Inspiring You to Live a Fantastic Life
No. 274 Vol. 23 March 2013 Three Lessons on How to Get Your Miracles FAITH WITHOUT EXPECTATIONS IS DEAD Let Your Actions Express Your Faith
Sambahayan ng Diyos Community: A Prayer Group Among Neighbors
How God Paved Randy Feria’s Road KERYGMA BARCODE.pdfto Full-time 11/16/06 5:43:58 PM Service with Gold
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was reading a story of a guy who was only 14 years old but already The weighed 200 pounds. His parents told him to lose weight. His teachers told him to lose weight. His friends told him to lose weight. But he never Purpose of did. Until one day, something happened. He was in a swimming class, wearing trunks, and standing on the concrete slab. Beside him were seven other young boys who were as heavy as the breakfast he had eaten that morning. Surrounding him were Pain hundreds of people, all looking in his direction. He felt so embarrassed. By Bo Sanchez Standing there, half-naked, he couldn’t hide his teenage flab anymore. All of a sudden, he realized he needed to change. And that’s what he did. He changed not only his body, but his mind, too. He has become a stronger, happier and more confident individual. IHe thanks God for that moment of pain. Without that pain, there would have been no breakthrough in his life. You may be in a lot of intense pain right now. But you have a choice. You can respond in two ways. You can have a breakdown. Or you can have a breakthrough. The choice is yours. What will it be for you? Are you waiting for a miracle? Waiting for an answered prayer? Waiting for a breakthrough? Perhaps you have been praying for a child that has gone wayward. But after many years, you’re still waiting for the answer to that prayer. Perhaps you have been hoping for a financial breakthrough. So far, nothing’s happened and you wonder if God has forgotten you. If you’re in this difficult situation right now, listen to the story of Jesus about the 10 bridesmaids. He said…
Once there were ten young women who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and the other five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any extra oil with them, while the wise ones took containers full of oil for their lamps. The bridegroom was late in coming, so they began to nod and fall asleep. (Matthew 25:1-5)
In the story, the 10 women fell asleep. Not just the foolish ones, but the wise ones, too. Because they got tired of waiting. Are you tired of waiting? Are you tempted to just give up? Some people have given up all expectation — so that they can avoid the pain of disappointment. And then Jesus continues the story…
It was already midnight when the cry rang out, “Here is the bridegroom! Come and meet him!”
Friend, what you have been waiting for will come. But it may come at midnight. It may come late in the night or when you thought it wouldn’t come anymore. But it will come. I don’t know how. But what you’re praying for will be given to you in its most beautiful form. The difference between the wise women and the foolish women was the amount of oil they brought. The oil represents your trust. Will you bring extra trust in God during those times when He answers your prayer at midnight?
May your dreams come true.
Bo’s oufit courtesy of Golden ABC/Regatta. MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 1 Mailroom
Reading about Tahanan ng Pagmamahal I am a mother of three wonderful Congratulations, Bo and the Kerygma Children’s Home in your December 2012 daughters who are all professionals. staff! I thank God for giving me the issue brought me to tears. I was reading it I thank God forever for His love and opportunity to read this wonderful at the office and I couldn’t help but shed for guiding me and my husband in magazine. This must be made by God as some tears. I was touched by the response bringing up our daughters to be God- an instrument for enlightening people’s of all the people who helped when the fearing, putting God first in their lives minds and hearts. It inspires me to strive children’s home got flooded. God is truly and in everything they do. My eldest hard in order to succeed and be a better amazing. He moves in awesome ways. gifted me with a copy of Kerygma and person for others and God. I do hope May He bless all of us always so that we how I loved reading it. All the articles that this magazine would inspire many can continue to be a blessing to the less are enlightening, bringing me closer people, especially students like me. fortunate. God bless your magazine. to God and teaching me to count my blessings. It’s now part of my life. Hannah Cecile Congratulations to Bo and all Via text Tagbilaran, Bohol the staff of Kerygma magazine! Keep bringing people to God! God smiles at you! Big thanks, Kerygma. I am just an I’ve been reading Kerygma magazine ordinary housewife who’s busy doing since I was in grade school. The articles R. dela Cruz chores in the four corners of the house. never fail to touch my heart. I am 21 years Via text I have no friend, until I started reading old now and, before I sleep at night, I pray Kerygma and learned through the with it using Bro. Bo’s Point of Contact. experiences and testimonies of other When I wake up, I make sure to read one It was my first time to read Kerygma people who have been touched by God. article. It helps me a lot especially during and it was the October 2012 issue. I I suddenly found my value as a person times of failure. I realize that God has am a nurse from a tertiary hospital in and that God really loves me amidst the better plans for me and He will give me Manila. A patient gave it to me. Maybe trials and problems I encounter. the best because I deserve it. his purpose was to inspire me — and he Every month I am excited for the Thank you, Kerygma, for inspiring succeeded. May you continue to help new issue and I even read it page by a lot of people with your magazine. My others through your magazine. Thank page. More power and more issues to passion is also writing and speaking, like you and more power! come! Bro. Bo, and I dream to join your family as a writer, too, in God’s time. Long live, Mhadz Manicat, RN Loudith Manunag Kerygma! Manila Consolacion, Cebu
Marie Claire Burlat Cebu City
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2 KERYGMA • MARCH 2013 Just Breathe Living by Grace
By Rissa Singson-Kawpeng
YOUR EASTER SUNDAY IS COMING ne dark night in 2003, I reached my breaking point. I didn’t believe” (verse 11); to the two disciples in had been a full-time servant of the Lord in a Catholic Emmaus who “reported it to the rest; but they community for many years and had been living in didn’t believe them either” (verse 13); and finally our center for the past decade. I had given the best to the Eleven while they were eating but they still years of my life serving the Lord but I had reached didn’t believe (verse 14). a spiritual impasse. In a moment of desperation, I You’d have thought that the Apostles had packed a bag and ran away — from my world, from successfully disqualified themselves from being my community, from my calling. Jesus’ followers. But in the very next verse, Jesus I drove aimlessly that night, not knowing where gives them the Great Commission: “Go into all the to go. I couldn’t go home to my parents’ house world and preach the gospel to all creation.” because they’d surely know something was wrong. (I hadn’t slept at home in 10 What was Jesus saying? He was assuring them years.) I didn’t consider staying in a hotel for monetary reasons. that this was His work and that He would equip OI found myself driving up to an orphanage. I knocked in the middle of the them. He didn’t call them based on their ability night and asked for shelter. The guard turned me away, saying that their place was but on His, not on their faithfulness but on His. closed. But after I begged for a place to stay just for Now back to my story. What the night, he grudgingly let me in. started in that dark, scary, lonely The place was eerily dark. Someone took me to orphanage became a story of an empty dorm. Beds were piled up one on top of Are you facing a dead end victory. It didn’t end with the another. The bathroom was at the end of the hall. I death of my calling to serve was all alone on that floor. Too scared to take a bath, or a doorway in disguise? God. On the contrary, it became I just brushed my teeth and lay there in darkness. I a doorway for me to climb to a stared at the river outside, thinking where I could find higher level of service where I refuge. I took my Bible and browsed it from cover to could exponentially reach more cover, looking for a direction from God. He was silent. I had abandoned the Lord people with His Good News. so it was logical for me to think that He had abandoned me, too. Friend, you may think that you’ve reached the I was like Mary Magdalene who stood outside the tomb of Jesus, crying (John end of your story. But guess what? Your wonderful 20:11). She was grieving because she thought the grave was the end. tale is just beginning. It was my Good Friday and I didn’t know Easter Sunday was coming. As far as I knew, I had disqualified myself from serving the Lord and there was no reason for He who began a good work in you will carry it Him to want me back. on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. How wrong I was. (Philippians 1:6) The ending to Mark’s Gospel proves that God doesn’t Email me at [email protected], subscribe look at what we’ve done when He calls us. Scholars say to my Facebook page or visit my website: that this gospel originally ended with Mark 16:8, which rissasingsonkawpeng.com. says, “Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to SAVE THE DATE! anyone, because they were afraid.” But what a way to end the Gospel, right? March 31, 2013 Some well-meaning scribe must have Grand Easter Feast added Mark 16:9-15 to show proof of Jesus’ For venue and other details, resurrection. The passages recounted visit www.lightfam.com the various appearances of the Lord to the disciples: to Mary Magdalene, who or call (632) 725-9999. reported it to the Apostles, “but they MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 3 Rissa’s oufit courtesy of Elite Garments/Ensemble. SUBSCRIBE NOW! BE A KERYGMA MISSION PARTNER By being a KMP, you will not just subscribe to, our highly inspiring magazine. You will also contribute to all our ministries and be a blessing to Anawim – our home for the aged; He Cares and Tahanan ng Pagmamahal – our ministries for street children and orphans; Grace to Be Born – a halfway house for unwed mothers and their babies; Shepherd’s Voice Radio and Television Inc. – our media ministry.
