PRECIOUS DIAMOND
We are all created in God’s image and likeness, therefore each and everyone is precious but more precious than a diamond. I am lucky to be here in this world, seeing it’s grandeur and beauty… to share my ideas, talents, experiences and adventures in life. To all my friends out there, future friends, former classmates and colleagues and especially to my family…this is dedicated to all of you!!! God bless us all!!!
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WiSE iNVESTMENT
“He
will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory above all the other nations He has made and you will be sacred to the Lord, your God, as He promised.” – Deuteronomy 26:19 The
financial crisis at the close of the millennium took its toll on our company. Our company closed down and I lost my job. My income was reduced considerably but the costs in our prayer outreach to the provinces were increasing. My retirement money and savings, which were the principal source of the outreach operating funds, was now dwindling. I was bothered but I didn’t fear. For months, we continued with our outreach activities. I placed my trust in God, calling Him Jehovah-Jireh, my God who supplies. Not long after, the foreclosed properties that I used to manage were offered back to me to rehabilitate and operate on a personal capacity. The markets recovered and the operations made money. I had invested money into the Father’s business; now the Father gave back the money many times over. Two years after reopening the business, the regional BIR office honored us as the best individual taxpayer in the province! Rolly España REFLECTION:
“My God will fully supply whatever you need according to His riches and glory.” (Philippians 4:19)
Heavenly Father, You are the God who does not fail to supply our needs!
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love your eneMy
One
time, I asked a group of church workers in my parish what for them is the most difficult command of Jesus. The response was almost unanimous — it is about Jesus’ teaching on loving one’s enemies. Who of us do not really have a hard time living out this very difficult precept? It is hard to do, perhaps, for several reasons. Once we are hurt we focus on the pain that we are nursing inside. This sometimes makes it difficult to see beyond the self. So we lick our wounds and engage in self-pity. Another reason also is our desire to get even. We sometimes feel that unless our enemies suffer just as we have suffered, we won’t really be at peace. So we engage in different tactics just so we can exact vengeance. But allowing ourselves to hate our enemy will only prove one thing—that the enemy is already taking control of our life. Hence, even our most private moments are invaded by the thought of them. And when it happens we are physically affected—just the thought of our enemies makes our heart beat faster or we lose our good mood. I know of people who, while lying in bed getting ready to sleep at night, suddenly think of an enemy. As quickly as the unexpected thought comes, his fist clenches and he gnashes his teeth. What a way to spend the night before sleeping. Jesus offers an excellent solution in today’s gospel: instead of hating them, love them, pray for them in all humility. Once you are able to lift them up to God, you know that you can never remain that person’s enemy. You cannot go on hating a person in the presence of God. Hence, when you pray for your enemy, the resentment in you dies. And once this happens, your attitude towards the enemy changes. And even if the thought of him comes, you’llnever be agitated. Fr. Sandy Enhaynes Reflection Question:
Can you sincerely love your enemy?
Jesus,
Your commandment to love our enemies is difficult but doable by Your grace. Pour upon us all the good we need and enable us to accept and love those who offend us. St. Onesimus, martyr, pray for us.
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1st READING
We
have a covenant relationship with God as expressed in the Sacrament of Baptism where we are marked forever with the seal of the Lord — marked as His own possession. The Sacrament of the Eucharist also celebrates this covenant in that it is the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, remembered and made present in the Eucharist that is the basis of the covenant of love God has made with us, His people. Covenants are all about reciprocal commitments. We know God’s commitment to us will not waver. What about our commitment to Him? Deuteronomy 26:16-19
16 “This
day the LORD, your God, commands you to observe these statutes and decrees. Be careful, then, to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 Today you are making this agreement with the LORD he is to be your God and you are to walk in his ways and observe his statutes, commandments and decrees, and to hearken to his voice. 18 And today the LORD is making this agreement with you: you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you; and provided you keep all his commandments, 19 he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory above all other nations he has made, and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God, as he promised.” P S A L M
Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8
R: Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
1 Blessed are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they who observe his decrees, who seek him with all their heart. (R) 4 You have commanded that your precepts be
diligently kept. 5 Oh, that I might be firm in the ways of keeping your statutes! (R) 7 I will give you thanks with an upright heart, when I have learned your just ordinances. 8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me. (R) G O S P E L
We
are called to live a perfect life in imitation of Christ and as a witness to the world. This is no easy task but it must be possible or else God would not place it before us as His will. It is a lifelong task that will require our constant attention and effort. However, in the common parlance of today’s generation, the benefits are simply “out of this world!” If you believe this, you will have no problem in giving your life over to the pursuit of perfection in Christ. Matthew 5:43-48
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and
causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 48 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” my reflections
think:We know God’s commitment to us will not waiver. What about our commitment to Him?
