March 31, 2005






Regina Caeli

(The Regina Caeli – Latin for “Queen of Heaven”- is a prayer that replaces the Angelus during the Easter Season from Holy Saturday to the Saturday after Pentecost.)

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia:
For He whom you merited to bear, alleluia,
Has risen, as he said, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray.

O God, who by the Resurrection of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, granted joy to the whole world: grant, we beg You, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may lay hold of the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

March 28, 2005

SI KRISTO AY MULING NABUHAY...
ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!!!



Unang Pagbasa: Gawa 10:34, 37-43


Nagsalita si Pedro, at sinabi: “Naiintindihan ko na ngayon na talaga ngang walang kinikilingan ang Diyos.



Alam ninyo ang mga nangyari sa buong Judea, na nagsimula sa Galilea pagkatapos ng binyag na ipinangaral ni Juan. Hinirang nga ng Diyos si Jesus na taga-Nazaret sa Espiritu Santo at kapangyarihan. Saanman magpunta, siya’y gumagawa ng mabuti at nagpapagaling sa lahat ng nasa kapangyarihan ng diyablo, sapagkat sumasakanya ang Diyos. Saksi kami sa lahat ng kanyang ginawa sa lupain ng mga Judio at sa Jerusalem.



Saksi kami sa lahat ng kanyang ginawa sa lupain ng mga Judio at sa Jerusalem.

Pinatay nila siya nang ibitin siya sa punongkahoy. Ngunit binuhay siyang muli ng Diyos sa ikatlong araw at ipinakita siya; hindi sa lahat ng tao kundi sa mga saksing hinirang na noong una pa ng Diyos - kami na kumain at uminom na kasalo niya matapos na muli siyang mabuhay. Iniutos niya sa amin na mangaral sa mga tao at magpatotoo na siya nga ang hinirang ng Diyos na maging hukom ng mga buhay at ng mga patay. Siya ang tinutukoy ng lahat ng propeta nang ipahayag nilang tatanggap ng kapatawaran ng mga kasalanan sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pangalan ang sinumang sumasampalataya sa kanya.

Ikalawang Pagbasa: Col 3:1-4



Kung ibinangon nga kayong kasama ni Kristo, hanapin ninyo ang mga bagay sa itaas; naroon si Kristong nakaluklok sa kanan ng Diyos. Isipin ninyo ang mga mula sa itaas, hindi ang mga makalupa. Namatay kayo, at sa Diyos natatago ang inyong buhay kasama si Kristo. Sa pagpapakita kay Kristong buhay natin, ipakikita rin kayong kasama niya sa kaluwalhatian.

Ebanghelyo: Jn 20:1-9

Pagkatapos ng Araw ng Pahinga, habang madilim pa, maagang pumunta sa libingan si Maria Magdalena, nang makita niyang tanggal ang bato mula sa libingan, patakbo siyang pumunta kay Simon Pedro at sa isa pang alagad na mahal ni Jesus. Sinabi niya sa kanila: “May kumuha sa Panginoon mula sa libingan, at hindi namin alam kung saan nila siya inilagay.”


Kaya lumabas si Pedro at ang isa pang alagad, at pumunta sa libingan. Sabay na tumakbo ang dalawa. Ngunit mas mabilis tumakbo kay Pedro ang isa pang alagad, at unang nakarating sa libingan. Pagkayuko niya’y nakita niyang nakalatag ang mga telang linen pero hindi siya pumasok.


Dumating namang kasunod niya si Simon Pedro, at pumasok sa libingan. Napansin niya ang mga telang linen na nakalatag, at ang panyo namang nakatalukbong sa ulo niya ay di kasama sa mga telang linen na nakalatag kundi hiwalay na nakabilot sa mismong lugar nito. Pumasok noon ang isa pang alagad, ang unang nakarating sa libingan, at nakita niya at siya’y naniwala. Sapagkat hindi pa nila alam ang Kasulatan na kailangan siyang magbangon mula sa mga patay.



Reflection


One-track mind
by Pietro Bernardino S. Albano

They still did not understand the scripture which said that he must rise from death. (Jn 20:9; TEV – Second edition © 1992)

A leader once had a considerable number of followers when a new group was put up in the community. Most of his followers were attracted to the new group that they began to join its activities. The leader was at first offended as though that group is slowly snatching his followers. One time, he decided to immerse himself in that group’s programmes. He realised how different it was with his own group and how it appealed to his followers. He left his group and became an active member of his newly found organisation.

