Linking with the old and new

The following are possible answers to a “life study” question, “How receptive are you to new wine?” (Catholic Serendipity Bible for Personal and Small Group Study. Lk 5:36-39. p. 1589):

· I like things as they are.

· I accept change slowly but with God’s help, I can handle it.

· I’m all for change if I’m sure it’s God’s doing.

· I’m a revolutionary – let’s turn the world upside down.

From the Christian Community Bible, “New wine, new skin” is the caption of the Gospel according to St. Mark (Mk 2:21-22) with the same message in the Gospels of Sts. Luke and Matthew (Lk 5:36-39 and Mt 9:16-17). Literally, I view these verses remembering what Dr. R. M. Santiago (“Why do I write?” www.nestofglory.blogspot.com Jan 31, 2011) told me, “Loy, ayaw na kay bag-ong dawat. Let’s drink bahal.” He cautioned me never to drink too much from the ‘line of different wine’ for tasting in the winery as we visited a vineyard in upstate New York, U.S.A. (1984). According to him, they were comparable to the newly tapped ‘toddy or tuba’. ‘Bahalina’ is better like the aged liquor.

Anyway, I consider and analyze the above “life study” question in a different perspective. I consider myself the link (whether weak or strong) for the old and the new generation. 

I was filled with awe last August 20, 2011 as the sharer for the men’s breakfast fellowship at the BCBP Cebu Central held in Casino Español, Ranudo St., Cebu City. I was amazed and grateful because I did not expect 4 “first timers”. One of them was a sugarcane planter in Negros, the other one was an OFW broadcast engineer working in Saudi Arabia with 2 younger gentlemen. It was amazing to remember that in November 15, 2008 at the same venue and among the same group of businessmen and professionals, I invited and brought with me 4 guests. They composed of a banana planter from Davao, a new-found Singaporean friend and 2 trainors on natural, organic farming.

I was thrilled, inspired and motivated from the introduction to the less than 20 minutes witnessing, handing of the token, closing and final informal interactions among some of those interested in natural, organic farming. I was impressed and grateful to the significant introduction of the Breakfast Head (Bro. Jun Jabatan) that I’m a “man who keeps on talking about God”. I was deeply touched by the Responsorial Song and the lively closing/final song about “calling” that I heard for the first time. From the many opportunities I’ve been sharing my life story whether alone or together with my wife, this is the first time that I was handed a book as a token through Bro. Ani Serato.

I am greatly moved and disturbed by Alex and Brett Harris (young, twin brothers) who in their tender age are able to publish their second book, “Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are”. Their first book is entitled, “Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations”. (I received their second book as a token from the BCBP Cebu Central.) At sixteen, they were blogging, published the first book at nineteen and when they are twenty-one and sophomore in College, the second book is through. It is amazing how they are dreaming big dreams, “strongly believing that God wants our generation to change the world”. I checked www.therebelution.com and indeed, the blog still exists giving me the opportunity to see the twin brothers and how big and well organized their concept, plans and actions for a “Rebelution” (combination of rebellion and revolution, a teenage rebellion against low expectations to do hard things to glorify God).

In my own small ways, relatively young as I am, I have created nestofglory.blogspot.com as my ULR or my address in the web. I have been inviting relatives, old and new-found friends. Discouragingly, a relative commented, “Loy, tiguwang na ta para magblog-blog!” Borrowing a line from the Introduction of the Book, “You’re Still Young, I’m Old….”, I responded and expressed the same thought, “Technology has progressed so fast that parents nowadays need their children to teach them how to use the latest inventions.” So that in my desire to “go treasure hunting” by blogging, I sought assistance from my Applied Physics graduate daughter with my “crash course” in computer literacy.

The period from August 16 - 20, 2011 was the celebration of the World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain. I creatively imagine the possibility of collaboration among the worldwide youths of this generation (the Pope John Paul II generation) for the "Rebelution. My simple and priceless contribution towards its realization is my prayer for the sustainability and the unbreakable "vital link to tradition."

Starting March 2011, I decided to allocate a portion of my monthly tithes for the construction of the Youth Center in Cebu City. I readily attended the Dinner for a Cause (August 27, 2011) for the same purpose during which time, the fifth Book by Cardinal Vidal, ”You’re Still Young, I’m Old..: A Conversation with the Youth of Cebu” was launched. Fortunately, I met and had a brief acquaintance hoping for a facebook friendship with Engr. Russel Pepito, a youth volunteer from Liloan, Cebu. Through her, I invited her parents to our BCBP Breakfast Fellowships.

