IN GOD WE TRUST

As a new administration assumes office of the Philippine government, new set of promises are made to better the life of every citizen of this land. Yet, these promises sound the same as the previous promises done in the past twenty four years; promises that never realized. Thus, the hopes and dreams of national prosperity remain elusive.

Broken promises made are perhaps one of the hardest to accept. One feels rejected, abandoned or betrayed. The scar left by such experience are deep that oftentimes results to hopelessness and distrust for those who broke their promises.

Despite our distrust of politicians, in God we trust. The Filipinos had remained steadfast hoping and dreaming for true change that someday shall usher in a more just and healthy society. Our faith comforts us that “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19)

In God we trust as we hang on to his promises for our beloved country, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

It is unfortunate however that at sudden moments of crisis, we tend to almost lose faith in the Words of God. We oftentimes do not see the hands of the Almighty working in our lives because we base our assumptions of His faithfulness on prevailing circumstances alone. We have delimited His power as if we can use at our own disposal. Yet He said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, said the Lord. For as the heaven is higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not here, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater. So shall my word be that go forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:8-11)

Furthermore, we tend to expect God to work on our own time. Yet we have to realize that “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

“Therefore say unto them, thus said the Lord God; There shall none of my words be prolonged anymore, but the word which I have spoken shall be done.” (Ezekiel 12:28)

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Habakkuk 2:3).

“To whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.” (Jeremiah 1:2).

“The grass wither, the flower fades: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Isaiah 40:8).

“He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.” (Psalm 105:8).

“Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, whish he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.” (I Kings 8:56).

It took 40 years until the Lord’s promise to the Israelites came true when they finally had the land of their own. For most of us, it is a long time. But God has to prepare His people for the life they will lead in the “promise land”. Those who doubted, questioned or became impatient of the Lord weren’t able to enter the land that included Moses to whom God entrusted the leadership of His people.

Thus, despite the broken promises of politicians and government authorities who failed us and betrayed our confidence, there is a God who will never fail us. We keep on trusting Him in the midst of uncertainty, anxiety and seeming hopelessness as we hang on to His Words knowing He is faithful to every promise He makes to us. Therefore, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.” (Hebrews 10:23) If we do, truly in God we trust!

Let us pray,

O God Almighty,
You are the Lord of our land and King of our people.
Reign in the hearts of our leaders that they may be
Your instruments of change for a better country.

Give us the grace to trust You more and more
especially in times of great crisis.
Shield the fragility of our spirits in time of
natural calamities and disasters due to our faults.

Teach us to work together for national unity
and progress; that each citizen may fulfill every
lawful responsibility to bring about a just and
moral society.

And that peace may reign upon our land where in
Your hands we entrust our destiny.

With full trust and confidence, we humbly pray
through the Name of Jesus, Our Lord together with
the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for peace in the Philippines.

San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Pray for the Filipino people.

Blessed Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, Pray for the Filipino people.

Blessed Pedro Calungsod, Pray for the Filipino people.

THE GREATEST BLESSING LIFE CAN BRING

THE GREATEST BLESSING LIFE CAN BRING
By Amanda Bradley

Father, let me always
have the special kind of faith
that will guide me day by day
and year by year.

Let me know the peace of mind
that comes from trusting You,
that shelters me from doubt
and want and fear.

Let me live a thoughtful life
that’s pleasing in Your sight,
a balanced life of work and play
and rest.

Let me use Your gifts to me
to always do what’s right
and help me grow to be my very best.

Father, let me turn to You
for guidance, strength and love,
and let me see the good in everything.

Please help me to remember
that as long as I have You,
I have the greatest blessing life
can bring.

GUIDE ME, OH LORD

Guide me, Oh Lord
That I may learn to fold
The wings of pride so bold
That I may learn to unfold
The wings of humility, Oh Lord.

Guide me, Oh Lord
That I may be accord
In thought, in deed, in word
All and everything on record
In Thy Kingdom and in Thy Court.

Guide me, Oh Lord
That when my time is ruled
And I am being called
I may enter Thy Court
Holding on to Thy Word.

THE NETHERLANDS VS SPAIN: HISTORIC BATTLE FOR THE FAITH

The Dutch and the Spaniards battle it out for soccer supremacy in the 2010 FIFA World Cup today. Although the Philippines is not a participant, since soccer is not a popular sport here, some Filipino sports enthusiast won’t pass on the chance to take a piece of the action or at least the hype as the world watches the battle from Johannesberg, South Africa.

