Tag: Love

True Love

“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you” – John 21:17

Today during his homily, Father Jijimon (yes, like digimon), explained how off the translation for the Bible was.

When we think of Jesus asking Peter if he loves Him three times, we think about how incessant Jesus is after Peter answers Him. But He never simply asked Peter if he loved Him. He asked if he love Him with agape love – with unconditional, sacrificial love. And Peter answers that he loves Him with phileo love, with a love of friendship and admiration. Jesus wasn’t making Peter repeat his answer – He was asking him to love Him more.

I often think about how many times Jesus has to ask me to love with agape love. How many chances He gives me to show Him that I would do anything for Him. When I first heard the homily I struggled with the fact that Peter did not just say yes. I used to think about how silly Peter was. How dumb he was to hurt our God like that. To deny Him the greatest love. Yes Lord, I love you unconditionally. It’s so easy to say. But I think that’s how Peter and I differ.

When Peter sins he cries bitterly. He sees that he has sinned and is so sorry. He is heartbroken over his failures to God. But for me, I would have easily said yes, and believed it. I would do anything to make God happy. But I would never look deep down, making sure 100% that this answer was true. Because although I would like to love Christ with agape love, my actions don’t show it. I would do whatever it takes, tell Him whatever He wants, to make Him happy, even if it wasn’t the truth. Because words are not enough for our God, it is our actions, our heart, our everything, that He wants.

And though it’s easier to live on the surface, to simply live to make others happy, it’s not the same as unconditional love. It’s not the same as agape. And although any love is amazing, agape is what we strive for. Agape is what God calls for.

Let It Be Done

During adoration today at St. Bonaventure Church, I was meditating on the gospel for today and the Lord revealed to me, through the example of Mother Mary, a lesson on discernment and service.

Mary did not ask to be the Mother of God, God chose her. Same goes for service, we do not choose our anointing, God is the one who chooses and anoints us. The message came from the Angel Gabriel, and for us, the message comes from the Holy Spirit working through our leaders. Like Mary in the Gospel, we too are usually initially troubled with the annunciation of what the Lord has told us. However, the Lord always seeks to console us with His words “do not be afraid”, just as He consoled Mary. He knows how weak we are, that is why He is always quick to minister to our frailty, especially when our hearts our troubled. The Angel then explained to Mary what the Lord has planned for her. In our case in the community, we are asked to serve in one way or another.

Like Mother Mary, our humanity asks the question “how can this be?” Naturally, we think the task the Lord is giving is impossible. Of course it’s impossible if we only rely on human strength and understanding. However, with God, nothing is impossible if we rely and lean on Him. Leaning means to not stand on our own but to be held up and rely on the strength and power of God. The Holy Spirit truly comes upon us just as He did Mother Mary, and makes all things possible. When we allow the Holy Spirit to come upon and overshadow us, Jesus Christ truly dwells within, and the fruit of whatever we do in the Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ.

When we say “yes” to God, we are formed and become a little bit more like Jesus. When we say “yes”, we allow the power of the Holy Spirit take over our weaknesses. When we say “yes,” God’s will, will be done.

The experience of saying yes to God might be a very dramatic one and we might feel the presence of God very profoundly in that moment. That is a grace from God to strengthen our faith and resolve to do His will. However, do not forget that “the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38) after all was said and done. After saying yes to the Lord, those sentimental feelings and emotions, that feeling of God speaking to us might depart as well. It is important to not rely on feelings and emotions when following through with God’s calling, but solely on Truth and Love. When it comes to Charity and Truth, it does not rely on feelings and emotions but on our commitment and our act of will.

Imagine, we discern whether to be a Program, Cluster, or Advocacy Head. Also, we discern things like whether to do a sharing or a talk, and we are given many days to do this. Mary had to discern whether or not she would be the Mother of God and she was given but a few moments to discern and ask questions. Mary was full of faith, her heart was in the right place, she asked the right questions and was obedient to the message of the Lord. In the end, she said “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:31) No more questions. Just yes. She did not question if she was capable but simply found assurance in that God is able.

