Our dreams and aspirations

The morning was wet from the overnight rain.  In fact, it was still drizzling when we conducted our prayer meeting on July 21, 2011 for the scheduled copra-making.  Only fourteen (14) were present but the six (6) groups of coconut climbers, pickers and fresh coco meat extractors were well-represented.  The considerably low attendance was due to the unfavorable weather condition, the low coconut fruiting (a natural law of gestation) and the absence of Judy as the farm owner.  The previous prayer meeting (March 24, 2011) was well-attended with Judy presiding.  Points covered were plans for farm sustainability, regrouping of coconut climbers by row or lot owner and the announcement/invitation for the April 3, 2011 birthday party in the farm for Nykko, our grandson.

Anyway, I spent the waiting period to allow the rain to fully stop and the coconut trunks to dry by sharing with them important lessons of life and living.  I acted like their “college professor” as if in a classroom but in a ”school without walls”.  Inspired, motivated and still energized with the recent edition of my life story delivered July 16, 2011 titled, Unleashing the power within, I exhorted our prayer meeting with the same tone or theme.  Extracting from them their respective dreams and aspirations, I learned how simple and satisfied they are with their economic status.  They are resigned to their poverty or “hand to mouth existence”.  They simply accept their fate.  I urged them to dream “big” and encouraged those with little children to send them to school to be educated to be able to gainfully earn a living.  “An educated man has developed the faculties of his mind that he may acquire anything he wants or its equivalent, without violating the rights of others” (N. Hill. Think and Grow Rich. p. 57).  I inculcated in them the need for cooperation with our common goal.  I reminded them that they are part of our “living system” (The first step to a big leap posted in my website, Feb 28, 2011).  I pleaded them to refrain from their irresponsible grazing of their livestock that destroy our replanted coconut seedlings.

  

I shared with them my personal experiences of struggle on how I shaped my destiny to be the person that I am today.  I expressed my frustrations with my parents and siblings in my desire to break their bondage from poverty.  They were “laughing out loud” (lol) when I related how my parents engaged themselves with masiao, a local betting because they themselves are into this kind of gambling.  Now, I understand why the rich gets richer and the poor becomes poorer.  “For the one who has will be given more and he will have abundance.  But the one who does not have will be deprived of even what he has” (Mt 13:12). 

    

Well-noted from the ”God Memorandum” (Og Mandino. The Greatest Miracle in the World. pp. 129-130) are the laws of happiness and success: “Count your blessings, proclaim your rarity, go another mile, use wisely your power of choice and do all things with love…love for yourself, love for all others and love for Me”.  Because this memorandum is from God, notice that He is last in the list to be loved.

With open hearts and minds, we ended our session with a brief prayer for peace, harmony and success.  nmg

The Law of Seven and me

July is the 7^th month of the year.  When I “Celebrated Life” during my 56^th birthday, it completed the 8 cycles of 7 years in my life.  Confidently and in all humility, I am now ready for the “new cycle of seven”.  I feel great to know myself as I am.  Is this knowledge and enlightenment a coincidence? Visualizing Mr. John Calub in his actual physical audio-visual expression, I say with high intensity, “I don’t think so!!!”

I understand that everything that happened and the “ever-expanding wealth” coming in our life are generated by the Universal Law and all the other applicable laws of the Universe.  Providentially, I am reading the Master Key System by Charles F. Haanel to concretize the lessons learned and the assignments to practice after we, as a family attended the “money magnet” and ”attracting wealth” seminars conducted by the John Calub Training, Inc.  In harmony with all members of my family, I believe that we are geared and are in the same path towards being truly wealthy in all aspects of our lives: financial, physical, relational, intellectual and spiritual wealth.  

