THE BEST BIRTHDAY IS WITH GOD

“Lord— I, because of your abundant kindness, will enter your house; I will worship at your holy temple in fear of you, O Lord.” – Psalm 5:8

It is certain that among the birthday traditions that almost every Filipino keep is to go to church. Just ask any birthday celebrant, most likely, going to church shall be among the ways to celebrate one’s natal day. Even among ‘non-practicing’ Catholics, who seldom go to Sunday Mass, will do so during their birthday.

For whatever reason: folk religiosity, superstition or sentimentality, we have one purpose in coming to church on our birthday— and that is to pray. Most pray in gratitude for the life given by God. More pray for particular wishes to come true. Others ask for guidance, direction or necessities. And some simply wonder to God if they had a real purpose for being born in this world.

We may not readily show how special we feel on our birthday but we have to admit that a sense of profoundness pervades, almost a religious experience, on this day. No matter how modest we are in keeping the celebration as simple as possible, we feel this day is extra-ordinary. No other day throughout the year can be personally pertinent as this day. So, it is but fitting to spend it with the One Who caused this day to happen— God.

“Thy hands have made me and fashioned me.” (Psalm 119:73) is a reiteration that God is our Creator. Hence, nothing can be more appropriate to celebrate one’s birthday but to give thanks to Him who is the giver of life and the best provider of our necessities because He knew what we need even before we ask.

God said, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee.” (Jeremiah 1:5) Then Jesus said, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7) God is our very beginning. He knew us better than we know ourselves. Thus, we have to continually come back to Him to pay Him homage and to express our ever dependence on Him even in the midst of human achievements.

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Whenever we are in doubt or anxious about what lies ahead after each birthday, how comforting it is that He is there to guide our path and steer our direction, if only we will let Him.

We are indeed born into this world with a specific purpose. We had faith that tells us we are not here by accident. Even in the most unexpected circumstances surrounding a person’s birth, such as being born out of wedlock or with handicap, God had a pre-ordained plan to let such things happen. Even in the most tragic moments or when “bad things happen”, God allows them for a purpose greater than what any human perception could ever conceive of.

Kelly Jeppesen said, "What you are is God's gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift back to God." God had given us the best gift on our birthday— life. It is up to us to make something out of this gift. How we live our life shall determine how we value this precious gift. We are responsible for this gift. We are to use it for the glory of the One who gave it. Someday when our earthly journey has finally come to an end, we will be face to face with God, and hopefully after thorough perusal of our life, He shall say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master's happiness!"- (Matthew 25:23)

As I celebrate another birthday today, I come to church in prayer with a heart full of gratitude, a soul yearning for mercy and a spirit filled with hope. And I pray to God to grant whatever wish I have as long as it is according to His will. I acknowledge my own powerless will against Him, even if He believes I can do something great from the life He gave me. Without Him I could do nothing. But with Him I could do everything. Only in these terms could anyone’s best birthday possible and to be able to look ahead with much faith because it is with the Lord.

The following prayer was adapted from ‘Presence: Prayer for Busy People’ (Copyright 1991 by St. Paul Publications, Makati City, Philippines), however, they may as well be my own words since it expresses the same sentiment and aspiration I have as I pray today.

+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Dear Lord,
I thank You for giving me another year of life.
I thank You for all the people who remembered me today;
for all my achievements and all the friends You have given
me during the past year.

I thank You for all the experiences, the successes and
happy memories; for times of failure which reminded me
of my own weaknesses and of my need for you;
for times of joy when the sun was shining;
for times of sorrow which drove me to You.

Forgive me, Lord, for the hours I have wasted; for the
chances I failed to take; for the opportunities I missed in
the past year.

Forgive me that I did not use my talents and abilities to
the fullest because I was lazy and wanted things the easy way,
or I did not completely trust in Your support.

Help me in the days that lies ahead to make this coming year
better than last year and closer to You, my Lord.
Amen.

TODAY IS THE FEAST OF OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP

Mary, the Mother of Jesus is called Our Lady of Perpetual Help because she prays for and helps all the children of God, especially those who ask for her assistance. The icon honoring her under this title was painted between the 14th and 15th century in Crete by an unknown artist. Now it is enshrined in the Church of St. Alphonsus Ligouri in Rome.

Mary is depicted holding her Divine Son, a child of two or three, in her left hand, while he clasps her other hand in his. The archangels Michael and Gabriel appear before them, carrying the instruments of the Passion of Jesus. With anguish the child gazes on the signs of his future suffering and death. To indicate the child startled with fear, the artist painted his sandal falling from his foot. In Greek characters are the abbreviated names of the four figures in the icon, Jesus Christ, Mary, the angels Michael and Gabriel.