Sometimes we become so one-track minded like the apostles that we often forget to read the “signs of the times” and have a feel of what our family/peers/clients have to say.

On this greatest feast of the Church let us rise from our foolishness and apathy into pro-active witnessing of the Gospel.


March 26, 2005

The Stations of the Cross

The Meaning of Lent
By Pietro Bernardino S. Albano
The Feast and Fast
The Prayer of Lent
THE CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY


To Our Lady This Lent
click here


Click image

An Easter On-line Experience.






HOLY SATURDAY

26 March 2005

Unang Pagbasa: Gen 1:1-2:2
Ikalawang Pagbasa: Ex 14:15-15:1
Ebanghelyo: Mt 28:1-10

Kinahapunan ng Araw ng Pahinga, sa paglabas ng unang bituin, sa unang araw ng sanlinggo, pumunta sa libingan si Maria Magdalena at ang isa pang Maria para tingnan ang libingan. Walang anu-ano’y lumindol nang malakas at bumaba mula sa langit ang Anghel ng Panginoon at nilapitan ang bato,pinagulong ito at naupo roon. Parang kidlat ang kanyang mukha at simputi ng niyebe ang kanyang damit.

Nanginig naman sa takot ang mga bantay at naging parang mga patay.


Sinabi ng Anghel sa mga babae: “Huwag kayong matakot; alam kong hinahanap ninyo si Jesus na ipinako sa krus. Wala siya rito; binuhay siya ayon sa kanyang sinabi. Tingnan ninyo ang lugar na pinaglibingan sa kanya. Pumunta kayo agad ngayon at sabihin sa kanyang mga alagad na muli siyang nabuhay at mauuna sa inyo sa Galilea. Makikita ninyo siya roon. Ito ang mensahe ko sa inyo.”
Agad nilang iniwan ang libingan na natatakot at labis na nagagalak, at tumakbo sila para balitaan ang kanyang mga alagad.

Nakasalubong nila sa daan si Jesus at sinabi niya: “Kapayapaan.” Paglapit sa kanya ng mga babae, niyakap nila ang kanyang mga paa at sinamba siya.

Sinabi naman ni Jesus sa kanila: “Huwag kayong matakot. Humayo kayo at sabihin sa aking mga kapatid na pumunta sila sa Galilea; doon nila ako makikita.”


Reflections

AT PEACE

By Pietro Bernardino S. Albano


“Peace be with you.” (Mt 28:9; TEV – Second edition © 1992)(Jn 19:37; TEV – Second edition © 1992)


It was my cousin Philip’s birthday a long time ago when my aunt Rosie fetched us for his party in Cavite. A year before that we have had a fight, the so-called away-bata which ended in me hitting him. I tried my best not to attend, but my aunt prevailed on me. On the way, I was disturbed by what I did to him in the past and became afraid that he might get even with me. As soon as we reached their place, I saw him meeting me, quite happy not only for his day, but also for seeing me come. My sadness and anxiety melted away that very moment. I was at peace.

This was the same experience the women felt when they discovered the empty tomb. Full of sorrow for the death of their Master, they were deeply troubled when suddenly the Risen Lord comforted them by giving His peace.

We have had our share of sad, never to be forgotten incidents as individuals and as a community. We grieved over the death of a loved one. We feel the void left by friends who turned their backs on us. We feel sorry for the plight of flood victims. We are irritated at the rampant corruption in government.

As the joy of Easter dawns on us, let us remove the black garment of sorrow and doubt and put on the attire of peace which Jesus has won for us, which He alone can give us. With this peace in us, let us courageously bear witness to Christ’s victory over sin and death. With this peace, we can make our world a better, safer, and holier place to live in.

SABADO DE GLORIA

Greetings from the mountainous mountain of Banahaw. Mahal na araw kaya kailangan kong i-recharge ang aking kapangyarihan.

Kapangyarihang mang-asar. Wa-hi-hi!


***

Biyernes Santo – patay daw ang Diyos kaya naglalabasan ang sari-saring lamang-lupa, maligno at kung anu-ano pa.

Kaya nga nagtago ako. Mahirap nang mapagkamalan.


