SHORT DEVOTIONAL: Life is short

There is no argument that life on earth is, indeed, very short.  The only question, I guess, is how we spend this short life that our Creator gave us. We can either live in peace or wallow in bitterness. We can either love or hate. We can either hope or despair. We can either obey or neglect.  The choice is ours to make.  

And when we make our decisions make sure that we always take in consideration the fact that life is short, and don't try to even make it shorter by choosing ungodly choices. Let us live our lives according to the purpose God has called us to do, because that way, our short lives will becoming meaningful for we have pleased God. 

PRAYER: Lord JESUS CHRIST, You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Instill in our hearts the fact that anytime, our lives on earth could end sooner than we least expected it.  Guide us in our daily choices, so we can always choose what pleases You.  At the end our lives, may we all find ourselves resting in Your loving arms. Amen. 

SHORT DEVOTIONAL: God looks at the heart.

Most of the time, we, Christians, are living a double life.  We appear very good on the outside, especially in front of many people, yet our hearts are full of hatred, malice and bad intentions.  Jesus, in today's gospel, chastised the hypocrisy of the scribes and pharisees for not doing what they preach.  It is their hearts' content which Jesus abhor.  On the contrary, God is well pleased with the humble of heart.  When a woman in Bethany anointed Jesus' feet with a fragrant oil, the Lord did not care about the cost of the oil, neither He cared about the scandalous act of the woman. What Jesus saw and care about was the HUMILITY of her heart. 

"The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." --1 Samuel 16:7

PRAYER: Lord JESUS CHRIST, you are ever powerful, yet you find pleasure in humbleness. Grant us the grace to be always humble. Cleanse our hearts from all ungodly emotions, and allow us to live a holy life. Amen. 

SHORT DEVOTIONAL: The Power of Words

Words from our mouth are very powerful. It can either build up, transform or destroy.  In the words of the Apostle James (3:9-10), "with it (mouth) we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing."

In today's gospel, John the Baptist used his mouth to proclaim the kingdom and correct public sinners.  The latter caused him his very life.  Brothers and Sisters, let us imitate Saint John the Baptist's courageous act of using words appropriately.  If a brethren sinned, let us use proper words to correct him/her; because it is christian charity to bring back to the right path our wayward brethren.  If a brethren is depressed, let us use encouraging words to uplift his/her spirit because doing so pleases the heart of GOD.  On the other hand, let us not use our mouth to bring words of destruction.  If we are angry, let it pass before we speak, because we can no longer bring back harmful statements.

PRAYER: Lord JESUS CHRIST, teach us to be like You in all things. May we learn to use our mouth in giving You honor, praise and glory which You so much deserve. Allow us to use it, as well, to lead people closer to You. Amen. 

SAN LORENZO RUIZ PARISH CHURCH, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Philippines

The Parish Church is located at Barangay Dau in Mabalacat, Pampanga. It is under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Pampanga.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH CHURCH, Manggahan, Pasig City, Philippines

The Parish Church is located inside Karangalan Village along Kaginhawaan Road in Pasig City. It is under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pasig.

SHORT DEVOTIONAL: Jesus is our true and lasting security!

Placing our security on money or material wealth is a sure way to disappointment and insecurity.  Material wealth does not define a GOOD LIFE. A good life is when we learn to surrender our lives to the MASTER OF ALL, Jesus Christ. Remember, all the earthly goods will soon lose its value; and only He, JESUS CHRIST, will forever remain. Cling to Him; because in Him, there is true and lasting security.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the source of all-good!  We thank you for all the blessings we received. Allow us not to be blinded by these overwhelming blessings, instead, may we focus on YOU more, and YOU alone! Impressed upon our hearts a clear understanding that we are just Your stewards, so we cannot boast of anything, but Your goodness and generosity. Amen.

SHORT DEVOTIONAL: Singles, pray for your God's best!

 

Your heart will end up broken if you kept on LOOKING for the "right" one; and using your own human efforts in doing so. PRAY, instead, for your GOD'S BEST and let God do the matching. In the meantime, be intimate with the Lord and experience authentic joy with Him and in Him alone.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you have impressed upon my heart that my vocation is the married life.  I sincerely pray that you lead me towards the person whom I will share my best and my worse; my sickness and my health;  that person who will lead me closer to You and will inspire me to strive for holiness.   Amen.

SHORT DEVOTIONAL: Trusting God

GOD is not our slave to be commanded according to our wishes. He is GOD, our Father, in whom respect and worship are due alone. Let us TRUST in His timing and wisdom; because trusting GOD reveals the condition of our hearts. One indication that we have fully surrendered to His Divine will is the overwhelming STILLNESS in our souls, in the midst of the many uncertainties of our human affairs.

PRAYER:  Father in heaven, you are my only hope. Grant in my heart the grace of trusting You in all things. Allow my weary soul to rest in Your peace, so that I may focus on loving and serving You. O loving and eternal GOD, please transform my doubting heart into a trusting heart, and use me as Your witness to the world that Your promises are true. In Jesus Name, Amen.

