Never alone

The story is told about a teacher who asked his students: “How do you stir your coffee?” Some said with their left hand, and others said with their right hand, except for one student who answered: “With a teaspoon, Ma’am.”

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In today’s gospel (John 15, 9-17), Jesus reminds us of something which we often forget or take for granted—His commandment that we love one another. All too often, we are so focused on ourselves and on our own personal agenda that we forget God, and His agenda for us to live a life filled with love.

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Happy Mother’s Day! A mother’s love is irreplaceable and immeasurable. A mother’s heart is a heart that is closest to God’s heart. But like God, mothers are all too often hurt, forgotten, abandoned, or taken for granted. And yet, like God, mothers continue to love, and keep on loving anyhow, anyway, all the way. God bless our mothers. God bless all mothers!

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Someone beautifully put it: God knew He cannot be actually present everywhere all the time, that’s why He made mothers.

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The presence or the absence of a mother’s love can make the difference in a person’s character, values, mindset, and behavior. As it were, it is the hands of mothers that help mold our world.

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After Mama died, we often saw a white butterfly to remind us of her loving presence. When I had cancer, a white butterfly would welcome me and stay with me in the chapel, especially after I come home to the Mission House after my chemotherapy session. The other day, again, a white butterfly joined us in our walking Rosary. Yes, mothers will find a way to remind us that they are with us always and in all ways.

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Today we also renew our love and gratitude for Mother Nature. The pandemic has prevented or slowed down the inhabitants of this earth from abusing her. Yes, the skies are clearer, the air is cleaner. Hopefully, people of this earth become more mindful of the future generation, and become more respectful of Mother Nature.

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Today we pray for our Motherland. Many of our people are suffering, confused, and often, just being taken for a ride. We pray for our leaders and so-called public servants to really sacrifice and serve our people especially this time. Now is not the time to make more money, or to make a name for publicity and popularity. Now is the time to make a difference in people’s lives. Sana, Lord. Sana, all!

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Some days ago, in the middle of my Zoom Mass with the family of a deceased person, the internet connection got cut, and there I was alone facing a blank screen. What to do? Should I wait for them to come back? Should I stop? I went on, me and God, after all, He is the one we were praying to, and He never left. At the “Our Father,” the participants came back! Yes, people come and go, but God remains. He is a God who stays with us, no matter what.

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Anyone who goes through the night of COVID-19 knows what being alone is. Also what being alone with God is. May we experience God and come closer to Him as we experience sickness, trials, persecutions, and sufferings in this, our journey through the valley of tears and fears.

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We ask our heavenly Mother to bless us, and continue to intercede for us. Together we pray: “Our Queen, our Mother, remember we are your very own, defend and protect us as your personal possession.” Amen!

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, thank You for your constant assurance that You never leave us, and we are never alone. Amen.

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