tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250775008426715352024-02-06T19:57:17.882-08:00Franciscan OuineAbout faith, hope, love, Franciscanism but most of all, it's all about GodPrecious C. Lee Cundañganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628443966963955120noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077500842671535.post-73711592707992844802011-01-07T03:50:00.000-08:002011-01-07T03:55:21.070-08:005 WAYS FOR A NEW YOU IN THE NEW YEAR<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Jn_c5dNDVbhDi1DTahSevp_T8ZE96T836fGrexsipC4sfmUDLCYaZQ-ePZUm3qXXrN7M-tYp1yCRoalXS5As3EkBm_TlKO0PjV3B7LK5ZtCkLS2qOZbRHSnQNcMiTuEkYZTKuQBB9w/s1600/2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Jn_c5dNDVbhDi1DTahSevp_T8ZE96T836fGrexsipC4sfmUDLCYaZQ-ePZUm3qXXrN7M-tYp1yCRoalXS5As3EkBm_TlKO0PjV3B7LK5ZtCkLS2qOZbRHSnQNcMiTuEkYZTKuQBB9w/s200/2011.jpg" width="160" /></a><strong><em>"Put off the old man his deeds and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created Him." Corinthians 13:9-10</em></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">If there's one tradition that majority of the whole world does, it's making resolutions.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">At the beginning of the year, we all want to change something and be a better person. It is already imbibed in our psyche that we ought to do new year's resolutions and try to fulfill them. Most of the time people would have a number of resolutions and at the end of the year ends up fulfilling any of them. After all we want to change, for one reason or another, that's the whole logic of resolutions. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">There are many ways to be able to make sure we get to do them and here are 5 few tips that you may want to consider.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">1) Know what you really want to change, do one or two resolutions. This is for practical purposes. It is easier to be able to accomplish a resolution if you would focus on one or two things to change.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">2) Ask God that you want to change with His help and guidance. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">3) Accept God and let God work through you to change in the process.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">4) Do not expect to change overnight or you will get frustrated - change isn't immediate it is gradual.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">5) If you find yourself not fulfilling what you set yourself out to do, you're permitted to be frustrated but zero tolerance when it comes to letting yourself give up. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If there is one thing I learned best in Prayer and Life Workshop is that people don't really change, they only improve. Changes take years to permanently be iradicated. It is a matter of habit and willpower but most of all it would be in God's infinite gracious hands that you must be lead all the way to the righteous path you chose. He is the wonderful consoler to those who are weary and those who are willing to be renewed in life. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In whatever you do, have God blessed it. We were all made in His image and likeness, our greatest goal in life in try to be like Him in His goodness and loving nature. Changes maybe inevitable but it may cause some effort, discipline and a lot of God in acquiring them.</div>Precious C. Lee Cundañganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628443966963955120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077500842671535.post-37278515558366272502010-12-28T04:07:00.000-08:002010-12-28T04:14:20.592-08:004 Scenarios Why the Holy Family is Still a Relevant Model Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Xt-EMuqZ8gUs2Ts7I5QGfE0i1NGa6kNCbWlikBZ4SYWsjmGJs-NW5S9Y2p0Jz28q4CyLCvET3FYXCwP8VlbsmvAJqP1A_hxOyg9m7O49oBx-MelrRbkHqAyNdvUdseJ-865zDj-g7g/s1600/Holy+Family+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Xt-EMuqZ8gUs2Ts7I5QGfE0i1NGa6kNCbWlikBZ4SYWsjmGJs-NW5S9Y2p0Jz28q4CyLCvET3FYXCwP8VlbsmvAJqP1A_hxOyg9m7O49oBx-MelrRbkHqAyNdvUdseJ-865zDj-g7g/s320/Holy+Family+2.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup><i><b>"And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth here firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because they was no room for them in the inn." - Luke 2:6-7</b></i></sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christmas is not just a time for just children but it is also a time for families.</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In these trying times with economic and moral degradation, it is quite sad that more and more families fall into a dysfunctional situation.</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amidst all these, the Holy Family serves a role model eventhough they existed thousand years ago.</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The Untouchables</b></i></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>I just noticed that one of the things why people are often wary about applying the lives of Holy people to our daily lives is we often picture them so Holy and Perfect.</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>Perhaps Mother Mary and Jesus are but that does not mean they are unreachable and irrelevant. </sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup> </sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>Take for instance the Holy Family. It was during this last Sunday's homily that I truly understand why the Holy Family is still relevant to our society as well. They maybe the ideal family but the trials that they have encountered were not full of bliss.</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup><br />