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KMP Promo -1st Qtr 2013.indd 1 12/6/12 11:06 AM The Boss THE BO FILES Point of Contact The Purpose of Pain What’s DEPARTMENTS K Preacher COLUMNS Just Breathe Inside Grief Turned into Joy Your Easter Sunday March 2013 SPECIAL SECTION Is Coming! TESTIMONIES Dear K Faith @ Work In the News Feast Snapshots Faith and Feedback KFam Insider It Happened: Healing Through the Crucified Christ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Introduction: Testimony Faith Without Conceived 18 Years Ago: Expectations Is Dead A Prayer Group Among Neighbors SPECIAL SECTION Testimony Mailroom Full-time Expect Good Things SPECIAL SECTION One Last Story: Service, A Lifetime of Full-scale Express Your Faith New You Friendship with Miracle Little Thérèse Real Stuff
ABOUT OUR COVER MODEL
In May 2011, Michael Medina, our cover Michael, being an only child, loves the company of kids. model this month, attended the Light of Jesus And that’s the reason he chose to serve at The Feast* PICC’s Family’s youth camp called “Camp Kalye.” Awesome Kids Ministry. He loves the feeling of being an older He immensely enjoyed the experience and the brother to the kids. company of the other campers that, soon, he found Michael is currently a fourth year Marketing and himself attending The Feast PICC (the Light of Corporate Communications student in San Beda College. He Jesus Family’s weekly gathering in various locations). graduates this March.
chairman of the board and publisher BO SANCHEZ • editor-in-chief and production manager RISSA SINGSON-KAWPENG • managing editor TESS V. ATIENZA • creative director MIKE CORTES • graphics director REY DE GUZMAN • assistant layout designer PIO MALLARI • staff writer MARJORIE ANN DUTERTE • contributing writers in this issue BELLA ESTRELLA, LELLA SANTIAGO • photographers DANIEL SORIANO, DAKILA ANGELES • columnists MIKE JOSEPH, OBET CABRILLAS • sales and marketing manager JOSEPH MARTINEZ • administration and finance manager WENG CEQUEÑA
KERYGMA. A Greek word meaning Proclamation of the Gospel. It is a Catholic inspirational magazine. It aims to be an evangelistic tool to all nations, providing Scriptural, practical and orthodox teachings to Catholics, particularly those in the Catholic Renewal, as an alternative to present-day magazines. It is also committed to fostering the renewal and unity of the whole Christian people. Philippine copyright Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc. 2013. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission. KERYGMA is published monthly by Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc., whose editorial and business offices are located at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, 1109 Quezon City. Tel. Nos.: (632) 725-9999, 411-7874, 725-1190. Fax: (632) 727- 5615 Email: [email protected]. Website: www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph New You PREVENTING Tips for personal development DIABETES 101
WHAT TO BRING ON A ne of the modern lifestyle diseases is diabetes. OMaking a few simple changes today will help you FAMILY VACATION avoid the serious health complications of diabetes such as nerve, kidney and heart damage. Consider these latest ummer’s a great time for a trip with your family. Whether prevention tips from the American Diabetes Association: Syou’re going to the province or outside the country, here are important items to include in your list of things to bring: Tip 1: Lose that extra weight Aerobics and resistance training help control diabetes • Jeans and shirts of quick-dry material that you can wash in the especially when both are used in a fitness program. If you’re sink overweight, preventing diabetes depends on weight loss. • Sweats or athletic wear, shorts Every pound you lose can improve your health. In one • Slacks/skirt, shirt and blouse for going to somewhere fancy study, overweight adults reduced their diabetes risk by • Overcoat/raincoat, gloves, hat, boots for cold climates 16 percent for every kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight lost. • Underwear (for daily change plus two), socks, pajamas Those who lost a modest amount of weight, at least 5 to • Extra shoes (already broken in), sandals 10 percent of initial body weight, and exercised regularly • Two bathing suits and one cover-up reduced the risk of developing diabetes by almost 60 • Toiletries, medications, a small first-aid kit percent over three years. • Contact information of the local pediatrician and emergency clinic (look this up before you leave home) Tip 2: Eat whole grains and more fiber • Powdered soap in plastic bag for emergency laundry Eat more foods high in fiber including fruits, • Snacks (cheaper to buy from home than from the hotel shop) vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds. To reduce your risk of diabetes and help maintain blood sugar levels, Leave space in your baggage for souvenirs and items you may opt to buy whole grains found in various breads, pasta forget, or put an extra foldable bag/backpack in your suitcase. If products and cereals. Low-carb and other fad diets may you are going to travel by car, bus or plane, stow must-haves in help you lose weight initially but may not be effective in a bag where you can access the items easily. Also, have an extra the long term. By excluding or strictly limiting a particular set of clothes for changing in your carry-on. If you are going to fly food group, you may also be giving up essential nutrients. and your luggage is delayed, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief when Think variety and portion control as part of an overall emergency supplies are close at hand. healthy eating plan.
Source: http://www.frommers.com Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
uhat, or black plum in English, is the Philippines’ Quick Health Tip: Dsummer “grapes.” When ripe, the fruit turns dark DUHAT purple or deep violet. It is usually eaten with salt and can be turned into juice or wine. Duhat contains phytonutrients and the powerful antioxidant, anthocyanin. It is also rich in calcium and iron. Duhat is known to prevent and cure diarrhea. Its seed extract is said to prevent allergy, cervical cancer and diabetes.
Source: http://herba-linch.hubpages.com
6 KERYGMA • MARCH 2013 Real Stuff
GK’S TONY MELOTO POPE RECEIVES SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR FOR BENEDICT THE WORLD AWARD IS ON TWITTER awad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto received the GSocial Entrepreneur for the World Award in Lyon, ope Benedict XVI joined Twitter in December 2012 under the France, along with four other individuals in recognition Phandle @pontifex. He is sending messages urbi et orbi — to the of their achievements in their respective fields. city and the world, tweeting pearls of wisdom in eight languages. An introductory message on the account based in Vatican City The World Entrepreneurship Forum recognized reads: “Welcome to the official Twitter page of His Holiness Pope Tony Meloto for the work of Gawad Kalinga in building Benedict XVI.” Pontifex is a Latin word meaning “pontiff,” the Pope’s sustainable communities in the Philippines that will end official title. poverty for at least five million poor families. The Pope sent his first tweet using a generic Vatican account in “We presented the Philippines as the best country 2011, typing, “Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and for investment in Southeast Asia with our honest and blessings. – Benedictus XVI,” on an iPad. His tweet announced the competent government, rich natural resources, big launch of a new Vatican news and information site, www.news.va. consumer base and educated and talented human The Pope “clearly won’t be replying to his tweets,” a Vatican resources. Gawad Kalinga and other social innovators source said. “Let’s hope his followers are re-tweeting rather than are working together with the government and business engaging, because I don’t see the Pope sitting down and answering replies to tweets.” sectors and the academe to raise a new generation of The Vatican’s Twitter move is consistent with Pope Benedict’s wealth creators who will go for profit that will be kinder “New Evangelization” effort that he launched in 2010, noting that to the planet and will not leave the poor behind,” Meloto the “Church has a duty everywhere and at all times to proclaim the said. Gospel of Jesus Christ.” The World Entrepreneurship Forum is the first In a message in 2011, Pope Benedict encouraged Christians to global think-tank dedicated to entrepreneurs, creators of adopt a “Christian-style presence” online and make use of it as a tool wealth and social justice. for evangelization.