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You say, "tuh-MAY-toh," and your husband says, "tuh-MAH-toh." Don’t
call the whole thing off! Even respected authorities disagree over the
pronunciation of many words.
Can you select the pronunciations preferred by most (but not all)
pronunciation experts?:
1. demur (to object, take exception to) — a. di-MYOOR; b. di-MUR
2. forte (a person’s strength) — a. FOR-tay; b. FORT
3. grievous (causing grief, dire) — a. GREE-vus; b. GREE-vee-us
4. Realtor (a member of the National Association of Realtors) — a.
REEL-tur; b. REE-luh-tur
5. niche (a cranny; a suitable area of talent or comfort, or a segment
of a market) — a. NITCH; b. NEESH
6. conch (a marine gastropod mollusk or its shell) — a. KAHNCH; b.
CONK
7. pastoral (of or relating to rural life, or being a church pastor)
– a. pa-STOR-ul; b. PAS-tur-ul
8. sorbet (frozen dessert) — a. SOR-bit; b. sor-BAY
—-
Answers and explanations:
1. b. di-MUR. Here "mur" is pronounced as in "murky," not as in
"mural." The adjective "demure" (shy, reserved) is pronounced
"di-MYOOR."
2. b. FORT. The musical direction "forte," an Italian word meaning
"loudly," is pronounced "FOR-tay," but "forte," meaning "strength," is
derived from the French word "fort," meaning "strong."
3. a. GREE-vus. "Grievous" has two syllables, not three.
4. a. REEL-tur. I mispronounced this word for many years.
5. a. NITCH. While both pronunciations are common and acceptable, most
authorities prefer "NITCH." Because "niche" entered English from
French during the 1600s, they say, its pronunciation has been fully
Anglicized.
6. b. CONK. Purists want to conk people over the head for saying
"KAHNCH."
7. b. PAS-tur-ul. "Do pastures have stores in them?" the purists
angrily ask. "Then don’t put a ’store’ in ‘pastoral’"?
8. a. SOR-bit. The fact that "sorbet" shares the same Turkish root as
"sherbet" provides a clue to its historically accurate pronunciation.
But because "sorbet" entered English through French, it acquired the
fancified "ay" pronunciation that has been adopted by just about
everyone. Just as sorbet cleanses the palate, pronunciation experts
have tried for decades to cleanse "sor-BAY" from English-speaking
palates. Nice try.
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EMbRACED bY THE LigHT OF THE WORLD
“… seized with mortal anguish…” – Esther C:12 (or Esther 4:28)
She was the first contestant in the famous TV show American Idol. She entered the room full of confidence that she was going to move on to Hollywood.
Unfortunately, her self-ssurance way exceeded the quality of her voice. She didn’t make the cut. She stood there flabbergasted before the judges then broke down and cried uncontrollably. She left the audition room and ran to the arms of her mom. She was inconsolable. I felt her pain. Then I watched her mom. I could feel her anguish as I saw it etched on her face. It almost read, “Can I take this pain for you?” I’ve been there. When my husband and I came home from the funeral of our 11-monthold son, we just hugged each other as we entered our bedroom. No words could speak of our anguish. And right at that moment, it felt like a group hug. No words. Just God embracing us. It was so real, we could almost see it etched in His Son’s hands: “I can take this pain for you.” Ronna Ledesma REFLECTION:
Have you allowed yourself to feel the hug of the Lord in the midst of your crisis? This Valentine’s Day, let Him embrace you.
Lord, use my arms whenever You want to hug some people who are grieving silently.
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God’s Way, not ours There was a movie starring Jim Carrey entitled, “Bruce Almighty.”