</sup></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1LWKDOyjqdsjtFfYmSjr_nyWMCc619KeBB1kyZc5jJfEUs8M4gp6DDHwmfrk9j17rC86O1jUDCF9wFCc7gZm9YdZ77bpaKQg6bIB3gox7WGDKEoHICg96bqqEihvTamkj9VE-7cdrQ/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1LWKDOyjqdsjtFfYmSjr_nyWMCc619KeBB1kyZc5jJfEUs8M4gp6DDHwmfrk9j17rC86O1jUDCF9wFCc7gZm9YdZ77bpaKQg6bIB3gox7WGDKEoHICg96bqqEihvTamkj9VE-7cdrQ/s200/a.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup><b>1 - Uncertain Future vs. Great Faith - </b></sup></span><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>Imagine how a teenager like Mother Mary felt that she will have a child from a man she hardly knows, to a man she was forcibly had to Mary. It was her strong faith and trust in the Lord of the trials to come. </sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><sup>She was barely a woman then, she had to face a life of motherhood and the hardest part of it is that the child she will be giving birth to was the Child of the most high.</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>She had her initial doubts which was utterly normal. <i><b>Then said Mary unto the angel, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" - Luke 1: 34. </b></i>Still she trusted God with this uncertain future with great faith as she said her first great Amen in salvation history: <i><b>And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word." - Luke 1:38.</b></i></sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>The future maybe uncertain but it would always be faith that would strengthen each family members having God as the center of this special nucleus.<i><b><br />
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</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup><i><b>2 - Against All Odds - </b></i>Saint Joseph may wanted to have divorced Mother Mary quietly but he first and foremost didn't want to press charges in order for her not to be stoned to death. He was very understanding of her situation despite perhaps the feeling of betrayal of having seen her with "someone else's"<i><b> </b></i>baby before the Angel Gabriel went to see him in a dream.</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup><i><b><br />
</b></i></sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>We too had doubts over some issues with the family but it would be great if we get to the bottom of it before losing our cool. Forgive and understand each other as much as possible.</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY-0CuJNmiVQI6Y6Um5jrcHtS8kWxBZOkRLLRGd8u0dX7lhUv5Y-cBDQh3cG3yxJzL787ie8KZTWqceLm0FJNLD4OE26uWvqBAhExICy8IsUxFU2IjYeDWcWxc9xc8ocketc9dG1YMw/s1600/Holyfamily_JCollinson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY-0CuJNmiVQI6Y6Um5jrcHtS8kWxBZOkRLLRGd8u0dX7lhUv5Y-cBDQh3cG3yxJzL787ie8KZTWqceLm0FJNLD4OE26uWvqBAhExICy8IsUxFU2IjYeDWcWxc9xc8ocketc9dG1YMw/s320/Holyfamily_JCollinson.jpg" width="246" /></a></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup><i><b>3 - Domestic Discomfort - </b></i> While it was not really much of a monetary case why they end-up in a manger, but even the Holy Family experienced their own set of physical and meager discomfort. What they do is make the most of it, imagine Mother Mary having give birth to the Child Jesus in a very dirty and smelly stable instead of a medical facility during that time.</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup><br />
</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>The Holy Family had their fair share of financial woes as Saint Joseph was a carpenter and nothing much was mentioned about Mother Mary's employment. Eventually, even Jesus; who is the Son of God; had his fair share of labor and became a carpenter Himself to earn a living.</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup><br />
</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>Every family goes through this, but what should one do is make the most of what is given and always think positively that there are other people who have worst situations than we have.</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup><i><b>4 - Responsible and Single Parenthood - </b></i>I really do not know when St. Joseph died but it was certain that he was not there anymore when Jesus Christ started his public life. </sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup> </sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>It must have been difficult for Mother Mary living alone without her husband. It was difficult to raise a child. Imagine the pain she had endured seeing her child grow up, move out and in the end crucified.</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ps4XnZ1XVDWc39Y1s2K4fUtNIr8n6gC1Y6paXeHC2QwysrqtDj6LB3ZhbL1tst5pGTYZC0yoA_IhkR-8NwYEnVfxu2VjpTdBYm0-Jkvb11SXfB7z7Umn2Y8JjDE1yNnB7nLFL2HGnA/s1600/Mother+Mary+and+Christ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ps4XnZ1XVDWc39Y1s2K4fUtNIr8n6gC1Y6paXeHC2QwysrqtDj6LB3ZhbL1tst5pGTYZC0yoA_IhkR-8NwYEnVfxu2VjpTdBYm0-Jkvb11SXfB7z7Umn2Y8JjDE1yNnB7nLFL2HGnA/s320/Mother+Mary+and+Christ.jpg" width="320" /></a><sup><br />
</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>But despite being widowed, it was obvious that she raised Christ well. Even at the Wedding at Cana, Christ showed His obedience to His mother when she told Him there wasn't anymore wine and Christ told her that it was not yet time for Him to do miracles. And yet, Christ still turned the water into wine for His mom requested it. </sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>Even up to the end, at the foot of the cross the strong bond between Mother and Son was very evident as Jesus asked Saint John to take care of His mother, while Mother Mary herself stood silently and gave her greatest Fiat to support her Son despite seeing her Son being humiliated and ostracized.</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup><br />
</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup><i><b>The Perfect Family with an Imperfect Life</b></i></sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>The Holy Family had their own crosses to bear and trudge a road most of us travel daily. They had experiences like most of us encounter. And yet despite everything they remained very, very ideal to the end. </sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><sup>It is not a matter of whether or not is hard to reach or emulate the Holy Family, it is really up to us if we are resolved to follow such example.</sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFZXrJxgZsiWHA9c5DlOBGVPZ6l9eIKknWUiefnMNRrhK2YESK-8v_SzmRmSmj2d6vyPBaDv34dLm6S7q3lTUFwgE8n2QEwv9p0OxPBpMvRIOlW3MmdyEU2ZZhWOsvBPAGeiDik8Kfw/s1600/baby-jesus-mary-joseph-by-dewey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFZXrJxgZsiWHA9c5DlOBGVPZ6l9eIKknWUiefnMNRrhK2YESK-8v_SzmRmSmj2d6vyPBaDv34dLm6S7q3lTUFwgE8n2QEwv9p0OxPBpMvRIOlW3MmdyEU2ZZhWOsvBPAGeiDik8Kfw/s320/baby-jesus-mary-joseph-by-dewey.