The recent edition of my life story with the Lord for the BCBP Men’s Breakfast is titled, “Unleashing the Power within”. I shared it with the gentlemen of BCBP Cebu South on July 16, 2011 at the Sacred Heart Center, Cebu City.  “Growing in Discipleship” was the part of the “Workshop on Writing Our Life Story” conducted in the afternoon of the same date for BCBP Consolacion that I facilitated giving my inner power and energy.

I praise, glorify and thank the Master Architect and Master Planner because the insignificant individual that I am is given the opportunity to link with the Universal Mind/Energy.  I visualize the Infinite Goodness weaving our lives towards abundance, happiness, harmony and peace. Basically, this is all about the “web of life” that we deal with permaculture.

Fitting-in to the Septimal Law or the Law of Seven, I find my life to have followed a close semblance appearing the same with what is outlined in Part 16 of the Master Key System (p. 181). The period of reactions and changes (ages 36 – 42) happened when I voluntarily resigned from government employment when I was 37 years old. During the following “cycles of seven”, my social and spiritual dimensions were and will continue to be with the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) along with my family.

Over and above all the Universal Laws, the Law of Attraction, the Law of Love, etc., I conclude and say to our Good Lord, “Let Your mercy come to give me life for Your law is my delight” (Ps 119:77). nmg       

Study the Menu and Enjoy the Meal

(Note: June 26, 2011 is the Solemnity of Corpus Cristi. The day concluded the week-end marriage retreat of 14 couples of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) from Talisay City, Consolacion, Cebu Central with Cebu South as the leading Chapter.  On June 24 (Friday evening), Judy and I were honored and privileged to deliver the first talk, "Serving God through Christian Marriage".  I led the worship in the afternoon (June 25) before the talk, "Sex in Marriage" was presented.  As a couple, we headed the Liturgy.  Everyone (all BCBP servants, active members who took turns for the 48 hours non-stop intercession, the Sisters and staff of the Religious of the Virgin Mary [RVM] of the all-new Betania Retreat House in Lahug, Cebu City, the 3 confessors, the main Eucharistic Celebrant and the focal group, the spiritually awakened and maritally renewed couples with their respective family members) constituted the Body of Christ.  To this Body and all of you who may have the opportunity to read me, I am recalling what I have written 6 years ago.)   

Judy and I were privileged to teach hands-on the good manufacturing practices (GMP) of producing virgin coconut oil (VCO) at home to a relative from General Santos City last June 25 – 28, 2005. 

 

Little did we know that it was beyond the techniques of producing VCO because he opened-up not just his anxieties related to his physical health but his family concerns as well.  Their eldest son who recently graduated from UP at Los Baños (UPLB) with the degree in Chemical Engineering is breaking away from the Catholic Faith.  

In the series of our discussions and interactions, Judy shared her insights on “Reparenting the Child Within” (RCW) pointing out that their son is only a victim.

Thanks God for sparing us from this kind of predicament because four (4) years ago, our second daughter asked our permission to enroll at UP Diliman where she passed the entrance examination to pursue a degree in Applied Physics.  We had the strong feeling that with our approval, sooner or later, she will be parting from us physically and spiritually being indoctrinated with lots of intellectualism.  “Sin and intellectualism are avenues of separating ourselves from God’s Grace.”

I readily shared with my cousin the book by Scott and Kimberly Hahn entitled, “Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism”.  Overnight, I finished rereading my copy because I have been reading this book since we were serving with the Book Ministry of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Mactan Chapter six (6) years ago.

Allow me to echo and re-echo the challenges of this couple to us Catholics to become Bible Christians and vice versa.  Let us study our Catholic Faith to know what we believe and why we believe it.  Let us read the Word of God, believe and live it daily to make our faith infectious.  “We need more contagious Catholics.”

Accordingly, Bible Christians have the Bible in hand with lots of zeal far more with less while many Catholics have the fullness of Faith in the Church but are famished and fast asleep.

Bible Christians have so much of the truth about Christ in the Scripture (sola scriptura) but lack the real and substantial presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Bible Christians study the menu but Catholics enjoy the meal.  As we enjoy the meal, we do not know the ingredients so we fail to share the recipe.

