We have a mission

Someone once compared husbands to split-type air conditioners which are noisy outside, but silent inside the house.

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Today is Ascension Sunday. In today’s Gospel (Mt. 28, 16-20), we are all reminded to go to the whole world and “make noise” for the Lord, and spread His message and commandment of love. A good question for all of us to reflect on today: What have I done, what am I doing to share my God and my faith?

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Take note that in the Lord’s ascension mandate, He tells us to go all over the world to carry out our mission, and He tells us also to remember that He is with us always. We work for, and with the Lord! Labora et ora. We are not mere mercenaries. We are missionaries with a Master.

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Level up! It is precisely our faith that helps us rise above the present events related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and see the big picture that liberates us from fear, anxiety, boredom, and hopelessness. We see God’s hand protecting, correcting, and leading us in everything that is happening. With faith, there are no dead-ends, just bends, in our journey to life everlasting. Even death itself is not the end.

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We thank God for the gift of faith which is the source of our strength. We share this “good news” to those who care to listen and dialogue with us, and this we do humbly and joyfully, “with respect, understanding, compassion, and love,” along with persecutions and insults that is a part of every disciple’s life.

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Congratulations to all the graduates of 2020! With or without graduation ceremonies and commencement exercises, you have done a good job. We salute you, and all those who have helped you come this far in your journey. What’s up ahead in these uncertain times? We don’t know. But don’t forget, there’s still a final graduation up ahead when we come back to our Creator who will ask each one of us not so much if we have done well, as we have done good in life. “When I was hungry, did you give me food…?” (Mt. 25, 31-46).

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Graduation 2020 for me is seeing life more than ever now as a journey to God’s heart. Have I come closer to God during these months of quarantine? Have I come closer to other people’s hearts in deed, and in prayer? Have I become more at peace with myself, and with the world? What matters most now is not our career, financial, popularity, or achievements journey, but our journey to the heart.

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Please remember that we can all heal as one if we are humble to God, and to each other, and learn to put the common good above our personal agenda, wants, and interests. May we all come out more humble and selfless because of our encounter with God through COVID-19.

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We honor, respect, and protect the elderly and the sick. Our rector, Fr. Pabs Tagura, and our Christ the King community have been extra careful during the quarantine because our retirement and recuperation house is inside our compound. Let us do everything we can to help each other in any way we can during these difficult times.

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Whenever you feel afraid, alone, or distressed, read and pray Psalm 91, and be assured of God’s protection and plan.

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You are invited to a free Webinar Alternative Learning System (ALS) COVID Forum set on May 27, 8 a.m.-12 noon. Follow FB livestream of Arnold Janssen Catholic Mission Foundation Inc. Speakers include Sen. Win Gatchalian, Education Assistant Secretary G.H.S. Ambat, Prof. Ched Arzadon, Bryan Vargas, with Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD, as moderator. CPD (continuing professional development) credits from Saint Jude Catholic School. Register online.

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A moment with the Lord: Lord, may we not forget that we have a mission, and that we are not alone. Amen.

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