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup><i><b> </b></i></sup></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><sup><i><b> </b></i></sup></span></div>Precious C. Lee Cundañganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628443966963955120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077500842671535.post-2851850317674851042010-12-23T03:57:00.000-08:002010-12-23T03:58:52.946-08:00Simbang Gabi/Misa de Gallo: Prepping up for Christmas<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTthP6MQBlGmKzOW19GCRTAXr2NH_SUZvLPVftZxmU4hIZpMRswSKS2KjWCXKDGGkHusQ3spKbw37uHVvKSJPf9QByEP_Tlxlf20bxmpjOiVlcd6uSHv6-BDWe-2hopXdlv2GhpsDUQ/s1600/ChristBirth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTthP6MQBlGmKzOW19GCRTAXr2NH_SUZvLPVftZxmU4hIZpMRswSKS2KjWCXKDGGkHusQ3spKbw37uHVvKSJPf9QByEP_Tlxlf20bxmpjOiVlcd6uSHv6-BDWe-2hopXdlv2GhpsDUQ/s320/ChristBirth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Having practically most of my relatives abroad, being an Overseas Filipino Workers' daughter, and my own inquisitive nature, I've practically stumbled with some knowledge regarding the different Christmas traditions around the world.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">Having said that, I would like to patronize my own country's famous tradition. Since this blog is about faith, Franciscanism and FYM. I would like to pay tribute to one of the famous and most attended tradition in our country, the Philippines - <em><strong>"The Simbang Gabi" and "Misa de Gallo" </strong>(Mass of the Rooster).</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><strong>Castillian Origin </strong></div><div class="txtd" id="txtd_410199" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify; word-wrap: break-word;"><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If there was one thing that the Spanish Friars did that was good (knowing what happened in our Philippine History), it is the 9-day Novena also known as <strong><em>"The Simbang Gabi" and "Misa de Gallo". </em></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Typically, <strong>"Simbang Gabi" </strong>is referred to those masses to prepare our spirits for the coming masses. This begins every December 16 around 4:00am or 4:30am, as it is also known as the dawn masses. Everything then culminates to a more apt term <strong><em>Misa de Gallo </em></strong>the Grand Midnight Mass on Christmas eve, a few hours before Christmas Day itself. This tradition started with the intentions of having farmers go to Mass before they go to do their work in the field. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">During the earlier days, at around 3:00 am, the church bells begin to ring to wake people up to prepare them for these dawn masses. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><strong>Personal Prerogative</strong><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Oftentimes, people would go to these masses but because of the early hours some ended up not completing them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In the end, it's a personal prerogative. We were all given the freedom to do what we want to do. But, hopefully we one of the things we ought to do is to prepare for the coming of Christ.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm not saying that it is compulsory to do those 9-day Novena masses, but hopefully we do prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of Christ and not just do traditions simply because we grew up with them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>But right now, Simbang Gabi/Misa de Gallo is a great way to prep up for the Big Day as sacrifices of waking up for 9 days could be taxing but the joy of knowing we are waiting for a Blessed Moment, the Birth of Christ, is something worth waiting for.<br />
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</div>Precious C. Lee Cundañganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628443966963955120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077500842671535.post-7748646177732111902010-12-22T06:43:00.000-08:002010-12-22T06:45:41.229-08:00The First Belen and Its Franciscan Origin<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFnAL5p-vR4XGyAu1dtNcvutyCmVr9SeVStQv6A2RtPegWLP7K61y2O6BBoq4cszPpS4rFc9o93hmTuuqXOgBZxLZs1HqJX62pvvAznv0SuGJ3zWuTW7vdukWUy9LH9iFpKIND8CqEg/s1600/sfc+nativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFnAL5p-vR4XGyAu1dtNcvutyCmVr9SeVStQv6A2RtPegWLP7K61y2O6BBoq4cszPpS4rFc9o93hmTuuqXOgBZxLZs1HqJX62pvvAznv0SuGJ3zWuTW7vdukWUy9LH9iFpKIND8CqEg/s320/sfc+nativity.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-2-7/" title="View more translations of Luke 2:7"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><strong><em>And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.</em></strong></span></a><span style="color: #ffd966;"><strong><em>"</em></strong></span> Luke 2: 7</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Did you know the origin of the Belen? Do you know what's a Belen?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here in the Philippines, most Catholic homes would never be complete with this famour rendition of the Nativity Set or the Belen. This favorite decoration is not just something that we add as part of the Christmas festivities but it symbolizes the Birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is a symbol of faith that knowing that Christmas is all about Christ, while the rest takes a major back seat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A Belen is usually composed of the Holy Family - the adorable Baby Jesus Christ in the manger, Mother Mary and St. Joseph, a shining star that guided them, usually Angels with the "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" sign, the Shepherd and the three Magis - Melchor, Gaspar and Balthasar.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This famous Christmas decoration has its Franciscan origin.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Infused by an Unquenchable Love</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After His visit from the Holy Land and seeing Bethlehem with his own eyes, St. Francis was so engrossed in assembling the birth of Christ. With special permission from Pope Honorius, the Seraphic Father asked John (Giovanni) Velita, the Lord of Greccio, to prepare a special place where they can react the Nativity scene. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">St. Francis wanted to see for himself all the discomforts that the young babe in the manger experienced because for him that's how much God loved us, He gave His Son to us. Christ was born helpless like a babe trusting all of us with His vulnerable body.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">December 1223. It was in the mountainside of Greccio where everything was prepared. There was a manger and a makeshift altar. People from all over places, came as long lines of lit torches could be seen going to the special spot. St. Francis of Assisi acted as a deacon. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The people who attended sang joyous Christmas song to add to the solemnity. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">St. Francis said the Gospel and expressed the joy to see for His eyes the doll-baby like representation of Christ in the makeshift manger, where there were even Ox and the Ass to complete in reminiscing the said event. Everytime St. Francis mentioned the word Babe, or Baby or anything that refer to the Infant Christ he wet his lips to savor the sweet tasting word that refered to the Blessed Child.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The Babe in the Creche</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After his very moving homily, the Seraphic Father took the baby-doll that represented Christ and wished that he too wanted to feel the love he felt for Christ for us when he was born. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Immediately, and miraculously the baby-statue/doll came to life. A lot of people witnessed it and how lucky the people present were as they were able to hold helpless Babe in their arms. Even the sickly animals, after being fed by the straw from the manger got well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Remembering Christ</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This Christmas, hopefully we would remember the blessed night when Christ came into this world and not other worldly things that would often hinder us. Just like St. Francis of Assisi, may we also recall that the most important thing to remember this Christmas is first and foremost, the Birthday Celebrant Himself.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div>Precious C. Lee Cundañganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628443966963955120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077500842671535.post-75418086386853225752010-12-08T07:13:00.000-08:002010-12-08T19:57:54.885-08:00THE DOGMA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION AND THE WOMAN WITH THE ADULT FAITH<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwZiItAg8-ZVQ5Evy6tYQEYkeK9T_2RPcIjxR-UjR4GLuJN_2oYvC_U7VP8ElSTCslA3gUtq5qrkLghG8opij5iXBI6XS2m7sf7qMJtP69Wn22iqS-q2k8qPJt8-aCVODzIzzvO8cBg/s1600/Annunciation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwZiItAg8-ZVQ5Evy6tYQEYkeK9T_2RPcIjxR-UjR4GLuJN_2oYvC_U7VP8ElSTCslA3gUtq5qrkLghG8opij5iXBI6XS2m7sf7qMJtP69Wn22iqS-q2k8qPJt8-aCVODzIzzvO8cBg/s200/Annunciation.jpg" width="157" /></a><i><b>"And the angel came in unto her, and said, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women"...And the angel said unto her, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." - Luke 1: 28, 30-31</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the proof that made people believed in St. Bernadette Soubirous vision of our Lady of Lourdes, was when she mentioned that the lady she saw at the grotto mentioned that she was "The Immaculate Conception." During that time, the said dogma was still not publicly announced as a huge debate and discussion was still being done before the Catholic Church would formally share this dogma to the world. And when a simpleton like St. Bernadette uttered those words that our Lady had given her, it was proof that it was the Virgin Mary was the woman she was talking to in the grotto.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today we are celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. When one is called the Immaculate Conception, in simpler terms it means a person who was conceived without sin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">This feast is celebrated during Advent season in order to show the significant role that the Blessed Mother Christ had played in Christmas. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Arial; font-size: small;">Pope Pius IX</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Arial; font-size: small;"> gave a solemn declaration known as <i><b>Ineffabilis Deus</b></i> in 1854. It marks the finality of the Catholic Church's belief that Mary was conceived without original sin.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Arial; font-size: small;"> Such privilege was bestowed upon her since St. Anna (her mother) conceived her. An ordinary human child, Mary, was destined to be the Mother of the Lord thus God gave the great of being untainted by original sin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,Arial; font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since the Blessed Virgin Mary was to become the Mother of Christ, she had to be pure, unsullied and must not have original sin. Impossible. If God was the one who wills it anything is possible right? And God couldn't have a better choice than the Blessed Virgin.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">When the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin about her conceiving a son. She was greatly troubled and yet despite the doubts (and eventually all the pains) she lived her life to the fullest following God even at her greatest "fiat" or yes, at the foot of the cross. She remained pure and loyal to God, and always telling herself, "May it be done to me according to Your word" even if it means seeing her beloved Son suffer. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">She never whined nor complained. Until the end, she remained true to her faith in God. May I learned from her humility, patience and unselfish. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Today, during this Feast of the Immaculate Conception, I revere a woman who truly is worth God's vessel to carry the Beloved Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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</span></div>Precious C. Lee Cundañganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628443966963955120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077500842671535.post-660639805795481942010-12-01T06:15:00.000-08:002010-12-01T06:25:24.028-08:00FYM'S Greccio Preparation and Advent Formation<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk27wlj_rsZDQeacuXgmKVwv6pTHdPNhEkrQXRHZK2qQo-zQVW-XZIossiJnCoM89VM63arxp5afeFwueQ3g03Mlt5vN5fzWaj9d4VVkx6TXL-YxheX8g6GMW1eN_rKuP2S3E68piqQ/s1600/greccio+pix.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk27wlj_rsZDQeacuXgmKVwv6pTHdPNhEkrQXRHZK2qQo-zQVW-XZIossiJnCoM89VM63arxp5afeFwueQ3g03Mlt5vN5fzWaj9d4VVkx6TXL-YxheX8g6GMW1eN_rKuP2S3E68piqQ/s200/greccio+pix.bmp" width="181" /></a><strong><em>"</em></strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><em>He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not."</em></strong> - John 1:10</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">The Philippines probably has the longest Christmas season in the world. As soon September starts until the end of January (where we usually celebrate the Feast of the Sto. Niño), Christmas songs and the Christmas spirit are abroad.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