When the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ is renewed during the Mass, we gather at the Family Table for the Sacred meal that makes us One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. nmg

Important Notes:

“Communion with the Body and Blood of Christ increases the communicant’s union with the Lord, forgives his venial sins and preserves him from grave sins.  Since receiving this Sacrament strengthens the bonds of charity between the communicant and Christ, it also reinforces the unity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC] No.1416).

“The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, that is, of the work of salvation accomplished by the life, death and resurrection of Christ, a work made present by the liturgical action” (CCC No. 1409).

“I am the living bread which has come from heaven; whoever eats of this bread will live forever. The bread I shall give is my flesh and I will give it for the life of the world. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, live in me and I in them” (Jn 6:56).  

It’s money magnetment!

“Money magnetment not a budget…” was a striking and awakening statement engraved in my mind during the whole day seminar/teaching that my wife, Judy and our eldest daughter, Colette attended.  Mr. John Calub, the Philippines’ number 1 wealth coach filled with inexhaustible energy introduced to us the secrets of “How to become a Money Magnet?”  We were among the estimated 1,500 Cebuanos who were equally energized and positively expecting to become millionaires.  It was conducted at the SM Trade Hall on June 11, 2011.

Indeed, it was an awakening and a productive day full of realization that “no one is poor.”  Everybody is rich because we have a rich God.  I noted a lot of paradox and applicable as well as doable universal laws to become truly rich (1 Tim 6:3-10).  I appreciate and admire the conviction, integrity, honesty and purity of our wealth guru’s desire for all Filipinos to be truly wealthy.  I am with his dream for the President of the Philippines to attend his seminar. I have the strong feeling that once all our political leaders imbibe the teachings of true richness and wealth, our Nation will be healed from the ”social cancer” we are into. It’s a simple remedy of “healing the Land”, not RH Bill.  

Accordingly, he is not a preacher nor a religious man but all concepts, fundamental laws and applications are basically Bible-based. For me, it was a God-given opportunity on how to live life to the full.  I am excitedly thrilled looking forward to the next level of learning and application how to be wealthy in all aspects of my life.  In fact, we readily purchased discounted tickets for “Attracting Wealth” scheduled on July 9, 2011 at the same venue. I strongly recommend to our brothers/sisters in the BCBP Community, relatives and friends to participate in this noble undertaking to unleash our “inherent and infinite potential” we have since birth.

I praise and thank God for the step by step revelation and positive response to our family’s petition for financial blessing, abundance and freedom.  We support our second daughter, Marianne Claire and their only brother who is the youngest in the family, Francis John with their active involvement as sales agents of the Unlimited Network of Opportunities, Int’l Inc. (UNO).  They were with the first batch who attended the “money magnet” training subsidized by UNO.  Their respective honest application caught my attention and motivated me to attend ourselves.

 

I may not be that generous but I am charitable which I readily practice in my own family because I believe, “charity begins at home” (the first virtue of the first degree of the K of C).  I complied with my promise to the late Bro. Richard Kloster, OFM who was my benefactor.  Instead of repayment, he requested me to replicate what he did to me (”In their name…” www.nestofglory.blogspot.com , Feb 5, 2011).  As a family, we provided financial assistance to a seminarian who is now a faithful priest.  We are waiting for “financial abundance” to be able to offer financial assistance again whenever there will be another opportunity. Standing-by are the 19 households in ”Kalubian ni Lolo” (www.youtube.com search permaculture2011).  They are our “social responsibility”.

At this point in time, I feel God’s graciousness for His promised abundant blessings.    However, we seem to live on tight budget, “pag maikli ang kumot, namamaluktot”.  Applying the lessons learned from our wealth guru, we resolve to “buy a big blanket”.  “Do not make a budget, manage your money.”   

The training/seminar is for all commonsensical and sensible individuals to be awakened about the universal laws of God about love and giving (“Holistic being and living” www.nestofglory.blogspot.com Jan. 25, 2011).  I learn that “freewill giving/offering” is above and beyond the minimum tithe responsibility of every creature.

I resolve and have decided to follow the perfectly healthy “leader of the trade”, our wealth guru, the truly wealthy JOHN CALUB!!  I simply need to create a mindset of “genuine money magnetment system”.  A little bit skeptical being clouded by “limiting beliefs” of the past, I ask God for the Grace to attain an “empowering belief” that “whenever I spend money, more money comes to me!!”.   nmg

I am a Money Magnet!!!

An account of connectedness

(Note: To answer the query of Ate Norma Gloria regarding my ancestry, I partially respond through the article written 2 years ago.  Thanks to Google Chrome, I encounter 2 Norma Gloria: one in Hong Kong and the other in Barcelona, Spain. Actually, I searched for a Norma Gloria from Davao City whom I've known when I was still a teenager. She must have been married carrying her spouse family name. Anyway, I praise and thank the Lord for this wider connection, again through the power of Google Chrome.)


 I believe that to be fully human means “connectedness with society” and “that all things are connected”.

Judy (my wife), Marianne (our second daughter) and myself together with some relatives spent a 6-day rest and relaxation (R & R) last June 25-30, 2009. We went to Metro Manila and Laguna Province.  The oceanarium of the Manila Ocean Park was our first destination. It was a first in a lifetime experience to see various gigantic and minute species of living things from the ocean.  I was amazed with God’s creation brought to us by marine biologists and other professionals engaged in marine life.  The tiny flashlight fishes comparable with the fireflies and the giant spider crab were among the uncommon organisms distinctly noted.  It was a unique way of exposure and exploration with those creatures.  Like little children, we enjoyed the mermaid show.

In Las Piñas City, I met relatives whom I missed for over 2 decades.  I was awed to see my grown-up niece who drove us to their home from SMX Mall of Asia. Equally amazing was my encounter with her 2 brothers.  These children were not yet conceived the last time I was with their parents (my cousins) during their wedding. I was overjoyed with that brief reunion with Tiya Tining Mantua who is staying with them after her retirement as a teacher from Caridad, Baybay, Leyte.

Our final destination was Calauan, Laguna to attend and witness the wedding of a favorite nephew.  It was a very happy occasion to socially interact with relatives and new-found friends.  The reception was held in a well-groomed farm resort.  It is one of the recommended destinations of “Viaje del Sol”, a tourism program in Southern Luzon similar to our “Suroy-suroy sa Sugbu”.  The owner was one of the wedding sponsors who is a business executive in Makati City.  I readily introduced him to the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP).  I was glad he is an acquaintance of our present BCBP National President, Kuya Larry Veloso.  In my own small ways, I provided the necessary link. 

Several other historic and aesthetic tourist spots were visited.  I admired the artistic wares of the famous clay artist in Tiaong, Quezon.  Highly esteemed is his life’s slogan, “Challenges drive me to survive and they make me stronger every time I work with clay.”

I actually saw and verified how the “magnetic hill” works in Mt. Makiling at Los Baños, Laguna.  I failed to check it when I enrolled for my master’s degree in UPLB back in the early 80’s.

The fried “tawilis”, a species of fish that thrive only in Taal Lake was a special menu in a prestigious restaurant in Tagaytay City overlooking the lake.

An anticipated suspense over the rumored chance to feel the presence of ghosts was expected at the underground cemetery in Nagcarlan, Laguna. However, the gate was closed because it was only open from Tuesdays to Sundays.

Known for its craftsmanship in wood carving, we were in Paete, Laguna to testify how skillful the sculptors are as they worked in their respective display areas.  The house of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in Calamba, Laguna brought us back in time of our history but its external painting contradicted its antiquity.