Astonishingly, I was the only gentleman seated in table 39 at the Grand Convention Center where the dinner for a cause and book launching were held.  I gladly introduced myself without inhibition.  When they invited me to dine with them, I declined telling them that I am present “for a cause” no more dinner because I came from the 54^th birthday party of my wife.  Amazingly, when Bishop Jose Palma delivered the welcome address, he expressed the same, “he is present for a cause, no more dinner” because he came from the Fiesta (biesperas) at Mambaling, Cebu City.  Well, I gained 2 more young facebook friends. I invited them to be my blog followers or members. They are Jackie Reigh Abesia and Jesryl Pacquiao.

From the above “life study question”, being inspired by the “Rebelution” of Alex and Brett Harris and my desire to have a strong link between the old and the new generation, I opt for a “rebelution” ready to turn the world (to start  with the world within) upside down. nmg

     

   

The winning edge

I recall how an American woman tennis enthusiast with a sincere concern asked me, "Did you win the game?".  It was in 1984 during a study tour to some islands in Hawaii (Thanks to USAID!).  I was carrying with me a newly bought lawn tennis racket.  This memory crop up lately after a series of interactive exchange of thoughts with a Filipina earning a living in Texas, U.S.A.  It seems like we are "playing the game of life".  Who has the winning edge?  Our Creator is a Just Judge, Father of all mankind and Fair Referee in this Game (Eccl 12:13).  And so, after her "voluminous strikes" and my minimal "sure ball returns", I am writing her:

    

Dear Dinah (Dayon sa Langit),

    

Human as I am, I tend to pity you but I know you are strong.  Moreover, I am getting annoyed with what you are trying to drive at.  You are simply converting me to ride on the vehicle you are in.  I am sorry to tell you that being equipped with my doctrinal and expectant faith, I am comfortable with the mode of transport I am into though ”struggling” because of the many temptations around.  I understand that you are a committed Bible-believing Christian.  You belong to the “sola scriptura” sect.  You don’t believe in anything outside of the Holy Bible.  I respect your choice and if you are truly a Christian, you should respect mine.  Are you insensitive to the Universal Laws and the Laws of Nature?

If what you have revealed is true, that indeed you are suffering from cancer, then you should have passed the stage of questioning, “Why me, Lord?”.  I can imagine or visualize you reverently holding your Holy Bible carefully cutting through the pages trying to find the answer to this question.  If and when converting people to your ”religion” or “belief system” is your mission and purpose for relief and gratification, I suggest that you evangelize or “share the Good News” to non-believers.  Recently, I encountered a new-found friend who is a 48 years old German.  He is an atheist who coincidentally is suffering from the same kind of cancer that you have.  He is your most appropriate target or ”passenger”.  I’m sure there are a lot of people like him surrounding you whom you can win to ride with you to our ultimate destination.  I visualize this scenario as if you are like Sharon Cuneta in her marine transport commercial, “Sakay na!”.

     

I wonder why you are so mad at Christian and motivational writers. Philip Yancey is one among the several inspirational authors I am reading.  In one way or another, they certainly influence my way of living.  These authors eventually brought and inspired me to read the Holy Bible daily because their concepts and precepts in life are Bible-based.  I worry about your negative pronouncements or judgments against the person of Mr. Yancey.  Don’t you know that your actuation is libelous?  Are you not aware of the basic lesson in life, that whenever you have nothing good to say to your fellowmen, you better be silent? The judgement you pass on to them will boomerang to you.  It is slander (Lv 19:16 and Sir 19:14).  You are good at judging others (Mt 7:1-5).  I pray that you observe acquitting and condemning words (Mt 12:34-37).

I recommend to your “pastoral team” that you read Scott and Kimberly Hahn’s book, “Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism”.  I pray that you open your mind to a wider vision and a thorough search for TRUTH, the TRUTH that sets us free. I also petition for your full recovery. You are "dis-eased", not at ease. Don't you know that a disease is an external manifestation of an internal disorder usually attributed to psychological, emotional and spiritual malfunctions?

Dinah dear, at this point in time of your remaining precious life, have you formulated your “personal mission statement”?  Mine is written in the article, “Holistic being and living” posted in www.nestofglory.blogspot.com  dated January 25, 2011. I try to observe and model after Qoheleth (Eccl 12: 9-10) in my “reflective writing”.

Empathically thinking of you, your  Kabayan:


Nestor M. Gloria (nmg)

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