My brothers and sisters, when we discern let us ask the right questions—questions that will point us to God and not to ourselves. Let us listen with an open mind and heart to what God is trying to tell us. As much as discernment has to do with our lives, it has everything to do with God. We are not building our kingdom but His, so let’s always make it all about Him and His kingdom. We are merely instruments, handmaids, of His glorious plan.

We don’t only discern for big things but even the smaller things. Thus, whatever we are asked to do no matter how small or menial the task, let us always praise our God and do it with joy because we do it for love of Him. That is serving with a  servant’s heart.

Heavenly Father, we praise You. Please help us in our constant discernment to do Your Will. Purify our hearts so that we may see You, and help us not to linger on a decision you might have already affirmed us of. Help us to courageously answer Your call, no matter the call. May You be glorified and loved always. Amen.

Called to Love

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”    – John 15:11-13

I used to believe that love was always being on a person’s side. To stand by them and support them in all that they did. I thought you were supposed to protect that person from getting hurt, from any pain or sorrow.

But the more I grow in my faith the more I realize that my previous definition of love wasn’t love. I was babying the people I was called to love. I was treating them like infants. When you raise a child you can’t constantly treat them as if they can’t take care of themselves. You have to teach them. You have to guide them in the right direction. You have to lovingly correct their wrongdoings. You have to make known their faults so that they can become better. Love is more than protection. Love is wanting the betterment of others. And in our faith, love is doing whatever you can to get that person into heaven.

And in my quest and calling to love, I’ve come to realize that it is not easy. People fight back. People get angry and upset. People make you feel like you’re wrong, like you’re stupid. But I’ve come to know that I must suffer if I am to do the Lord’s work. To build up the fire inside someone, I’ll have to get burned. But it hurts. And it is discouraging. But it strengthens my faith. And when it gets tough, when my heart is failing, I can hear my God speaking to me:

“If the world hates you, realize it hated me first.”    – John 15:18

Hero’s Welcome

Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!

Yesterday, I had the great honour of reveling in one of the most significant moments in the history of salvation.  No, not the Passion of the Lord, but of course, Jesus’ triumphant entrance in to Jerusalem.  To me, this holds great significance because for the first time, he makes a very audacious public statement, to believers and non-believers alike, with a sense of great regalia but at the same time, humility.  He was, indeed, their king.  Though they failed to see what being King really meant,  this sense of overwhelming hope and devotion to Christ affirms me of the posture of hope we should maintain in our full awareness of his divine and royal sovereignty.

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
Lo, your king comes to you;
triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey”

Zechariah 9:9

Jesus, Prince of Peace

St. Ignatius always taught that to really contemplate on the scripture, we must picture ourselves present in that exact moment in time.  I could imagine myself being one of the Jews on the sideline thinking, “We’re waiting for a great military leader who will lead us to redemption and we get an average joe on a donkey?!”  That exact way of thinking is likely how must Jews would have felt at the time, however something that I recently learned was that Jesus’ triumphant return by way of donkey was no mere coincidence.  In fact, It was written.  Not only was in prophesied by Zachariah, but Jewish tradition tells us that all Jewish kings who have entered a city ride in one of two distinct animals:  a horse or a donkey.  A horse symbolizes readiness for battle.  It signals his troops to take heed and also sends a message to the men of the town that he’s ready for war.  However, a donkey, signifies just the opposite.  It signifies that he comes in peace.  The donkey, in it’s lack of size and “masculinity” is meant to show humility and in an altruistic sense, meekness.  When Jesus rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey, He sent a very clear message to the Romans and Jews that he and his apostles came in peace.

Our Personal Pilgrimmage

The great truth the Lord has been revealing to me this Holy week (thus far) is really to pilgrim through this faith journey by way of donkey – to make known of our peaceful intentions by maintaining a humble heart and a charitable Spirit.  Though no one will know what the Lord intends for us, not even us, we should always make it very clear that we, as Christians, should be vessels of virtue.  Christ already knew of the suffering that was to come, he entered willingly His passion.  Similarly, we, with the same God-given wisdom and discernment, must enter willingly our own personal passion not with a heart of conflict or waging war, but with a peace, joy, and charity.  When there is suffering, we must burst from the seams with overwhelming compassion and we must always call in to mind that though we remain pilgrims in this life, we are ultimately called to be eternal residences in the next.