Source: http://www.newsmax.com Source: http://gk1world.com St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Saints at a Glance Feast Day: March 7 Born and Died: 1747, Arezzo, Italy – 1770, Florence, Italy
Anna Maria Redi was born to a large noble family in Arezzo, Italy. From the age of five, Anna Maria had given her heart completely to God. She used all her facilities to know and love Him. The Redi villa was an ideal home for a child with a religious disposition. The family was warm and loving, and prayer and daily Mass were an integral part of their lives. She entered the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites and took the name Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. During her brief life on earth, she displayed a remarkable prayer life and deeply penitential demeanor. She died from strangulated hernia, most likely from lifting and carrying the body of a fellow nun whom she was taking care of inside the Carmelite infirmary. Her sisters and doctor witnessed her decomposing body at the time of her death. But before her burial, her body had returned to its natural state, full of health, her lovely and childlike face back to its natural glow and she smelled of heavenly fragrance. On June 21, 1805, the Feast of the Sacred Heart, the incorrupt body of St. Teresa Margaret was transferred to the nuns’ choir in the Carmel of Florence where it remains to this day. MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 7 Source: http://www.stteresamargaret.org. Bonuan Bangus "Cross".indd 1 1/3/12 1:22 PM In the News
HERE AGAIN: THE PILGRIM RELICS OF ST. Thérèse OF LISIEUX
he pilgrim relics of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus arrived in the Philippines at 3:00 p.m. on December 15, 2012. The Philippine Air Force conducted an Arrival Honors as well as a short welcome program attended by the Bishop of the By Mavie Ungco Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP), Most Rev. TLeopoldo S. Tumulak, D.D., Monsignor Don Vito Pavilando of the Basilica of St. Thérèse in Lisieux, France, Mother General Teodora Juan of the Missionary Catechists of St. The theme for this year’s Thérèse (MCST), members of the 3rd Philippine Relics Visit visit is “Witnessing Christ National Organizing Committee, and other guests at the through the Little Way of Bulwagang Kalayaan in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City. St. Thérèse.” St. Thérèse A solemn procession to the Shrine of St. Thérèse of the is renowned all over the Child Jesus in Newport Boulevard, Newport City Complex, world for preaching God’s Pasay City followed the program. Hundreds of devotees, unconditional love and members of the Carmelite community and the Armed showing everyone a simple Forces of the Philippines joined the procession waving yet meaningful way of Philippine flags and the Vatican colors as the Thérèse deepening their faith known mobile passed by. as the Little Way. The relics, which are bone fragments of the beloved St. Thérèse taught that Saint, housed in a special reliquary and venerated by the great deeds are not needed faithful as a reminder of St. Thérèse ’s life and spirituality, to please God. Small acts arrived at the Shrine at around 5:00 in the afternoon where of sacrifice done with the Bishop Tumulak celebrated a Welcome Mass in honor of greatest of love shall suffice. her arrival. The relics returned to Close to 2,000 people filled the Shrine and venerated the Shrine of St. Thérèse her relics after the Mass. on January 2, 2013 on the St. Thérèse’s relics are in the Philippines for a four- occasion of her 140th birthday month tour that will include visits to more than 48 where the Apostolic Nuncio archdioceses and dioceses of the Roman Catholic Church to the Philippines, His Excellency Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. celebrated a Holy Mass. This is the third time that the pilgrim relics of St. Thérèse are in the country. The first two visits in 2000 For updates on the itinerary, log on to www.ThereseRelics.ph or like and 2008 were marked with miracles and thousands of the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ThereseRelicsPH. devotees gathering to pray in its presence. MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 9
Bonuan Bangus "Cross".indd 1 1/3/12 1:22 PM Dear K
I’M A WIDOWER AND IN LOVE
Dear Worried Widower, I would like to thank you for raising this issue and expressing your desire to be enlightened. Unfortunately, many Catholics, especially the young ones, are not aware of the importance of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Or, if they are, they are ignoring its very essence. It is very important to emphasize once again the teachings of the Catholic Church in this regard. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explicitly states: “The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament” (no. 1601). Regarding your case, if you are planning to live together, I am in my late 60s and have been widowed the teaching of our Mother Church is very clear. You have for almost a year. My children are all grown up to be married “in the Church,” especially if there are no and married. I recently met a woman whom I impediments to receive this sacrament. The question of old have fallen in love with. She, too, is not married age should not be considered an issue to prevent the couple and looking for a companion. She has become from marrying. the light of my life. My question is this: Is it On the matter of your children opposing this union, I OK for us to live together even if we are not believe that you need to have a heart-to-heart talk with them. married? I’m thinking we are already old, so Present to them the reasons why you are entering into this what’s the use of being wed? My concern is that relationship. At the end of the day, after you have exhausted my children will not agree with my marrying all your efforts to persuade them, you have to make a decision another woman at my age and there is also even if this is not favorable to them. This is your life and your the question about our properties becoming children have to respect your decision. conjugal. But I really love this lady. I suggest that you consult a lawyer regarding your Is it OK for us to be just boyfriend and properties. There are technicalities surrounding this matter girlfriend until the end of our lives? What that an expert would be in a better position to handle. should I do? I pray that all of you will be guided and enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Worried Widower Vic
Email your questions to [email protected]. Or if you need to talk to someone, call (632) 726-4709 or 726-6728 to contact a Light of Jesus counselor. Telephone counseling is 24 hours from Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Face-to-face counseling is by appointment. For Vic Español is one of the elders of the Light of Jesus Family. At present, he correspondence counseling, email [email protected] or go to www.kerygmafamily.com. is the Feast Builder and preacher in the Ortigas Feast, which happens every
Monday, 7:30 p.m., and every Sunday, 10:00 a.m., at Cinema 5, Robinsons Or Call Galleria, Ortigas Center . Vic and his wife, Ditas, train the counselors of the LOJ (632) 725-9999 Counseling Center. Vic is a retired executive of a multinational life insurance Pregnant? Confused? Abortion is not the answer. Contact Grace to Be Born at 0917-816-4700 or company. email [email protected]. You may also contact Pro-life Philippines at (632) 733-7027.
10 KERYGMA • MARCH 2013 MY FRIEND’S FIANCE IS CHEATING ON HER
My college friend recently just got engaged. They had been in a two-year relationship when the guy proposed and she said yes. My Dear Concerned Friend, friends and I do not feel like they should be I admire you for your concern towards your college together because they are always fighting friend. It is commendable that you have her best interest and he keeps our friend away from us. It’s at heart. like her world shrank to just the two of them While it is probable that you and your other friends when they began dating. see her boyfriend in a clearer light, I suggest you try to But what’s worse is that one of my identify concretely what it is you do not like in him. Is it friends recently saw the guy with another because he keeps her from spending time with you and girl watching a movie and they were sweet your other friends? If your main reason for disliking him is to each other. Should we let our friend know this, then I suggest you check your motives. about this even if it will hurt her? One of the major things which you mentioned you She’s very sensitive when we talk about have against your friend’s boyfriend is because he was their relationship. We worry about her. We seen dating someone else. I believe that this is a feedback do not want our friend to be hurt and we that must be communicated to her. But before you bring are afraid that she is heading towards a this up with your friend, make sure that this is based on miserable marriage if she pushes through a fact and not simply a hearsay. I strongly urge that the with this relationship. one who saw him with another girl should be the one to How do we let her know about how we bring it up to her so that the feedback is based on firsthand feel in a loving way? Is it OK for friends information rather than on a rumor. to speak up concerning another friend’s True friends listen to one another and respect each relationship? What is the right thing to do in other’s opinion. Listen to what your friend wants to this situation? tell you. Connect with her feelings. Make her feel that you understand where she is coming from. You can Concerned Friend communicate your own opinion about her boyfriend, but respect your friend’s opinion. After all, in the end, it is her choice and not yours, and you have to respect that. Most of all, pray to the Holy Spirit, that He may guide you on the right time to talk to your friend about this matter, and that He provide you with the right words to say.
Ditas
Ditas Español is a cancer survivor. Nineteen years ago, she fought for her life with the sword of faith that God has given her. Now a counselor, she still uses that sword to battle the pain of others. She believes she was healed so she can be an instrument of our Divine Healer. Ditas and her husband, Vic, train the counselors of the Light of Jesus Counseling Center.
MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 11 Feast Snapshots
A Record Breaker
erygma Conference 2012, with the theme “Champions, Arise!” broke the records of past Kerygma Conferences since its onset in 2007 with 5,000 participants. Year after year, the number of people who gather to witness and be blessed by the biggest Catholic learning event in the Philippines continues to grow by leaps and bounds. KMore than 14,000 people showed up at Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena at the grand opening ceremony on November 24, 2012. People who arrived several minutes before the 9:00 a.m. opening found themselves already at the topmost level of the Arena. The Grand Feast on Sunday, November 25, saw an overflow of people at the SMX Convention Center. More than 11,000 filled the ground floor and another 7,000 overly enthusiastic people occupied the second level. As it coincided with the Feast of Christ the King, Most Reverend Honesto Ongtioco, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Cubao, connected the Gospel with the Conference’s theme. He said that we are meant to be champions, but it is not automatic. Without Christ, we can’t arise as champions.
High Points of the Conference Different people will remember different highlights but many will remember the multi-talented Kerygma 5 preachers who have always been good in preaching and entertaining. Donned as Thor, Wolverine, Spiderman, Superman, and Green Lantern, they sang and danced to the Gangnam craze 12 KERYGMA • MARCH 2013 on the first day of the conference. By Bella Estrella A Record Breaker Photos by Imagine Nation Photography
Emmanuelworship, the eight-member worship ministry of the Emmanuel Community, a Catholic mission community in Australia, graced the grand opening of the Conference with super charged worship. Special guest Roselle Ambubuyog, a highly intelligent Filipina who went blind at age six due to an allergic reaction to over-the-counter medication, got a standing ovation after she shared her amazing life story. She proved that any weakness that may be considered as a hindrance in achieving much success in life, blindness in her case, may not in any way obstruct a person’s capacity to achieve remarkable feats. The number of topics in this year’s conference doubled to 14 streams. Powerful speakers, who are experts in their respective topics, inspired and encouraged their respective audiences. Day 1 streams included Prayer, Worship, Education, Health, Career, Business and Catholic Faith, while Day 2 had streams on Solo Parents, Singles, Single Blessedness, Inner Healing, Family, Youth and Leadership. The function rooms and meeting rooms designated for each stream at the SMX Convention Center were filled beyond seating capacity.