Sadly though despite the length of time for this celebration, it seems quantity bares more weight than quality. While sharing gifts, putting decoration are great activities, preparing ourselves spiritually should be far more important as well. Sadly, people remember and remind children more about Santa Claus as the generous given more than Christ's own unselfish and gracious gift of himself on Christmas day.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
People often forget that the reason we have Christmas is because of Christ. We often busy ourselves with Christmas shopping, Noche Buena and all which is definitely not wrong, however it becomes off if we forget the reason behind the season.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">Last Sunday, Advent commenced. Advent is the preparation of oneself for the coming of Christ this Christmas. It is symbolically represented by 3 violet candles, one pink and white candle. Is symbolizes the hope we have in waiting for the real chosen One, which is Christ. It should be the most inspiring, spiritually exciting thing in Christian life - the coming of Christ. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Such enthusiasm of Christ's coming was shown in the example of the Seraphic Father, St. Francis of Assisi. In 1204, St. Francis asked John or Giovanni Velita to prepare a place in Greccio where he wanted to re-enact the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. He had this yearning to see with his very own eyes Christ unselfish yes to become one of us and all the discomforts that the little Babe in the manger had to endure that day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Christmas for St. Francis was a special moment to understand the depth and love that Jesus did for us. In modern times, young people,like the Franciscan Youth Movement; shares that longingness to prepare themselves and see beyond the decorative hullabaloo that this season brings. A special formation program is given by the National fraternity to each local fraternities around the country.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A 4-week long Advent formation program that truly helps prepare one correctly to how to accept, appreciate the season of all seasons. After all what would you give to One that has everything, but your love, attention, the wisdom and knowledge that He is the greatest gift of them all and the Number one celebrant. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Precious C. Lee Cundañganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628443966963955120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077500842671535.post-16802468636223693562010-11-29T06:50:00.000-08:002010-11-29T07:01:14.631-08:00TESTED LIKE SILVER: An Ode to 25 Years of Existence of the Franciscan Youth Movement NSOLL Fraternity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObFQee8pOZvUsaBbk-3EmXCDtg52vrB6chDcMkF1NMrbQi8fsdl3F32Tm4akuphnZOmkeE_azAkG3KYNrAueLHmjOH4Y8H6daV53IIoTTaEEM_OI9lSoSu79-u01aDfTuP31fTZJ0xA/s1600/fym.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObFQee8pOZvUsaBbk-3EmXCDtg52vrB6chDcMkF1NMrbQi8fsdl3F32Tm4akuphnZOmkeE_azAkG3KYNrAueLHmjOH4Y8H6daV53IIoTTaEEM_OI9lSoSu79-u01aDfTuP31fTZJ0xA/s1600/fym.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>"And the LORD </em></strong><strong><em>God </em></strong><strong><em>formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Genesis 2: 7</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They said one knows if the silver is ready once the person making and heating it would see his own face in the silver. God made us in His image and likeness, just like silver we are suppose to reflect his image in the way we live. For 25 years, each member of the Franciscan Youth Movement have tried to follow the precept to be Christ-like through the examples of St. Francis of Assisi. Silvers. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am pleased to know that the Franciscan Youth Movement is celebrating it's 25th or Silver Anniversary. A milestone indeed. Many souls have been converted and many hopes were created. Each of us learned to dream in the movement. Dream and journey. To use what we have our very own treasures in the form of time, talent and theology.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Each of us though may have have swerved from the path, as the journey of a Franciscan Youth is not an easy one. We trudge a path full of trials, temptations as we make use of our gifts and share them with others. It is not easy to be a Franciscan Youth because we are mandated to be truly heralds of God's love. But what's so interesting about it, is that we have to do it in the simplest and most humble means. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We are a generation who must continue to let God's word flourish not just through our reading the Bible everyday, but living the Bible itself in our thoughts, words, and actions. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I owe a lot to this movement. Mga kapatids here gave me a reason to continue and try my best to be Christ like and use my talent for God's glory. This is a group of individuals who accepted me despite my flaws/imperfection and brought me back home to God. They were beacons of God's love to my then bewildered and very lost spirit. They were more than friends they were my siblings in the Christian, Franciscan Family.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a Franciscan youth, each of us are tasked to do so. Franciscan Youth, accepted or not, all individuals were created in God's image and likeness the least we can do is give thanks to God by letting Him work through us. To strive to be the best with what God gave us. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We are all instruments of peace. It would be great, if you have brothers and sisters like I have in this fraternity whose never ending generosity, gracious and inspiring lives have been my anchor and living Bibles through their examples.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Congratulations again mga Kapatids (Siblings) in this Fraternity - Fraternity in the true sense of the word - brotherhood. Go and make a difference to more youth!</div>Precious C. Lee Cundañganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628443966963955120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077500842671535.post-17871933343834506852010-11-23T06:14:00.000-08:002010-11-23T06:25:53.288-08:00What My Acceptance in FYM Really Meant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3N6tB-vzY4Z1IodQak4FgsegYWHKbz6bRdPZWBMQvvjX7wcBs7o0-xIlfKYGumCV8jkFrvdPDM_I0pqYd9QhrVneyPMibOsKhrZdGDZc8Kd5YiNVPbDQPbztHFV4-782jhrV3WYSKA/s1600/fym+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3N6tB-vzY4Z1IodQak4FgsegYWHKbz6bRdPZWBMQvvjX7wcBs7o0-xIlfKYGumCV8jkFrvdPDM_I0pqYd9QhrVneyPMibOsKhrZdGDZc8Kd5YiNVPbDQPbztHFV4-782jhrV3WYSKA/s200/fym+logo.jpg" width="187" /></a></div><i><b>"You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"- Mark 10:38</b></i><br />
