The Fourth Sunday of Lent

The message for this Sunday is reconciliation within ourselves, with others, and with the whole creation. And in doing so, we are no longer a prodigal son nor like his brother who was physically present but did not understand; we're not anymore separated as we have returned,  reconciled, and became one . . .  with the Father- indeed, a new creation! This is our spiritual challenge today-to be a new creation through Christ, or, do we rather cling to our old self, to our separateness . ..  our comfort zone?

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Brothers and sisters:

Whoever is in Christ is a new creation:

the old things have passed away;

behold, new things have come.

And all this is from God,

who has reconciled us to himself through Christ 

and given us the ministry of reconciliation, 

namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, 

not counting their trespasses against them 

and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

So we are ambassadors for Christ,

as if God were appealing through us.

We implore you on behalf of Christ,

be reconciled to God.

For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,

so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

2 COR 5:17-21

Source of image: joeonosai.blogspot.com

Join us in this spiritual retreat:

ROAD TRIP

Finding God in Your Life's Journey

March, 16, 2013; 8am-5pm

Venue: Quezon City, Philippines

Ms. Nina Robledo: Retreat Director

Fee: P800 per person w/ lunch and snacks

For questions and to reserve a place send an email to: 

wholeingcenter@yahoo.com.ph

v  walk prayerfully through the many phases of your life

v  discover God as your constant companion on your journey

v  reflect on your transitions in the light of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus

v  uncover the gifts of these transitions

A Humbled Heart Does It, Not Sacrifice

What do we bring into and take out from this world that really matters? We know God does not desire sacrifice, that is, the mere offering of the ritual sacrifice without the good inner dispositions won't be adequate. Only an offering with a genuine contrite spirit and a humbled heart will do it.  Nothing else. . . not our victim attitude nor our self-righteousness of deluded doings, having and bribing.

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Lord, you will open my lips; and my mouth will proclaim your praise. For you do not desire sacrifice or I would give it; a burnt offering you would not accept. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn. - Ps 51:17-19

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk 18:9-14)

I Was Here! I lived. I loved. I gave my all so that others may live!

                                                     

The Great Commandment is LOVE!

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

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And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Mark 12:28-34

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Join us in this spiritual retreat:

ROAD TRIP

Finding God in Your Life's Journey

March, 16, 2013; 8am-5pm

Venue: Quezon City, Philippines

Ms. Nina Robledo: Retreat Director

Fee: P800 per person w/ lunch and snacks

For questions and to reserve a place send an email to: 

wholeingcenter@yahoo.com.ph

v  walk prayerfully through the many phases of your life

v  discover God as your constant companion on your journey

v  reflect on your transitions in the light of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus

v  uncover the gifts of these transitions

Listen and Prosper

The ability to listen is a  divine gift, especially so if we listen  with our inner ears and see with our inner eyes. That is what we call faith. . . something that we do hear beyond what our human ears can hear, and something that we see beyond what our human eyes can ever see.  

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Faith does not need any visible proof nor  a sign though it produces the best tangible results. For an evolved faith is powerful and transforming. It goes beyond mere believing as it animates us to live out and practice what we hear- to be whole; lest our faith is trapped and remains only in the head. We may be walking dead like zombies for years and decades without even knowing it. Everyone does a zombie stance every time one hardens his heart and lives according only to  human norms of shallow rituals and rules, wealth accumulation, skin-deep beauty, pleasure and that more is always great. But should we choose to soften our hearts and to humbly open our inner ears  to the voice within, then, we come alive!  We will know what it means to be truly alive regardless of circumstances unfolding before us. We don't need to beg God for anything nor to pressure and to bribe  Him to do anything for us. We know what we know-  that even before we utter a plea,  He already fills us to the brim. We know we are His  beloved stewards. We are guided. Once we allow the holy wisdom to come through us, we can never be the same person as before. We prosper in a liberating way beyond what any human can able to mentally grasp.