Father, allow me to be a faithful pilgrim to you this Holy Week.  Allow me to immerse myself in deep conversation with you, as I strive to deepen my love for you.  Allow me to strength and grace to do what is needed to enter in to your kingdom in the same manner our Lord entered Jerusalum, in meekness, humility, and peacefulness.

Pater Noster.  Ave Maria.  Gloria Patri.
Amen

cpm

 

God is With Us

The proof is in the fruitfulness.

I remember a time when CFC-Youth Canada had only one FTPW and it seemed almost hopeless that we would ever have more people dedicate their lives to the mission. Now there are four FTPWs, three more coming who are currently training in the Philippines, seven Mission Volunteers continuing their active discernment to go full time, and  thirteen new individuals in the MV Program discerning to go full time. In total, this year we will have 7 FTPWs and 20 courageous Mission Volunteers who are potential FTPWs. God is so good.

There would’ve been another individual in the new batch of MVs but he has heard a different calling from the Lord at the last minute, and that was to go to the seminary instead. Praise God!

CFC-Youth Canada and Couples for Christ as a whole is truly growing in fruitfulness. It is very affirming for me because yes there are many imperfections, but it seems God is using everything for His glory and is pouring out His graces nonetheless.

The proof simply proves God is with us.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” —John 12:24

My brothers and sisters, may we be like that grain of wheat and die to ourselves for love of God, so that we can bear much fruit in this world in loving our neighbour. This is what it means to be a missionary, to bear fruit and build up the Kingdom of God wherever we are called, and whatever we are asked to do.

Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing to work through me even if I’m so unworthy. Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for Your love. May You continue to bear fruit in my life and in all those I serve and serve with. Amen.

 

Sailing through the storm

A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor
– English proverb

It’s funny. I hear it so many times during talks and shares: there are so many struggles in our service. But the thing is, there isn’t. Most days there aren’t. Most days I am so happy and joyful in my service. But a few days before any large event? Bam. Struggles. Spiritual warfare. Angry words and frustrated texts and sleepless nights.

But what’s beautiful that we continually serve more events. We continually ask for these hardships. As a community we are not content to remain where we are. We strive to grow. We strive to be better. We endure all the hardships thrown at us. We tread the treacherous water, almost drowning, until we reach shore. Because when we reach it, we are better.

It will never be sitting and listening to talks that makes us better leaders. They may inspire us. They may educate us. But if we sit around and do nothing about it, it is useless. It is lost. It is stuck on a ship that never made it to shore. We need to bring the truths we learn to others. And the hardships will bear down on us like waves. But if you fight it? If you choose to sail through the storm? What an amazing sailor you will be.

 

I Love My Household

I have really loved every household I’ve been a part of in this community. The household is truly what the community stands for: a communion of Love. It is a place to foster that love for God and for our neighbour. It’s the gathering of hearts in Christ that is the heartbeat of our community. Without that phileo love, or, fraternal love, this community would wither away. It’s in that phileo love that has helped me to experience that agape love—God’s love.

My brothers and sisters in the community have helped me love my faith and my family. They have also inspired me to be a true friend and brother to all. It has never been perfect and I’ve definitely gone through tough times with some because of differences, but that’s also why the community is so beautiful. We are not a business based on protocols and performance. We are not a perfect machine. We are the Church made up of imperfect people. We are a living organism that is constantly growing and bearing fruit in the good and bad by the grace and workings of the Holy Spirit.

Thinking about this makes me reminisce about the individuals I’ve shared this journey with in the Community of CFC-Youth. I would just like to say thank you to all my past household heads, parents and youth, and fellow members, for the example that you’ve shown me. Thank you for allowing God to use you, to love me.

Dear friends, may we continue to share that fraternal love with each other. As Christians we bear Christ in us, in the core of our hearts. Thus, let us always be quick to forgive each other most especially because we are brothers and sisters in Christ! Also, let us be quick to honour and encourage one another always. If we are preaching the peace of our Lord to people that don’t know Him yet, then we better be witnessing to that peace between each other. Let the world know that we are disciples of Christ by how we love one another.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi