Broken Hearts: An inspirational message

I was browsing through my last year's posts and I realized that I was not able to publish all the "Holy Hour" introductions. So here's another one. I hope that it will still continue to inspire people. :) Happy Blessed Sunday!

September 2012 Introduction:

Loving is breaking a part of ourselves and giving it to those that we love—may it be our families, friends or that one special person, or an organization, a community, country, or others.  It entails taking the risk to allow one to either make or break us. And when one decides to do the latter, we are shattered and torn to pieces. We hurt and cry, feeling that the pain is endless. But sometimes, we have to be broken in order to be shared and become whole again. However, more often than not, we do not realize this and therefore question God why He makes us feel this intense heartache. Everything happens for a reason, they say, so we question Him again and ask, “Why?”

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” We crushed God’s heart when He had to give up Jesus. Yet He willingly did so for one reason only—He loves us. God’s broken heart is mended every time we ask for forgiveness and by the love that we give back to Him. In the same light, that part of us that was taken away will be filled up again by other people, or better yet, by God’s love.

It is not by chance that we have loved and have been broken. Perhaps it is God’s will because He wants us to experience the deeper meaning of love. Being broken allows us to move forward and give ourselves a new light and a greater perspective.

We gather tonight and pray for those who have been broken, that they may be able to find God’s love and feel complete again. The presider for this mass is Fr. ______ of the Society of Jesus.

August 2012 Holy Hour Introduction--I AM NOT HERE FOR NOTHING; I AM WITH A PURPOSE

Many times we question our life and our existence. Like a big old oak tree that stands alone in the middle of a crossroad, we ask ourselves, “What am I here for?” Am I like the tree that gives shade to those who need one? Or am I here to be someone’s confidant and comfort place when there’s no person for them? Or perhaps I am here, like the tree, just so there is something to replace the emptiness of that crossroad. And maybe some would even consider it old, unsightly, without a purpose. More often than not, we keep searching for answers that are already right under our noses. Even worse, we unconsciously ignore these answers because we only want to search for what we want and not what is planned out for us by our Almighty Father. This leads us to an unending quest, doing very little action and finding less meaning in our lives.  But the Lord knows us. He knows our desires and whatever it is that we are looking for. But He also knows our strengths and weaknesses, our capabilities, and our limitations more than we do. Thus He plans for us in a manner that we may not understand yet. This is then the time that we examine and question ourselves, “What really is my purpose?” In Proverbs 16:9, it is stated that “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes its step.” It is therefore very helpful and important that we trust and open our hearts and minds to His ways.

When people make us feel worthless, and we are desperate for answers, just hold on. He will lead us to the path where we will find what we are looking for, and at the right time. Truth be known, we not only have one single purpose. Different people see us in a different light. Some may perceive us to be their shelter and shade, their confidant, an instrument. Others would see us as old and useless. However, despite the cynics, we know that there are still others that find us otherwise. More importantly, we must believe that He has made us live for something that is far greater than what we thought we are.

Tonight, let us all reflect and open ourselves to receive God’s light as we continue to search for our purpose. As in Acts 26:16, “But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you”

The presider for tonight’s mass is Fr. Charlie Cenzon of the Society of Jesus.

Holy Hour Introductions

So they say the introductions touched many. Never expected that. Really. When I made those introductions, the Holy Spirit just worked its magic. Truth be told, each time I got a text message that an intro is needed, I cringed. I never found it easy to construct such sentences, thoughts, and messages that I never knew could shake people's hearts. It is only when I knew about it that I realized my purpose and importance as a Campus Chapel Aide in XU, and as God's instrument. To You my Savior, I offer my talents, capabilities, and service. AMDG ++



Thank you too, internet and Google, priests, preachers, pastors, and spiritual bloggers who posted messages online, Bible, songwriters esp Jesuit Music, and my CCA formators, for inspiration sources. ;) To the formation committee this year, esp to my assistant Chris Baylin, thank you for your BIIIIIIG and LOOONG understanding and patience :D I know I was a pain in the, er, head. hihi You are all amazing. :)

**I will post the intros of the other months in the succeeding blog entries.

July Holy Hour-- "God's Calling"

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

 Many are chosen and called but only few answers.

Can you recall when and how you have experienced God’s calls in your life? Have you ever contemplated on how many times you must have answered, or rejected, those calls?

God knocks on our lives so many times in a day, but more often than not, for countless excuses, we are unable to let Him in. He has given us, first and foremost, the most precious gift of life, and then, all that we have here on this earth. All these came from His hands. We are called to serve because we ought to be the stewards of all His creations. He wants His people to enjoy His gifts in the most beautiful way but man has created various unnecessary worldly desires that have led astray people from hearing and doing God’s pleas. We become so engulfed in the everyday hustle and bustles of our lives that we forget to take time to pause, deepen, and internalize the very essence of all that we do, whether it is for our own selfish selves or for His greater glory. To be aware of God’s presence is most important so that we may be inspired to listen to His mission for us and be motivated to put Him, and not our own pleasures, at the center of our being. God calls each one of us, not solely to become priests and nuns, but to carry out His Good Will in every little thing that we do; that we might learn to follow Him through giving selfless service to our brothers and sisters especially those who are in dire need. Because in being a servant, we are able to fulfill the ultimate goal of His calling—we become His children.

Brothers and sisters in the Lord, may this night help us to reflect and realize that we are to answer God’s call in the simplest ways that we can. And may this night be full of dedication to being His humble and faithful children.

Tonight’s presider is Fr. _____________________, of the Society of Jesus.**I will post the intros of the other months in the succeeding blog entries. ;) God bless!