Prepare for Greater Things “God wants greater things for you!” proclaimed Bo Sanchez in his opening talk. He likened the two days of the Kerygma Conference 2012 to the walk of two disciples to Emmaus (from Luke 24:13-35). Jesus was with them along the way, but they recognized Him only when they reached the village and He broke bread with them. At the end of the Kerygma Conference 2012, Jesus revealed His presence, the greatest thing that we need most in all areas of life. In recognition of this truth, the whole crowd arose, raised white flags, and as real champions, surrendered all to Jesus Christ, the King. MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 13 K Fam Insider
A New Home at Anawim
By Bella Estrella Photos by Dave Apalla
ind hearts keep beating for the elderly at Anawim, the home for abandoned lolos and lolas in Montalban, Rizal. The inauguration of their newest home was held, simultaneous with the Christmas treat given by Anawim Foundation, Inc., on December 19, 2012 for its 47 elderly residents, the staff, donors, volunteers, guests and everyone involved in any way with the work of the foundation. Ribbon cutting was done by Anawim founder Bo Sanchez together with Al and Irene Fajardo, owners of A.U.F. Trading and Construction, Inc., which constructed the new facility that Kwill serve as an isolation ward for the sick needing special care and attention. Leap of Faith For the Fajardos, the construction of the new building, which began in September 2012, came after about four months of financial difficulties. They could not collect from their clients. As Irene said, they were financially drained and did not know how their business could survive. Despite such difficulty, however, their great desire to construct an additional home for the elderly at Anawim remained strong. They had this anxiety, a feeling of doubt and uncertainty, and yet a voice seemed to speak in their hearts, “Don’t be afraid.” Thus, without much money to spare but with great faith, Al and Irene
14 KERYGMA • MARCH 2013 decided to proceed with the project. Irene could not explain how it happened. But one thing is for sure, it aughingly was finished by God’s L grace. yours The isolation ward that they built can house up to 20 sick elderly with 10 You Might Be an Engineer If… beds for lolos, another 10 beds for lolas, and two toilets and baths. * The salespeople at the local computer store can’t answer any of He Became a Priest your questions. Because He Met * You can type 70 words per minute but can’t Jesus in Anawim A Holy Mass, read your own handwriting. concelebrated by Fr. * You comment to your wife that her Steve Tynan, MGL, straight hair is nice and parallel. and newly ordained * You have saved every power cord from all your priest Fr. Alex Nolasco, broken appliances. MGL, preceded the entire celebration. It is * You’ve already calculated how much you make heartwarming to note per second. that Fr. Alex became a priest because of Anawim. He said he met Jesus in the persons of the elderly in the year 2000 during his three-week service at Anawim as a CYA (Christ Youth in Action) volunteer. He then started reading the Bible and found peace that he had always longed for. He found the right direction in A business executive asked a few friends, “How’s life through the stories and pieces of advice given by the lolos, business?” lolas and the late Tita Neneng Mangahas (matriarch at Anawim Their answers: who died in 2008). He entered the Missionaries of God’s Love Astronomer: Looking up! (MGL) congregation, where Fr. Steve Tynan became his spiritual Butcher: We’re making ends meat. director, and on November 3, 2012, he was ordained a priest at the age of 35. He said, “No matter how small or weak we may Elevator Operator: Up and down. be, we are being used by God as channels of His blessings and Locksmith: I think we found the key. salvation.” Janitorial Service: We’re cleaning up. Margarine Producer: Couldn’t be butter! Gratitude and Joy Filled the Air Bo thanked the Board of Trustees and all the staff, without whom Anawim would not continue to exist. He said that we are mirrors of what we see in others. If we find others lovable, it is because we ourselves have great love inside of us. If we find A manager was interviewing a potential candidate others irritating, it could be that we, too, are annoying like them. for a position in his company. He wanted to find Al Fajardo expressed his thanks to Anawim for the out something about his personality, so he asked, opportunity to share whatever they were able to. The Cercado Sisters, who garnered 16 gold medals in the “If you could have a conversation with 2006 World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood, someone, living or dead, who would wowed the audience with powerful renditions of “Impossible it be?” Dream” and “The Prayer.” They are also champions in local talent The candidate shows Talentadong Pinoy, and most recently in Showtime as quickly responded, part of the Gollayan Family. Bo prayed over them that they, being endowed with beautiful voices and the ability to inspire “The living one.” people, will realize their dream of attaining international fame, Source: http://www.justcleanjokes.com abundance and prosperity. The affair was filled with abundant food and camaraderie among the people present.
MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 15 An Anonymous Sharing It Happened
Healing through the CrucifiedChrist An Anonymous Sharing
MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 17 struggled in silence, I trembled in fear, hopeless emotions, I embraced so dear.”
I was born out of wedlock. I remember that one of the first realizations I had, as a child, was that I did not have a home. My childhood memories of my formative years are like a void, but I do remember a woman with mestiza looks who combed my hair, put me to bed and joined me in the Angel of God prayer. I would later learn that she was my maternal grandmother. When she died, my biological mother, who I thought was my Iolder sister, brought me to another family. I was told that the man was my biological father. I had an instant family — a father, a stepmother and three half brothers.
Unwelcome Caresses I had to do a lot of adjustments, not an easy feat for a little girl. Living with my new family was like riding a roller coaster for the first time. Considering I was the only girl, I should have been a “daddy’s girl.” I should have reveled in the affection my father used to show. But every time my dad would kiss me, I would always simply wipe it off. It did not feel welcoming. I did not feel love from his embrace and touch. The usual father-and-daughter cuddling moments started to annoy me and give me goosebumps. Why was it like that? Why did I feel threatened? On hindsight, I know now that even at such a young age, I already felt the difference between a father’s love and seductive caresses. But back then there was nobody to turn to, no one to answer my questions. Confusion started to pile up in my brain — agony for a seven-year-old, lonely child. Gullible and confused, I was an easy prey. A year after living with my new family, it started. My dad molested and sexually abused me. I remember struggling and fighting but I was a little girl and he was big and strong and he held power and authority over me. I remember being tormented with questions: Should I stay here? But where will I go? Should I tell anybody? But who? Everyone seemed like the enemy. I do not even recall how I felt after. Perhaps it was too painful, I shelved it, buried it deep within me to a place I thought I would never visit again. But this I do remember: Every day for 12 years, when the day was about to end, when the sun began to set and lose its brightness, when everyone began to prepare for the night’s rest, when all I could hear was complete silence but for the murmuring of crickets, when in a normal world I should have been serene, I knew that my day was only about to begin. My torment was at hand. Then my heart would start to beat so fast it was all I could hear. But I remained silent. Did it do me good? Was it the right thing to do? I do not know. All I know is that there was silence when there should have been apologies, acknowledgement of wrong, and declaration of truth. Silence taught me to just listen, to feel and translate into bitterness and anger whatever my feelings were. It allowed me to go deeper into myself and find a place that surpassed understanding.
My Only Hope I hated myself. I hated my dad, all men and the world. But one thing continued to make me hold on — the Crucified Christ. I was studying in a Catholic school and I eagerly soaked up what the teachers in my Religion class said about God’s
18 KERYGMA • MARCH 2013 unconditional love and His abiding presence. They assured me that He would never abandon me. I took to heart their assertion that if He is with us, who can be against us? I never questioned my God. I waited in silence, but still, even with God at my side, it was a silence fraught with fear. Finally it was fear that made me decide to leave. I feared the possibility that one day it would be his life or mine that would obtain victory through the jagged edge of a knife.
A Man Who Truly Loves Me God is truly good. Through fervent daily prayers to the Crucified Christ, He sent me a man who courageously accepted me for who I was and loved me in spite of my past. Finally there was one man I could love. Despite my fears, I married him. I thought that was the end of it. But I continued to feel haunted. My frequent companions were sleepless nights, and nightmares that made me relive my whole ordeal and made me scream, cry and tremble all over. My husband suffered with me. All he could do was try to hold me while the nightmares lasted. But it was difficult, because while I loved him, at the beginning, my flesh would crawl at his touch. During the day, I could look at him and feel my heart swell with gratitude and love for his understanding, patience and love, but at night all I could see was a man. But he was so patient, caring and loving that my heart used to ache with it. Gradually I started to heal. It helped that we joined the Couples for Christ community and I was further affirmed in my trust and love in the Crucified Christ.
The Healing I Longed For Through all this, I held on to my hate for my dad. One day, someone told me that he was on his deathbed, and I should go and see him. I was then seven months pregnant with our youngest child. And I saw him — a shadow of himself. I was the only one near his bed. I was crying so hard, the doctors and nurses tried to make me leave the room for fear that the stress would cause me to give birth right then and there. They thought I was crying for him! But what I felt was anger. The man lying on the bed must not die! It was unfair that he was just going to leave when he had not yet suffered as much as I had! He must live so that he can suffer greatly and die a prolonged and painful death. Like a cancerous lump, my anger stuck in my throat. I will never be able to explain it, but in the midst of the darkness of my anger and hate, I heard a loud and audible Voice whispering to me, speaking of forgiveness. And the urgency of the Voice’s message was so great that I found myself bending near my dad’s ear. I couldn’t help it. It was not me, but something greater than me that led me to say, “Pa, you can go now, I forgive you.” I had a tendency to hide the bad things in my life under a rug of memories. But to be completely healed, I needed to grow in awareness. God listened to my anger. God embraced me in my shame. God held my hand and sat beside me in my pain. I know God has a purpose in giving me this capacity to grieve, weep and shed tears. I am healing my own wounds. I have now been blissfully married to this wonderful man for 21 years. The Lord has blessed us with three talented and wonderful children. I cannot contain myself in thanking the Lord. Every sigh, every breath I inhale and exhale is a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. I believe I owe a debt I cannot pay, for it was God, who owes me nothing, who paid it.
MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 19 God’s will is for us to have life to the full! (John 10:10b)
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Life’s prime needs are water, bread & clothing, a house too, for decent privacy. (Sirach 29:21) Special Section Introduction
By Bo Sanchez
find it funny sometimes. People come to me asking me to pray for their needs but don’t prepare themselves to receive the answer to their prayers. When you pray for a job, do you equip yourself with the skills needed for the work you’re hoping for? IWhen you pray for a life partner, FAITH do you prepare yourself emotionally, WITHOUT EXPECTATIONS physically, spiritually and financially for marriage? You get what I mean? Faith without expectations is dead. IS DEAD You have to express your faith in tangible ways. You don’t contradict with your actions what you’re praying for in your heart. So the next time you pray for financial blessings, don’t close your mind to opportunities that could be God’s channels of abundance for you. Or when you pray for a new job, don’t just send out one resume — be ready to send even a hundred until you find the one that fits you right. Express your faith, dear friends — and expect good things to happen. God wants you to be happy.
MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 21 Expect good Things
Three Lessons on W How to Get Your Miracles
Special Section
By Bo Sanchez
22 KERYGMA • MARCH 2013 ould you be willing to be married to a I love the spunk. The guts. The audacity. If Elisha were pathological liar? Filipino, he would have played small. He would have been embarrassed. The Filipino Elisha would have said, “Naku, I don’t think so. huwag na lang, nakakahiya naman.” (Never mind, I’m Would you want to do business with embarrassed.) Elijah had to insist three or four times before someone who can’t keep his promises? the Filipino Elisha would say, “O sige na nga, mabahiran mo No, thank you. lang ako ng maski isang patak ng iyong anointing, masaya na ako.” (Just give me a drop of your anointing and I’ll be Would you want to work with a boss who happy.) isn’t a man of his word? (Imagine if, at payday, But Elisha had the nerve, the gall, the boldness to ask he says, “I know I promised to pay you a salary for double. He asked for big things because he believed in a big God who blesses us in a big way. but I’ve changed my mind. I don’t feel like And guess what? He got it. paying you a salary today.”) God didn’t say, “Ang kapal mo!” (You’re thick-faced.) Here’s the deal. Life on Planet Earth would God actually gave Elisha what he asked for. Because Elisha wasn’t asking it for himself. He wanted double totally break down if everyone starts lying. anointing because he wanted to doubly serve God’s people. The only reason why society can still function I’ve noticed that in life, success goes to the bold, the is because there are enough people who daring, the courageous. Success goes to people who ask for don’t lie. big things from God. Let me ask you. When was the last time you were bold? And that’s why despite all your big When was the last time you became ambitious for God? problems, your life can be beautiful and When was the last time you asked something big from God? happy and glorious and successful. Because Let me tell you what happened next to Elisha… Wwhen God says something, you can be sure He Almost Got Double that it will happen. Elijah, in his lifetime, performed seven miracles. Elisha, in his lifetime, performed 13 miracles. The Difference Between You and God It was almost double. When you speak, you’re describing reality. But when Good enough, right? God speaks, He’s not describing reality — He’s Well to God, almost isn’t enough. If God says you get creating reality. double, then you should get double. When I say, “I’m handsome,” I’m describing Soon after Elisha’s death, a group of Israelites were reality. (Sorry for my hallucinatory example.) But burying a man. Because they were in a hurry, they threw when God tells me, “Bo, you’re handsome,” He’s the dead body of their friend in a cave. But that was the cave not describing. He’s creating reality. He’s imparting where Elisha was buried. When the dead body touched the handsomeness unto me. (I apologize. I don’t bones of Elisha, it came to life and the man walked out of have delusions of grandeur. I have delusions of the cave (see 2 Kings 13:21). gorgeousness.) Can you imagine how crazy that scene was? The ex- Let me tell you the story of the prophet dead guy runs after his friends saying, “Hey, wait for me!” Elisha… When his friends turn around and see him running towards them, they probably screamed and ran away! I bet Success Goes to the Bold they broke the record for the 100-meter dash that day. You may be more familiar with the prophet Elijah, That was miracle 14. the guy who brought down fire from heaven. Why? Because if God said double, then it’s going to be The guy who stood with Moses and Jesus in the double. Transfiguration. The guy who rode up to heaven in Here are three lessons I’d like to share with you. a fiery chariot. Well, Elisha was the disciple of Elijah. The sidekick, the understudy, the successor, the Lesson #1: Be Firm with Your Dream heir-apparent. (Forgive me for my crude and juvenile When it comes to pursuing your dreams, there’ll be times in analogy, but if Elijah was Batman, Elisha was Robin — your life when you’ll have to choose between your faith and minus the briefs worn outside the pants.) your feelings. One day, Elijah knew that he was in the pre-departure Your feelings are your friends, but they’re not your area to heaven. Before he boarded Chariot Airways, he masters. Your feelings are the windows to your soul, but asked Elisha, “What do you want?” (See 2 Kings 2:9.) they’re not your soul. I love Elisha’s answer. Elisha said, “Give me a double There are days when your faith and your feelings will portion of your anointing.” conflict with each other — when you feel discouraged,
MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 23 disappointed and depressed. Acknowledge your feelings, but don’t You’ll hear yourself say, “Maybe I heard wrong. Maybe follow them. Follow your faith. this isn’t what God wants me to do…” When your feelings and your faith contradict with Listen to Your Feelings But Follow Your Faith each other, listen to your feelings, acknowledge them, If you’re facing gigantic problems right now, your feelings may be accept them, but follow your faith alone. telling you, “It’s all over for me. All is lost. Throw in the towel. Give up! You can trust God. Because God’s promise will come There is no more hope for me…” But today, your faith is telling you, true. “I’ve already won the victory. I can’t just see it yet. But it’s already a done deal. I’m a conqueror. I’m a champion.” Did God Really Call Me to Write? Your feelings may be telling you, “My body is sick. My doctor When I was 20 years old, I felt God calling me to write. says I’m sick. The results of my medical exam say I’m sick. So I might So I wrote my first ever book, When My Brook Runs as well die right now…” But today, your faith is telling you, “God is Dry. healing me. And I’ll grow to a ripe old age. I have many more years People who read that book told me how blessed of service to the Lord.” they were. Your feelings may be telling you, “I’ll always be poor. I’ll always So I kept writing more magazines and more books. have debts. I’ll always be asking for money from friends and family.” Not long after that, a priest came up to me and But today, your faith is telling you, “A day will come when I’ll have no asked, “Bo, when will you finally write the real Word of more debts. A day will come when I’ll have a river of money flowing God?” Disturbed by his question, I asked him, “Father, into my life. A day will come when I’ll have another problem — the what do you mean?” problem of having too much money.” He said, “So far, you’ve been writing about stories, jokes and other petty things. You’re giving people candy. Did God Really Call Me to Preach? When will you give your people the real meat?” When I was 13 years old, my prayer group leader prophesied to me, This was early in my writing career, and again, I felt “Bo, God will anoint you with wisdom. You will preach the Gospel all very discouraged. This priest was telling me that I was a over the world.” terrible writer. That I wasn’t really giving God’s Word. I held on to these words. And I began preaching in our small My feelings were telling me, “Give up your writing. prayer group of 20 to 30 people. And I seemed to be doing OK. You’re only entertaining people, not really giving God’s People were telling me that they were blessed by my simple words. Word.” But one day, for the first time in my life, I was invited to give a But my faith was telling me, “Don’t stop. This priest talk in a Bible seminar. My audience was still 20 to 30 people. But I doesn’t like your writing. But how many people was intimidated by the word “seminar.” It felt so official, so formal, so have written to you, telling you that they’re serious. What was I, a 14-year-old kid, doing there, giving a talk in a blessed by your books? This priest is a scholar seminar? who wants you to write like a priest. But you’re Because of my fears, my talk bombed. For 15 minutes, I mumbled not a priest. God has called you to write in a through my talk. I meandered my way from one confusing point particular way!” to another. I was perspiring cold sweat. My tongue was twisting, Thank God, I followed my faith. Today, my voice was squeaking, my knees were shaking. At that point, I I’m writing my 32nd book. wanted to be an ostrich — I wanted to dig a hole in the ground and Here’s my second lesson from Elisha’s bury my head. story. When I finally sat down, the seminar organizer had to stand up on stage and say, “What Brother Bo was trying to say was…” He had Lesson #2: Be Flexible with Your to give the entire talk all over again. Deadline After the event was over, the seminar organizer took me to Elisha’s 14th miracle didn’t happen until one corner and said, “Bo, it’ll be better if you just limit yourself to after his death. speaking to kids only…” Ouch. I felt crushed. In other words, he was When your dreams don’t come true, telling me that I was a terrible speaker. In my heart, I felt God’s call perhaps there’s nothing wrong with your for me to preach was over. dreams. Perhaps there’s something wrong My feelings said, “Perhaps God made a mistake. Perhaps I made with your deadlines. a mistake and heard God wrongly. Perhaps I’m not really called to be Dreams should have deadlines, but a speaker but to set up the audio speakers for the prayer meeting.” they should be flexible. But my faith said, “God chose me to be a preacher. God anointed It’s important to have deadlines. It’s me. God appointed me. Sure, I failed today. But I’ll learn from this important to say, “I’ll launch my business by failure. The best is yet to come!” June 2013” or “I’ll lose 20 pounds by December The next time there was an opportunity, I gave another talk. 2013” or “I’ll be debt-free by July 2014” or “I’ll own And another. And another. my house by January 2015.” So far, I’ve been preaching for 34 years. Deadlines are good because they push you to God’s promise came true. action. Friend, let me warn you: There will be days when you’ll doubt But I believe that your biggest dreams should have God’s promise for you. Feelings of despair will cloud your thinking. flexible deadlines. Precisely because they’re bigger than