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In a way I was like St. John and James of Zebedee, I did not know what I was asking when I wanted to be an Accepted member of the Franciscan Youth Movement.<br />
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Before I thought it was a matter of memorizing Franciscanism and Franciscan Spirituality, knowing Basic Christian Doctrines. But being a true Franciscan Youth is beyond that it is accepting the life of the group.<br />
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Truth be told, I had two excruciating scrutiny, as my first attempt to be Accepted Member did not push through and I was extended with fellow troubadours. The second scrutiny was the most soul-scouring (take note, not soul-searching but scouring) question and answer I had.<br />
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Scrutiny really breaks you. Unlike the "common notion of fraternity hazing and initiation" the Franciscan Youth Movement is a fraternity in its truest essence - a brotherhood, a community of young people following Christ through the example of St. Francis of Assisi. The Scrutiny is part of our "Way of our personal cross." We have to be broken in spirit in order to have new, where God leads us.<br />
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It took two days for the elders to deliberate whether or not to make me an Accepted Member. There was a thin line between passing and failing me in the scrutiny. If I fail, I would be extended. I felt downtrodden as the I knew I would fail. During the scrutiny, I did not know what rules or teachings I need to memorize.<br />
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Finally, giving up I wrote a letter to the whole fraternity telling them during the Sunday after the second scrutiny that I might be able to attend. I told them what I really felt. I felt that at first it feels humiliating that I won't be accepted. I told them how painful it is to be not accepted in the movie. I felt confuse to what else do I need to do, do I need to learn in order to be an Accepted member but then I also told them that it was quite a humbling experience.<br />
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In my own quandary and loneliness, I remember what Ate Ems said during the scrutiny. She said it is not me being accepted by the group but me accepting the life of the group.<br />
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I did not get what she said then, and during those downtrodden times, but I guess God had a hand in it when he made write the words that the elders needed to see. I placed in my letter how much I really want to be part of the movement, how sorry and could not understand if I feel so much resentment towards them. I told how I felt rejected and humiliated knowing or assuming the worst, that I will not pass. Yet through it all, I told them that this "bitterness becomes sweet because it is for God."<br />
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I told them that I love the group and I really wish to be part of me. If being extended for the second time would make a better person and a better candidate for accepted, I will obliged. And though it is a painful reality, I succumbed to the idea of accepting my so-called defeat.<br />
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But as history went, God works mysterious ways and I was accepted. The letter which showed how broken I was, the letter which showed my willingness to undergo further trials and understanding the fraternity more, and following the footsteps of St. Francis and applying the Franciscan way of life had somehow been shown in that letter.<br />
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Now that I am an Accepted member, and that was practically a decade ago from now. I realized now what it means to be accepted. An Accepted member must be ready to follow Christ and be heralds of God's glory like St. Francis of Assisi. It means utmost humility while making a difference. Being accepted was accepting the life of a Franciscan Youth, lovingly embracing the cross and being instruments of peace.Precious C. Lee Cundañganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628443966963955120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077500842671535.post-41357023337204455482010-11-22T06:13:00.000-08:002010-11-22T06:16:14.567-08:00The Tale of Two Brothers Who Were Candidates for Acceptance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiyt0rV7ZH7Og2Wd0RsM0W8eAR_08WovbGJspthm74anwcYjkjPLJ1Yg3lviEgnHyBQ9af5cx_j6_RRru8XIw6QxPboMSSnZI8x9yL0V9DX5q5W80wd01qrKXbKtBmYWMzTfH1StMcQ/s1600/sfc+in+humility.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiyt0rV7ZH7Og2Wd0RsM0W8eAR_08WovbGJspthm74anwcYjkjPLJ1Yg3lviEgnHyBQ9af5cx_j6_RRru8XIw6QxPboMSSnZI8x9yL0V9DX5q5W80wd01qrKXbKtBmYWMzTfH1StMcQ/s320/sfc+in+humility.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><i><b>"...for they all put in out of their abundance, but out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood." - </b>Mark 12:44</i><br />
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It is never the quantity, it had always been the quality and sincerity that one puts when it comes to serving God.<br />
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When I was a young troubadour in the movement, there were different snippets about questions and anecdotes about the scrutiny. <br />
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Before becomes a fully pledged Franciscan Youth or an Accepte Member of the Fraternity they should at least have been with the group for several months or years - depending on their development and desire to be finally accepted. During my time, that was in 1999, we had to send a letter of request to express our desire to be formally accepted by the fraternity, we had a written exam, a local scrutiny comprised of mostly accepted member and the local fraternity heralds (officers equal in right but different responsibilities) and the most crucial of all was the final scrutiny with the "elders" of the fraternity, the national and local fraternity heralds and accepted members.<br />
