Kevin Muico – True North Missionaries Journal

Were Not Our Hearts Burning

After almost a year’s worth of meetings – some monthly, some weekly, some daily, some were even hourly – and a year’s worth of preparation, physically, emotionally, mentally, financially, and spiritually; #IgniteTNC2014 is finally done.

When we started planning for the 20th True North Conference, a lot of us Full Time Pastoral Workers (FTPWs) were thinking the same thing, I think we bit off more than we can chew. We were combining two ministries, CFC- Youth and Singles For Christ. Have 2/3 days combined and the other day separate from one another. And because it is the 20th year anniversary for both ministries here in Canada, we wanted to be grand about it.

We wanted sessions that showed the history of God’s faithfulness through the years but at the same time looking forward to the next 20 years and more. We wanted more competitions so everybody can enjoy themselves. We wanted workshops that really equipped the participants to go out into the world and bear the good news that Christ has risen. We wanted a set design that matched the massive celebration that we were planning. For us, it was go big or go home.

For all its worth, in my personal opinion, it went above and beyond that. Yet the whole conference went by so quickly. For those who went, and for those who joined us via livestream would also agree. I arrived in Vancouver on July 1. A significant time before the conference itself, yet now as I’m leaving to go back to Toronto, it feels like it was just yesterday.

I’m still trying to process the whole experience, which is a year’s worth, but here is a reflection on the only picture I took the entire weekend.

When we were still trying to figure out the logo design – it took us forever to finalize one. We wanted a logo that would transcend time but at the same time speak of this significant moment of CFC-Youth and SFC Canada.

This logo came out.

Designed by Canada's First FTPW, Butch Baria — Designed by Canada’s First FTPW, Butch Baria

We were floored by its simplicity and transcending beauty. A heart that was aflame from the love of God. To put it simply, it was perfect.

Of course, turning this into a proper set design would be quite a task. For the most part, I think the Logistics Team hated us for wanting a free standing logo that towered over everything, which lit up and flickered like a flame. But when they were finally able to piece the huge thing together (S/O to Theo, Genesis and Tito Edwin Rigor), it looked amazing.

But the logo stands testament to what everybody has felt (and still feels up to this moment) during the duration of the conference – and for the year-long preparation that it took.

Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us? – Luke 24:32

This scene comes to mind, Luke 24:32. When the disciples suddenly realize that it was Jesus who was resurrected from the dead that they were talking to all along. They thought he was dead with a certain finality. Yet he was more than alive. His presence set their hearts on fire. They knew he was alive because of that experience.

To those of us who have been in the community since the early years up until now, don’t our hearts burn after every worship, after every camp, every household, every CLP, every gathering we have whether it is a fellowship or something as big as a conference. Isn’t that a reminder that Jesus indeed walks with us in all the things we do specially in the community.

While the Ignite True North Conference is done, every moment that our hearts burned for the days that led up to it, during the entirety of the TNC, and the days the after – our hearts are truly ignited and burning for the Lord because He was, is, and forever will be with us.

United as one we will go forth. Ignited to the ends of the Earth. So let the Fire fall.

Today, God Made Me Laugh

If you ask certain people, they’d say I’m funny. (I don’t agree with them) If you ask other people, they’d say I cross way too many lines. (I agree with them) I’d say I’m one to enjoy a good laugh, even if it meant to be at the expense of others. (I’m sorry to those whom I do it very often to. You guys know who you are. We’ll talk soon.) But there are certain issues that I rarely laugh about, in fact if a certain topic is brought up in a certain way – my emotions flare up and I go berserk. Well maybe not berserk-berserk, but you get what I mean. The topic of God is one.

About two years ago I was introduced to the concept that humour, joy, and laughter are part of a healthy spiritual life through a couple of books by Fr. James Martin, SJ. (One of my favourite priests/authors) To be honest, when I read about that subject, I found it to be sketchy. How can an all powerful, almighty, all knowing God be funny? Well Fr. Jim did an awesome job in making me understand that it was indeed not just a possible but a very certain reality that God is a God of joy.

