What is my take?

WHAT IS MY TAKE?

March 20,2020

The world anxious, worried, hoping, waiting for whatever the results, statistics of this Wuhan CoronaVirus to calm down that has claimed already thousands of lives.

Are the people ready for this? This is not a basketball game that the players are familiar with the rules, and even opponents in a game. A different challenge needs a different perspective of attacking it to win the game of life.

Beyond all this news about the horrifying death due to CoronaVirus from the different countries, humanity has learned now to rely a higher power. It has a while that humanity seems to underscore the power of the Supreme Being. Man has turned himself into godlike beast who only want to secure himself with so much selfishness of any kind. Look at the political arena? Look at the entertainment business arena, sports, drug, sex trafficking, abortion business? It seems mankind leaves God honor away from our existence.

CoronaVirus has instilled that it is still a living organism that wants its own existence felt amongst us. This virus is “a living organism”. Let us respect each other’s existence in the right perspective. This living cruel organism wants to survive on its own. Now the world has realized its personality is to destroy mankind. Hence, mankind has to live also on its own this time to respect the minutest organism up to the higher being. Remember we are also part of God’s creature, in this sense the Higher Being is telling us you can not survive without Him who controls balance in this entire universe.

Holding the Old and New Hands

The Desire for Healing and Answers

In and out of the hospital is my biological father. He first got sick way back 2012 with a terrible Brain Aneurysm. It almost cost his life, with the grace of God he was spared.Upon his return he was already different from the outlook of psychological and emotional. His body got weaker and weaker that he is always monitored to what he eats. Nevertheless, he continues to live and live. The medicines and affection from the family covered his frailty.

This time January 21, three days after my mother celebrated her birthday, he was again hospitalized. Another stroke and the same area in his brain were 2012 got toll in him. It’s been more than a week already. The family is struggling to maintain the energy and financial obligations too demanding to carry out. The current situation brings forth the reality that life is too really fragile. The reality that anytime of the day a father’s physical presence will wear out is but a heavy cross to carry in our shoulders. What gives us the strength to face all these challenges? The family goes to the usual source of strength, that is the Supreme Being up there.

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CULTURE of GRATITUDE

Corpus Christi Procession
Bgry.San Miguel, Palompon, Leyte
Rev.Fr.Anwar Mari L. Adona

SUHOL, you work then you’ll receive something in return. A single work fulfilled then in exchange you get the remuneration for it. Is it good for the building up of a community? The community with that kind of disposition is not a Christian community in the first place. You simply execute the task in return you get something out of your utilized energy.

A new kind of culture was introduced by Jesus in His lifetime. He created this Culture of Gratitude. He praised the healed leper, when Jesus healed them only one returned to thank Him( Luke 27:11-19). In our churches you will rarely see them. The Holy Mass is a thanksgiving of the people for God. Ideally that gratitude in the celebration has to be translated into a lifestyle of being grateful always in existence in a society. It has to be a continuous Culture of Gratitude all the way.

Behind the Project San Miguel

Behind the Project San Miguel

The location of the parish is hidden. Coming from both directions of the road the church edifice is nowhere to be seen. The initial idea was to put up a “karatola” sign to give directions to the people where the church is. The idea was not implemented until such time a group of wives of any seaman in the parish started contributing money for the said project. Later on the idea of putting up a “karatola” was transformed into a Staue of St.Michael the Archangel.

The statue project started to build up. Mr.Lawrence Natividad of Manila was contact person for the image itself. The amount needed was huge. The Parish Finance Council borrowed money from few good hearted parishioners.

The rest is history and the statue is now situated at the foot of the road near the Barangay Outpost. Upon entering the area of the church the sign is visible honored by passers and the like. The blessing was graced by His Excellency John F. Du,D.D. on September 28,2018. With the powerful of the Blessed Mother and saints the statue is now guarding the people of Brgy. San Miguel.

Archbishop John F. Du with Rev.Fr.Anwar Mari L. Adona

The parishioners of St.Michael the Archangel Parish of Brgy.San Miguel,Palompon Leyte

SEEK SEARCH AND SAVED

Tourist enjoying  the sights in Petra, Jordan Nov.2013

Did Jesus walk on this earth more than two thousand years ago simply to showcase His heavenly powers? No, He came to save us from our sins. Mankind was not capable of saving himself. “He sent His only begotten Son to save us from our sins”. What a beauty to behold that we human beings trapped in my limitations and inequities still hounded by God’s love. Always bear in mind that Jesus came to seek, search and save us. No one is capable of saving us except the only begotten Son. Henceforth, no more hiding for Jesus is now searching for you.

TRAVELING TOWARDS HIM

A year ago a November 8, 2013 the strongest typhoon Yolanda was commemorated in various parts of the country especially in Leyte. I recall those unforgettable devastation truly change many lives. It struck the hearts of observers and people around the globe that life is truly not ours. We journey towards Him who created us. In every single way let us be reminded that no matter what happens our destination is always towards God. He already showed us the way to Him. Jesus has said, “I am the Way the truth and Life”. If the world is offering us another option, it is always to choose another destination. Yet, the church has constantly reminded us to follow this Way that leads to the Father. May this trajedies, calamanities, sickness that beset human beings calls to mind that we travel towards Him.

Photo taken Nov.2013. Thinking about my kababayans in Leyte where the strong typhoon Yolanda destroyed lives.

Background are excavated ancient tombs in Petra,Jordan.Nov.2013

Walking towards PETRA the famous tourist spot in JORDAN.

Tourist takes this ride to reach the famous destination.

Vine More than Branches

Vine More Than Branches

It says that the number one consumer in the animal food chain are the crocodiles.These type of species that are believed to be coming from the age of dinosaurs consumes a lot of food. In order for they for this type os species to survive they need to eat other animals.Its part of their food chain.And human beings too are not exempted to this, we need food to survive.

The spiritual realm the survival is not through consuming others, but rather being connected to the origin of life. Jesus is telling his disciples the importance of being connected to the source of everything.Recalling the philosophy of Benedict xvi papacy, that we are workers in the vineyard of the Lord.The success and fruitfullness of our endeavours lies solely in God Himself."Without me you can do nothing".It is clear that the Will of God plays an important role of our earthly existence and salvation in the end.St.Isidore has clearly said,"The whole science of the saints consists in knowing and following the will of God." Truly in our quest for righteousness and goodness is exclusively in God.The disciples mission is the mission of God here on earth.His followers are simply are extensions of Jesus' mission.Hence, being aware of our mission here on earth, there is a need to be dependent on God for its fruitfulness. Work with Him is the key if we need positive results. That's what Jesus is saying to his listeners.There is the tendency to get independent sometimes,yet though we get its positive result the real meaning of our activities will always come from our relationship with Jesus."With God nothing is empty of meaning, nothing without symbolism." 

St.Augustine has attested that after all the wasting of time for himself he said in discovery," restless are our hearts until they rest in Thee.All abundance which is not from God to

me is needless.This, then,is the full satisfaction of souls,this is the happy life: to recognize piously and completely the One through Whom you are led into the truth, the nature of the truth you enjoy,and the bond that connects you with supreme measure." Their is that daily challenge to stay connected to the Vine(Jesus) otherwise the fruit will not be His. Daily, peace is sought, so seek Jesus for he is the prince of peace."Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?"(St.Gerard Majella).So, stay connected to Jesus our vine for it produces the well spring of life.