The icon is a portrayal of the Passion of Jesus. Mary is His mother who will stand by Him in this mystery.

The title of Our Lady of Perpetual Help signifies Mary’s readiness to stand by all those who suffer. In the holy icon, she is pictured with her face turned not to Jesus, but to all those who gaze on the picture. Even though she is deeply saddened by the vision of Jesus’ eventual Passion, she turns with sympathy to all the children of the earth.

We believe she turns to all of us when we call on her in our troubles and sorrows. Her care never ends; it is a perpetual care.

For centuries, the picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help has inspired Christians everywhere. Today Mary, the Mother of Jesus, still offers us her help and her love by praying with us to her Son.


Let us pray,

+In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Come to my aid, O God.
O Lord, make haste to help me.

Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of all good gifts,
I come before You to honor You in Your saints and to ask their help in my needs.
You promised those who ask would receive. Those who seek would find. Those who knock would have doors open to them. Hear the prayers of Your church. Grant my requests (mention your request here) and pardon my sins.
Amen.

Mary, Mother of Jesus, you were no stranger to suffering for you stood at the foot of the cross of Jesus your Son. And in that hour of total darkness, when your heart was pierced by the terrifying sight of your Son dying in agony, you entered into His suffering and made it your own.

Through your union with Jesus, give us new courage and hope before total darkness and despair. I come seeking your help and ask you to obtain my request (mention your request here). Grant us the grace to unite our sufferings with Jesus.

Loving Mother of our Redeemer, assist your people who cry out to you for help in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

(Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be)

L: We sinners call to you,
R: Loving mother help us!

L: Our Mother of Perpetual Help
R: Pray for us!

FATHERHOOD: THE EMBODIMENT OF MASCULINITY AND MORALITY

The major dilemma of us single males in middle age are the pressures we get from society. Not unless any among us is brave enough to ‘come-out’ about his sexual orientation, he will be constantly questioned why he is not yet married or at least have a child of his own.

Not once during family gatherings was I asked about why I remained single. One relative, an evangelical pastor, even insinuated that my taking care of other children not my own such as nieces and nephews or adopt orphans are not good enough; that I have to sire my own from the “fruits of my loin” to please the Creator. Even in this time and age, I never disregard the words of God saying, “Go bear fruit and multiply” (Genesis 1:28), but I never knew God to be so demanding as how he suggested. Moreover, he made it sound as if God is a bigot! It was audacious of him to say what in my life is pleasing to God or not. While we are related, we are not close enough to know each other. So, what does he know about what and who I am? Only God knows and He be my judge.

Our culture indeed dictates that fatherhood is the ultimate expression of masculinity. It is a common notion that not until a man had sired a child, he is not fully a man. A man is regarded macho only when he was able to bring to the world, so to speak, the “fruit of his loins”. The measure of his virility is somehow proportionate to the number of children he has. Furthermore, nothing can be more virile than a man fathering from several womb.

I am not against all those who had children by more than one woman. Probably among us may have by some warranted circumstances. Neither I am against having so much children. Children afterall are blessings of the Lord. It is rather engaging in such, driven only by manly proclivities.

In some instances the masculine allure of fathers exudes. A certain sexiness may attract women to men who are father figure. Oftentimes the attraction is not physical but the profound sense of security and tender notion are what draws women to some fathers. How strange it is for a woman to want a man, married with children, that what attract her to him are the same reasons that keeps them apart.

The males as species are inherently competitive, particularly in their expression of sexuality. Yet we have evolved through the ages, certain traits remain to guarantee the survival of the race. Such are the attitudes toward procreation. Yet there may be some truth to these, it is unfortunate that we stop at this notion and disregard the true reason for fatherhood as it is ordained by the Creator.

Nowadays however we were able to integrate the primitive instinct with the values of character that defines modern fatherhood. We were able to view it in terms beyond biological but also include the moral and ethical aspects of being a man.

Virtue, its root vir is from the word virility; meaning pure; signify strength of character not of machismo. I was surprise to learn about this because I often associate this word as feminine as in the word virgin. This apparently indicates that there is a moral quality to being a man. This is what distinguishes us from the other species. There is more to masculinity than what the male ego has perceived it to be.

Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last and make himself the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) He told these to his disciples as a response to their bickering about whom among them is the greatest. This was a radical teaching during that time since Jewish society was predominantly patriarchal. As it is now, men will try to outdo each other in every endeavor. Whether it is in physical agility, intellectual capacity or spiritual aptitude, a man will long to prove that he is cut above the rest. And prove he is ‘bigger’, ‘larger’ or ‘better’ than other men.