Fast forward to a few months back, I was able to read a book by Matthew Kelly – The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic. It was really a practical guide on how one can be a better Catholic. Of course, so I can “look like I know my stuff” – I tweeted one of the lines that spoke to me. Little did I know that it wouldn’t get sent. So when I was cleaning my twitter drafts, I saw this there. So I decided to tweet it yesterday.

So I was a bit surprised while I was on my way to the office to get a reply from somebody I did not know. He said this.

Twitter___KevinMuico___bracealmighty__RobinGrainger____

My first reaction was to flare up. Who the heck is this guy. Why is he saying that what I quoted was crap. So I did a quick search on google, a found out that there is a Matthew Kelly from Britain who has a 90s show. So I responded that I was quoting a different guy, and I don’t believe that the quote was crap. And it escalated quickly.

As I was walking to the office, I was already thinking of ways to defend the faith in 140 characters – well less than given that I needed to tag these two guys. My emotions were high. Then I said to myself, that verse is familiar. So I looked it up and it was…

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28

And I burst into laughter.

Today is the feast day of St. Philip Neri, the patron saint of humour. Both of the guys “mocking” me (well they said they were mocking the TV show) were actually british comedians. And the verse capped it off – I don’t bear the burden of defending what I believe to be true. God can defend Himself. In fact theology and philosophy will point this out to be true. I come to God so I can rest in the One who loves me.

God was doing a prank on me, if I was actually listening to Him during my prayer time this morning. If I was looking to the Saint who found way to holiness through joy.

Today’s Gospel says:

You also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning. – John 15:27

I am called to bear witness to the gospel, the good news. If I am not joyful, then the medium hinders the message. The message is love – and in, with, and through it – we find faith, hope, peace and above all joy. Today I found joy in a weird circumstance. But it is still joy found in the Lord.

Saint Philip Neri, we take ourselves far too seriously most of the time. Help us to add humour to our perspective — remembering always that humour is a gift from God. Amen

PS. You can read the rest of the conversation here: https://twitter.com/KevinMuico/statuses/470666370322280448

Seeing The Face Of God

So me and Noel went out for a run a few weeks ago. Yeah. I actually went out and used my runners for running. The first half of it was more of a jog and some brisk walking, the latter half was just walking. I was also wearing this shirt.

Jesus Shirt — It is a picture of my boss. Both of them actually. Kuya Law and Jesus.

On our way back, we were already on my street, walking – tired from the “run” and the workout that Noel put me through during our 1on1. As we approached the mission house, there was this lady walking towards us.

She exclaimed “Wow! That’s a nice shirt!”

Her eyes were wide. Her face lit up. And her body exuded joy in seeing Christ in the shirt I wore.

I said to myself, wouldn’t it be nice if all we saw in each other was Christ.

Lord, allow us to see Christ in everyone we meet. Amen.

Why I Am Catholic And Not Just Spiritual

It is very common to hear this line from your “average” Christian.

“I am spiritual, but not religious. I don’t need the Church, all I need is a relationship with Christ.”

At one point in time, I even held this point-of-view. But in my personal journey, praise the Lord, that I have also grown up and away from this very superficial point-of-view.

Here are some of my personal reasons:

1. Spiritual usually means that I just feel good about my own perception of God.

If God fits the mould that I imagine Him to be in, then He is not God. God, ironically enough, by definition should not even be definable. He cannot be put into a certain view-point or a certain mould. That is why He tells Moses, “I am who I am”. (Ex 3:14) God is simply God. Period.

If I simplify God using my own personal finite cognitive skills, then God ceases to be infinite, which in fact is one of His attributes.

