The Purpose Driven Life

Last Saturday was the Aspirants meeting where we talk about official business and get to catch up on whats been happening with one another. So first of all, let me introduce to you guys who we are.

FSC Aspirants Christmas Party 08 (Clockwise starting at 12:00)  John Bellosillo, Gelo Paragas (now a Postulant), Marlo Castillo (has already discerned what he wants in his life haha), Me, Brother Armin, Dan Sanding, Toby dela Cruz, Lysander Rivera (the honorary aspirant), Roji Enriquez, and McRey Banderlipe. 

Not in picture are Cliff Sy, Mico Sangalang and Jerome Cuevas.

So last Saturday we had the second session of our Apostolate, the St. La Salle Pre-School Catechism Class. We taught the kids the basics of good manners. Thanks to Roji for his module, I pretty much think we got the kids to learn how to be polite and well mannered. Its just the random stuff that we do that makes this journey fun. For instance, last Saturday, I taught the kids some steps while singing 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands'. With out knowing the lyrics by heart, I pretty much could conclude that I looked like a fool. But nonetheless, the kids enjoyed. 

So what we do in our apostolate is that we gather less fortunate kids who can't afford a good education and share with them the knowledge that we already have. Nothing scholarly or TESDA approved, but the basics. So last Saturday's session went well. We had an additional four more participants! So after bringing the kids back to their houses which Cliff and McRey did, in the rain (oh the things we do for the name of La Salle!),we head to the Brothers Community for siesta.

Come 530 PM, we head to the community Chapel for anticipated Mass. And here's where the story kicks in.

I admit it that I haven't been going to Church lately to hear Mass so as I kneel at my pew to reflect I come upon myself blurting random things in my mind. First, saying sorry for not fulfilling the duty as a Catholic to go to Mass for God knows how long; Second, for having another successful day with the St. La Salle Pre-School kids; Third, for the mere fact of keeping my family, friends and myself alive and the random part: asking God to give me answers on why I am here, at this pew, in this Chapel, at this community.

So the presiding Priest steps in and the Catholic ritual begins. Upon delivering the First reading for the evening from the Book of Wisdom, I pause for a while and realize another random suggestion God is making me feel. For the past two weeks I have been having issues with this one person which for a few reasons I can't seem to tolerate anymore. And in the Reading, the first lines go "...Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training." Upon closing the reading, it felt so good to sing thanks be to God.

 I believe that God talks to you in His own ways, and I believe that God talks to you everyday. It depends on how you want to interpret it. So for those who have questions on why you feel that God is always absent or why isn't He listening to me, try thinking in different perspectives.  Furthermore into Mass, during Responsorial Psalm, God gives me another wack to the head, reminding me of one of the answers to the rants I had before Mass started. To the response of "The Lord upholds my life" (answering to why am I here), the verses go like this:

1. O God, by Your Name save me, and by Your might defend my cause. (Another answer to my rants, another point for God) O God hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth. (and the wrestling ring bell goes off, we have a Winner);

2. For the haughty men have risen up against me, the ruthless seek my life, they set not God before their eyes;

3. Behold God is my helper, the Lord sustains my life. Freely will I offer you sacrifice, I will praise Your Name. O Lord, for its goodness.

So has God really listened to my rants? I don't believe in coincidence. So to assume that all of these insights in a span of 10 minutes to spawn in my mind, is God really doing His thing? Its not my fault why I was there reciting the First Reading and the Responsorial Psalm. Neither is it the Indian Priest's fault who showed up as well at that Chapel and at that time after how many invitations to give Mass. Evidently, random things are equivalent to a perfect event.

Going on to the Gospel. I tend to compare things said in it with realities of what has been going on in my life. So as Mark writes about how Jesus took His disciples to Capernaum, and when they arrive, He asks them, "What were you arguing on the way?" They remained silent. So to give you non-dogmatic scholars what the disciples were arguing about, they were discussing amongst themselves on the way who was the greatest.

So taking that literally in my non conditional mind, I was like, there goes another point for You. As an aspirant in a community which you would like to nourish by all means is really something difficult. You grow with other young men who are individually distinct but are bonded with one common goal. It is given that your thoughts and ideas will clash with the others. Recently, there have been times where I would find myself not necessarily arguing but talking with a fellow aspirant about someone who acts as if he was the greatest. And to conclude the Gospel, Mark writes about Jesus telling his disciples "Whoever receives one child such as this in My Name, receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but the One who sent Me."

So right there and then, I find myself realizing how wrong I am for not thinking in the right way. For not accepting anymore the person who seemed to be "obnoxious", for not being able to tolerate that person. It feels awful to think of myself to be unkind and to disrespect the God and the person who sent him as well.

To conclude this entry, I'd like to leave some realizations that we should always remind ourselves with. First, we are all here for a reason. May it be to fulfill your own purpose or to help others realize their own. Who are we to take that away from other people? Second, patience is always the answer for intolerable circumstances. Be still and one way or another you'll get your answers. Third, learn how to appreciate even the annoying. There's always a hidden gift in everyone that in one way or another could contribute to a better you.

Score:  

Winner: God (3)

Loser : Jay (0)

Live Jesus in our hearts, Forever!