“What is That ONE THING Lacking in You?”

                                                        What is that “one thing” you need to stop and start doing?

Pls Read God’s Silent Message: MK 10:17-30 

How much joy would it be for parents to give everything to their kids,

yet, they worry that their children would still be

“LACKING IN ONE THING” …

THE BEST THEY COULD, Parents would even ENRICH THEIR MARRIAGE for the sake of RAISING the FAMILY whom God entrusted them, like these 17 Couples who successfully completed and were blessed by The Feast SM Sta. Rosa’s 1^st Lux Couples’ Retreat at Mornese, Center of Spirituality in Pansol, Calamba, Laguna last October 3-4, 2015.

                    Lux 1. Couples Retreat Participants: Making that Difference for their Families.

“Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house …

for my sake and for the sake of the gospel

who will not receive a hundred times more

now in this present age…” – Jesus

Over the years, despite those “emotional attractions” amidst differences, it is really some sort of sacrifice that Couples learned to GIVE UP protecting their own pride over some “earned pains” caused by their partners & other family members – for the intent of belonging to the remaining 38% men & 43% women [2014 4thQ SWS Survey, Philippines] who are against BROKEN MARRIAGES.

Not only for the DESIRE of “receiving a hundred times more” … but because we, parents — would want “to give more” – even to the point of wanting to be there for our children for the rest of their life because that’s what would give us fulfillment.

But come to think of it, we may also be that man running to Jesus in today’s gospel asking:

“Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Sometimes we’re just too emotional about what we have that we can give. But ‘guess what, upon deep reflection, I personally realized:

It’s not really what you can give while you’re still around that should indeed matter.

‘yong MAY NAIBIBIGAY KA PA DIN KAHIT WALA KA NA, YON YONG PINAKA-MAHALAGA!

Minsan kasi, napapagod ka din sa kakabigay ng kung ano ang meron ka.

Without us realizing, yong “tangible things and deeds” na kaya nating ibigay ngayon, mawawala din kapag sinabi na sa atin ni God na “your time is up na”.

What would actually give us eternal life is taking the many chances

that we have right now to make our children see

“that ONE THING that they are LACKING IN”.

There may be times when our kids would hate us if we would push them to opportunities and crossroads where they could be their “own interns” of decision-making and “self-management”. Our heart could only feel so much if we’ll sometimes witness “how things would be difficult for them” – yet, our WILL to train them to be “level-headed” will soon make a lot of difference.

HINDI PURO PUSO at emosyon lang kapag nagmamahal. In life, para tayong bumubuo ng puzzle, iniipon natin bawat bahagi kahit nagkakahiwa-hiwalay at magkakaiba ang mga ito kasi gusto natin itong mabuo katulad ng pagsusumikap ng mga magulang na hind maging “broken family”. We need to be able to find the right piece each time and we’ve got to have the right attitude nang hindi nagmamadali. Katulad ng madalas kong sabihin sa aming 2 Gails [mga ate]: “You shouldn’t RUSH LOVE! You can never manage a relationship unless you learn to manage your SELF”!

‘yon siguro ‘yong eternity of our presence … that one thing lacking: ‘yong kaya na nilang buuhin ang sarili nilang puzzle using God’s strategy kasi ‘yon ‘yong ipinakita natin sa kanila kahit ‘di natin directly itinuro. #sunset

… what about you? what do you thing is ‘THAT ONE THING LACKING in you?

… better yet, what is that ONE THING YOU’VE GOT TO “STOP DOING” for you to inherit eternal joy in relationships?

Published in #TheFeastStaRosa Weekly Bulletin. Cor Dei 39. 28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Talk 1. Red Light: You Need to Choose Wisely. How To Avoid Jerks &Jerkettes Series

“Pinoy Tayo, Hindi Pusong Bato!”

God’s Silent Message: MK 10:2-16  

                                                                                        Perfect Imperfections!

Sa pamilyang pinoy daw, dito tayo natututong magmahal.

Dito natin nakikita kung ano tayo bilang isang tao.