How then, can I come to know God? Well, through how He revealed Himself. He reveals Himself to us in a myriad of ways, from the beauty of nature to the razor sharpness of logic as well. I believe God has revealed and reveals Himself in us, when we discover this God-shaped hole in our hearts as St. Augustine would say. This inescapable emptiness that can only be filled with this infinite God. This infinite God who fully revealed Himself in Jesus Christ. Which leads me to my next point.

2. Jesus was the Word made flesh. He was not just spiritual, but more importantly physical as well. (John 1:14)

This is where things get interesting. Christians, including me, like to spiritualize things. But God, though pure in spirit (CCC 370), created us in a very PHYSICAL world. We act as if anything that is physical is evil, but the reality it is not. For everything that God made is in fact VERY good. (Gen 1:31)

And if Jesus is any example – he would be the best – since He is fully human and fully divine, He is also fully good. His humanity and physicality doesn’t take away from His goodness. Neither should our reality of being physically present take away from the innate goodness that God has made us to be. Jesus shows us the way, He integrates the spiritual and the physical. He does not differentiate between both.

This is why for us Catholics, good works are an integral part of living Christian lives. One cannot separate the follower of Christ from good works. Since the source of all good is God Himself. These good works were enumerated by Christ in the Bible. But since not all of those things He said were explicitly said, a lot of them were passed on to His followers – the Apostles and the disciples. (2 Thess 2:15) Which leads me to my next point.

3. I believe in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

The very same Church whom Christ established through Peter (Matt 16:18), the One(not multiple) Church that is made Holy through Christ and not by the people in it. The One that is sent to all peoples, and not just to a select few. The One Church that has a proven lineage that traces itself back to the Apostles and back to Christ Himself. The Catholic Church.

This may come as a shock to some of you, but the bible you know now was compiled by the Catholic Church. In fact the Catholic Church predates the Bible in that sense.

Which brings me back to my second point, remember the time Jesus said:

“While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:26-28

Jesus didn’t mean that in a figurative sense of partaking His body or drinking from His cup. He meant it not only spiritually but very much so literally and physically. And guess which Church takes this to heart?

This Church.

Which goes back to my first point, only is it in the Catholic Church that my faith is ~~asked~~ challenged to go beyond the confines of what comforts me. The Catholic Church challenges me to conform my will to something infinitely higher than me. Which is God’s will, because He has revealed Himself through this Church.

I think it would be a sad day if the fullness of God was limited to what I was comfortable with. I want a faith that doesn’t stop at prosperity, but actually challenges me to pick up my own own cross (Matt 16:24) and be crucified in it. I want a faith that tells me to say Yes to His will and say no to the limited world-view. I want a faith that does not want me to compromise Him for the sake of my own personal gain. I want a faith that transcends my limitedness.

Going back to its roots, Religion is taken from the word Religare which means relationship. My religion is the relationship which God has instituted so I can have a fuller relationship with Him. And like any relationship, try going about doing other than what the other person wants/needs and you’ll end up in a very unhappy and unfulfilled relationship. A relationship is about giving oneself to the other, religion is the giving of oneself to God – Catholicism is its fullness. Why would I give God something less than what He wants?

Blessed To Be Broken

Sometimes I wonder was it ever necessary for me to experience all my sins – and all the aches it has caused. Today was one of those days.

I look at my life, and I began to imagine – what if I made all the right decisions in life? Wouldn’t life be much better now? Without the all the pain, guilt, and scars?

I guess the biggest thing would be the pain I’ve caused other people, directly and indirectly. They would have been much better off sans the pain I’ve caused them.

Today was the same day God answered those questions. He put me to focus on these words at mass.

While they were at supper He took the bread, and gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples and said, take this all of you and eat it: this is my Body which will be given up for you.”

I’ve always wondered why there was a need for the priest to have a big host when he would just end up breaking it and just consume a small part of it. He could have used the normal host, the ones the congregation usually receives. It’s much more practical and efficient that way.