***


Sabado de Gloria na. Unti-unti nang bumabalik sa "normal" ang lahat. 'Yong mga nagbait-baitan kahapon ay medyo mabait na lang ngayon.

Hoy, pwede nang maligo ang mga hindi naligo kahapon dahil umano Biyernes Santo.

***


Karamihan sa Pinoy ay hanggang Biyernes Santo lang ang paggunita sa mga Mahal na Araw. Hindi na umaabot pa sa Linggo ng Pagkabuhay o Easter Sunday.

Kaya naman parang wala pa rin Pagkabuhay sa buhay ng ilan sa atin.

***


Kung paano natin binigyang importansiya ang Biyernes Santo ay ganoon din sanang pagpapahalaga ang ibigay natin sa Linggo ng Pagkabuhay. Anong saysay ng pagkamatay kung walang pagkabuhay?

Wala lang.


***


Anyway, ang point ko eh simple lang. Mamayang gabi ay isasagawa na sa lahat ng Simbahan ang Easter Vigil Rites, kasama na diyan ang Saint Joseph de Gagalangin. Sana ay makadalo pa rin tayo sa gawaing ito. Makahulugan ang pagdiriwang na ito.

Siyempre masaya rin.



***


Wag kayong magtataka kung walang ilaw ang simbahan pagdating ninyo. Hindi nakalimot si Fr. Gungon magbayad sa Meralco. Ito ay bahagi talaga ng seremonya na mag-uumpisa sa patyo ng simbahan, kung saan may malaking siga na babasbasan at pagkukunan ng apoy para sa Easter Candle. Saka aawit ang pari ng:

Si Kristo ang liwanag…At sasagot tayo ng: Purihi't Siya't Ipagdangal.



***


Tapos magpu-prusisyon ang lahat papasok ng simbahan na may dala-dalang mga kandilang sinindihan mula sa benditadong siga. At pagdating sa altar, konting seremonyas at mga panalangin at pagkatapos ay uumpisahan na ng pari ang pag-awit ng Exultet, ang pinakahihintay na deklarasyon ng Muling Pagkabuhay ni Jesus.

Babala: Ingat lang at baka ka mapatakan ng tunaw na kandila ng katabi mo habang iwinawagayway ito.

Tita Oying, sorry po talaga.


***


Pagkatapos ng Exultet ay isusunod naman ang mga Pagbasa mula sa Lumang Tipan: Ang Paglikha, Ang Pag-aalay ni Abraham kay Isaac at Ang Pagliligtas ng Diyos sa mga Israelita mula sa mga Egyptians.

At pagkatapos ay aawitin na ang Gloria ( Papuri sa Diyos )…dyaraan…sisindi na ang mga ilaw ng simbahan at rerepeke na ang mga kampana.


***


Kasunod ng sermon ng pari ay ang pagpapanibago ng sumpa sa binyag o renewal of baptismal vow.

Wag ninyong kakainin ang natirang kandila kanina sapagkat gagamitin pa uli ito ngayon.


***


Habang hawak natin ang mga may sinding kandila tatanungin tayo ng pari: Itinatakwil mo ba si Satanas, lahat ng kanyang gawa, etcetera? Kailangan 'yung totoo lang ang isasagot natin.

Remember, you are under oath!


***


Ang ikalawa namang batch ng mga tanong: Sumasampalataya ka ba sa Diyos Amang Makapangyarihan sa lahat…Kay Jesucristo na iisang anak ng Diyos…at sa Banal na Espiritu?

Anong sagot mo?

***


Pagkatapos ng lahat ng imbestigasyong ito ay ang sarap ng pakiramdam. Lalo na kung puro oo ang naisagot mo sa mga tanong ng pari. Iikot ang pari upang basbasan tayo ng Baptismal Water.

Maniwala kayo, ang sarap ng feeling. Para kang sanggol na pagkalinis-linis.

'Yan eh kung nagpakatotoo ka sa lahat ng pinaggagawa mo noong Holy Week at nangumpisal ng totoo.


***


Kung mag-uumpisa ang Easter Vigil Rites ng mga alas-nueve, siguro bago mag-alas-dose ay tapos na ito. May apat na oras ka pang itutulog para sa Salubong.

Kung natatakot ka namang di ka magising sa oras, tambay na lang tayo sa patyo o kaya sa 7-Eleven hanggang mag-alas-kuwatro.


