos sa atin at kahit papaano’y larawan sila ng Diyos. Kaya nga ang pagmamahal sa kapwa at sa lahat ng nilikha ng Diyos ay patunay lang nang ating masigasig na paghahanap sa Diyos. Ang masama ay kung hanggang doon lamang ang kaligayahan natin sa buhay. ‘Yon ang tinatawag nilang: “Yuck! Poor taste!”

Ang Tao at ang Anak ng Diyos (Unang Bahagi)

hango mula sa pagbabahagi ni Fray Aaron Reyes sa 'Man' Session 1

Marami tayong masasabi kung ano tayo at sino tayo. Ngunit kung meron man na makapagsasabi ng pinakamahalagang katotohanan kung ano tayong mga tao, ‘yon ay walang iba kundi ang Diyos na lumikha sa atin.

Sa pitong titik ng MUKHA A.D., dalawa dito ang pinakamahalaga, ang A at D. Sapagkat dito natin makikita ang pinakadahilan kung bakit may MUKHA A.D.: ang Anak ng Diyos na s’yang nais nating makatulad sa paghubog sa atin sa MUKHA A.D. Natural na resulta na lang nito ang masiglang ugnayan. Bonus kung baga.

Sa pamamagitang din ng dalawang titik na ito ay susubukan nating pagnilayan ang mga sumusunod na katanungan: Sino tayong mga tao? Ano ang plano ng Diyos para sa atin? At ano ang mahalagang papel ng Anak ng Diyos sa kapalaran nating mga tao?

I. Sino Tayong mga Tao?

AD DEUM: Para sa Diyos

“Our hearts are restless until they rest in you”

May isang babae na inis na inis nang sabihan siya ng isang lalake ng ganito: “Piliin mo lang ako at liligaya ka.” Malamang pumasok sa isip ng babae, “assuming.” Lalo na siguro kung hindi niya type iyong lalake. Pero malamang kung saksakan ng gwapo ‘yung lalake at type na type naman sya n’yung babae, hindi siguro magagalit ‘yung babae. Malamang, sa oras na iyon ay sagutin niya agad ito ng “Oo.”

Ngayon kung sabihin ng Diyos ang ganoon sa atin, “Piliin mo lamang ako at liligaya ka.” Masasabi ba natin sa Diyos na “assuming” s’ya? O kaya’y “Feeling mo naman, Lord.”

Ganito ang itinuturo ng ating pananampalataya: tayo ay itinakda ng Diyos para sa kanya. Sa unang tingin parang napakamakasarili ng Diyos o di naman kaya ay napaka-assuming naman niya na liligaya tayo sa kanya. Ngunit, mali nga bang iderekta tayo ng Diyos sa sarili niya? Bunga nga ba ito ng pagiging makasarili niya.

Maraming magulang ang sinasabi sa kanilang mga anak na edukasyon lamang ang kayamanang kanilang maiiwan para sa kanilang mga anak. ‘Yon namang iba gusto ng shortcut. “Anak, mag-asawa ka na lang ng mayaman. Kahit pangit. At least may pera ka at mabibili mo na ang kahit anong gusto mo. Mababalatuhan mo pa kami.” Halos lahat ng magulang idinederekta ang mga anak nila sa kung anong tingin nila ay “makakabuti” dito. Hindi nila idinederekta ang mga anak nila sa sarili nila, dahil alam nila wala sa kanila ang kaligayahan ng kanilang mga anak. Alam nila na darating din ang panahon at lilipas ang kanilang lakas, at hindi na nila magagawa pang mapunan ang mga pangangailangan ng kanilang anak. Malinaw na malinaw na wala sa kanila ang kaligayahan ng kanilang mga anak kundi “external” ito sa kanila. Kung may magulang lamang na kayang mabuhay magpakailanman at kayang ibigay lahat ng makapagpapaligaya at mabuti sa kanilang anak, malamang ang magulang na ito ay hindi na idederekta ang kanilang mga anak sa mga na “external” sa kanila tulad ng edukasyon at mayamang asawa.

Ganoon ang mga mortal nating magulang, ngunit hindi ang Diyos. Wala s’yang hangganan at nasa kanya ang lahat ng makapagpapaligaya sa atin. O para mas tama, siya lamang ang makapupuno sa lahat ng kauhawan natin. Hindi external sa Diyos, o wala sa labas n’ya ang tunay na kaligayahan dahil s’ya mismo ang kaligayahan. At malinaw sa kanya ang katotohanang ito. Alam na alam n’ya iyon. Kaya walang kagatol-gatol, ni halong pagyayabang o pagkamakasarili na masasabi sa atin ng Diyos, “Piliin mo lamang ako at liligya ka.”