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Just like silver is tested in fire, so is the aspiring candidate tested. Questions so personal that would purify and release true intentions to be a member will come out.<br />
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One of the anecdotes I remembered was the tale of two brothers. They were asked how they will "promote" or "market" the fraternity to others. The older and more learned but proud brother said he was to photocopy stuff, do campaigns and all those flamboyant way to show-off the fraternity while the second and younger brother, who was a bit shy but determined to be in the group simply said that he will try his best to be a living Bible to others by sharing himself to people and helping others.<br />
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I'll give you three guesses who was accepted - the second and younger, brother.<br />
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Just like St. Francis of Assisi, who lived simply and followed the way of the humble Christ so are we Franciscans or Christians as a whole should do the same.<br />
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God even prefers personal anonymity than those who are hypochrites. It is not how the "gift of service" was made of but it is more about the true intentions of glorifying God and not the self when it comes to be truly God's heralds of peace, hope and love.Precious C. Lee Cundañganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628443966963955120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077500842671535.post-31111619527211448092010-11-17T04:01:00.000-08:002010-11-17T06:40:49.722-08:00Paying It Forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias-ISrPfnJhq1ai5_3eDc_5OKyA7taf2E9UxfhRYea7p1Pl2jVT-ptokaKYl8zUDULsh1LObCh9l25WVoFjLK9h1TyTTjzgpqmRkc3MwrPyVyiMNyS4YYhhBJpc_fw1dZsCZl-x9M2Q/s1600/sfr+with+leper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias-ISrPfnJhq1ai5_3eDc_5OKyA7taf2E9UxfhRYea7p1Pl2jVT-ptokaKYl8zUDULsh1LObCh9l25WVoFjLK9h1TyTTjzgpqmRkc3MwrPyVyiMNyS4YYhhBJpc_fw1dZsCZl-x9M2Q/s200/sfr+with+leper.jpg" width="142" /></a></div><strong><em>"Good man, you showed yourself capable in small matters. For that you can take over ten villages...the moral is: whoever has will be given more, but the one who has not will lose what he has." - Luke 19:17</em></strong><br />
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Have you watched the movie "Pay It Forward?"<br />
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I guarantee you, it's a certified tearjerker. But besides that it reminds us about an important lesson: sharing what we have been given.<br />
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I know I have been given with so much talent. It would pathetic and disappointing if I do not do anything to glorify God, as a way of thanking Him.<br />
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I know I will never be famous. My epitaph may not hold so much promise. I doubt if ever I would have the dream eulogy that I might be given at the time of my funeral. However in all that, it does not matter. God knows what I have done. That is what is important.<br />
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The world may not know or care for my efforts, even if I try to make the world a better place in my own simple way, through the gifts God gave me. I may never receive the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer or even a Palanca Award. Nevertheless, that does not stop me from doing what I can to make life better and more livable through my works, actions, thoughts and words.<br />
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I was given gifts. Given. So I should I also "Pay it Forward" to others for they are not mine to keep. At the end of my life, I am accountable for what I was given.<br />
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Just like St. Francis of Assisi. He was not as smart or prolific as St. Augustine or St. Thomas Aquinas. His writings were all straightforward and his way of life of simple. Yet in never stopped him to serve the poorest of the poor, never minding his health, that even in his late forties St. Francis of Assisi was practically blind. He tried to make the world a better place by abandoning his pride and letting God work through him. And God led Him and bless Him, and gave provided for Him. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Whatever we decide to do, always count in the eyes of the Lord. We do not live and love life for our own but for God and our fellowmen.Precious C. Lee Cundañganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628443966963955120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077500842671535.post-59497133076398356982010-11-15T05:34:00.000-08:002010-11-15T05:35:29.865-08:00Spread the Word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1_H8pboTR-VoHNV0Z9EGuKVRX2B8p5mWrukt7X9hpXIH31JoI0IJXt6lZbQXv-3RGMKs1cFlkYam0SW6hNQ6ueeprAZXDx1l_LnUWOi0uxxt8MnYflcPDhBFTIhWfBVIaj7_4pGmXg/s1600/st+francis+in+prayer.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1_H8pboTR-VoHNV0Z9EGuKVRX2B8p5mWrukt7X9hpXIH31JoI0IJXt6lZbQXv-3RGMKs1cFlkYam0SW6hNQ6ueeprAZXDx1l_LnUWOi0uxxt8MnYflcPDhBFTIhWfBVIaj7_4pGmXg/s320/st+francis+in+prayer.bmp" width="212" /></a></div><strong><em>"Write up on a scroll what you now see and send it...," Revelation 1:11</em></strong> <br />
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<strong><em>"'Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.' at the very moment he was given his sight and beegan to follow him, giving God the glory." - Luke</em></strong><br />
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When I was directing "West Side Story" for YAFCA, I found it cool when the <em>Jets (the American gang in the play) </em>would say "spread the word."<br />
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Unlike modern text messages that says "Please, pass", I began using "Spread the word!" to let the others send other people messages.<br />
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However, now that I know better, "Spread the Word" for me now means sharing the Good News/Gospel either through written/verbal/example.<br />
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Just like the blind man, there are times that I too was in darkness, and though my own faith is not as as great as other people, somehow it is accepted by God and He allowed me to share His love and wisdom through my different talents.<br />