But the greater competition any man will have to face is not against other men but his self. To face the challenges of fatherhood can be overwhelming yet may also be a frightening experience. While he may be socially proud, expectation of him to do his responsibility can be too much particularly among those who weren’t prepared for it.

Most abortions are consummated by the instigation of men who were not prepared or reluctant to take the responsibility of fatherhood. Most women who had an abortion will attest that they were forced to do it because their men demanded they did. Any man who is not man enough to face his responsibility is nothing but a miserable coward. He is willing to extinguish a helpless being, moreover of his own flesh, just to escape the demands of being a father.

Then Jesus took a little child, set him in the midst of them, and putting His arms around him said to them, “Whoever welcomes a child such as this in my Name, welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me, welcomes not Me but he One who sent Me.” (Mark 9:37)

With these words, we must realize that every child that comes in our midst has to be welcomed because they are of God. To terminate the life of the unborn go against the moral fiber of any society. Hence, every father’s refusal to take responsibility is a refusal of life itself.

Fatherhood indeed is a stamp of a man’s masculinity not because of this biological or sexual capacity but his ability to integrate the manly demands of society with his personal values ingrained in his moral core. While he may be proud of his status, he is ever mindful of his parental responsibility.

To be masculine is to be moral. A genuine man is the one who upholds the sanctity of life and is fully committed to it. To be fully a man, one has to be brave enough to face the challenges of fatherhood. And the best father is the one who is dedicated to his role. A man’s virility is measured not by how sexually adept he is but how virtuous and truthful he lives according to God’s tenets.

To those of you fathers who have read this blog:

My prayer is for you be the best father that you can every be. May God, our Father, abide with you in your parental endeavors and aspirations! Keep up the good work!

Yours in Christ,

DJ FLAME

A FATHER’S PRAYER

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sharing with me the blessings of fatherhood.
I offer back to You all the glory from my being a father
for You are the greatest Father of us all.

Inspire me by Your love that I may become a better father.
Teach me how to understand my children, to listen patiently
to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions
kindly.

Keep me from interrupting them or contradicting them.
Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me.
Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes or resort

to shame or ridicule when they displease me.

May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power.
Let me not temp my children to lie or steal and guide me hour by hour that
I may demonstrate by all I say and do that honesty produces happiness.

Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me.
And when I am out of sorts, help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue.
May I ever be mindful that my children are children and

I should not expect of them the judgment of adults.

Let me not rob them of the opportunity to make their own decisions.
Bless me with the bigness to grant them all their reasonable requests

and the courage to deny them privileges I know will do them harm.
Make me fair and just and kind, worthy to be loved and respected

and imitated by my children.

Amen.

I MET THE MASTER

I had walked life's way with an easy tread,
Had followed where comfort and pleasures led,
Until one day in a quiet place
I met the Master face to face.

With station and rank and wealth for my goal,
Much thought for my body, but none for my soul,
I had entered to win in life's mad race,
When I met the Master face to face.

I met Him, and knew Him and blushed to see
That His eyes full of sorrow, were fixed on me;
And I faltered and fell at His feet that day,
While my castles melted and vanished away.

Melted and vanished and in their place
Naught else did I see but the Masters face.
And I cried aloud, "Oh, make me meet
To follow the steps of Thy wounded feet."

My thought is now for the souls of men,
I have lost my life to find it again,
E'er since one day in a quite place
I met the Master face to face.

Author: Unknown

source: Speech Manual for Filipino High School Students (Volume I)
by Sr. Maria Reginalda Falca, O.P.

A PRAYER FOR THE PHILIPPINES

We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

- Preamble of the Philippine Constitution

Let us pray,

God our merciful Father
You are always been good to us
We pray with one voice for our beloved country;
for our leaders and for every citizen.

Lord, this is the Philippines the land of our birth; the land that we love.
You made this land and gave it to us.
Thank You for our freedom and patrimony;
and for the abundant blessings we constantly receive as a nation.

Rule among our people so that we may never misuse these gifts
through selfishness and greed.
Rule through our leaders and guide them in ways of justice and peace.
Counsel them O God, and may fortitude abide with them that they may conduct
the affairs of man in accordance with Your divine will.
Grant them the wisdom to make decisions for the benefit of the population
and not for their personal interest.
May the government seek to reconcile power with the needs of society,
to foster nation building and usher in progress.

Grant O Lord, to every Filipino the gift of respect for lawful authority,
justly exercised, that we may live as a united people,
one nation under God.
Help each citizen to live up to civil obligations with a sense of pride,
patriotism and conviction.
Inspire in each of us a sense of devotion to every duty
and an urgency to serve.
May we each develop a sense of responsibility to care for one another;
Ever ready to share and cooperate for the good of our family,
our community and our country.