Dito … kung saan, kahit na magkakaiba tayo ng mga ayaw at gusto,

napagha-halo-halo natin ang isa’t isa para magkaroon ng “TAYO”…

at dahil merong “tayo”, rak-enrol to the world ang pakiramdam kasi dito natin nararanasan na kahit na ano pang bagyong problema ang dumadating sa bawat Pamilyang Pinoy, ‘yong impact natin sa isa’t isa, di basta-bastang nabubura, di basta-basta kinakayang iwanan at tinatalikuran na lang …

… kasi tayo lang siguro sa buong mundo ang naniniwalang dahil sa “OTWOL” pwedeng magkatotoo na “may forever” sa Pinas *charness, hehehe *teleserye On The Wings Of Love*

Masaya na sana … pero may ganitong tanong ang mga Pariseo sa ating Gospel for Today, at ang SWS, may nakakabahalang resulta ng survey:

“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?”

(CNN Philippines) — The Philippines is the only country in the world that does not allow divorce. However, a recent poll by Social Weather Stations (SWS) shows that in the fourth quarter of 2014, more than half of Filipinos (60%) supported its legalization.

The survey generally found that 62% of men & 57% of women all over the Philippines are in favor of divorce. [credits to http://cnnphilippines.com/]

Nakakalungkot na ang dating bilang ng mga Filipino na naniwala sa divorce ay lalo pang nadadagdagan sa paglipas ng panahon.

Pero dahil Pinoy at nasa The Feast tayo, AASA tayo na may PAG-ASA — na ‘yong natitirang 38-43% na nagpapahalaga sa Pagka-pamilya ay dadaming muli. Sana, KASAMA TAYO sa mga ayaw lang mangarap kundi gustong manindigan na “walang bibitaw” sa pagiging “tayo” dahil may mga anak na nagtitiwala na lalaki silang may “magulang” na tutularan nila kung paano makinig bilang isang bata.

Amen, I say to you,

whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child

 … will not enter it.”

*published in The Feast Bulletin, Issue #38, 4 October 2015. 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Light of Jesus Family. The Feast TGIF Series: “Thank God I’m Filipino

Stethoscope your Greatness

Cor Dei 35. 24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Pls Read God’s Silent Message: MK 8:27-35

                            Jesus’ “I AM” in SAM!

@SLMH, September 6, 2015.

She’s in that hospital bed – but with DevComTheories handouts, laptop & other “to divert stuff” with her on such bed. She was vomiting, but laughing all the way with Al-Dub’s organic-naturally “kilig-fun” magnetic stream.

And this, I found: “a stethoscope” of her own!  

— an instrument used for listening to sounds produced by the body. It is also used to listen to blood flow in peripheral vessels…

“She’s currently in pain — but she manages to smile; she’s been too brave to capture the procedures she had, and yes, with her own stethoscope, SHE LISTENS to her own blood flow to make herself ON-GUARD against any untoward clotting & misalignments.

“If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and follow in my steps.” — Jesus

It’s never easy denying any pain when you’re in the midst of battling for your NOW and for your future — but because our very own Sam Timbreza, one of our Youth Leaders here in The Feast SM Santa Rosa, has been all throughout affirming her personal answer to the question raised by Jesus in today’s gospel: “who do you say that I am?”, SHE IS even STRONGER at her weakest point!

Such greatness! — through the eyes of faith.

With the gifts of family & friendships and because she listens to what’s on the inside, SHE IS DETERMINED to be “that salt” that will fulfill her God-given mission not only until she gets well but even now that she’s still striving to get SAVED by all means with her OWN INITIATIVE TO BE WELL and with the most POSITIVE CLAIM that she will find a KIDNEY DONOR even before that time-framed transplant six months from now.

Hopefully “this makes us PINOY” our dear Brothers & Sisters – may we relate with Sam’s story & inspiration & may we be that instrument that would answer our prayer for Sam & for her family, specifically for a “kidney donor”! Let us share this Identity of love for one another as we ENTER God’s Kingdom down here! ©sunset

 posted in The Feast SM Santa Rosa Weekly Bulletin. Issue #35.13 September 2015.  Inspired by the #LightofJesus September Series T.G.I.F.: Thank God I’m Filipino. Talk 1: No ID, No Entry.

