Author: Miguel J. Javier

Why It’s Important to Tithe

Tithing is a concrete and consistent way to show that you believe in the mission, and you want to help the church/community reach the ends of the earth. It’s an investment that God multiplies a hundred fold for the conversion of hearts. Yes, your generous tithe goes a very long way, even if it’s small, because God can take a humble offering from a heart full of love, and make it something truly beautiful for His kingdom.

And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.”

–Mark 12:41–44

The Awesome Gift of Liveloud BC

Liveloud was truly an awe-inspiring event, and much of my awe had to do with how the Lord revealed His love to me through the family. Even though my own couldn’t be there, I still felt embraced with a fraternal love. I was affirmed evermore how we, the community, the church, and all of our own families, are one family in God and it was that truth that led to my joy overflowing at Liveloud.

It was incredible to see parents with their children, sisters from the Missionaries of Charity, brothers and sisters from the Archdiocese, Couples for Christ, Handmaids, Singles for Christ, CFC-Youth, and even Kids for Christ raising their hands and praising God, all 1,500 of them! I heard from a few individuals how they saw their parents raising their hands and singing. It was a bit weird for them but they were extremely happy seeing their parents praising God. How wonderful it is when families worship together. What a gift!

This event was truly a gift from God not just to our community, but to His entire church, and might I say, the entire world. This first Liveloud in BC, blessed by our shepherd, Archbishop Miller, was only the beginning and a taste of what the Lord has in store for all of us.

Now, for me, there were many highlights, but the greatest one was witnessing my fiancé honour our Blessed Mother by singing the Hail Mary prayer. My heart was utterly wrapped in the love of God in that moment and I couldn’t help but smile and feel affirmed of the Lord’s will in my life.

Here’s a clip of “Hail Mary” being sung by the whole band:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=425226064307736&pnref=story

I look forward to what the Lord has in store for me and my future family, and His entire family! God is good!

Thank You, Jesus and Mama Mary. I’m just so grateful.

May we always be attuned to His still small voice in the silence of our hearts, so that we may be inspired by the Holy Spirit to love loudly for love of Him.

Ave Maris Stella! God be praised!

The Best Job in the World

I believe that Christians have the best job in the world, that is, to “offer the Gospel free of charge.” Yesterday’s readings reminded me of this great commission and how if my heart is not truly set on working for His kingdom, then I could be in danger of deep desolation and lamentation just as Job experienced in the first reading.

“So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted to me.” –Job 7

However, if I decide to truly seek His kingdom and do His will, then I must follow the instructions of St. Paul and try my best to imitate Him, who imitated Christ as a missionary.

“I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible.” –1 Cor 9

And in the Gospel I am reminded that ultimately, this is the work of Jesus Christ through me. He’s the one who heals the “sick with various diseases” and who drives out the demons. Thus, this “job” that I have is not mine but His through me. It’s Christ continuing His ministry of feeding His sheep through me. It’s Christ using my weaknesses, my strengths, and my personality to bring about the light of His kingdom and the love of God.

In the gospel I was also reminded of the most important duty of a Christian and the only obligation, because this is what is needed to be able to do the will of God, that is, to pray. In prayer I receive His instructions and the grace to carry them out.

“Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.” –Mark 1

Jesus rose very early and went off to a deserted place so that He could be with His Father. He had performed many miracles the day before and He knew there were still many places to go, more people to reach and show that the kingdom of God is at hand. If Jesus daily prayed to His Father, then so must I through Him in the Eucharist.

In this job, Jesus is my boss who has made Himself a slave to all so that he might win as many as possible. Now He has called me to do the same as a FTPW, future husband, and father, and whatever else He calls me to. I pray for the strength to see this through. It’s not going to be an easy journey, but it’s worth it. I will fall 7 times daily, I will sustain wounds, and my heart will break time and time again, but God is good. As I take care of His sheep, I know that He will take care of me, and no matter how far I stray from Him, He will always seek me out, embrace me, and bring me home.

“He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.” –Psalm 147

On the Meaning of Vocation

“Ask yourselves, young people, about the love of Christ. Acknowledge His voice resounding in the temple of your heart. Return His bright and penetrating glance which opens the paths of your life to the horizons of the Church’s mission. It is a taxing mission, today more than ever, to teach men the truth about themselves, about their end, their destiny, and to show faithful souls the unspeakable riches of the love of Christ. Do not be afraid of the radicalness of His demands, because Jesus, who loved us first, is prepared to give Himself to you, as well as asking of you. If He asks much of you, it is because He knows you can give much.”

–St. John Paul II