It was an instant hit, perhaps because it gave the people a glimpse of how it is to be God. There were so many scenes that made “being God” so exciting: breezing through a long road clogged with cars; pulling the moon closer to set a more romantic mood for the wife, walking on water, being in splendid locations in an instant, manipulating astonishing life situations to make the climb to the corporate ladder swift. Towards the end of the movie, the main character, Bruce, discovered being God was not that cool. This was shown when he started to hear voices of people raising their petitions to God. He thought what seemed a brilliant solution—answer ‘yes’ to all the prayers through email. What resulted was mayhem. The movie captures a very effective point to illustrate that God’s way in dealing with our prayers is not in the same way we think. Who of us would not go by what Bruce did and agree to always say “yes” to everything we ask God in prayer? It would really be amusing to make a petition to God and get a positive response in return. But will it be beneficial to us? Will it be helpful for man to get anything he wants, every time and anywhere he wants it? Bruce discovered it is not. And surely those who saw the film can say that it is rightly so. If our father on earth
will weigh our requests first before giving in, so as not to spoil us, certainly our Father in heaven would manifest His benevolence in far better ways. He will listen to and answer all our prayers, but not in the way we see fit. He’ll do it in His time and in His terms, knowing what is really best for us. Fr. Sandy Enhaynes Reflection Question:
Have you accepted that God’s ways are not our ways?
Lord,
give me the wisdom to understand and accept that You answer our prayers differently from what we expect but always in a way that is best for us. Sts. Cyril and Methodius, monk and bishop, pray for us.
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1st READING Esther
knows that she is about to enter into a situation where there are no guarantees for her life. It is a moment of life and death for her just as it is a moment of life and death for her people. Esther is not hesitating — she is doing what any wise and faith-filled person would do in her situation – place her welfare in the hands of God. It is God alone who can move the heart of the king to accede to Esther’s request and she knows it. Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25 (or Esther 4:28, 30-32, 39-41)
28 [C:12] Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, likewise had recourse to the Lord. 30 [C:14] Then she prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, saying “My Lord, our King, you alone are God. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, 31 [C:15] for I am taking my life in my hand.
32 [C:16] As a child I was wont to hear from the people of the land of my forefathers that you, O Lord, chose Israel from among all peoples, and our fathers from among all their ancestors, as a lasting heritage, and that you fulfilled all your promises to them. 39 [C:23] Be mindful of us, O Lord. Manifest yourself in the time of our distress and give me courage, King of gods and Ruler of every power. 40 [C:24] Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion, and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish. 41 [C:25] Save us by your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord. You know all things.” P S A L M
Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8
R: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
1 I
will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; 2 I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. (R) Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. 3 When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. (R) 7 Your right hand saves me. 8 The LORD will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands. (R) G O S P E L
Esther
gives an example of the willingness to seek the Lord and to request His aid in the task she is about to perform. There is never anything lost in commending to the Lord our needs and hopes. If they are within the ambit of His will for our lives, it will confirm God’s intention to work with us in that way. If they are not, then at least we will have a sign that we need to rethink our desires in life if the Lord is not responding to our repeated requests. Matthew 7:7-12
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf
of bread, 10 or a snake when he asks for a fish? 11 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. 12 “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.” my reflections
think:Esther
is not hesitating — she is doing what any wise and faith- filled person would do in her situation — place her welfare in the hands of God. Do we do this when we’re in a fix? |
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The History of Saint Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient
Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honour Juno. Juno was the Queen of
the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess
of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the
Feast of Lupercalia.
The lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. However, one
of the customs of the young people was name drawing. On the eve of the
festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips
of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl’s name
from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the
festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairing of the
children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and
would later marry.
Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in many bloody
and unpopular campaigns. Claudius the Cruel was having a difficult time
getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the
reason was that roman men did not want to leave their loves or
families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements
in Rome. The good Saint Valentine was a priest at Rome in the days of
Claudius II. He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs and
secretly married couples, and for this kind deed Saint Valentine was
apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him
to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. He
suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, about the year 270. At
that time it was the custom in Rome, a very ancient custom, indeed, to
celebrate in the month of February the Lupercalia, feasts in honour of
a heathen god. On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan
ceremonies, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which
they were drawn by the men as chance directed.
The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome endeavoured to do
away with the pagan element in these feasts by substituting the names
of saints for those of maidens. And as the Lupercalia began about the
middle of February, the pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine’s
Day for the celebration of this new feaSt. So it seems that the custom
of young men choosing maidens for valentines, or saints as patrons for
the coming year, arose in this way.
