Author: Miguel J. Javier

Meant to Be

About two weeks ago my parents visited from Toronto to finally meet Char’s parents and to also have a mini vacation. I was so thankful that they had an instant connection and became BFFs just from the first encounter. It reminded me of when Char and I met and how we instantly connected and as our friendship grew, it felt like we’ve known each other for years. Our parents connected the same way and it was yet another affirmation that we are meant to be, and by ‘we’ I don’t mean just Charlene and I, but even our families.

I feel like our relationship has been so fruitful. I can’t even imagine the fruit it will bear when the Lord joins us in Holy Matrimony.

To God be the glory. Amen.

Much Given, Much Expected

Yesterday officially marked three years for me as a Full-time Pastoral Worker for Couples for Christ. I’m so glad that the Lord called me at the beginning of the blossoming of True North. Ever since day one, I’ve witnessed the growth of our community like never before and I just feel very privileged to have been part of the Wind of revival that is sweeping across Canada. It’s truly the Holy Spirit and because of Him, the community has been growing ever more fruitful.

I feel that it’s no coincidence that all of this fruitfulness, growth, and sanctity has been occurring in tandem with our Marian themes. Our Blessed Mother has been teaching us how to pray, to love, and has truly been bringing us closer to the heart of her Son.

Through the hands of Mother Mary, the Lord has been blessing us with much and it’s bearing fruit that will last. The past three years have been an affirmation that we are doing the work of the Lord because of the blessings coming from it and the amount of work the Lord has been entrusting to us.

At the same time, I have never felt so stretched. Every year the Lord has never ceased to remind me that “every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48).

The Lord has given much to us as a community because He’s finding us ever closer to Our Blessed Lady, to whom was filled with His grace. The Holy Spirit has been awakening and stirring the hearts of many because He’s finding more souls embedded in the soil of Mary’s heart. We are seeing more answering their vocation because our Holy Mother has been pointing hearts ever more to the gaze of Her Son, and helping us to hear Him say and answer to those two transformative words: “follow Me.”

Much has been given to us, and much is expected; but let us never forget what we can expect from our Heavenly Father,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Hang in there, brothers and sisters. When times get really tough and when we feel that He’s giving too much to carry and too many things to do, let’s cast our heavy hearts on Him and simply ask for more faith, more hope, and more love.

Amen.

You’re Doing Good

Building the Church of the Home and Building the Church of the Poor. This is the mission and pillars of Couples for Christ. It is through the family and poor that we truly experience the Love of God and I’m so happy to be part of a community that recognizes and prioritizes this.

God has revealed Himself throughout the Bible using familial terms (Father, Son, Daughter, Children, Bride, Groom, Spouse, etc.) He Himself is a family (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). This tells us how important the concept of family is to Him and how much He wants to reveal himself to us and wants to bless the world through the domestic church.

He has also shown His love for the poor by being born in a manger and raised in the little town of Bethlehem. He spent His whole life with the most destitute in body, mind, and soul, and cared for them throughout His ministry by healing their ailments in every way.

It is obvious that what’s important to God is family and the poor, and throughout salvation history He has tried instilling these values in us through His covenants and teachings.

It is no wonder we truly experience the love of our Blessed Lord in this community where its mission is founded on what God Himself loves. We are blessed to be following in the anointing of this community because we can rest assured that we are pleasing the Lord by taking to heart what’s so much in His heart—the family and the poor.

So let us continue building the Church of the Home and building the Church of the Poor simply because we know it pleases our Lord and it consoles His Sacred Heart.

“Couples for Christ, you’re doing good… you’re doing good.” –Benedict XVI

Amen.

 

Holy Fire

During TNC, “were not our hearts burning within us?” -Luke 24:32

A heart on fire doesn’t remain the same. It burns away the old wineskin. It melts the frozenness. It transforms the stone. It purges the impurities. It purifies. It illuminates and incinerates. It ascends into the Trinitarian eternal exchange of Love.

It’s not about excitement. It’s about holiness, and allowing God’s love to transform us to become more like Jesus Christ.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine. Amen.

Fill. Kindle. Renew.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

We pray that the Holy Spirit may fill our hearts like a rushing wind, kindle our hearts like a burning bush, and renew our hearts like the baptismal waters of the river Jordan. May the Holy Spirit consume us so that we may be compelled by the love of Christ to go forth and spread the Good News to all nations.

The Holy Spirit enables us to speak the universal language of love, so that, just like the Apostles on Pentecost, we too may be able to proclaim the “mighty acts of God” to all peoples with hopes that others may catch fire and be lead to the conversion of their hearts.

In Baptism we are re-born as children of the Most High. In Confirmation we are indelibly sealed with the Holy Spirit and strengthened by His power to carry out our mission. Let today be a renewal of our baptismal promises and be a reminder of the power of the Holy Spirit within us to fulfill those promises. Let us allow the Lord to stir our hearts once again to enliven our desire to evangelize and give Him the greatest possible glory with our lives!

So, Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Humbled in the Truth

This past weekend I attended the Christian Character Weekend as part of my SFC formation. It was a blessed experience simply being a participant, taking everything in, and not worrying about serving. All the sessions were great but the first one given by Fr. Anthony Ho is what spoke to me the most. His was all about what it means to have the character of a Christian, and the main characteristic he talked about was humility.

Fr. Anthony’s session was very humbling. He helped me to see what true humility is, that it’s found in the Truth, and the Truth simply is. The Truth doesn’t hide anything; so too being humble is about not hiding. It’s about removing the fig leaves and exposing my entire nature, everything I am with all my weaknesses, sinfulness, and the need for total dependance on God’s grace. He helped me to see myself—a child before my Heavenly Father, having recourse to His mercy in Jesus through Mary.

I was reminded of very important aspects of being a Christian, that is, to be humble, admit where I am as a person, allow Jesus to meet me there, and do whatever He tells me in order to grow in holiness.

Here I am, Father. You know my heart. You know how weak I truly am. Lord, make haste to help me because I truly need You. I fall too easily to temptation in my thoughts and in my words, in what I do and what I fail to do. Help me to be humble and not to pretend that I am anything greater. Purify my intentions, lead me with Your Holy Spirit, have mercy on me, and please walk with me always.

Many Stories, One Author

During a 1on1 with a brother yesterday we talked about how everyone who blogs here must look like while they’re typing. Some we said looked really intense while constantly deleting and revising because he/she must be very particular with words. Others we imagined just typing away not revising much and just allowing the words to pour from their heart. And others taking a really long time to even come up with one sentence then getting back to it later on in the day. We had a good laugh about it and it made us appreciate our brothers and sisters even more. It’s really an affirmation how the Holy Spirit speaks to everyone differently and expresses love for God ever so uniquely. Praise God for that. Praise God for the love story He’s writing through each of us. Though we have a multitude of writing styles, we all have the same Author who moves and inspires our hearts to share His.

As for me, I’m the type that doesn’t delete much, but I read my blog over once it’s done and make quick edits as I go.

To all my fellow bloggers, I pray that you may continue to draw near to the Lord with your reflections, and may we always give all the glory to God in our hearts.