***


Nga pala, bago ko makalimutan, may survey tayo sa Easter Sunday, dito sa anluwage.com, kung ano sa palagay mo ang Salubong 2005...Ito ba'y pinaghandaang mabuti o ordinaryo lang slash ganoon na naman slash walang pinagbago...slash...

Boto kayo ha?


***

Taos-pusong pasasalamat po sa mga nakiisa at nakibahagi sa ating Easter Special, partikular itong THE SEVEN LAST WORDS.

Ito po ang nagtala ng pinakamataas na page visits sa ANLUWAGE.COM. Maraming-maraming salamat po. Pagpalain kayo ng Panginoon!

Sa uulitin ha?

***


Bukas ko na kayo babatiin ng Happy Easter kasi Sabado de Gloria pa lang.

Baka mapagalitan na naman ako ni Manong Piet.



How Can God Die?
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson


If you had been Peter, chances are you would have denied Jesus, too. Peter just couldn't understand what was happening.

If Jesus were the Son of God, Peter must have wondered, why didn't he stop the abuse and mockery Peter was witnessing in the high priest's courtyard? How could someone who was supposed to be divine put up with that?

Maybe it is just some tragic mistake, Peter may have thought. Perhaps, after all, Jesus is another sincere but misguided charismatic leader who has overwhelmed his followers with grandiose words and visions and thoughts of invincibility. And if that's the case, I'd better save my own skin while I can. "No," Peter insisted to the courtyard bystanders, "I don't know him."

Later that day, Peter watched Jesus, now brutally beaten, spiked to a cross, then jerked upright in the sun to hang, and gasp for air, and finally die. If Jesus were the Son of God, how could he die like that?

Peter was just as troubled the following Sunday when he ran to Jesus' tomb to find the body missing. The women told of angels' words that he had risen, but with his own eyes Peter had seen Jesus die. If he were a man--and he certainly died like a man--how could he return from death? Someone must have taken the body. Must have!

It is this quandary men and women have struggled with for centuries. If Jesus is God, how could he die? And if he is man, how could he rise?

The Roman soldiers guarding the tomb early that Easter morning were troubled by no such ponderings. One moment they sat mesmerized by the fire flickering in the chilly predawn hours. The next they were stunned by a brilliance of arc-light proportions, as the tomb's stone lurched aside and the radiant Jesus walked out alive!

How can God die, and how can man live? Why, for that matter, was Jesus conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin? Because Jesus is God's Son, sent to earth to lead us to our Father, to die for our sins, and to rise from the dead to show us that he is the source of everlasting life. He is the God-Man.

And what is that to me? His shameful death that Good Friday was a direct result of my sins. And his resurrection Easter morning was for me, as well. He died and lived for me. For me--and for you.

IS EASTER A PAGAN CELEBRATION?

By no means! Easter is the primary Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Lord.

However, the English word "Easter" may have pagan connotations. The Anglo-Saxon priest Venerable Bede in the 8th century derived it from the Anglo-Saxon spring goddess Eostre.

Of course, our days of the week, too, spring from the names of pagan gods:

Sunday
Sun god

Monday
Moon god

Tuesday
Tiu, Germanic god of war

Wednesday
Odin, Norse supreme god

Thursday
Thor, Norse god of thunder, weather, and crops

Friday
Frigga, wife of Odin and Norse goddess of married love and of the hearth

Saturday
Saturn, Roman god of agriculture


And the names of the months, similarly are deeply infected with the names of pagan gods:

January
Janus, Roman god of doors and gates

February
Februus, ancient Italian god, and festival of purification

March
Mars, Roman god of war

April
Aprilis, Roman republican calendar month, considered by the Romans as sacred to Venus

May
Maia, Roman goddess of spring

June
Juno, Roman goddess of women and marriage

July
Julius Caesar, defied Roman emperor

August
Augustus Caesar, defied Roman emperor

September
Seventh (month of early Roman calendar)

October
Eighth (month of early Roman calendar)

November
Ninth (month of early Roman calendar)

December
Tenth (month of early Roman calendar)


You see, the NAMES that we use -- indeed, our entire vocabulary -- is filled with pagan references of Anglo-Saxon, Norse, Germanic, and Roman gods and goddesses, since the vocabulary developed before Christianity came to England. But the CONTENT of Easter -- at least as true Christians practice it -- is a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The old pagan celebrations of Easter are for those who don't know Jesus. But a meditation on Jesus' cross, his death, and his glorious resurrection are to be the focus of Christians.