Help us to live in peace with one another and
preserve the unity of our nation.
We pray for lasting peace particularly in regions
plagued by insurgency and separatism.
Teach us how to work for harmony and understanding
amidst the ethnic, social, political and religious diversity.

Hold us in Your hands, Lord Jesus.
Light our paths, advise us in our doubts, strengthen us in our difficulties
Help us right our wrongs and mend our ways
Heal our wounds of divisiveness and console us in our afflictions

Be with us, as ever, during calamities and national tragedy.
Teach us to respect and protect the environment and our natural resources.
May we be one in our effort to conserve energy and
keep our respective areas clean and safe;

Come to our aid, Lord
Bless our endeavors that foster nation building.
Grant us the necessary grace to be dedicated in our quest
for progress and development.
And inspire each of us to share the talents and skills You
bestowed on us to be used for the common good.

May our nation strive to form bonds of unity between countries,
to support policies and actions that fosters global peace.
Keep us free from foreign invaders, imperialistic and facist agenda.
Let us live in harmony with the international community;
Upholding always the human rights and dignity of every nationality.

We pray for the safety of every Filipino traveler and
those in foreign lands away from their love ones to work.
Lighten the burden of our countrymen who are oppressed
or experiencing injustice in other lands;
Strengthen those who are away from their native land facing racial or
cultural bias and console those who are longing for home.

Hearken us, Lord, in love for the truth in one another.
Help us to be people who consistently walk with you,
and living life in Your righteousness.
Make us realize that we are called to spread the Good News
not only among our people but also throughout the world.
So let us grow in faith, in hope, in love to become Your
faithful witnesses.
Let Your holy will be done for us. We pray in Jesus’ Name.
Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for us!

San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Pray for us!

Beato Pedro Calungsod, Pray for us!

Beata Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, Pray for us!

CHARACTER

Watch out for your thoughts they become words.
Watch out for your words they become actions.
Watch out for your actions they become habits.
Watch out for your habits they become your character.
Watch out for your character they become your destiny.

Character is what distinguishes one person to another. The qualities by which a person is judged; his strengths and weaknesses. It is what dictates if a person can be considered morally upright or corrupt. No matter how it is defined, it’s the totality of the person’s acts, ways and how he reacts to different situations in life.

Character refers to a person’s conviction to take an independent stand and refuse to conform. Independent stand means he will not be governed by foreign power and free from the influence, guidance or control of others. On the other hand, it also refers to a person’s courage to admit being wrong and accept the truth at the cost of his ego.

Character may simply mean how others define you by name. There are names that are associated with certain character traits such as Judas may mean a traitor, Rizal a hero, Einstein a genius, Solomon a wise man. Although naming can vary from every culture, name gives each person his identity that may help shape his character.

Few of the names will become part of our life. They signify who we are and how we have lived. Solomon said, “The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.” (Proverbs 10:7,9)

True character is tested during life’s difficulties and adversities. In times where lackness sets in, it is in these times wherein the true self is revealed. How he reacts to these situations signify whether he will be of great help to people in need. As Daisaku Gokkai said, “The only way to hone and polish our character is through our interaction with others.”

When we think of someone we know and admire, we associate that person to their names, thus, the credibility of the name is very important. Commitment in making a good name and maintaining it counts for something and we can do it. It’s just a decision we have to make. In a very high pressure situation, we can react like most people or we can choose to be different. Anyway, and anyhow, “A beautiful character begins in the heart.”

Indeed “Character,” according to Heraclitus, “is your destiny.” At the end, kings and paupers shall be judged by their good name and not for what they had. Thus, our destiny is not solely to be learned, rich, famous and powerful. Yet these are beneficial and unless these are used for good, these alone will not suffice for an upright character. Our true destiny is for each of us to become who we are as people living sensibly, in good terms with one another and in keeping with the will of the Creator. And here lies the strength of our character.

Let us pray,

God, our Father, thank You for giving us life.
We praise and adore You for loving us by giving Your Son, Jesus, as a ransom for our sins. We ask for Your forgiveness and mercy for all the times we have failed to live our life according to Your purpose. We are sorry for forgetting that our life’s quest is not to be wealthy, famous or powerful alone. Yet these are blessings from You, may we be reminded that these are to be used for the purposes You have set for us to accomplish—that is to further Your Kingdom here on earth.

Give us Lord a continuing sense to remember that at the end of our life, we shall be judged according to what we have become; by our character and not because of what we possess or lack in life. May we find the path to our true destiny—that is to be with You in eternity.

Who we are is Your gift to us. What we become is our offering back to Your goodness.
Give us the courage to live accordingly. May we be inspired by Your Holy Spirit so that with this life we may give glory to You as the one true God forever and ever. Amen.