The Dutch and the Spaniards had fought each other in some other time and circumstances in history. The rivalry was beyond sports or anything to do with ‘friendly competition’. In fact it was a bitter battle for conquest and dominion. It was a war story woven with the tale of faith. And it happened here in the Philippines.

In 1646, when the Philippines was still under the colonial rule of Spain, fifteen Dutch armed-strong fleet battled against two Spanish galleons in five naval encounters, known in history as the “Battles of La Naval.”

The attacks couldn’t have happened in more strategic timing when Manila was devastated by an earthquake in November the previous year. Moreover, it was part of the Spanish-Dutch War (1568-1648) which reached even the colonies in Southeast Asia. While the Philippines was then under Catholic Spain, Formosa (now Taiwan) and Indonesia were under the Dutch Protestants. In fact, preparations for the invasion were done in Indonesia.

The age of glory and faith went in hand with the perils of rivalry and envy. In the wide world, Catholic Spain had rivals and foes to contest her power; even destroy her mission to evangelize and civilize her land discoveries. Such were the Dutch and English privateers who were not only after the richness of the Philippine archipelago but also eager to supplant Catholicism with Dutch Protestant Calvinism. It was the age of galleon trade under the emblem of the cross and of Spain versus the age of the heretics with the banner of the skull and bones.

One such marauder, followers of Drake and Cavendish, sailed into Philippines waters and on March 15, 1646, a Dutch frigate fleet of five threatened Manila. Two Spanish galleons, veterans of the Acapulco trade, were hastily readied and sent out to defend the city. These sallied forth to meet the enemy, “trusting more to win by spiritual weapons than weapons of war.” The Spanish soldiers, religious and Filipinos among the crew, in one galleon named Almiranta (later named Nuestra Señora de la Encarnacion), prayed the holy rosary on their knees, trusting that they shall succeed against the enemy.

The enemy was sighted off the coast of Bolinao, Pangasinan and was engaged in battle from three to seven in the evening. The two galleons, the Almiranta and Capitana (later named Nuestra Señora del Rosario), valiantly fought with four Dutch fleet. It was two Spanish galleons against four of the Dutch. After a fierce artillery fight, the enemy fled with lights in their ship decks put off to avoid pursuit. The Almiranta was damaged but with only two casualties.

On July 29, the second battle was fought between Baton Island and Marinduque. The two bulky galleons in their patrols met seven enemy frigates, well-armed with superior artillery, manned by some 800 men. It was two galleons of the Spaniards versus seven of the Dutch. The chronicles of these events relate that the “battle was one of the fiercest and bloodiest lasting from seven in the evening till four at dawn—at which time, seeing how grievously maltreated their ships were and one on fire, they did retreat and seek shelter, and would not give battle though we called them to it.”

The chroniclers wrote that before the start of this battle, Fr. Juan de Cuenca, O.P., the chaplain of the Capitana, encouraged the soldiers and crew by saying that theirs shall be the victory. The armada’s commanding general, in a loud voice, made a vow that they promised to the blessed Virgin to go barefoot on pilgrimage to her shrine in the Dominican church and celebrate a special feast for her in thanksgiving for the victory they were seeking through her intercession. The same vow was made by the admiral of the other galleon.

Two days later, the enemy reappeared with six well-armed frigates between Mindoro and the island of Maestro de Campo. It was two of the Spaniards against six of the Dutch. The bloody encounter lasted from high noon to the Angelus (six in the evening) of July 31, 1646.

When the smoke of battle cleared up, they saw the Dutch fleet beating a hasty retreat abandoning one crippled ship and losing one. No casualty was reported in the two Spanish galleons. “And our armada,” the chronicles continued, “acclaimed that victory as miraculous and attributed it to our Lady, saying that she herself had fought and not men.” According to testimonies that the soldiers were shouting during the battle crying: “Viva la fe de Cristo! Viva la Virgen del Rosario!”

Hardly had the two galleons been repaired and refurbished when news came that a fresh Dutch fleet was nearing Mariveles. The galleons once again set to grapple with the superior enemy force. For ten hours on September 24, 1646, this fourth battle was bitterly fought between Ambil and Lubang islands near the coast of Batangas. And “seeing themselves hard pressed, the enemy escaped and took flight as our ships pursued and give fire still, though one, our Capitana, had been hit in the side and was feared for and yet it did not sink.” Seven men on the defenders’ side gave their lives for the victory.

