PALM SUNDAY

 

Photo taken at the @Holy Cross Parish, JP Rizal, Makati during the Palm Sunday mass.

The last two years that we are engulfed by the COVID-19 pandemic, not only our jobs and regular day-to-day life have been displaced and rearranged but also the people's way of observing our traditions.

During the first year of the pandemic, the 45-days of the lenten season which the Catholics all over the globe observed annually were suddenly put to a halt. Without warning nor signs, instantly no more observations of "Ash Wednesday, no Palm Sunday mass, no stations of the cross, no visita iglesia, and no more Easter Sunday festivities including the easter egg hunt", among others. 

Last March 2, the "Ash Wednesday '' mass was a testament on how we as Catholics really missed attending to our religious tradition. Technically, the churches were eventually overwhelmed by its parishioners who flocked to hear  masses, particularly this season of penance as this celebration reminds everyone that we come from dust, and to dust we will all return. 

Today, Palm Sunday, we gather once more to exercise our faith and be reminded how Jesus entered the City of Jerusalem that signals the people's willingness to follow Christ as they waved palm branches to Him. Thus, the lent is a good opportunity not only to renew our faith, to get closer to the almighty but also to be more open to Him whatever your status and conditions in life you are right now. 

An hour or two with God is only a small sacrifice compared to the many blessings that He bestows upon us, to your loved ones, and to humanity. Take a moment with Him this lenten week to unite with God through prayers, a little sacrifice and penance.

NERITIC

Photo taken at Sabangan, San Narciso town in Zambales, Philippines

Hope all is well. Today, I would like to talk about the things that you can offer or give freely as a person regardless of your status, whether you are a partner, a parent, a child or a friend.  

It must be clear and fair to everyone that you should not expect something that you, yourself cannot offer or willing to give to others. If you are a partner, you don't impose a on your other half that you are not willing to sacrifice. If you are a parent, it would not be good to set a curfew to a child that any parent is not willing to honor even for themselves. 

This goes also to friendships. It is easier to claim you are a friend, but can you really reciprocate and give deeper sense to the word?  

Like in any relationship, friendship must be looked at with depth, responsibility and risks involved, depending on the level of your so-called "friendship." If what you can commit is only shallow, accept that those around you will also reciprocate the neritic bond that you are willing to extend. 

One of the best lessons in life is to allow any seed to grow naturally. Let them go and as they progress just be there, and make sure that the stems you are growing are according to your liking. Also, it is good to accept that there are people better than you. Each person is made distinct from one another based on our individual purpose in life. 

Even to the standards of ordinary men, humility is much more appreciated than haughtiness and arrogance. And as we enter the lenten season, it is also good to reflect, to analyze your character, values and priorities because you might already be over stepping? It is better to live in harmony than to  be challenged by others, much by yourself. So while you still have the chance, make a moment with God and be the child that you are. 

CROWD MENTALITY

Photo credit to Pinterest.ph

Have you heard about "crowd mentality" which is tantamount to a crab mentality?

As human beings the natural instinct of a man is either to retaliate or respond to the issue or issues being allude to him/her. Why? Because it is part of man's natural tendency to act negatively against the perceived "instigators" of negative comments as crab mentality is part of acculturation and survival.

But has anyone ever considered what God might be saying to you, to us, everytime we make a crowd mentality action?

The truth is not about the veracity of the propaganda. Perhaps it would be better that rather than speaking to espouse the interest of your affilitiation, you allow the truth to speak for itself. 

As Fr. Jerry Orbos. Jerry Orbos said in his homily earlier this Sunday, men should not just waste his life checking on what is happening to the world but also make a time with God.

As the lenten season begins, it is also good that you filter every information that you would react to, so as not to fall into the crowd mentality group. I believe that as we all value our names and credibility, we should equally value and promote "just me and God moment" to be able to stand by and for the truth.

Remember, in everything that is happening with, and around us, lies a reason and a mission.