The life of a missionary is not strewn with roses, in fact more with thorns; but with it all, it is a life full of happiness and joy when she thinks that she is doing the same work which Jesus was doing when He was on earth, and that she is fulfilling Jesus’ commandment: ‘Go and teach all nations!’
–Mother Teresa
Author: Miguel J. Javier
Truth
Christopher West on “What is Lent?”
On Becoming a Saint
“If I ever become a saint—I will surely be one of ‘darkness.’ I will continually be absent from Heaven—to light the light of those in darkness on earth.”
–Mother Teresa
Reign In My Heart
Today I attended Holy Mass at St. Monica’s Parish as I usually do every Sunday with Charlene’s family who sings for the choir. Through the readings and the homily, the Lord reminded me of the importance of living under His authority and how I must try my best to avoid anything that may distract me from focusing on Him.
I can imagine that the second reading must have been difficult to hear, especially for those who are married. I say this because St. Paul warns that it’s better to not be married because it may cause the man or woman to be “anxious of this world.” Well, marriage is obviously a very good thing instituted by God Himself. I think St. Paul put it this way to emphasize the absolute importance of being focused on Jesus. I think he’s emphasizing that we must be careful not to turn icons (which are meant to point to a greater reality) into idols, for marriage is not an end in itself. It is a Sacrament—a Sign and a great mystery—that points to the marriage of Christ and His Church, ultimate communion with God. The Lord doesn’t want our hearts to be divided. He wants it to be perfectly integrated in Him.
I shouldn’t be afraid to allow the Lord to reign in my heart. In allowing Him, He casts out what should not be there, the things causing a dichotomy of worship. I need to be more confident in His authority in my life, and not see it as tyrannically oppressive, but lovingly liberating. For He is a Father who loves me and who will never stop loving me until I am completely and eternally His.
Liveloud is Thanksgiving
Jak Jak Fournier (also with his brother and father) witnessing to God’s goodness at Liveloud 2013
On February 21, in Surrey, BC, 1,500 CFC, HOLD, SFC, CFC-Youth, and members of the Archdiocese will be gathered to witness God’s prevailing love in the form of the Holy Mass and Praise and Worship. This will truly be a momentous occasion not just for our community but also for our archdiocese because rarely do we get to experience over a thousand individuals of all ages and walks of life gather to praise and worship God through original songs written by CFC and its ministries.
It will be a time to lift up to God our thanksgiving personally and as a community of faith. As a community, we can be thankful for the very fact that we have been abundantly blessed for 21 years of evangelization and family ministry. For 21 years the Lord has blessed our work through the Couples for Christ, the Handmaids of the Lord, Kids for Christ, CFC-Youth, and Singles for Christ, serving hand in hand with our Archdiocese in renewing the face of the earth by renewing the families. This is why I pray that every ministry be present at Liveloud, simply because it wouldn’t be the same without you.
It wouldn’t be the same without the presence of unconditional love always shown by the CFC couples, the charismatic fire of the Handmaids, the zeal and passion of the youth, and the witness of faith of the Singles for Christ. Also, it wouldn’t be the same without the presence of our beloved clergy and religious who are our main inspiration for being FOR CHRIST.
So let’s gather, my brothers and sisters, all in the name of Jesus Christ who has been so good to us throughout the years, and Who will never stop being good to us, Who will never stop loving us. He is the reason for Liveloud and He will be right there with us, and because of that, our hearts will be renewed and the fire to serve, re-kindled.
All for the Lord! God is good!
Theirs is the Kingdom
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” –Matthew 5:3
The juxtaposition of the poor in spirit and the kingdom of heaven is intriguing. It’s nothing and everything at the same time. Why does the poor in spirit receive the kingdom of heaven? I think this has much to do about humility, for God only gives grace to the humble—to those who are open to receive. No wonder why it’s “easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven”. It’s because a rich man “owns” the kingdom of the world. He has the false sense of security for his life, being wealthy in materials things. It’s hard for a rich person to think he needs anything else when he feels he has everything already. And that’s the very reason why he will find it extremely difficult to receive the kingdom of heaven. In order to receive the kingdom of God, one has to be willing to forsake the kingdom of the world.
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” –Matthew 16:25
The key to the kingdom of heaven is being poor in spirit. It’s about having a vulnerable disposition and coming to the Lord as children do, with arms wide open, holding on to nothing, so as to hold on to everything from our Father. He wants to give us His Kingdom. He wants to give us His love. He wants us to know that what He gives is all that we need.
I’ve realized that to desire and have everything of this world, is to have nothing at all. But to desire and have nothing of this world, is to have everything of God.
“And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, ‘One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich.” – Luke 18:22-23