On October 3, while one of the galleons was on patrol off Mariveles and the Almiranta undergoing repairs in nearby Cavite, three of the Dutch frigates returned to the scene of their last defeat and engaged the lone galleon. It was one Spanish galleon versus three of the Dutch.

The written testimonies say that the enemy “surrounded and fiercely set on her and fired on so close that there was long a danger of their boarding the ship. But our men, calling on God and our blessed lady, rose to the contest in such a way that they inflicted a woeful destruction among the enemy, and totally destroyed one ship and scattered the others which fleeting were met and severely punished by the ship “Galera” sent to our aid.”

There were only four casualties, Filipinos among them, in that fifth and final naval battle. Only fifteen men, in fact, had been lost by the defenders in all five encounters.

As Filipinos and as devotees of our Lady, we wonder: What would have become of our faith if the Dutch had prevailed? What impact did La Naval have in Philippine history?

Let the late National Artist for Literature and chronicler of La Naval, Nick Joaquin, answer these in his book Manila, My Manila:

“Imagine the Philippines as part of Indonesia! That seems incredible today— but it’s a might-has-been of our history. There was a time in the 17th century when our fate hung in the balance. Had events gone the other way, there might have been no Philippines at all.”

After these historic battles, the Dutch indeed no longer threatened the sovereignty of these islands by annexing it to the Dutch East Indies comprising then the Malayan archipelago. And never again was Catholicism threatened by Calvin’s Protestant followers in this part of the world.

With this answer I am sure you will feel a sense of national pride, also of humility and profound gratitude to God through the intercession of our Lady for keeping us sovereign and free.

VIVA LA VIRGEN DE MANILA!

And yes, the Spaniards was victorious versus the Dutch claiming its first World Cup title shortly before this was posted.

VIVA ESPAÑA!

(simultaneously posted on http://danflame.blogspot.com)

THE POWER OF PRAYER

When things go wrong and the roads are rough;
When you feel like quitting ‘cause you’ve had enough;
When problems seem endless and no hope is in sight;
When all that you do turn out wrong and not right;
When you think no one else is worse off than you are;
When you feel no one’s as pitiful as you by far;
Take a moment to pray, ask for our Father’s advise.
You’ll soon understand better as you realized.
It could be so much worse and then you start to see.
Things aren’t as bad as they appear to be.
You’ve got a roof over your head and shoes on your feet.
While many are homeless, they live in the streets.
You’ve got food you can eat, and clothing you can wear.
While others are starving, their bodies are bare.
You’ve got friends and a loving family with much love to give.
While many alone and wonder why they still have to live.
You can see. You can hear. You can shout. You can talk.
While others are blind, they are mute, they can’t walk.
Just remember those things you’ve forgotten about.
Remember the people you can’t live without.
You may suddenly realize as these thoughts enter your mind.
It gets easier to leave your troubles behind.
So next time something that you should never forget.
Your Father has blessed you in generous ways.
He’s always beside you, you need simply to pray.
He’ll open your eyes when life doesn’t seem fair.
He’ll show you the way. He’ll make you aware.
Just ask for His guidance. Don’t worry He’ll hear.
Your problems will start to disappear.
Just don’t lose your faith. Don’t give up.
Know He’s always there and don’t ever underestimate,
the power of prayer.

- Adapted -

AND GOD SAID, “NO”

Dedicated to Eleanor M. Vargas-Dondero M.D.

I was rummaging over old notebooks the other day for something to write about. Until, I stumbled on the following piece that brought back a bitter-sweet memory of my days as a medical student. It is entitled And God Said “No” by Claudia Minden Weisz. Here it is:

I asked God to take away my pride. And God said, “No.”
He said it was not for Him to take away but for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. And God said, “No.”
He said her spirit is whole, her body temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. And God said, “No.”
He said that patience is a by product of tribulation; it isn’t granted. It is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness. And God said, “No.”
He said He gives me blessings; happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain. And God said “No.”
He said, “Suffering draws you apart from wordly cares and bring you close to Me.”