Don't get hung up on the name "Easter." But focus on the joy we celebrate when we recall Jesus' rising from the dead on that Sunday morning, that "Easter" morning, 20 centuries ago.

( Courtesy of Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries )

LORD : Liar or Insane?

Some say He was just a good teacher,
but good teachers don't claim to be God.



Some say He was merely a good example,
but good examples don't mingle with prostitutes
and sinners.



Some say He was a madman,
but madmen don't speak the way He spoke.



Some say He was a crazed fanatic,
but crazed fanatics don't draw children to themselves
or attract men of intellect like Paul or Luke
to be their followers.



Some say He was a religious phony,
but phonies don't rise from the dead.



Some say He was only a phantom,
but phantoms can't give their flesh and blood to
be crucified.



Some say He was only a myth,
but myths don't set the calendar for history.



Jesus has been called the ideal man, an example of love, the highest model of religion, the foremost pattern of virtue, the greatest of all men, and the finest teacher who ever lived. All of those descriptions capture elements of His character, but they all fall short of the full truth. The apostle Thomas expressed it perfectly when he saw Jesus after the resurrection, and exclaimed, "My Lord and My God!" (John 20:28).



(Excerpt from The Miracle of Christmas by John F. MacArthur, Jr.)



I ASKED...


I asked for Strength.........
And God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for Wisdom.........
And God gave me Problems to solve.

I asked for Prosperity.........
And God gave me Brain and Brawn to work.

I asked for Courage.........
And God gave me Danger to overcome.

I asked for Love.........
And God gave me Troubled people to help.

I asked for Favors.........
And God gave me Opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted ........
I received everything I needed!



LENTEN QUIZ




Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Bb. Pilipinas contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Famas Award winners for best actor actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel, appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you. Easier?


The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.


"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. "
- Mohandas Gandhi

March 25, 2005




WHEN WE VISITED JESUS



Maundy Thursday evening, a couple of years ago, when Nidz and I decided to make the traditional Visita Iglesia right after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in Gagalangin. We saw groups of people, mostly youngsters, walking from one church to another. We opted to take the public ride instead.

First stop, actually second if you’ll count St Joseph Church, was San Roque de Manila in Rizal Avenue. After saying some prayers before the Blessed Sacrament at the altar of repose, we went to do the station of the cross, at least one station per church that we will be visiting.

Next stop was the massive Espiritu Santo Church, also on the same road. This is one thing we miss here in Europe, churches can be located on the same thoroughfare! This was followed by visits at churches/chapels in Sta Cruz, Quiapo, Holy Face (Hidalgo Street), San Sebastian, San Beda, St Jude (Malacañan),and the so called “twin churches” of Our Lady of Loreto and St Anthony in Sampaloc.

People were everywhere as though the night will never die. We met friends, neighbours, and colleagues. Almost every able bodied Catholic was on the streets – some even walk barefoot - touring churches most of which they have never have been before.

Visita Iglesia which literally means “church visit” has been a form of devotion we hold dear like the Simbang Gabi. Visits range from a few to 14 churches (like the 14 Stations of the Cross). Some do it for penance; others in thanksgiving for a favour granted; still others do it for tradition’s sake. No matter how or why people do it, what is important is who we really visit. It’s not the church that we actually want to see although it can be worthwhile to have a look at how the altar of repose is decorated or how things are done in that place that may be different from how our parish operates. It’s who lives there that we must be the reason of our visit. You don’t go to your fiancé‘s house to see how colourful the wallpaper is or how big the swimming pool is. You came primarily to see her!

That’s why some priests are piqued to see a whole lot of people coming to church on Maundy Thursday night, while Mass is being held or during the Vigil before the Blessed Sacrament, to make the Stations of the Cross. It’s like sending a text message to a loved one sitting next to us!

As we trod the roads of Metro Manila this Maundy Thursday, let us remember that it is Jesus – present in the altar of repose – whom we must visit in the line up of churches we plan to see. He makes Himself present in that altar. Let’s devote more time talking with Him, thanking Him for the gift of His body and blood, and asking Him to give us strength that we may continue our Visita Iglesia in the years to come.

The number of churches doesn’t matter; it’s the quality time we give to our Lord that really counts! Come, let us worship Him!