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Following of Saint Francis of Assisi, this dear saint he made his life an open book where God can write His love story for us. In St. Francis' life, there was a time that He felt alone and lost that He searched for God. He spend time in places like Mount Subasio and visited places like San Damiano. In the end, God answered His prayers in the right time. Once St. Francis was enlightened, he never turned back from his faith and against all odds followed God and lived his life as a living Bible - through words, action, and thoughts.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVX26J9utq_ARwIhjDA62q_z4gyIVOhkoSkm17HB1sNQQfPC3std1zbqIHcOvJWNyW4VEiGpN8mMXhEVbxbxZKPE5mhgXRqbVEfE6ySPUCRkPyDI2kKPnex30yqzLs-zhniP3ubnZuw/s1600/san+damiano.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVX26J9utq_ARwIhjDA62q_z4gyIVOhkoSkm17HB1sNQQfPC3std1zbqIHcOvJWNyW4VEiGpN8mMXhEVbxbxZKPE5mhgXRqbVEfE6ySPUCRkPyDI2kKPnex30yqzLs-zhniP3ubnZuw/s200/san+damiano.bmp" width="200" /></a></div>Everyday of our lives, I realized that we have our moments of blindness of darkness. And yet if we learn to seek God, depend on Him and His love. Cling to Him without ceasing then whatever had plagued us will be smoothened out.<br />
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But the buck does not stop in simply thanking Him. While it is great to thank God, but it would be better if we share what we have experienced through Jesus Christ's mercy and graciousness. God ask us to be workers in His vineyard. Like St. John, the blind man and St. Francis of Assisi, may we allow God to work through us make us herald of the Gospel.Precious C. Lee Cundañganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628443966963955120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25077500842671535.post-9064275950524130592010-11-12T09:21:00.000-08:002010-11-12T09:21:33.637-08:00The Never Ending Stories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS12mMgUMMKckPJeSjgI661ded2r57zj2T0lohmHauwj_ZOMNynm1uM7xZ9sC9xqceALdK9TtoLNskc8eyDwI_GFn0WJ37_28hmBW9oKrYtnIdNa45EvXA0rCfT2VKRZUm455rDbw8Qg/s1600/bible3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS12mMgUMMKckPJeSjgI661ded2r57zj2T0lohmHauwj_ZOMNynm1uM7xZ9sC9xqceALdK9TtoLNskc8eyDwI_GFn0WJ37_28hmBW9oKrYtnIdNa45EvXA0rCfT2VKRZUm455rDbw8Qg/s400/bible3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><strong><em>"There are still many other things that Jesus did...I doubt there would room enough in the entire world to hold th books to record them." - John 21:25</em></strong><br />
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Did you ever experience the fear of not able to finish something you started? <br />
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I have ...and this blog is one of them. I've always told myself that I'm a writer. I have many experiences and I guess I don't think I would be able to lose stories to write here. <br />
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But as I've found out in this first week, it's not really a matter of lack of things to write, it's a matter of lack of faith. <br />
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Writers usually experience what you call a writer's block. There are some famous writers who would get drunk and walk around for a few minutes to get the inspiration they need. With Hemingway, he would write for at least 2 hours everyday so that he would not lose he's drive and momentum. <br />
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For me, I know I'm a writer but I'm not prolific yet and making blogs is something I just recently discovered. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi0u3AxSzTDDw4-bKLGOT8sDh5457puw1dCX8gVeFyi6EvZ_MvCnpC8t2XOvzC6b1q0MDFPYMdo2T5pMxKeu6q_dVb0GpOqLzM4ByS8bCvpgFzdRy20z_dCXgdrMLmQObVi8D0HfPAA/s1600/bible.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi0u3AxSzTDDw4-bKLGOT8sDh5457puw1dCX8gVeFyi6EvZ_MvCnpC8t2XOvzC6b1q0MDFPYMdo2T5pMxKeu6q_dVb0GpOqLzM4ByS8bCvpgFzdRy20z_dCXgdrMLmQObVi8D0HfPAA/s1600/bible.bmp" /></a></div>I told myself that I must write the entry in a time where I could freely do it - say every dawn whre no one else would bother me. I have to do the entries weekly and distribute them separately, daily.<br />
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I found it difficult. It's hard to write something in just a few hours, let alone five blog entries in one sitting. I fear that there would come a time I would not know where to get my topics/entries from.<br />
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But I guess as a Franciscan, the answer had been taught a long time ago. Have faith and don't forget that the great source of wisdom and knowledge would be from the Bible. <br />
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The Bible has so many books. It's practically a library and witin this library of knowledge are diverse stories whose experiences and lessons are as timely as now. <br />
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Now, I do not fear that I might lose a topic or inspiration to draw from. Just like St. Francis, all I have to do is open the Bible, read a verse and let God through the Holy Spirit move me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrzldArnhjWFZvL1hpZZLhNpv2c-XQ4W5fuFyP3rBIsDSjb5behMNaySQh9ZNNRb9EUCnw7_kIVaO-0taDN3Bb6HrGbtoqEDpMtAJi7xjhYtAcSqIbvCRvztS5Pd1qGektSZa43voAQ/s1600/bible2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrzldArnhjWFZvL1hpZZLhNpv2c-XQ4W5fuFyP3rBIsDSjb5behMNaySQh9ZNNRb9EUCnw7_kIVaO-0taDN3Bb6HrGbtoqEDpMtAJi7xjhYtAcSqIbvCRvztS5Pd1qGektSZa43voAQ/s1600/bible2.bmp" /></a></div>The Bible is not just a source of inspiration to jumpstart this blog, but it is a guidebook for all eternity.<br />
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As both a Franciscan and Christian, I believe that everything here is true and is forever relevant.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS12mMgUMMKckPJeSjgI661ded2r57zj2T0lohmHauwj_ZOMNynm1uM7xZ9sC9xqceALdK9TtoLNskc8eyDwI_GFn0WJ37_28hmBW9oKrYtnIdNa45EvXA0rCfT2VKRZUm455rDbw8Qg/s1600/bible3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>So regarding fear of losing topics for my blog, let my hands do the walking and let my eyes rest on the "Words of God," strike my heart and move me like it did St. Francis of Assisi.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>Precious C. Lee Cundañganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628443966963955120noreply@blogger.com0