I asked God to make my spirit grow. And God said, “No.”
He said I must grow on my own. But He will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked God if He loves me. And God said, “Yes.”
He gave me His only Son who died for me and I will be in heaven someday because I believe.

I asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me.
And God said, “Ah, finally you have the idea!”

Upon reading this piece of fine writing, I thought about how often we may have misunderstood God. Aside from the acceptance of God’s will, it is most certain that the other great challenge we each face in our prayer life is the determination of what is God’s will. We could endlessly ask God for anything but if it wasn’t His will, it shall never be granted. If it is however allowed by Him (take note: allowed not granted) chances are it will not be good for us, yet he permit that as to reveal to us a specific message or teach us a lesson.

Our prayers oftentimes demands of God to give what we want and not what we need. While we believe that He knows better and provide for our necessities even before we ever ask, we tend to forget that we have an actual role in order for us to receive what we need. Even if we believe that “nothing is impossible to God”- (Luke 1:37), we are aware that our temporal needs just don’t materialize in mystical fashion nowadays, such as the manna (see Exodus 16) from heaven. Miracles, or any acts that defy the laws of nature, are exclusively divine prerogative. Yet God may sometimes work in spectacular ways (such those revealed in scriptures or unscientific healings), His will are mostly carried-out in discreet manner; revealed through ordinary occurrences that can only be seen through the ‘eyes of faith’.

There are times in our life when God seems so distant. It is when He seems deaf to our prayers that we tend to doubt or get frustrated of Him. Only to realize that He had a better option for us than what we ask of Him.

Looking back during my medical studies, it was when I experienced the most difficult time of my young-adult life. It was a time of tremendous family and personal crisis. I could have given up on my studies sooner, primarily because of financial constraints; add to the burden of my father’s terminal illness. Moreover, I struggled through personal indecision to discontinue since I am not inclined to be a doctor, or to keep on pleasing my father who wanted me to be one.

In the midst of the personal chaos and struggles I experienced, I prayed to God for a way out. I had often, in desperation, cried to Him for help. Yet He seems to keep me there forever. But I later realized that He did so because He had a greater purpose for doing so.

To make a long story short, I eventually dropped-out of medical school and my father passed away but not before he came to terms with my decision. At this point, it seems meaningless that after going through the rigors, nothing substantial came out of my experience. You may wonder what had been God’s purpose for keeping me longer in med-school if He didn’t make me finish the course. The answer is written above.

The above writing, And God said “No”, was shared to me by a friend. Simple gestures such as this gave me reassurance and encouragement during those times. You see, it was during these most trying times that I was able to established meaningful friendships. In the midst of the bitter memories are the sweet ones with friends. I shall never forget the camaraderie, the acceptance and mutual understanding that I experienced with each of them. Indeed, according to an old adage, “True friendships are tested not in prosperity but in adversity.” I have no regret over my decision to quit since it was inevitable. I moved on however with greater courage because of the support and concern of those I’ve been with. Because of them I became emotionally stronger. I then came to realize that God never did abandon me. He was there with me all along, in each of the people who cared, shared of themselves and treated me with respect. I now learned that whatever God’s response to our prayers, “yes” or “no”, are for our greater good. And He does so for the love of each of us.

God indeed work in mysterious ways. He does reveal Himself to us constantly. And He does speak to us in the events of daily life. We just have to learn to fully trust Him. His response to our prayers might be always a “No”, but by keeping our heart open to His will, we’ll discover that it was an open-ended statement which is followed by His explanation that can only be understood by faith. Only then can we make sense of our faith in Him and fully appreciate His wonderful and loving kindness to us all.

God our Father,
Thank You for ever replying to my prayers.
Even with a “No”, I have faith that
You know what is better for me.
Teach me to submit always to Your will.
Grant me to wait constantly for You as
I let You work on my prayers in Your own
perfect time.

Bless my friends wherever they may be.
Keep them safe and their families joyful.
Help them be successful in their endeavors.
While we go about our respective lives,
let us continue to keep the fires of friendship burning.
And that we may be blessed by one another’s presence.

I pray for the others who have helped or supported me
in any way they could and may each one of them
continue to bear Your countenance among those
who are earnestly seeking You.

I ask for Your constant protection and grant us
the graces that we need to fulfill our life’s purpose.
I ask these by the Name of Jesus, our Lord, Savior
and King of our lives. Amen.

Mary, Help of Christians,
Pray for us!