March 24, 2005

( Mag-share ng saya at kabuluhan, kung kayo ay may mga kwento, mga patawa, mga inspirational stories paki-forward lang sa anluwage1@yahoo.com )




SI ERAP AT ANG CHEDENG!

Narito ang kwento


******************************************************

Sagutin dito ang hamon ng

Gagalangin Challenge ( BIBLE-LYMPICS)

*******************************************************

March 22, 2005

The Stations of the Cross

The Meaning of Lent
By Pietro Bernardino S. Albano
The Feast and Fast
The Prayer of Lent
THE CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY


To Our Lady This Lent
click here


Click image

An Easter On-line Experience.






HOLY TUESDAY

21 March 2005

Unang Pagbasa: Is 49:1-6

Ebanghelyo: Jn 13:21-33, 36-38


Nakahilig sa hapag kasama ang kanyang mga disipulo, nabagabag ang kalooban ni Jesus, at nagpatunay: “Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: ipagkakanulo ako ng isa sa inyo.” Nagtinginan ang mga alagad at pinagtatakhan kung sino ang tinutukoy niya. Nakahilig sa tabi ni Jesus ang isa sa kanyang mga alagad, ang mahal ni Jesus. Kaya tinanguan ito ni Simon Pedro para usisain si Jesus kung sino ang kanyang tinutukoy.


Kaya paghilig niya sa tabi ni Jesus, sinabi niya sa kanya: “Panginoon, sino ba iyon?” Sumagot si Jesus: “Siya iyong ipagsasawsaw ko ng kapirasong tinapay at siya kong bibigyan.” At pagkasawsaw ng kapirasong tinapay, ibinigay niya iyon kay Judas, anak ni Simon Iskariote. Kasunod ng kapirasong ito, pumasok sa kanya si Satanas. Kaya sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Magmadali ka sa gagawin mo.”


Walang nakaunawa sa mga nakahilig sa hapag kung ba’t sinabi niya iyon sa kanya. Dahil nakay ni Judas ang bulsa, inakala ng ilan sa sinasabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Bumili ka ng mga kailangan natin para sa Piyesta,” o kaya’y mag-abuloy sa mga dukha.


Kaya pagkakuha niya sa kapirasong tinapay, agad siyang lumabas. Gabi noon. Pagkalabas ni Judas, sinabi ni Jesus: “Niluwalhati na ngayon ang Anak ng Tao, at niluwalhati rin sa kanya ang Diyos. At agad naman siyang luluwalhatiin ng Diyos sa sarili nito.


Mga munting anak, sandali na lamang n’yo akong kasama. Hahanapin ninyo ako at gaya ng sinabi ko sa mga Judio sinasabi ko rin sa inyo ngayon, ‘Kung saan ako papunta, hindi kayo makaparoroon.’


Sinabi sa kanya ni Simon Pedro: “Panginoon, saan ka papunta?” Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi ka makasusunod ngayon sa akin kung saan ako papunta; susunod ka pagkatapos.” Winika sa kanya ni Pedro: “Panginoon, bakit hindi ako makasusunod sa iyo ngayon? Iaalay ko ang aking buhay alang-alang sa iyo.” Sumagot si Jesus: “Iaalay mo ang buhay mo alang-alang sa akin? Talagang-talagang sinasabi ko sa iyo, hinding-hindi titilaok ang tandang hanggang makaitlo mo akong maitatuwa.


Reflections

Coming clean

By PBSA


“Who is it, Lord?” (Jn 13:25; TEV – Second edition © 1992)

Nagmamaang-maangan is one trait we sometimes resort to when we feel guilty of something. Other words for it are patay-malisya, deadma, nagmamalinis. We ask questions or express statements as though we are innocent of an evil deed.

As Jesus was having supper – His last supper – with the apostles, He suddenly announced that one of them will betray Him. Of course, one by one, His followers started to ask. Judas the traitor asked too as though he never knew what will happen to his Master.

This Holy Tuesday, let’s put a stop to playing clean. If we are at fault, then we should be humble enough to say, “It is I, Lord!”


HOLY WEEK



Pause, Reflect, Pray

There is time for everything.

There is a time to be born, a time to live. There is time for joys and pains, for triumphs and defeats. There is a time to get sick, a time to die.

Meantime, there Holy Week is a time to pause, to reflect, to pray.