24 KERYGMA • MARCH 2013 you are, you don’t rush these things. You wait — with profound serving God for decades. But no matter how much they reverence — for a confluence of blessings to happen, for a prayed for a child, the child never came. tipping point of miracles to take place. It’s easy for their feelings to tell them, “You’re Why doesn’t He rush? Because God’s priority isn’t your incomplete. You’re inadequate. Because you don’t have destination but your development. God’s priority isn’t the a child.” dream but the dreamer. I had lunch with them one day. With deep emotion, Be flexible with your deadlines because God is very Rolly was telling me what his faith was telling him. He flexible with time. The Bible says, “With the Lord a day is like a said, “Bo, God has made me complete. Why? I may not thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter have any biological children, but by God’s grace, I have so 3:8). many sons today! Many young men from our community My biggest dream is to build 1,000 Feasts visit me, talk to me, ask for my fatherly counsel, and seek around the world. People always ask me, “When will my fatherly blessing.” that happen?” I felt so blessed talking to Rolly and Donna. People are shocked when I tell them, “I don’t They dreamt of becoming biological parents to two know when that will happen. I just know it will. I or three children. But God wanted them to be spiritual don’t have a strict deadline for this dream. Who parents to thousands. knows? Perhaps it will happen in 2020. Perhaps in 2025. Or even later. All I know is I’m enjoying Never in a Hurry every day that we’re making it happen. I’m You know what our most common mistake is when it positive that it will happen in my lifetime, comes to making our dreams come true? We think too because I plan to live a long and happy life. But small and think too fast. But I’ve noticed that God does I won’t get depressed if it happens after I die. the very opposite: In our minds, God thinks too big and Because the dream is bigger than me.” too slow (at least compared to our busy, frenzied lives)! We think too small. Learn to think big. Enlarge your Lesson #3: Be Free with Your Details vision. Because we worship a big God who wants to Your dreams must also have details — just bless us in a big way. don’t be attached to them. You We think too fast. But God is never in a hurry. He need details because details loves taking His sweet time. He enjoys the journey. I fuel your imagination — repeat: He doesn’t prioritize the dream; He prioritizes the and imagination is more dreamer. He prioritizes you — what you become in the powerful than your process of making your dreams come true. intellect. You need You can trust Him all the way. details to make your Expect good things from our great God. dream visible and palpable. Email me at [email protected]. For example, if you’re praying for a car, tell God what brand, what model, what color and what features you want in your car — if you want a back-up Bo’s Action Steps: sensor, leather seats, a DVD player. But at the end of the day, if you really 1. List down your life dreams and trust God, give Him describe them in detail. freedom to alter your details to give you the best possible car that 2. Pray for your dreams. Keep them in you need for your life. your daily consciousness. Always be open to God’s best for you. 3. Ask for the grace to remain open to Why Didn’t God Give how and when the Lord wants to Them a Child? grant your dreams. I was talking to Rolly and Donna España, leaders at The Feast PICC. They’ve been MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 25 Special Section Testimony Randy uses his gift of preaching to inspire many people. M
Full-time Service, Full-scale Randy with wife, Lovella, and sons, Ice (Isaiah Benedict, 6) and Jas Miracle (Jeremiah Anthony, 9). By Randy Feria as told to Lella M. Santiago
26 KERYGMA • MARCH 2013 y arms were outstretched; my face was bathed God’s Deadline in tears as I sang the offertory song, “Kunin mo, But God had a different deadline for me. Bristol O Diyos, at tanggapin Mo ang aking kalayaan, Myers closed down its Philippine operations. I ang aking kalooban.” During the Mass for the was offered a redundancy package with the exact National Leaders’ Training Conference of Ang amount that I forecasted my savings would reach Lingkod ng Panginoon Community, God’s call when I turn 40. It was like the Lord telling me, “I can’t to serve Him full-time resounded strongly in wait till you’re 40. I want you now.” So I retired at 35 my heart. I was 23 years old then. and gave myself fully to His service. Figuring out what to do for the Lord wasn’t The Dilemma and the Dream so simple. The day after I retired, I drove alone to God’s call started my investigation into a Tagaytay to pray and discern where He wanted me life in the priesthood. But when I was going through a state of life to go. I used Rick Warren’s model of understanding Mdiscernment, I felt that my calling was for marriage. Probably because my “shape” as my platform for discernment. I came of my strong family background, there was a desire to be a good parent out of that retreat still not knowing where to go like mine were. My dilemma was how to serve the Lord in bigger ways but with an understanding of my gifts: leadership, and yet be able to provide comfortably for the family I was going to preaching, writing and knowledge of the financial build. industry. My prayer at the end of that day was, “Lord, The plan that I came up with was to succeed in corporate life, save, just open the doors and and then retire early to serve the Lord full-time. My goal was to retire I’ll enter where You at 40. want me to go.” With God at the center of their Suddenly, things lives, the Ferias remain as one My Life on Track opened up. My wife and tight and happy family. “Love, are you willing to live a very simple life?” I asked my then fiancée I now serve as pastoral when we were undergoing marriage discernment. She probably leaders for couples wondered why I asked because my career was doing well. I explained in Ligaya. I’m also that I planned to retire early to go on full-time mission. We have to live part of the leadership simply so I could do that. A simple life will also give me the confidence team of the district to turn my back on the corporate world if ever my integrity would be and the preachers’ put to the test. I was blessed in finding the right partner in life as she pool and head of the supported my dream. evangelization ministry. This was the same principle that guided our decision not to accept Furthermore, I was the luxurious life of expatriates in Singapore. While I would earn more, called to the Institute for it would destroy our plan to retire early. That kind of living might Pastoral Development engulf us — a beautiful condo, an international school education for (IPD) to train and our children, and country club membership. empower the people The Lord honors the decisions we make in His name. I rose through of God in fulfilling the the ranks very fast. At the height of my career, I was the Regional Supply mission of the Church. Chain Director for Asia and the Pacific of Bristol Myers, in charge of I sit in IPD’s board and 16 countries and five manufacturing plants. I eventually got to enjoy serve as president and executive director. some of the expat perks while living here in the Philippines. Because of the expertise I gained while building While going up the corporate ladder, I never stopped serving the up a portfolio for my retirement, I was given a Lord. My days were busy at work; my nights were busy doing service. personal ministry — helping people manage I became part of the mission team that set up different Lingkod their finances. This started when I was asked to branches and oversaw them. Ultimately, I became part of the Board give lectures on stewardship, financial planning of Trustees and its national treasurer. When we got married, Love and I and management. I have taught starters and low- moved to Ligaya ng Panginoon, where we continue to serve. income earners, like missionaries and foundation As I worked and served, I built up my financial portfolio. I studied the volunteers, to invest regularly. There are also investment products offered by banks and other financial institutions retirees, middle managers and big investors whose and became very knowledgeable about the market. My plan to retire portfolios I manage. Through this ministry, the Lord early was backed by continuous investments. I envisioned the life I provides me with additional inflows to fund my wanted and determined my family’s requirements if I were to go into mission trips. full-time mission work. My goal was never to be rich. It was to provide Serving the Lord is not without struggles but well for my family so I could serve God in bigger ways. I always prayed, because I entrusted the details to Him, He has “Lord, support this plan of mine to retire at 40 and then I’m Yours.” blessed me. Today, after five years of being a full- When I turned 35, my life was on track. If things continued the way time servant, the portfolio I retired with is even they had been for five years, my projected investments would reach bigger than when I started. More than that, God has the level I needed to give my family a comfortable life. blessed my family and my ministries.
MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 27 Express Your Faith Special Section
By Bo Sanchez
Let Your Actions Speak What You Believe and Pray For
28 KERYGMA • MARCH 2013 here was a bunch of farmers. They were experiencing a drought. The rain was delayed. Their crops were getting dry. Every Sunday, they would go to church and pray, “Lord, give us rain!” And then one Sunday, the priest said to the farmers, “You guys, you lack faith.” And the farmers said, “Father, how do you know that we lack faith?” The priest said, “Every Sunday, you pray for rain. But how many of you brought an umbrella today?” They looked at one another and they realized that no one, not a single man, brought an umbrella. So the priest said, “If you really believed that God will give you rain, why didn’t you bring an umbrella?” The next Sunday, everyone brought an umbrella, but the rains still didn’t come. The next Sunday, they brought their umbrellas again. The rains still didn’t come. But on the third week, the rain came. We need to identify our umbrella. I’ve shared this with you before. My dream is 1,000 Feasts. You know what my umbrella is? To have 1,000 Feasts, we need 1,000 Feast leaders we call Builders. So we’re raising them up. We’re training Tyoung leaders now. And the time will come when we will have 1,000 Feasts. But the umbrella is very important. What is your umbrella? How do you express your faith? Do you believe that God will give you an abundant life? Do you believe that God will bless your family? Do you believe that your dreams will come true? Express your faith. What is your umbrella? Bring it with you. Build it.
Jesus said, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will be able to tell that mountain, ‘Move,’ and it will move.” — Matthew 17:20
Even if your faith is small, you have to plant it. You have to express that faith. Sometimes what happens is that we get fixated with our own version of our dreams. Some of you may be praying for something and that something hasn’t happened yet. Perhaps you’ve written a dream in your Novena to God’s Love booklet and it’s been a year. Somehow, the signs are not there and God is not doing anything. Are you experiencing that? Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that maybe God is not listening, maybe He’s forgotten you, or maybe you’re insignificant to Him.
MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 29 If you go through those feelings, my encouragement to you is this: never give up. Because our God is a God who will never give up on His dreams for your life. He was the one who gave you those dreams. What you need to give up sometimes is your version of your dream. Because there are many versions and your version may not be the best one. I shared this a long time ago. I was fixated on a 500-square-meter property and I told myself that it will be the center for the Light of Jesus. This is the place where we will meet, where we will hold office, and so on. I would visit that property and, with faith in my heart, I would lift up my hand, hold the fence, and pray, “Jesus, this is our property. In Jesus’ name!” I was so tenacious. I went to the prayer meeting of the Light of Jesus Family, a very small community then. I told them, “Let’s pray that this 500-square- meter property will be ours.” We fasted. We went on vigil. For three nights, we didn’t sleep. We were praying nonstop, kneeling down before the Blessed Sacrament. We went on a massive fund-raising campaign. We went Christmas caroling in August. Then came the day when we found out that someone had bought the property — and it wasn’t us. Our hearts sank. The group was devastated. I remember that first prayer meeting after we found out was like a funeral. Some of us even cried. And I remember, I had to speak. I was the leader. How do you lift them up? I had to tell them, “God has something better for us.” You know what? God did give us the best version. He did answer our prayer. When? Ten years later! Sometimes our timing is not God’s timing. Sometimes we want it now, but God says, “No, now is not the right time.” Ten years later, God gave us a property, but it was not 500 square meters. It was not 1,000 square meters. It was not 5,000 square meters. It was not even 10,000 square meters. It was 50,000 square meters! And that’s where Anawim, our ministry for the abandoned elderly, now stands. Friends, I believe this: when we were praying for that 500-square-meter property, when I was putting my hand over the fence and praying over that lot, God must have been scratching His head. God must have been laughing. Don’t be attached to your version of your dream. Because God has a bigger and better dream for you.
And so I am sure that God who began this good work in you will carry it on until it is finished on the day of Christ Jesus. — Philippians 1:6
Two Basic Faith Principles
1. You are a work of God. You are God’s idea. You are God’s design. You are God’s plan. You are God’s masterpiece. When you understand that, it will blow your mind.
30 KERYGMA • MARCH 2013 I remember many, many years ago, when I was deep in my like a rose plant. There’s a bud in us that will addiction and I was falling into sin, I really felt ashamed of myself. blossom into a beautiful rose — with thorns. Do you feel that sometimes when you do something wrong? I We have weaknesses. We have blemishes, felt so ashamed of my existence. And then I imagined that God scars, wounds and imperfections. But God will would feel the same thing when He would look at me, like when I not give up on us. came to Him in prayer. I really felt God was ashamed of me. We are a work in progress. We may be Then one day many years ago, a friend of mine gave me a messy, dirty, weak, frail, but God says, “I will cassette tape. (The cassette tape is the predecessor of the CD.) not give up on you until you blossom, until She came from Hong Kong. She wrote a note, “You have to listen you are done. And when you are complete, to this worship song.” So I put it in the cassette recorder and I it’s going to be an amazing day. You will see listened to the worship song, which was in Chinese. As I was yourself perfect.” listening to it, I was telling myself, “It’s vaguely familiar.” After a Friend, express your faith. few seconds, it hit me — it was my song! I wrote that song and Believe that when God created you, He someone translated it into Chinese. planted big dreams in your heart. You know how I felt? I felt so happy and so proud — proud Believe that, no matter what you’ve been in a healthy way. Hey, that’s my song! Then I felt God speak to me, through in life, you will one day blossom “Bo, you’re My son. I made you. Every time I look at you, I feel according to His design. so happy and proud. If you think that I’m ashamed of you, think Believe that no matter how many again. You are My concept. You are My idea — every part of you, prayers and dreams remain unanswered every fiber of your soul. I fashioned you. You are My masterpiece, and unfulfilled, you will one day get the best Bo, and I’m so proud of you.” version of His dreams for you. Friends, that is your God. When He looks at you, He wears a Have faith — and express it. big smile on His face. He is rejoicing and saying, “You’re mine.” Email me at [email protected]. 2. You are a work in progress. You know, I live in a tiny house, but I love it. But when we were building it many years ago, I didn’t like it at all. I would visit the house and it was messy. There was scaffolding, pieces of wood and cement bags lying around. It was messy, dirty and dusty. BO’S ACTION STEPS: Friends, that’s who you are. You’re a work in progress. You’re still being made, and you’re messy and dirty. You’re weak, but it’s OK. No matter what sin, blemish, scar, wound or dirt you have, it’s OK. Because God is not finished with you yet. He is still working in you. 1. What are you praying for right Remember the story of Aladdin? He found a dirty, old lamp now? Do you believe God will so he rubbed it. That’s when the lamp turned magical and a genie grant your prayer? emerged from it. Friend, you are the lamp. It’s OK if you’re dirty because God 2. Examine your words and actions. will rub you and work on you and heal you and shine you and Do they express your faith or anoint you and equip you and work on you until your magic do they contradict what you’re comes out — until your holiness and your goodness come out. praying for? There’s a story of a little girl who was given a tiny rose plant. Excited, she planted it. She visited it every day and watered it. One day, she saw a little bud. She was so happy. A little flower was coming out! But when she saw the thorns beneath the bud, she frowned. They were prickly and ugly. She liked the rose but she didn’t like the thorns. So she gave up her tiny rose plant. She stopped visiting it. She no longer watered it. And the rose never bloomed because the plant died. Thank God He is not like that little girl. Because you and I are
MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 31 Mayette and Ben, together with their children (inset), live out SGod’special mission for them Sectionday by day. Testimony I
Conceived 18 Years Ago: A PRAYER GROUP AMONG NEIGHBORS
32 KERYGMA • MARCH 2013 By Ben and Mayette Salvedia n 1989, Elisa Mangahas, a woman in her early fifties, was diagnosed with early-stage cancer. Her sister, Tita Neneng, invited her to a big prayer gathering of the Light of Jesus Community in Quezon City. My wife, Mayette, was led to pray over her during Communion. A few days later, Tita Elisa went to her doctor for checkup. After some tests, she was told they could not see any trace of cancer in her. She attributed her healing to the pray-over. Out of gratitude, Tita Elisa, who owned a subdivision, gifted Mayette with a lot in Montalban, Rizal, in 1992 just as we were preparing to get married. She was also the same person who donated a big parcel of land where Anawim, our home for the abandoned The women who serve as prayer intercessors of the community. elderly, now stands.
I These are just some of the members of the Sambahayan ng Diyos Community. Praying for God’s Direction Shown in the background is the planned community center. The Salvedias’ Since the time the Lord called us to serve Him as full-time unfinished house is on the right. missionaries even before we got married, our greatest desire was to be sent out into His mission field. Every year, our family would go on a retreat to pray and plan for God’s direction for us. We would ask the Lord to purify us individually and as a family for mission work. Before Montalban, we were renting an apartment owned by an aunt. But since she was coming home from Canada, she needed her place. That was our go signal not just to move out but to have a place that was finally our own. In one of our prayer moments, we sensed that the Lord was leading us to go to Montalban. He reminded us of our small lot in Barangay San Isidro. Then, it was an undeveloped subdivision surrounded by rice fields and mountains, without her husband may be converted. She mistook our house for even electricity and a water system. We prayed hard and asked a church! our brothers and sisters and some leaders in our community One of our neighbors also told us that every time she to pray for us. We originally planned to build fences and a hut hears us praying and singing, she would face our house in our lot, where we could conduct a prayer meeting and a and sing with us even if she didn’t know the songs. feeding program for children during weekends. Soon, they invited other neighbors and we found On one occasion, we shared our plan with Bo Sanchez. He ourselves meeting together regularly to listen and share on said our plan was good but it would be better if we built our the Word of God. Thus, a prayer and a Bible sharing group own house there so we could get to know the neighborhood was born. I would lead the prayer meeting and Mayette and be able to minister to them more. By God’s power and would assist me, while our sons serve in the music, children grace, all these came true through generous brothers and and facilities ministries. Thus, we adopted our battle cry: sisters who prayed and supported us so that God’s plan would “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua happen. And praise God, His house — and ours — was built! 24:15). We transferred to our new but unfinished house on July After a year, the group prayed for its name and we 25, 2009. It was the same year when we made a covenant were inspired by Isaiah 56:7: “For my house shall be called commitment to God through the Ligaya ng Panginoon (LNP) a house of prayer for all peoples.” We are now called Community. The Lord gave us both our permanent physical and Sambahayan ng Diyos Community. It was born on August spiritual home. 13, 2009, but God had planted this vision in our hearts 20 years before. Unknowingly Attracting Our Neighbors Since then, our community has grown. Most of the We homeschool our children so we start our day with our daily households near our place are now part of our prayer family morning worship and a study of God’s Word. community. Aside from our regular prayer meetings, we After a month in our new home, Boyet Cruz, one of the also give catechism lessons so they could receive the trusted workers during our house construction, approached sacraments, such as baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist me and asked if it was possible for him to learn and also teach and matrimony. In December 2012, we had our second his wife and children to pray and sing worship songs. So, we Mass wedding for the community members. invited his family to our home and shared with them our life It is for God’s glory that we, His humble servants, mission. His wife, Jackie, gratefully admitted that she had been continue to do His mission in the place where He has sent praying to the Lord to have a church near their place and that us. MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 33 Hi, Lost copy? I’m Sarah! Changed address? Defective copy?
