Read an article by Jaime Bonet on the feast of the Annunciation to our Mother Mary.
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An experience of the recollection at Lyceum of Cebu last March 8-9, 2014 - by Samantha Rivera3/14/2014
At home, I didn’t feel so excited about our recollection. So as I went to school, I keep thinking on my mind of how this weekend would be. The moment I arrived at school, I thought that it would be boring, just talking and an ordinary day. They were these new people I have seen, and they look to me like they were strict and very focused but as the day goes on I have learned so many things about them. I understood them and how being with God had change their lives. I have learned that in everything we do, God will always be with us. For me, the strongest moment in my experience was my confession because it felt so overwhelming, alive and I had a peace of mind after I confessed. It felt like my connection with God was stronger. Another experience that I won’t forget was the talk of Kuya Brent. It inspired me to become a better person through the Word of God. That even though you are destroyed and shattered God will always pick up the pieces and build you up again. I’ve learned that God will always accept you in ways you didn’t expect. I never regretted and will never regret that I’ve joined myself in this experience to know God more through Verbum Dei. The next days, weeks, months and even years of my life, I will always carry and treasure my experiences and learning and share it to others. I will carry this experience and will be with God throughout my life. It’s a life changing experience. Before I came and joined in our recollection, I was so set in not joining because I didn't feel like it. Everyone thought that it was my parents' decision for me not to take part in this one in a lifetime event. In truth, it was all me who said that. When my parents found out that it was on the 8th of March, the day of the said event, they scolded me and asked me why I didn't want to join. For that I am thankful to God that my parents did that (even though I cried a lot) because I wouldn't be here today to share with you my experiences. I had a lot of memorable parts in this recollection but the part that struck me most was when we held our bonfire, burned the sins that I had written on paper and the chain that enslaved all of us. It felt so releasing, like a big weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I have learned a lot of things from this experience and gained a lot also. I gained the power of knowledge that life is the greatest treasure of all and must be protected, nurtured and shared wisely. I give to you this letter for me to tell my experiences to you. "Yahweh, your God, commands you to fulfill these norms and these commandments. Obey them now and put them into practice with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deut 26:16-19)
We are all called to live by the commands of love set by God for us to be truly happy with our life. Go out of this boundary and your life would be a total mess and full of misery. Today, let God embrace you, and feel at home with his mercy and love. "Lord what must I do to inherit eternal life?...Go and sell what you have...then come and follow me."
(Mk 10:17-27) To follow Christ is not a matter of giving up everything for the sake of it or merely being content in being able to fulfill His commandments. Let the Lord find in ourselves not only a sincere heart but also a generous heart open to the demands of love that many times calls us to forget ourselves. What God wants from us is love not our sacrifices. "Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, 'You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.'”
Jesus is inviting you not to put limits on your capacity to love. Today seek for what God has prepared for you, ask Jesus and he will tell you. "Let the children come to me and don't stop them, for the kingdom of God belong to such as these." (Mk10:13-15)
The criteria of God in front of others are not like ours; we many times judge from what is exterior. Let us learn from our master to be for all, how he welcome all who comes to him. Verbum Dei Prayer Buddies "The Eucharist, participated actively in faith, is the source of Christian Life and strenght. It is the bread of life and of martyrs." (CBCP Letter)
In the holy Eucharist, we eat the holy body and drink the precious blood of Jesus. When we eat the bread and drink his wine, it means that we accept Jesus in our life at the same time we are also accepting his mission for the humanity. We should value the Eucharist as we value Jesus. Verbum Dei Prayer Buddies |
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