We pause to think and repent for the sinful things we have done and the virtuous things we failed to do. We pause to reflect that life is but a loan from God who in due time will take it back. We pause to pray for our families, our communities, our country.

Thus we make this week truly a holy one

March 21, 2005

The Stations of the Cross

The Meaning of Lent
By Pietro Bernardino S. Albano
The Feast and Fast
The Prayer of Lent
To Our Lady This Lent
click here



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An Easter On-line Experience.






HOLY MONDAY

21 March 2005

Unang Pagbasa: Is 42:1-7


Ebanghelyo: Jn 12:1-11


Anim na araw bago mag-Paskuwa, pumunta si Jesus sa Betania, na kinaroroonan ni Lazaro na pinabangon ni Jesus mula sa mga patay. Kaya naghanda sila roon ng hapunan para sa kanya. Nagsilbi si Marta at kabilang naman sa mga kasalo niya ay si Lazaro. Kinuha si Maria ang isang librang mamahaling pabangong mula sa purong nardo at pinahiran ang mga paa ni Jesus at pinunasan ng kanyang buhok ang mga paa niya. At napuno ng halimuyak ng pabango ang pamamahay.


Sinabi ni Judas Iskariote na isa sa kanyang mga alagad na siyang magkakanulo sa kanya: “Ano’t di ipinagbili nang tatlundaang denaryo ang pabangong ito para maibigay sa mga dukha.” Sinabi niya ito hindi dahil may malasakit siya sa mga dukha kundi dahil magnanakaw siya; nasa kanya ang bulsa ng pananalapi at nangungupit siya sa inilalagay doon.


Kaya sinabi ni Jesus: “Pabayaan mo siya’t inilaan niya ito para sa araw ng paglilibing sa akin. Kasama ninyong lagi ang mga dukha ngunit hindi n’yo ako laging kasama.”


Marami sa mga Judio ang nakaalam na naroon siya. At dumating sila hindi dahil lamang kay Jesus kundi para makita si Lazaro na pinabangon niya mula sa mga patay. Pinag-usapan naman ng mga punong-pari ang pagpatay pati na kay Lazaro, pagkat marami sa mga Judio ang lumilisan dahil sa kanya at nananalig kay Jesus.

Reflections

When Christ wasn’t in the poor

By PBSA


“You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me.” (Jn 12:8; TEV – Second edition © 1992)

Politicians and other influential people have often been heard uttering words in defence of the poor. Yet if we take a hard look at some of these people, their lifestyles for example, we could only shake our heads in disbelief. The poor have just been used to win votes and to look “pogi” in society.

In the Gospel, Jesus reprimands Judas for criticizing a repentant woman who anointed the Lord’s feet with an expensive perfume. This apostle-turned-betrayer moaned that the money could have been given to the poor. Christ knows what’s inside Judas’ mind. It’s not the poor, it’s only himself.

This Holy Monday, let us internalize how we have treated the poor. Have we done something for them that, in a way, liberated them from their sad condition? Have we just given them the fish without teaching them how to catch fish? Have we seen Christ in their weary faces?


"Heaven lent you a soul Earth will lend a grave. "
- Christian Nestell Bovee

March 20, 2005


"The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works. "
- Saint Augustine

March 19, 2005


Today is the Solemnity of
Saint Joseph
Patron of the Universal Church and Gagalangin



Let us reflect on the life of this just man.
( an anluwage.com exclusive )
Click here



Novena to Saint Joseph
Prayer Request to Saint Joseph
The Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys

March 17, 2005


"As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.
- Pope John Paul II

March 16, 2005


BALITA: Mga bulag pwede ng magbasa ng text messages.

Kailan naman kaya pwedeng tumawag sa cellphone ang mga pipi?

***

Maraming salamat kay Kapatid Arnold Vidar sa pagpapadala niya sa amin ng sked ng mga aktibidades sa parokya para sa Kapistahan ni San Jose at sa Mga Mahal na Araw.

Next week iisa-isahin natin ang mga activities.

***

Hinahamon ni Congressman Edcel Lagman ang CBCP o Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines para sa isang debate upang malaman daw ng publiko kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo.