I am indebted and forever grateful to Pepe and Pepel Martinez.  They operate and own  CNEX   Modufurni Systems (CABINEX) dealing with modular kitchen closets, laboratory tables and many more.  Their factory is located in Calauan, Laguna.  They are the proud parents of the groom married 2 days earlier.    

The most memorable and heart-warming encounter that I considered God’s intervention was the brief meeting with a mother and daughter with the same family name as mine.  She is Nanay Violeta Cornejo Gloria with her daughter Zen, the municipal development coordinator of Calauan, Laguna.  Nanay Violeta is of Cebuano descent of the Cornejo Family who married the late Dr. Elderico Gloria, MD of Batangas City.  That hair-raising experience happened in the San Isidro Labrador Parish, Calauan, Laguna after the 6:00 am Holy Mass I attended when Nanay Violeta easily identified me.  They invited us to a sumptuous breakfast. They were very accommodating.  I look forward to meet them again and trace our roots. Suffice it to say that Jesus taught us, “true kinship is not just a matter of flesh and blood” and that “we are a family of God” (Mt 12:48-50).

The ultimate connection I ever experienced during that week-long vacation was at the Field of Faith Sanctuary in Pili Drive, Lamot II, Calauan, Laguna.  The indwelling of the Divine was plainly alive.  It was spiritually relieving to undergo the meditative walk at the Labyrinth Hall.  It was my first time to stumble and learn about the term, labyrinth.  Accordingly, the labyrinth has long been used as a meditation and prayer tool by different cultures. It is an ancient symbol of wholeness.  In the middle ages, Christians who could not make a pilgrim to Jerusalem would instead walk the labyrinth symbolizing that journey.  Today, the labyrinth serves as a metaphor for the spiritual journey through life.  Following the path leading to the center and from the center going out helps to quiet the mind, calm the body and open the heart.  It guides our focus inward.  In this state, we gain awareness of our real selves and our connection with the Divine.  Indeed, “we are not humans in a spiritual path but we are spiritual beings subjected to earthly circumstances.”

It was in the Field of Faith that I discovered the Lady Thrice Adorable.  She is the Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son and Spouse of the Holy Spirit who is admirably unique and uniquely admirable.

I was amazed to learn that the first shrine of the Queen of Schoenstatt outside of Germany is located in a 3.8 – hectare lot on Lawaan III, Talisay City.  I look forward to visit her sanctuary here in Cebu.  Join me in this quest for connectedness!  nmg   

Who chooses and decides?

(Note: I am posting what I have written/reflected last year on the occasion of the first death anniversary of my brother-in-law and the Celebration of Life of my cousin priest last May 28, 2011.)

The latest revision of my life story for the BCBP Men’s Breakfast deals with choices and decisions.  Our couple sharing likewise carries the same theme. “A morally good act requires the goodness of its object, of its end and of its circumstances together.” This is a clear statement encompassing our life story as cited from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC No. 1760).

Last May 2, 2010 when requested through a short notification time, I was scheduled to share the story of the Lord in my life with BCBP gentlemen at Talisay City in the morning.  A day earlier, I was informed that my second degree cousin who is a Franciscan priest of the Order of Friar Minor (OFM) was admitted to the ICU of Chong Hua Hospital.  Together with my wife, we visited him in the afternoon at about 3 pm.  Contrary to our expectation, he was conscious and easily recognized us.  Nothing to offer except our prayers, we inquired if we can pray-over and lay our hands on him.  I was amazed at how he child-likely prayed with us simple prayers like the “Our Father..” and the slow but meaningful expression, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and the hour of our death, Amen.”  With faith and aware that a lot of concerned relatives, friends and parishioners are praying for him, we expect his full recovery.  From that day onward, we included him in my daily Masses and in our BCBP Community’s Saturday Intercessory Prayers that we conduct regularly at home.