Now, it makes much more sense, a bread that is too big for one to consume that it must be broken, so that others may also be blessed to partake in it. This is how God intended the Eucharist. The breaking of Himself so that others may live. This is how God gave himself through the cross, so that we may have life everlasting.

But how about me, I am not God. Whenever I am broken, I am just divided into more insignificant pieces. Yet this is where God comes in. He uses our brokenness and fills it up with His wholeness. This is the economy of God. Where one’s insignificance brings about an infinite value to those who gets to know our witness.

Through God, our test becomes our testimony. Our mess, becomes a message. Our trials to triumph. And above all, victims of sin into victors over sin.

Want more proof? Look at today’s first reading, that is the same Saul who would later be named Paul. One of the greatest Apostles of Christ was once its greatest persecutor.

St. Paul, pray for us that we may accept the mercy of God that is unwavering, encompassing, and overflowing. Amen.

The Masterpiece

The Masterpiece

They say you’re in tune, when you’re in the same frequency

I found that He was consistent even with my inconsistency

To find the Lord speaking my own language was mind blowing

Reinforcing the fact that He truly is All Powerful and All Knowing

So as I take in the fact that yes He is Almighty

I am more so loved completely and overwhelmingly

That the Breather of Stars and Galaxies

Took notice of me, even with all my iniquities

And in His grandeur

I am the only one He sees

The universe is His overture

And I am His masterpiece

So brethren, take heart of the promise, that we are His beloved

At the end of the day, unconditional is implemented

As He loved us first, we are called to love others

To bring others into the fold as sisters and brothers

And in His grandeur

We are the only one He sees

The universe is His overture

And we are His masterpiece

A People Of Joy

So this last Easter Vigil, was my first. Ever. Now before you start judging me on my Catholicity and how the heck did I become a Full Time Pastoral Worker – let me answer your judgement call that I have no idea. Praise God, that God calls those who needs His love the most.

Now for those who do not know what happens during an Easter Vigil, it is the greatest and noblest of all solemnities (EV, No.2*) Basically it is your mass on steroids. It literally takes you down Salvation History from the beginning to now. And it’s a bunch of sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist) happening in one fantastic liturgy. But that is for another reflection, maybe next year.

There was one part of the liturgy that became really personal to me and the image still sticks to me now. During the sacrament of baptism, there was a good number of people to be baptized ranging from young babies to kids, teens, young adults and to elderly people. They were all of different races. But there was this one girl who I think was in her late teens or early twenties that really amazed me.

As she was called up to be baptized, she was so excited that she was about to be a part of the family of God. Now at her age, she already knows what it means to be Catholic. She understands that the teachings of the Church go against the ways of the world. Yet for her, the fullness of life can only come through a faith that is lived. You can see it in her eyes as she was waiting for her turn to be baptized.

Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. – Exodus 34:29

After her baptism, as she was walking back to her spot in the line, there was this profound and distinct joy that emanated from her. Something like what happened to Moses when he was talking with God. Not even my words can ever describe the joy I saw beaming out of her. If there could be a person that could be joy personified that was her. She was literally lighting up the Church.

There I was witnessing a person who had just met Christ, who could no longer contain it that her life becomes a visible and tangible sign that God indeed loves us. Her visible sign of Christ’s love should be also be visible in us. For though her baptism was just last week, we were also baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. It is the same God who loves us unconditionally and extends his covenant to us – making us His children.

To me, her witness, was a slap in my face. For I’m quite known to always look serious and to always be deep in my thoughts. Don’t get me wrong, I am joyful as well – but I guess I need to make a better effort in making that joy known through my face and more importantly my actions.

Christ is indeed Risen. That is the cause of our joy. We are an Easter people. We should then be a people of joy.

Saint Philip Neri, we take ourselves far too seriously most of the time. Help us to add humour to our perspective — remembering always that humour is a gift from God. Help us to live out this profound joy, from the Risen Christ, in our lives. Amen.

*Missale Romanum, “Rubrics for the Easter Vigil” (EV)