Your honor,

***

Sabi ni Willie Revillame sa kanyang programa, masarap magmahal ang kapamilya-ang ABS-CBN. Pero bakit di sila naaawa sa mga taong binibilad nila sa init at lamig para lamang makasali sa Pera o Bayong? Oo nga, hindi nila pinilit ang mga taong iyon para pumila pero bakit di na lang nila kunin ang mga entries ng mga pobreng iyon at saka nila pauwiin at paghintayin na lang sa bahay kung kailan sila mabubunot?

Willie, !!!

***

Isang kababayan nating US-based ang nag-email sa aminupang itanong kung hanggang ngayon daw ba ay naka-maong pa rin si Fr. Nesty Gungon, ang Kura ng Saint Joseph, kapag nagmimisa.

Aling Tess, sorry, wala pa po kaming Fashion Editor dito sa anluwage.com.


"Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade? "
- Benjamin Franklin

March 14, 2005


"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes. "
- Mahatma Gandhi

March 13, 2005






Moral Aspect : Acceptable

Technical : Average


Alex Hitch Hitchens (Will Smith) is a professional dating consultant. His services mainly include coaching lonely guys who need professional counseling in dating the woman of their dreams. Hitch's formula guarantees that men who seek his advise would be able to find their perfect match after a date or two. Albert (Kevin James), a shy and pudgy accountant, seeks Hitch's professional assistance in dating his true love: the rich, beautiful and powerful Allegra (Amber Valleta) who happens to own the company he works for. Albert is able to get Allegra's attention through Hitch's advice. From then on, Hitch's expertise is put to a test as he does his best to coach Albert as he dates Allegra. Meanwhile, Hitch's own love life is in shambles. He's fallen in love with gossip columnist, Sara (Eva Mendes) a real looker he meets in a bar. Sara is also smart yet cynical. Will Hitch's "dating expertise' work for his own love affairs? Or will it be more of a hindrance?

Like many romantic comedies, Hitch is light on surprises. The predictability of the plot actually works for the formula. Smith and Mendes look good as a couple, so do James and Valleta. But the real hit tandem in the movie is Smith and James. Their scenes together break the monotonous flow of this romantic date movie. Hitch provides enough laughs and thrills, save for the quite trite ending. The premise is very interesting and its appeal is quite universal to all men the world over. What is interesting in this movie is that it is able to make men aware of the mushiness of romance which is oftentimes associated only with women. With that, Hitch is both entertaining and somewhat "educational" because it teaches valuable lessons to some men who spend a whole lifetime looking for their perfect match.

In love, there are formulas and rules, but at the end of the day, there really are no rules. Hitch works around this moral premise. All is fair (it should be) in love and everyone must be given that chance regardless of one's looks and status. Although it is quite disturbing at first that a man would make a business out of meddling in the affairs of the hearts of other people, Hitch is able to establish his point that sometimes, the world is not fair even in love. So his noble cause is helping only those who are really in love. Hitch's intentions are noble and he does not treat his profession as mere business, but a vocation. Although still, such a service will never be accessible to the penniless. It only means that wealth is nothing without having someone to share it with. In the end, true love always prevails and one with the purest intentions receives the greatest reward.

March 12, 2005


CONTRACEPTION AND ABORTION


Contraceptive mentality promotes abortion acceptability.

The more contraceptives are used, the more abortions are done. There is a direct relevance between the abundance of contraceptives and the frequencies of abortions. This is the experience of all countries successful in population control. Logic and statistics prove this fact.

To abhor the birth of children, to use contraceptives to avoid having children, to have unwanted pregnancies—this is the tripod of abortions. This is the launching pad of the murders of the unborn.

The proposition that contraceptives prevent abortions is a contradiction in fact. The opposite is the truth. Contraceptives are the constructs of abortion.

This is why the National Security Memorandum No. 200 of the U. S. Government is candid enough to mention contraceptives and abortion in one breath. Reason: the two options form but one composite whole. Those who conceived and composed the Memorandum were wise enough to know that one usually leads to the other: When contraceptives fail, abortion is the recourse. Contraception and abortion are not twins but they are very close siblings.

In this country, population is the popular whipping boy. The Filipinos are castigated for the woes of the nation. The truth:

a. Poverty is caused by economic mismanagement, not by population.
b. Criminality is the product of failure of law and order, not by the fault of population.
c. Pollution is the effect of poor environmental control, not by population.

Those advocating population control may have good intentions. Those proposing the ready and easy access to contraceptives could have honest motives. Intentions and motives however cannot overturn the truth, cannot argue against fact.

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