Early morning on May 24, my brother-in-law was rushed by his medical doctor daughter with her husband to Velez Hospital.  I failed to drive for them because I arrived home a few minutes late from the 5:30 am Mass I attended.  I learned he was operated on by a brain surgeon.  Additional diagnosis showed he has a 4^th degree epithelial cancer.  Until this writing, he remains hooked to the “medical life machines” at the ICU comatose with a very unstable condition.

Now, we have two (2) men to whom we are praying and interceding for.  Although we can not be very specific what to ask the Lord in their behalf, but we are certain the good Lord is preparing them and their respective love ones.

My relationship with my brother-in-law was unpleasant.  During the growing up years of his 3 daughters who were under our parental guidance and care until they academically and socially mature, I tagged their father as the “murderer” of their mother. She died in l987 from breast cancer which I considered basically caused by emotional stress.  A very displeasing comment from him I indirectly heard lately states, “Kung hindi ko kayo pinabayaan, hindi kayo magkaganyan” referring to their present status.  Indeed, this is an actuation of a very irresponsible father to his struggling daughters.

The May 28 Gospel of the day (Mk 11:11-25) struck me.  It relayed the message about “praying with faith, hope and love” and “forgiveness from transgressions”.  Judy and I visited and prayed for him the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.  We asked him to let go and “die in peace” but he is holding on.  We worry about the financial liabilities he is leaving behind.  Because our nieces are indifferent and do not mind us in their present predicament, we simply allow them to experience and learn to mature spiritually.  Choices and decisions are up to them for their comatose parent.  Silently, this is my concerned comment, “until his last breath, he is indeed negligent”.

When we transferred hospital, I discovered my cousin priest was well-taken cared of by 4 parishioners trained to be ‘caregivers’.  He was moved to a private room with all the “life lines” and dialyzing machine.  He was very conscious.  In fact, he kept on asking God to take him soon because he has suffered enough considering the physical pain and counting the exuberant or excessive medical bill.

With these 2 circumstances, we are reminded by Article 2278 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) that assures everyone involved, “Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of “over-zealous” treatment.  Here one does not will to cause death; one’s inability to impede it is merely accepted.  The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.”

To our 3 nieces, we pray for their enlightenment to come up with the wise decision regarding the fate of their dying father who is under their hands.

Personally, I pray, “Jesus, let death come to me as a gentle friend to sit and linger till you call my name. Amen.”  nmg

 “Where there is great love, there are always miracles”. – Willa Cather

“We know not what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.” – Willis J. Ray

Remembering my mother

On the occasion of Mother’s Day (May 9, 2011), I remember my mother who died 4 years ago.  Along with the lessons of life and living from the true story by Mitch Albom, “Tuesdays with Morrie”, I recall the past, its relevance to the present in order to have a glimpse of the future.

“Accept what you are able to do and what you are not able to do.” Acceptance of who I am, what I can do and cannot do is my faithful recognition of God’s wisdom in my life.  To my dying Nanay, I have been praying and offering my daily Masses for the grace of forgiveness and reconciliation.  She has been lying in bed since February 2007.

My parents may have lots of misgivings and resentments against me because I failed to break their bondage from poverty.  I can only ask God for our emotional healing.  The Lord only knows when and how.

“Accept the past as past without denying it or discarding it.” I have many happy and bitter memories with my parents and siblings.  The hardships, sufferings and sacrifices I experienced became opportunities to work hard in order to earn an academic degree.  The most fulfilling achievement happened when I was appointed assistant instructor effective April 1, 1976 to teach during summer that same year.  I was thrilled to handle a class that included some of my classmates who failed to graduate with me a week earlier.

My first salary for April and May was received with excitement.  I joyfully handed the whole amount to my mother.  Unfortunately, she did not say anything nor showed appreciation.   When I remitted to her my full salary for June, my heart bled when she commented, “Mao na lang ni?” I was dumbstruck and failed to explain.  I was wounded by their ingratitude.  It was the beginning of a change of my attitude towards them.  As the eldest, I committed myself to help and assist my siblings with their studies.  I supported my parents with their financial needs but they were discontented.  I missed their understanding and cooperation.  From being selfless, I became selfish.