If  today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

"Thus says the LORD: 
This is what I commanded my people:
Listen to my voice;
then I will be your God and you shall be my people.
Walk in all the ways that I command you,
so that you may prosper."- Jer 7:23

Join us in this spiritual retreat:

ROAD TRIP

Finding God in Your Life's Journey

March, 16, 2013; 8am-5pm

Venue: Quezon City, Philippines

Ms. Nina Robledo: Retreat Director

Fee: P800 per person w/ lunch and snacks

For questions and to reserve a place send an email to: 

wholeingcenter@yahoo.com.ph

v  walk prayerfully through the many phases of your life

v  discover God as your constant companion on your journey

v  reflect on your transitions in the light of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus

v  uncover the gifts of these transitions

Mother Teresa's Meaning of Life

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“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.” 

by Mother Teresa of Calcutta

An Invitation to Inner Journey

Almost everyone seems to be moving a lot nowadays, wanting to go from one place to another, near or far. It is a known fact that the travel business is a huge industry. Mass transport system has to be efficient to bring horde of people to their destinations. Moving forward becomes a cherished goal of motivated people. They want to go from point A to point B, and so on and so forth, which is very good. In our recollection-workshop called Road Trip: Finding God in Your Life's Journey, we also invite people to embark on a journey, but, it is a journey like no other, because it is a journey to one's self . . . an inner journey.

Source of Image: journeystudy.wordpress.com

"The most adventurous journey to embark on is the journey to yourself; the most exciting to discover is who you really are; the most treasured pieces that you can find are all the pieces of you; the most special portrait you can recognize is the portrait of your soul."- C. JoyBell C.

Source of image: care2.com

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Join us in this spiritual retreat:

ROAD TRIP

Finding God in Your Life's Journey

March, 16, 2013; 8am-5pm

Venue: Quezon City, Philippines

Ms. Nina Robledo: Retreat Director

Fee: P800 per person w/ lunch and snacks

For questions and to reserve a place send an email to: 

wholeingcenter@yahoo.com.ph

v  walk prayerfully through the many phases of your life

v  discover God as your constant companion on your journey

v  reflect on your transitions in the light of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus

v  uncover the gifts of these transitions

On Bearing Fruits of Joy

As a follow up on Sunday's reflections about the fig tree that does not bear fruit, here's some food for thought and for the spirit- Know that we are always a given a fresh chance to experience joy, peace and love and in the process be a light unto others. Yet, a tree can only bear so much fruits if it is cultivated well which requires weeding out of at least three unwanted elements in the soil/landscape of our lives: (1) pride, (2) sloth or laziness, and (3) timidity or cowardice.

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Thus, we can weed out pride slowly but surely first by being watchful (Be vigilant says Christ) of our inner disposition, acknowledging moments that we are boastful, self centered and always wanting to be in control. The best practice instead is to receive and strive to cultivate our gift of humility that we know nothing, to acknowledge God as the Power, the Source behind all our blessings, to be continually dependent upon His grace,  and to count such blessings instead of whining.

We lose momentum by over inactivity and lethargy. We all need to move that body, mind and spirit to keep the whole of us alive and growing. Have you heard of this "Do what you love and love what you do"? Yes, that works; do it whatever that thing may be for as long as it is legal and ethical. Exercise that body through physical work-outs and labor. Keep that mind alive by generating positive and productive thoughts. Read good books. Listen to inspiring people and programs. Get in touch with friends, loved ones and connect with God through prayers both private and public to lift up your spirit. The key to live wholly and joyfully is always found within and inside us. Turning that inner key to open the door of grace and taking small steps of change everyday can spell a gigantic difference over a lifetime. 

Be of a courageous heart. In anything you do, just do your best and allow God to do the rest. For as long as you know that the Lord is actually behind your project or decision, go all the way. We are more than conquerors. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31.

Be very blessed!

Join us in this spiritual retreat:

ROAD TRIP

Finding God in Your Life's Journey

March, 16, 2013; 8am-5pm

Venue: Quezon City, Philippines

Ms. Nina Robledo: Retreat Director

Fee: P800 per person w/ lunch and snacks

For questions and to reserve a place send an email to: 

wholeingcenter@yahoo.com.ph

v  walk prayerfully through the many phases of your life

v  discover God as your constant companion on your journey

v  reflect on your transitions in the light of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus

v  uncover the gifts of these transitions