Inspirations at your Fingertips!

Every new year, our hearts are always filled with hope that things would be better. Be assured, they would be. We just need to purge our hearts from all sorts of negativities and start the journey to healing. We would not travel much if we are carrying the baggages of past hurts. Thus, thus, in this prayer, may I invite everyone to be healed from the following: 1. separation from God, the primary source of life itself. We have paid little attention to how much He is willing to change our lives. We say sorry for the many times we held on to what we thought was right for us but actually, were wrong; 2. separation from others, especially family and friends. The greatest scars are caused within the home where love should abound. I pray for all those who are close to me and have hurt me in one way or the other. I pray as Jesus prayed for those he loved, even his enemies, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do." 3. separation from myself - I caused myself ...

The vigil mass this Christmas commences as a preparation for what is to come: the solemn feast of the birth of the Lord. Thus, this is still a time that is coming, and it is filled with hope that the kingship of the Lord will dawn upon us. What does it mean to celebrate the kingship of the Lord? First, it is movement from sin to grace through repentance - the recovery of the grace lost by original sin; we thus should be empowered to do good and rid ourselves of evil. Second, it is a movement from death to life - this should be very evident in the way we practice our faith - with zeal and passion. Not just a set of practices, Church life should enliven us to be more aggressive in the work of salvation. Third, it is a movement from selfishness to selflessness in God - It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me; that Christ who is King above all kings; a Christ who rules my life and brings order into it. Let Christ be our only motivation to live.

In this day and age, there is nothing compared as to be gifted with seeing what is holy, Godly, or "spiritual". As in the case of San Juan Diego, a simple man to whom the Lady of Guadalupe appeared as instructed him to build a Church in Mexico, so too must we strive to be able to see beyond what we normally do. Seeing the "spiritual" enables us to prioritize the more important things, more important than the material wealth we always dream of having. I am not referring to spiritual as ghosts; rather, the things only the eyes of faith can see in its orientation to God. To see the "spiritual", we have to detoxify ourselves from the many lies promised by this world - new homes, cars, power, wealth, a stable country - almost everything. They are simply fleeting; they don't even have a mark in heaven. Aim for the spiritual things. Secondly, we have seek for the values that will last forever - a strong character, our way to heaven, charity, sense of bein...

One voice is enough to change the world. One voice leads to two, two leads to four. Eventually, the whole world would speak with that one voice. Unfortunately, it goes true with a voice with evil intentions. It is said that for every compliment, only a few knows about it. But in the world of gossip, the whole community knows. Use words to generate the kingdom of God. Let our words inform of the truth that leads us to knowledge and freedom. Let our words form our very being; let our knowledge of God be our life's commitment. Let God's words change our lives. Finally, may it transform our lives as individuals and as communities. Then we will see the fruits of that one voice - God communicating His love to us.

Would it be better if we serve one another rather rule over each other? In the world of servanthood, everyone lives. There is caring and love. Most of all, God reigns. In what creative way did you serve today? First, enjoy serving. Be appreciative not of its hard work, but its fruits. Second, enjoy the people you serve. Be expectant of what will become of them after you've served them. Third, enjoy the God you serve. "Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sister, you do it to Me." Our life here on earth is the moment to serve God. So serve today.

We know very well that peace is not just the absence of war. Peace doesn't even imply passivity or non-involvement. Sometimes, we face our wars to attain lasting peace. Some wars include the proper relationship with one another based on justice and charity, not abusing people to our advantage. Peace I believe is the most active word. It entails becoming free from the shackles of darkness; it involves total commitment to sustain and develop peace; and a lasting commitment to bring it up to the source of Peace - our eternal salvation in heaven. Peace is Jesus' way starting from his birth till now - every act of sacrifice and patience for the sake of those he loves. The very work of salvation is peace. There is no way to peace; peace is the way.

the lessons of the readings tell a lot about succeeding in life. Jesus showed us the ultimate way to life - by offering oneself... everything is communication... the communication of God ... the Word made flesh ... it is the ultimate message of all ... to take up one's cross ... and follow Him.

I just want to greet everyone a happy new year, and thanks for staying in touch!