Foot Loose

I was cleaning our cabinets when the chair I was standing on glided because of imbalance. Then blag! resounded in the house but sad to say, no one came to the rescue. The one who heard thought it was just a big thing that fell (Oh my!).

Whenever I passed by that cabinet, that incident becomes vivid again. I realized that with that kind of fall, it is a wonder how I escaped from having broken bones and limping limbs; and luckily missing that open door of the lower cabinet from hitting my nape just an inch.  I have recovered from the impact of that fall, but not from the saving impact of the hand of God and of my guardian angel.

CHALLENGE

Where we place our feet may not always be secure for we may be unsure how sturdy is underneath.  That is why it is always good to look and cling to what is above.  In life, we need faith in God to be secured in life.

WALK WITH THE LORD
Lord Jesus, thank you for that fall (but Lord, I am not implying it will happen again). Once again you have proven that You are always near me and instructing my guardian angel to protect me. Amen.

WALK WITH THE WORD
"See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared." (Exodus 23:20)

Single Footprint

Who says being single is lonely, boring and burdensome?  One of my sisters is now at her ripe age but still unmarried (at the moment). Often, she's at home together with my younger sister and niece. With our parents living abroad, petitioned by my other sibling, she took the responsibility of being the father-mother in the house, forsaking to practice even her own profession. She accepted her fate in joy and steadfastly fulfills her many roles despite difficulties and pressures. Seeing her happy and contented, I realized that being single might be her call and vocation in life.

CHALLENGE
People can be lonely even if they are in the midst of joyful environment and comfortable conditions. A normal thing in life but do we realize that we are just invited to a deeper self-knowledge and a leap of faith?

WALK WITH THE LORD
Lord Jesus, bless my sister and all those single men and women whom You call for a 'special vocation'. May they realize that by their generous acceptance of their fate in life, their loneliness will be turned into joy; and by their dedication and love, they will never feel alone. Amen.

WALK WITH THE WORD
When Jesus saw the Mother and the disciple, He said to the Mother, "Woman, this is your son." Then He said to the disciple, "There is you Mother." And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:26-27)

Footprints' Bonding

In summer 2005, I had the opportunity of visiting my parents, sister and her family in United States. I stayed with them for more than a month, and each one of them set aside their own jobs and lightened their busy schedules just to give me the best experience of my stay with them. They toured me around beautiful places, mostly churches, and even crossing Canada. It was a joyful and warm experience bonding with them, and meeting old and new friends as well.   Back to the Philippines, I thought that was it - I am here again and they are there! But then, I felt different. I still have the 'after glow' of my bonding with them.

CHALLENGE
Families are God given gifts.  Near of far from them, they will remain part of our wrappings. Others, discouraged of this gift, may wish to have a different family, but God, in His wisdom, has actually given the best gift  already.

WALK WITH THE LORD
Lord Jesus, thank you for my love ones, for being part of them, and they for being part of me. We may not always walk side by side or hand on hand, but let our hearts be tied with each other forever. Bless, guide and protect me, all my love ones, and the families all over the world. Amen.

WALK WITH THE WORD

"May God be gracious and bless us; may He let His Face shine upon us." (Psalms 67:2)

Saint's Footprints

September 28 is the Feast day of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and his companions, the Dominican priests. They were canonized martyr saints in 1987.  St. Lorenzo is the first Filipino canonized saint. He was born in Binondo, Manila, married and with 3 kids (2 girls and 1 boy). He served in Binondo parish as sacristan and escribiente; and had learned the doctrines of faith under the guidance of the Dominicans. Records show that he fled for his life because he was suspected for a crime. He joined the Dominican missionary priests as they sailed to Nagasaki, Japan. It was there that they suffered inhuman tortures until death for the sake of their faith in Christ.  St. Lorenzo was hanged upside down, with half of his body buried underground. And before he died, his executioners asked: "If we grant you life, will you renounce your faith?" Lorenzo answered without hesitation: "That I will never do, because I am a Christian, and I shall die for God, and for Him I will give many thousands of lives if I had them. And so, do as you please."

CHALLENGE
St. Lorenzo was willing to offer a thousand lives if he has them for the sake of Christ. What a shame when we cannot offer a little sacrifice or renounce a single, little thing for the sake of Christ.  

WALK WITH THE LORD

Lord Jesus, St. Lorenzo Ruiz gave us the example of fortitude and commitment to the faith even in the midst tortures. As I walk daily, experiencing the tortures of pressures and problems, may I never bargain or compromise my faith in You. Amen.

WALK WITH THE WORD
"Through Christ you have been granted not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for Him." (Philippinas 1:29)