SAN JOSE DE TROZO PARISH CHURCH, Manila, Philippines

The San Jose de Trozo Parish Church is located along Masangkay Street in Santa Cruz, Manila. It is under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila.

SHORT DEVOTIONAL: Helping hands.

Our love for JESUS is not measured by how ecstatic we are in singing sacred music. Loving HIM is measured by our ability to love the least, seek the lost and care for the last. If raising our hands during praise and worship will not lead us to a helping hand, then our worship is plain ECSTASY and not love.

Jesus, in today's gospel (Matthew 19:16-22), made it very clear that the way to christian perfection is this: "sell what you have and give to (the) poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." God is more pleased with Christians who, out of love for Him, are compelled to do extraordinary works for the poor and the marginalized. You might say, "I don't have money to help." That maybe true for many of us, but helping does not come in the form of money alone.  We can help by giving some of our time and by giving some of our talents to uplift our brothers and sisters in dire need. Every time you do charitable works, remember that you do it all for JESUS, because "He is in least of our brethren."

HOLY FAMILY PARISH CHURCH, Makati City, Philippines

The Holy Family Parish Church is located at Faraday Street in Makati City. It is under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Manila. It is home to beautiful mosaic arts depicting the life of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. 

Struggling to overcome pornography? Pray the Chaplet of Saint Michael the Archangel!

Just like the other boys of my teen age years, I, too, was a victim of the false satisfaction offered by the world. I was, for many years, a pornography addict. But, thank GOD! I was able to sneak out of that terrible situation through God's grace and the help of the Archangel.  

Brokenhearted? Here's a short prayer to help you recover and heal.

 

LORD JESUS CHRIST, You are described in the scripture as the God who is near to the brokenhearted. I humbly implore Your power to console and bring healing to my brokenness and torment. I believe that nothing is impossible for you to do, and so I beg You, my dear LORD, to convert my sufferings into a joyful experience of Your heavenly love. Allow my spirit to focus on You alone, so that I may see and understand the blessing behind my broken heart. I entrust everything to You, my LORD JESUS; because You are my only hope. Heal me. Save me. Amen.

We follow the Saints, because they followed the footsteps of Christ

 Gospel- John 12:24-26 

 

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you,

unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,

it remains just a grain of wheat;

but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Whoever loves his life loses it,

and whoever hates his life in this world

will preserve it for eternal life.

Whoever serves me must follow me,

and where I am, there also will my servant be.

The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

The Gospel today reminded me of the triumphant men and women of faith aka the SAINTS. The examples they gave us are truly worthy to emulate in order that our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ may grow and "bear much fruit."

Struggling with self-righteousness? Here's a short prayer for you.

Strengthen us, LORD, in our christian journey and remove in us gestures of "self-righteousness" because it only worsens injury, and prompting disappointments to people who wish to follow YOU. Remove the "pharisees" in us, and make us lowly as YOU are. Instill in our hearts the sufferings you made for us on the cross, that we may not boast anything before YOU and before our neighbors.  May we always live HUMBLY according to YOUR holy precepts and within the bounds of YOUR never ending grace. Amen.

SHORT DEVOTIONAL: No one is blessed enough than a person who pleases God

Jesus did not promise a comfortable life. He warns His disciples, instead, that following Him is a journey of painful sacrifices. You may ask, "how can sacrifices be a blessing?" Simple. It allows us to develop a "selfless" attitude which the Good Lord desires of us. Remember the commandments? Love God and Love your neighbor. No mention about loving ourselves. Jesus is pleased when we follow His commands; and no one is blessed enough than a person who pleases God.

OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY CHAPEL, Lucky China Town Mall, Binondo, Manila, Philippines

The Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Chapel is located inside the Lucky China Town Mall in Binondo District, Manila. It serves as a sanctuary and haven amidst the busy and fast-paced economic trading in the area. There are masses here during Wednesdays and Sundays. In its side chapel, a live broadcast of THE FEAST is also being aired every Sunday.

SHORT DEVOTIONAL: Favoritism hurts!

Whether in the family, school, workplace, and even among close friends, FAVORITISM HURTS. The only time you will not feel the hurt is when you are among the favored ones. The Apostle James (2:1-8), in his epistle, warns us (especially those in AUTHORITY) to avoid the foolishness of favoritism, lest we fall into the trap of sinful judgment and evil thoughts. To be in authority is a responsibility. It is not an exclusive right to play God to any one. Take advantage of every opportunity, but never take advantage of people. To be in authority is all about helping and developing people to move up the spectrum in the context of fair play. A person in authority is a person ready to make sacrifices for all, not just for a selected few.

OUR LADY OF REMEDIES PARISH CHURCH, San Manuel, Tarlac, Philippines

The Parish Church is located in the Municipality of San Manuel in the Province of Tarlac. It is under the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarlac. If you are coming from Metro Manila, you can ride buses going directly to San Manuel, La Union or Pangasinan. Ask the bus driver to alight you off in San Manuel.