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Faith and Feedback store manager of one of the more popular quick service Here are five suggestions for delivering effective restaurants in the Philippines shared an experience with one of feedback: their crew members. This guy had a very strong body odor, but 1. Pray for the other person and for the right time to they didn’t know how to tell him. They took an indirect approach talk to him. You’ll be amazed at how God can arrange by writing the message on a napkin and asking the guard to give a situation for you to be alone with that person at an it to the server. The guard was supposed to say that it came from a opportune moment. customer. The crew member became angry and insisted that the 2. Make sure you have your facts straight. Don’t just base guard tell him who the customer was. The guard was put in an your feedback on hearsay. embarrassing position and was forced to lie. They began to avoid 3. Focus on strengths more than weaknesses. When we give each other and the crew member began to withdraw from the feedback, it is to give correction. But don’t be surprised team. if people start avoiding you or react negatively to your A feedback. A wise saying on raising children applies to The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of work: “For every word of correction you give your child, the wicked is of little value. make sure to give them 10 words of encouragement.” — Proverbs 10:20 4. Be specific in why you have decided to share and what you want to talk about. Avoid general statements like Why is it difficult to give corrective or negative feedback to “your bad attitude” or “your toxic personality.” others? One common reason is the fear of hurting the person or 5. Praise and encourage in public but correct in private. breaking a relationship or of being rejected. In reality, if we cared Be especially careful about putting your correction more about the other person than ourselves, we could see this as a in writing and sending a copy to everyone. This will gesture of love and care. definitely not help your relationship and distract from the area for improvement. Truthful words endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. An anxious heart wears a man down, but a kind word — Proverbs 12:19 cheers him up. — Proverbs 12:25 Another reason is a popular Filipino value — smooth interpersonal relationships, which is When we find ourselves in the difficult position of common both in families and organizations. having to deliver critical feedback to a coworker, consider People will preserve “harmony” rather than these questions: “If I tell her, what could happen? If I don’t, tell the truth or discipline another for their what would happen?” Often, not speaking the truth in love own growth. These unspoken remarks are may cause more harm than good. Better again to heed the often “swept under the rug” until they words of King Solomon, the wisest (and richest) leader of his explode into conflicts or even time: separation. From the fruit of his lips a person is filled with good Reckless words pierce things as surely as the work of his or her hands brings like a sword, but the reward. — Proverbs 12:14 tongue of the wise brings healing. For comments, email me at [email protected]. — Proverbs 12:18 MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 35
K Preacher
By Obet Cabrillas Grief Turned into Joy
cried profusely. And it was in the most unlikely place: a my life. I was tempted to ask God why it happened recording studio. to us. Yet I wanted to console Joie. You see, my Feast Councils (both Feasts Manila and With much pain, I prayed for inspiration. Pasig) encouraged me to record all the songs that I had And I found myself writing the song, written as a way of thanking God for my 40th birthday — to “Naghihintay na Pag-ibig:” make it more significant. I followed their suggestion and our recording day Bawat araw aking hinihintay (Each day I await) finally came. Ang ‘yong pagdating dito sa ’king piling (For While I was singing with all my heart, one of my songs, your coming, here in my presence) I“Naghihintay na Pag-ibig” (Love Awaiting), I recalled the Nakalaan aking puso, upang ibigin ka (My heart story behind the song. is offered to love you) It was so difficult to continue singing as I fought the At aking tanggapin sa aking piling (And accept tears from falling. you here in my life) Then both the arranger and the sound engineer told Pagmamahal na hindi naghahangad ng me to sit for a while in the recording booth because they anumang kapalit (The kind of love that doesn’t needed to attend to some technical matters. ask for anything in return) While seated, I burst into intense yet liberating anguish. Kinabukasang puno ng pag-asa (A future full of I remember vividly the scenario behind the song. hope) Years back, my wife, Joie, worked as a staff nurse in a Nakalaan sa ’yo giliw (Offered unto you alone, pediatric ward in one of the busiest government hospitals. my beloved) She was two or three months pregnant yet she continued to work with the babies in the pediatric ward. I said earlier, it was an “intense yet liberating There was even a case of an infant that Joie was trying anguish.” to revive. The body was all bloodied up, with parts of the Because now, we have two adorable children: baby’s nose and ears cut. Apparently, the mother had left Rob, 9, and Reese, 4. the baby in a trash can at a street corner. A scavenger came God is faithful: He turned our mourning into just in time to snatch it from the rats. The dancing! baby eventually didn’t make it. Have hope, my friend. It’s ironic that God is also writing a beautiful song in your life. some parents His love never fails. don’t want their babies while Email Obet at [email protected]. Joie and I were deprived of Note: The song, “Naghihintay na Pagmamahal,” is one. included in Obet’s album, You Brought Me Joy. For Joie information about the album, call or text 0932-879-2962 eventually or (02) 217-1062. had a Obet Cabrillas is the Feast Builder of The Pasig Feast and miscarriage. The Manila Feast. The Pasig Feast happens every Sunday, It was 10:00 am and 1:00 p.m. at the Valle Verde Country Club. The one of the Manila Feast is held every Friday, 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at gloomiest days of Cinema 4 of SM Manila. MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 37
One Last Story A Lifetime of Friendship with Little Thérèse By Corazon A. Zuñiga
my arm and was brought to the hospital for surgery. I begged my doctor to delay the surgery so that I could say goodbye to my beloved Saint. I made it just in time for the farewell Mass. I promised that, for as long as I live, I would spend my life telling people about her and her message of hope. There was word of her return to the country in five years’ time but I didn’t realize that this next visit would be even more meaningful.
St. Thérèse’s Intercession In 2011, as we were beginning to prepare for the third visit of am 75 years old and there have been many times when St. Thérèse to the Philippines, my faith has been tested. And yet, God continues to I complained of stomach shower me with mercy. He has taken care of me and has pains and constipation. I Cora’s coservants in her parish cheer carried me through all the trials of my life. He also sent was brought to the hospital her up. me St. Thérèse of Lisieux to be my friend and confidante and the doctors found a — my constant reminder of God’s faithfulness. growth in my colon and the St. Thérèse was a simple Carmelite nun from diagnosis was staggering. I Lisieux, France, who saw in her own suffering the had stage 2 colon cancer. face of a God who loves her and who loves all of us I prayed for my recovery unconditionally. Through her life story, God reminds but I was also prepared to me that I am cherished despite my “smallness.” accept God’s will even if it meant my death. My only IMeeting St. Thérèse prayer was to be given time I first “met” St. Thérèse in 1981 when I became a church volunteer and strength to welcome St. at the Villamor Airbase Chapel, which was dedicated to St. Thérèse when she visits the Thérèse. My husband, Antonio, was a Philippine Air Force officer, shrine again. so we lived inside the Airbase (now Barangay Villamor). With prayers from family In 1989, my then 49-year-old husband passed away, leaving and friends, I recovered Cora and her colleagues when the me to take care of our six children, the youngest of whom was remarkably well from shrine was being built. only in Grade 1. I was in shock as my husband, a healthy man the surgery. Soon, I was without any vices, suffered a stroke and died after a month. undergoing chemotherapy, I was employed but my income wasn’t enough to cover all from which I did not suffer any major side effects. I’d like to our needs. But I never lost hope. I continued to work hard and believe that St. Thérèse held my hand through my treatments pray even harder. Despite the untimely loss of my husband, my and helped me go through it without vomiting, headaches and family and I never went a day hungry. My children were able to even hair loss. finish their education. When we felt like giving up, St. Thérèse I was back on my feet, working and serving at the shrine always sent us a sign that God’s help was on the way. in no time. One month before her pilgrim relics’ return in I poured my heart into helping build her shrine that took December 2012, I received the results of my last CT scan and the place of our old Airbase Chapel. In 2008, one year after the found that there were no abnormalities or growth in my body. I magnificent shrine in honor of St. Thérèse was finished, her pilgrim was fully healed of my cancer. relics came to the Philippines a second time (the first visit was in There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t thank the Lord 2000) and its first and last stop was at the shrine. Unfortunately, and my little Thérèse for healing me and for allowing me to before the relics were scheduled to depart, I accidentally fractured continue serving my family and the people around me.
MARCH 2013 • KERYGMA 39 Point of Contact
By Bo Sanchez I pray that you receive your miracles in Jesus’ name!
pray that God lift your trials, heal your diseases, bless your problems and direct you to the path He wants you to take. I pray that God remove your fears and give you the courage to surrender your burdens to Him. So place your hand over my hand, and let’s pray with trust, together with our prayer team of intercessors praying for you right now…
IThis page is our Point of Contact, our spiritual connection.
Say after me…
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Lord, I surrender to You my worries and anxieties. I surrender to You my needs, my problems, my trials. I place them all in Your big hands. And I open myself to all that You want to give to me. On this day, I say yes to Your love, to Your blessings, to Your healing, to Your miracles. And Lord, specifically, I ask for the following miracles for my life... I believe that You answer my prayers in the best way possible! And I thank You in advance for the perfect answers to my prayers. I also ask for the special intercession of Mama Mary. I pray all this in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen!
SPECIAL INTENTION FOR THIS MONTH: Bless the readers of Kerygma, Lord. Help them renew their faith in You and seek You in their lives. May they learn to ask — and ask rightly — for the things that will truly make them happy. May they find in their hearts the dreams that You have planted there. And may they never give up when You seem to be silent and are not answering their prayers. May they learn to desire the Blesser more than the blessings. Amen. Email your prayer requests to me at [email protected] or write to me at Shepherd’s Voice Publications, #60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109.
40 KERYGMA • MARCH 2013