Walang Halong Echos

by: Fray Garing

Marami ng tumanda sa MUKHA AD. Yung iba naabutan pa yung first airing ng Voltes V sa Pilipinas. Yung iba naman naniniwala hanggang ngayon na lahat ng nakikita sa malls, overpass, bangketa ay nanggagaling sa Divisoria. Meron din namang nasubaybayan pa ang pagdadalaga ni Maricel Soriano sa John en Marsha. May nakaabot din sa panahong ang tawag sa sosyal at imported na gamit e PX goods, at ito rin yung mga taong ang age-range e inaabangan pa ang antics ng Escalera brothers sa Iskul Bukol tuwing gabi. Ganun katanda.

Marami ding bumabata sa MUKHA AD. Yung mga naka-corporate attire kapag weekdays at kuntodo ang pagkapormal e nagcocoloring book sa linggo at tumitili habang gumagawa ng bahay ng gagambang yari sa straw sa sanga-sanga ng puno ng kalachuchi. May mga pa-mature effect din pero in the end kung umacting sa stage ay wagas sa pagka lukaret. Matindi ang kumpetisyon kumbaga. Hahatakin ka sa pagkabata kasi kahit birthday hindi pinapatawad. Tuwing may kaarawan ang birthday cake ay doughnut na tinusukan ng kandilang hugis tao (yung kulay pula na nabibili sa Quiapo, hehe joke lang). Basta doughnut yun na tinusukan ng kandila na sasabayan ng malupit na Happy Birthday song. Masaya naman sila. Dito ang daming nangyayari, hahatakin ka talaga sa pagkabata. Ika nga ng ilan “Linggo-linggo laging may bago.”

Marami din namang tumatanda sa MUKHA AD. Walang halong echos to. May mga nakasalamuha na din kaming mga Emo dito at mga taong nakakulong sa mundo ng tamagotchi. Yung una dapat laging malungkot-effect at parang nagpadila muna sa elepante para tumigas ang buhok saka pupunta sa MUKHA AD. Yung pangalawa namatayan ng tamagotchi kasi buong araw nakipagtsismisan sa MUKHA AD hindi na napakain yung mukhang tetris niyang alaga. Meron din namang astig! Yung tipong sasapakin ka kung makatingin at sa sharing ipinamagmamalaking “black sheep” daw sila. Pero nung lumaon tumitino din naman hehe. Peace lang. Anyway ang sabi nga ng matatanda maturity comes with a healthy acceptance of one’s self. Pero sa isang banda mahalaga din namang tanggap ka ng isang komunidad kahit sino o ano ka man, o saang planeta o subterranean place ka man nanggaling para matanggap mo ang sarili mo. Marami na rin ang nagsabi na yan ang karisma ng MUKHA AD. Hug ka namin dito.           

Balanse ang MUKHA AD. Seryoso sa pag-aaral, honest sa personal sharings, cool sa games at magaan kakuwentuhan over 3 in 1 coffee. Sa loob ng dalawmpu’t tatlong taon marami na ding tumino at nagpatino ng tao dito, yung iba may pamilya na, may housewife, househusband, abogado, teacher, doctor, nurse, pari, madre at napabibilang sa kung anu-ano pang propesyon at bokasyon.

Sa MUKHA AD importante ang pagdarasal. Sabi nga ni Peter Rosegger (1843-1918, Austrian writer) “People used to say: Give your soul a Sunday! Now they say: Give your Sunday a soul!” Kaya tuwing linggo kalakip ng pagsisimba ang pag-attend sa MUKHA AD. Marami sa kabataan ayaw ng churchy-churchy group kasi hindi daw fashionable, pero hindi naman ito fashion-fashion lang. Ang kahalagahan ng pagdarasal at pananampalataya ay buhat sa malalim na karanasan ng tao, lalo na yung mga nauna sa atin, sabi nga ni Blaise Pascal (1588-1651) “Do you want to come to believe but do not know the way? Learn from those who were tormented by doubts before you. Imitate their way of acting, do everything that the faith requires, as though you were already a believer. Attend Mass, use holy water, and so on. That will no doubt make you simple and lead you to faith.” 