OVERCOME YOUR FOCUS!

Pls Read God’s Silent Message: Mark 6:1-6

HINDI OPTION ANG SUMUKO!

Divide Single-Mindedness!

Ang dami-dami nating pwedeng makita kung hindi lang tayo nakatitig sa iISA!

Ang dami nating pwedeng maramdaman kung hindi lang iisang pakiramdam ang gusto nating pagbigyan.

…come to think of it, there are a lot of wonderful things, people & situations na dapat nating mapansin from sunrise to sunset … isama na natin ‘yong pagbangon natin sa madaling a raw:  even with our eyes closed, alam natin na naandyan pa din ‘yong family natin — na despite some imperfections ay  pwede pa din nating maging dahilan kung bakit tayo bumabangon; at si God, ang daming inihandang opportunities para sa atin sa loob ng buong maghapon.

Problem lang is …

we never get to see those wonders kasi we opted to FOCUS our attention to our own assumptions which make us feel that we’ve got to do a lot of “proving our SELF” to people whom we think “never appreciate us!”

we are NOT AWARE of our OWN SHORTCOMINGS because we keep on FINGER-POINTING that our pains are all because of what others have done.

Kaya naman in effect … 

we are no longer aware na ‘yong totoo, tayo yong hindi na nakaka-appreciate sa mga pagre-reach out na ginagawa ng iba towards us.

Today, let’s strive to DIVIDE OUR “SINGLE-MINDEDNESS”! Let’s not be too focused on the “not so favourable things” that are happening around us; neither on the self-concept that we are neglected by whatever cause – kasi ang totoo, even Jesus was despised by His own relatives and we couldn’t imagine how “painful” it was … but because He stood by the truth that He is PURE IN HIS INTENTIONS, He kept on reaching out to those who are “close-minded” – all because HE LOVES GENEROUSLY WITHOUT ANY AMOUNT OF PRETENCE!  #sunset

========== published in The Feast Bulletin, Issue#25, 5 July 2015

/@ProfGail67[twitter]/@gailmontero.47/blogs@trendingprof47.wordpress.com

Our Return of Investment!

Soon, we will also reap our “return of investment”

Kindness begets kindness!

Ang pagbibigay daw ng kabutihan, parang negosyo lang yan! Di mo alam kung may babalik na tubo!

Pero kapag “kabutihan ang puhunan natin sa negosyo”, there might be no assurance na hindi tayo malulugi– but we could be SO SURE that it will eventually make us GROW.

Why? … kasi ‘yong pinili nating maging puhunan gives us that sensation na hinding-hindi natin ikakalugi dahil it makes us feel great kapag nai-extend natin ito sa iba.

This is one secret pala which made Jesus a great Entrepreneur! At first He was just like a salesman whom nobody believed; but because He INVESTESTED ON PERSONAL THOUGHTFULNESS, soon He became that earnestly-sought sales-person who satisfies people’s needs just by His mere presence — without having to do much of “sales-talk” because His actions already demonstrated HOPE TO MANY!

At times we may feel insulted to give out kindness to some who would tend to doubt our intensions. Sometimes we may also feel “small” when people would carelessly demean the simple goodness that we extend — kaya in effect, we feel hesitant to pursue even that simple offer of friendship. But because we’re already aware that we should “run our business” in whatever type, persist still! — kasi this is Jesus’ sales-talk to us in today’s gospel:

“Do not be afraid; just have faith.” 

‘yong tubo, maaaring ‘di natin makita kaagad by now; pero sige lang, let’s just “keep on doing the right thing” kasi soon, we will also reap our “return of investment” – that is: when people eventually start “talking good about us!” because we modelled Jesus Entrepreneur’s example! #sunset

/@ProfGail67[twitter]/@gailmontero.47[instagram]/blogs@trendingprof47.wordpress.com

published @ The Feast SM Sta. Rosa’s Bulletin, Issue #24, 28 June 2015

God’s Rescues are Aligned!