After three (3) years of wandering, I decided to wean off and be detached from them.  I opted to have a family of my own.  Accordingly, “the experience of having complete responsibility for another human being, to learn to love and bond in the deepest way is to have your own children”.   Indeed, Judy and I are blessed with two (2) grown-up and responsible daughters who are professionals in their chosen career and an only son who is still in the elementary.  With them, I nurture my past and remind myself that “the most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love and let it come in”.  “To be fully human means connectedness with society.”  Basically, it starts with my own family then to the community surrounding me like the BCBP.

“Learn to forgive yourself and to forgive others.” This is a lesson we learn and relearn daily as we pray, “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”.  One of the realizations I have in our many BCBP teaching especially during the marriage retreat is that my love ones who are dearest to me were hurting me most and vice versa.  I resolved to forgive them and myself.  I pray that they forgive me as well.

“Don’t assume that it’s too late to get involved.” Nothing is too late to renew and heal broken relationships.  It is a matter of personal determination and God’s grace that we attain harmony and peace.  According to Pope Benedict XVI, “True peace is a harmonious coexistence of individuals governed by justice, where there is productive and sincere relationship following the path of forgiveness and reconciliation, being transparent in their dealing and faithful to their word.”

Human as I am being austerely practical, I planned and decided to simply send cash for the burial of my mother and other related expenses.  However, it was not so.  God provided me the opportunity to personally see her die peacefully reconciled with His divine will.  Arriving late in the evening, I found her deeply asleep with normal breathing.  I thought speaking with her in the morning was better than waking her up.  Lightly touching her skin and bony right arm, I mentally assured her that “I am around” during her dying moment.  She passed away at 3:00 a.m. on May 11, 2007.  Her death was my extraordinary gift from the Lord.  I praise and thank Him for answering my prayer lifted up for over a year.

During the second novena night, my brother knights (K of C Council 7507) with their respective wives (CFC) offered a prayer service to my amazement.  Knowing that it coincided with my 52^nd birthday, they readily sung joyful and lively birthday songs that I heard for the first time in my life.  I was deeply touched.  Indeed, “Blessed are they who mourn for they will be comforted” (Mt 5:4).   

One overnight vigil was spent luxuriantly with my dear cousin.  She is an elementary school teacher whose husband is a retired policeman.  We enthusiastically exchanged experiences and stories with the Lord keeping us surprisingly awake.  As active members of Couples for Christ (CFC), the most appropriate talk they use to comfortably deliver every time there is a Christian Life Program (CLP) in their locality is “Repentance and Faith”.

I was awestruck by our brothers and sisters (BCBP Baybay Chapter) who likewise rendered prayer service the night before burial.  Filled with astonishment, I admire, appreciate and acknowledge the initiative of the Mission Director, Music Ministry Head along with some active members headed by no less than their faithful Chapter Head.  Their exemplary deed is worth emulating.

Equally amazing was the physical presence of our empathic brothers and sisters from BCBP Consolacion Chapter.  They sailed the extra nautical miles to cross Camotes Sea to celebrate with us the Funeral Mass, a celebration of life, faith and love.

Inscribed in my mind are the generous donors who helped us with the finances.  I acknowledge with grateful heart everyone who united with us in “learning how to live by learning how to  die”.

The date of burial unexpectedly coincided with the second day of the grand reunion and alumni homecoming in my Alma Mater, my first and only prestigious employer.  Truly, death in the family reunites relatives and friends whom we missed for a long time.  To some extent, healing of relationships was attained.  In my mother’s tombstone is written the epitaph, “Death ends your life, not our relationship.”

In behalf of my family who is filled with gratitude, I say, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift" (2 Cor 9:15). nmg