Hindi naman kailangang maging heavy ang buhay, pero dapat may weight. Kung sino ka man hindi buburahin ng MUKHA AD ang mukha ng iyong karanasan. Sa iyong karanasan nagpapakilala ang Diyos, ang Diyos na nagpakilala: si Kristo. Nawa’y magkakilala tayo. Magpakilala, kilalanin natin ang isa’t isa.

Unemployed

An unemployed graduate woke up one morning and checked his pocket. All he had left was $10. He decided to use it to buy food and then wait for death as he was too proud to go begging. He was frustrated as he could find no job, and nobody was ready to help him. 

He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week. Helooked at them.. They were so lean that he could see their bones coming out. Their eyes had gone into the socket. With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. The old man and children prayed that God would bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin . The young graduate said to them 'you need the prayer more than I do'.

With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the ground. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an advertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address. 

He decided to go there with the old coin the old man gave him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. The proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young graduate a photograph. This same old coin was worth 3 million dollars. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for 3 million dollars within an hour.. He collected the Bank Draft and went in search of the old man and little children. 

By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone.. He asked the owner of the canteen if he knew them. He said no but they left a note for you. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them. 

This is what the note said: 'You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin,' signed God the Father , The Son and The Holy Ghost . 1 Kings 17:10 -16; Matthew 11:28 -30  

photo taken from the net

A Girl In CD Store

There was once a guy who suffered from cancer... a cancer that can't be treated. He was 18 years old and he could die anytime. All his life, he was stuck in his house being taken cared by his mother. He never went outside but he was sick of staying home and wanted to go out for once. So he asked his mother and she gave him permission. He walked down his block and found a lot of stores. He passed a CD store and looked through the front door for a second as he walked. He stopped and went back to look into the store. He saw a young girl about his age and he knew it was love at first sight. He opened the door and walked in, not looking at anything else but her. He walked closer and closer until he was finally at the front desk where she sat. She looked up and asked, "Can I help you?" She smiled and he thought it was the most beautiful smile he has ever seen before and wanted to kiss her right there. He said, "Uh... Yeah... Umm... I would like to buy a CD." He picked one out and gave her money for it. "Would you like me to wrap it for you?" she asked, smiling her cute smile again. He nodded and she went to the back. She came back with the wrapped CD and gave it to him. He took it and walked out of the store. He went home and from then on, he went to that store everyday and bought a CD, and she wrapped it for him. He took the CD home and put it in his closet. He was still too shy to ask her out and he really wanted to but he couldn't. His mother found out about this and told him to just ask her. So the next day, he took all his courage and went to the store. He bought a CD like he did everyday and once again she went to the back of the store and came back with it wrapped. He took it and when she wasn't looking, he left his phone number on the desk and ran out... RRRRRING!!! The mother picked up the phone and said, "Hello?" It was the girl!!! She asked for the boy and the mother started to cry and said, "You don't know? He passed away yesterday..." The line was quiet except for the cries of the boy's mother. Later in the day. The mother went into the boy's room because she wanted to remember him. She thought she would start by looking at his clothes. So she opened the closet. She was face to face with piles and piles and piles of unopened CDs. She was surprised to find all those CDs and she picked one up and sat down on the bed and she started to open one. Inside, there was a CD and as she took it out of the wrapper, out fell a piece of paper. The mother picked it up and started to read it. It said: Hi... I think U R really cute. Do u wanna go out with me? Love, Jacelyn The mother opened another CD... Again there was a piece of paper. It said: Hi... I think U R really cute. Do u wanna go out with me? Love, Jacelyn Love is... when you've had a huge fight but then decide to put aside your egos, hold hands and say, "I Love You"

---

Always There (God)

Hello God, I called tonight

To talk a little while

I need a friend who'll listen

To my anxiety and trial.

You see, I can't quite make it

Through a day just on my own...

I need your love to guide me,

So I'll never feel alone.

I want to ask you please to keep,

My family safe and sound.

Come and fill their lives with confidence

For whatever fate they're bound.

Give me faith, dear God, to face

Each hour throughout the day,

And not to worry over things

I can't change in any way.

I thank you God, for being home

And listening to my call,

For giving me such good advice

When I stumble and fall.

Your number, God, is the only one

That answers every time.

I never get a busy signal,

Never had to pay a dime.

So thank you, God, for listening

To my troubles and my sorrow.

Good night, God, I love You, too,

And I'll call again tomorrow!