God’s timings are awesome!

Cor Dei 21. Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ :Corpus Christi

Pls Read God’s Silent Message: Mark 14: 12-16

“Go into the city and a man will meet you …”

 Sometimes, it’s not easy to understand why things are happening.

…’yong mga panahon na nangyayari na lang lahat nang sunod-sunod, di mo na namalayan “how it went” … basta, ‘don sa mga pangyayari na ‘yon, alam mong nandon ka, either ikaw ang bida, kontra-bida, or supporting actress/actor ka: taking the back seat pero ramdam mo sa sarili mo na napapagod ka din sa mga patung-patong na roles na ginagampanan mo.

Sometimes, you’d ask yourself: “how much could I give?” or “how much can I just give”? … kasi minsan, parang naibigay mo na lahat, sobrang na-drain ka na, at parang “all-out” ka na para sa lahat at windang ka na. As in, minsan gusto mo pang magampanan iba pang roles na binigay sa’yo pero kahit na gusto pa ng isip at puso mo, ‘yong katawan mo hihilahin ka sa pAHINGA as if telling you: “kulang pa ba ang 24 hours?”

Sacrifice. Forbearance. Commitment.

As always, we may not understand God’s “sending us off” at certain moments like what He told his disciples to do in today’s gospel:  “Go into the city and a man will meet you …”

— but as always, as long as we “give-in to God” and we fulfill tasks for His glory, true as it has always been, God’s alignment is great!

While we are striving to drive along “life’s city” to fulfill a mission which at times we don’t clearly understand, minsan di natin namamalayan “OVERHEAT” na pala tayo! The opponent could have its way to lead us to series of unfortunate events – but because we are wearing GOD’S ARMOUR, wala tayong magiging bukang-bibig kundi “GRABE, ANG GALING NI GOD!” … kasi God already sent His ADVANCERS kaya again and again, we are protected from further life-accidents. God’s provisions have been prepared even before our misfortune. His “offering of His Body & Blood” even before we say “buti na lang” have long SAVED US kasi even before we cried for help, ni-ready na ni God ‘yong mga “angels” who would come to our rescue. #sunset

published in The Feast Bulletin, Issue #21, 7 June 2015. “Ang galing ni GOD!”. by Gail Montero

ADVANCERS. BIG DAY @ The Feast Binan, Light of Jesus Family

Do you “Make Tents”?

Hi Friends, it’s 2nd Sunday of Lent, may we strive to make some little preparations for our Spiritual Growth 

Pls Consider God’s Silent Message: Mark 9:2-10 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9:2-10

Sabi nila, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!”

But come to think of it … TRUE BEAUTY is not actually something that we see
– but “that thing that WE FEEL”! – it should be right there “in the heart” of an imperfect person who allowed him/herself to be held up for “a radiant makeover”

– not for long period of hours in front of a mirror
– but in life’s training grounds!  

Yet, not many of us are willing to go through such metamorphosis because we are more often apprehensive & pertified by “what we think we know”, yet no longer aware that we’re already being anxious with what we want to believe in.

When we don’t understand what’s going on in our life … when we struggle on things & we’re not comfortable with what’s happening … when we’re confused & we don’t know what to say; much that we actually don’t want to explore outside of our comfort zones … we’d rather “make tents”!

“Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!

Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.”

When we secure ourselves in-ward & hide-away; when we don’t respond in a loving & wise manner; when we tend to be self-centered & protect ourselves with pride; when we misinterpret good intentions & doesn’t want to “listen” … it could’ve made us feel good that we’ve already built our tents — BUT it doesn’t maximize our experience “being here”!

Dear Bros & Sis, God wants us to be BEAUTIFUL and He hopes that today, we could be inspired by His Transfiguration while He intends to make us realize how cool He is for giving us our family to whom He entrusted our complete “change of heart” so that such beauty will not only attract some beholders but will “affect” God’s legacy through us 🙂  #sunset